PWE – Chapter 67 Zhan Hongteng is back for revenge

Xiao Wange felt this man was acting a little strange.

If he wanted to ask something, then just ask—why stand so close to her?

And why was he holding her hand?

She pressed her lips together and said calmly, “I’m not craving anything in particular. Just make whatever you want.”

Only after she answered did she remember—she was still angry at him, planning to ignore him for a couple more days.

But she had already responded to him. And earlier, outside the courtyard, she had also spoken to him.

She furrowed her brows deeply, annoyed at how forgetful she was. She actually forgot she was supposed to be angry.

She didn’t know what was wrong with her. Earlier outside, she had spoken to him naturally. And just now, she replied to his question without thinking.

“You want me to take the lead then? How about I make braised pork, stewed ribs, and stir-fried cabbage?”

His lips curved into a charming smile, and his voice carried a heart-softening gentleness.

Xiao Wange quickly pushed him away. “Whatever you want!”

With that, she tossed the wooden ladle into the water bucket and started to leave the kitchen.

But…

He pulled her back. “Wange, where are you going?”

Xiao Wange shot him a sidelong glance. “Aren’t you going to cook? Since you’re cooking, I’ll leave the kitchen to you. I’m going to keep Zhao Zhao company and help him practice his writing.”

Zhan Zeyan: “…”

Actually, when he said he would cook, he meant he would chop vegetables, stir-fry, and handle the stove… while she lit the fire. Just like when she cooked and he tended the fire.

He just wanted to stay in the same room with her, talk with her.

If she left, then… who would he talk to?

“Wange, can you help me tend the fire? I’m afraid I can’t manage everything alone. So please, help me with the fire.” His smile grew more enchanting, his voice even gentler.

Xiao Wange was speechless.

She glared at him. “I thought you were going to handle lunch all by yourself. I didn’t expect… you still wanted help.”

“It’s fine without help, but if I do everything alone, it’ll be slower. And it’s already past eleven. If I take my time, we might not get to eat even by noon, so…”

“Alright, alright, I’ll help you with the fire. Hurry up and make whatever you’re making.” She pushed his hand away and went to sit in front of the stove.

She had originally hoped to slack off at noon today, but this man just had to ruin her plan. Still, a man willing to step into the kitchen was already good. Many men wouldn’t even cross the threshold, believing kitchen work was a woman’s duty. They thought that since they made money outside, they could act like lords at home, waiting to be served hand and foot. They never understood that a family needed mutual help and understanding to be harmonious—unless the woman kept enduring everything forever.

…

Meanwhile, in the neighboring courtyard—

Zhan Hongteng walked in wearing a completely new outfit, his expression dark.

Zhan Songbai, Zhan Hongda, and Zhan Hongjun were all in the main room.

Hearing footsteps in the courtyard, they looked up.

When they saw Zhan Hongteng in a black leather jacket and black leather shoes, their eyes widened in surprise.

Their impression had always been that Hongteng wore the worst clothes. Most of what he wore were hand-me-downs others didn’t want. His favorite old army coat had been one Zhan Zeyan discarded. Many other clothes came from Hongda or Hongjun.

He almost never wore anything new, let alone something this nice.

Zhan Hongjun immediately stood up, quickly walking toward him with envy in his eyes. “Second Brother, did you get rich? How did you buy clothes this nice? They look expensive!”

As he spoke, he reached out to touch Hongteng’s clothes. If he could wear something like that, he would look even better.

But Hongteng was empty-handed today. He hadn’t brought any bags. Normally, he always carried a bundle when he returned.

Hongteng’s expression darkened. He avoided Hongjun’s hand and walked coldly into the main room without replying.

Seeing this reaction, Hongjun frowned, instantly unhappy.

He rushed in after him and glared. “Second Brother, what’s with you? You got rich and now you don’t want to acknowledge your poor relatives? I talked to you and you ignored me! And if you’re rich, why did you come back empty-handed? You didn’t even buy anything good for the family?”

Hongteng turned his head slightly.

