The Stepmother’s Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era
Chapter 381 - 380: Zhou Hui is pregnant

Chapter 381: Chapter 380: Zhou Hui is pregnant

Zhou Hui turned around, looking at Zhao Dafa’s emotionless face, her heart inexplicably panicked.

Having been married for a year, she had some understanding of Zhao Dafa’s temperament.

Even though Zhao Dafa hadn’t lashed out at her or said any nasty words, she could feel that he was displeased.

"Dafa, I just feel bad for you. You’ve been following President Liu of Longchang for three months, drinking I don’t know how many times, and just as you were about to seal the deal, it all fell apart because of such a minor issue. I just can’t get over it."

Zhao Dafa raised his hand, interrupting her, "Let’s take a walk and talk."

Zhou Hui could only nod in agreement.

"Hui, when we first got together, I told you that I just wanted to find a virtuous wife and good mother who could manage our home and take care of Xiaoyun well. That’s enough for me."

"I can handle my business affairs on my own, you really don’t need to worry about it, and you definitely shouldn’t have gone to cause trouble with Miss Shen."

Zhou Hui opened her mouth to argue for herself, but meeting Zhao Dafa’s indifferent gaze, the words she was about to utter all went back down her throat.

"I was wrong, Dafa. Don’t be angry, I’ll listen to you from now on."

Zhao Dafa was silent, seemingly making some decision.

Zhou Hui felt an inexplicable uneasiness, "Dafa, you go to work. I’ll head back first."

After speaking, she turned to leave but was caught by Zhao Dafa gripping her arm.

"Hui, to be honest, after spending this year together, I don’t think we’re very compatible."

Zhou Hui’s face turned pale instantly, her eyes quickly filling with tears, and she choked up, "Dafa, I really know I was wrong, I promise I won’t do anything to upset you again."

There’s an old saying: A day as a couple brings an eternity of grace.

Facing Zhou Hui’s crying and pleading, Zhao Dafa felt a bit of reluctance, but the nature of a businessman also made it very clear to him.

Indecision invites trouble.

"Hui, during this past year, you’ve also suffered a lot. Xiaoyun has a terrible temper that I can’t control, so I wanted to find someone to help me handle it, but he’s resistant to you. To be honest, I’m in a difficult position too."

"Why don’t we call it quits? You can make any requests, and I’ll try to fulfill them."

"Think about it."

She indeed needed to think carefully, but it was about how to stay, not how to be kicked out.

Staring at Zhao Dafa’s back, Zhou Hui’s eyes were filled with resentment.

...

Back home, the housekeeper served her breakfast.

Fresh soup wontons with shrimp skins and seaweed added for extra flavor.

Zhou Hui usually loved them, but today the wontons triggered her gag reflex as soon as they entered her mouth.

Meeting the housekeeper’s surprised and puzzled look, Zhou Hui was taken aback, then overjoyed.

...

Zhao Dafa returned home very late.

Zhou Hui hadn’t gone to the bedroom to sleep but sat on the living room sofa, seemingly waiting for him.

"Dafa, you’re finally back."

Zhou Hui was no longer as tearful and sad as in the morning; her face radiated happiness and anticipation, which puzzled Zhao Dafa.

"What have you considered? Or, should I set up an apartment for you? I promised this to Xiaowen before."

Zhou Hui didn’t bite on his question but handed him a piece of paper instead.

Zhao Dafa took it and was stunned.

After a long while, he lifted his head and said to Zhou Hui, "Let me think about this."

"Okay."

Zhou Hui was in no hurry; she didn’t believe Zhao Dafa would reject his own flesh and blood.

Even heaven was on her side, letting her get pregnant at this time.

The position of Mrs. Zhao, she had secured it.

...

The dinner table the next day featured pickled radish duck stew, tomato beef brisket, and vinegar cucumber salad. In short, every dish had a sour flavor.

Zhou Hui savored her meal with gusto, whereas Zhao Yun looked thoroughly displeased.

"Why is everything sour? Can’t our family afford anything else?"

Zhou Hui glanced at Zhao Dafa and put down her chopsticks, ready to announce the good news. But Zhao Dafa spoke up before she could.

"Xiaoyun, I want to ask you something."

Zhao Yun listlessly poked at his rice grains, "Go ahead and ask."

After placing a duck leg in his son’s bowl, Zhao Dafa finally said, "Do you want a little brother or sister?"

Zhao Yun was not completely ignorant. He looked at Zhou Hui immediately.

Under Zhou Hui’s excited and expectant gaze, he calmly said—

"Don’t want."

Zhou Hui was stunned.

Zhao Dafa looked at his son intently for a while, then nodded, "Okay."

Zhou Hui looked at Zhao Dafa in disbelief, unable to fathom that he was willing to give up this child, a biological connection so hard come by, just because of their son’s reluctance.

Liang Xiaowen, who caught on late, ran over to Zhou Hui with a face full of surprise, "Mom, are you having a baby?"

"Dad, is Mom going to have a little brother or sister for me?"

Zhao Dafa gave the mother and daughter a deep look and said with a faint smile, "That’s not happening. I was just asking randomly."

Zhou Hui could never have imagined that Zhao Dafa’s previously hesitant and guilty heart would turn completely cold after hearing his daughter’s offhand comment.

The stepdaughter’s mention of "having a little brother or sister for me" unconsciously excluded their son from the picture.

If Zhou Hui were to have the child, would there still be a place for his son in a home where mother and children were united?

"Not eating!"

Zhao Yun threw down his chopsticks and stormed off.

Zhao Dafa didn’t go after his son but sent his stepdaughter back to her room and then laid out his plans to Zhou Hui.

Zhou Hui’s tears immediately began to stream, "Dafa, won’t you think it over? This is your own child, the blood of the Zhao Family. How can you just decide not to want it?"

Zhao Dafa’s expression was relaxed, but his words were ice-cold and cruel.

"I already have Xiaoyun. The Zhao Family has its successor. We don’t need another competitor for Xiaoyun."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Hui immediately understood that the crux of the issue was the stepson.

"Dafa, don’t worry. I will talk to Xiaoyun, after all, this is his little brother or sister. In the future, when he takes over the family business, this child could help him," she said, getting up to find Zhao Yun but was stopped by Zhao Dafa.

Zhao Dafa clearly understood and cared more about his son’s feelings than Zhou Hui did.

If his son didn’t like Zhou Hui, his stepmother, how could he ever like a child born from her?

"Hui, let’s terminate the pregnancy, I’ll make it up to you," he said.

Zhou Hui shook her head frantically, tears flying, "No, I don’t want compensation! Dafa, I don’t want anything. I truly love you. This past year with you, I’ve been very happy and content. I just want to be with you for a long, long time. All I want is someone to rely on, please don’t leave me."

Zhao Dafa did have feelings for Zhou Hui. Hearing her tearful declaration stirred a sense of compassion in him.

...

As the sky darkened, Zhao Dafa went outside to look for his son.

He had barely stepped out of the house when he saw Shen Mingzhu approaching with her son.

"Ah, Sister Mingzhu, I’m sorry to trouble you again," he said as soon as Shen Mingzhu came close.

Shen Mingzhu smiled, "It’s nothing. Brother Zhao, Xiaoyun is not a child anymore. Whatever you’re thinking, you can discuss it with him properly."

"Yes, yes, I appreciate your concern," he replied.

The father and son watched Shen Mingzhu’s retreating figure until she disappeared into the night and was no longer visible. Only then did they take their eyes off her, their movements and expressions similarly alike.