The Stepmother's Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era

After being sassed by his stepson, Shen Mingzhu didn't get angry; instead, she was somewhat surprised.

Throughout this period, the stepson had always been taciturn, showing a refusal to communicate; on the contrary, his outburst now made him seem more innocent and lively, typical of a child.

"I've only moved in a few days ago, isn't it normal that I'm not familiar with everything here? They've been living here for many years, even over a decade, of course, they're more familiar than I am."

This explanation was logically sound, leaving Pei Ziheng speechless.

"Let's go, it's time for dinner. If we don't hurry, all the dishes will be eaten by others."

Facing Shen Mingzhu's outstretched hand, Pei Ziheng very reluctantly placed his own small paw into hers.

These days, attending a banquet was very casual; just find an empty seat and start eating once all seats are taken.

The dishes were also simple, including a type of steamed bun, amounting to nine dishes total: three types of meat, two vegetarian, two cold dishes, plus one soup.

Of all the dishes, the most eye-catching and coveted were the large fried shrimps, but there weren't many—a plate had only about a dozen, so roughly everyone could have one.

Seeing everyone reaching for the shrimp with their chopsticks, Shen Mingzhu didn't want to be left behind. She grabbed the biggest one and placed it in Pei Ziheng's bowl, only to find the plate empty when she turned back to serve herself.

Never mind, there were still frozen shrimps in the fridge at home. She'd thaw them out and fry a big plateful when she had time, enough to eat her fill.

As she was thinking this, she saw her stepson toss the bright red shrimp back into her bowl.

Well, well, he even knows how to defer when it comes to food; her efforts to dote on the little rascal weren't in vain.

Touched, Shen Mingzhu put the shrimp back into the stepson's bowl, "You eat."

Pei Ziheng gave her a look, "I hate eating shrimp."

"Oh, then peel the shell for me, and I'll eat it."

Pei Ziheng wore an expression of shock as if saying "what are you talking about", "If you want to eat, peel it yourself, I'm not peeling it for you!"

Shen Mingzhu placed a piece of sweet and sour pork in his bowl, "See, I'm helping you take food, aren't I? If I get my hands dirty peeling shrimp, how can I serve you? You're too short and have such small hands, you can't reach the dishes I want to eat."

It's one thing to complain about his height, but to also mock his small hands? That's just too much!

Pei Ziheng didn't feel like participating in the meal any longer and was satiated purely by his annoyance!

"Peel it quickly, the shrimp will start to taste fishy and less delicious once it gets cold."

Pei Ziheng felt he had fallen into the trap of a bad woman, actually beginning to peel the shrimp.

The adults at the table saw this and praised Pei Ziheng for being sensible and filial, also complimenting Shen Mingzhu on her child-rearing.

Shen Mingzhu was not the least bit humble, "My Ziheng is indeed capable. At home, he's always helping me out with chores, fetching water, sweeping the floor…"

Liar! When had he ever swept the floor? Fetching water was something she deliberately ordered him to do; he didn't want to help her at all!

Unaware of her stepson's inner thoughts, Shen Mingzhu continued to boast to the neighbors, "…He does everything himself: washing his face, brushing his teeth, taking baths, and washing his hair, he never troubles me at all, such a sensible child..."

The people at the table responded with enthusiasm, whether sincerely or not, lavishing praise on Pei Ziheng.

The shrimp was quickly peeled.

Pei Ziheng looked at the pink shrimp flesh, swallowing involuntarily. He didn't actually hate eating shrimp; he just didn't want to eat the ones the bad woman had picked for him, not wanting to be bought over so easily. At that moment, Shen Mingzhu suddenly turned her head.

"Is it peeled? Feed me."

Before Pei Ziheng could react, the shrimp was snatched from his hand.

"Mmm, delicious, so sweet, thank you baby."

Pei Ziheng's face instantly blushed red.

Who's your baby? I'm not your baby!

However, Shen Mingzhu couldn't hear his thoughts, only able to see his flushed face.

"Baby, have a fried meatball."

Damn it!

She'd better not call him "baby."

Pei Ziheng forcefully stuffed the meatball into his mouth, glaring at Shen Mingzhu as he ate.

"Baby, is the meatball tasty? Want another one?"

Facing Shen Mingzhu's smiling face, Pei Ziheng turned away and didn't speak; he wasn't actually that angry.

But the meatballs were hard to eat, much worse than the ones she made.

