The Stepmother’s Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era
Chapter 277 - 276 Cheap Man!

Chapter 277: Chapter 276 Cheap Man!

After careful consideration, Shen Mingzhu decided to give up this year’s autumn National Sugar & Liquor Fair and focus on preparing for the spring fair that would be held in Rongcheng next March.

The cost of exhibiting at the Sugar & Liquor Fair was high, with travel expenses, labor, food and lodging, and the cost of the exhibition stand amounting to at least four thousand yuan.

Additionally, her due date was fast approaching. She would have to look after the production, as well as the food factory, and also prepare for the fair, which would definitely be overwhelming.

Another reason for attending next year’s spring fair was that she could take the opportunity to promote the Ronghua Mooncake brand, which made more financial sense when she considered the return on investment.

...

The trade fair lasted for seven days, from June 6th to June 12th.

Although she did not become an exhibitor, Shen Mingzhu was still interested in taking a walk around, to observe and learn from the experience.

The trade fair was held at the city stadium, initiated by the municipal government, and as it was the first event, it attracted a lot of attention.

The entire venue was packed with people, including those like Shen Mingzhu who came to stroll and watch the excitement, as well as units and individuals who came to make purchases.

Until she saw for herself, she did not realize that there were so many well-known sugar and liquor companies in Fengcheng, including state-owned enterprises and joint ventures. It was understandable that small private enterprises like hers had not been able to participate.

Shen Mingzhu’s good mood disappeared as soon as she arrived at Fushun’s booth.

Above Fushun’s booth hung a red banner with the words "Ronghua Mooncake" and in parentheses, "formerly Ronghua Mooncake".

Many citizens were gathered around placing orders for mooncakes, and an employee stood by loudly explaining, "Everyone, please recognize that our Fushun Cake Factory is the original creator of Ronghua Mooncakes. Due to our trademark being registered by someone else, we had to change the name to Ronghua, but the old flavor remains the same. To thank our new and old customers, all mooncake gift boxes are 10% off during the exhibition!"

Shen Mingzhu felt her anger rising swiftly.

"Let’s go take a look up front."

Pei Yang was pulling her along to continue moving, but Wang Hongcheng unexpectedly appeared and blocked the couple, his face blooming into a chrysanthemum of smiles.

"Manager Shen, what a good mood you’re in, coming all the way to visit the trade fair. It’s a pity your food factory didn’t make it into this exhibition."

While he spoke of a pity, his face radiated schadenfreude, and he didn’t forget to show off, "Look how bustling the fair is! These past two days, Fushun alone sold over three hundred boxes of mooncakes, and our other products are selling pretty well too."

Shen Mingzhu steadied her waist with one hand and pointed at the banner and the employee with the megaphone, "Mr. Wang, the Ronghua trademark belongs to me, as we previously agreed. I ask you to immediately take down the banner and stop spreading false information that smears me. Otherwise, I will take legal action to protect my reputation and interests."

Wang Hongcheng laughed disdainfully, "Manager Shen, it’s true that the trademark rights belong to you, but my Fushun Cake Factory was also one of the creators of Ronghua Mooncakes. Your skills and recipes are not bad, but without Fushun Cake Factory’s packaging, promotion, and marketing, you’d still be setting up stalls on the street!"

"Manager Shen, out of consideration for our past cooperation, let me give you some friendly advice. Doing business isn’t about the brand, but about ability and tactics. Do you believe that even if you brandish the Ronghua name, no one will buy your mooncakes?"

"Why would you, a woman who is heavily pregnant, not prefer to stay home and peacefully have your child? Why insist on meddling in men’s business?"

Pei Yang retorted, "It seems Mr. Wang looks down on women. In that case, you shouldn’t use my wife’s recipe; go on and create a better one yourself."

Wang Hongcheng’s face stiffened, then he snorted with laughter, "I paid for the right to use your recipe, why the hell wouldn’t I?"

Shen Mingzhu sneered, "You look down on us women for doing business, right? On one hand, you scorn us, but on the other, you count on a woman to make money. How despicable is that?"

Wang Hongcheng became infuriated, "Who are you calling despicable?"

"I’m calling you, a contemptible man! You look down on me yet use my recipe, and you make money by stepping on my brand. That’s not what a real man does."

Shen Mingzhu, still not satisfied after the tirade, pulled at her throat and shouted, "Ladies, come over here and take a look! This Mr. Wang from Fushun Cake Factory looks down on us women, saying that we should only stay at home to care for the husband and teach the children, and not work in visible professions."

In an instant, a group of women surrounded them.

"Cut it out, what era is this? Still such feudal thinking, even the great man said, ’Women hold up half the sky!’"

"Exactly, we women of the new era are not inferior to men; we study, attend university, work, earn money. Why look down on women?"

"Pah, didn’t you come from a woman’s belly? You look down on your mother?"

Since the majority of attendees at the exhibition were female buyers, Shen Mingzhu’s callout immediately made Wang Hongcheng the public enemy of women.

The mothers and aunties who had originally planned to buy Fushun mooncakes and other snacks also dismissed the idea and decided not to buy.

Wang Hongcheng’s face turned green with anger.

Shen Mingzhu, on the other hand, felt much more relieved. "President Wang, if that banner and loudspeaker are still up in three minutes, I’ll go find a reporter to discuss how you swindled money from me, your partner. I wonder if Hengxing, such a big company, will continue to work with you once they learn about your dishonesty and lack of integrity," she said.

Among the onlookers munching on their snacks, a young onlooker furrowed his brow thoughtfully upon hearing Shen Mingzhu mention Hengxing.

Shen Mingzhu’s words had hit Wang Hongcheng’s Achilles’ heel.

Although he was making good sales at the exhibition, selling mostly to individual customers, at best he’d sell hundreds of mooncake boxes. Hengxing was the big brother he relied on; he hoped for a long-term partnership with them and couldn’t afford to sacrifice the big for the small.

Only after watching the banner being taken down, Shen Mingzhu smiled amiably at Wang Hongcheng, "President Wang, your Fushun’s business must have its exceptional aspects to be this thriving. When I go back, I will assign an employee to stand by your Fushun booth to learn and gain some experience from you."

The subtext was, I’ll have someone watch over you all day long, so don’t even think about sneaking the banner back up.

Seeing Wang Hongcheng’s darkened face, Shen Mingzhu walked away briskly, holding her waist high and feeling refreshed.

"Feel better now?"

The expo was bustling with people; Pei Yang protected Shen Mingzhu from being bumped into with his arm while talking to her.

Shen Mingzhu gave a light hum, about to say something, when suddenly something soft pressed against her leg.

Looking down, she saw a little girl about three or four years old.

Wearing a green dress, her big, wet eyes were even more beautiful than washed black grapes. She looked up with her pale little face, her mouth pouting—looking aggrieved and uneasy.

"Auntie..."

Her milky voice nearly melted Shen Mingzhu’s heart.

"Little darling, what’s wrong? Can’t find your mommy?"

"Daddy, looking for daddy..."

A three or four-year-old little girl was like a pure little angel, even her tears sparkled crystal clear.

Shen Mingzhu took the little girl’s cotton-soft hand and looked around. After not spotting any parents looking for their child, she reluctantly led the little one to the office.

Not two minutes after the announcement looking for her guardian went over the PA system, an anxious middle-aged man ran in.

Recognizing the man, Shen Mingzhu could not help but show surprise.