PWE – Chapter 158

Although Zhaozhao really wanted to help, he was very obedient to his mother. Since she had said so, he obediently carried a stool over and sat next to Qin Xiaoling.

Qin Xiaoling added some firewood to the stove, then turned to Zhaozhao and said, “This child is really well-built, handsome even. He looks even better than the little dolls in New Year paintings.”

She looked a little envious and sighed, “I wish I could have a son like this.”

Qin Xiaoling and her husband had been married for several years, but they still had no children. She had been worried about this for a long time, afraid that she might not be able to have children.

Xiao Wange glanced at Qin Xiaoling, knowing the depth of her worries. From the first time she had seen her at the entrance of the compound, she had already sensed it.

With a gentle smile, Xiao Wange said, “Don’t worry. You’ll definitely have a well-behaved son.”

Qin Xiaoling just took it as a comforting remark.

Her gaze returned to the flames in the stove as she smiled bitterly: “If I were really going to have a son, he would have come by now. Maybe I just don’t have that kind of fate… maybe I’m not meant to be a mother.”

Madam He, who also understood Qin Xiaoling’s worries, gave her a warm, reassuring glance: “You’re still young, don’t overthink. Having children is all about fate—maybe when the right time comes, he’ll arrive.”

Qin Xiaoling lowered her gaze and clenched the fire tongs: “Let’s hope so.”

She immediately felt a little embarrassed. It was her first time visiting someone’s home, and meeting Zhan Zeyan’s wife for the first time, yet she had brought up such a personal topic. She felt it was rather tactless.

She looked apologetically at Xiao Wange, wanting to say something, when Zhaozhao suddenly looked at her and said, “Auntie, you will have a child. Very soon, you’ll have a particularly cute and beautiful child.”

Zhaozhao spoke earnestly. His serious expression, combined with his soft, obedient demeanor, melted hearts.

Qin Xiaoling couldn’t help but smile at his words. She reached out and patted Zhaozhao’s little head: “This child has such a sweet mouth. I’ll take your kind words to heart. If I really have a child one day, I’ll give you candy.”

She didn’t take the child’s words literally; she simply considered them comforting. Still, it was clear that Zhan Zeyan had taught his child well—polite, obedient, and very endearing.

Zhaozhao furrowed his brows, looking even more serious: “Auntie, I’m telling the truth. You really will have a child, and very soon.”

Seeing Auntie’s skeptical expression, he insisted—he had seen it with his own eyes.

Xiao Wange glanced at Zhaozhao, understanding that he had indeed seen something. Her eyes flickered slightly as she instructed him: “Zhaozhao, go to the living room and bring some sunflower seeds. Give some to Auntie Qin.”

Zhaozhao withdrew his gaze from Auntie Qin, looked at his mother, nodded, and said, “Okay,” then quickly ran out of the kitchen.

Qin Xiaoling chuckled: “Sitting here by the fire and cracking seeds feels a bit awkward. Madam He is still washing the vegetables too.”

Xiao Wange smiled: “There’s no need to feel awkward. You don’t have to be so formal here.”

Seeing that Madam He had finished washing the cabbage, Xiao Wange quickly took it from her: “Auntie, you should sit by the fire. Your hands must be a bit stiff from washing—go warm them up.”

“I’ll help you instead. Is there anything else that needs washing?” Madam He glanced around the kitchen, looking for anything else she could help with.

Xiao Wange said, “No, I can handle the rest myself. You go sit down.” She personally carried a stool for Madam He.

Madam He had no choice but to sit down and warm herself by the fire.

Soon, Zhaozhao brought in a plate of sunflower seeds. They had plenty of seeds at home, some of which Xiao Wange had brought from her hometown—she loved snacking on seeds while warming by the fire.

Once the seeds were brought in, Madam He, Qin Xiaoling, and Zhaozhao sat by the fire, cracking seeds and chatting with Xiao Wange. The previously cold kitchen quickly became warm and lively.

Meanwhile, in the living room:

Commander He took a sip of tea, set down the cup, and said with undisguised delight: “Yesterday, that kid He Xiuyan called. He said he wants to join the army, come to our unit. That kid, I had asked him before to join, but he refused stubbornly. Now, finally, he’s come to his senses. This time, he came on his own, without me having to persuade him.”

Commander He felt immense satisfaction.

