The Stepmother's Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era-Chapter 459 - 458: Shen Baolan’s Rich Lady Dream

Ma Sufen had always been convinced that her son’s life was ruined by the very act of running a business.

If her son hadn’t been in business, his former wife wouldn’t have caused a fuss over divorce, and he wouldn’t have remarried someone like Shen Baolan, a troublemaker, disrupting the peace of their home.

Once bitten, twice shy.

She would never let her son go into business again.

Shen Baolan stared blankly at Zhou Shuhuan, with her heart pounding like a rabbit in her chest.

Finally, Zhou Shuhuan was going to start a business; wouldn’t she have a chance to become a wealthy lady like Shen Mingzhu in her dreams?

Zhou Chuanxiong was a man.

Men understand men best. Moreover, with Pei Yang’s successful precedent, as a father, he naturally wished for his son to succeed and to bring honor to the family.

Therefore, he was somewhat supportive of his son’s idea to venture to the south.

"Shuhuan, are you sure about this? There’s no turning back once the arrow is loosed from the bow. If you quit this job, it’ll be hard to get it back," he said.

"Dad, what era do we live in now? Everyone’s advocating for self-employment. I am capable, educated, and skilled—am I afraid I can’t earn a living?"

Zhou Chuanxiong nodded, "Alright then, if you’ve made up your mind, I won’t say anything more."

"What do you mean, ’won’t say anything more’?"

Ma Sufen was so anxious she stood up, "Shuhuan, listen to your mother. We’re not doing business, remember the hard times you went through back then, huh?"

"We’re living in peace now, isn’t that great? Why do you have to stir things up? Your father and I are old. If something happens to you again, how are we supposed to cope?"

Tears streamed down Ma Sufen’s face as she begged desperately. Had it been anything else, Zhou Shuhuan might have complied with the elders’ wishes.

But this was the one thing he could not compromise on.

"Mom, don’t worry. It’s different now. Just look outside; there’s a self-employed person at every three steps, a small boss at every five. Now’s the right time. If I miss this opportunity, I’ll regret it for the rest of my life."

Ma Sufen wanted to persuade him further, but Shen Baolan suddenly stood up, startling all three of them.

"I agree!"

Zhou Shuhuan wasn’t too surprised.

Shen Baolan had tasted the sweetness of doing business herself and would logically support him.

Ma Sufen was angry that her son wouldn’t listen to her, and now Shen Baolan was singing a different tune, provoking her even more. She immediately grabbed the feather duster from the table and started to beat Shen Baolan with it.

"You’re the cause of all trouble, a jinx! I knew marrying a sow would have been better than bringing you into our home!"

Ma Sufen harbored resentment toward Shen Baolan.

Her son would stay away from home for days, preferring to stay in the dormitory due to the unhappy marriage with Shen Baolan.

She shouldn’t have found such a country bride for her son. Not only did they become the laughingstock of others, but now her son was even willing to run off to the south and abandon his family.

The more Ma Sufen thought about it, the angrier she became, picking up the feather duster to hit Shen Baolan again.

Shen Baolan wasn’t foolish enough to stand still and let her hit her.

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law chased each other around the living room for several laps, with Zhou Hao and Zhou Fu, the two brothers, running out of their rooms to watch the commotion, until Ma Sufen ran out of strength, ending the skirmish.

...

"Shuhuan, Shuhuan, wait for me!"

After things were settled, Zhou Shuhuan put on his coat and left the house, planning to sleep in the factory dormitory.

He was used to sleeping in the dormitory and felt uncomfortable sleeping at home.

Just as he reached the bottom of the stairs, Shen Baolan hurried after him.

Zhou Shuhuan paused, wanting to hear what Shen Baolan had to say.

Shen Baolan tugged him towards the gate of the residential compound, "Come on, let’s talk outside."

Zhou Shuhuan glanced at his arm being held and hesitated, but did not pull away.

He remembered her supportive stance on his business venture.

"Here, take this."

Once outside the residential compound, Shen Baolan looked around to make sure no one was in sight before she stealthily stuffed a bulging packet into his pocket.

Zhou Shuhuan subconsciously wanted to take out whatever it was to have a look, but Shen Baolan held his hand down.

She whispered, "It’s the private savings I’ve accumulated on my own. You can use it for your business, but don’t let Mom find out."

The financial control of the Zhou family had always been in the hands of Ma Sufen.

All of the household income had to be turned over to Ma Sufen, including the money Shen Baolan earned from her stall.

However, Shen Baolan always quietly kept half of the money she made each day.

Over time, it had added up to a substantial amount.

"Keep the money for yourself, I don’t need it."

Zhou Shuhuan tried to return the money to Shen Baolan; although he was mediocre and incompetent, he couldn’t bring himself to spend a woman’s money.

Or rather, he didn’t want to owe Shen Baolan.

"You must take it! How can you do business without any capital? I only have one condition: if you become successful, you can’t abandon me. You have to let me be a rich lady and live a good life."

Zhou Shuhuan could not resist and merely said, "Consider it a loan from you. If I really succeed, I’ll pay you back double."

With his promise, Shen Baolan happily tucked her hands and went home.

Watching her receding figure, for a moment, Zhou Shuhuan’s heart was filled with warmth and emotion.

Especially on such a cold winter night.

...

Pei Family.

Having finally finished tallying the gift list for the day, Shen Mingzhu put down the pen, leaned back in the chair, and felt like her body was no longer her own.

Sore, tired, swollen.

Pei Yang rested his hands on her shoulders, diligently massaging them, his words sweet.

"Wife, you’ve worked hard. How’s the strength?"

"Not bad."

Shen Mingzhu nodded in satisfaction, tilted her head back and touched the man’s face, "Happy Birthday."

Pei Yang bent down, along with the back of the chair, to take her into his arms, "Today has been the happiest and most unforgettable birthday I’ve ever had since I was born. Thank you, wife."

Shen Mingzhu relaxed, resting her head on the man’s chest, with her hands on the back of his hands, feeling a profound sense of peace and fulfillment.

"I’m glad you’re happy, it means my preparations weren’t in vain."

Pei Yang kissed her earlobe, deliberately letting his warm breath fan her ear, "Shall we do something even more joyful?"

Shen Mingzhu couldn’t help giggling from the tickle, "No—"

"But it’s my birthday!"

Being his birthday, his wishes must be fulfilled.

Shen Mingzhu pointed at the clock on the wall, "It’s past midnight, not anymore."

"I don’t care."

Pei Yang stretched a long arm under her knees and armpits, lifting her off to the bedroom with the intention of imposing his love.

Shen Mingzhu stayed silent, and once they were in the bedroom and he had placed her on the bed, she reached under the pillow to pull out a beautifully wrapped gift, blocking the man’s lips as they came down to kiss her.

"What’s this?"

"A birthday present."

Pei Yang swiftly tore open the wrapping, surprised to find a bank book inside.

Opening the bank book and seeing the balance, he tossed it onto the nightstand, then leaned over to pin Shen Mingzhu beneath him.

"Giving me so much money, are you planning to keep me as your gigolo?"

Shen Mingzhu’s fair fingertips circled his Adam’s apple, and with a laugh said, "Do you want it or not?"

Pei Yang captured her teasing hand, lifted it above her head, and with a breathy "I do," kissed her lips.