The Stepmother’s Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era
Chapter 109 Shen Baolan Kneels Down to Ask for Forgiveness

Chapter 109: Chapter 109 Shen Baolan Kneels Down to Ask for Forgiveness

Shen Mingzhu only realized that what Pei Yang had been hiding was a family portrait when she approached closer.

The photo had been specially trimmed to two inches to fit into the plastic layer of the wallet for easy storage.

Seeing that she had discovered it, Pei Yang did not play coy and frankly passed the wallet to her to look at.

"Carrying your photo with me gives me something to think about when I’m away."

Hearing the man’s words, Shen Mingzhu’s eyes moistened slightly, and she couldn’t help wanting to persuade him again, to give up his job as a sailor and stay at home, which might change his fate of dying young.

However, before she could speak, the telephone in the living room rang.

Pei Yang turned around to answer the call.

Shen Mingzhu composed herself, put the wallet back on the table, and as she turned around, she saw Pei Yang standing outside the door, with an expression of astonishment as if he had just experienced something earth-shattering.

"What happened? Who was on the phone?"

"My master said, the Tai’an has lost contact with the navigational station."

Hearing that the Tai’an had lost contact, Shen Mingzhu was equally shocked; the Tai’an was the freighter Pei Yang was originally supposed to sail out with.

"When did this happen?"

"The last contact was at 4 a.m. yesterday. The Tai’an reported encountering a severe storm of level 7 and needed to change course. After that, it lost contact."

Shen Mingzhu was speechless.

Sea storms are graded from one to ten, with ten being the most severe, but even a level 7 sea storm is formidable, and the ocean’s weather changes in the blink of an eye. The level of a storm can vary unexpectedly and is impossible to guard against completely.

Facing a strong storm, and losing contact for over 24 hours...

Shen Mingzhu dared not think any further.

At the same time, a thought flashed through her mind: If Pei Yang hadn’t lost his seaman’s certificate and had boarded the Tai’an as scheduled, could it be... that he wouldn’t come back?

Thinking of this possibility, Shen Mingzhu felt a chill run down her spine.

By the time she recovered from the shock of the news about the Tai’an’s disappearance, Pei Yang had already packed his luggage.

"Mingzhu, I have to go to Xicheng Port immediately."

Shen Mingzhu looked at him eagerly, her throat dry, "What can you do there?"

Pei Yang squatted in front of her, his hands firmly on her shoulders, his deep eyes reflecting the resolve of a mature man, "Mingzhu, every crew member on that ship was personally trained by my master and me. They are not only my colleagues but also my brothers. I was supposed to be on that ship too. Now that they’re in trouble, I can’t just sit by and do nothing."

"But what can you do?"

"I don’t know, but I must go right away."

Shen Mingzhu felt an inexplicable panic well up inside her, an indescribable feeling.

She instinctively grabbed the man’s hand.

They had held hands several times before, but each time it was the man who took the initiative.

This time, it was her who took the initiative to hold onto him.

The man’s fingers were rough and long, with calluses at the joints, and his hands were warmer than hers. Holding them gave her a warm sense of security, making her not want to let go.

"Pei Yang, have you thought about the consequences if you were on the ship this time? This job is really dangerous, can you..."

Her voice was slightly choked and unexpectedly soft at the end, "I don’t want you to go."

Pei Yang gazed at her for quite a while, then his other large hand caressed her tender cheek, and he spoke softly, "Mingzhu, you said before that you weren’t ready, and I respect your thoughts and feelings. I am willing to wait for the day you open your heart to me. In the same way, I also hope you can understand me and support my dreams and career, can you?"

Shen Mingzhu felt a nameless anger rising within her, wanting to curse at the man, go ahead then, if you go you might not come back, you’ll die out there.

But she knew very well, even if she said that, the stubborn man wouldn’t listen.

Pei Yang still left.

Before leaving, he held her and kissed her for a long time.

It was unclear if it was because of the reluctance to part or improved kissing skills, but this time the man’s kiss was very gentle.

