PWE – Chapter 13 Meat, Greed, and Retribution

Xiao Wange’s eyes flashed with mockery, though on her face she feigned shock. She looked at Xu Meifeng in astonishment and said,

“Auntie, you actually said that? You said everything in my house belongs to you? You even want to take over my home?”

Xu Meifeng’s heart pounded wildly, panic gripping her. She swallowed hard, her voice trembling unconsciously:
“I never said that, never! Xiaoxiao is just talking nonsense, he…”

“Hah, nonsense?! I think he was telling the truth! Everyone knows children are the most honest. If your Zhan Xiaoxiao said it, it must be true! Xu Meifeng, you’re really something, trying to seize everything from Zeyan’s family! How could your heart be so black? Aren’t you afraid Heaven will strike you down? Don’t forget—Heaven has struck you before!”

Zhao Lijuan was furious—so angry it was as if Xu Meifeng had tried to take her own belongings. She glared fiercely at her, itching to slap her several times and beat her to death for being so vile!

Xu Meifeng looked up at the sky, torn between fear of thunderbolts and the frantic urge to defend herself.

But the villagers didn’t give her any chance to explain.

They began to scold her one after another, the momentum so fierce it seemed they would pin her to the ground and grind her face into the dirt.

Even the Party secretary glared at her indignantly:
“It’s better to be kind! Xu Meifeng, you’re so malicious, be careful Heaven really takes your life someday!”

Xu Meifeng: “…”

Now she truly felt wronged!

Yes, she coveted everything Zhan Zeyan’s family had, even their house—but she hadn’t actually taken anything! Why were they all treating her like she had already stolen it? She hadn’t acted yet, but they had already branded her a criminal. Wasn’t this too much?

She wanted to shout back in protest, but the Party secretary suddenly turned to Xiao Wange and said:
“From now on, be tougher! Don’t shrink back just because Xu Meifeng is your elder. If she bullies you, bully her right back! And if she dares say anything, come find me!”

Normally, he wouldn’t say such a thing—after all, she was Xiao Wange’s elder, and telling a younger person to fight back was improper. But Xu Meifeng was far too much. If Xiao Wange didn’t toughen up, Zeyan’s family property would eventually fall into Xu Meifeng’s hands. So he had no choice but to guide her this way.

Xiao Wange secretly laughed. This was exactly what she wanted—to have the secretary openly support her. From now on, if she clashed with Xu Meifeng’s family, no one would side with them. Everyone would believe Xu Meifeng’s family started it, and Xiao Wange was merely forced to resist.

“Alright, you take the child home now. You’ve walked so far back from town, you must be tired. Go rest.” The secretary looked at Zhan Jinzhao, who was cowering behind Xiao Wange. His heart softened. Clearly, the child had long been bullied by Xu Meifeng. He could only hope Xiao Wange would really stand firm and protect the boy.

Xiao Wange smiled at the secretary, then thanked Zhao Lijuan and the others for speaking up on her behalf and putting Xu Meifeng in her place.

After thanking them, she took the boy home.

Xu Meifeng tried to slip away with Xiaoxiao, but Zhao Lijuan grabbed her:
“Hey, where are you going? I haven’t finished talking! Xu Meifeng, you really are rotten to the core…”

Xu Meifeng couldn’t escape. Zhao Lijuan launched into another round of scolding, and the villagers eagerly joined in.

Grinding her teeth, Xu Meifeng seethed with hatred—hatred for these nosy villagers, but even more for that wretched Xiao Wange. She swore she’d make her pay one day!

Xiao Wange and little Zhao Zhao reached their gate.

Just as she was about to push it open, they ran into their neighbors on the left—Bai Caixuan and her mother, He Cailian, both carrying hoes, clearly just back from the fields.

Bai Caixuan glanced at Xiao Wange, then at Zhan Jinzhao. Seeing the boy looking healthy, without any sign of sickness, her breath caught, and her face darkened.

What was going on? Why did Zhan Jinzhao look perfectly fine? He had been poisoned with a gu worm—an affliction no ordinary person could cure, only make worse. Why did he look… normal?

Yesterday she thought his good complexion was just the temporary effect of the worm feeding off food. But now, it clearly wasn’t that. How was his gu poison broken? It couldn’t be Xiao Wange—she was just a peasant woman.

