PWE – Chapter 2 Heaven’s Judgment on a Cruel Aunt

Hearing this, a trace of light flashed in little Jin Zhao’s eyes.
“Really, Mama?”

Xiao Wange’s smile grew gentler and kinder.
“Of course it’s true. Mama never lies.”

She glanced at the steamed egg in his bowl.
“You should eat this while it’s hot, that’s when it tastes best. If it gets cold, it’ll have a fishy smell. Zhao Zhao, you stay inside and eat your egg, I’ll go outside and send those people away.”

She reached out to gently rub his head, then turned around. But she didn’t go out right away—first she went over to the cupboard, opened it, and took out the brush inside.

Dipping the brush into the little bit of blood that remained, she quickly drew a talisman on her wrist.

It was a Thunder Summoning Talisman. Soon, it would come in handy.

With her back to Zhan Jinzhao while drawing, he couldn’t see what she was doing.

Puzzled, Zhan Jinzhao looked at her back.
“Mama, what are you doing?”

Having finished the talisman, Xiao Wange put the brush away, closed the cupboard door, and walked toward the entrance while saying,
“Nothing. You just stay inside and eat your egg like a good boy.”

Zhan Jinzhao bit his lip, then nodded obediently.
“Okay.”

Xiao Wange stepped out of the kitchen, and as soon as she lifted her eyes, she saw Xu Meifeng and the others entering the courtyard.

Xu Meifeng was Zhan Zeyan’s eldest aunt. Her face was harsh and mean, the kind of face that made it clear she wasn’t easy to get along with.

But beyond that, Xiao Wange could see the karmic debt of murder on her—Xu Meifeng had actually killed someone!

She couldn’t yet tell who the victim was, but sooner or later she would uncover the truth.

“Xiao Wange, you heartless wretch, you abuse our Jinzhao! I’m taking him away today!” Xu Meifeng shouted fiercely, her face twisted like a shrew from the marketplace.

Xiao Wange curled her lips slightly, her gaze calm as she smiled.
“You want to take Zhao Zhao away? And where would you take him? To your house?”

The original Xiao Wange had seen with her own eyes how Xu Meifeng beat and scolded Jinzhao. She had even called him a “little bastard,” words soaked in malice. To call a child that!

She also loved to pinch him hard, leaving him teary-eyed each time.

But the old Xiao Wange hadn’t cared for him either, so when she saw Xu Meifeng bullying him, she pretended not to notice, always turning a blind eye.

If Jinzhao really ended up living in Xu Meifeng’s house, there was no doubt—his life would be miserable.

“I plan to take Jinzhao to my home! Watching him being abused by you every day—it pains my heart. Only if he comes with me, under my care, can I be at ease,” Xu Meifeng said suddenly, feigning deep compassion.

Her eldest son, Zhan Hongda, glared at Xiao Wange.
“Hand Jinzhao over right now! You venomous woman—if he stays with you, you’ll abuse him to death sooner or later!”

The village head and the party secretary stood by Xu Meifeng, both looking at Xiao Wange with complicated eyes.

They knew Xiao Wange wasn’t good at raising the boy. Once, Jinzhao had been plump and healthy, but now he was skinny as a monkey. In the dead of winter, he wore only a thin autumn shirt. Rumor had it she even took his clothes back to her own family, letting her nephews wear them instead.

She really did seem cruel-hearted.

So now that Xu Meifeng wanted to take Jinzhao away, they agreed. After all, they didn’t want to see a good child destroyed in her hands.

Outside the courtyard, many villagers had gathered to watch. They looked at Xiao Wange with contempt and ridicule, clearly agreeing that she wasn’t fit to raise the child.

Xu Meifeng felt certain she could take Jinzhao away today. She had reason on her side, plus the support of the village leaders. She waited smugly for Xiao Wange to hand the boy over.

But instead—

Xiao Wange shook her head.
“No, Auntie. I can’t hand him over to you.”

“What do you mean? You still want to keep abusing him? You—”

Before she could finish cursing, Xiao Wange said calmly,
“I admit I was wrong before. I didn’t take proper care of Zhao Zhao. But from now on, I will.”

