The Stepmother's Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era-Chapter 825 - 824: This Person is Afraid of Comparisons

"Director Du, there are several procurement lists that need your review and signature."

Seeing Mai Qiu looking gloomy, Du Juan casually asked, "Who upset you this early in the morning?"

Mai Qiu hesitated, then turned around to close the office door before speaking, "I just heard something."

"Did another factory receive foreign investment?"

Ever since the collaboration with Luo Sen fell through, Mai Qiu would feel emo whenever she heard that her peers had secured investments.

"Everyone is talking about the new car President Shen drove here, it cost over six million."

Du Juan paused her signing, looked up at Mai Qiu, and asked, "Who’s talking?"

"It’s from the finance department, they said President Shen’s car is a Bentley Majestic. There are only a few in the world, and currently, only four are registered in our country: one in Shanghai City, one in the Capital, one in Sui City, and President Shen’s is the fourth."

Du Juan knew Bentley was expensive, but the rarity and price of Shen Mingzhu’s car still greatly exceeded her expectations.

"So, are you jealous seeing Mingzhu driving such an expensive car?" she joked.

A look of defiance appeared on Mai Qiu’s face, "I’m not that petty. President Shen is a big boss; I don’t mind her driving whatever expensive car she wants. It’s just that, with the factory struggling, instead of finding ways to improve the operations, she’s thinking about showing off."

"Alright, you’ve gone too far. Would Mingzhu tightening her belt make any help to the factory’s operations?"

Frustrated, Mai Qiu waited for her to sign the documents, then took them and left.

However, Du Juan’s mood was not as calm as it appeared on the surface.

She and Shen Chaobei had struggled for so many years and only managed to own three commercial properties, a two hundred thousand yuan Honda Accord, and just over a hundred thousand yuan in savings.

She was once very proud, a rural woman who didn’t even finish primary school, but had worked her way up to today, becoming a strong woman admired and envied by all the women in the village and township.

But the thing with people is that they shouldn’t compare.

All her proud assets seemed like nothing in front of Shen Mingzhu’s new car.

Over six million yuan, just one-tenth of that would be enough to pave a concrete road from the town directly to her family home in Yushu Village.

If she had been more firm and insisted on collaborating with Luo Sen, the food factory might be in a completely different state now.

...

In the evening, when Shen Mingzhu returned home from work, she saw Pei Yang leading a construction team measuring and marking out the yard.

"What are you doing?"

Seeing her returning home, Pei Yang excitedly explained, "I’m planning to level the yard and install an iron gate next to the yard door. From now on, you can park your car directly in the yard and set up a canopy to protect it from wind, sun, and rain damage to the paint. What do you think?"

In those days, there weren’t that many cars, and they didn’t face the trouble of parking issues, as they usually parked their car by the roadside in front of their house.

But now Shen Mingzhu was driving a Bentley worth over six million yuan, so naturally, she couldn’t just park it anywhere on the street.

Not to mention the security issue, if it got scratched by someone careless or a reckless kid, there would be nowhere to cry.

The man’s idea was good, but Shen Mingzhu was reluctant to part with the flowers and plants in the yard.

Especially the two grapevines planted by Cui Lianying, with main vines as thick as a baby’s arm, bearing bunches of grapes each year that were numerous, large, and sweet.

Besides the grapevines, other peach, plum, and cherry trees were also flourishing, bringing endless harvests and joy to the family each year.

It would be a real pity to dig them up.

Elder Sister Yu and Cui Lianying, also reluctant to see the "vegetable garden" destroyed, suggested building the garage in the yard of Pei Ziheng.

Initially, Shen Mingzhu had bought a similar yard 50 meters away as a gift for Pei Ziheng.

That yard was previously rented by Shi Yizheng. After Pei Ziheng went to the Capital for university, Shi Yizheng moved out and into his own newly purchased villa.

After Shi Yizheng moved out, Shen Mingzhu stopped renting out the house and instead renovated it into a homestay style to accommodate friends and relatives when they visited.

Shen Mingzhu also agreed to build a garage in the empty yard, so Pei Yang had no choice but to take the construction team there to measure.

...

"Eat more shrimp, it’s nutritious and makes you smart, so you can do better in your studies."

Shen Chaobei put two oil-braised large prawns into each of his daughter’s and son’s bowl, then turned his head and saw Du Juan looking like she had little appetite. He quickly picked a large prawn from the dish, peeled it, and put it in Du Juan’s bowl.

"You eat too, you’ve been working so hard lately. Tomorrow I’ll have Auntie Qian buy an old hen to make a soup, to replenish your body."

As Du Juan was pushing rice into her mouth, she chatted with Shen Chaobei, "When did your younger sister buy a new car? I didn’t hear her mention it."

Shen Chaobei was puzzled, "I don’t know. If she hadn’t driven it to the factory today, I wouldn’t have known she switched cars."

"Mom, did Auntie buy a new car? What kind of car did she buy?"

Although Shen Zilong was young, he was very interested in cars.

Daya also looked at the couple, obviously curious about Shen Mingzhu’s new car.

Du Juan gave her son a stern look, "What’s it to you, just eat your food."

Shen Zilong pouted, but instantly cheered up when he saw Du Juan putting shrimp in his bowl.

He loved shrimp the most.

Daya continued eating her meal quietly.

"Do you know how much that car costs?"

Du Juan continued talking to Shen Chaobei about Shen Mingzhu’s new car.

"I heard it’s over six million?"

"Gosh, Auntie’s new car is that expensive?"

Shen Zilong abruptly lifted his head, busy eating, his expression rich with shock, surprise, and envy.

Du Juan ignored her son, absentmindedly poked at the rice in her bowl, and said in a deep tone, "I’m afraid we might never afford such an expensive car in our lifetime."

Shen Chaobei had just shoveled a big mouthful of rice, and on hearing this, replied vaguely, "What’s the use of such an expensive car, does it make you immortal or what? Better save the money for some good food and drink."

Du Juan gave him a look, "If we really had that ability, would you be worried about not having good food?"

"That’s also true."

Shen Chaobei grinned, making grand plans, "When our family has money, I’ll also buy you a Bentley to drive."

"Relying on you, I’d probably turn gray waiting."

But she spoke softly, and Shen Chaobei, busy eating, didn’t hear her.

Zhao Family.

At the dining table, Shen Hongmei also talked with Zhao Dafa about Shen Mingzhu’s new car, "People at the factory know the car is worth over six million, everyone’s eyes are practically glowing looking at it."

Zhao Dafa joked, "If you like, shall I get you one to drive tomorrow?"

"Don’t, I don’t want it. Even if you’re willing to buy, I wouldn’t dare drive it. Such an expensive car, a little scratch could cost several thousand yuan in repairs."

Worried that Zhao Dafa might impulsively buy her the car, Shen Hongmei quickly changed the subject, "Xiaoyun will be back soon, right?"

Mentioning his son, a touch of regret appeared on Zhao Yun’s face.

Although as an NBA rookie, Zhao Yun had performed quite well in several games, unfortunately, the Seal Team had not done well this season and had not even made it to the playoffs.

The good news was, Zhao Yun could come back home sooner than expected for a visit.