The Stepmother’s Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era
Chapter 311 - 310: Helping to Investigate

Chapter 311: Chapter 310: Helping to Investigate

```Shen Hongmei was followed by Du Juan and Shen Chaobei.

Although the couple didn’t understand what a police dog was or what it could do, they excitedly followed along after Shen Hongmei mentioned it could help find the counterfeit production factory.

Seeing Yan Yi and Ning Yuan standing with Shen Mingzhu, the couple restrained themselves and didn’t approach.

At the wedding banquet and the baby’s full-moon party, the couple had seen Yan Yi and Ning Yuan, knowing only that they were friends of Shen Mingzhu with prestigious identities, people they could not afford to offend.

Yan Yi put away the spicy strips and dried tofu, "I will notify you as soon as there’s any news."

"Okay, thank you."

"No big deal."

Yan Yi’s gaze lingered on Shen Mingzhu’s beautifully fair face for a moment, then he nodded to Shen Chaobei and Du Juan before getting into his car and driving away.

Only after the jeep turned the corner did Shen Chaobei and the others withdraw their gazes.

"Little sister, what exactly is a police dog? Can it really find the hideout where the fakes are made?"

Shen Mingzhu enlightened the three on the characteristics and functions of a police dog.

All three were amazed that not only could dogs serve in public security, they also had official status and salaries, which cheered them up greatly.

With the help of a police dog, they wouldn’t have to keep trying spicy strips and dried tofu anymore.

If they ate any more, they were going to throw up, and their tongues would be ruined.

Seeing that it was getting late, Shen Mingzhu told the couple to go back first while she took Shen Hongmei back home to stay.

However, before parting, Shen Mingzhu specifically instructed them not to tell Shen Xiangnan and his partner about their secret investigation into the counterfeit dens for now.

This made Shen Chaobei quite unhappy, and on the way back, he quietly grumbled to Du Juan, "I didn’t expect that after all this time, the little sister is still angry with Xiangnan, why is she so temperamental?"

Du Juan gave him a look and coldly warned, "Do as Mingzhu says. If you mess up Mingzhu’s plan and harm Pei Yang, just wait to be dealt with!"

Shen Chaobei fell silent.

After thinking it over, Du Juan decided to give a detailed explanation, "Xiangnan has a soft spot for chatter, and he can’t keep anything to himself. Little sister is just worried that he could easily be coaxed and misled. Who knows what kind of dirty tricks and nasty plots those behind the scenes have up their sleeves, waiting to scheme against the little sister. It’s always right to be cautious."

Although Shen Chaobei regarded Shen Xiangnan highly, he valued and was equally anxious for his little sister, Shen Mingzhu.

He made a mental note to keep tight-lipped and certainly not bungle his little sister’s plans.

...

By the time Shen Mingzhu returned home, it was already 8:30 PM, and Sister Yu had not yet left.

Normally, Sister Yu would go home after preparing dinner, but today she knew that the factory had issues and that Shen Mingzhu and Pei Yang were not at home. Worried about the two children, she had stayed.

"Madam, you’re back. Is the master alright?"

Moved by Sister Yu’s thoughtfulness and concern, Shen Mingzhu felt a warmth in her heart, "Everything’s fine, you worked hard today, Sister Yu. I’ll calculate your pay with overtime for today. You can go home now."

"Oh, alright then, Madam. Dinner is in the pot, just reheat it and it’s ready to eat."

While taking off her apron, Sister Yu didn’t forget to give instructions.

After Sister Yu left, Shen Mingzhu let Shen Hongmei heat up the food while she returned to the bedroom.

...

In the bedroom, Pei Ziheng was by the baby crib, holding a rattle drum and amusing Little Guoguo.

As of today, Little Guoguo was exactly three months old and could perform actions like rolling her eyes, lifting her head, turning her neck, and grasping objects.

Whenever he had some free time, Pei Ziheng would use small toys to entertain Little Guoguo.

Persistently playing with an infant everyday not only promotes physical development but also stimulates brain nerve growth, which helps raise intelligence.

He certainly didn’t want a dimwit for a sister.

"Mommy, you’re back!"

Seeing Shen Mingzhu return, Pei Ziheng’s dark eyes instantly brightened.

Shen Mingzhu’s eyes softly creased as she stepped over, "Have you had dinner yet?"

Pei Ziheng shook his head, "I was waiting for you so we could eat together."

"What about Guoguo? Has she had her milk?"

"She had some in the afternoon, but not yet this evening."

Hearing this, Shen Mingzhu rubbed her son’s head then bent down to pick up her daughter from the crib, "Go help Aunt Hongmei set the table, I’ll feed your sister and then come out."

"Okay."

