The Stepmother's Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era-Chapter 778 - 777: Pei Wusui

Tianrong Hong Kong-style Restaurant, private room number 9.

Looking at Yan Su bowing her head and eating, Shen Mingzhu’s heart of gossip burned hotter than the heating inside the room.

"Su Su, are you free next weekend?"

Yan Su looked up at her and casually picked up the napkin next to her to wipe her mouth before speaking, "Do you have some event planned?"

"I mentioned a potential match to Han Zinbin and want you to come liven things up. You know how young people are these days, too shy. To avoid awkwardness when they meet, we can invite a few more people, soak in the hot springs, have a barbecue, and create a great atmosphere."

As she spoke, Shen Mingzhu paid close attention to Yan Su’s expression, but unfortunately, she couldn’t read anything from it.

"I’ll see, I might not be free."

Shen Mingzhu was somewhat unwilling to give up, "I think this one will definitely work out. You know my judgment is always accurate, I’m really experienced in matchmaking."

Yan Su simply inquired about the girl’s situation, but with a tone and attitude as calm as if she were discussing the weather.

This made Shen Mingzhu a bit uncertain of her own guess.

Was she overthinking it, or did Yan Su have no interest in Han Zibin?

Having not probed anything from Yan Su, Shen Mingzhu turned to find Han Zibin.

"President Shen, I’m really sorry, but I don’t want to go..."

Shen Mingzhu interrupted, "I know you have someone you fancy, but this matchmaking isn’t for you. I thought, why not invite the person you like to join us, and I’ll help bring you two together."

Han Zibin forced a smile, "No need, I’m not ready for that yet."

"Well, alright then, if you have your own plans, I won’t insist."

With that, she seemingly casually sighed, "Actually, you know the person being matched this time. It’s Su Su. Hopefully, it works out; she’s not getting any younger."

Having said her piece, she didn’t wait for Han Zibin’s response and turned to leave.

One, two, three...

Before even getting to four, "President Shen."

Shen Mingzhu smiled knowingly and turned around, feigning curiosity, "Is there anything else?"

"I’m off next Saturday and happen to be free. Can I come hang out with you guys? Just me alone."

"Ah, if you want to come, sure, it’ll be great to have help with the barbecue."

"Great."

...

Saturday came bright and early.

Pei Yang was busy packing for their trip to Hot Spring Villa while Shen Mingzhu was busy coaxing her daughter.

"Why can both you and dad go but not me? Just because I’m younger, you discriminate against me and don’t take me out to have fun."

Shen Mingzhu hugged her daughter, who had grown tall enough to reach her armpit, and said with a doting voice, "How could that be possible? You’re mommy’s treasure. I wish I could tie you to my belt loop and take you everywhere I go. But today mommy is not just going out for fun; I have important things to take care of and won’t be able to look after you."

"I’ve grown up, I can take care of myself."

Children at that age especially like to act like adults.

Shen Mingzhu kissed her daughter’s chubby cheeks and said, "Mommy certainly believes in your ability, but in mommy’s heart, you’ll always be the little treasure who hasn’t grown up, needing protection and care."

"Here’s what we’ll do, mommy promises you that when your brother’s winter vacation starts, I’ll take you both skiing in Switzerland, okay? You can soak in the hot springs too."

It took the effort of a Herculean task, but finally, she managed to coax her daughter into happily staying at home.

Back in the bedroom.

"Honey, I want to go skiing in Switzerland too."

Shen Mingzhu bent over to check if her husband packed everything and said, "Can you make the time?"

"I don’t care, I’m going."

Saying that, he mimicked their daughter’s behavior by clinging to her waist and tilting his big face up to act spoilt, "Why don’t you coax me too?"

Shen Mingzhu spat, "Are you still young?"

"Yep, I’m five. From now on, please call me Pei Wusui."

Shen Mingzhu was speechless yet amused.

...

Honggu Hot Spring Resort.

Shen Mingzhu and Pei Yang arrived the earliest and began moving the prepared ingredients into the small courtyard after they got there.

She had booked two adjacent private bathhouses, one for the men to soak in, and one for the women.

After soaking in the hot springs, a barbeque feast would be in order.

For a winter barbeque, lamb was indispensable, so she bought a whole leg of lamb and also prepared snow beef, whole rabbits, chickens, fish, shrimp, crab, various types of shellfish, as well as vegetables.

Besides that, she also brought a ceramic pot to stew pear soup.

Han Zibin was the second to arrive, showing that he had put effort into his appearance.

Wearing a light coffee-colored cashmere coat, a dark blue turtleneck sweater, and his hair neatly done, he possessed a kind of handsomeness coupled with a clean-cut charm.

Shen Mingzhu jokingly scolded him, "Why are you all dressed up so handsomely, the other men will think you’re trying to steal their thunder when they arrive."

Han Zibin quickly explained, "I just threw something on. The guy going on a blind date with Second Miss shouldn’t be so petty, right?"

Shen Mingzhu neither agreed nor disagreed and simply ordered him to get to work.

Han Zibin didn’t utter another word, rolling up his sleeves and starting to wash and slice the lamb leg at the sink.

Shen Mingzhu peeled the pears, ready to stew them along with white fungus, lotus seeds, lilies, and dates.

Pei Yang was getting the stove ready, lifting the ceramic pot to fill it with water at the sink.

"Brother Pei."

Seeing Pei Yang come over, Han Zibin politely greeted him and continued slicing the lamb.

Pei Yang responded, casually sizing up Han Zibin without moving his eyes.

After placing the ceramic pot on the stove, which was already lit with charcoal, Pei Yang ran inside to help Shen Mingzhu peel pears.

"Little Han looks very handsome today?"

As soon as she spoke, she knew what was on her husband’s mind, "Of course, he’s definitely more handsome than you."

"He’s as handsome as me? He’s not taller than me, nor is he as well-built, at most he’s just a pretty boy."

Shen Mingzhu playfully spat out, "Can’t you behave? You get jealous over everyone."

Pei Yang insisted, "You haven’t complimented me in a long time, yet you’re so warm to other men."

"Fine, I’ll compliment you, you also look very handsome today."

"Between me and Little Han, who is more handsome?"

"Do you really want to ask such a self-deprecating question?"

"... Alright, alright, I’m leaving!."

He had just got up when Shen Mingzhu quickly pulled him back to the couch, "Where do you think you’re going? Don’t even think about slacking off, get back to peeling!"

The man couldn’t help but smile, "I knew you can’t do without me."

"Mhm, I can’t do without you."

Pei Yang turned his head to look at her, "What did you just say? Say it again."

"That you’re handsomer than Little Han."

"Of course."

Watching her man’s silly grin stretching to the roots of his ears, Shen Mingzhu couldn’t help but laugh.

Around three o’clock, people began arriving intermittently.

In addition to Yan Su, Shen Mingzhu also invited Shen Hongmei and Zhao Dafa, as well as the couples Pei Qiuxia and She Zheming, and Pei Wenping.

However, there was one unexpected guest—Chen Yi.

"Everyone has arrived, men to the next courtyard, women stay here, and we’ll come together to eat after five."

Hearing Shen Mingzhu, Han Zibin instinctively glanced at Yan Su, "Sister Shen, shouldn’t there still be someone yet to arrive?"

Yan Jing gave Han Zibin a look and said to Shen Mingzhu, "It’s still early, let’s wait a bit longer."