The Stepmother’s Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era
Chapter 248 - 247: He’s Probably a Little Crazy

Chapter 248: Chapter 247: He’s Probably a Little Crazy

Shen Chaobei could barely contain his excitement, "Today was lucky, I met several big customers who said their families were having celebrations for the New Year. They bought in bulk, thirty to fifty catties at a time. I made several trips back and forth."

Pei Yang felt it was a bit too coincidental, but then he thought about how tasty and affordable his wife’s soft candies were, and it made sense for people to buy them as celebration sweets.

Yesterday we sold over three hundred catties, and today more than seven hundred catties, making a total of exactly eleven hundred catties. That’s nearly three thousand yuan.

However, once we repay the two thousand we owe Pei Wenping, there won’t be much left.

"Big brother, big sister-in-law, let’s work hard for a couple more days and try to sell more sweets, so we can have a bit more cash for the New Year."

"Alright."

After they had agreed on the work arrangement for the next day, Du Juan took Shen Hongmei with her to prepare dinner, while Shen Chaobei went with Pei Yang to the hospital to pick up Daya.

Since the workers were on holiday, the canteen wasn’t operational. Shen Hongmei had been following Du Juan and his wife for meals every day. After eating, she squeezed in to sleep with Daya to avoid staying alone in the dorm, which was unsafe.

"Hongmei."

Outside the food factory, Pei Yang pulled Shen Hongmei aside to talk, "Don’t mention today’s encounter with Wang Xiuzhu to Mingzhu."

"Big brother Pei Yang, you’re not planning on doing something bad behind Mingzhu’s back, are you?"

Faced with Shen Hongmei’s questioning, Pei Yang quickly denied, "Am I that kind of person? Mingzhu really dislikes that Wang Xiuzhu. I don’t want her mood to be spoiled."

Shen Hongmei snorted, "If there’s a next time, I won’t keep your secret again."

"There won’t be a next time!"

Having finally appeased Shen Hongmei, by the time they reached the hospital, there was Wang Xiuzhu, sitting brazenly in front of his wife.

Pei Yang’s heart tightened.

"Wife."

He immediately observed Shen Mingzhu’s expression, but couldn’t detect anything wrong and then turned to look at Wang Xiuzhu.

Wang Xiuzhu, as if nothing was amiss, stood up to greet Pei Yang.

Pei Yang, after much restraint, couldn’t help it anymore, "Why are you here?"

"I came on behalf of uncle and aunt to check on you guys, and the address of the hospital was what uncle got from sister Wenping over the phone." Her tone was quite smug.

Keen to send her off, Pei Yang said, "Okay, it’s getting late, you should head back now."

"Alright, I’ll be going then."

Pei Yang had just breathed a sigh of relief when he heard Wang Xiuzhu ask him, "Pei Yang, you’ll be selling candy there tomorrow, right? I’ll come find you."

Wang Xiuzhu left after speaking, leaving Pei Yang standing there, unable to defend himself.

"Wife, let me explain..."

"Sure, I’ll listen to your excuses."

As if to fan the flames, Pei Ziheng added, "Dad, just fess up and be lenient, resist and be strict."

Pei Yang: You really are my great son!

With things come to this, Pei Yang dared not hide the slightest bit and told them about setting up the stall outside Ocean Shipping Company that afternoon, and the coincidence of running into Wang Xiuzhu.

And he emphasized that it was purely by chance.

"That much of a coincidence? You’re in Fengcheng, she’s in Xicheng, hundreds of kilometers apart, and yet you meet? That’s some fate."

Pei Yang: "No, she came over here with her uncle to run some errands."

"You even know how she got here?"

"...Wife, let’s not talk about her anymore."

Shen Mingzhu decided to take the high road.

It was clear that Wang Xiuzhu came over on purpose to upset her, and falling into her trap by arguing with Pei Yang would only make her the fool.

Moreover, she still trusted Pei Yang.

Pei Yang proudly showed her the account book, "Wife, look, we sold over seven hundred catties of candy today."

Shen Mingzhu was pleasantly surprised, and the upset brought by Wang Xiuzhu vanished in an instant.

What’s the cure for worry? Only sudden wealth.

...

"What are these things?"

Yan Su looked at the cardboard boxes being moved into the living room by the servants and curiously asked her younger brother.

Yan Yi took off his gloves and coat and said bluntly, "Candy."

"Candy? What kind of candy? Where is it from?"

"Apple candy, bought it."

Just as Yan Su was about to ask him what he needed so much candy for, she heard Yan Yi’s shocking revelation, "Shen Mingzhu is pregnant."

Yan Su was so startled her heart nearly stopped. She looked around, then hurriedly pulled Yan Yi outside to talk.

Snow was falling outside, with the temperature several degrees below zero. Yan Su was only wearing a knitted cardigan, but she didn’t care about the cold, shivering as she looked at her brother.

"You, she, you guys..."

"It’s not mine."

Yan Su patted her chest and breathed a sigh of relief.

However, before she could fully relax, she heard her brother say, "I wish it were mine."

Yan Su hit him on the chest, "What are you saying, have you gone mad?"

Yan Yi stepped back half a step from the punch and gave a muted laugh. He probably was a little crazy.

After all, why else would he do such a childish and ridiculous thing, to run out in the freezing cold, asking one stranger after another to help him buy candy.

Yan Yi had always had everything he wanted, but this was beyond anything.

Yet, he had no regrets, even imagining her happy smile from selling the candy made him feel elated.

"Sister, help me with the candy. Keep some for ourselves and include the rest in the gifts for relatives and friends for the New Year."

Yan Su complained, "I’ve almost finished sending out the New Year gifts."

Yan Yi took off his coat and draped it over her, "Then send another batch, in my name. Consider it a favor for me, I owe it to her."

Yan Su glared at him for a while but eventually gave in.

Compared to dealing with someone else’s wife being pregnant, this bit of candy wasn’t a big deal.

...

"Miss, do you want these things moved to the storage room?"

Hearing the butler’s question, Yan Su thought for a moment then instructed, "Leave one box for everyone to share, the rest move to my room."

The butler complied.

After the servants had left with the boxes, Yan Su opened one and took out a pack of candy.

As soon as she saw the "Mingzhu" brand on the packaging, she felt a headache coming on.

She tore open the seal and examined a piece of soft candy for quite a while before hesitantly putting it in her mouth.

It wasn’t very sweet but had a rich apple fragrance. Used to exquisite delicacies from a young age, she could instantly tell that this was a natural fruit flavor, not inferior artificial essence.

She chewed gently; the candy was soft and chewy yet non-sticky, and somewhat delightful to eat.

While savoring the candy, Yan Su’s thoughts drifted to Shen Mingzhu.

Although her face was quite nice, it wasn’t breathtakingly beautiful. Petite and dainty, she seemed just like a pretty young thing; how could she have enchanted her brother so completely?

By the time Yan Su snapped out of her reverie, she realized she had eaten two packs of soft candy and panicked, feeling as though she’d lost her wits.

Oh no, eating so much candy at night, won’t I gain a couple of pounds by tomorrow?!

...

After several days in the hospital, Shen Mingzhu’s pregnancy finally stabilized, and the doctor permitted her to be discharged the next day.

Shen Mingzhu immediately began happily packing her things with Pei Ziheng.

As they were packing, a commotion suddenly erupted at the door of the ward.

"Shen Mingzhu! Is Shen Mingzhu staying here?"

Shen Mingzhu turned around only to see three or four elderly men and women bursting into the ward.