The Stepmother’s Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era
Chapter 120: Withdrawing from the Study Group

Chapter 120: Chapter 120: Withdrawing from the Study Group

Zhao Fang pointed at Shen Mingzhu to shift blame, "It’s all your fault; you were slow and didn’t clean the fish promptly. The fish wasn’t fresh, so of course it got ruined when fried."

Although Sun Feifei was very clear in her heart that the fish being over-fried had nothing to do with its freshness, she did not speak up to stop Zhao Fang.

Having screwed up the Squirrel Fish, it was better for someone else to be the scapegoat than for her to be ridiculed and mocked by everyone.

Shen Mingzhu was directly provoked to laughter, "May I ask if what’s inside your head is air? If you had read a few more books, you wouldn’t have made such a ludicrous statement that invites ridicule."

"Exactly, I’ve never heard of fish being over-fried because it wasn’t fresh. If you can’t cook, just practice more instead of blaming the toilet for your own constipation."

Shen Mingzhu: ???

Who are you calling a toilet? If you can’t speak properly, then speak less.

Ning Yuan came forward with a laugh to smooth things over, "Alright, alright, let’s not argue. To err is human, to stumble is commonplace. It’s normal to not perform well occasionally."

Thankful, Sun Feifei glanced at Ning Yuan, speaking with a relieved tone, "I’m sorry to amuse everyone; it was my poor cooking skills, unrelated to Shen Mingzhu. Given another chance, I will definitely prepare the best Squirrel Fish to make it up to everyone."

With her saying that, it was hard for anyone else to continue making harsh comments.

The matter was dropped, and though there was no Squirrel Fish, dinner still had to be eaten.

As expected, Shen Mingzhu’s group received unanimous praise for their fresh mixed radish strips.

While the good taste of the mixed radish strips was one factor, the other was the inherent advantage of cold dishes.

Due to delays from Sun Feifei’s group, by the time the other groups’ hot dishes and snacks were ready, they had cooled down, naturally affecting the taste and texture.

After the meal, the farmhouse served up their homegrown seasonal fruits like loquats and peaches.

Perhaps it was not yet the season, but the loquats were a bit sour. Shen Mingzhu took one bite and didn’t want to eat any more but was too embarrassed to throw it away, so she discreetly dug a hole under her feet and buried it.

Perhaps affected by the midday setback, Sun Feifei had been downcast since lunch, no longer provoking conflict as before.

Shen Mingzhu was glad for the peace and, after eating the fruits, strolled around the farm with Pei Ziheng and the couple Xiangying.

Unexpectedly, there was even a horseback-riding area behind the farm.

The horseback-riding area wasn’t large, just about the size of a basketball court, with a horse stable adjacent, and two horses—one white and one sorrel—tied up on the grass in front, leisurely swishing their tails and eating fresh grass.

Shen Mingzhu didn’t know much about horses, but from their coat and build, it was clear they were two expensive breeds, with glossy fur and free of any significant odors.

Two adults and a child marveling at the horses were joined by Ning Yuan and Yan Yi, who came over from somewhere.

"If you’d like to ride, I can have the farm staff bring over the tack," Yan Yi said.

The couple Xiangying was clearly fascinated, especially Xiangying’s husband, who, like many men, seemed very keen on horseback riding activities.

Before long, saddles and bridles were fitted onto the horses.

With assistance from the stable hand, Xiangying cautiously mounted the white horse. Her face flushed with fear and excitement, she called over to Shen Mingzhu.

"Ride the other one with me."

Shen Mingzhu shook her head, "You ride, I’m afraid."

Overhearing this, Yan Yi said to Shen Mingzhu, "I can take you."

Before Shen Mingzhu could respond, Pei Ziheng hurriedly spoke up, "Mom, I want to ride the horse."

Shen Mingzhu immediately turned her attention away from Yan Yi and looked toward her son, "Aren’t you afraid of falling off?"

Ning Yuan laughed and intervened, "I’ll take him for a ride."

After confirming that Ning Yuan knew how to ride, Shen Mingzhu then confidently handed her son over to him.

