The Stepmother’s Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era
Chapter 228 - 227 The Noble Helper

Chapter 228: Chapter 227 The Noble Helper

Listened as Yan Yi joked half-seriously with Li Bing, whose eyes shifted curiously and gossipily between Shen Mingzhu and Yan Yi.

"Professor Yan, you and Mingzhu know each other?"

Yan Yi nodded, "We, I suppose you could say we’re friends."

As he spoke, Yan Yi’s gaze was on Shen Mingzhu as if seeking her agreement.

Shen Mingzhu thought for a moment, and didn’t deny it.

Not to mention the favors she’d received from Yan Yi a few times, considering that Yan Yi was Zhong Qing’s fiancé, she couldn’t possibly dismiss his face.

Seeing that she did not deny it, the amusement deepened in Yan Yi’s eyes.

Li Bing said cheerfully, "Since you know each other, then Professor Yan, I won’t stand on ceremony with you. This is the new candy Mingzhu’s factory just produced. Take some back to try, and if it tastes good, help Mingzhu promote it a bit."

While saying this, he stuffed a bag of the candy into Yan Yi’s hand.

Shen Mingzhu subconsciously wanted to stop it, but Yan Yi had already taken the paper bag and said to her, "Then I thank you."

Shen Mingzhu, not knowing the ways of the world, could not possibly ask for the candy back.

"Not at all."

Li Bing was at work and after briefly exchanging pleasantries with them, hurried back to the duty room with the candy.

As soon as Li Bing left, Shen Mingzhu also made her excuses to leave.

Yan Yi watched her with a warm look in his eyes, "As it happens, I was about to leave as well. Let’s go out together."

Before Shen Mingzhu could respond, he added, "I ask a few minutes of your time, there’s something I want to explain to you in person."

Shen Mingzhu then nodded, "Alright."

As they walked, Yan Yi gave Shen Mingzhu a brief introduction about himself, "Aside from working as a psychiatrist at the Medical University, I also teach psychology at Feng University. I went to study abroad in Y Country after high school and only returned to our country early last year. I needed to complete a social psychology topic at the time, so I went to the self-study office to gather some materials. Seeing your dispute with Sun Feifei, I found it quite intriguing, which led to the idea of forming a study group."

Learning the real purpose behind Yan Yi’s creation of the study group made Shen Mingzhu breathe a sigh of relief.

If Yan Yi did it out of malice or specifically for her, she really wouldn’t know how to get along with Zhong Qing in the future.

"So, you brought us together for research?"

Yan Yi stopped, faced her with a sincere expression, "I’ve been looking for an opportunity to explain this to you. I hope you can accept my belated apology for hiding my identity, and for the trouble and inconvenience my own selfishness has caused you, I sincerely apologize."

Was Shen Mingzhu mad? Of course.

If it weren’t for the study group, she wouldn’t have been bothered by Sun Feifei time and again.

But if she were being honest, it wasn’t all Yan Yi’s fault.

Her decision to join the study group was also driven by her own purposes.

So, she and Yan Yi were even.

"I accept your apology, let’s leave this matter in the past," she said.

Yan Yi’s face broke into a smile, "Good."

"How have you been lately? Is the food factory still doing well?"

Shen Mingzhu intended to leave but Yan Yi brought up another topic. She could only go along and briefly discussed the factory’s situation.

Upon learning that the new product was apple gummies, Yan Yi showed genuine interest and asked, "Can they be on the market before Spring Festival? There are many kids in the family, and with social interactions, I’ll have my sister buy some when the time comes. After accepting your gift, I should give you a hand."

Without waiting for Shen Mingzhu to answer, he continued, "Apples are one of Fengcheng’s economic pillars. If your apple gummies can take off, it would also contribute to Fengcheng’s economic development."

Seeing Shen Mingzhu’s surprised face, Yan Yi laughed, "It seems I guessed correctly, you, like most women, possess a kind nature, but at the same time, you’re more intelligent than them and dare to try."

