PWE – Chapter 15 Testing Her Limits

The sky darkened quickly.

Xiao Wange locked the courtyard gate, then took Zhaozhao and quietly slipped out through the back door.

Once night fell, the village roads were nearly deserted, so no one saw her walking with Zhaozhao.

She first went to the village chief’s house, stayed for about ten minutes, and then headed to the Party secretary’s house.

After another ten minutes there, she left Zhaozhao in the secretary’s care, then hurried back home alone.

On her way back, she avoided being seen by Bai Caixuan’s family by once again slipping in through the back door.

She stayed home for a little over ten minutes. When she judged the timing was right, she got up, walked to the courtyard gate, opened it, and quickly left.

Just as she left, Bai Caixuan next door quietly sneaked out of her room.

Her parents never allowed her to go out after dark.

But tonight she had something she had to do.

Moving cautiously, she crept out like a thief, crouching low as she slipped out the Bai family’s back door.

…

Seven or eight minutes later, Xiao Wange arrived at the village’s grain-drying ground.

It had been built years ago, with a spacious paved yard and two warehouses at its edge.

Normally the warehouses were locked. But tonight, the lock on one had clearly been tampered with—though under the darkness, it wasn’t easy to spot.

Xiao Wange stood in the middle of the yard and glanced back over her shoulder.

Spotting the hurried figure in the night, the corner of her lips curved in a mocking smile.

Just as she expected—Bai Caixuan had rushed over. Clearly, Bai Caixuan was desperate, anxious to persuade her to sell off Zhaozhao.

Folding her arms lazily, Xiao Wange crouched down on the ground, waiting for Bai Caixuan to approach.

As soon as Bai Caixuan stepped onto the drying ground, she called softly, “Wange…”

Her voice was low, as if afraid someone might overhear.

Xiao Wange tilted her head slightly to glance at her. “Mm… you’re here.”

Bai Caixuan walked up, frowned in displeasure, and said, “Why meet here? Couldn’t we just meet at your house like usual? Out here at night—it’s cold and dark.”

She had always snuck into Xiao Wange’s house after dark before. Indoors was much better—at least it wasn’t so cold.

Xiao Wange arched a brow. “Wasn’t it you who asked to meet? I thought you wanted to talk to me.”

“…” Bai Caixuan was momentarily stuck. Tonight, it had clearly been Xiao Wange who asked first. Still, she did have something she wanted to discuss.

So, frowning but not arguing, she went along: “Yes, I do. Wange, what’s wrong with you? Why are you treating that boy Zhan Zhaozhao so well? He isn’t even your own son. No matter how kind you are, it won’t matter. Did you forget what I told you? In my grandma’s village, there was a stepmother who poured her heart out for her stepson. But when he grew up, he didn’t care for her at all—he drove her out of the house. Wange, if you’re good to Zhaozhao now, he’ll turn out the same. He’ll never accept you as his mother.”

She pressed her persuasion eagerly. She’d said such things many times before—and it had always worked. Tonight, she was confident it would work again.

But Xiao Wange only felt like laughing.

Yes, some stepmothers gave without return. But she knew Zhaozhao—he was a good child. He would repay kindness. And more importantly, she wasn’t being kind for repayment.

She liked Zhaozhao, simply wanted to care for him. Seeing his obedient little face, she wished she could place the best of the world before him.

A true mother asked for nothing in return. And that was what she wanted to be—a mother.

Lazily eyeing Bai Caixuan, Xiao Wange said, “Stop. I’ve already decided—no matter what, I will treat Zhaozhao well. That day I fell, he stayed by my bedside without leaving. He treated me like his real mother. So I will treat him sincerely, as if he were my own son.”

“Wange!” Bai Caixuan was furious. Her brows pinched tight, her eyes flashing with resentment—though she thought the night hid her expression. But Xiao Wange saw it clearly.

Grinding her teeth, Bai Caixuan snapped, “Are you stupid? Zhan Zhaozhao was just putting on an act! He doesn’t see you as his mother. That child is cunning. He was just pretending when you fell, so you’d like him more—and then treat him better later. Don’t be fooled by that brat! He’s not innocent!”

