The Stepmother’s Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era
Chapter 101 Pei Yang is Pleasing and Useful

Chapter 101: Chapter 101 Pei Yang is Pleasing and Useful

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"...The couple kept quarreling until the wee hours, disturbing the entire building’s sleep. You didn’t see it, Zhou Shuhuan slapped Shen Baolan twice, puffing her face up like a steamed bun,"

"It’s surprising, considering how meek and introverted Zhou Shuhuan usually is, a real honest man, but when it comes to hitting a woman, he doesn’t hold back at all."

"Crying, Shen Baolan said she miscarried, but Zhou Shuhuan didn’t even glance at her; he just turned around and went home. Early in the morning, as if nothing had happened, he left for work."

"Old Mr. Zhou wasn’t home either, so the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law are probably at it again. It’s just pitiful for Zhou Hao, he was so frightened last night that he cried his eyes out. As a mother, there’s nothing more painful than hearing your child cry; it’s like your heart is being wrung out. That’s why I brought Wa Shiting over to your place for some peace and to chat with you. You don’t find me annoying, do you?"

Early in the morning, Wa Shiting’s mother brought her daughter over to Shen Mingzhu’s to play and to share the gossip about the Zhou family.

Shen Mingzhu smiled, "Of course not, your Wa Shiting is so well-behaved and adorable, I really like her. My Ziheng is just too reserved; I wish there were children his age to visit, to help bring him out of his shell."

Glancing at the two children crouching by the coffee table, Wa Shiting’s mother said enviously, "Be content, your Ziheng is so sensible, obedient, and smart. You don’t know how many mothers in the residential compound are envious of you, and I’m one of them, green with envy."

"Your Wa Shiting is not shabby either, at such a young age she can sing and dance..."

As they mutually flattered each other, the door to Ziheng’s room opened, and Pei Yang, sleepy-eyed, came out, looking somewhat startled to see guests.

"Good morning."

Wa Shiting’s mother replied with a smile, "It’s far from early; the sun is already high in the sky."

Pei Yang rubbed his head and awkwardly made his way to the bathroom.

Wa Shiting’s mother eyed Pei Yang’s tall and straight figure for a moment, then turned to whisper to Shen Mingzhu, "You’re the lucky one. With looks and stature like Pei Yang’s, you can’t find a second one in the residential compound. It’s just that he’s hardly ever at home; otherwise, the threshold of the Pei Family would probably be worn down by now."

"Do you think, what was Shen Baolan thinking back then? She refused Pei Yang because she looked down on him and married Zhou Shuhuan. Now that Pei Yang is back, she can’t get enough of him, sticking to him like glue. It’s no wonder Zhou Shuhuan, even with his good temper, got so angry that he lashed out. He must feel humiliated inside; which man could tolerate the shame of being cuckolded, right?"

Shen Mingzhu smiled, "Who knows what she was thinking."

Seeing that Shen Mingzhu didn’t want to discuss it, Wa Shiting’s mother tactfully changed the subject.

After a while, Pei Yang finished washing up and came out of the bathroom.

Perhaps feeling it inappropriate to stay there with another woman in the house, he carried his breakfast to Ziheng’s room after getting it from the kitchen.

Wa Shiting glanced at the closed door and asked Shen Mingzhu gossipingly, "Why doesn’t Pei Yang go back to your room? Why is he always running to Ziheng’s room? Did you two have a fight?"

"No, I’ve been feeling unwell these past few days, so I had him sleep in Ziheng’s room."

"I see."

Wa Shiting’s mother smiled and, sensing the cue, didn’t probe further.

It was almost 11 o’clock when Wa Shiting and her mother finally left.

No sooner had the mother and daughter left than Pei Yang came out of the room, his gaze fixed on her like a hungry wolf.

Shen Mingzhu pretended to get up to cook and went to the kitchen.

Pei Yang followed her into the kitchen, "Mingzhu, about yesterday..."

"We’re out of garlic, go buy some, and pick up some vegetables too."

