The Stepmother’s Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era
Chapter 410 - 409: A Big Fat Grandson Is Born

Chapter 410: Chapter 409: A Big Fat Grandson Is Born

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Hearing that Du Juan had given birth to a second child, everyone was stunned.

Qin Jinlian was the quickest to react, hurriedly grabbing Shen Mingzhu’s hand to ask for details, "When did she give birth? A boy or a girl?"

Jia Yuemei visibly tensed up.

Originally, both Du Juan and she had given birth to girls for their first children, and as sisters-in-law they were equals, with neither looking down on the other.

But if Du Juan’s second child was a boy, then in the future, she would certainly be considered less in this family.

Please, let it be another girl.

The heavens did not heed Jia Yuemei’s prayers.

"She gave birth on the first day of the lunar month, both mother and child are safe."

When she heard it was a boy, Qin Jinlian became so excited that she slapped her thighs and bowed towards the sky, "Oh my, what a blessing from the heavens, thank you Lord! My old Shen family has a healthy grandson now!"

For rural people, not having a grandson meant the family lineage could not carry on, which had been a constant source of distress for Qin Jinlian for many years.

Now that her wish was fulfilled, Qin Jinlian couldn’t wait to announce it to the world, wanting everyone to know she had a grandson!

Both Shen Xiangnan and Shen Jianguo were also excited as it was a joyous occasion for the family.

The only person in the Shen family who was probably not happy was Jia Yuemei.

The words she spoke were tinged with jealousy, "No wonder my eldest sister-in-law went to work out of town, she was actually sneaking off to give birth. If it was in January, doesn’t that mean she got pregnant last March? She kept it so tight, not a hint of a rumor leaked."

Shen Mingzhu’s response was neither mild nor harsh, "Eldest sister-in-law did this so as not to cause trouble for the family, after all, there are always those green-eyed with envy who love to secretly report behind others’ backs."

Jia Yuemei’s face blushed with embarrassment, but she dared not admit she was the informant, instead she could only sulk in silence.

The whole family was overjoyed, with Qin Jinlian so eager that she immediately decided to pack up and go to Rongcheng to take care of Du Juan during her postpartum confinement.

Jia Yuemei was not pleased, "Mom, if you go, who will help me take care of Erya?"

Qin Jinlian was so preoccupied with her grandson that she had no interest in taking care of her granddaughter.

"You had her, you take care of her. Or else send her back to your parents’ home!"

Seeing no help from Qin Jinlian, Jia Yuemei’s mind started working, and she actually thought of dumping Erya on Shen Mingzhu, suggesting she send the child to the Pei Family for Yuemei to help watch.

"After all, raising one is just as hard as raising two, and the kids can keep each other company."

Shen Mingzhu was on the verge of laughter.

She had a hard enough time raising her own child, let alone taking care of Jia Yuemei’s daughter. Was she crazy?

"Second sister-in-law, I really don’t have time to help you raise your child; whoever gave birth should take the responsibility. As for Yuemei, she charges for her services. If you want her help with the children, you go talk to her about the salary."

Jia Yuemei was very unhappy, "Haven’t you paid her already? What’s wrong with her helping out a little?"

"Second sister-in-law, paying for one job and expecting someone to do two, would you be willing if it were you?"

Qin Jinlian didn’t hesitate, leaving by train for Rongcheng that very night.

As for Jia Yuemei, Shen Mingzhu didn’t have time to deal with her, as the Chuliu Food Factory and the restaurant were reopening at the same time, and she had plenty of things to take care of.

What she didn’t expect was that Jia Yuemei would actually bring her child to the restaurant.

"... The child’s crying not only disturbed the guests but also affected the staff’s rest. Jia Yuemei, preoccupied with taking care of the child, couldn’t work properly, leaving others to pick up her slack. It would be fine for a day or two, but over time, people naturally start to complain."

After hearing Julie’s report, Shen Mingzhu didn’t even look up, "You handle it, no need to run it by me."

