The Stepmother's Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era-Chapter 857 - 856: Zhong Qing Keeps a Young Man

Living in seclusion in the mountains could cleanse the body and soul, yet it did nothing to quiet the longing for one’s children.

Early in the morning, just as the sky started to brighten, Shen Mingzhu got up and prepared to take a walk down the mountain to find a phone for a call to her daughters.

No sooner had she closed the door to her room than she heard a noise behind her.

Turning around, she saw a young man she didn’t recognize stepping out of Zhong Qing’s room.

Shen Mingzhu felt like her head was about to explode, "Who are you!?"

Five minutes later, the young man left the mountain villa led by a security officer, leaving Shen Mingzhu and Zhong Qing standing in the corridor, staring at each other.

"Let’s talk in my room."

Zhong Qing rubbed her arms, shivering slightly and invited Shen Mingzhu in.

The temperature on the mountain was significantly lower than at the foot, and dressed only in a silk robe, she inevitably felt a bit cold.

Shen Mingzhu didn’t refuse.

"Qingqing, what is your relationship with that young man?"

After Zhong Qing wrapped herself in a blanket and sat down, Shen Mingzhu tentatively began her inquiry.

Clutching the blanket close, Zhong Qing looked at her with teasing eyes, "A man and a woman spending the night alone together, what do you think? If I were to say just friends, you wouldn’t believe that, would you?"

Shen Mingzhu was at a loss for words, "You’re keeping a young man? Aren’t you afraid Yan Yi will find out?"

Zhong Qing playfully winked, "Would you tell him?"

"...No."

"Aren’t you used to disapproving of unfaithfulness in family and marriage?"

"Others might not approve, but you, I think I can understand."

Zhong Qing’s laughter fluttered like flowers in the breeze.

Shen Mingzhu rebuked, "Don’t be too happy just yet. Your in-laws wield enormous power. You might be able to hide it for now, but not forever."

"Alright, alright, I’ll stop laughing."

Although she tried to contain it, the mirth still danced at the corners of her eyes and brows.

One could tell that she had been well tended to the previous night.

Shen Mingzhu’s emotions were incredibly mixed, "Have you and Yan Yi run into any problems in your relationship?"

Zhong Qing shook her head, "We haven’t run into problems, because there is no love between us."

"From the start, ours was a marriage in form only."

Shen Mingzhu was both surprised and not surprised.

Alliances through high-society marriages were often based on interests, yet she had always thought her friend would be an exception.

At least, from her perspective, the relationship between Zhong Qing and Yan Yi seemed quite harmonious, not like they were leading separate lives.

It only proved that both were very good actors.

"Then you should still be careful, don’t let the children see."

As a friend, and a mother herself, Shen Mingzhu couldn’t help worrying about Yan Ruili and Yan Ruize, the brothers who might be affected by their parents’ emotional strife.

"Don’t worry, I’ll be careful. I don’t see him much usually; we always meet in other places. As for Yan Yi, he doesn’t need to be careful, he hasn’t sought anyone else out."

You’ve found someone, can he not have? Perhaps you just haven’t seen it.

Shen Mingzhu kept a polite smile on her face but secretly criticized her in her heart.

Zhong Qing cocked her head, "You don’t believe me?"

Shen Mingzhu nodded honestly, "A bit. With these things, men tend to be less able to restrain themselves, right?"

Zhong Qing laughed lightly, "Most men would indeed, but he’s not most men. He’s picky and obsessive; once he has someone in his heart, no one else can catch his eye."

Shen Mingzhu didn’t delve into who was in Yan Yi’s heart, instead, she turned her gaze towards the window and suggested:

"It’s getting late. Let’s go down the mountain for breakfast, and call the children on the way."

"Sure."

...

Inside the VIP box at the top of the horse racing track.

Pei Tang lay on the half-circular viewing platform outside the box, cupping her hands around her mouth and shouting towards the racehorses thundering around the track:

"Number seven, go for it!"

"Keep it up, number seven!"

She was dressed casually today, in a pink printed short T-shirt paired with white dungaree jeans, shoulder-length hair draped behind her, and topped with a cherry hair tie pulled into a small Jiujui.

Standing to either side of her were Ning Yanqing, Ning Yanxi, and three children from the main Ning family branch.

Among the three kids, there were two boys and a girl.

The girl was called Ning Meiyue, the same age as Ning Yanxi.

Ning Meiyue, standing close to Ning Yanxi, eyed Pei Tang sidelong and muttered to Ning Yanxi:

"Manman, your friend is so rude and loud."

Just as Ning Yanxi was about to turn around and ask her cousin not to talk like that, Pei Tang retorted before her: "Talking behind someone’s back is what’s truly rude and ill-mannered!"

Perhaps not expecting Pei Tang to snap back at her, annoyance flashed across Ning Meiyue’s face:

"How dare you talk to me like that, believe me, I can have you thrown out."

"And who are you to throw me out? You didn’t invite me here."

After saying this, she turned to Ning Yanxi, "Manman, do you want to throw me out?"

Ning Meiyue also looked immediately at Ning Yanxi, "Cousin, she is insolent and arrogant; stop being friends with her. Tomorrow, I’ll take you to meet Princess Maya; her father is the chief of Dubai!"

After speaking, she did not forget to throw a provocative and triumphant glance at Pei Tang, "With our status, we should be making friends with people like Maya."

Without a word, Pei Tang pushed open the glass door and went inside the box.

Seeing her leave, Ning Meiyue could not help but feel smug, "Good for her to know her place!"

...

Inside the box, Ning Yuan and several acquaintances were drinking and chatting while watching the race on a giant screen TV.

Pei Yang and Pei Ziheng were also part of the group.

Pei Yang listened as Ning Yuan and the others talked about horse racing and stocks while Pei Ziheng observed the scene on the viewing platform through the floor-to-ceiling glass wall.

The dispute between Pei Tang and Ning Meiyue had not escaped his watchful eye.

He did not step in immediately, wanting to cultivate his sister’s ability to resolve conflicts and confrontations on her own.

After all, he could not protect her twenty-four hours a day.

"Uncle Ning."

The girl’s voice was soft and plaintive, with a hint of a cry in it, halting the conversations in the living room.

As Ning Yuan turned his head, Pei Tang came straight to the point, "I’m sorry, Uncle Ning, but I have to leave."

"What happened? Tell your uncle."

Pei Tang shook her head but then turned to throw a glance at Ning Meiyue on the viewing platform.

The attempt to conceal only revealed a hint of cunning, yet because of her young age and likable appearance, it did not repel people but instead garnered sympathy.

"It’s nothing; did Meiyue bully you?"

Pei Tang wiped her eyes, "Not really, but she did speak the truth."

"What did she say?"

"She said I’m not fit to be friends with Manman and even told Manman to kick me out. I don’t want to put Manman in a difficult position, so I decided to leave."

"I didn’t say anything wrong, why should I apologize to her!"

Ning Meiyue, called into the room, was so angry her nostrils flared.

"Because she is Manman’s friend and was invited by Manman. If you don’t understand how to treat guests, then I will call your mother right now to take you home for proper guidance."

Infuriated, Ning Meiyue turned and ran off; the pride of a noble daughter was ingrained in her bones, and she would rather suffer than lower her head.

To appease Pei Tang, Ning Yuan generously promised her a gift.

Pei Tang asked for a horse ticket.

Shen Mingzhu had agreed to let her watch the horse racing but did not allow her to gamble.

But kids will be kids, and which one doesn’t love to play?

Several children in...