In the past, he had tried everything, yet the kid refused to join the army, and it nearly caused a rift between father and son.

Now, the kid was coming on his own. He thought it was better to join the army than waste time cultivating. In his view, cultivation was pointless—most people pursuing it ended up dead. How many ever became immortals? Only fools dreamed of it.

Hearing this, Zhan Zeyan’s expression darkened.

He wasn’t opposed to He Xiuyan joining the unit. If Xiuyan had come earlier, he could have helped him settle in. But now… he knew exactly why Xiuyan was coming. It wasn’t for the army—he was coming for Wange. If Wange hadn’t joined the army, Xiuyan probably wouldn’t have come at all.

Zhan Zeyan pressed his thin lips together and didn’t speak.

Beside him, Deputy Commander Hou Dayong said, “He Xiuyan is Commander He’s son, right? Congratulations, Commander. You won’t be separated from him anymore.”

He had also heard about He Xiuyan. The boy had refused military service, choosing cultivation instead.

Frankly, Hou Dayong thought cultivation was nonsense. Many dreamed of becoming immortal, but immortality existed only in myths. In reality, it was nonsense.

Commander He smiled, lifting his teacup: “Yes, once he comes, I can keep an eye on him. With me watching, he’ll have to accomplish something in the army.”

Zhan Zeyan took a sip of tea, his tone calm and measured: “Has Commander He decided which regiment to place him in?”

Commander He patted Zhan Zeyan on the shoulder: “I’ve already decided. He’ll be placed in your regiment. You’ll train him well—he’ll need to endure hardships.”

Zhan Zeyan’s lips curved into a faint, wry smile: “Don’t worry. I will.”

…

Almost an hour later, everyone finally sat down at the dining table.

After tasting a piece of the boiled spicy pork, Commander He’s eyes lit up. He looked at Xiao Wange and said, “Comrade Xiao, this meat is really special—tender and silky, with a spicy, numbing flavor. I’ve never eaten meat like this before.”

He loved strong flavors, and this dish suited his taste perfectly.

Xiao Wange smiled: “I’m glad you like it, Commander.”

Commander He quickly swallowed the meat and reached for another piece.

Seeing how delicious the dish looked, everyone else also started taking some.

After his first bite, Hou Dayong’s expression was even more exaggerated than Commander He’s. “How can this meat taste so good? Soft, tender—it practically melts in your mouth. And the flavor is bold, fragrant, and spicy, instantly grabbing your taste buds.”

Qin Xiaoling couldn’t help exclaiming after tasting a piece: “I didn’t expect, Sister-in-law, that besides being beautiful, your cooking is so good too. How can you be so skilled?”

She truly envied Xiao Wange’s culinary talent. Even cooks at state-run restaurants couldn’t make food this delicious.

Xiao Wange picked up some greens and placed them in her bowl, smiling humbly: “You’re too kind. This is just ordinary home cooking. If you like it, feel free to visit more often.”

Madam He happily ate her meat, quickly swallowing, then looked at Xiao Wange: “I’ll take you at your word.”

Xiao Wange smiled warmly: “I hope Auntie really means it.”

“Hahaha, well then, I’ll come visit often,” Madam He said, laughing heartily. She grew even fonder of Wange—beautiful, skilled in cooking, and kind-hearted. A stepmother who could treat Zhaozhao so well was rare; just that alone commanded respect.

Commander He added, “Then I’ll have to come often too.”

This made everyone at the table laugh.

The meal was enjoyed by all.

Afterwards, Xiao Wange and Madam He washed the dishes in the kitchen, while Zhan Zeyan and Commander He stayed in the living room to discuss business.

Commander He, sitting next to Zhan Zeyan, suddenly said: “Zeyan, you know about the batch of supplies we lost near Qiyun Mountain, right? We sent several teams to search, but they couldn’t find anything. Two of the men even went insane, claiming they saw ghosts. I originally planned to send you and Hou Dayong to search again, but I think… it’s better if your wife comes along.”

Hou Dayong looked utterly baffled.

Why would the commander’s wife need to come to search for lost military supplies? Was it to cook for them on the trip?

Zhan Zeyan’s face darkened.

He looked sternly at Commander He: “My wife just arrived. I don’t want her to go through unnecessary hardship. This time, Hou Dayong and I will go. We’ll make sure to recover the supplies.”