PWE – Chapter 125 You are not worthy to be my opponent

“Xiao Wange, there’s a saying: ‘Where mercy can be shown, show mercy.’ Although Qiu Haiyang was wrong today, you weren’t actually harmed, were you? Since no real harm came to you, why be so aggressive? Do you even realize what will happen if this matter becomes widely known? If what he did reaches his parents, or the military, his career will be over! Xiao Wange, can’t you show some compassion and let him off? Why must you be so vicious?”

Bai Caixuan gritted her teeth as she spoke, then added, “He’s only in his twenties, and you just said he was originally a good person, only led astray by me. If that’s the case, why can’t you give him a chance? Everyone makes mistakes. As long as they recognize them and correct them, it’s fine. Xiao Wange, I advise you to give him a chance to change. Don’t be so ruthless.”

Qiu Haiyang listened, “…”

He felt a little touched.

So Caixuan still cared about him. She still had feelings for him. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be speaking up for him now.

His eyes softened, and he looked at Bai Caixuan with gratitude.

Xiao Wange, on the other hand, could only smile upon hearing this.

And indeed, she did smile—only that the smile was full of sarcasm and disdain.

She glanced coldly at Bai Caixuan and sneered lightly, “So now you’re pretending to be good. If you’re so kind, why did you have him do that earlier? If you’re so good, why did you make him target me, trying to ruin my reputation? Bai Caixuan, when it comes to the word ‘vicious,’ the most vicious person here is you. Don’t forget—you even tried to sell off my Zhaozhao before. Oh, and you tried to steal my man, to claim him for yourself!”

Bai Caixuan: “…”

She clenched her teeth tightly, anger boiling over.

So what if she had done those things? She was vicious, yes—but Xiao Wange was equally vicious! If Xiao Wange were kind, she wouldn’t have set the trap that sent her to prison in the first place!

If Xiao Wange were kind, she wouldn’t now be scheming to get revenge through Qiu Haiyang! Ultimately, Xiao Wange and she were the same kind of person: equally vicious and selfish!

She clenched her fingers hard, about to retort, but Xiao Wange continued, smiling, “I know you’re afraid his parents will find out. But Bai Caixuan, a person must own their actions. Since you dared to encourage him to make a mistake back then, now… you must take responsibility.”

The smile at the corner of her mouth grew more meaningful as she glanced toward the direction where the village secretary had gone, “The secretary should be at the office soon. Once the call is made there, Qiu Haiyang’s actions will reach his military unit. And when his unit finds out, his parents will too. The reason I’m going to see them personally is not only to confirm this matter but also… to tell them something else.”

“What’s that?” Bai Caixuan asked instinctively.

Xiao Wange’s smile deepened.

She looked at Bai Caixuan and said softly, “You’ll know in time.”

Bai Caixuan: “…”

She knew it could only be bad news. That shameless Xiao Wange was surely plotting something against her!

Zhao Lijuan and a few other villagers chased Qiu Haiyang out of the courtyard.

Having someone like him in the Zhan family’s yard was nothing short of polluting the air.

After Qiu Haiyang was sent away, Zhao Lijuan turned to Xiao Wange, holding her hand, “Wange, in the future you must be more careful. Don’t let just anyone in. Some people look decent but are shameless beasts inside. Letting such people in will only spoil your home.”

Qiu Haiyang hadn’t left the village yet. After being driven away, he reached Bai Caixuan’s courtyard gate, wanting to say a few words.

He could clearly hear Zhao Lijuan calling him a beast from outside the Bai family courtyard.

He clenched his hands tightly, feeling both ashamed and angry.

Today he was indeed at fault. And his misdeeds had been exposed.

So now, even if people called him a maggot in a latrine, he had to endure it.

He took a deep breath, looked up at Bai Caixuan, and said, “Caixuan, don’t worry. Even if my parents find out about you, I won’t let them hurt you. But for a long time from now, we won’t be able to meet. So… take care of yourself.”

If this matter reached his parents, they would definitely prevent him from seeing her again. They would try every method to cut off all contact.

But Bai Caixuan had angered Xiao Wange, and she didn’t yet know how Xiao Wange would retaliate.

He was deeply worried that she would suffer.

Bai Caixuan showed a fragile, pitiful expression.

She looked steadily at Qiu Haiyang and said remorsefully, “Haiyang, today’s events are all my fault. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t be in this situation. It’s all my fault—I dragged you into this.”

She even covered her face with her hands and sobbed quietly.

Seeing her cry, Qiu Haiyang immediately felt heartache.

He wanted to step forward, hug her, and wipe away her tears.

But since they were outside, and their relationship hadn’t reached that stage, he restrained himself.

