The Stepmother's Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era-Chapter 458 - 457: Venturing South

"Yang, I’ve thought about the thing you talked to me about before..."

Zhou Shuhuan drew deeply on his cigarette before he continued, "I’m still not going to get involved. You can ask Taozi and the others."

Pei Yang sighed, "Among all our brothers, you’re the one who understands electronics, who has the skills. I was thinking, if we teamed up, we could definitely build something impressive."

Seeing that Zhou Shuhuan was just smoking in silence, Pei Yang didn’t say much more, just patted his shoulder and consoled him, "It’s okay, to each his own. Everyone has their own way of living. Starting a business is risky. It’s normal to have concerns."

Zhou Shuhuan crushed out his cigarette on the rail and exhaled the smoke from his lungs, "Yang, I’m planning to venture down south."

Even though Pei Yang was surprised by Zhou Shuhuan’s idea of heading south, he still immediately offered encouragement and support.

"Have you thought about what you’re going to do there?"

"Just go and see for now. I might not be able to do anything significant."

Zhou Shuhuan turned to look at him, a determination in his eyes that felt foreign to Pei Yang.

Among their group of childhood friends, Zhou Shuhuan had always been the introverted and somber type. To put it harshly, he was insecure, cowardly, and indecisive.

He always kept his head down, avoiding eye contact. And even when his gaze did meet someone else’s, his eyes were filled with obscurity and confusion.

But today, Zhou Shuhuan dared to meet his gaze, his eyes clear, his tone light-hearted, as if he had shed a heavy burden.

"Yang, I’ve always been quite envious of you. We’re the same age, grew up together, but your experiences are so much richer than mine, you’ve traveled more, seen more."

"I often think, if we were birds, you would definitely be the eagle, and I, just a mountain fowl. You can soar across the vast sky and ocean expanses, while I can only be confined to a desolate mountaintop."

"I also want to go out there, to see what the outside world is like."

These words had been pent up in Zhou Shuhuan’s heart for far too long.

Now that he could finally speak them, he felt an exhilarating release, as if his very blood were boiling.

"Go for it, life isn’t long or short. Do whatever you want to do with confidence, and don’t wait until you’re old to regret it."

"That’s what I think too."

"Once you’ve decided on the departure date, let me know in advance. I’ll bring the brothers to see you off."

"Okay."

Watching Pei Yang’s retreating figure, Zhou Shuhuan didn’t move for a long while.

He was only too aware that with Pei Yang’s abilities and resourcefulness, success was certain.

If he just followed behind, he could easily reap the benefits.

But he didn’t want success like that.

He had lingered in Pei Yang’s shadow for too long, like a plant that’s always in the dark, never seeing sunlight, rotting and withering away.

He, too, wanted to live in the sunlight, to withstand the storms, to grow into a towering tree.

He wanted to achieve something on his own, to prove he wasn’t inferior to anyone.

...

Although there weren’t as many guests in the evening as at noon, there were still five or six tables surrounded by relatives and friends from both families, with dishes focusing on light and health-preserving cuisine.

After the meal, Pei Yang and Chen Yi drove some of the relatives who lived farther away back home.

Zhao Dafa also drove his newly purchased Santana, helping to send off guests.

Shen Mingzhu gathered the leftover alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, candies, and the like from the banquet and sorted them out. She made small portions to distribute to the Pei Family and the Shen Family relatives.

With the new year around the corner, these items would come in handy — a gesture of her goodwill.

The relatives left swiftly, leaving only the banquet hall’s staff cleaning up, along with Shen Mingzhu, Pei Wenping, and Zhou Hui’s families.

The six children were playing hide and seek under the tables, while the adults circled around another, chatting idly, waiting for the men to return by car to pick them up.

As they discussed the children’s academic achievements, Shen Hongmei walked back in, lifting the curtain.

"Mingzhu."

Upon seeing Shen Hongmei’s return, Shen Mingzhu had an idea of what was coming. She stood up and went to a corner to talk with her.

"Mingzhu, I’m sorry, my mom caused trouble for you today. From now on, no matter what my mom says, don’t bother with it, and you don’t have to worry about saving my face. Just handle things the way they should be handled."

Yu Jin’e had learned her lesson, and as far as Shen Mingzhu was concerned, the matter was closed.

"Hongmei, Aunt Jin’e was just worried about you, which is understandable. After all, you’re not young anymore. I too hope you can find a man who understands your needs and start your own family."

Shen Hongmei said, "I don’t want to get married. I’m quite happy as I am now."

Shen Mingzhu patted her, "Just because you’re happy now doesn’t mean marriage will make you any less happy, don’t define the unknown future so lightly." freewёbnoνel.com

"To put it more practically, you have to have children, right? The best age for women to give birth is before 28, this is something that should be done sooner rather than later."

"I’ll keep an eye out for suitable candidates for you, and you should also make an effort yourself. If you like a guy, tell me, and I’ll help you check him out."

Seeing Shen Hongmei’s reluctant expression, Shen Mingzhu added, "If all else fails, you can still use a sperm donor. A woman can be without a man, but she should have her own child."

Shen Hongmei was stunned.

...

Zhou family.

"I want to play too."

"I won’t give it to you."

"Give it to me."

"No, no, no!"

Such quarrels would take place every day.

In the past, Zhou Shuhuan never interfered, but today he stood up and walked over to the two brothers.

"Give the mantis to your brother."

Although Zhou Shuhuan was mild-mannered outside the home, he still had considerable authority within the family, especially in front of his two children.

Zhou Hao reluctantly threw the bamboo-copter onto the ground.

Zhou Fu happily picked it up to play.

Zhou Shuhuan patted his eldest son’s head, "You are the older brother, you should let your younger brother have his way more."

After the Chinese New Year, Zhou Hao would be 9, an age when he starts to understand more.

He vaguely sensed something from Zhou Shuhuan’s demeanor and tone, and his face went from outrage to confusion and incomprehension.

"Take your brother back to the room to play."

"Oh."

Zhou Hao answered, lifted his foot, and kicked Zhou Fu’s butt, "Go, let’s head to the room."

Zhou Fu was obedient and followed Zhou Hao to the room.

"Xiaohao, don’t bully your brother, okay?"

Shen Baolan called out worriedly.

She had been quite pleased when Zhou Shuhuan had spoken in favor of his son, but seeing Zhou Hao kick her son’s butt made her feel uncomfortable. However, considering her in-laws and husband were present, she didn’t reprimand her stepson outright but instead gave a gentle reminder.

"Dad, Mom, I’m planning to resign from my job after this year."

What? Resign?

Zhou Shuhuan’s offhand remark might have seemed casual, but to both of Ma Sufen’s aged parents and Shen Baolan, its impact was like that of an atomic bomb.

Both old folks were retired, relying on the young couple to earn money to support the family.

Although Shen Baolan could also make a decent amount by selling snacks, it wasn’t as stable and reliable as Zhou Shuhuan’s job.

Zhou Shuhuan was now the mainstay of the family. Without his job, wouldn’t the family be ruined?

"No, I don’t agree!"

Shen Baolan was the first to jump up in opposition.

Ma Sufen, for once, was on the same page as her.

Zhou Quanxiong was still somewhat rational, not rushing to take a stance, "Why resign?"

"I’m planning to go to the south."

"What on earth will you do in the south?"

"Start a business."

"No way!"

This time, the one jumping up in opposition was Ma Sufen.