Ning Yuan led the horse around the riding area with Pei Ziheng for two laps, giving the child time to get used to the sensation of being atop the horse. Only after Pei Ziheng felt comfortable did Ning Yuan mount the horse himself, wrapping his arms around Pei Ziheng as they started to trot around the riding area.

"Don’t worry, Ning Yuan is very skilled in horsemanship, he has even competed in races," Yan Yi reassured her, seeing her nervousness.

Shen Mingzhu glanced at him and paused for a moment before finally saying, "I’ve decided to quit the study group."

Yan Yi turned his head, his thin single eyelids revealing a hint of understanding, "Is it because of Sun Feifei?"

Shen Mingzhu nodded honestly, "It’s partly because of her, and partly because of my own reasons."

Yan Yi pondered, "Is it because of work?"

"Something like that."

"If you need any help, just say the word. I can’t promise much, but in Fengcheng, I still have some friends," he said, the last part with a hint of self-mockery.

Shen Mingzhu gave a light smile, "Thank you, but I’m not planning on looking for a job."

Yan Yi was surprised, "You’re not planning to go into business, are you?"

"Why not?"

Yan Yi couldn’t help but laugh, "Of course not. It’s just that you seem more like the perfect housewife, not like a woman with ambition."

"I may not have much ambition, but that doesn’t mean I lack a career-minded spirit. I will do my best and leave the rest to fate; I’ll take it one step at a time and at the very least, I won’t have failed to give life my all, nor to have lived in vain."

I won’t have failed to give life my all, nor to have lived in vain.

Yan Yi repeated these words in his heart twice and then smiled.

"Alright then."

"What?"

"I accept your reason for leaving the study group."

Shen Mingzhu fell silent, then as if remembering something, lowered her head to take out the one hundred yuan she earned today and handed it over.

Seeing the puzzled look on Yan Yi’s face, Shen Mingzhu explained, "It’s for the dinner at Baina last time. I had a sudden craving for Western food and didn’t realize I was short on cash. Thank you for covering for me."

Yan Yi paused for a moment, holding back his words and accepted the one hundred yuan.

"It was only a meal; you shouldn’t worry about it too much."

"One should not accept rewards without merit. To you, it was just a meal, but to me, it’s a significant burden. My husband only makes just over one hundred a month. To owe you such a big favor for no reason, I would feel undeserving."

Yan Yi pondered, "Your husband... may I ask what his profession is?"

Speaking of the damned man, a smile blossomed on Shen Mingzhu’s face that even she herself didn’t notice, "He is a seaman."

Not far away, Sun Feifei, who had deliberately sought them out, saw the two of them chatting and laughing and couldn’t help but look gloomy.

Zhao Fang beside her cursed Shen Mingzhu furiously, "This mother and son pair really have no shame—one hooks up with Yan Yi, and the other clings to Ning Yuan. Those from the countryside really have no face or skin."

Sun Feifei internally agreed with Zhao Fang’s words, but she advised out loud, "Talk less; it’s not good if others hear."

"Afraid of what? I’ve said nothing wrong. It would really serve her right if her husband saw her acting like a cheap tart. Maybe in a fit of anger, he’d kick her out, sending her rolling back to the countryside."

Sun Feifei glanced at her friend but said nothing.

"So they have horses here too, I also want to ride a horse."

Seeing Sun Feifei and Zhao Fang approaching, Shen Mingzhu couldn’t be bothered to deal with them and turned to walk toward the gazebo next to the horse field.

"Yan Yi."

As Sun Feifei blocked his path, Yan Yi still had his usual gentle expression, but there were traces of coldness in his eyes.

"I have a few words I want to say to you."

Yan Yi looked at her for two seconds, then smiled faintly, "Alright."

Seeing that Yan Yi and Sun Feifei had gone in the opposite direction of the horse field alone, Shen Mingzhu couldn’t help but muse to herself: This Ms. Sun really knows how to make a comeback. She had such an embarrassment at noon, and yet she’s rallied so quickly.

In the horse field, after running a couple of laps with Pei Ziheng, Ning Yuan slowed down, letting the horse amble and canter leisurely.

"Little rascal, ever heard of ’speak the truth and you’ll be spared; resist and you’ll suffer’? If you tell me honestly what you put in their starch at noon, I might consider not exposing you."