PWE – Chapter 59 The Man So Close, My Heart Races

She said she just wanted to buy the best for my son… In her heart, she has already treated Zhao Zhao as her own child, hasn’t she?

If she didn’t see him as her own, she wouldn’t be doing all this.

He truly felt fortunate that he had married her. He believed she would continue loving Zhao Zhao like this. With her here, Zhao Zhao was no different from having a biological mother.

All the motherly love Zhao Zhao had lacked before… he believed she would make up for it all.

“Mom, let’s buy something cheaper. This is so expensive… I can’t bear to wear it,” Zhao Zhao suddenly looked at Xiao Wange and said softly.

Although he really liked the expensive outfits, Dad was right—he was still growing and had to change clothes every year. There was no need to wear something this good; ordinary clothes were enough. In their village, many children couldn’t even afford ordinary clothes, so he already felt very lucky.

Seeing Zhao Zhao so obedient and soft, Xiao Wange’s heart softened. She reached out and patted his head. “It’s not expensive. Mama can make money now, so I can afford these things. As long as I can afford it, it’s not expensive.”

“But Mama…”

“Alright, be good. Since Mama is buying you the best clothes, you need to be extra obedient in the future.” Xiao Wange smiled gently.

Zhao Zhao nodded out of habit. “Mm, I will definitely behave.”

She patted his head again. Just as she was about to hand the money to the cashier, Zhan Zeyan handed his money over first.

After paying, he turned to her. “I’m the man. I should be the one paying. I know you’re good at making money, but when you can rely on me, I want you to rely on me.”

As a man, he should protect and care for his woman. If all the household expenses had to be carried by her alone, then what use would he be?

And from now on, he needed to work even harder. Supporting her and a child was no easy task.

Listening to his words, her heart softened for no reason.

All her life, she had relied only on herself. She had never thought about depending on others. In everyone’s eyes, she was tough and capable, someone who didn’t need anyone. If anything, others relied on her.

This was the first time someone told her she could rely on him.

She looked at him deeply, unexpectedly moved.

The cashier handed over the packed clothes.

Xiao Wange was about to take them, but Zhan Zeyan took the bag first and handed it to Zhao Zhao. “Carry your own things.”

Zhao Zhao smiled sweetly and quickly took the bag.

Seeing how happy he was, she smiled and continued wandering to other counters with the father and son following behind.

They bought clothes—now they needed shoes, especially with New Year coming soon. She decided to consider these shoes as his New Year’s gift.

She walked ahead, and the father and son followed.

Zhao Zhao suddenly leaned close to his father’s ear and whispered, “Dad, Mama treats me so well. She cooks meat for me every day and even bought me expensive new clothes. She’s my favorite. Dad, do you like her too?”

Zhao Zhao really hoped Dad liked Mama—hoped they liked each other the same way he did.

Seeing his son’s expectant face, Zhan Zeyan smiled and nodded. “Mm, Dad likes her too. The same way you do.”

He glanced at Xiao Wange’s back. To say “love” right now would be too unrealistic—they hadn’t known each other long and their feelings weren’t that deep yet. Saying “love” would feel abrupt.

But liking? Yes, he definitely liked her. She was outstanding—any man would be drawn to her. He was a normal man, so of course she attracted him.

Maybe it was more than liking—there was admiration too. With how capable she was, if she were a man and joined the army, she might even rise to the very top.

But at this moment, he felt relieved she wasn’t a man. If she were… he couldn’t be with her.

And hearing their conversation behind her, Xiao Wange’s expression stiffened slightly.

He said he liked her?

Did he really mean it, or was he just coaxing Zhao Zhao?

If he truly meant it, then she must have misunderstood him before—thinking he liked women with exaggerated figures and calling him a scoundrel.

If he didn’t mean it, then he was still a scoundrel.

She wanted to turn around and confirm it, but after thinking it over, she let it go.

She had her pride. If she asked, and he said he was just humoring Zhao Zhao, she would die of embarrassment. No hole in the ground would be deep enough. So better not ask—just observe him for now.

…

She bought Zhao Zhao a pair of shoes. After that, she got herself an outfit too—but she chose the cheapest items in the entire mall.

She was generous when spending on the child, but extremely frugal when buying for herself. Even if she could make money now, money didn’t grow endlessly. She had to save where she could.

It was… a mother’s instinct, she guessed.

Seeing her buy cheap clothes for herself made Zhan Zeyan’s heart move again.

So generous with the child, yet so reluctant with herself.

That only proved one thing: she truly loved the child.

He wanted her to pick something nicer, but she refused no matter what. When he tried to insist, she almost got upset.

So he had no choice but to let her be.

After buying her set of clothes, she bought him one too.

She wanted him to choose something better, but he picked the cheapest. If she was choosing cheap things, how could a grown man pick something expensive? That would make him less than human.

He didn’t want to buy anything at first, but she insisted. And he didn’t want to upset her, so he agreed.