He looked at her affectionately, “It’s not your fault. I did this willingly. It has nothing to do with you. I originally wanted to help you get rid of her, but unfortunately, I didn’t succeed.”

He lowered his head slightly, his face full of guilt.

Bai Caixuan glanced at his expression secretly.

Qiu Haiyang had liked her since high school. He had always pursued her. Though his family was well-off, she never liked him.

Even so, she had never outright rejected him.

After all, a man with such advantages could at least serve as a loyal companion.

When she first entered prison, she had sent him messages hoping he would rescue her quickly. But he was on a mission then, so he couldn’t save her in time.

As soon as his mission ended, he rushed back immediately.

The first thing he did was to get her out of prison.

She looked at him twice, and tears began streaming down her face even more violently, “Haiyang, you’re so good. Why are you… so good to me?”

After a pause, a sly gleam crossed her eyes, and she continued, “I didn’t expect Xiao Wange to be so ruthless. She actually wants to drag this to your unit. If this reaches your unit, what will you do? I originally wanted to beg her for mercy, but who knew she’d be so heartless.”

She wanted to provoke Qiu Haiyang’s hatred for Xiao Wange. She wanted to use him to deal with Xiao Wange even more fiercely in the future.

Even if Qiu Haiyang got expelled from the unit, with his family’s status, he wouldn’t ever fall into poverty.

So if she wanted to go after Xiao Wange in the future, she would need him. The plan to find the accomplished master would rely on him.

Qiu Haiyang thought of Xiao Wange’s earlier coldness. His brow furrowed, his expression darkened.

He wanted to respond, but from the gate came Zhao Lijuan’s voice.

Zhao Lijuan glared at Bai Caixuan, “Even now, you’re trying to make enemies for Wange? Bai Caixuan, how much do you hate her to always try to turn people against her? And you call Wange heartless? How can you say that? If you weren’t heartless, you wouldn’t be making enemies for her like this. Don’t be so vile and sneaky!”

The villagers around her nodded in agreement.

“Exactly. You’re so shameless, and you still call Wange heartless? How dare you say that?”

“I really admire your thick skin. If I were you, I wouldn’t have the face to speak those words; I’d hide in my house.”

“If only people like you could be driven out of the village. The air here would be better without you.”

“Exactly. If you still have any shame, you’d better move out soon.”

Hearing the villagers’ accusations, Bai Caixuan clenched her hands. Her face darkened.

She wanted to speak, but the words stuck in her throat.

She only put on a fragile, pitiful expression, looking wronged with tears streaming down.

Qiu Haiyang turned and glared at Zhao Lijuan and the others, growling, “Enough! All you do is scold Caixuan! But this is clearly Wange’s fault. If not for Wange, how could Caixuan have ended up like this? It’s Wange who forced her… Wange forced her to become like this!”

Zhao Lijuan and the villagers: “…”

They were all stunned, never expecting Qiu Haiyang to argue so passionately.

Xiao Wange leaned against the gate of her courtyard.

She glanced at Zhao Lijuan and the others, smiling, “Aunties, stop talking. No matter what you say, Qiu Haiyang thinks it’s my fault. In his heart, he’s already decided I’m the villain. In his eyes, Bai Caixuan is perfect, no matter what she does.”

She looked at Qiu Haiyang and teased, “I bet if Bai Caixuan took a dump, you’d say it smelled wonderful.”

Bai Caixuan: “…”

Qiu Haiyang: “…”

Their faces flushed instantly. They hadn’t expected Xiao Wange… to say something so crude.

Xiao Wange said, “Don’t look so shocked. Although my words aren’t polite, aren’t you… just like this?”

Zhao Lijuan suddenly laughed, mockingly glancing at Qiu Haiyang, “Wange’s right. I bet if Bai Caixuan poops in front of you, you’d say it smells wonderful. After all, you argue so desperately to defend her!”

She paused, then added, “Young man, I think you’re deluded. Bai Caixuan isn’t worth liking. Today you’ve lost your career for her—watch out, one day you might lose your life too.”

Then she stopped wasting words.

She chatted and laughed with the other villagers as they headed home.

Bai Caixuan dug her nails into her palms so hard they sank into her flesh.

She looked at Zhao Lijuan’s back, then turned to Qiu Haiyang, “Haiyang, what auntie said earlier…”

“Don’t worry, I won’t take it to heart,” Qiu Haiyang smiled, showing his unique gentle expression reserved only for Bai Caixuan.

Bai Caixuan exhaled in relief.

She had feared that Qiu Haiyang might overthink and distance himself because of what others said.

Meanwhile, Xiao Wange tugged at the corner of her mouth, a cold, sarcastic smile on her face.

Truly a brainless fan—Qiu Haiyang… was completely in love with Bai Caixuan.

