PWE – Chapter 173

Being sharply confronted by Madam He, Fang Qiaoyu felt completely humiliated, both in public and in private.

Feeling embarrassed and unable to save face, she stiffened her neck and said, “Madam He, today’s incident really isn’t my fault. It’s Xiao Wange’s son—”

“Enough!” Madam He cut her off, unwilling to hear any more excuses. “Children already saw you misbehave, and yet you remain so stubborn. Comrade Fang, out of consideration for Commander Qi, I have tolerated you repeatedly and given you chances. But if you continue to act so obstinately, don’t blame me for showing no mercy!”

Fang Qiaoyu froze at these words. Clenching her fists, she tried to speak: “Madam He, I…”

“Your behavior today is far too much. Xiao Wange’s child is so young—running into him would have been bad enough, but you even falsely accused him! How can you have any shame?” Madam He spoke deliberately, expressing her utter disdain for Fang Qiaoyu’s actions.

Before Fang Qiaoyu could respond, Madam He turned and walked downstairs. “I must report today’s incident to Commander Qi and also to the military district!”

“Madam He…” Fang Qiaoyu’s breath caught; her heart skipped a beat. She hurried to follow, voice panicked: “Madam He, please, don’t do this! Listen to me…”

Reporting to Commander Qi would be bad enough—but to the military district? If they found out, she wouldn’t just be punished; her husband Qi Jiancheng might also be affected. If his future was jeopardized, he would surely turn on her, maybe even use the opportunity to divorce her.

She couldn’t afford a divorce now; without it, she would have nowhere to go.

But Madam He paid no attention, quickening her pace and reaching the first floor in no time.

Fang Qiaoyu chased after her, her voice trembling with fear and desperation: “Madam He, wait for me…”

The military wives watched Fang Qiaoyu run after Madam He. Some clicked their tongues, feeling the scene wasn’t over yet, while others turned to Xiao Wange and Zhaozhao. One said to Xiao Wange, “Comrade Xiao, you should take your child home and check his arm. That Fang Qiaoyu really used a lot of force; don’t let the child get hurt.”

Xiao Wange picked up Zhaozhao, glanced at the women, and smiled faintly. “Thank you all for your concern. I’ll take Zhaozhao home now. I’m lucky everyone spoke up, otherwise Fang Qiaoyu would have tried to turn things around again.”

“Oh, no need to thank us. We’re just speaking the truth,” one military wife said with a bright smile.

“Yes, we’re just stating the facts,” another agreed.

Xiao Wange’s smile deepened as she thanked them again.

After thanking the military wives, she looked up at Gangzi and Huzi upstairs. She smiled gently and said, “Today, the ones I most need to thank are you two. Thank you for helping as witnesses. If it weren’t for you, Fang Qiaoyu would have sullied Zhaozhao’s name completely.”

Gangzi and Huzi looked a bit embarrassed, scratching their heads. “Auntie, no need to be so polite. We just didn’t like seeing that Fang Qiaoyu bully someone and wanted to stop her from going too far.”

Xiao Wange hugged Zhaozhao and took a few steps up, smiling at the two children. “Thank you both for your help today. Another time, Auntie will invite you over for a meal as thanks.”

The children’s mothers, standing nearby, quickly said there was no need, but Xiao Wange insisted. The children had just stepped up to defend Zhaozhao, and such kind and upright behavior deserved praise. A nice meal would be her way of rewarding them.

Xiao Wange carried Zhaozhao home.

Zhaozhao wrapped his arms around his mother’s neck, nuzzling his face into her neck. Suddenly, he started crying, feeling wronged. “Mom…”

Hearing this, Xiao Wange knew he was deeply upset.

She patted his head and gently placed him on the sofa. Seeing the tears in his eyes, her heart ached.

Wiping his tears, she said, “I’m sorry, today it’s all my fault. If I had followed you downstairs, no one would have bullied you. Today it’s Mommy’s fault for not protecting you.”

She rolled up his sleeve to check his arm.

His fair arm revealed some bruising. Xiao Wange’s expression darkened as she saw the marks, and she felt a shadow of worry rise in her eyes.

She focused on the bruises and infused some spiritual energy into his arm, easing the pain and making him more comfortable.

