The Stepmother’s Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era
Chapter 243 - 242 Selling Sugar

Chapter 243: Chapter 242 Selling Sugar

Having learned a lesson from last time, Shen Baolan was especially careful during her pregnancy this time. With the cold weather, she hardly ever went out.

It was rare for the weather to be nice today with sunshine. After having lunch, she went downstairs to bask in the sun, only to hear people in the family housing complex gossiping about Shen Mingzhu as soon as she got downstairs.

Upon inquiring, oh boy, Shen Mingzhu had run into big trouble!

For Shen Baolan, this was more exciting than the New Year, and she immediately rushed home to tell her mother-in-law, Ma Sufen.

As they were avidly discussing it, Zhou Shuhuan got out of bed, and Shen Baolan couldn’t wait to tell Zhou Shuhuan as well.

Learning that his brother was in trouble, Zhou Shuhuan skipped lunch and headed out the door, getting on his motorcycle to go to the food factory.

When Zhou Shuhuan arrived, Pei Yang was discussing with Shen Chaobei and his wife about selling candy in the afternoon, and he was very happy to see Zhou Shuhuan.

"Shuhuan, you’re here at the right time. Are you free today?"

Zhou Shuhuan quickly nodded and began worrying about the food factory being troubled again, only to relax after learning it had been resolved.

"Shuhuan, I’m thinking of having my brother and his wife sell apple candy in the family housing complex, but they aren’t familiar with the place. If you are free this afternoon, could you help look after them?"

"Sure, I’m not working this afternoon anyway."

"Thanks. Once these few busy days are over, I’ll treat you to a drink."

Zhou Shuhuan nodded, looked around, but didn’t see Shen Mingzhu. He hesitated before speaking, "Yang, my sister-in-law isn’t in trouble, is she?"

"No trouble."

When Shen Mingzhu was mentioned, Pei Yang’s face lit up with a smile he couldn’t suppress, "I was planning to tell you after we got through the rush—that Mingzhu is pregnant."

Zhou Shuhuan was momentarily stunned before he hurriedly offered his congratulations.

Pei Yang happily patted his shoulder, "You also keep it up."

Zhou Shuhuan smiled, "Actually, Baolan is pregnant too."

"Really? When did it happen?"

"Not too long ago."

Pei Yang, as if finding a topic in common, chatted with Zhou Shuhuan for quite some time before he finally remembered his important tasks.

After Shen Chaobei and Du Juan left with the apple candy and followed Zhou Shuhuan, Pei Yang turned and entered the office.

In the office, apart from Pei Ziheng, Daya was also there.

Pei Yang wanted to send Daya out to play so he could talk to his son alone, but considering it was too cold outside and a four-year-old girl wouldn’t be in the way, he left Daya be.

"Ziheng, what’s with the cardamom in the sack?"

"Last September, due to jealousy, Wa Shiting’s mother reported my mother in secret. Later, I asked my teacher about it and learned what poppy husks look like..."

"Where are those things now?"

"I had Zhao Yun take them to the garbage disposal site to throw away."

Pei Ziheng’s fabricated reason was watertight.

Pei Yang couldn’t help but be amazed at his son’s intelligence, and was simultaneously immensely relieved to have such an extraordinarily smart son.

"Son, we owe you big time this round. You not only protected the food factory but also safeguarded your mom."

Pei Ziheng was noncommittal, "I’m my mother’s son. Protecting her is what I should do."

Pei Yang affectionately ruffled his little head and delegated a task, "This afternoon, you take Daya to the hospital to accompany your mom. I’ll go handle things, and once I’m done, I’ll come to the hospital to join you guys."

"Mhm."

Only after watching his son and niece enter the hospital did Pei Yang ride away on his bicycle.

However, once he was far gone, Pei Ziheng took Daya out of the hospital again.

"Big brother."

After walking a few steps, Daya stopped and refused to go any further, her large, black eyes filled with confusion.

Pei Ziheng beckoned to her with his finger, "Come here."

Daya shook her head.

Pei Ziheng tugged at the corner of his mouth, "Then stay there and wait for the kidnapper to take you away."

Although Daya was young, she often heard from Du Juan and Shen Mingzhu about the dangers of kidnappers who prey on children. Fear and apprehension showed on her little face as she hurriedly scurried to Pei Ziheng’s side, clutching at the hem of his clothes.

"Big brother, I’m scared."

"If you’re scared, stick with me and don’t get lost."

