The Stepmother’s Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era
Chapter 196: Your Thoughts are Far Uglier Than Your Appearance

Chapter 196: Chapter 196: Your Thoughts are Far Uglier Than Your Appearance

"This guy is the one who took Shen Mingzhu home to the family compound late that night."

Several pairs of eyes instantly turned towards the speaker, a mother from the family compound who was on good terms with Jiang Jing.

The speaker’s father-in-law was first cousins with Pei Yang’s father.

"Really? No way!" exclaimed Shen Baolan, her eyes ablaze with scandalous gossip.

The person who spoke immediately regretted it, realizing that the very Shen Baolan before her was a cautionary tale; after all, her good friend Jiang Jing hadn’t ended up well at the hands of Shen Mingzhu.

But then she thought, she wasn’t making up rumors; that night, she and Jiang Jing had witnessed Shen Mingzhu being dropped off at the family compound by this man, and they even exchanged a few words beside the car.

With this in mind, the person went on to describe what they had seen that night.

Upon hearing this, the group exploded into a frenzy of discussion, "Oh my God, she’s got some nerve, doesn’t she, daring to invite her lover to the wedding feast? Isn’t she afraid that Pei Yang will find out?"

Shen Baolan scoffed, "What’s there to fear? Pei Yang is useless anyway. After having a drink, he might as well help poke a hole in the room later at night or something."

At her words, everyone at the table covered their mouths, snickering uncontrollably.

The strange laughter drew the attention of other guests, and Shen Mingzhu, hearing the commotion, turned her head to glance in their direction.

Seeing Shen Baolan shaking with laughter, she guessed that the latter must have let something slip, but she couldn’t be bothered to care.

She was about to lead Yan Yi and Ning Yuan to their seats when Chen Liang rushed in, saying that Pei Wenping was looking for her.

Pei Ziheng took it upon himself to welcome Yan Yi and Ning Yuan, exuding a level of poise and sensibility beyond his young age.

Shen Mingzhu affectionately patted her son’s head, apologized to her nephew and his friend, and then followed Chen Liang out.

Pei Ziheng ushered the two young men to a table marked "Friends of the Bride."

Ning Yuan quite liked Pei Ziheng, and after sitting down, he started cracking jokes and having fun with Pei Ziheng.

Yan Yi half-listened as he casually picked up the menu from the table, looking it over, then lazily surveyed the wedding banquet’s decor.

From his tasteful perspective, the wedding banquet clearly wasn’t impressive, but on closer inspection, he noticed many thoughtful details.

As a fellow man, through these details, he could sense the love and cherishment a husband had for his wife.

And she indeed deserved to be treasured.

...

Outside the restaurant.

Shen Mingzhu approached Pei Wenping to ask what the matter was. Pei Wenping couldn’t come up with a real answer and resorted to babbling about some Pei family relatives to her.

Before long, Zhong Qing arrived.

Perhaps not wanting to overshadow Shen Mingzhu, Zhong Qing dressed down that day, in a light coffee-colored knit jacket paired with a black and white striped pencil skirt, her hair draped behind her head, devoid of any jewelry. Yet even in her simplicity, her noblewoman’s grace couldn’t be concealed.

Shen Mingzhu personally led Zhong Qing into the restaurant.

While walking, Zhong Qing scrutinized her with undisguised admiration and approval in her light brown eyes, "You look beautiful today."

Shen Mingzhu smiled and thanked her in response.

Linking arms with her, Zhong Qing playfully chided, "I thought you’d be wearing the wedding gown I gave you."

"That gown was too lavish for me. It’s not suitable."

"How can you be sure it’s not suitable if you’ve never worn it? Maybe you underestimate yourself."

Shen Mingzhu smiled faintly, "I know my own worth; wearing a Dragon Robe won’t make me a prince. Why impose unnecessary burdens and discomfort on myself?"

Zhong Qing laughed, "You don’t have to belittle yourself. You have good taste, and the wedding gown you’re wearing is very pretty."

As they talked, the two entered the restaurant.

