The Stepmother's Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era-Chapter 786 - 785: Can’t Daydream at Night

"Look at the mess you’ve made, you’ve ruined the new clothes I just bought."

Although Yan Su had calmed down and was even a little happy, she still put on a stern face to dredge up old grievances.

Han Zibin took her extended hand and placed a hot kiss on it, "Actually, I lied to you. There’s no plum sauce steamed ribs tonight, I made it just for you."

Yan Su was pleased, yet she pretended to scold him, "Then why did you lure me out here? I didn’t even get to taste what it’s like."

"I made two servings. The one I brought out is the normal flavor, while yours is half-sweet. Eat less later, save some room in your stomach, and wait for me to get off work so we can eat together."

Yan Su nodded, her eyebrows and eyes finally revealing a hint of sweetness.

...

Before the Spring Festival, Yan Jing hosted a banquet at the Tang Palace Banquet for Shen Mingzhu.

Besides Yan Jing herself, Yan Su and Zhuang Xueqi were also present.

Both Yan Jing and Shen Mingzhu understood the purpose of the meal but didn’t bring it up in front of Yan Su.

Though considered a top socialite, Yan Su was particularly sensitive and persistent in matters of the heart and disliked arranged marriages by her family.

If she knew that her relationship with Han Zibin was not the free love she believed it to be, she might develop different thoughts.

Midway through the meal, Yan Su and Zhuang Xueqi went to the restroom, and that’s when Yan Jing finally praised Shen Mingzhu, "You’ve handled the matter well."

"Thanks to Madam Ning’s appreciation; fortunately, I’ve fulfilled my duty."

"The thank-you gift has already been sent to your house. Take a look when you get back."

"Madam Ning, you’re too kind."

Surprised on the surface, but eagerly rubbing her hands together inside: Last time it was a platinum bag, what could it be this time?

After the meal, Shen Mingzhu couldn’t wait to get home.

As soon as she entered, she saw three striking orange packaging bags on the living room coffee table.

"Mom, don’t you already have this kind of bag? Why did you buy it again, and three of them at that!"

Pei Tang didn’t understand the value of the platinum bags, merely curious why her mother was so fond of this style.

Three rare leather platinum bags lined up; Shen Mingzhu tried to control her breathing while explaining to her daughter:

The bags weren’t bought by her, but were gifts from a friend.

The three bags were white, orange, and blue. With these, she now owned six platinum bags of different colors.

Collecting treasured items brought more joy and a sense of accomplishment than receiving the gifts themselves.

This showed just how well the ladies of wealthy families could manipulate hearts.

Although Shen Mingzhu was usually low-key and reserved, news about her six platinum bags still spread among relatives and friends.

"Those six bags of your little sister, they must be made of gold, why are they so expensive?"

Lying in bed at night, Jia Yuemei couldn’t help but mutter to Shen Xiangnan.

Shen Xiangnan was also astonished, "Who knows."

"You can’t eat or drink from them, why not do something better with the money, buying those useless things, your little sister really knows how to waste money."

Shen Xiangnan was annoyed, "What are you talking about? She didn’t buy those bags, they were gifts from wealthy ladies."

Jia Yuemei pouted, "They gave her the bags because she likes them. If she liked money, maybe they would’ve just given her money directly."

"Imagine if they directly gave her a hundred or eighty thousand, maybe we could’ve benefitted from it too."

Shen Xiang couldn’t help but give her a look of disdain, "Save that talk for when the sun’s up."

"Why’s that?"

"Because you can’t daydream at night."

Jia Yuemei sat up defiantly, "Talking about me daydreaming, I think you are the one without ambition! Among the three siblings in the family, your older brother and younger sister both have big houses to live in, cars to drive, what about you? What do you have? Look at how cramped our house is, when relatives from our hometown visit we have to sleep on the floor. Don’t you feel embarrassed?"

"Disgusted by my embarrassment? Fine, then go find someone who isn’t an embarrassment!"

Seeing Shen Xiangnan get angry, Jia Yuemei didn’t dare to nag any further.

Even though their family’s situation couldn’t compare to that of Shen Chaobei and Shen Mingzhu, they were still more than comfortable compared to the average family.

As the executive chef and shareholder of Shenji, Shen Xiangnan’s annual income exceeded ten thousand, he was in his prime, and he even bought an apartment in the city, making him a catch in the eyes of other women.

Although she often complained verbally, she was clear in her heart that she couldn’t find better than Shen Xiangnan if she left him.

Considering this, she softened her tone, "I was just speaking off the cuff, and here you are, getting angry."

"From now on, spare me the talk I don’t like. You can stay if you love it, or leave if you don’t."

"Alright, I won’t talk about it then."

...

In the blink of an eye, another New Year’s Eve arrived.

This year’s New Year’s Eve, Shen Mingzhu still took Pei Yang and the children back to Anping Town.

The next day would mark the first anniversary of Qin Jinlian’s passing, and rather than rush back to the countryside early in the morning, it was better to spend it there.

Compared to last year’s festivity and excitement, this year’s Spring Festival felt a lot colder without Qin Jinlian.

Especially Shen Jianguo, who was down in the dumps, holding his grandson Jindan, couldn’t stop the tears from welling in his eyes:

"It would be great if your mom was still here; her lifelong wish was to hold her grandson."

These words broke through Shen Chaobei and Shen Xiangnan, making the two brothers weep.

Leaving father and sons to grieve and reminisce in the house, Shen Mingzhu kept busy in the kitchen with Pei Yang and Du Juan preparing the New Year’s Eve dinner, while Pei Ziheng watched over the playing children in the yard.

It was customary to set off firecrackers and fireworks for a lively celebration on New Year’s Eve.

But since Qin Jinlian passed away on last year’s New Year’s Eve night, they didn’t buy fireworks this year. After having the New Year’s Eve dinner and handing out red envelopes to the kids, everyone went back to their rooms to rest, waiting to go to Shenjiagou early the next morning to mark the first anniversary of Qin Jinlian’s passing.

...

Pei Wenping still spent the Spring Festival at the Chen Family’s.

After the New Year’s Eve dinner, the Chen brothers cleared the dishes while she and Yi Ling took the children outside to set off fireworks.

After reminding their siblings about safety a few times, Pei Wenping found a quiet place to stand.

The children had grown up, with their own ideas and fun, no longer needing her, their mother, to be hands-on.

She had only been standing there for a couple of minutes when two kids came near to play with small firecrackers, "pop pop" startling Pei Wenping with their noise.

She was about to step back when she turned and saw Chen Yi standing behind her, not knowing how long he had been there.

"Do you have a moment?"

A golden firework exploded in the night sky, illuminating Chen Yi’s smiling face, clear and tender.

Many years later, Pei Wenping couldn’t forget this moment.

She paused and then nodded lightly, "What is it? Speak."

"I want to take you to a place."

Their departing backs together attracted the soft speculation of several neighbors not far away.

"Yi Ling, are your brother and sister-in-law back together?"

Yi Ling knew they hadn’t remarried, but seeing them go out together late at night made her uncertain, "Who knows."

Getting out of the car and looking at the pitch-dark house in front, Pei Wenping was puzzled, "Little Yang and the others are not at home, why did you bring me here?"

Chen Yi pointed across the street, "Over there."