With a cold, mocking gaze, he asked, “What do you want me to buy?”

“Meat! You could buy meat or tonics. Look at you—you’re dressed so well, yet you didn’t bother to buy anything good for home. If people hear about this, they’ll say you’re unfilial.” Hongjun emphasized every word, itching to make Hongteng hand over all his money. Once he had the money, he could buy meat, buy tonics, and buy other things—like clothes as nice as those Hongteng was wearing. He was dying of jealousy.

Hongteng let out a short, cold laugh.

He looked at Hongjun for two seconds before saying lazily, “You’re just as greedy and selfish as always. For someone like you, I won’t buy anything.”

“You—!” Hongjun hadn’t expected such a reply. His face darkened in anger; he opened his mouth to retort—

But Zhan Songbai suddenly spoke, staring sharply at Hongteng. “Second, what’s going on with you? Why are you suddenly dressed so well? Did you really earn money outside, or…”

“Yes, I earned money. I happened to come across a good opportunity and made quite a lot. But I didn’t expect to come home and find that you’ve aged so much.” Hongteng cut him off, disdain and hatred in his eyes.

Songbai didn’t notice the emotion in Hongteng’s gaze, nor did he catch the sarcasm. He frowned and said, “It’s all because of Xiao Wange—that wretched woman. She ruined me, and she ruined your mother too. Your mother was harmed by her and is now suffering in the station!”

He paused, then continued before Hongteng could speak: “You said you made money—really? How much? Do you have ten thousand? If you have ten thousand, we can use it to smooth things over at the station. I heard that as long as you have money, you can solve anything—even murderers can be released. Since you earned money, you must get your mother out. She may have been strict with you, but she’s still your biological mother. Seeing your own mother suffer—your heart must ache, right?”

Hongteng sneered, a cold glint in his eyes. He walked over and sat down, his voice icy. “Is that so? She got locked up? Good. Saves me the trouble of putting her in myself.”

Zhan Songbai: “…”

He froze, stunned by the words.

Zhan Hongda’s face twisted in anger. “Zhan Hongteng, what do you mean?! Are you saying—you wanted to put Mom in jail? Are you crazy? That’s your mother! Your real mother! How can you even think of sending your own mother to the station?!”

“Real mother?” Hongteng let out a laugh. He lifted his eyes to Hongda, mockery dripping from his tone. “She’s really my mother? If she were truly my mother, would she treat me like that? I believe she’s your real mother, but mine? Not a chance. Even the old man doesn’t believe it, right?”

Saying that, he glanced at Zhan Songbai. In the past, he had always called him “dad.” Today, he said “old man.”

The single phrase made the other three frown.

Songbai’s expression darkened. “Second, what’s wrong with you? Are you doubting you’re not our biological child? I already told you—your mother was just strict with you. But she absolutely is your real mother! Her blood flows in you. She carried you for ten months and gave birth to you. Whether you like it or not, that’s the truth!”

Hongjun snapped angrily, “Zhan Hongteng, you got rich and now you don’t want to acknowledge us! You ungrateful bastard—how did our family end up raising a white-eyed wolf like you!”

Hongda also wanted to curse, but before he could speak—

Hongteng said, “Zhan Songbai, have you forgotten what you did more than twenty years ago? If you forgot, I can kindly remind you.”

Songbai’s breath caught.

A flash of panic crossed his face.

He clenched his hands, cold sweat gathering in his palms.

But he tried to act calm and shouted, “What did I do? More than twenty years ago, I was working hard to support this family, I was—”

“You killed someone. Did you forget? You killed someone to get money. You thought you hid it well enough, that this secret would follow you to hell and no one would ever know. Unfortunately, your perfect plan is falling apart.”

Hongteng spoke each word clearly, hatred burning in his face.

He truly hated Zhan Songbai. Zhan Songbai had ruined more than twenty years of his life… and had taken away the person closest to him.

“You—you’re talking nonsense! Utter nonsense!” Songbai’s heart was already in chaos. But the more panicked he became, the angrier he grew.