The Stepmother's Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era-Chapter 800 - 799: Schemes Win Hearts

"A gentleman does not covet what others esteem, and I have already made my greatest effort. Persisting further would be impolite."

After listening to the interpreter relay Pei Yang’s message, Doctor Zeda felt a load off his shoulders and also grew fond of him.

"It’s best if you think so, then let me wish you a smooth journey back in advance."

Pei Yang smiled and nodded, "Doctor Zeda, there are not many people I admire in my life, but you are one. Before I leave, I’d like to invite you to dinner as an apology for disturbing you during this time. I hope you’ll grace me with your presence."

After some consideration, Doctor Zeda accepted Pei Yang’s dinner invitation.

Pei Yang didn’t choose a local Tokyo restaurant but found a Chinese restaurant instead.

Upon entering the restaurant, Pei Yang closed the door behind him and put up a ’Closed for Business’ sign, then, to Doctor Zeda’s surprise, tied an apron around his waist.

Afraid that Doctor Zeda might misunderstand, the interpreter hurriedly explained, "Mr. Pei has booked the entire restaurant and plans to personally cook some home-style dishes for Doctor Zeda to taste."

Doctor Zeda suddenly understood and smiled with interest, "I’m looking forward to it."

"This Sweet and Sour Pork is one of the favorite home dishes of the people of Fengcheng. It’s somewhat similar to Tokyo’s tempura in preparation, but there are slight differences in taste and texture."

After listening to the interpreter, Doctor Zeda picked up a piece of Sweet and Sour Pork with his chopsticks and tasted it.

"Mmm, it’s very tasty. I like it."

In addition to Sweet and Sour Pork, Pei Yang also made Di San Xian, pan-fried yellow croaker, braised shrimp, squirrel-shaped mandarin fish, and candied bananas. The main dish was dumplings, served with soup, adhering to the concept of matching the original soup with the original food.

While the dishes seemed ordinary, in fact, they were all prepared according to Doctor Zeda’s taste preferences.

Initially restrained, Doctor Zeda became more talkative after a few glasses of Maotai Liquor.

In the midst of the warm and animated atmosphere,

Pei Yang suddenly moved his chair next to Doctor Zeda, draping his arm over the other’s shoulder in a brotherly fashion,

"Doctor Zeda, is there anything in your life that you regret?"

Doctor Zeda didn’t mind Pei Yang’s impertinence and looked up, thinking for a long time before responding with a bitter smile and a shake of his head,

"Too many to know where to begin."

Pei Yang asked, "Do you know what my greatest regret is?"

Doctor Zeda said with curiosity, "I would like to hear it."

Pei Yang belched from the alcohol and said, "My biggest regret is that I didn’t see my mom for the last time."

After saying this, his eyes reddened and his voice began to choke up, "When she had her accident, I was working away from home, and my family couldn’t reach me at all. It’s a lifelong regret."

"When I heard about your PHS technology, I thought, if only we’d had that technology back then. Carrying a phone when leaving home, my family could have contacted me anytime. Maybe, I wouldn’t have missed seeing my mother for the last time."

"Doctor Zeda, you don’t know how great your invention of PHS technology is, how much I wish to bring it back to my country, so everyone can stay in touch with their families anytime, anywhere."

Although the PHS technology was advanced, it suffered from poor signal quality, limited network coverage, and other shortcomings, leading to discrimination and rejection by people of his own country.

Yet Pei Yang’s strong endorsement and high praise touched Doctor Zeda deeply, as if a fine steed had met his Bo Le, making it hard not to be moved.

"Pei Sang, I am very thankful for your confidence in PHS technology, but it still has many shortcomings and imperfections."

"No invention is perfect at birth; they all need to grow and improve through practice. I believe that the PHS technology of the future will become something that amazes the world."

The two chatted merrily over wine, talking about everything until late into the night.

Watching the taxi carrying Doctor Zeda disappear into the night, the interpreter Xiaoxia uncertainly asked Pei Yang,

"Will Doctor Zeda change his mind?"

"I don’t know, if it doesn’t work out, we’ll just have to think of another way. There are always more solutions than difficulties."

After saying that, he couldn’t help but let out a big yawn, "I’m dead tired, let’s go, back to the hotel to sleep. Big issues can wait until after I’ve woken up."

Before Pei Yang had a chance to wake up, he was woken by Engineer Xu, who was traveling with him.

"Just now, Doctor Zeda’s assistant called and asked us to talk about purchasing the PHS technology."

Pei Yang flipped like a carp and sat up in bed.

After nearly five hours of negotiation, Doctor Zeda finally agreed to sell the PHS technology for 500 million Island Country Currency.

At the current exchange rate, 500 million Island Country Currency was approximately 45 million RMB.

After signing the agreement, Yuharu Zeda took the initiative to tell Pei Yang the reason for changing his mind.

"I regret what happened with your mother, and I think, if you take PHS back with you, it should prevent more similar regrets. The initial intention of my research is to benefit mankind. I am willing to let more people enjoy convenience because of my work, and that would be an honor for me."

On the way back to the hotel, Engineer Xu, who was traveling with him, was very curious about what exactly Pei Yang had said last night to move Yuharu Zeda.

"Brother Pei told Doctor Zeda that because of communication difficulties he didn’t make it back home in time to see his mother for the last time, and he has regretted it for his whole life," Xiaoxia quickly and straightforwardly revealed the circumstances.

Engineer Xu came to a realization, but then another thought struck him.

"Wait, Pei Yang, I remember you said your mother passed away in ’84, and weren’t you a sailor back then?"

Pei Yang patted Engineer Xu on the shoulder, "That’s not important, what’s important is we’ve completed the task and can now go home to report back."

Xiaoxia was shocked, "Brother Pei, you lied to Doctor Zeda?"

"How could this be called lying? At most it was just a tactic. My wife said, ’True sentiment cannot be retained, only tactics win hearts.’"

Engineer Xu and Xiaoxia: "..."

Can you stop bringing up your wife? It’s like the rest of us don’t have wives.

...

Los Angeles, Hilton Hotel.

Shen Mingzhu and her daughter had been out all day and were passing by the front desk on their way back to the hotel room when the receptionist called out to them warmly:

"Mrs. Pei, your husband called two hours ago; he left this message for you."

"Thank you."

—Honey, the mission was accomplished perfectly, I’m heading home first to wait for you.

Seeing the message on the paper, Shen Mingzhu could imagine the proud tone of the man, and she couldn’t help but smile.

"Mommy, what did daddy say?"

Shen Mingzhu put away the message and continued towards the elevator with her daughter, "Daddy has finished his work in the Island Nation and is already at home waiting for us."

"Oh."

Once they entered the elevator, Pei Tang hugged her leg tightly, looking up with her plump and cute round face, acting coy:

"Mommy, can we not go home so soon?"

Shen Mingzhu gently tickled her daughter’s nose, "Don’t you miss home, don’t you miss Daddy?"

"I do~ But I also want to go to Disney, and there are still so many fun rides I haven’t been on yet. We haven’t been to Hollywood either. Can’t we stay until I’m done having fun before we go home, please?"

"What about your summer homework? You’ve already fallen behind from being out so many days."

"I’ll make it all up when we get back."