PWE – Chapter 35 There is a strange thing that cannot be told

That possibility flashed quickly through Xiao Wange’s mind, and she smiled as she said to Xu Meifeng, “Auntie, judging by how you’re acting, you seem to care a lot about our little Zhao Zhao. Since you care so much, why did you used to hit and scold him?”

Xu Meifeng: “…”
An awkward expression suddenly appeared on her face. She looked up at Zhan Zeyan, and when she saw his dark expression, she felt a wave of guilt.

While secretly cursing Xiao Wange for being a meddlesome wretch, she turned to Zhan Zeyan and said, “Zeyan, actually that matter was just a misunderstanding, I—”

“Let’s go. Go home and make breakfast.”
Zhan Zeyan shot her a cold glance, clearly not wanting to hear another word from her.

Xu Meifeng froze, her embarrassment deepening.

Watching Zhan Zeyan and Xiao Wange quickly enter their yard, she gritted her teeth and cursed silently: What’s there to be so smug about? So what if I hit and scolded your little bastard? I hit him, I scolded him—what of it? Just a little bastard! What’s there to treasure?

With a cold snort, she picked up the cabbage and turned into her own courtyard.

But just as she stepped into the middle of the yard, she saw Zhan Hongteng walking out with a large bag in his hand—clearly packed with his change of clothes.

Seeing him, a flicker of unease flashed in Xu Meifeng’s eyes. She hurriedly said, “Hongteng, you’re leaving already? Didn’t I tell you to wait until after breakfast? Silly child, go wait in the main room a bit—eat first before you go.”

Zhan Hongteng frowned slightly, a trace of mockery in his eyes.

This mother of his had never been this gentle or considerate before. In the past, whenever he was leaving, she’d rush him out the door, tell him to find better-paying day labor, and even dig out whatever money he had left on him.

But today, she wasn’t rushing him; she was being kind, even urging him to eat. He wasn’t used to it at all.

And this sudden gentleness—wasn’t it because of what Xiao Wange had said earlier? She must be feeling guilty and afraid.

He stared at her deeply, then stepped past her, his voice cool: “No need. I’m not hungry.”

Hearing that, Xu Meifeng’s heart skipped a beat in alarm. She opened her mouth to say something, but just then Zhan Hongxin and Zhan Hongjun ran out.

Zhan Hongjun hurried up to him, looking embarrassed. “Second Brother, I—uh—I still haven’t gotten my school materials fee from you. Without it, I can’t go back to school.”

Of course, the truth was that without the money, he couldn’t show off at school, which was why he’d been loitering at home.

Zhan Hongxin ran up too. “Second Brother, give me some money too. I don’t have a cent on me.”
She wanted to go into the county to find that rich man who drove a car. But she only had twenty cents—barely enough for anything.

Zhan Hongteng’s face darkened.

He looked at his younger siblings. They had always come asking him for money like this. In the past, though reluctant, he would give it to them without hesitation.

But today…

He glanced at them coldly and said, “I don’t have any.”

“What?”

Both Zhan Hongjun and Zhan Hongxin’s faces fell.

Zhan Hongjun said, “Second Brother, how could you not? You’ve been out working for so long—you must’ve made a lot. And you promised me before that you’d—”

“When I say I don’t have it, I mean I don’t have it. If you want money, ask your parents—or earn it yourself.”
With that, he strode out of the courtyard, not wanting to deal with them anymore.

Zhan Hongjun stood frozen, stunned. Second Brother… has become so cold.

Xu Meifeng’s heart trembled at his words “ask your parents.”

He’d said “your parents,” not “our parents.” Clearly, suspicion had already taken root in his heart.

What should she do now? They couldn’t afford to lose this fool—he was their source of income.

She had to steady him, had to make him keep supporting the family like before. But how?

——

Meanwhile, next door, Zhan Zeyan had heard the conversation coming from Xu Meifeng’s yard. His gaze flickered in surprise—he hadn’t expected Zhan Hongteng to actually defy them. That man had always been obedient to Zhan Hongjun and the others.