"Shen Mingzhu, I look forward to your success, adding a unique flair to this world."

Indeed, as a psychology expert, he skillfully used his skills in understanding and insight into the human heart, which she had to admire.

"They should be on the market before the Spring Festival. Currently, we are going through the procedures, and once those are completed, we can start selling," she replied.

"Well, I wish you all the best."

"Thank you."

Shen Mingzhu bid farewell and left.

After watching her slender figure disappear into the distance, Yan Yi turned and headed for the parking lot.

Once in the car, Yan Yi didn’t hurry to drive off but opened the paper bag instead.

Thumb-sized, pale yellow candies were packed in a transparent plastic bag the size of a palm, with a bright red apple, brand, and product name printed on the surface.

The packaging looked simple, but the candies inside were tempting.

He popped one into his mouth, and a strong apple fragrance spread between his lips and teeth.

It was not as cloyingly sweet as he had imagined, but a soft, gentle sweetness with a hint of tartness. When chewed, the candy was soft yet resilient and not sticky, an intriguing and refreshing experience.

Yan Yi’s taste was for less sweet flavors, and he didn’t particularly enjoy sugary treats, but this apple gummy candy surprisingly suited his palate.

Mulling things over while enjoying the candy, he drove to see a friend who worked in the food industry.

After inquiring about the procedures needed for product registration, he made his way to the city’s Bureau of Industry and Commerce.

In the Director’s office.

Seeing the uninvited Yan Yi, Director Zhu Yong was both surprised and pleased, personally receiving him.

"Young Master Yan, what brings you here? Is there something you need taken care of?"

"Just passing by, so I thought I’d drop in. I feel really bad about the poor reception at the engagement party last time. A friend gave me some candy, and since you have kids at home, I thought I’d bring some over for them to enjoy."

"Ah, you are too kind."

Zhu Yong, flattered and surprised, took the bag. Inside, there were only a few bags of fruit candy, leaving him puzzled about Young Master Yan’s modest gift, yet he dared not show it on his face.

Smiling with his face full of wrinkles, "Then I’ll accept it gratefully, thank you very much."

Yan Yi nodded and mentioned the origin of the candy in passing, "...I personally like it very much. It’s just a shame that the paperwork hasn’t been completed yet. It’s not even available for purchase, and I’m too embarrassed to ask my friend for more."

Zhu Yong, being a shrewd man, immediately slapped his chest, promising to expedite the filing and follow-up within three days.

Having achieved his goal, Yan Yi smiled, stood up, and took his leave.

As soon as he left, Zhu Yong immediately picked up the phone to call the subordinate bureau of industry and commerce.

After the call, Zhu Yong rubbed his hands together, unable to conceal his glee.

How could he not be joyful? In critical times, just one word of support from the Yan Family could count for more than twenty years of his hard work.

After his jubilation, Zhu Yong casually took out a bag of candy from the paper bag, opened it, and popped one into his mouth.

"Huh?"

Zhu Yong had wanted to taste the fruit candy that Yan Yi was fond of. He tried one and was unexpectedly impressed. The gummy was soft and chewy, sweet and sour, with a rich apple fragrance.

He quickly finished one bag and couldn’t resist opening another.

While eating, he thought about buying some more once the product was on the market.

...

When Yan Yi returned home, he saw Ning Yuan watching a videotape on the sofa, a flash of disgust passing through his eyes.

"Why are you here again?"

Ning Yuan, swirling his glass of wine, said, "I need to stay at your place for a few days."

After speaking, Ning Yuan’s attention turned to the paper bag Yan Yi was carrying.

Seeing the name of the food factory printed on the bag, Ning Yuan assumed it contained snacks like hot strips and dried tofu. He grinned, "Did you buy some snacks? Perfect, I have nothing to go with my drink. Come on, give me some."

Yan Yi didn’t want to share at first but then changed his mind.

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