The Stepmother’s Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era
Chapter 534 - 533: If You Can’t Have Children, Look into Yourself for the Reason

Chapter 534: Chapter 533: If You Can’t Have Children, Look into Yourself for the Reason

"Boss Shen, is your restaurant still open?"

Hearing the proprietress ask that question, Shen Mingzhu felt a stir in her heart, and she replied, "It is, we’re just doing some construction work right now. Once it’s finished, we’ll reopen."

The proprietress asked again, "Have you found a new supplier yet? If not, why don’t we partner up? I guarantee I’ll provide you with quality goods."

The proprietress’s initiative was also an indirect proof that Tang Jinshui had really taken a fall this time.

This realization filled Shen Mingzhu with considerable pleasure.

However, having learned from past experiences, she didn’t give an immediate response. Instead, she excused herself by saying her child was waiting in the car and they could talk in more detail another day.

Seeing Shen’s hesitation, the proprietress didn’t press the issue and enthusiastically helped her carry the goods to the car.

When Zhao Yun learned that Shen Mingzhu had bought lobster and king crab, he danced with joy. Even Pei Ziheng, who was usually aloof, had a smile on his face.

His mom buying so much delicious food must mean she’d heard some good news.

If his guess was correct, it likely had something to do with Tang Jinshui.

His speculation was soon confirmed by Shi Yizheng.

At the same time, he also found out that it was Yan Yi who had been pushing the whole thing from behind the scenes.

He had no intention of telling Shen Mingzhu about it.

The favor he owed Yan Yi, he would repay in the future.

He wouldn’t let anyone steal his mother’s opportunity.

...

Seven pounds of king crab, three and a half pounds of lobster, two hands of white clams and seaweed, two pounds of oysters, a big yellow croaker, and a large plate of spicy crab made up a huge feast that the family simply couldn’t finish. Shen Mingzhu then called over Pei Wenping and Shen Hongmei to join them for the meal.

As everyone at the table enjoyed the delicious seafood banquet, they discussed the fate of Hong Tai and Tang Jinshui’s group, with everyone praising the government for doing a good job.

After the meal, Pei Wenping and Shen Hongmei helped clean up before leaving.

Shen Mingzhu took a short rest and then started preparing marinated raw crab. Pei Ziheng and Zhao Yun sensibly helped her out.

Even Guoguo wasn’t idle, sitting on a little stool peeling garlic cloves.

When Pei Yang finished work and returned home, he joined in as well.

Time always flies when you’re busy, and before they knew it, it was already half-past nine.

Shen Mingzhu asked Pei Yang to drive Zhao Yun home, and she took Guoguo to the bathroom for a bath.

After the bath, Pei Ziheng volunteered to take on the task of putting Guoguo to sleep, while Shen Mingzhu continued to work in the kitchen.

It wasn’t long before Pei Yang returned.

"Is Guoguo asleep?"

"Mm, Ziheng is with her."

Examining her expression, Pei Yang commented, "Even the Heavens are on your side, letting Tang Jinshui end up like this. Does that mean your restaurant can open again?"

Shen Mingzhu replied, "It will, once they return from training. Before the Mid-Autumn Festival, I guess."

"That’s pretty soon," he said.

Less than a week remained until the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Speaking of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Shen Mingzhu felt a stir in her heart, "I have something I want to discuss with you."

"Go ahead," he said.

...

The next day.

As soon as Shen Mingzhu arrived at the factory, she called over Old Zhu and instructed him to frequent the seafood market when he had the chance, to gather information about Shengli Seafood Store, especially regarding the character of the owners, the couple.

Old Zhu went on his way to fulfill the task.

Shen Mingzhu then called for Shen Hongmei to go out and take care of something with her.

...

"Professor Yan, the Mid-Autumn Festival is coming up. These are the mooncakes I made myself. Please have a taste. Also, I wish you a happy Mid-Autumn Festival in advance," she offered warmly.

Yan Yi looked at the thoughtfully packaged mooncakes but declined gently, "Thank you, but I don’t eat sweets."

