PWE – Chapter 157

Madam He suddenly walked over to Xiao Wange’s side, reaching out to grab her wrist. She said, “Wange… can I call you Wange? You’ve really been wronged, child. Everyone in our unit knows what kind of temper Fang Qiaoyu has. From now on, when you see her, don’t hold back. If you need to fight back, fight back with all your strength.”

Although as a leader’s wife it was somewhat improper for her to speak like this, Fang Qiaoyu had gone way too far. Ever since she arrived at the compound, she’d been causing chaos. Many of the family members had complained about her multiple times. If it weren’t for Qi Jiancheng, Madam He’s husband, she would have already had Fang Qiaoyu thrown out.

As a leader’s wife, she often took care of maintaining harmony in the compound. But with Fang Qiaoyu being such a “mouse dropping,” no matter what she did, she couldn’t make the place peaceful. Sometimes, just seeing Fang Qiaoyu made the air in the compound feel stale.

Xiao Wange looked at the kind, gentle-faced Madam He beside her. She smiled lightly and said, “Don’t worry. I won’t let her get away with it. If she dares to mess with me, I’ll definitely fight back.”

Madam He liked Xiao Wange’s straightforward and decisive personality. She patted the back of Xiao Wange’s hand: “Yes, that’s the way to do it.”

Then, noticing the little Zhaozhao beside Xiao Wange, her gaze softened and her tone became gentle: “This child is really adorable. He looks just like a little doll in a New Year painting.”

The child was dressed very neatly, and the clothes didn’t look cheap. His little face was plump and well-cared-for.

Previously, she had heard rumors that Zhan Zeyan’s new wife might not treat the child well, so she had been worried. Seeing him like this, all her concerns vanished.

Even though Xiao Wange was a stepmother, she was doing a really good job.

Zhaozhao, being praised, felt a little shy. He lowered his eyelids slightly, and a blush quickly spread across his cheeks.

Seeing this reaction, Madam He couldn’t help but smile and patted his head: “This little one is a bit shy, huh?”

Her words made his blush deepen even more.

Xiao Wange smiled and looked at Zhaozhao with affectionate eyes: “This child is sensitive.”

Behind them, Commander He and Zhan Zeyan also smiled.

Zhan Zeyan’s handsome face was full of tenderness as he looked at his wife and then at his son. With both his wife and child by his side, he felt an unprecedented sense of happiness.

…

When they got home, Zhan Zeyan invited Commander He and the others to sit down.

Madam He and Qin Xiaoling handed the items they had brought to Xiao Wange: “It’s our first time visiting, and we didn’t know what to bring, so it’s just some simple things. We hope you don’t mind.”

Xiao Wange wouldn’t mind at all. She took the items with a smile and said, “Not at all, not at all. Honestly, I’m just happy that you came. Next time, don’t bother with gifts—just coming is enough.”

She accepted their gifts this first time; she could return something next time.

Xiao Wange’s polite and easygoing attitude made Madam He and Qin Xiaoling feel very comfortable.

Qin Xiaoling had originally expected Zhan Zeyan’s wife to be difficult, like some other leaders’ wives in the compound, who were proud and haughty, looking down on everyone.

She liked Xiao Wange’s approachable nature. She said, “It would have been awkward not to bring anything on your first visit. But since you said that, next time I’ll come empty-handed.”

Xiao Wange smiled and invited Qin Xiaoling and Madam He to sit on the sofa: “Really, next time, don’t bother with anything.”

She then turned to head to the kitchen to start cooking.

Qin Xiaoling, who had just sat down, immediately stood up again and followed her: “Sister-in-law, are you cooking? Let me help.”

Xiao Wange quickly said, “No need. You just sit and chat with Madam He. I can handle the kitchen by myself.”

Qin Xiaoling frowned for a moment, then looked at Xiao Wange’s back and decided to help anyway.

She was always an active person and felt awkward just sitting around waiting for food at a leader’s house, so she preferred to help in the kitchen.

Xiao Wange put down the gifts. Madam He had brought 2 pounds of pork belly, 3 pounds of ribs, and a pack of White Rabbit milk candies. Qin Xiaoling had also brought about 2 pounds of pork belly and 2 pounds of apples.

Xiao Wange knew that fruit was expensive at this time, so the two pounds of apples were already a very nice gift.

After putting everything down, she went to the stove to clean the pot for cooking.

At this moment, Qin Xiaoling came in.

“Sister-in-law, I’ll help you,” she said.

Xiao Wange turned slightly, smiling at Qin Xiaoling: “Really, it’s not necessary. You just sit and rest.”

Qin Xiaoling smiled, then went to the stove and sat down, picking up the tongs: “Well, they’re probably going to talk about serious matters, which I don’t understand. It’s better if I help. I’ll just handle this easy task. It’s cold today, so I can warm myself by the fire too.”

Xiao Wange scooped water into the pot, cleaning it, and said to Qin Xiaoling: “Okay, then I’ll trouble you.”

“Oh, it’s no trouble,” Qin Xiaoling said, quickly lighting the fire.

Xiao Wange skillfully washed the pot and rinsed the rice. Just as she poured the rice into the pot, Madam He came in.

“I’ll help too,” Madam He said.

Xiao Wange covered the pot with its lid, then smiled at Madam He: “I can’t let my guests do kitchen work—it wouldn’t be proper. Madam He, you should sit in the living room and have some tea and snacks.”

Zhan Zeyan had already brought out a plate of sunflower seeds and brewed a pot of tea.

Madam He said as she walked to the stove: “Their men are going to discuss serious matters, and I, as a woman, can’t really join in. Sitting there doing nothing would be boring, so it’s better if I help.”

Xiao Wange pursed her lips. The kitchen didn’t really need help, but since Madam He insisted, she didn’t ask her to leave.

She picked up a cabbage, placed it in a bowl, and handed it to Madam He: “Could you help wash this cabbage?”

Madam He took it and went to the faucet, saying, “Wange, you don’t need to call me Madam He anymore. Call me Auntie—it feels more affectionate.”

Xiao Wange smiled: “Okay, Auntie.”

At this time, Zhaozhao also ran in to help.

He looked up at Xiao Wange: “Mom, I want to help too. What can I do?”

Normally, he helped his mother with the fire, but today that task had been taken over by Auntie, so he needed something else to do.

Xiao Wange looked at him with affection: “You don’t need to help today. Just bring a stool and sit next to Auntie Qin to warm yourself by the fire.”

The temperature here was lower than in their hometown. Back home, at this time of year, heating wasn’t needed—sometimes just a shirt and sweater were enough.

Here, it was colder, and it had rained lightly last night, making it even chillier. That morning, Zhaozhao’s little hands were still red from the cold.