From the moment the man left home, Shen Mingzhu suddenly felt the whole house empty, and her heart felt hollow, as if a hole had been scooped out that nothing could fill.

——

Just as Pei Yang was walking out of the family compound with his luggage, he ran into Shen Baolan, who had come back from grocery shopping.

Pei Yang was not fond of Shen Baolan and was in a rush, so he didn’t bother to greet her and was about to walk past, but Shen Baolan stared at the luggage in his hand, her eyes widened even more than the brass bells.

Pei Yang was already far away, and she hurriedly chased after him.

People in the family courtyard started gossiping when they saw him.

"Pei Yang, Pei Yang!"

Pei Yang didn’t want to pay attention, but as Shen Baolan kept on yelling behind him incessantly, he had no choice but to stop.

"What is it, Shuhuan’s wife?"

Shen Baolan pointed at the luggage in his hand, "What are you doing with that bag?"

"Going back to Xicheng Port."

Shen Baolan had the same look as if she had been struck by lightning, just like the last time she heard Pei Yang say he would leave in April.

"You’re leaving? You’re leaving now? Didn’t you say you were leaving in April?"

"I have urgent matters."

After Pei Yang spoke, he left.

This time, Shen Baolan did not follow him, instead standing there, staring blankly at Pei Yang’s retreating figure.

What’s today’s date again?

Oh right, the 26th, March 26th.

In the dream, news of Pei Yang’s death had come at the end of March.

Does that mean Pei Yang will have no life to return this time he leaves?

So, was the dream she had true?

Shen Baolan’s heart suddenly began to thump wildly.

If the dream was true, would Shen Mingzhu become a widow, and she herself become a wealthy lady!?

——

As soon as Shen Baolan entered the house, she saw her mother-in-law Ma Sufen struggling to use a walking stick to go to the bathroom.

Without another word, she put down what she was holding and ran toward Ma Sufen.

Ma Sufen was startled, thinking Shen Baolan was going to hit her again, instinctively trying to dodge. In her panic, she fell to the ground with a thud, grimacing in pain.

By that time, Shen Baolan had already reached her.

Ma Sufen held her head in fear and despair.

However, the anticipated beating did not come; instead, her arm was gently lifted up.

"Mom, why are you so careless, come on, let me help you up."

Ma Sufen stared at Shen Baolan, who was being attentive and fawning, as if she had seen a ghost.

Shen Baolan not only helped Ma Sufen to the toilet but also considerately undid her belt and, not minding the smell of urine, stayed to assist Ma Sufen until she was done. Shen Baolan then helped her up and fastened her belt for her.

After returning Ma Sufen to the living room, Shen Baolan cut a plate of oranges.

The oranges were large and plump, with bright yellow skin, and the juice seeped out of the flesh, filling the air with a rich, sweet orange scent.

Ma Sufen was so enticed that she nearly drooled, but she didn’t dare to eat, instead staring at Shen Baolan with a terrified and suspicious gaze.

This vicious daughter-in-law had been tormenting her and starving her for days. Suddenly being so nice to her must mean she’s up to something.

Perhaps the orange was poisoned, meant to kill her!

"Mom, have an orange slice; I bought them especially for you, they’re very sweet."

"Get them away, I don’t want any!"

Ma Sufen was terrified, as if what was offered to her wasn’t an orange but a lethal poison; she swung her hand, knocking the oranges to the floor.

Shen Baolan was not discouraged, her tone still appeasing, "Mom, what would you like to eat for lunch? I’ll make it for you."

Ma Sufen didn’t believe her good intentions for a second and blurted out, "You little harlot, stop putting on this act!"

Shen Baolan stared at Ma Sufen for a while, then suddenly stood up.

Ma Sufen thought the wicked daughter-in-law’s true colors were coming out, and she was about to be hit, so she instinctively reached out her hand to block, but—

Thump.

Shen Baolan actually kneeled down straight as a rod.

Ma Sufen was almost shocked speechless.