```

By the time Shen Mingzhu had finished feeding and came out, it was already twenty minutes later. The food was laid out on the dining table, kept warm under overturned large bowls. Shen Hongmei and Pei Ziheng were sitting on the couch, talking about something.

"Let’s eat."

At her call, Shen Hongmei and Pei Ziheng both stood up and walked towards the dining table.

With Pei Yang missing, the dinner table was exceptionally quiet tonight, with only the sound of cutlery clashing and subtle chewing noises.

"I wonder if Brother Yang has had anything to eat."

Suddenly, Shen Hongmei threw out a comment.

Shen Mingzhu, who already had a poor appetite, felt even less inclined to eat after hearing that.

Realizing she had misspoken, Shen Hongmei couldn’t help feeling annoyed, "President Shen..."

"Don’t call me President Shen at home."

"Oh, Mingzhu. You shouldn’t worry too much, with Miss Zhong and her fiancé helping us, Brother Yang will surely be fine."

Shen Mingzhu remained noncommittal and said, "You go ahead and eat," before standing up and leaving the table.

Seeing this, Pei Ziheng quickly finished the rice in his bowl and then followed suit.

Shen Hongmei was left sitting there, conflicted about whether to continue eating or not.

If she didn’t eat, she would still be hungry, but continuing to eat would make her seem heartless.

While Shen Hongmei was internally conflicted, her hands and mouth were busy nonetheless, quickly finishing the rice in her bowl and the dishes on the table.

After leaving the dining table, Shen Mingzhu went upstairs, planning to sit on the terrace to get some fresh air.

She had barely sat down when she heard footsteps behind her. Turning around, she found her son, holding her cashmere shawl.

"Mom, it’s chilly at night. Don’t catch a cold."

Shen Mingzhu took the shawl and casually rubbed her son’s hand, "Are you cold?"

Pei Ziheng shook his head, his handsome face serious, "Mom, don’t worry, Dad will be okay."

"Mm."

"Ziheng! Ziheng!"

The mother and son had only exchanged a few words on the terrace when Zhao Yun arrived, yelling from outside the door.

Pei Ziheng looked out over the railings towards the gate and then turned to Shen Mingzhu, saying, "Mom, I want to play at Zhao Yun’s house for a while."

"Go ahead, but come back early."

"Mm."

Not long after Pei Ziheng left, Pei Wenping called to inquire about Shen Mingzhu’s progress.

Upon learning that Yan Yi was helping by deploying a police dog for the search, Pei Wenping didn’t say much, but she felt conflicted inside.

She was still uncomfortable with the idea of Yan Yi taking an interest in her brother and sister-in-law.

After hanging up, Pei Wenping couldn’t help complaining about it to her husband.

However, Chen Yi thought she was overthinking, "If Yan Yi had any ulterior motives towards Mingzhu, would he be working so hard to save Pei Yang?"

Upon reflection, Pei Wenping realized that made sense.

...

When he got to the Zhao family’s doorway, Pei Ziheng did not go in with Zhao Yun.

Soon after, Zhao Yun sneaked out, pushing a Magnolia scooter along.

The Magnolia scooter belonged to his stepmother Zhou Hui, and although Zhao Yun was only twelve, he was already over one meter sixty tall and could easily handle the ladies’ scooter.

The two rode the scooter to find Shi Yizheng.

Shi Yizheng lived on Bat Street, a half-hour walk away, but only a five-minute ride by scooter.

Once at Shi Yizheng’s place, instead of going straight to his door, they went to a grocery store to make a phone call.

Soon after, Shi Yizheng hurried out from his home.

"Hong Jinbao hasn’t come back all afternoon. I’m planning to grab some liquor and go check on him in a bit."

Hearing Shi Yizheng’s words, no emotion could be discerned on Pei Ziheng’s pale little face, but he felt a mix of annoyance and discouragement inside.

With no progress on Shi Yizheng’s end, it seemed they would have to rely on Mr. Yan for help.