PWE – Chapter 175

All the battalion commanders from Zhan Zeyan’s regiment had come, each bringing their families along.

Commander He and Madam He were also there.

When Madam He saw Xiao Wange and her family arrive, she quickly waved and said, “You’re here? Come, come sit here,” patting the space beside her.

Xiao Wange held Zhaozhao’s little hand and walked over to Madam He.

Madam He stood, smiling at Xiao Wange, and then picked up Zhaozhao, stroking his little head. “This child—every time I see him, he’s so clever and adorable. If I had a grandson like this, I’d hold him every day and take him everywhere with me.”

She genuinely adored Zhaozhao. Not only was he good-looking, but he was also well-behaved and thoughtful—completely different from some of the rowdy kids in the residential compound, who were so mischievous that she sometimes couldn’t bear to watch them.

Zhaozhao lowered his eyelashes slightly, looking a little shy.

Xiao Wange sat down next to Madam He, smiling warmly. “Madam, rest assured—you will have a grandson like this one someday. Maybe even more than one.”

Hearing this, both Commander He and Madam He’s eyes brightened.

Commander He recounted the events at Hou Dayong’s house to Madam He, and she was now filled with admiration for Xiao Wange, instinctively sensing that she was someone like the “Yama King” of the underworld.

Hearing such words from this big shot, she felt completely at ease. A figure like Yama King would surely know exactly how many descendants each family had. Now that he said there would be more than one grandson in her family’s future, there was no doubt it would be so.

She now looked forward eagerly to her grandson’s arrival.

Commander He also relaxed, a smile appearing on his face. His expression was no longer tense and stern like before.

He smiled at Xiao Wange, considering whether he should try to get closer to her. If he did, perhaps their future descendants might even increase.

Hou Dayong, seeing Xiao Wange arrive, finally let out a sigh of relief. He had been worried she wouldn’t come today—if she hadn’t, he would have locked himself in his room to cry.

In the kitchen, Qin Xiaoling heard the voices from the living room. Seeing Xiao Wange and her family arrive, she wiped her hands on her apron, stepped out to greet them briefly, then returned to the kitchen to continue her work.

Madam He held Zhaozhao and chatted casually with Xiao Wange. With someone of Xiao Wange’s stature, it was always good to get closer—being on good terms with a big shot never hurt.

The battalion commanders’ wives also joined the conversation, and the living room was soon filled with laughter and chatter.

However…

Just as the atmosphere reached a harmonious peak, there was a knock at the door. Hou Dayong went to open it, and to his surprise, it was Qi Jiancheng, accompanied by his deputy regiment commander and two battalion commanders.

Seeing Qi Jiancheng and his group outside, Hou Dayong frowned, his expression darkening. Everyone inside the house stopped talking, all eyes turning toward the newcomers.

Qi Jiancheng held some items in his hands, smiling. He first peeked inside the room at everyone, then said to Hou Dayong, “Deputy Commander Hou, I heard you’re having a gathering today. I happen to have some food—maybe it can add to your meal. Here… you take it.”

He handed the items to Hou Dayong.

Hou Dayong: “…” He really didn’t want to accept them. If he did, he’d have to invite these people inside to eat.

He absolutely did not want to sit at the table with Qi Jiancheng and his group. But refusing might make them think he wasn’t being friendly with fellow comrades. Besides, Commander He was right there, and he despised disunity among everyone.

After a barely noticeable scowl and a brief hesitation of two seconds, Hou Dayong took the items. “Thank you, Commander Qi. It’s already fine that you came—no need to bring anything. Come on in, let’s have a meal together.”

Qi Jiancheng smiled and stepped inside. “Since Deputy Commander Hou invited me, I won’t refuse.”

Hou Dayong: “…” Who invited you? Clearly, you came on your own boldness.

The deputy and battalion commanders behind Qi Jiancheng followed inside, handing their items to Hou Dayong as well.

After they entered, Hou Dayong closed the door, carrying the items into the kitchen and placing them carefully on the stove.

Qin Xiaoling glanced at the items, her gaze flicking toward the kitchen doorway.

Lowering her voice, she said to Hou Dayong, “That Qi Jiancheng is shameless. We didn’t invite him, yet he came on his own. And he even brought his subordinates. What’s his intention—trying to annoy us on purpose?”