Seeing his expression, Xiao Wange smiled slightly, eyes gleaming with meaning.
“You probably don’t know this—Zhan Hongteng isn’t actually your aunt’s biological son.”

Zhan Zeyan’s eyes widened in shock. “What did you say?”

“I said, Zhan Hongteng isn’t your aunt’s real child. There’s no blood tie between them at all. And yet they became mother and son—don’t you find that strange?”

Zhan Zeyan fell silent, his face darkening as his thoughts deepened.

As they reached Zhao Zhao’s room, Xiao Wange suddenly took the child from him, gently patting his back. “It’s still early, Zhao Zhao. Sleep a bit more, okay? I’ll wake you later for breakfast.”

“Mom, I’m not sleepy, I don’t want to—”
Before he could finish, a wave of drowsiness hit him, and his head drooped onto her shoulder as he instantly fell asleep.

Zhan Zeyan knew she must’ve used some kind of spell—no child could fall asleep that fast otherwise.

He watched her silently, realizing she was even more capable than he’d thought—almost omnipotent.

Xiao Wange quickly carried the child inside, gently guiding his spirit back into his body. In an instant, the two fused together.

To prevent the soul from slipping out again, she bit her lip, picked up a brush and the cinnabar she’d bought earlier, and drew a talisman on his back. When it was done, she murmured an incantation—the talisman vanished, sealing itself within his body.

Zhan Zeyan frowned slightly. “I’ve noticed sometimes you draw talismans with your fingers, and sometimes with a brush. What’s the difference?”

“The ones drawn with fingers aren’t as effective,” Xiao Wange explained. “Brush strokes are smoother and more precise, so the spell works better. Unless I have no choice, I won’t use my fingers.

Earlier, I used your blood instead of cinnabar because you’re connected to Zhao Zhao by blood—only a blood relative’s blood can track his soul. And on the mountain, I used my own blood because we had no cinnabar. When a spellcaster’s power is strong enough, they can use their own blood as ink.”

The first time she’d used a brush after arriving in this world was because her soul had just merged with this body—her magic was unstable then, so she couldn’t use her fingers yet.

Zhan Zeyan nodded in understanding.

After tucking Zhao Zhao in, Xiao Wange stood and looked at him. “I want to ask you something. How were you able to move so fast earlier? That speed isn’t something a human could achieve. But you are human… so, do you have some kind of ability?”

Zhan Zeyan pressed his lips together. “An ability? If those count as abilities, then yes—I suppose I have some.”

Those?

Xiao Wange blinked. So he didn’t just have one? This man… was that powerful?

She wanted to ask more, but he turned toward the door. “I’ll make breakfast. You can rest for a bit.”

She followed him into the kitchen, curiosity written all over her face. As he tended the fire, she washed the wok and said, “Can’t you just tell me what your abilities are? Other than running fast, what else can you do?”

She was genuinely curious. Honestly, she’d only ever seen people with powers in novels or dramas. She knew they might exist—but never expected her own husband to be one.

As he fed the firewood, he replied evenly, “I’ll show you later—one by one.”

“…” Why later? Couldn’t he just say it now?

But it was clear he had no intention of answering. After that, he stayed silent.

He sighed inwardly. There was one ability he knew she’d hate if she found out. If he told her, she’d probably hit him.

And since he couldn’t mention that one, he might as well not talk about any of them. Besides, powers weren’t something to show off—especially not before someone like her, whose magic was far superior.

——

After breakfast, Xiao Wange and Zhan Zeyan set off toward Red Tower Mountain.

By now, the fog in the forest had thinned a little, but the woods still looked eerie.

When they reached the halfway point, Xiao Wange glanced toward a small graveyard ahead—there were about a dozen graves clustered together, looking especially ominous in the misty forest.

She turned her gaze toward the child beside her. He really was brave—he’d dared to come to such a place alone. Even grown adults would’ve been too afraid.

Zhao Zhao pointed to one of the graves at the far edge. “Mom, that’s Grandma’s grave. I saw her sitting there this morning.”

Following his finger, Xiao Wange’s eyes narrowed. The moment she took in the details around that grave, her expression darkened.

Seeing her reaction, Zhan Zeyan asked, “You noticed something strange?”