The Stepmother’s Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era
Chapter 265 - 264: Aren’t they, the Yan family, sick? (Revised)

Chapter 265: Chapter 264: Aren’t they, the Yan family, sick? (Revised)

Shen Mingzhu, supporting her waist, made her way to the second floor of the shopping mall and found Yan Su at the Huapai Leather Shoe Store.

"Miss Yan," she greeted.

Yan Su was seated on a square ottoman, with her legs slightly bent, looking down as a salesperson helped her try on a pair of black high-heeled shoes with a satin upper. A hint of surprise flashed across her face upon seeing Mingzhu.

"You shouldn’t be running around when it’s hard for you to move."

Yan Su chided her with her words, but her body honestly rose up to offer Mingzhu her seat. "Sit down."

Shen Mingzhu declined gratefully, "No need, I’m quite alright. The doctor said that moving around appropriately is good for the birth."

Hearing her say that, Yan Su didn’t insist any further.

The salesperson was very quick-witted and brought over a chair with a backrest to Shen Mingzhu’s side. After thanking her, Mingzhu took a seat.

"Miss Yan, I’ve come especially to thank you. Your help was crucial; otherwise, my shop wouldn’t have been able to open," Mingzhu said.

Yan Su replied casually, "It was just a matter of convenience; you don’t need to worry about it."

"Thanks to you, the business is not bad at all. If you don’t mind, I’ll make some snacks for you to try one of these days," persisted Mingzhu.

"No need," Yan Su said, glancing at Mingzhu’s delicate and fair face, she spontaneously explained, "I’m on a diet recently, no sweets for me."

Shen Mingzhu suddenly realized, "Then I’ll make some without sugar, just a little bit of xylitol. Xylitol is a plant-derived sweetener that doesn’t produce calories or glycogen, so it’s very suitable for diabetics or people on a diet."

Seeing her sincerity, Yan Su didn’t reject the offer again and left her number.

"Call me when they’re ready, and I’ll send my driver to pick them up."

"Sure."

Shen Mingzhu tactfully rose to take her leave, "Miss Yan, take your time selecting your shoes, then. I’ll be on my way."

Watching Mingzhu’s slightly awkward gait due to her pregnancy, Yan Su called out to her, "If you’ve got nowhere to be, just sit for a while."

Mingzhu thought for a moment, then sat back down.

Just in time, she had a question she wanted to clarify.

"Between these two pairs of shoes, which do you think looks better?"

Hearing Yan Su seek Mingzhu’s opinion, the very astute salesperson raised both pairs to Mingzhu so she could take a good look at them.

One pair was satin pointed-toe stilettos adorned with a row of tiny diamonds, both retro and luxurious.

The other pair was square-toed and combined black and white leather, looking clean and sophisticated, suitable for a professional setting.

"Only children make choices; adults should have it all. Buy both pairs," Mingzhu suggested.

"You sure know how to enjoy life."

Yan Su snorted and gestured to the salesperson to pack up both pairs of shoes.

Apart from shoes, the store also carried bags, belts, scarves, hair combs, and other small accessories.

Yan Su casually browsed, while Shen Mingzhu kept a respectful distance behind her, "Miss Yan, may I ask why you helped me?"

"I felt sorry for you, running around with a belly like that. Doesn’t your husband look after you?"

"He does, and he even got angry with me over this," she replied.

Yan Su glanced at her. The woman’s face showed no signs of marital discord, only happiness and sweetness.

Suddenly, she thought that her younger brother was right, it was indeed rare for a woman to live so carefreely and comfortably.

"When is your due date?"

"Early August."

"Have you done all the prenatal checks?"

"I have, on schedule. Everything’s looking good with the baby."

"Boy or girl?"

Shen Mingzhu hesitated before smiling and responding, "I’m hoping for a daughter."

Although the law prohibited gender screening during pregnancy, those with connections and means often quietly had it determined by a doctor.

Li Bing had also asked if she wanted to find out, offering his help, but she had refused.

"If you want to know, I can help you with that."

"No need, but thank you for your kindness," Shen Mingzhu declined.

Seeing she was adamant, Yan Su didn’t push the subject.

Shen Mingzhu didn’t really have anything to buy, yet when she saw attractive accessories, she couldn’t help but pick them up to admire.