She wondered what exactly Bai Caixuan’s charm was to ensnare Qiu Haiyang like this.

After Qiu Haiyang left, Bai Caixuan turned to Xiao Wange, “Who wins and who loses isn’t certain yet. Xiao Wange, don’t get too smug!”

Xiao Wange flicked a strand of hair near her ear.

She glared at Bai Caixuan lightly, mocking, “You’re not even qualified to be my opponent. Why talk about winning or losing? Huh? If you want to be my opponent, you’re not good enough yet.”

“You…”

Bai Caixuan ground her teeth, furious, frowning deeply, about to retort.

But as soon as she said “You,” Xiao Wange turned and entered the courtyard, casually shutting the gate behind her.

Bai Caixuan: “…”

That shameless Xiao Wange, that shameless woman!

She said Bai Caixuan wasn’t worthy to be her opponent?

Ha! This arrogant woman would soon be taught a harsh lesson, to see exactly who is unworthy to face whom!

…

Once inside the courtyard, Xiao Wange went to Zhaozhao, picked him up, and said, “Zhaozhao, you did great today. To reward you, Mom will make braised pork for you at lunch.”

Today, thanks to Zhaozhao. If he hadn’t intercepted the village chief and others, the muddy water they splashed might have been hard to clean.

“Really, Mom? Great, braised pork again!” Zhaozhao clapped his little hands, beaming.

Xiao Wange kissed his cheek, then looked around.

She had felt something strange in the air last night, but now, with daylight, everything seemed normal.

And through the jade pendant Zhaozhao had in his dream, she could be certain: the important figure… would not harm Zhaozhao.

She could also confirm that the one who gave the jade pendant to Zhaozhao in the dream was that important figure. And she was sure that this important figure had some connection with Zhan Zeyan.

What exactly that connection was, she didn’t yet know. Everything had to be uncovered step by step.

She put Zhaozhao down in the main room to practice writing at the table, then returned to her room.

She took out the jade pendant and examined it carefully.

It had very intricate patterns, somewhat resembling a totem.

She studied the totem closely.

Suddenly, a flash of light crossed her mind, accompanied by scattered memories.

But she couldn’t grasp all of them at once—only that she had seen this pendant before.

So… she really had lost her memory!

She held her head in her palms, trying hard to recall, to restore what was lost.

But… no matter how she tried, she couldn’t remember.

In the end, her head even hurt, as if filled with lead.

She pocketed the jade pendant and headed to the courtyard to clean it thoroughly.

With the New Year coming, the house needed to be cleaned inside and out.

Actually, she wasn’t good at cleaning and didn’t like it.

She wished Zhan Zeyan were with her; if he were, she’d leave it all to him.

…

The next day, Xiao Wange took Zhaozhao to the provincial capital.

After grabbing a bite, she brought him to Qiu Haiyang’s house.

They were led in by the Qiu family’s housekeeper.

After taking them to the living room, the housekeeper said to Qiu Haiyang’s parents, “Sir, Madam, Comrade Xiao and her child are here.”

Yesterday, upon receiving a call, Qiu Haiyang’s father had instructed her to let any lady surnamed Xiao in.

Xiao Wange smiled politely at the middle-aged couple on the sofa, “Sorry for dropping by unannounced, I hope I’m not disturbing you.”

Qiu’s father stood quickly, greeting her courteously, “Comrade Xiao, you flatter us. It’s our honor that you’ve come. If you hadn’t, we were planning to visit you ourselves.”

He had heard of Xiao Wange before, from a county police chief who described her as almost divine—beautiful, skilled in exorcisms, and ghost-catching. The chief’s eyes would light up when speaking of her, wishing he could revere her like a saint.

He had been curious but hadn’t had time to visit.

And when he finally had time, his son caused trouble—precisely related to Xiao Wange.

Qiu’s mother also stood, her face full of admiration, stepping toward Xiao Wange, “Hello, Comrade Xiao. I’ve heard of you for a long time and wanted to visit. But I was busy before. I didn’t expect our first meeting to be you coming to us. I…”

“Xiao Wange!” Before she could finish, Qiu Haiyang came downstairs.

He wasn’t in uniform, wearing khaki pants, a black sweater, and a black jacket.

He looked casual, calm—but his face was sour, as if someone owed him two million.

He called out, then rushed down the stairs.

He reached Xiao Wange, grabbing at her wrist, “What are you doing here? Come with me, leave with me!”

Although his parents knew what he did yesterday, that he targeted Xiao Wange for Bai Caixuan, he didn’t want Xiao Wange speaking in front of them.

He feared she would reveal shocking truths, and his parents… would completely destroy Caixuan!

But before his hand touched her, Xiao Wange pushed him away.

She gave him a cold glare, “Comrade Qiu, I suggest you mind your manners!