Hou Dayong frowned, lowering his voice too. “They’re here now—we can’t just kick them out. I guess there won’t be enough food, so we’ll cook some noodles later, more than usual.”

Qin Xiaoling frowned. “I know. No need to tell me.”

Hou Dayong wiped his face. He had wanted a cheerful dinner today, but with Qi Jiancheng and his crew here, how could it still be cheerful?

In the living room…

Qi Jiancheng approached Commander He, saluted him, then turned to Xiao Wange and Zhan Zeyan. “Commander Zhan, Comrade Xiao, I’m truly sorry today that because of my wife, your child was wronged. Rest assured, I’ll educate her properly when I get home and make sure she doesn’t make the same mistake again.”

Zhan Zeyan’s face was cold. He glanced at Qi Jiancheng and said quietly, “What if she makes the same mistake again? Will you send her away?”

Qi Jiancheng: “…” He hadn’t expected Zhan Zeyan to humiliate him in front of everyone.

He pursed his lips, feeling annoyed inside, but outwardly remained sincere. “If she makes a mistake again, I won’t need reminding—I’ll send her out of the residential compound and make sure she never bothers you again.”

In truth, he had already submitted a divorce report. Once it was approved, he would divorce that woman, Fang Qiaoyu. She was truly his nemesis, causing him humiliation today and being scolded by the military district leaders. If he could, he wanted to get rid of her completely.

Zhan Zeyan snorted coldly, saying nothing, but his gaze was icy—a clear message: “I hope you mean it.”

Qi Jiancheng was annoyed by the look but said nothing, turning instead to Xiao Wange. He wanted to say something, but Xiao Wange got up at the right moment, walking toward the kitchen. “I’ll check the kitchen, see if there’s anything I can help with.”

The other battalion commanders’ wives were city women, self-important and feeling superior. Even in the deputy commander’s house, they had no intention of helping in the kitchen. Moreover, with Commander He’s wife present, they preferred to chat with her to get closer. Helping in the kitchen hadn’t even occurred to them.

Seeing Xiao Wange head to the kitchen, Madam He’s expression shifted, and she got up to follow her. “I’ll check too,” she said with a smile.

One battalion commander’s wife, ready to talk to Madam He, froze. She hadn’t expected Madam He to go help in the kitchen. Seeing her go, apparently because Xiao Wange went, she got up too.

This battalion commander’s wife quickly followed, heading to the kitchen.

The other commanders’ wives, unwilling to be outdone, also rose and went toward the kitchen.

The commanders sitting on the sofa: “…We reminded our wives to be diligent and help Sister Qin in the kitchen. But they just sat and chatted. Now, suddenly, they all went to the kitchen. It seems the commander’s wife set the example—she has quite the influence. Even Madam He went along. Impressive.”

Soon, Hou’s kitchen was filled with people.

Qin Xiaoling smiled warmly at the arriving battalion commanders’ wives and Madam He. “There’s really nothing much to do in the kitchen. I’ll just cook a couple more dishes. You all go sit outside for now; it won’t take long.”

Hou Dayong sat by the stove, tending the fire. The vegetables were already cut, and the bowls washed. There really wasn’t much to help with.

The battalion commanders’ wives stood there, unsure what to do. They had intended to help and show off in front of Madam He, but now there was nothing for them to do.

Xiao Wange glanced at the chopsticks basket, picked up a set, and said, “I’ll set the chopsticks,” grabbing some washed wine glasses as well.

Qin Xiaoling’s smile softened further. “No need, sister-in-law. I can handle it.”

“You were going to cook anyway, so go ahead. It’s not heavy work—just setting chopsticks and wine glasses.” Xiao Wange went out with the items.

The battalion commanders’ wives: “…” The commander’s wife really knew how to make an impression. Why hadn’t they thought of setting the table?

Madam He watched Xiao Wange leave for the kitchen, smiling. “Zeyan’s wife is truly diligent. Not only is she beautiful, but she’s also so hardworking. Zeyan marrying her—what a lucky man.”

Everyone else: “…” Previously, Madam He called Xiao Wange “Comrade Xiao,” now it was “Zeyan’s wife.” Those words sounded so warm, like an elder speaking to a younger family member.

The battalion commanders’ wives felt a bit uncomfortable, but Qin Xiaoling chimed in, “Exactly! Our sister-in-law is one in a thousand… no, one in ten thousand. I must have done something good in my past life to meet her in this life.”