PWE – Chapter 57 A War Between Two Men

In less than half an hour, the police arrived.

There were quite a lot of them—at least a dozen officers.

Because this was a major murder case, the police bureau took it very seriously, which was why so many people were dispatched.

When they put handcuffs on Xu Gaoyi, he suddenly went hysterical like a madman, shouting, “Why are you arresting me?! Do you have evidence? Do you have evidence that proves I’m the killer?! If you don’t have evidence, then let me go! Let me go!”

The police captain walked up to him and gave him a cold glance. “We have plenty of eyewitness and physical evidence. Once we take you back to the station, we’ll show everything to you one by one. And aside from the murder charge, you also illegally embezzled the Qin family’s assets. That alone is enough to put you away for good. So you must come with us to the station. Whatever you have to say, save it for later.”

After saying that, the captain ordered the two officers holding Xu Gaoyi to hurry and get him into the police vehicle.

Xu Gaoyi twisted desperately, his face turning pale with panic.

Once he entered the police station, he would never get out again. What awaited him might truly be execution by firing squad!

So he couldn’t go—he absolutely couldn’t!

He turned toward Qin Xiuwan and pleaded, “Xiuwan, save me… please save me. I loved you so much, I treated you so well, you can’t just watch me die! Please, beg them for mercy for me, okay?”

Qin Xiuwan’s expression turned icy. Was he so desperate that he’d beg her now? Did he forget what he had done?

Seeing that she stood there unmoved, Xu Gaoyi cursed her heartlessness inwardly, then turned to look at the female ghost.

Suddenly, his expression softened. He spoke to her gently, “Yuxiang, I love you. I really do. I wanted to be with you, I even wanted to marry you and live a happy life with you, but reality forced me to do what I did. Yuxiang, even though we never got a marriage certificate, we bowed to heaven and earth—we are husband and wife. Even that guy surnamed Xiao said so. Can you really watch your husband be taken away? Do you want to watch me get executed? Yuxiang, save me. You have the power to save me. If you take me with you, I won’t be arrested.”

Hearing this, Xiao Wange and Qin Xiuwan felt so disgusted they nearly threw up.

This man had truly reached the peak of shamelessness. At this point, he actually had the face to seek help from the very ghost he murdered. Did he forget he killed her? Did he forget he chopped off her head?

Did he think she loved him so much that even after he killed her, she’d forgive him and still say she loved him? He was delusional!

Father Qin and Mother Qin were also stunned by his shamelessness. They had seen brazen people before, but Xu Gaoyi still managed to refresh their understanding. His face—what was it made of, steel plating?

The officers could not see the female ghost or the little ghost; they only saw Xu Gaoyi talking to thin air. They frowned, assuming he had lost his mind. But even madness would not save him—he still had to be taken back to face the law.

Xu Gaoyi was dragged into the police vehicle, and Tong Ningxiang was taken as well.

Only at the moment she stepped inside did Tong Ningxiang truly feel fear.

She went pale, slapping the window and crying out loudly, “Uncle, I was wrong! I know I was wrong! Please save me, Uncle—please!”

But Father Qin had already given up on her completely, and he wasn’t even downstairs—so he didn’t hear a thing.

And so, both Xu Gaoyi and Tong Ningxiang were taken away.

Mu Yunhao went to the police station on behalf of the Qin family to explain the situation. Zhan Zeyan also went—having witnessed the entire incident, he could confirm Mu Yunhao’s testimony.

By the time Mu Yunhao and Zhan Zeyan returned, it was noon—just in time for lunch.

At the table, Father Qin lifted his cup toward Xiao Wange and Zhan Zeyan. “We owe everything to Comrade Xiao and Comrade Zhan today. Without you, the Qin family would’ve been finished. You are benefactors of our entire family—your kindness is something we can never repay.”

Mother Qin also raised her cup with a smile. “If there’s ever a time you need the Qin family’s help, please tell us. Even if we have to give everything we have, we’ll help you.”

“Yes, Comrade Xiao, if you ever need anything from us, don’t keep it to yourself,” Qin Xiuwan added, her cup filled with tea like her parents’.

Xiao Wange smiled and clinked cups. “You’re too polite.”

Zhan Zeyan also lifted his cup, glancing at his wife beside him.

Truthfully, the credit for everything belonged to her. The Qin family thanked him only because of her.

He suddenly felt that she would live just fine even without him. Even without him, she could stand strong.

His mother had always worried that his wife would dislike or abandon him. Maybe her worries weren’t baseless—after all, a woman as capable as his wife wouldn’t look twice at most men.

While he was lost in thought, Mu Yunhao suddenly raised his glass.

With a gentle smile, he said to Xiao Wange, “Comrade Xiao, I toast to you. You helped my family before, and today you helped my aunt’s family again. You truly are my great benefactor. If you ever need anything, as long as I can help—even if it costs me my life—I will.”

His voice was as gentle as his expression. Any ordinary girl would surely be mesmerized.

But Xiao Wange only gave him a light glance. “Comrade Mu, there’s no need for such formality. I helped you, but I was paid. It wasn’t charity, so there’s no need for all this.”

“Comrade Xiao, saving lives can never be measured with money. No amount can repay such kindness. So please, don’t be polite—if you ever need anything, just tell me.”

Mu Yunhao’s gentle smile deepened, becoming even more attractive.

