The Stepmother’s Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era
Chapter 175 Shen Baolan Kneels and Begs

Chapter 175: Chapter 175 Shen Baolan Kneels and Begs

"Mingzhu! Mingzhu!"

Shen Baolan felt dazed, when all of a sudden she heard someone calling out. She looked over instinctively and saw several children from the family courtyard, each holding a bag of snacks, happily calling out "Mingzhu" as they ate.

It was then she noticed that today’s family courtyard seemed unusually lively, almost like during the New Year’s festivities.

She grabbed someone passing by to ask and found out that Shen Mingzhu was hosting a taste-testing event.

All the residents of the family courtyard were free to taste the spicy strips and dried tofu produced by the food factory.

Shen Baolan followed the noise and came to Shen Mingzhu’s stall.

On the two-meter-long table, bags of dried tofu and spicy strips were neatly laid out, the transparent wrappers all bearing the striking "Mingzhu" brand logo.

Shen Mingzhu was busy registering taste-testing suggestions. It wasn’t until Du Juan nudged her that she noticed Shen Baolan had returned.

At first glance, she almost didn’t recognize her.

Shen Baolan looked indeed unwell; her face was covered with a thick layer of oil, her hair was greasy and clumped together, and her gaze was lifeless, her expression dull, as if she were sleepwalking.

Shen Mingzhu only glanced at her once before turning her attention back to meticulously recording everyone’s suggestions.

"Come back with me!"

Zhou Shuhuan had come looking, seemingly afraid that Shen Baolan would cause trouble, and he dragged her away in haste.

The bystanders all had different reactions to this scene.

At a spot a bit farther from Shen Mingzhu’s stall, Jiang Jing and several other kindergarten mothers were chatting while enjoying the free snacks.

"It really is such a coincidence today, just as Shen Baolan returns from detention, Shen Mingzhu is having her taste-testing event, letting everyone have a good look at Shen Baolan’s ghostly state."

"The woman’s quite cunning, you know. Shen Baolan had been spreading rumors that her food factory was going under. She might not have said anything, but she sure remembered the slight—now look, isn’t she using today to publicly slap Baolan’s face?"

"All right, enough talk. Have you forgotten why Shen Baolan was locked up in the first place?"

Someone reminded them, and the mothers’ faces changed slightly as they nervously changed the subject.

"Actually, the spicy strips from Shen Mingzhu’s factory are pretty good, spicy and fragrant. You eat one bag and you’re craving another, it’s almost addictive."

Jiang Jing glanced at the person talking, took a bite of the dried tofu, and chewed it over carefully.

...

Watching Zhou Shuhuan pull her towards home, Shen Baolan’s heart was flooded with mixed emotions.

Apart from the day they got married, when Zhou Shuhuan pulled her around to meet relatives, toast, and perform rituals, this was only the second time he had held her hand.

It was strange, really.

Right after they married, Zhou Shuhuan had been quite attentive to her, visiting her bed every couple of days.

It was she who had looked down on Zhou Shuhuan in all aspects, feeling that he had a slight build, a dull personality, not much promising, and even fell short in time.

She didn’t know whether it was due to being alone for too long or having grown fond of him, but now she found Zhou Shuhuan quite pleasing to her eyes.

Though not tall, Zhou Shuhuan was well-proportioned, and, with his white shirt and glasses, he exuded a refined, scholarly charm.

Even if Zhou Shuhuan didn’t end up wealthy, she no longer wanted a divorce.

"Shuhuan, I don’t want a divorce. Give me another chance, I will live quietly and not cause any more trouble."

As soon as she entered the door, Shen Baolan began to plead.

"The matter of divorce has already been discussed with mom and dad, and there’s no room for change," stated Zhou Shuhuan, his voice carrying an unusual chill.

Only then did Shen Baolan notice that Ma Sufen and Zhou Quanxiong were both at home.

Both elders sat on the sofa, upright and silent, staring at her with a cold, stern dignity, as if they were judges about to pronounce her death sentence.

