PWE – Chapter 7 The Wager and the Haunted House

“What are we betting?!” the salesgirl asked without hesitation.

Xiao Wange smiled. “Fifty yuan. If I can resolve that trouble, then it proves you were wrong, and you give me fifty yuan. If I fail, then it proves I was just bragging, and I’ll give you fifty yuan. How about it?”

“Deal!” The salesgirl agreed immediately, without the slightest hesitation.

There was no way this country bumpkin could handle the Shi family’s trouble. That fifty yuan was already hers. Heh, what a fool—bringing her money right to her hands. But she was happy to meet such fools; after all, they meant easy profit.

Shi Jinzhu clicked her tongue softly and tugged on her friend’s sleeve. “Xiaokui, how could you bet with her? You know full well what’s happening in my family…”

“She wanted the bet herself, it wasn’t me!” He Xiaokui cut her off in a rush, worried something might ruin her chance to earn the fifty yuan.

Shi Jinzhu sighed inwardly. Her friend was clearly after that villager girl’s money. And the villager girl… was really a bit too naïve.

Xiao Wange, however, looked calm and composed. She turned to Shi Jinzhu and said, “Comrade, could you take me to your home to have a look?”

Shi Jinzhu frowned. “The trouble in my home isn’t something an ordinary person can solve. One careless step could cost you your life. Comrade, you…”

“Don’t worry. Nothing will happen to me. And I truly have the confidence to resolve it.” Xiao Wange’s lips curved in a faint smile, her expression brimming with confidence.

“If she insists on going, then take her. She won’t believe it until she witnesses how dangerous it is,” He Xiaokui said with a disdainful glance at Xiao Wange.

Shi Jinzhu looked troubled, but under Xiaokui’s repeated urging and Xiao Wange’s firm assurances, she finally led Xiao Wange toward her home.

Xiao Wange hadn’t wanted to bring little Jin Zhao along, but with no acquaintances in town, she had no choice but to keep him by her side.

On the way, Jin Zhao tugged gently at her sleeve. “Mama, are we really going to help solve someone else’s trouble? Can we really fix it?”

He knew Mama had just made a bet, and if she lost, she’d owe fifty yuan—a lot of money. He was worried she would be upset. Of course, he would be upset too.

Xiao Wange looked down at him, seeing the worry written across his little face. She stroked his hair and reassured him, “Mm, Mama will solve it. Mama is very capable—you must trust me.”

Jin Zhao looked at her confident face. After a few seconds of hesitation, he nodded. “Okay, I believe Mama.” But in his heart, he was still uneasy.

Suddenly Shi Jinzhu turned back, frowning. “Comrade, I think you’d better go home. To be honest, we’ve already invited many masters before, and not a single one could resolve it. Some even got hurt. And you’re bringing a child—if he gets injured, I couldn’t bear the guilt. Please, just go back. As for the wager, I’ll cover the fifty yuan for you.”

“The trouble in your house can only be resolved by me. If I don’t go, your family will never know peace.”

Xiao Wange interrupted her firmly, her eyes locked on Shi Jinzhu’s.

This young woman was nothing like that haughty salesgirl—she was a good person. And for good people, Xiao Wange genuinely wanted to help. Of course, she also meant to earn money honestly.

“Ah, why are you so stubborn…” Shi Jinzhu sighed heavily in defeat.

Xiao Wange didn’t answer further, only clicked her tongue lightly. She wasn’t being stubborn—she truly had the ability.

…

The Shi residence wasn’t far from the supply cooperative; a walk of just over ten minutes.

It was a grand old compound with three courtyards, one after the other.

Looking at it, Xiao Wange silently marveled—no wonder the Shi family had drawn jealousy and malicious attacks. They were among the wealthiest in town.

She entered with Jin Zhao, following Shi Jinzhu through the main gate.

Inside, it was bustling.

Shi Jinzhu’s aunt, Shi Xiaohong, had invited a master who was now pacing around with a horsetail whisk in hand, inspecting the place.

The entire family stood tensely watching.

When Shi’s mother saw her daughter return, she scolded, “Where have you been? Guests are here and you’re wandering around!”

Her gaze fell on Xiao Wange and Jin Zhao. “And these two are?”