Xiao Wange felt speechless. Just to persuade her to sell the child, Bai Caixuan went so far as to slander him. Truly vicious.

Frowning, she said flatly, “Zhaozhao is only three years old. How could a three-year-old have so many schemes? Caixuan, must you think so badly of a child?”

As she spoke, she glanced at the warehouse. The people inside must have heard everything by now.

Indeed, in the dark warehouse, the hidden listeners burned with fury. If not for restraining themselves, they would have rushed out already.

Bai Caixuan gritted her teeth. Seeing Xiao Wange unmoved, she cursed her as a fool who wasn’t so easy to manipulate anymore, yet kept pushing: “Other kids, maybe not. But he does! I’m only thinking for your sake. Sell him in town, say he got lost. Even if people blame you, they won’t do much. Then you can have your own child. Your own will always be better than a stepson.”

In the warehouse, the listeners almost couldn’t hold back their rage. This wretched girl—actually persuading someone to sell a child! Was this even human?

Xiao Wange curled her lip. “I’ll never sell Zhaozhao. He’s my good son—I’ll never give him up. And selling children is illegal. How could you tell me to commit a crime?”

“…” Bai Caixuan was infuriated. This fool actually dared to question her?

Before she could reply, Xiao Wange continued, “Caixuan, you put a gu worm on Zhaozhao, didn’t you? That worm made him burn with fever and nearly killed him.”

At that, Bai Caixuan froze, her heart skipping a beat.

She stared at Xiao Wange, denying, “What nonsense? Gu worms? I don’t know what that is!”

“Don’t deny it. I asked your mother. She said it was you. She said she disapproved, but you wouldn’t listen.” Xiao Wange’s eyes locked firmly on her.

Bai Caixuan frowned, reflexively protesting, “My mom doesn’t know about that. Don’t bluff me—when I brought the worm back…”

“So it’s true. Just that your mother didn’t know.” Xiao Wange’s tone was mocking.

Only then did Bai Caixuan realize she’d been tricked—by this “fool.”

Fury and humiliation twisted her face as she clenched her fists tight.

Xiao Wange pressed on coldly, “Caixuan, you’re truly ruthless—to use such things on a child. Luckily, I caught it in time, or Zhaozhao would’ve died.”

Bai Caixuan ground her teeth. “So it was you who got rid of it? You had that ability?”

She no longer denied it—too late now. Denying would only make her look more foolish.

“Yes, I did. My grandfather taught me well, including about Miao gu worms. I knew how to handle it. Caixuan, this is all for Zhan Zeyan, isn’t it? You resent that I married him. So you egg me on to mistreat the child, to sell him, so that Zeyan will drive me out. Then you’d have your chance. But tell me—would he really love someone like you? So vile, so cruel? Would he really marry you?”

Xiao Wange’s face and voice turned sharp.

Bai Caixuan’s expression twisted, as if her ancestors’ graves had been desecrated.

She sneered bitterly, “Someone like me? Even so, I’m better than you! Wange, how are you worthy of marrying Zhan Zeyan? Look at yourself—you’re nothing but trash. His marrying you is his disgrace!”

Her words dripped with venom.

Then, pausing, she added, “Yes, I egged you on to mistreat Zhaozhao, to sell him. I even used gu on him. But what can you do about it? Say it out loud—who would believe you? They’d only think you’re crazy, slandering me. Wange, you can only swallow this bitterly!”

Xiao Wange just smiled. Swallowing grievances? Never her way.

Before she could reply, Bai Caixuan sneered again: “Fine, if I can’t convince you, then I’ll change the plan. What if I secretly poison Zhaozhao, kill him outright? Then who’ll take the blame? You, of course. Everyone would believe it was you—the stepmother who hated the child too much. You’d be branded a murderer!”

This plan had crossed her mind before, though poison carried risk. But now she didn’t care. She only wanted the brat gone—and Xiao Wange driven away.

She finished with a proud little laugh, as if mocking Xiao Wange’s helplessness.

“Bai Caixuan! How can you be so vicious!” a furious voice rang from the warehouse.

Bai Caixuan froze, pupils contracting, panic flashing uncontrollably across her face.