The Stepmother’s Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era
Chapter 173: Delusional about stealing his mother, dream on!

Chapter 173: Chapter 173: Delusional about stealing his mother, dream on!

After a strange silence, Ma Sufen was the first to snap back to reality and scolded her grandson, "You little devil, what on earth are you babbling about? Anyone overhearing this would die laughing!"

Zhou Shuhuan also showed a rare seriousness as he lectured his son, "Ziheng’s mother is your Uncle Pei’s wife, and it’s impossible for her to become your stepmother."

Zhou Hao argued confidently, "Auntie Lan said that Uncle Pei is already dead, and Ziheng’s mom is now a widow. If you marry her, wouldn’t she become my stepmother?"

After saying this, he even emphasized his point again, "I just want Ziheng’s mom to be my stepmother!"

The Zhou family members all had an unpleasant look on their faces after hearing these words.

They didn’t know that Shen Baolan had foreseen Pei Yang’s death in a dream, which was why she continually spoke of Pei Yang being dead and Shen Mingzhu being destined to be a widow; they thought Shen Baolan was cursing Pei Yang behind his back.

The Zhou and Pei families had been friends for many years. Zhou Shuhuan and Pei Yang were even the closest of buddies. If outsiders knew about this, what would they think of the Zhou family?

Even Zhou Quanxiong couldn’t help but curse Shen Baolan as wicked and lacking morals, which was simply outrageous.

Ma Sufen had long held the belief that Shen Baolan, her daughter-in-law, was dispensable. Now that her son wanted a divorce, she was the first to agree.

And so, the family settled the matter right there at the dinner table.

As soon as Shen Baolan was released from the police station, they would go through with the divorce.

Zhou Hao naively believed that his wish was about to come true; after his father divorced his stepmother, he would marry Ziheng’s mom to become his new stepmother.

Ziheng’s mom wasn’t just beautiful, she could cook various delicious dishes, earn money, and she treated Ziheng even better than her own kin. She was praised by everyone in the residential compound as a good mother.

Thinking of soon having such a wonderful stepmother that all his friends would envy made Zhou Hao happier than obtaining the toy he wanted most.

After dinner, as Ma Sufen took him downstairs to play, he took advantage of her distraction and dashed towards Building Number Five.

He couldn’t wait to brag to Ziheng.

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Although Shen Mingzhu didn’t get along with Shen Baolan, she wouldn’t be small-minded and take out her frustration on a child like Zhou Hao. She wasn’t particularly welcoming of Zhou Hao’s visit, but she wouldn’t coldly send him away, either.

On the contrary, Zhou Hao was very enthusiastic and polite toward her, calling her "Auntie Mingzhu" non-stop, with his eyes shining brightly, resembling a puppy eager to please its owner.

Shen Mingzhu didn’t pay much attention and let Ziheng entertain Zhou Hao in the living room while she busied herself with her own matters.

"What are you doing here at my home?"

Probably out of habit, Zhou Hao wasn’t bothered by Ziheng’s indifference at all, instead gazing curiously at the bandaged forehead of Ziheng.

He knew it was his stepmother’s uncle who had hit him, and that uncle had been arrested by the police and was going to serve time in jail.

"Ziheng, my dad is about to divorce my stepmom."

Zhou Hao spoke with barely concealed excitement.

Ziheng’s little face was expressionless, clearly indifferent to this news.

"Once my dad divorces my current stepmom, he’s going to marry your mom to be my stepmom!"

Ziheng stopped fiddling with the Rubik’s cube, turned his indifferent yet extremely pretty little face, and said emotionlessly, "Say that again."

Zhou Hao, fearless, repeated himself, "... Anyway, I told my dad, and I want your mom to be my stepmom!"

A sneer appeared on Ziheng’s lips, "Did your dad agree to that?"

Zhou Hao thought hard; it seemed his dad hadn’t agreed yet, "He will agree!"

Once he got home, he would nag and pester non-stop. He was so cherished by his dad that he was sure his father would agree.