Zhaozhao wiped his face and shook his head. “No, Mommy, it’s not your fault. It’s that woman’s fault. She’s so bad—she ran into me and then blamed me. She’s a bad person.”

He frowned, clearly unhappy with Fang Qiaoyu. He shouldn’t have gone downstairs; if he hadn’t, he wouldn’t have met that wicked woman.

Xiao Wange hugged him close, gently patting his back. “Yes, that woman is bad. From now on, Zhaozhao, whenever you see her, make sure to walk around and avoid her.”

“Mm.” Zhaozhao nodded, looking up at his mother. “I wanted to avoid her today, but she still ran into me.”

Thinking of Fang Qiaoyu’s despicable tactics, Xiao Wange’s eyes darkened further as she stroked his head. “Next time you see her, run away quickly. Don’t give her a chance to collide with you.”

Zhaozhao pursed his lips and nodded again.

It was already 11:30.

After calming Zhaozhao, Xiao Wange let him play in the living room while she went to the kitchen to prepare lunch.

Since he had been so upset today, she made him a cake to cheer him up. Without milk, the cake wasn’t perfect, but he still loved it and ate most of the large bowl.

She also steamed some sausages and salted chicken.

After a hearty lunch, all the earlier unpleasant events faded from his mind.

Just as she was about to put him down for a nap, Qin Xiaoling arrived.

Seeing Zhaozhao, Qin Xiaoling looked sympathetic, gently touching his head. “Zhaozhao had a rough day today. I heard that Fang Qiaoyu not only ran into him deliberately but also grabbed his arm. It must have hurt a lot.”

She glanced at his arm, though it was covered by clothing.

Zhaozhao shook his head, smiling innocently. “It doesn’t hurt anymore. After eating lunch, it doesn’t hurt at all.”

Indeed, once they got home and sat on the sofa, the pain had already eased—he was sure his mother had used magic; otherwise, the pain wouldn’t have subsided so quickly.

“Really? Eating something delicious made it stop hurting?” Qin Xiaoling felt even more affectionate and crouched to Zhaozhao’s eye level. “Tonight, come to Auntie’s house. I’ll make something tasty for you too.”

Zhaozhao looked up at his mother, asking with his eyes if he could go eat at Auntie’s.

After speaking to Zhaozhao, Qin Xiaoling turned to Xiao Wange. “Sister-in-law, you and Zhaozhao must come tonight. I went to the city this morning to buy ingredients and want to show off a little tonight.”

Xiao Wange smiled. “Alright, then we’ll look forward to the delicious food.” In fact, Zhan Zeyan had already told her that Hou Dayong and his wife were hosting a dinner; Zhan Zeyan mentioned it as soon as he returned last night.

“Good. Sister-in-law, make sure you and Zhaozhao come tonight. I’ll be waiting,” Qin Xiaoling said. She wanted to chat more with Xiao Wange but had to prepare dinner early for all the guests.

Although it was still early, she wanted to be ready to avoid being rushed or flustered later.

She walked to the door, opening it while reminding Xiao Wange, “Sister-in-law, remember, you must come tonight.”

Tonight’s meal was for Xiao Wange. If she didn’t come, the dinner would lose its purpose.

Xiao Wange nodded. “Don’t worry, Zhaozhao and I will come.”

Hearing this, Qin Xiaoling relaxed and left quickly, heading down the stairs.

At the corner of the stairwell, she ran into Fang Qiaoyu.

Fang Qiaoyu looked terrible—earlier, she had been scolded by the military district leaders, who warned her that if she made another mistake, she would be expelled from the residential area. Her husband had also been punished because of her.

Leaving the office, she saw the hatred on Qi Jiancheng’s face. He now hated her—actually hated her. Seeing his eyes full of resentment made her want to cause trouble, but outside the office, she didn’t dare.

Now, seeing Qin Xiaoling come down the stairs, smiling happily, Fang Qiaoyu’s frown deepened, her gloom intensifying. It was as if someone else’s happiness was an affront to her.

She gritted her teeth and gave Qin Xiaoling a cold snort.

Qin Xiaoling’s expression darkened at the cold snort. Remembering what had happened that morning on the stairs, she let out a light laugh and mocked Fang Qiaoyu bluntly: “A woman of your age, arguing with a child—are you stupid or just mean?”