Daya quickly nodded.

In the arcade, Zhao Yun was playing noisily with a few lackeys.

Seeing Pei Ziheng, Zhao Yun kept frantically pressing buttons while glancing at Daya who was clutching Pei Ziheng’s clothes, "Why did you bring her here?"

Pei Ziheng detested the murky air of the game arcade, "I’ll wait for you outside after you finish playing."

"Right away!"

Zhao Yun came out quickly, carrying a bulging backpack.

Pei Ziheng opened the backpack, glanced inside, and turned to Daya, "Turn around, cover your eyes, and count to one hundred."

Zhao Yun was shocked, "Can she really count to one hundred?"

Pei Ziheng gave him a look, "You think everyone is as useless as you?"

Zhao Yun: "..."

Amidst Daya’s crisp counting, Pei Ziheng took out the contents of the backpack.

About half a jin of poppy shells and spiked candies like apple gummies, spicy strips, dried tofu, and potato chips.

If these things fell into the hands of the Food Administration, the one the police would take away would be his mother.

Pei Ziheng’s black eyes were cold and deep.

"What exactly are these?"

Zhao Yun didn’t recognize the poppy shells and tried to pick them up and play with them, but Pei Ziheng slapped his hand away.

"It’s poisonous."

Those two simple words completely eradicated Zhao Yun’s curiosity about the poppy shells.

"Is someone trying to harm Aunt Mingzhu? Who is it?"

Pei Ziheng did not answer, but stared at these items thoughtfully.

...

"Selling candy, apple candy that was originally three yuan per jin, today it’s five yuan for two jin! Just today, tomorrow the price will go back."

"Delicious apple gummies, soft and chewy, sour and sweet, welcome to try before you buy!"

Under Du Juan and Shen Chaobei’s enthusiastic cries, soon everyone in the family compound had gathered around.

Zhou Shuhuan carried plates of apple gummies, inviting everyone to taste and promote, "It’s candy made in Brother Yang’s factory, pure and genuine without any adulteration, a special deal today at five yuan for two jin, reverting to three yuan per jin tomorrow."

Finding the taste good and the price reasonable, many residents reached for their purses to buy.

After all, with the New Year coming, sweets were always needed, and it was only right to support the business within a closely-knit residents’ compound where everyone knew each other.

Moreover, Shen Mingzhu had previously hired homemakers from the residents’ compound for temporary work to earn money, and now that she was in trouble, it was only proper for everyone to lend a hand.

After selling for a short while, Shen Baolan received a message and hurriedly ran downstairs.

"Shuhuan, what are you doing?"

Zhou Shuhuan, as if he hadn’t heard, continued to weigh the candy and collect money.

Seeing Zhou Shuhuan ignore her, Shen Baolan took a piece of apple gummy from the plate.

Sour and sweet, chewy, with a rich apple flavor.

It suited her taste perfectly.

Shen Baolan’s eyes lit up as she took a plastic bag and filled it with a bagful of apple gummies, ready to take home.

"Yo, Shuhuan’s family, you didn’t weigh these, right?"

Shen Baolan rolled her eyes, "My man is working for them, what’s wrong with me eating their candy?"

After saying this and preparing to walk away, Zhou Shuhuan reached out and grabbed her in one quick move.

"Put the candy back."

Shen Baolan’s temper also flared, "I won’t."

Zhou Shuhuan pointed at her with a cold face, "Put it back, don’t make me hit you."

In that moment, everyone around looked at her as if watching a joke.

Shen Baolan’s cheeks burned with embarrassment, and tears welled up in her eyes, "Then hit me, hit me to death!"

Seeing the awkward atmosphere, Du Juan quickly spoke up to mediate, "It’s okay, Brother Zhou, a little candy isn’t worth fussing over, let Baolan take it if she likes it."

Zhou Shuhuan snatched the bag of candy from Shen Baolan’s hand, weighed it, noted the amount, then tied the bag tightly and threw it into Shen Baolan’s arms.

Having lost face, Shen Baolan couldn’t stay any longer and left with the candy, dejected.

...

The entrance of the cotton mill.

Pei Yang pushed his bicycle, his face full of anticipation as he looked at Pei Wenping, "Sister, the thing I mentioned to you on the phone, is it possible?"

Pei Wenping glanced at the two big hemp sacks on the back seat of the bicycle and smiled, "Don’t worry, let’s go, I’ll take you to meet the factory director."