Zhou Hao was very confident.

Ziheng could clearly see through Zhou Hao’s intentions, and a tidal wave of anger was churning in his dark piercing eyes.

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Delusional to think he could snatch away his mom, dream on!

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After wrapping up her own matters, Shen Mingzhu glanced at the time, realizing it was getting late. Wanting Pei Ziheng to get to bed early to recover from his injuries, she intended to send Zhou Hao back home, only to run into Ma Sufen coming upstairs to pick up Zhou Hao just as she stepped out.

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Shen Mingzhu had no fondness for Ma Sufen either and, without even a greeting, turned around and headed back into her apartment.

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Ma Sufen curled her lips in disdain at the sight of Shen Mingzhu’s slender figure, then took her grandson downstairs.

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When Pei Ziheng had finished his bath and returned to his room, he was surprised to find his little pillow and blanket gone.

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Turning around, he saw his mother standing in the doorway, beaming at him and motioning for him to come over, "Sleep in my room tonight."

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"Okay."

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Pei Ziheng seemed calm on the surface, but inside, he was like a bubble machine spewing bubbles wildly, even his walk became clumsy.

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Pei Ziheng’s head injury required 24-hour observation, and although it was highly unlikely there would be any problems, Shen Mingzhu didn’t want to take any chances. She also didn’t fancy running back and forth in the middle of the night, so she decided it would be easier if Pei Ziheng slept with her so she could keep an eye on him.

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Lying on the expansive, soft bed, Pei Ziheng’s inner dialogue went wild: Mom’s bed is so comfortable, fragrant, and soft, like sleeping on a cloud.

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After finishing her skincare routine, Shen Mingzhu turned to see her son lying neatly on one side of the bed, his small form slightly protruding under the light blanket, reminiscent of a delicate and endearing little animal, making her heart melt.

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She got into bed from the other side, as quietly as a whisper, turned off the light, and gently patted her son’s tender chest.

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"Good night, Erza."

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"Good night, Mom."

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Pei Ziheng turned to his side, cuddled her arm, and drifted off into a sweet slumber.

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The night passed peacefully.

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Shen Mingzhu originally wanted to ask for two days off for Pei Ziheng so that he could recuperate before returning to school, but Pei Ziheng insisted on going. Reluctantly, she respected his wishes.

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Before leaving the house, Shen Mingzhu specifically picked up a box of mooncakes.

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Upon arrival at the school, Shen Mingzhu first escorted Pei Ziheng to the entrance of his classroom. After watching him sit down, she diverted to the office to find Pei Ziheng’s homeroom teacher, briefly explained his injury, and asked the teacher to keep an extra eye on him for the next couple of days. She also took the opportunity to give the teacher the mooncakes.

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The homeroom teacher’s surname was Ou, and her name was Ou Liya.

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Ou Liya initially refused the gift, only accepting it after Shen Mingzhu explained that it was a collaboration with a food factory.

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After Shen Mingzhu left, the other female teachers in the office teased Ou Lisha, "That’s Pei Ziheng’s mom from your class? She’s quite pretty. No wonder her son is good-looking too."

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Ou Liya gave a faint smile, "She’s the stepmother."

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The female teachers were all surprised, "She looks so young and attractive, and yet she’s someone’s stepmother? Why would she settle for that?"

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"She married into the city from the countryside."

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With that explanation, the female teachers had an epiphany, their expressions shifting from surprise to disdain and scorn.

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These days, the divide between rural and urban household registrations seemed an insurmountable gulf.

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For a woman born in the countryside, the quickest and best way to escape poverty was to marry a city man.

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These young female teachers looked down on rural women like Shen Mingzhu who sought a better material life through marriage.

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They considered themselves women of the new era, valuing love and marital freedom.

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In their eyes, love was sacred, and marriage pure, not to be soiled by money and interests.

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After leaving the school, Shen Mingzhu headed straight to the Food Management Bureau.

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Despite Liu Yuehua’s approval, she couldn’t shake her unease until the license was in her hands.

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