"No way, Pei Ziheng, can you not be a little more ambitious? Bought over by a few meals, have you forgotten her malicious ways in her last life?"

The melting corner of Pei Ziheng's heart was once again sealed over by frost.

Shen Mingzhu didn't tease her stepson anymore, because the bride and groom had come over to toast.

Everyone at the table held up their glasses, offering auspicious words to the couple.

Shen Mingzhu looked at the groom and felt he looked familiar, then remembered she had seen him before in the family compound.

Zhou Shuhuan got his first close-up view of Shen Mingzhu.

Today she was even more radiant than usual, with fair skin and red lips, bright and affectionate eyes; she was even more beautiful than the actresses in the magazines.

At that thought, he suddenly realized that his bride could have been her.

Shen Baolan was paying close attention to Zhou Shuhuan and Shen Mingzhu. After all, in her dreams, these two were the real husband and wife. Seeing Zhou Shuhuan gazing intently at Shen Mingzhu, she immediately moved in between them during the toast and deliberately said, "Mingzhu, you should hurry up. We're all waiting to celebrate yours and Pei Yang's wedding."

Shen Mingzhu joked, half-serious, half-playful, "Why are you so greedy? Eat more at the banquet today if you want the wedding feast that badly."

Shen Baolan's expression turned a bit sour, upset that Shen Mingzhu didn't give her face on her own wedding day.

Zhou Shuhuan, seeing this, raised his glass to toast the others, smoothing over the awkward atmosphere.

It was too hot to have much of an appetite, and with the food being so-so, Shen Mingzhu only ate a few bites before losing interest. However, since the others hadn't left yet, it wouldn't be right for her to leave the table, so she began peeling sunflower seeds and listening to the older generation at the table chat away, nonchalantly placing the peeled seeds in front of her stepson.

When the first sunflower seed was placed before him, Pei Ziheng was surprised. It was only after Shen Mingzhu had placed the second and third seeds before him that he dared to believe that the wicked woman was truly peeling seeds for him.

To eat or not to eat?

Have one, to save her face.

Delicious.

She's peeling too slowly though. Can't she peel any faster? Just likes to gossip like everyone else—how can all women be so nosy?

After the banquet and on the way home, covered in sweat and feeling sticky and uncomfortable, Shen Mingzhu reminisced about the water heaters from two minutes into the future and then resignedly went to the kitchen to heat water for a sponge bath.

"Ding-a-ling-a-ling..."

"Pei Ziheng, answer the phone!"

If she's calling him for everything, what is she here for?

Peeved, Pei Ziheng left his room and picked up the phone in the living room, "Hello?"

After lighting the gas stove, Shen Mingzhu turned to leave, only to see her stepson hesitating in the kitchen doorway.

"Dad is calling you to the phone."

Knowing that the call was from Pei Yang, Shen Mingzhu wasn't too surprised—to think Zhou Shuhuan got married today, and as his good brother,

Indeed, Pei Yang did inquire about Zhou Shuhuan's wedding, and then began discussing work, "I have to set sail tomorrow. If all goes well, I should be back before the Spring Festival."

If things aren't smooth, wouldn't that mean he won't be back for the Spring Festival?

No wonder shrewd Shen Baolan didn't choose Pei Yang—off he goes for half a year or more; marrying here would be like living as a widow.

But that's a man's job, and no matter how much she grumbled or felt unhappy, she couldn't change the outcome. She decided to embrace her role as a virtuous wife and crossed the bridge of future troubles when she got to it. If it really didn't work out, she'd kick him to the curb and find someone considerate to live her life with.

Thus, Shen Mingzhu, taking it easy, softly advised, "The house is under my care; work at ease. Be cautious in everything outside, Xiaohuan and I will wait for your safe return."

"Okay."

Pei Yang breathed a sigh of relief after hanging up the phone.

Before calling, he had been apprehensive, worried that his fragile-tempered wife would be angry and blame him. After all, he had left right after getting married and would be at sea for almost half a year, possibly not even returning for the Spring Festival.

But contrary to his expectations, she was understanding and considerate of his work.

She was tenderer and kinder than he had imagined.

"What did Dad tell you? Is he setting sail?"

Looking at the anxious stepson, Shen Mingzhu playfully teased, "Your dad said, make sure you behave and listen to me at home, or else you'll get spanked."

Pei Ziheng yelled out in frustration, "I'm asking if he's setting sail!"