They bought snacks afterwards and prepared to head to the bus station.

But—

Just as they reached the mall entrance, the mall manager rushed over with a bag.

He looked at Xiao Wange. “Hello, comrade. Are you Xiao Wange?”

She nodded. “Yes. What’s the matter?”

The manager handed her the bag. “These were purchased by Mr. Mu Yunhao. He asked me to give them to you—they’re snacks for your child.”

She glanced at the large, bulging bag. Clearly expensive items from the mall.

She felt awkward accepting it.

Just as she was about to refuse, the manager hurriedly added, “Mr. Mu said these must be delivered to you. If you don’t take them, it means I failed at my job. If I fail…”

He didn’t finish, but she understood.

Her frown deepened. Was she being forced to take this?

“Please accept them, comrade. The snacks are delicious—I’m sure your child will like them,” the manager said while quickly putting the bag in her arms and fleeing before she could return it.

She watched him leave, brows furrowed tightly.

She looked down at the bag, her expression dark.

She had already accepted 1,600 yuan from Mu Yunhao earlier—was it proper to take even more?

But now that it was in her hands, returning it would make her seem overly stiff and inconsiderate.

After hesitating a moment, she said, “Let’s go. Since he sent it, we’ll just take it.”

She’d repay the favor someday. There would be chances—maybe someday the Qin family or Mu family would need her help again. Next time she could charge less… or nothing.

But seeing that bag, Zhan Zeyan’s expression darkened.

Even when the man wasn’t here, he still had to make trouble!

A sudden worry flashed through him—that once he returned to the army, Mu Yunhao would take every chance to get close to her.

He didn’t want to admit it, but Mu Yunhao was excellent.

Such a man hovering around his wife… he really feared she might be taken away.

He needed to apply for army housing as soon as possible. He’d call tonight.

…

After the manager delivered the bag, he returned to an office.

Seeing Mu Yunhao sitting there, he raised a brow. “I delivered it. Honestly, that woman is really something. But no matter how good she is, she already has a husband. Yunhao, are you trying to steal someone else’s wife?”

They were close friends.

Mu Yunhao leaned on the chair, eyes dark. “I want to. But it’s a military marriage—those can’t be interfered with.”

The manager drank some tea. “So you still have some rationality. I thought you’d just snatch her.”

Mu Yunhao narrowed his eyes. “I won’t take her by force. That would be immoral. I’ll just wait for her to get divorced. Once she is… that’s when I’ll pursue her.”

The manager: “…”
How are you so sure she’ll get divorced? You sound like it’s already happening.

Mu Yunhao took another sip. Before she divorced, he planned to show his concern frequently, appear in front of her often. Maybe she would… start liking him.

And when she liked him, and then divorced—

He would win the beauty.

…

That night, Xiao Wange was lying on the bed counting money when the door creaked open and steady footsteps approached.

She turned her head.

Under the light, Zhan Zeyan walked in wearing only thin autumn clothes, his hair wet.

The lighting made his handsome face softer, more alluring. Droplets slid down his sharp jawline, glistening under the light—dangerously charming.

She frowned, stopped counting, and sat up. “Why did you wash your hair this late?” There were no hair dryers in this era, and it was the middle of winter. Wasn’t he afraid of catching a cold?

He walked to the bed.

Looking down at her, his voice low and tinged with a sensual warmth. “My hair was dirty, and I didn’t want to dirty the pillow. Don’t worry—I’m strong. I won’t catch a cold easily.”

She moved to get out of bed. “No matter how strong you are, it’s still freezing. What if you really get sick? Sit here, I’ll find a clean cloth to dry your hair.”

“Wange…” He placed a hand on her shoulder, leaning close. “No need. When I was in the army, I washed like this all the time. Sometimes training ended in the middle of the night. Covered in mud, I couldn’t sleep like that. So even if it was late, I washed thoroughly.”

He paused. “Sometimes there was no hot water, so I used cold water. And I was fine. If cold water never made me sick, hot water definitely won’t. Don’t worry.”

She fell silent.

She knew life in the army wasn’t easy, but hearing that he used cold water to bathe still made her feel uncomfortable inside, like a stone pressing on her chest.

Her brows tightened. “In the future, try not to use cold water to bathe or wash your hair. No matter how strong you think you are, it’s not worth risking your health. You have a wife and child now.”

“I understand. I’ll be careful.” Her words softened him unexpectedly.

Hearing “you have a wife and child now”… warmed him deeply.

His chest filled with a quiet, steady warmth.

Realizing she said something so intimate, she coughed lightly, embarrassed. She didn’t know why the words came out so naturally, as if she’d spoken them long ago.

“Wange…”

He suddenly leaned forward, face close to hers.

His breath brushed her cheek, warm and intimate.

Her brows twitched slightly. Her heart suddenly sped up, pounding like something was crashing against her chest.