The Stepmother’s Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era
Chapter 148: Inviting Shen Chaobei and His Wife to Join the Business Venture

Chapter 148: Chapter 148: Inviting Shen Chaobei and His Wife to Join the Business Venture

"Ying, I’ve been a bother to you and Brother Feng in the past while, and I’m very grateful for your and Brother Feng’s care," Pei Yang said. "You know my address and contact information, so if there is anything I can help with in the future, just let me know. I won’t disturb you any longer, goodbye."

Xiangying showed her attitude that she didn’t want to continue their association, and Shen Mingzhu tactfully didn’t cling, politely saying her farewells after a few perfunctory words.

After Shen Mingzhu left, Xiangying felt uncomfortable.

She had genuinely wanted to be friends with Shen Mingzhu, but what Sun Feifei had said was stuck in her throat, making it hard to move on.

Shen Mingzhu had appeared magnanimous and composed in front of Xiangying, but in fact, she was quite depressed.

They had gotten along so well before, and this sudden disconnection, similar to a precipice-like breakup, was hard for anyone to accept.

However, Shen Mingzhu had always been a person who could let go of things; she wouldn’t give up on entrepreneurship just because of the falling out with Xiangying.

When the weekend came and Pei Wenping wasn’t working, Shen Mingzhu, carrying some things, took Pei Ziheng to the Chen Family’s home for a visit and took the opportunity to discuss her entrepreneurship ideas with Pei Wenping.

Although Pei Wenping was a professional woman of the new era, she didn’t think highly of Shen Mingzhu’s idea of starting a business.

"Mingzhu, going into business isn’t as easy as you think," Pei Wenping said. "You’re a woman without any background or connections. How can you compete with those sharp businessmen out there?"

"In my opinion, you should just focus on managing the mooncake factory. Do some small snack business on the side for some pocket money. Isn’t that easy and good enough? Why go through all this trouble?"

Shen Mingzhu had been prepared for Pei Wenping’s lack of support.

After all, according to the mindset of people of this era, women should be dedicated to their husbands and children, taking good care of the family. A woman like her, intent on building a career, was seen by others as being forward and not content with her lot.

"Big sister, this is my business plan, you can take a look at it first," Mingzhu offered.

Pei Wenping took the document and started to read it seriously.

After she had finished, her expression clearly showed surprise and seriousness.

"Did you write this yourself?" she asked.

Shen Mingzhu nodded.

Pei Wenping looked at her, suddenly at a loss for words.

From her perspective and judgment, the business plan was very mature, considering all aspects thoroughly and meticulously, from preparation to operation, to development, with clear and specific short-term and long-term targets and subsequent planning.

This showed that Shen Mingzhu was truly determined and confident about starting her own business.

Even knowing Shen Mingzhu’s determination, Pei Wenping still wanted to persuade her again, "Mingzhu, if you really want to find something to do, I can help you find a job. How about that?"

Shen Mingzhu politely declined, "Big sister, I’ve been used to being free like a cloud, and I don’t like constraints. Rather than a monotonous stability, I’d prefer to do things I enjoy, to explore a variety of delicious snacks. It’s both my hobby and my specialty."

Seeing her determination, Pei Wenping didn’t press further and offered to help by asking around with her friends.

That night, in bed.

Pei Wenping, with a worried face, chatted about it with her husband. "...I never dreamed that a rural woman like her would have such ambition," she said, "to start her own business. Business isn’t that easy, she’s thinking too simply."

Chen Yi looked at her with a smile and said, "It’s not that she’s thinking too simply, but maybe you’re worrying too much? You’re clearly concerned that if she becomes successful, she won’t want to stay with Pei Yang any longer."

Caught out, Pei Wenping didn’t feel guilty, "Am I wrong to worry? We don’t lack for anything at home, she doesn’t need to provide. What’s wrong with living a stable life without all this fuss?"

"People are different," he replied. "Some are content with their lot, while others like to strive for more. You can’t impose your way of thinking on her."

Pei Wenping’s eyes reddened immediately, "My brother’s at that age now, finally has his own family, and got himself a wife. As his elder sister, shouldn’t I help keep an eye out for him?"

Chen Yi sighed, "Do you think without your help, Shen Mingzhu would not be able to succeed?"

Pei Wenping wiped her eyes, "When did I say I wouldn’t help her?"

Chen Yi smiled, "Well, there you go. Since you’re going to help anyway, just do it happily, help her get this thing done properly. You don’t need to overthink it, we outsiders can’t make decisions about their marital affairs."

After Chen Yi’s comforting words and explanations, Pei Wenping saw the light and the next day enthusiastically sought help from friends.

Thanks to an introduction by one of Pei Wenping’s high school classmates, Shen Mingzhu successfully met an official from the Bureau of Industry and Commerce who specialized in managing privately-owned businesses.

That evening, Shen Mingzhu specially organized a dinner in Fengcheng’s well-known state-owned restaurant to welcome the other party, and took the opportunity to ask for advice on setting up a food processing workshop and registering a food trademark.

Pei Wenping and her high school classmate also accompanied them, and the whole table enjoyed delightful conversation.

By coincidence, Feng Shaokang also had a dinner engagement there that day, and Shen Mingzhu bumped into him when she stepped out to use the restroom.

Shen Mingzhu thought Feng Shaokang would still be holding a grudge over the last social gathering and would be quite cold to her.

But to her surprise, after greeting each other, Feng Shaokang even asked with concern whether she had found a manufacturing partner.

This made Shen Mingzhu feel perplexed.

Given Feng Shaokang’s attitude, it seemed that he didn’t blame her for the incident at the social gathering. So why would Xiangying suddenly want to distance herself from her?

Shen Mingzhu was not the type to dwell on such trifles, and upon returning to the private room, she put the matter out of her mind.

On the other hand, when Feng Shaokang got home, he recounted to his wife the chance meeting with Shen Mingzhu at the Ginkgo Building.

"...I saw her dining with Liu Xianguang from the individual business department today. Is she planning to start her own factory?"

Hearing that her husband had encountered Shen Mingzhu at the Ginkgo Building, Xiangying felt a mix of emotions stirring within.

"I find her too prone to attracting trouble. I’ve cut off contact with her, and you should stay away from her in the future, to avoid getting dragged into her problems," she said.

Feng Shaokang looked at his wife with some surprise, but did not mention Shen Mingzhu again and changed the subject.

——

Having connections really does make things easier. Shen Mingzhu smoothly obtained the approval document for registering as an individual business proprietor, but she still needed other materials and procedures to obtain a business license.

Meanwhile, she also needed to find a location for the business, obtain a food production and operation permit, and register a food trademark.

Beyond that, labor and funding were other challenges that Shen Mingzhu had to face.

When she found the time, Shen Mingzhu went to the outskirts of the city to meet with Shen Chaobei and his wife.

Having not seen her for a while, the couple was especially happy to see her. Shen Chaobei grabbed her and chatted non-stop about the business developments during this period.

A man who was once silent, clumsy with words, and honest had transformed into quite a chatterbox.

Shen Mingzhu was pleased to see the change in Shen Chaobei.

She openly shared her entrepreneurship plan with them, "...Big brother, sister-in-law, to be honest, the reason I came to see you today is to ask you to join me in running a food workshop together."