Seeing Ning Yuan waving in their direction, Shen Mingzhu thought he was greeting her and led Zhong Qing towards him.

"Qing sister."

It wasn’t until Shen Mingzhu got closer and heard Ning Yuan greeting Zhong Qing did she belatedly realize that Ning Yuan knew Zhong Qing.

Zhong Qing didn’t intend to keep hiding her relationship with Yan Yi any longer, "Mingzhu, let me formally introduce you, this is Mr. Yan, my fiancé."

Shen Mingzhu’s gaze shifted between Zhong Qing and Yan Yi twice before settling into calm.

"Since you two know each other, I won’t elaborate further."

Watching Shen Mingzhu walk away, Zhong Qing spoke to Yan Yi with a hint of disappointment, "She seems angry."

Yan Yi offered no denial, "Clearly."

Seeing that Yan Yi had no intention of helping her, Zhong Qing turned her head to look at Pei Ziheng sitting beside her.

Pei Ziheng was also looking at her. His dark, innocent-looking eyes blinked without flickering, seemingly cute and dull, but secretly he was speculating Zhong Qing’s motive for approaching his mother.

Zhong Qing spoke to him gently, "Could you do me a favor?"

Pei Ziheng remained composed, "As you are here for my mother’s wedding, it is only right that I take good care of you."

His earnest demeanor amused Zhong Qing, "You’re so sensible. Can you go and coax your mother for me? Today is her wedding, and I don’t want her to be unhappy."

"If you know my mother would be unhappy, then why did you hide the fact that you are Uncle Yan’s fiancée from her?"

"It wasn’t on purpose. I just wanted to find the right moment to tell her."

Outside the restaurant.

Shen Mingzhu wasn’t really angry about Zhong Qing hiding her relationship with Yan Yi, but she felt somewhat uneasy.

It made her speculate whether Zhong Qing’s offer to help with the loan was due to Yan Yi’s influence or, perhaps, even at his behest.

The more she thought about it, the more irritated she became.

"Are you tired?"

Seeing her mood was not very good, Pei Yang tenderly supported her by the waist, "Do you want to sit in the car for a while?"

Shen Mingzhu shook her head, "No need. I’m fine."

Pei Yang smoothed out her windblown hair by the ears and pinched the palm of her hand, "Are you cold? There’s a coat in the car; let me get it for you."

Shen Mingzhu shook her head again, her gaze catching Pei Ziheng coming out of the restaurant, and she briskly walked over.

"Why did you come out?"

"Mom."

Pei Ziheng took her hand and relayed Zhong Qing’s words without changing a word.

After listening, Shen Mingzhu’s mood suddenly improved a bit.

Judging by Zhong Qing’s immediate reaction of sending her son to help explain, Shen Mingzhu was willing to believe that Zhong Qing had some genuine feelings for her and was not approaching her with ulterior motives.

...

Shen Baolan had been quietly observing Yan Yi’s table, and as soon as Pei Ziheng left, she quickly moved in.

"You all know Mingzhu? I’ve never seen you before."

Seeing Shen Baolan settle down uninvited, the three of them remained silent.

Noticing Shen Baolan’s wandering gaze, Yan Yi spoke with a light smile, "May I ask who you are?"

Shen Baolan hurriedly introduced herself as being from the same village as Shen Mingzhu and, upon finishing, abruptly changed the topic to ask Yan Yi, "What is your relationship with Mingzhu?"

Before Yan Yi could answer, Shen Baolan threw out another question, "Are you two having an affair?"

The atmosphere instantly turned awkward.

Zhong Qing rested her chin in her hand, looking leisurely at Yan Yi as if waiting for his response.

Ning Yuan held back laughter, equally curious about how Yan Yi would reply.

Yan Yi’s expression remained calm, his voice cool, "Hasn’t anyone told you? You may be ugly, but your thoughts are far uglier than your looks, and they’re nauseating."

Zhong Qing was slightly taken aback, then burst into laughter.

Being able to witness a scene where a refined gentleman from a prestigious family delivered a sharp and scornful retort was surely worth the trip for her.