The Stepmother’s Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era
Chapter 361 - 360 Accepting an Interview

Chapter 361: Chapter 360 Accepting an Interview

On the other hand, Zhou Hui really wanted to know Shen Mingzhu’s secrets to teaching her child.

If possible, who wouldn’t want their own child to be as outstanding as Pei Ziheng?

...

"I heard that your Ziheng is preparing for middle school entrance exams. You don’t know how envious my Dafa is; he insisted that I come to you for advice. Teach me please, or I won’t be able to explain myself when I get back."

Zhou Hui spoke in a joking tone, but her intent was somewhat insistent.

Shen Mingzhu was straightforward and took out paper and pen, drafting a study plan for Zhou Hui on the spot.

"Normally Ziheng follows the schedule on this plan for his studies. Besides, Ziheng also likes listening to English radio stations and listens almost every day. When he has free time, he plays chess, solves Rubik’s cubes, and reads some classics; that’s pretty much it."

Zhou Hui looked at the contents of the study plan and couldn’t help but respect Shen Mingzhu.

It detailed everything from what time to get up in the morning, how much time to spend washing up and having breakfast, to the post-school study schedule in the afternoon and bedtime at night, as well as the activities for Saturday and Sunday.

Through this study plan, it was evident that Shen Mingzhu was truly dedicated to her stepson, Pei Ziheng.

However, what Zhou Hui could never have dreamed was that this study plan was written by Shen Mingzhu off the cuff.

Shen Mingzhu never worried about Pei Ziheng’s studies.

Pei Ziheng’s excellence came purely from his self-discipline and talent.

But if she were to tell Zhou Hui the truth, not only would Zhou Hui not believe her, but she would also think Shen Mingzhu was hiding secrets and unwilling to share her experiences.

Although the study plan was written casually, its content was not sloppily put together; it was based on experience from future studies, with time arranged and planned out rationally.

As long as someone wasn’t too lacking in intelligence, following this timetable would ensure their academic performance wasn’t too shabby.

...

After returning home, Zhou Hui posted the study plan on the wall of her daughter’s bedroom and asked her daughter to strictly follow the study times laid out in the plan.

As for Zhao Yun, Zhou Hui copied the study plan and handed it to Zhao Yun in front of Zhao Dafa.

"Xiaoyun, this is Ziheng’s study plan that I got from his place. Take a look, and from now on, arrange your study time according to this."

Zhao Yun glanced at the timetable and casually tossed it aside.

"I have Ziheng to help me with my studies; I don’t need your concern."

Zhou Hui looked at Zhao Dafa helplessly.

Zhao Dafa nodded at Zhou Hui, signaling her not to interfere anymore.

Zhou Hui outwardly appeared helpless, but internally she was quite pleased.

She had no desire to meddle with a defiant stepchild who always opposed her.

After dinner, Zhao Yun went to the Pei family’s home for tutoring with his backpack.

To facilitate the brothers’ learning, Shen Mingzhu specially took time out to set up a study room.

Entering the room, there was a sofa lounge area, with bookshelves and a bookcase against the wall facing the sofa, and near the window stood a large desk three meters long and one meter wide, with three chairs on each side of the desk, ample space for six children to study simultaneously.

"Ziheng, this is the study plan that my stepmom got from your place. She says it’s what you use for studying."

As soon as he sat down, Zhao Yun showed Pei Ziheng the study plan that Zhou Hui had given him.

He was always at Pei Ziheng’s side, so he absolutely knew more about Pei Ziheng’s daily routine than Zhou Hui did.

It wasn’t identical to the study plan; in fact, it was completely unrelated.

"I never thought Aunt Mingzhu would lie."

Hearing Zhao Yun say this, Pei Ziheng looked up, his dark eyes calm, "Who says my mom is lying?"

Zhao Yun curled his lip, "How is it not lying? You never study at home."