Everyone knew how badly she had treated him before, so she couldn’t deny it. The only choice was to acknowledge her mistakes sincerely. But letting Xu Meifeng snatch the boy away—that was out of the question.

Seeing Xu Meifeng ready to lash out again, Xiao Wange continued:
“Auntie, I may not have treated Zhao Zhao well before, but you were even worse. You often beat and scolded him. You even called him a little bastard. The bruises all over him came from your pinching. Whatever I did, I never cursed him like that or pinched him till he turned black and blue.”

The village head and secretary were stunned, their eyes widening.

The villagers at the gate also looked shocked.

They had never seen Xu Meifeng beat the boy. What they had seen was her doting on him, like a loving grandmother. Surely Xiao Wange was making this up—maliciously slandering her.

Xu Meifeng herself froze for a moment. She had always made sure no one was around when she mistreated the boy. How did Xiao Wange know? Could it be that the little brat himself had told her? That cursed child!

Her thoughts raced, then she snarled at Xiao Wange,
“You heartless liar! You abuse Jinzhao yourself, and now you slander me, saying I do the same! Aren’t you afraid heaven will strike you with lightning?”

In front of the villagers, she had always acted caring, like a doting grandmother. Only in private did she abuse him. No one would believe Xiao Wange’s words.

Even if Jinzhao himself came out and said it, people would think Xiao Wange had coached him.

Hands on her hips, Xu Meifeng prepared to rant again—but Xiao Wange just laughed lightly and said,
“Auntie, those words suit you better. You abused a child, yet you can lie so shamelessly. Aren’t you afraid of heavenly punishment? Don’t forget, heaven sees everything.”

“You—” Xu Meifeng seethed. How dare this wretch try to scare her with talk of heaven! She wasn’t afraid!

“Hmph! I never did such a thing. You’re just smearing me!”

“Xiao Wange, stop slinging mud! You’re the cruel one, and you accuse my mother—” Zhan Hongda began to shout, but Xiao Wange cut in with a smile:

“Auntie, since you’re so confident you never did it, why don’t you swear an oath? Swear to heaven that you never beat or scolded Zhao Zhao. If you dare swear, I’ll believe you. I’ll even kowtow and apologize. But if you don’t dare, then you’re lying.”

At this, everyone turned to look at Xu Meifeng. Surely, if she were innocent, she’d swear without hesitation.

Xu Meifeng had always been superstitious. She believed heaven was watching. Normally, she thought heaven wouldn’t bother with her—but swearing might draw divine attention. What if punishment really came?

Fear flickered in her eyes.

Xiao Wange arched a brow.
“What’s the matter, Auntie? Cat got your tongue? Don’t you dare swear?”

The crowd grew doubtful. If she hadn’t done it, why wouldn’t she swear? Could it be… she really had mistreated the boy?

The village head and secretary frowned deeply, their gazes hardening.

If Xu Meifeng had secretly abused Jinzhao while pretending to care for him in public, that would mean she was two-faced and treacherous. They couldn’t entrust the child to her either.

Zhan Hongda, noticing everyone’s suspicion, tugged urgently at his mother’s sleeve.
“Mom, what are you waiting for? Just swear! Then we can take Jinzhao away, and that woman will have to kneel and apologize. Hurry—everyone’s waiting!”

Xu Meifeng looked around, seeing all eyes fixed on her with doubt. Panic rose in her chest. She clenched her fists. There was no way out—she had to swear.

Taking a deep breath, she raised four fingers.
“I, Xu Meifeng, swear to heaven: if I ever beat or scolded Jinzhao, may thunder strike me down, may I die a horrible death! I—”

“Boom!”

Before she could finish, a bolt of lightning split the sky and struck her directly on the head.

Everyone: “…”

They stared wide-eyed in shock, shrinking back instinctively from the crack of thunder.

Xu Meifeng’s hair was instantly singed, filling the air with the acrid stench of burnt hair. Her face turned pitch-black, as if smeared with charcoal.