Shen Baolan was stunned for two seconds before she promptly ran over and knelt before Ma Sufen.

"Mom, I was wrong, I know I was wrong, I don’t want a divorce, I’ll definitely bear you a healthy grandson. Can you please persuade Shuhuan for me?"

Ma Sufen wasn’t buying any of it and coldly pushed her away, "If you know what’s good for you, you’ll go settle things with Shuhuan right now, or else don’t blame me for being unsympathetic."

Seeing that Ma Sufen was unwilling to help her, Shen Baolan crawled on her knees to Zhou Quanxiong and bowed so deeply that her head made a thumping sound multiple times.

While kowtowing, she pleaded desperately, "Dad, I was wrong, please give me another chance, I will definitely change..."

Zhou Quanxiong turned his face away and did not look at her, expressing his attitude and resolve with silence.

Zhou Shuhuan came over to help Shen Baolan up, but she clung to his legs, weeping bitterly.

"Shuhuan, I don’t want a divorce, don’t send me away, just tell me what I’m doing wrong and I’ll change it all. Please don’t divorce me, I beg you... wu wu wu..."

Shen Baolan’s sobbing did not inspire any sympathy or pity from the Zhou family, but rather increased their disgust and aversion towards her.

She had just been released from detention, disheveled and filthy; her crying was like that of an ugly hag. Coupled with the trouble she had caused, the Zhou family had been publicly humiliated. She even cursed Pei Yang behind his back, and for all her misdeeds, the Zhou family had sentenced her to a "death decree" in their hearts.

"Crying is useless, the divorce has to happen! If you refuse, then we’ll see each other in court!" Ma Sufen snarled angrily.

Zhou Quanxiong also spoke up to advise, "Baolan, you and Shuhuan had your time as husband and wife. Let’s part on good terms, don’t make a scene and lose your dignity."

Zhou Shuhuan looked at her, "If you have any other demands, you can make them. As long as it’s within my power, I’ll try to satisfy them."

Shen Baolan looked from one to the other with tears smearing her face, "No, I won’t get a divorce! I would rather die than divorce you!"

These words enraged Ma Sufen, who immediately wanted to throw Shen Baolan out of the house, throwing out the luggage packed for her as well.

...

That evening, Shen Mingzhu was going through the suggestions she had collected during the day, looking to see if there was anything useful. Halfway through, Feng Huiying came by with a small piece of watermelon.

Although He Tao had a decent relationship with Pei Yang, Shen Mingzhu had always maintained a polite and reserved relationship with Feng Huiying.

But since her last visit to the He Family with Pei Ziheng, her relationship with Feng Huiying had become much closer.

After setting down the watermelon, Feng Huiying first chatted about the fun of today’s tasting session, then she started talking about the Zhou family.

"...Not long after returning home, she was chased out by Auntie Ma, even her belongings were thrown out. She wouldn’t leave, just crying and wailing in front of the Zhou family’s doorstep..."

"The Zhou family is really heartless. After all, she served them for a year; if not for merit, at least for the hard work. They kicked her out just like that."

"But she brought it upon herself. The trouble she has caused this past year is enough for anyone to be fed up."

While eating watermelon, Shen Mingzhu and her son didn’t just idle away with their ears — they were fully satiated by the ’melons’ they were devouring.

...

"Mom, I want to go play with Zhou Hao."

Upon hearing Pei Ziheng’s request, although Shen Mingzhu was intrigued, she agreed readily.

She always hoped Pei Ziheng could be more cheerful and lively, so him wanting to play with friends on his own was exactly what she had been wanting.

"Wash your hands and I’ll take you there."

"No need, Mom, I’m already in first grade, I can find my own way."

Shen Mingzhu pretended to ponder for a moment, "Alright then, be back before nine."

"Okay."

After watching Pei Ziheng leave the house, Shen Mingzhu went to the balcony.

Only after seeing Pei Ziheng go down the stairs, cross the residential courtyard, and enter the building where the Zhou family lived did Shen Mingzhu return to the living room, reassured.

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