Pei Ziheng had already self-studied all of his elementary school textbooks, and during class time at school, he would study other things.

After school and on Saturdays and Sundays, besides the homework he was required to complete, he spent almost all his time playing with Little Guoguo.

"This is my study plan, arranged by my mom," he said.

After speaking, Pei Ziheng carefully placed the study plan into his backpack.

That way, his mom wasn’t lying.

Zhao Yun didn’t care much: "If you say so, it is so."

...

In the blink of an eye, the entrance exams for junior high arrived.

The exam location was at Fengcheng First Elementary School, and as the youngest candidate in this year’s entrance exam, Pei Ziheng’s every word and action attracted much attention.

Even the newspapers interviewed Pei Ziheng.

Considering that Pei Ziheng was too young and worrying it might affect his performance, the reporter kindly scheduled the interview after the exam.

"Pei Ziheng, don’t be nervous, we just have a few questions for you, just answer them truthfully," the reporter said.

Before starting the official interview, the reporter gently soothed Pei Ziheng’s nerves with a kind attitude.

Pei Ziheng blinked his innocent black eyes, his voice was crisp and revealed an innocence that adults couldn’t refuse.

"Reporter uncle, I’m hungry, can we go have some snacks?" he asked.

"Sure, what would you like to eat? Uncle will treat you," the reporter replied.

Pei Ziheng smiled slightly, "Follow me."

The reporter followed Pei Ziheng into Mingzhu Restaurant.

Although the pastries at Mingzhu Restaurant weren’t cheap, the reporter let Pei Ziheng pick whatever he liked generously.

True to form, Pei Ziheng didn’t hold back, choosing the flower cakes, snowflake crisps, chocolate with liquor filling, egg yolk pastries, and various candies—all by the pound.

The reporter’s face went pale on the spot.

The cost of these items was equivalent to half a month’s salary for him.

However, Pei Ziheng’s next words relieved the reporter immensely.

"Uncle, I forgot to tell you, Mingzhu Restaurant is opened by my mom, I don’t have to pay for eating here."

...

Pei Ziheng answered the reporter’s questions without hesitation, but he subtly steered the conversation towards his mother Shen Mingzhu’s company products at the end of every topic.

"My favorite snacks are the spicy strips and dried tofu made by my mom," he said.

"I don’t like sweets much, but I really like the flower cakes mom makes, because they’re fragrant but not greasy."

"I do well in my studies because I have a good body, I often eat snowflake crisps, which not only contain high protein but also various nuts. Nuts promote growth and development, and improve memory. However, people who are allergic to nuts or lactose intolerant shouldn’t eat snowflake crisps."

"The person I admire the most is my mom, she started from scratch and founded Meihao Food Factory, established the Mingzhu Brand and Mingzhu Restaurant, helping many housewives find employment. No matter how busy she is with work, she never neglects my sister and me. Mom loves us and we love mom too."

As the interview was drawing to a close, when the reporter asked if Pei Ziheng would be willing to share his study methods, Pei Ziheng readily agreed and produced the study plan written by Shen Mingzhu.

"This study plan was tailor-made for me by my mom, but I will be going to junior high soon; that means I’m a big kid. I will be strict with myself in the future and won’t need my mom to worry about me anymore," he explained.

The reporter looked at the delicate and handsome young boy in front of him, his age still showing his youthful innocence, but his understanding and thoughtfulness made even adults feel inadequate.

What a remarkable and intelligent mother she must be, to raise such a wonderful son.

When the interview was over, Pei Ziheng packed up the leftover pastries and asked the reporter to take them home.

His reason was irresistible: "My mom is afraid I might get cavities, so she doesn’t let me eat too many sweets. Reporter uncle, please keep it a secret for me."

Favors done make one grateful, gifts received make one responsive.

That night, as the reporter wrote the news article at home, he was full of praise for Shen Mingzhu and the Meihao Food Factory she had founded with her own hands.