Julie knew very well that although Shen Mingzhu seemed to be delegating authority, it was also a test for her.

...

When Julie returned to the restaurant, Peng Ling and Ma Xiaoping came up to her, fuming with complaints.

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The restaurant had four servers in total, each responsible for three private rooms. Today, both of Jia Yuemei’s rooms were reserved.

Jia Yuemei was supposed to have tidied up the reserved rooms in advance, setting up cups, plates, bowls, and utensils, preparing hot water, and steaming towels for the guests to use during the meal.

However, Jia Yuemei pushed the prep work for both rooms onto Peng Ling and Ma Xiaoping, while she herself shook off her hands and headed back to the dormitory, claiming she had to take care of her child.

When Peng Ling passed by the dormitory on her way to the restroom, she saw Jia Yuemei sleeping soundly on the bed.

And this wasn’t the first time.

"If this keeps up, I’m quitting. We came here to work; putting up with customers’ nonsense is one thing, but why should we have to take her crap?"

"Then leave if you want to quit. Plenty of people want this job; you won’t be missed."

Jia Yuemei sauntered over lazily from behind, sneering with a tone that was neither hot nor cold.

Walking beside Jia Yuemei was another server, Liu Shuqin.

Liu Shuqin had only started last month and had always been close to Jia Yuemei.

It looked like she had seen Peng Ling and Ma Xiaoping complaining to Julie and had deliberately gone to inform Jia Yuemei.

"If you really don’t want to work here anymore, why haven’t you left? Want me to chase you off with a broom?"

Peng Ling’s face turned beet red.

She liked her job at the restaurant; it paid well, and the work wasn’t hard. She wasn’t truly wanting to quit; it was just an angry outburst.

But Jia Yuemei’s words cornered her such that she couldn’t back down with dignity, and, feeling truly wronged, she started to take off her apron there and then.

Halfway through, Julie stopped her, "The customers will arrive soon; go back to work."

With the ladder Julie extended, Ma Xiaoping took the opportunity to pull Peng Ling away.

"Forget it, what can we do since she’s got connections? We can’t afford to offend her."

Once they were a little distance away, Ma Xiaoping whispered to comfort Peng Ling, also as a way to console herself.

With her eyes reddening, Peng Ling said, "Are we just supposed to take her bullying forever? Why should we? President Shen even said that she is just a server like us. She’s no different, certainly not special, and certainly not our manager."

With a sigh, Ma Xiaoping responded, "Those are just words; after all, she’s family, and we outsiders don’t stand a chance."

Peng Ling hung her head and wiped away her tears.

Meanwhile.

Liu Shuqin, full of envy, gave Jia Yuemei a thumbs up, "You really have it figured out. Those two don’t dare to so much as fart in front of you."

Arms folded and with a sidelong glance, Jia Yuemei looked at Ma Xiaoping and Peng Ling across the corridor.

"They’re thinking of reporting on me? They should first weigh their own status. If they really piss me off, I’ll have my little sister-in-law fire them all!"

Eager to please, Liu Shuqin patted Jia Yuemei’s back, while also asking a favor for her younger sister from her maternal family to get a job in the restaurant.

"...My sister and I are of one mind. We both support you. When the time comes, drive that Zhu woman out as well, and won’t the restaurant manager’s position fall into your lap?"

Jia Yuemei liked what she heard and assured her she would take care of it.

She had made the promise, but Jia Yuemei didn’t dare to actually approach Shen Mingzhu.

Because she knew she was nothing in front of Shen Mingzhu, and she might even end up getting scolded.

After work, Jia Yuemei sought out Julie to ask her to recruit Liu Shuqin’s sister as a server in the restaurant.

Jia Yuemei thought she had plotted perfectly.

If Julie agreed, great; if not, she could simply tell Liu Shuqin that Julie didn’t want to recruit her sister, shifting any resentment to Julie.

To Jia Yuemei’s surprise, Julie agreed to let Liu Shuqin’s sister come to the restaurant for an interview.