If not her, then who? Who had such ability?

She longed to investigate but knew now wasn’t the time. And besides, she wasn’t well-versed in gu worms herself. Even if she checked, she might find nothing.

Still, no matter if his gu was resolved, she must persuade Xiao Wange to sell him. Her plan could not change.

He Cailian looked at Xiao Wange with a distant smile.
“Zeyan’s wife, back from the market?”

Xiao Wange smiled politely.
“Mm. Yes, Auntie.”

Since He Cailian had always been distant toward Zeyan’s family, Xiao Wange had no need to act overly warm.

He Cailian said nothing more, only told her daughter:
“Why are you standing there? Hurry inside.”

Bai Caixuan nodded and entered, but not before casting a long, meaningful glance at Xiao Wange.

Her persuasion to sell Jinzhao had to speed up—if things dragged on, something might go wrong.

Watching her leave, Xiao Wange curved her lips in a knowing smile. So, Bai Caixuan must be anxious to push her into selling Jinzhao. Perfect. That meant it was time to bait her into the trap.

Back home, Xiao Wange began braising bones in sauce.

At noon, she and Jinzhao had only eaten some meat buns on the Shi family’s stone steps. Those buns were filling, but after the long walk home, they had been digested. They’d be hungry again by four or five.

So she wanted dinner ready early.

As the bones simmered over a slow flame, the fragrance spread, making mouths water.

In the next courtyard, Xu Meifeng caught the scent. Grinding her teeth in hatred, she cursed Xiao Wange—hoping she’d choke to death on the meat she bought with her money.

But oh, the smell was unbearably tempting.

Her grandson Xiaoxiao tugged at her clothes.
“Grandma, I want meat too! Go get some from next door, please? I really want to eat it!”

In the past, whenever the neighbors cooked meat, Grandma would take a big bowl over and come back with some. Surely today too?

He had already forgotten how they’d been humiliated earlier because of meat.

Xu Meifeng, usually indulgent, was still angry about being scolded in public. She scowled at him.
“Eat, eat, eat—that’s all you know! You think they’re so kind they’ll just give you meat? You think they’re saints?!”

She spoke loudly, deliberately raising her voice so Xiao Wange in the kitchen next door could hear every word.

Xiao Wange smirked coldly. Let her be sarcastic—it was useless. She wouldn’t give them a bite. Better to feed the dog than them. Dogs wag their tails in gratitude; people like them only repay kindness with more greed.

Soon, the braised bones were almost done. She started on red-braised pork and rice.

The rich aroma filled the air, stronger even than the bones.

Little Zhao Zhao sat by the stove, drooling despite himself.

Xiao Wange chuckled.
“Almost ready, my little glutton.”

He blushed, embarrassed.
“I… I’m not greedy.”

But the smell was just too good. Better than the banquet food his grandmother once took him to.

Xiao Wange teased,
“Alright, you’re not greedy—I am.”

She gave the pot a few final stirs and served the pork.

Meanwhile, in the other courtyard, Xiaoxiao couldn’t stand it anymore.

He turned to his mother, Qiu Xianghui.
“Mom, I want that meat! Go get it for me!”

Qiu Xianghui hesitated. After all, her mother-in-law had just been warned not to take food from next door.

But seeing her son’s craving face, she wavered.

Finally, she handed him a bowl and chopsticks.
“Go yourself. You’re Xiao Wange’s nephew—she won’t turn you away. And if she dares, just cry and make a scene at her door. Let’s see if she can bear the shame of refusing her own nephew.”

Xiaoxiao cheered, took the bowl, and ran out excitedly.

Inside, Jinzhao’s face tightened with worry.
“Mom, Xiaoxiao’s coming—he wants our meat.”

He didn’t want to share, especially not with the cousin who used to hit and scold him.

Xiao Wange patted his head reassuringly.
“Don’t worry. He won’t even get through our gate.”

Jinzhao blinked.
“Really?”

She smiled knowingly.
“Of course.”

The words had barely left her lips when a sharp scream echoed from outside the gate.

It was Xiaoxiao’s voice—piercing, filled with pain.

Jinzhao peered out, puzzled.
“What happened to Xiaoxiao?”