PWE – Chapter 76 Demonic Barrier

In the afternoon, Zhan Zeyan took the child out to visit neighbors. Since he was leaving soon, he wanted to pay a visit to the village Party secretary and the village chief, asking them to help look after his wife and child.

After he left with the child, she took out the remaining pork belly and began making meat sauce.

She didn’t know what the food was like in his unit, but she guessed—it probably wasn’t very good. After all, food cooked in big communal pots was rarely delicious.

Although one or two jars of meat sauce wouldn’t last long, at least it could satisfy his cravings for a while.

She made him two jars of pork-belly meat sauce. The jars had previously held malted milk powder; they were large and could fit quite a lot.

After finishing the sauce, she made dozens of meat-stuffed flatbreads. With these, he could solve his meals on the train.

She wanted to prepare some drinks for him too, but she didn’t have the ingredients, so she had to give up.

By the time he came back with the child, she had already packed everything up for him.

She looked up at him and said softly, “You’re leaving at five tomorrow morning, right? It’s too early, so the child and I won’t be seeing you off.”

Five in the winter was indeed very early. She was afraid the child wouldn’t wake up at all.

Zhan Zeyan nodded. “Mm, I know.”

Looking at the backpack, an inexplicable heaviness settled in his chest.

He had originally intended to stay longer this time.

But he didn’t expect the unit to assign a sudden task—and one that required him specifically—so he had no choice but to leave.

“Wange, after I’m gone, you and the child…”

“Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of the child. I won’t let him suffer.” She glanced at him, cutting him off.

He pressed his lips together. “I know. I know you’ll take good care of him.”

Her love for the child was something he saw clearly. Even without him at home, she could raise the child well.

“Mm? Aside from the child, do you have anything else to say?” Seeing him hesitate, she frowned.

Zhan Zeyan’s brows knitted slightly. After a second of silence, he said slowly, “Wange, that Mu Yunhao and He Xiuyan… neither of them are good people. If they try to take advantage of my absence to get close to you, then you…”

“You’re afraid they’ll run off with me?” She laughed, teasing and amused. She looked him in the eyes and said every word distinctly: “Set your mind at ease. I’m already married, and I only acknowledge one husband. Since you are my husband, I will only recognize you. As for other men, I won’t pay attention to them.”

At her words, his expression brightened, and a smile spread across his eyes.

What she said pleased him even more than hearing her say she liked him.

He had been worried before, but now—those worries vanished, replaced entirely by joy.

If the child hadn’t been present, he would have wanted to hold her and get affectionate right then.

“But what about you?” she said, narrowing her eyes playfully. “I hear there are lots of pretty arts-soldiers in your unit. Are you sure you won’t get carried off by one of them?”

Before Zhan Zeyan could reply, little Zhao Zhao quickly chimed in, “Mama, if Papa likes another auntie, then we’ll just go find Uncle Mu. Uncle Mu is really nice, and he has a small car. If we’re with Uncle Mu, we can sit in the car every day!”

Zhan Zeyan: “…”

He stared at the child in disbelief.

“You little brat, you’re only thinking about other people’s car, huh? Your dad’s unit has a big truck! A big truck is way cooler than a small car! If all you think about is small cars, then I… won’t let you ride the big truck anymore!”

The child immediately clung to his arm and pleaded, “I like big trucks! I still like big trucks! Papa, take me to ride the big truck! If there’s a big truck, I don’t want the small car anymore!”

Hearing Zhao Zhao, Xiao Wange couldn’t help smiling.

Children really had no loyalty—one truck and he switched sides instantly.

But…

If he said he’d take the child to ride the big truck, did that mean… he planned to bring the child onto the base?

“Wange, when I go back, I’ll apply for housing. Once the housing is approved, you two can come be dependents. I want us to live together as a family, not be separated like this.”

He looked at her, answering the question in her mind.

Xiao Wange also felt that being separated wasn’t good—especially for the child. Other children had their parents with them, but Zhao Zhao only saw his father every few months, sometimes even once a year.

Over time, it was bad for the child psychologically, and it weakened the bond between father and son.

So if they could accompany him, she did want to go.

She nodded lightly. “Mm. Once your housing is approved, I’ll bring the child to find you.”

Her words warmed him. He smiled and said, “If nothing unexpected happens, it should be approved next year.”