Zhan Zeyan’s brows tightened. His thoughts were immediately interrupted the moment Mu Yunhao spoke.

He looked up at Mu Yunhao. The man’s words clearly implied he wanted to maintain contact with his wife—using gratitude as an excuse.

This guy sure had a lot of tricks.

Coolly, Zhan Zeyan replied on her behalf, “Thank you, Comrade Mu. If we ever need anything, we as a couple will be sure to look for you. Just hope Comrade Mu won’t be annoyed by us then.”

We as a couple…

Those four words were obviously a warning—not to covet someone else’s wife.

Mu Yunhao’s hand tightened on his glass as he looked at Zhan Zeyan.

Zhan Zeyan returned a slow, knowing smile.

Mu Yunhao’s eyes flickered, then he suddenly smiled.

He clinked his glass lightly with Zhan Zeyan’s. “Comrade Zhan, you must be joking. I’d be happy if you came to me—why would I be annoyed?”

Then he turned to Xiao Wange. “Comrade Xiao, when you have time, I’ll visit Danshui Village again. My grandmother and mother are still waiting for you to teach them daoist methods.”

Zhan Zeyan: “…”
So he really brought that up again? Was he determined to covet his wife?

He gripped his glass tightly and emptied it in one gulp. His half-smiling gaze fixed on Mu Yunhao. “Elderly people should enjoy peaceful days. Daoist techniques are profound and difficult. If they try to learn and suffer because of it, that would be painful. So Comrade Mu, if you truly care about them, maybe let them do something more relaxing.”

A polite rejection on Xiao Wange’s behalf.

Mu Yunhao slowly set down his glass, his smile turning deeper but unreadable. His gaze darkened as he looked at Zhan Zeyan.

This Zhan Zeyan was afraid—afraid Mu Yunhao would steal his wife. That’s why he was rejecting him.

Mu Yunhao casually poured another drink, preparing to speak, but Mother Qin quickly interrupted with a smile. “Everyone, eat while the food’s still warm. Eat, eat!” She served dishes to Xiao Wange, Zhan Zeyan, and Mu Yunhao.

When she gave food to Mu Yunhao, she flashed him a sharp warning look: Stop talking. Shut up!

Seeing his aunt’s signal, Mu Yunhao frowned slightly.

Though displeased, he lowered his gaze and didn’t speak again.

Mother Qin quietly exhaled in relief.

The tension between Comrade Zhan and Yunhao had been impossible to ignore.

The gunpowder smell was too strong!

She never imagined her nephew—normally uninterested in women—would actually show interest in Comrade Xiao.

But Comrade Xiao was married! And her husband was a soldier. Was Yunhao crazy? Flirting with her and provoking Comrade Zhan? He had never been so tactless before—why today?

…

Lunch finally ended.

Afterward, Xiao Wange turned to Qin Xiuwan, her expression serious. “Comrade Qin, your baby…”

“I know… it’s already dead, isn’t it? I know. Comrade Yuxiang told me already.” Qin Xiuwan touched her stomach with a bitter smile.

The female ghost had whispered earlier that the baby died days ago. Xu Gaoyi would never allow another woman to bear his child—he only wanted Tong Ningxiang to give him children.

He had given Qin Xiuwan a kind of talisman water to create the illusion that the fetus was alive.

She hated Xu Gaoyi, but she didn’t hate the child. She had wanted to give birth… but now, she could only let go.

“Don’t be too sad. You’ll have children in the future. You’ll marry an excellent man and raise children with him.” Xiao Wange patted her shoulder and comforted her gently.

Qin Xiuwan nodded. “Mm, I know. Thank you, Comrade Xiao.”

Xiao Wange smiled, then stepped toward the two ghosts. “Your grievances are resolved. It’s time to report to the underworld. Don’t worry—both of you died unjustly, so heaven will compensate you. In your next life, you’ll be born into good families.”

The female ghost smiled gratefully. “Thank you, immortal. Without you, my revenge might never have been fulfilled.”

The little ghost bowed. “Thank you, Auntie.”

Xiao Wange patted his head. “You’re welcome.” If not for Xu Gaoyi, the boy could have lived and grown up. But fate was cruel—cruel enough to give him a father like Xu Gaoyi.

“All right, go now.” She cast a spell and opened the Gate of Hell.

It appeared like a dark void—black and eerie.

But neither ghost hesitated. After thanking her again, they stepped through. The heavy gate closed swiftly and vanished.

Mu Yunhao and the Qin family stood frozen in shock.

So that was the Gate of Hell. The underworld really existed.

But what stunned them most was that Comrade Xiao could open it.

She must be a deity. If she weren’t, how could she open such a gate?

Zhan Zeyan, holding their child, quickly approached her. “Wife, things are mostly settled here. Do you want to go back, or stroll around the city first?”

Xiao Wange frowned. Last time they rushed because of Zhao Zhao, so she didn’t visit properly. Today, Zhao Zhao was here—so why not look around, let him see the world, and buy him new clothes?

“Let’s walk around. I still need to buy some things,” she said.

Zhan Zeyan nodded. “Okay, let’s go to the department store.”

The moment he said that, Mu Yunhao turned toward them.

He stared at Xiao Wange. “Comrade Xiao, you’re strolling around town? I’m familiar with every street. Why don’t I guide you?”