Shi Jinzhu flushed with embarrassment. It was hard to explain—a young village girl claiming to solve their family’s grave trouble? Her family would never believe it. Truthfully, even she didn’t.

Xiao Wange stepped forward and introduced herself. “Hello, my name is Xiao Wange, from Danshui Village. I came today to help your family resolve its trouble.”

She preferred to be direct, without circling around.

At her words, the air fell silent for a moment. Everyone turned their heads toward her—even the master stopped his inspection to look.

Shi’s mother blinked in shock, eyes widening. “What did you say? You came to solve our family’s trouble?”

Xiao Wange nodded. “That’s right.”

Shi’s mother’s expression darkened instantly. “Nonsense. What do you know of our trouble? Don’t make a farce of it!” She turned to her daughter. “Why are you telling outsiders about our affairs? Don’t bring just anyone in here! Quickly take her away—don’t let her disrupt things!”

She started to walk back to the master.

But Xiao Wange raised a brow, her tone cool. “Whatever’s haunting this residence is no ordinary spirit. At present, only I can deal with it.”

The silence deepened.

The Shi family’s faces soured, glaring at her in displeasure. Where had this arrogant village girl come from? They had never met anyone so full of herself.

The master finally spoke, his voice tinged with mockery. “Little girl, with that much confidence, aren’t you afraid of getting slapped in the face?”

He was around thirty, dressed in pristine white Daoist robes, with refined features that gave him the look of a delicate scholar.

Xiao Wange had expected an older man, but instead here stood a young, handsome master.

She looked him up and down, then smiled faintly. “I never do things that would get me slapped in the face.”

“Heh.” The master chuckled, dripping with sarcasm.

Shi Xiaohong glared at her and turned to Jinzhu. “Jinzhu, get her out! The master is about to begin the ritual—outsiders can’t interfere. Take her away now!”

Her father, Shi Tian’ao, also barked, “Get her out at once!”

Jinzhu bit her lip, torn. She turned to Xiao Wange. “Comrade, maybe you should…”

“Alright, I’ll leave with you.” Xiao Wange nodded, holding Jin Zhao’s hand and smiling at her.

Jinzhu blinked in surprise. Just moments ago, this girl had been so full of confidence—how did she suddenly agree to leave? The change was too quick.

The master sneered, assuming she had been bluffing and now finally realized her own weakness. The Shi family thought the same.

Xiao Wange followed Jinzhu out of the compound.

At the gate, Jinzhu told her, “Comrade, please go home. Don’t worry, I’ll pay the fifty yuan you bet with Xiaokui.”

Xiao Wange smiled. “Thank you, Comrade Shi.”

Jinzhu nodded, turned, and quickly shut the gate.

Jin Zhao looked up. “Mama, are we going home now?”

If they weren’t solving the trouble, shouldn’t they head back to the village?

Xiao Wange stroked his head. “Not yet. We’ll wait here a little.”

“Wait for what?” he asked in confusion.

She smiled. “Wait for the people inside to call for help.”

Jin Zhao: “…”

…

Half an hour later, just as Jin Zhao was dozing off, a terrified scream erupted from inside the compound. “Help! Somebody help us!”

The boy jolted awake, eyes wide. “Mama, I think they really are calling for help!”

Xiao Wange nodded calmly. “Mm, sounds like it.”

She pulled a talisman from her pocket—the one she had drawn with blood the day before—and tucked it into Jin Zhao’s coat.

“This will protect you, my dear. Don’t take it out, alright?”

He looked curiously at his pocket but didn’t ask questions, just nodded obediently. “Mm.”

Xiao Wange stroked his head again, eyes full of affection. He must have so many questions, but he was sensible enough not to ask now.

Taking his hand, she stepped up to the gate.

Though it was bolted from inside, she pressed a hand to it after forming a quick incantation, and the heavy doors creaked open with ease.

Inside was chaos.

The Shi family huddled inside a cinnabar-drawn circle—meant to protect them, but now it had become a prison, trapping them as black shadows tore at them.

The master knelt on one knee, blood trickling from his mouth. He struggled to intervene, but his legs were entangled by an even stronger spirit, holding him fast.