"This Pearl Hair Comb just arrived yesterday; it’s a limited edition, only one per store," said the salesperson.

As soon as Mingzhu heard this, she guessed it wouldn’t be cheap and quickly put it back.

Once the shoes were packed, they were sent directly to Yan Su’s car.

When signing the bill, Yan Su had the sales clerk include the Pearl Hair Comb that Shen Mingzhu had looked at earlier.

The hair comb was neatly packed into a palm-sized paper bag and handed over to Yan Su.

Upon reaching the ground floor, as they were parting ways, Yan Su suddenly approached Shen Mingzhu, tucked the Pearl Hair Comb above her ear.

"Ms. Yan..."

"It suits you well, wear it," she said.

Without waiting for Shen Mingzhu to accept or refuse, she hung the paper bag on Shen Mingzhu’s wrist, turned and walked away with poise.

Shen Mingzhu, touching the hair comb on her head, was lost in thought for a good while.

"Ms. Yan, you seem to be in a good mood today."

"Not bad," she replied casually to the driver, and looked out the window, thinking about the moment she pinned the hair comb on Shen Mingzhu’s head and the way Shen Mingzhu’s apricot eyes widened, her lips slightly curled into a smile.

She felt like she could understand the feeling her elder sister had when buying her gifts.

...

Shen Mingzhu returned to the factory just as Pei Yang came back from outside and immediately noticed the Pearl Hair Comb by her temples.

"Is it new?"

Shen Mingzhu smiled, touching it, and asked, "Does it look nice?"

"It looks nice."

"It was a gift."

Pei Yang, who intended to touch it as well, retracted his hand immediately upon hearing that, "Who gave it to you?"

"Ms. Yan," she answered.

The smile on Pei Yang’s face vanished, "Why would she give you something for no reason?"

"Perhaps because I helped her pick out shoes. Oh, and if you’re free this afternoon, could you pick up two jin of xylitol for me? I need it," she said.

Shen Mingzhu’s hair was jet black and shiny, with the pearl-encrusted plum blossoms vividly blooming by her temples, indescribably graceful and touching.

However, no matter how Pei Yang looked at it, it just didn’t sit right with him.

At night, Shen Mingzhu went to sleep first. Pei Yang tossed and turned, unable to sleep, and finally sat up in bed in the middle of the night.

Come on, what’s wrong with the Yans?

Did his wife really need them to buy flowers for her?

...

The next day, Shen Mingzhu got up and felt she stepped on something, followed by a crack.

When she moved her foot away, she saw the Pearl Hair Comb had broken into two pieces.

During breakfast, Pei Yang saw her temples were bare and briefly wore a suspicious smile, which he quickly suppressed, pretending to be nonchalant, "Why aren’t you wearing your Pearl Hair Comb today? I thought it looked good on you."

He should not have mentioned it; upon bringing it up, Shen Mingzhu felt quite annoyed.

"I accidentally stepped on it when I got up this morning," she said.

With a look of regret, Pei Yang said, "Really? That’s such a shame."

"It’s a total waste of thirty-eight dollars! I only wore it for one day."

Pei Yang paused, "But I thought you said it was a gift from Ms. Yan?"

"How could I accept something for nothing? I went back and paid for it myself later. The thirty-eight was even after a discount," she explained.

Pei Yang was speechless.

"It’s okay, consider it as warding off misfortune. If you like the style, I’ll go out and buy you a new one today," he said, seeing that she was visibly upset, worried it might affect her health.

Pei Ziheng also stretched out his chubby little hands and held her hand, "Mommy, when I grow up, I’m going to buy you lots and lots of pretty hair combs."

With her son’s comforting words, Shen Mingzhu’s mood improved significantly.

"Thank you, Erza. Drink your milk, it’ll make you grow tall," she said.

"Hmm!"

After breakfast, returning to the room and seeing the hair comb broken in two on the dressing table, Pei Yang scratched his ear, unable to hide his guilt.

After a moment’s thought, he slipped the hair comb into his pocket.

Shen Mingzhu noticed his action and asked curiously, "What are you doing with the hair comb?"

"I’ll find some time to take it to the jewelry shop to see if it can be fixed," he answered.

Hearing this, Shen Mingzhu didn’t think much of it. If it could be fixed, that would be great, as she really liked the hair comb and had spent quite a bit on it.

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