"Professor Yan, I know you don’t like overly sweet things, so I only used date paste for flavoring, just a hint of sweetness,"

she explained, her face reddening under Yan Yi’s piercing gaze, "I didn’t mean anything by it, it’s just a small token. I really enjoy your classes. Whenever you have a class, I’m always the first one there."

"Don’t do this again in the future, my wife wouldn’t like it."

Having said that, he didn’t care about the student’s feelings and simply bypassed her to continue on his way.

As soon as he entered the office, he saw Meiqian leaning against his desk with arms folded. Seeing him come in, Meiqian teased in a pinched voice,

"Professor Yan, just accept the little token of appreciation."

Yan Yi casually placed his teaching bag on the desk, walked to the tea cabinet, and as he made tea, he asked Meiqian, "Is the case wrapped up?"

"Far from it, there are just too many cases on Hong Tai alone to count, and it would be considered quick if we could sort them all out before the end of the year."

"So what brings you here?"

Implicitly suggesting that if he had free time, he should spend it investigating more cases instead of hanging around here.

Meiqian clicked his tongue and gestured with his mouth towards the tea table, "I brought you something."

Yan Yi looked over and noticed a box of mooncakes on the tea table. His gaze lingered for a couple of seconds before he turned to Meiqian.

"Did you buy it?"

Taking a self-assured sip of the tea he had brewed, Meiqian replied as he blew on it, "Take a guess."

"I don’t think it’s your style to buy something like that, you’re too tightfisted," Yan Yi commented.

Meiqian didn’t like to hear that, although it was true.

"How can I compare to you? You’ve got a rich brother-in-law, and plenty of work – chief expert, professor, consultant, and you even have your own studio, making money hand over fist. Damn, I should have studied medicine too, instead of going to the Police Academy and working my ass off every day without even having time to make a baby with my wife."

Holding his tea, Yan Yi spoke with a light tone, "Instead of finding external reasons here, you might want to get a checkup at the hospital."

"There are lots of detectives who haven’t had issues with having kids; maybe you should look at your own reasons if you’re having trouble."

Meiqian: "..."

"Me, unable to have kids? Are you joking? I’m strong, in great shape, with an eight-pack that makes women stop in their tracks, okay?"

Yan Yi noncommittally responded, "As long as you’re happy, that’s what matters."

Knowing he couldn’t outtalk Yan Yi, Meiqian decided not to continue the subject.

"You guessed right, the mooncakes weren’t bought by me. Someone specially delivered them to the station. Do you know who sent them?"

"Here’s a hint, it was a woman, a beautiful woman."

Yan Yi sipped his tea, "There are more beautiful women than flowers in the park, how could I possibly guess who?"

"It’s related to these mooncakes."

The speculation in his mind was confirmed, and while Yan Yi felt a mix of surprise and pleasure, his face showed no emotion.

Meiqian observed him carefully.

Having worked countless cases and self-studied psychology, he was particularly skilled at discerning lies and inner thoughts through observation of micro-expressions.

In front of him, all criminals were laid bare, yet he could never fathom Yan Yi’s thoughts.

He remembered that the last time Yan Yi sought his help with interrogation was also related to the food factory.

His instinct told him there was something between his brother and this Miss Shen.

"Early this morning, the owner of Meihao Food Factory personally delivered a thousand boxes of mooncakes to the station as a gesture of appreciation for the police force and to thank the front-line officers for their efforts and contributions to maintaining peace and fighting crime in the city."

"Now you’re also part of the police department, so these mooncakes are for you as well. But if you don’t like sweets, no problem, I am always happy to help others, so I’ll eat your share of the mooncakes," he said, placing his tea cup down, preparing to take the mooncakes and depart.

"Since you’ve come all this way, why don’t we have a meal together?"

"Are you treating?"

"Mm, there’s a new grilled lamb chop place on Central Street that’s not bad."

Lamb being Meiqian’s favorite, he immediately forgot about the mooncakes and pulled Yan Yi along to leave.

To hesitate even a second would be disrespectful to the lamb chops.

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