The Stepmother’s Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era
Chapter 728 - 727: Quarrel

Chapter 728: Chapter 727: Quarrel

Following Dai Mingfang’s gaze, Shen Mingzhu turned her head and was surprised to see Han Zibin sitting at a table across the way.

Perhaps sensing their gazes, Han Zibin also turned his head to look over.

"President Shen, what a coincidence, you like the coffee from this cafe too."

Shen Mingzhu didn’t explain why she was there; instead, she gossiped a glance at the young woman Han Zibin was meeting with.

"Girlfriend?"

"No, she’s my cousin," Han Zibin explained.

Shen Mingzhu nodded, "You and your sister chat; I won’t come over to greet you. This meal’s on me."

"Sure, thank you, President Shen."

After exchanging pleasantries with Han Zibin, Shen Mingzhu turned back to find Dai Mingfang staring intently at Han Zibin, lost in thought.

She didn’t speak up to remind her until Dai Mingfang snapped back to reality on her own.

Confronted with Shen Mingzhu’s amused look, Dai Mingfang pretended to sip her coffee to cover her earlier lapse.

"Manager Han is one of the main people in charge at Shenji."

Noticing the flicker of interest in Dai Mingfang’s eyes, Shen Mingzhu understood perfectly.

Han Zibin had handsome features, a tall and slim figure, and a mature presence forged from years in the workplace, along with stylish and clean dressing – he was the dream man of countless women.

Thanks to Han Zibin, Shenji had enjoyed the patronage of wealthy women over the years; whichever store he was in, the business would thrive.

For this reason, Shen Mingzhu had promoted Han Zibin to the position of F&B manager, offering him not just a generous salary and bonus but also an additional 10% stake in Shenji.

Han Zibin likely knew his own advantages and had remained single these years.

This was why Shen Mingzhu was curious about the identity of the woman Han Zibin was meeting.

"Manager Han is 25 this year, unmarried and single, and his father is Zhai Huankui, the chairman of Fushunlai. His presence here is indeed an overqualification, but as the saying goes, ’a true gold will shine everywhere.’"

Unsurprisingly, after hearing about Han Zibin’s family background, Dai Mingfang’s eyes brightened.

Although Zhai Huankui was fickle in love, he was uncompromising in business affairs.

Over the past few years, Fushunlai had grown into a national chain of restaurants and had plans to pursue a Hong Kong stock exchange IPO within two years.

A handsome appearance, exceptional work capabilities, and the status of a wealthy young master held enormous appeal to young women like Dai Mingfang.

Upon leaving, Shen Mingzhu placed a reservation card in front of Dai Mingfang, "I’ll speak with the restaurant, and from now on, whenever you come to Shenji, you’ll get a 20% discount."

After watching her leave the restaurant, Dai Mingfang gazed at Han Zibin from a table away for a while, her expression changing, as if weighing something in her mind.

Through the car window, seeing Dai Mingfang tuck the reservation card into her wallet, Shen Mingzhu then drove away.

Approaching the food factory, she connected her mobile phone battery and called Cui Lianying, instructing her to go to the market to purchase some ingredients.

Back at the factory, Shen Mingzhu had hardly sat down when Pei Wenping showed up promptly.

"Review the payroll first; I’m waiting to use it."

"I’ll look at it right away and have Huang Ju send it to you as soon as I sign it."

Pei Wenping observed her face, "How about we find somewhere to have lunch and chat at noon?"

"Let’s do it another day; I’m quite busy today."

Watching Shen Mingzhu immersed in her work, Pei Wenping hesitated, eventually leaving without saying anything.

Back in the finance room, she called Pei Yang, "...she’s back, busy; don’t call her and annoy her. Whatever it is, you two can talk it over at home behind closed doors."

Upon hearing Pei Wenping’s advice, Pei Yang didn’t dare to call Shen Mingzhu’s office, worked restlessly for half the day, and left work early at three o’clock to rush home.

Shen Mingzhu also finished work an hour earlier than usual.

Arriving home, Pei Yang, wearing an apron, was busy in the kitchen with Cui Lianying.

The ingredients Cui Lianying had been instructed to buy were now neatly prepared and stored in enamel basins, ready for her to start cooking.

"Mama, what special day is it today? Aunt bought so many groceries!"

Seeing her return, Pei Tang, who had been watching cartoons on the sofa, happily rushed over and clung to her waist.

Demu circled around the mother and daughter wagging his tail frantically, clearly also excited about the sumptuous dinner.

Ever since he became part of the family, he had been treated as one of the four members, always getting a share from the dining table in his bowl.

"Sweetheart, we’ve washed all the vegetables, and we’ve prepared some of the side dishes. Check and see if we’re missing anything."

"Okay." Shen Mingzhu responded, her voice faint.

Even the brief one-syllable reply made Pei Yang overjoyed.

His wife was willing to talk to him, which meant she wasn’t angry!

Pei Tang, adept at reading moods, bounced upstairs.

"Brother, Mom just talked to Dad. Do you think they made up?"

Pei Ziheng looked up from his book, the warmth seeping into his deep, dark eyes, "Maybe."

Pei Tang leaned in close to check out the professional book in his hand, filled with various symbols and formulas, and wrinkled her nose,

"Do you ever get tired of reading this stuff every day?"

Pei Ziheng said indulgently, "Do you get tired of drawing every day?"

Pei Tang shook her round, adorable little head, "No, I draw something different every day."

"Same here, I learn new knowledge every day."

"Is that so? How long will it take you to finish this book then?"

"About half a month."

"Then you keep reading. I’m going to watch cartoons."

"Be good."

He watched Pei Tang hop and skip away until she disappeared up the stairs before Pei Ziheng refocused and continued studying.

...

The kitchen was small, cramped with three people, so Cui Lianying went to fold clothes in the living room after Shen Mingzhu joined, leaving space for the couple.

"Sweetheart, I didn’t drink Xiao Dai’s soup last night."

With only the two of them in the kitchen, Pei Yang took the initiative to explain.

He intended to clarify matters, not wanting Shen Mingzhu to remain angry over it.

However, upon hearing this, Shen Mingzhu’s anger, which she had been suppressing, suddenly flared up again.

So not drinking Dai Mingfang’s soup meant that nothing had happened?

She put down the knife she was holding, turned to the man, and said, "I met with Assistant Dai today, and she admitted to me that she likes you."

"Do you dare say you didn’t know how she feels?"

"You kept her in the company, so you must not be opposed to it, right?"

"A young girl from a good family, pretty and youthful, devotedly admires you and is secretly in love with you. If it weren’t for the constraints of marriage and children, are you truly saying you wouldn’t be moved?"

A barrage of accusations left Pei Yang with no defense.

And after her rash outburst, Shen Mingzhu regretted it too.

Deep down, she knew that he hadn’t done anything inappropriate. As a partner and as a husband, he was competent.

But she couldn’t control the jealousy burning inside. It felt like a wild beast rampaging within her, seeking an outlet.

"Do we even lack basic trust between us now?"

Pei Yang looked at her, his expression and eyes full of hurt and disappointment.

Shen Mingzhu felt a stabbing pain in her chest.