PWE – Chapter 168

During the meal, Hou Dayong and his wife kept serving food to Xiao Wange and Zhaozhao, while Qin’s mother also kept placing dishes onto Xiao Wange’s plate and her child’s.

As she served, Qin’s mother said, “Eat more, eat more. There’s nothing particularly good at home, but I hope you… uh, I hope Comrade Xiao doesn’t mind.”

She didn’t dare call her “my daughter” anymore. After all, someone like her—a mere subordinate—had no right to act like an elder. Calling her “my daughter” might even shorten her lifespan.

Xiao Wange smiled, picking up some food from her bowl. She glanced at Qin’s mother and Hou Dayong, saying, “You don’t need to be so polite. You don’t have to fuss over me and Zhaozhao. From now on, just treat each other like neighbors, as usual.”

Hou Dayong and Qin Xiaoling nodded quickly, saying “Alright.”

But although they said it, their hearts were uneasy. Treating a supreme being like a neighbor? Uh, they couldn’t do that. After all, this person was the King of Hell. The one who controlled life and death—they couldn’t possibly treat her like a neighbor.

“Zhaozhao truly is Comrade Xiao’s child. When he saw that little ghost and the Qin family earlier, he remained completely calm, not afraid at all,” Qin Xiaoling said, picking up a piece of food for Zhaozhao with a smile.

Zhaozhao looked up at her. He had seen far scarier things than a little ghost like that, so it didn’t even faze him.

Some thoughts are better left unspoken.

Hou Dayong and Qin’s mother also praised Zhaozhao a few times. Hearing the compliments, Zhaozhao lowered his head. To outsiders, it seemed he was embarrassed—and indeed he was, his cheeks tinged with a faint blush.

Meanwhile, Qin Xiao’e stood by the table, glaring at the food while swallowing hard. She wanted to eat too. That morning she had only eaten two buns on the train, and now her stomach was empty, screaming for food.

But her mother wouldn’t let her sit at the table. She had begged for a while, but her mother refused.

Clenching her hands, watching everyone else eat so joyfully, she gritted her teeth, her eyes filled with resentment.

Her plan had failed.

Not only could she no longer harm Qin Xiaoling, but she had also lost thirty years of her life. Thirty years—how many thirty-year spans does a person get in a lifetime?

The thought alone made her furious. And now her mother still wouldn’t let her eat—how could her mother treat her this way?

She was filled with hatred. Truly, pure hatred.

Her husband and son sat at the table silently eating, neither glancing at her nor asking if she was hungry or wanted food.

What a perfect husband and son. Had she known they would be so indifferent, she would have poisoned them both with a pack of rat poison back then!

Meanwhile, Xiao Wange glanced at Qin Xiao’e as she ate. Seeing her twisted expression, Xiao Wange clicked her tongue and sighed quietly.

This person… really was beyond saving.

…

After the meal, Qin’s mother and Qin Xiaoling invited Xiao Wange to sit and rest.

But Xiao Wange wanted to take Zhaozhao back for a nap, so she insisted on leaving.

After Xiao Wange left, Qin’s mother turned to Hou Dayong and said, “You’re Comrade Xiao’s husband’s subordinate. From now on, you better maintain a good relationship with him. If you dare oppose him, don’t think I’ll step in—you’d be in for a beating, let alone Comrade Xiao herself.”

“Mom, don’t worry. Even if you don’t say anything, I’ll maintain a good relationship with Commander Zhan. After all, he’s my sister-in-law’s husband, and we’ve all seen her abilities firsthand. Even if I had ten lives, I wouldn’t dare go against Commander Zhan.”

Going against Commander Zhan? What if Sister-in-law had him killed?

“Good, I’m glad you understand,” Qin’s mother said, feeling slightly relieved.

But then she thought about Comrade Xiao’s husband and sighed inwardly.

They said his surname was Zhan. That man really was lucky—to marry a supreme figure of the Underworld. If only her sons could marry someone like that, she’d be laughing in her sleep.

But this was only envy, not jealousy. Even if jealousy twisted her face, such a blessing wouldn’t fall to her family. Jealousy only made one ugly and gained nothing.

…

Back at home, Xiao Wange put Zhaozhao down for a nap.

She lay down beside him on the bed.

But less than ten minutes later, she awoke.

Seeing a figure at the window, her eyes narrowed, and she immediately sat up.

She raised her hand, setting up a protective barrier around Zhaozhao. The barrier not only shielded him, but also blocked any external sound from reaching him.

Her eyes cold, her voice sharp and cutting, she asked the figure at the window, “You followed us here? Following us all this way, what exactly do you want?”

Long Yan leaned lazily against the window.

A faint smile tugged at his lips as he looked at Xiao Wange. “I am Zhaozhao’s father. I followed you so that I could always be near my child.”

Xiao Wange: “……”

Hearing that, anger suddenly rose in her chest.

Her eyes narrowed, displeased, as she glared at Long Yan. “Don’t try to claim kinship here. I don’t have a husband like you, and Zhaozhao doesn’t have a father like you!”

She raised her wrist slightly, preparing to strike. “I suggest you don’t appear in front of us again, or else—”

“Or else what? You’ll be rude to me?” Long Yan smiled, stepping onto the bed.

His voice softened, carrying a subtle intimacy. “But do you even have the ability right now? Most of your power is sealed. You… aren’t a match for me.”

He paused, then continued, “Unless you can lift the seal. But do you dare? Are you willing to take that risk? I guess… you wouldn’t dare.”

He spoke confidently, smiling as he watched her. That smile made Xiao Wange frown sharply.

She pressed her lips together. This man knew her power had been sealed, and even seemed aware of the risks she’d face if she lifted it.

How did he know? What kind of connection did they have in the past?

“Don’t be so hostile. Your hostility… hurts me,” he said, stepping closer, eyes suddenly soft and troubled.

Xiao Wange’s frown deepened.

She had seen him on the train earlier, and even then, a sense of discomfort had risen in her chest.