Shen Mingzhu interrupted him, lifting the lid off the rice bin to scoop some rice into the cooker.

"I’m not going."

Shen Mingzhu gave him a cold side-eye.

Pei Yang, brimming with hope, bargained with her, "Only if you give me another kiss, then I’ll go."

"What did you say?"

Seeing the sharp and shiny kitchen knife in Shen Mingzhu’s hand, Pei Yang silently retracted his thoughts, "I’ll change clothes and then go. What else should I buy?"

Shen Mingzhu gave him a look that said ’smart move,’ and clattered the knife down, "Just see what’s needed, and take Ziheng with you. Let him learn his way around, so he can help me with grocery shopping when you’re not here."

Pei Yang: "..."

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"What do you mean he’s gone?"

"He just isn’t home often, that’s all."

As soon as father and son had left the house, a restless irritation inexplicably crept onto Shen Mingzhu’s face.

It seemed like she could no longer remain indifferent to the fact that Pei Yang was going to die soon.

Meanwhile, a piece of gossip was quietly spreading within the residential compound.

"No way, the couple seems pretty happy together, why would they be sleeping in separate rooms? Who’s spreading such nonsense?"

"It’s true. A while back, when Ma Xianggu came to the compound to perform rituals, she met Pei Yang’s wife and found it strange. She said Pei Yang’s wife clearly has a deep marriage line but is still a virgin. Quite a few people heard her say that."

"Yeah, I didn’t believe it at first. I thought Ma Xianggu was just getting old and seeing things."

"I’m telling you, and don’t go spreading this around, but the problem seems to be with Pei Yang; he’s impotent."

"Really? Pei Yang is such a big guy, and he’s impotent?"

"That’s what you don’t know. Some men may look good but are useless. Do you know why the elder sister of the Pei family has been frequently visiting her parent’s house lately? It’s to bring Pei Yang tonic soups. Pei Yang couldn’t finish them all, so he shared quite a bit with Zhou Shuhuan and He Tao."

"Tsk, tsk, Pei Yang’s wife is indeed to be pitied. Such a delicate and agile girl stuck with a useless man, her life is practically ruined."

"You can say that again. Marrying someone like Pei Yang is like a shining horse dung egg—all shine on the outside, empty on the inside."

Shen Baolan was utterly astounded not far away.

Pei Yang is impotent?

Pei Yang is actually impotent?

But that’s not right, last year Shen Mingzhu had clearly said that Pei Yang was very strong in that regard.

Could it be that Shen Mingzhu was lying to her?

Chewing on her fingernails, Shen Baolan thought for a long time and decided to go and seek verification from Ma Xianggu.

Ma Xianggu was quite famous in the north street area, and it didn’t take Shen Baolan much effort to find her residence.

At first, Ma Xianggu was reluctant to speak, using the excuse of having forgotten, but when Shen Baolan handed over two dollars, Ma Xianggu finally opened her mouth.

It was like a bolt from the blue, stunning Shen Baolan.

Shen Mingzhu was actually still a virgin.

And Pei Yang was useful after all—then what the hell was she fighting for!

To make absolutely sure, Shen Baolan bit the bullet and took out another five dollars, asking Ma Xianggu to accompany her.

Seeing is believing, hearing is not as good.

Whether Pei Yang was capable or not, she had to find out once and for all!

When Shen Mingzhu opened the door and saw that Shen Baolan was outside, her first instinct was to close it. However, Shen Baolan acted faster, sticking her foot inside the door.

Considering Shen Baolan was pregnant, Shen Mingzhu dared not get physical.

"Shen Baolan, what’s wrong with you?"

Shen Baolan ignored Shen Mingzhu and turned to speak with Ma Xianggu who was behind her, "Xianggu, please take a look!"

Only then did Shen Mingzhu notice the frail-looking old crone standing behind Shen Baolan.

As she sized up the other person, the latter also scrutinized her, a pair of small eyes glittering like mung beans.

"Xianggu, what do you think?"

Shen Baolan asked eagerly.

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