She answered with a soft “Mm” and said nothing else. She went into the kitchen to prepare dinner.

…

Usually, after dinner, he washed the dishes, but tonight she took over the chore.

She told him to wash up and sleep early. Since he had to leave early in the morning, she didn’t want him to oversleep.

To him, even if he had to get up at three or four, he could. He was used to going without sleep during missions.

But since his wife arranged things out of concern, he simply followed. He didn’t want to turn down her kindness.

But lying in bed, he couldn’t sleep.

He didn’t know if it was because he was leaving… or something else.

After over an hour of sleeplessness, he got up and went out into the courtyard.

The lights outside were still on, and the sound of running water came from the bathing room.

He knew she was bathing—she washed every night, even in winter. She was cleaner than most people… perhaps even a little obsessive about it.

So he stood there quietly, waiting for her to finish.

When Xiao Wange finished bathing and came out, she saw him standing under the eaves.

She frowned. “Why aren’t you asleep? You’re leaving early tomorrow! If you oversleep, what then?”

She’d told him to sleep long ago, but the man was still standing there!

Was he trying to irritate her on purpose?

Fresh from her bath, there was an ethereal lightness about her—like a spirit from a misty forest, capable of enchanting someone with just one glance.

He walked toward her, eyes darkening. “Wange~”

His voice was low and hoarse, carrying a seductive, magnetic note.

She frowned. Just hearing that tone, she knew what he wanted.

She was speechless.

She poked his chest. “Are you possessed? Why do you always think about that?”

Zhan Zeyan took her cool hand and wrapped it in his warm palms.

Looking at her intently, his voice grew even lower. “I don’t know why. Maybe… because I want to be with you too much.”

This piece of meat—his wife—since he hadn’t gotten a taste yet, he felt uncomfortable, like something was missing.

Maybe once he finally ate his fill… he would feel whole.

She exhaled sharply, resisting the urge to smack him.

Pulling her hand away, she said, “Not tonight. You’re leaving at dawn. If you mess around again, you really won’t wake up.”

“I can wake up,” he said quickly, moving closer. “During missions, I’ve gone entire nights without sleeping. Even then I could still carry out tasks the next day. So Wange…”

He leaned to her ear, whispering, “Just once tonight, okay?”

His warm breath tickled her ear.

It felt itchy, like something crawling across her ear, making her want to scratch it.

She looked up at him, about to answer, but he was already lifting her into his arms, carrying her toward the room.

“Let’s go, let’s sleep.”

Xiao Wange: “…”

Inside the room, before they even reached the bed, he kissed her hard.

Up close, his expression showed just how desperate he was.

His hand clamped tightly around her waist, the strength so domineering it felt like he might snap her in half.

She frowned and smacked his hand. “Can you be gentler? Do you want to break my waist?”

He froze.

Then he looked at her and said, “Sorry, Wange. I got too excited and didn’t control myself. Sorry. I’ll be gentle, I’ll be soft, alright?”

Could she say no at this point? If she did, he’d probably drop dead on the spot.

She didn’t reply, just nodded slightly.

Seeing her nod, he brightened instantly, joy bursting across his sharp, handsome face—like a man who had just won a great battle.

He scooped her up and took her to the bed in a few quick steps.

…

Before entering the room earlier, Xiao Wange had released the Hungry Ghost from the bell. With it guarding Zhao Zhao’s room, she wasn’t too worried. But the Hungry Ghost was more violent at night, so she could only let it stay outside for an hour.

After that hour passed, she weakly pushed at the man. “Move. I have to go back to Zhao Zhao’s room.”

The hour was up; the Hungry Ghost had to return to the bell. And once it did, she needed to keep watch by Zhao Zhao’s side herself. Otherwise, she always felt uneasy.

Zhan Zeyan still had lingering desire in his eyes. He kissed her lightly on the forehead. “You sleep here. I’ll go stay with Zhao Zhao.”

He started to get out of bed.

But—

Just as he moved, the Hungry Ghost suddenly screamed from Zhao Zhao’s room:

“Master! Something bad is here… something bad wants to take the little master away!”

Hearing this, Xiao Wange’s expression changed. She shot upright—though pain tightened her face for a moment.

She didn’t stop. She grabbed her clothes, threw them on, and flew toward the door.

Zhan Zeyan, shocked by the Hungry Ghost’s shout, had already reached the door first. He flung it open and rushed out.