The Stepmother’s Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era
Chapter 539 - 538: One Must Know Contentment and Not Be Ungrateful

Chapter 539: Chapter 538: One Must Know Contentment and Not Be Ungrateful

"Sister-in-law, if it were you, working hard to earn money outside every day, and when you get home you want to rest or lie down for a bit, but your husband is not considerate, doesn’t care if you are tired or not, and just starts arguing over trivial matters, making a fuss, complaining that you don’t make enough, what would you feel then?"

"I might as well tell you, about the incident with the dead crabs last time, if it weren’t because Shen Xiangnan is my own second brother, I would have fired him on the spot!"

"And don’t start talking about how much money second brother has earned for me over the years. The two Shenji stores have made no more than fifty thousand in the past two years combined. I can make that much by selling a few more boxes of cakes."

"Without you guys, I will still thrive, but if you two don’t have me, go back to your hometown and eat your hearts out!"

Jia Yuemei was scolded into silence.

Shen Mingzhu took a breath and continued scolding, "If I ever hear you say again that second brother has been working like an ox and a horse for me, I’ll send him back to the hometown immediately. I won’t bear the reputation of bullying my own brother and sister-in-law. If you two are capable, open your own store and do business; whatever you earn will be yours."

"This is also the last time I’ll deal with your mess. If the two of you make a fuss about divorce again, don’t come to me, go straight to the civil affairs bureau."

"I also have a piece of advice for you, sister-in-law, learn to be content and appreciate what you have. You might want to ask around about how Yang Lizhen has been living after her divorce."

Upon hearing the name Yang Lizhen, Jia Yuemei felt a shock in her heart, and her mind suddenly cleared up a great deal.

She had heard from a fellow townsman not long ago that Yang Lizhen became a stepmother in the city, and her husband was a paralytic.

Yang Lizhen, without any children, could only marry someone like that; for someone like her who has a child, finding another partner would likely be even harder.

...

At night, Shen Xiangnan came home from work—

"Xiangnan, you’re back, have some water first. I bought a watermelon this afternoon, it’s really sweet, I’ll cut it for you."

Looking at a Jia Yuemei, who was suddenly enthusiastic as if possessed, Shen Xiangnan held the glass of water, at a loss for what had happened.

Not until Erya hugged his leg, clamoring to play horse riding, did he put down the glass, bent down to lift his daughter onto his shoulders, and started walking back and forth in the house.

"Ride the horsey, ride!"

"Giggle, hahaha!"

Jia Yuemei came out with the cut watermelon, and seeing the playful father and daughter, she couldn’t help but smile.

"Time for watermelon."

"Daddy, I want watermelon!"

Shen Xiangnan put his daughter back on the ground and passed her a piece of bright red watermelon, touching her soft hair and said, "Be good, eat it at the doorway."

"Okay."

Erya, holding the crescent-shaped watermelon, toddled to the door, sat on the step, and started munching on the watermelon contentedly.

Watching his daughter’s well-behaved silhouette, Shen Xiangnan’s eyes softened.

"Xiangnan, here."

Jia Yuemei handed him a slice of watermelon with a pleasing gesture, "You must be tired after a whole day, have some watermelon to relax."

"Just leave it there."

Jia Yuemei lowered her stance, "Xiangnan, I know I was wrong. I won’t argue with you anymore. Let’s live a good life from now on, okay?"

Shen Xiangnan looked at her for a while before he said, "Yuemei, take Erya back to the countryside tomorrow."

Jia Yuemei was stunned, "What do you mean?"

After asking, she suddenly became agitated, "Are you trying to drive us away? Make it clear, are you thinking about divorce? Do you not want your child and me anymore?"

"Shen Xiangnan, do you have a conscience? What did you say when you married me? You said you would give me a good life, and now it hasn’t been long, you’re already sick of us, mother and daughter. How can you treat me like this!"

Outside, Erya turned her head, her little face showing fear and unease.

Seeing his daughter frightened, Shen Xiangnan said irritably to Jia Yuemei, "Can you wait until I’ve finished speaking? Tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Festival, and I want you to take Erya back to accompany mom and dad for a couple of days."

Jia Yuemei quieted down, her eyes red as she looked at him, "Just for two days?"

Shen Xiangnan sighed, "I’ve thought it over, Erya should just stay in the countryside for now, and let mom help take care of her. We’ll give mom some money each month. You come to the city, and I’ll find you a job."

Jia Yuemei’s sorrow turned to joy, and her tone softened, "Okay, I’ll listen to you."

The next day, bright and early, Jia Yuemei happily packed her luggage and took Erya back to the countryside.

Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, and just like the old tradition of past years, Shen Mingzhu gave all factory employees a day off.

However, Shenji is in the catering industry, which requires business even on holidays, and can be even busier than usual.

As a modern person, Shen Mingzhu understood all too well the hardship of working on holidays, and since there was no system of statutory holidays yet, she simply made her own rules and implemented them within Shenji and the food factory.

Knowing they would earn triple wages for working today, the employees of Shenji were overjoyed, and they worked with exceptional enthusiasm.

This year’s Mid-Autumn, Shen Mingzhu invited Zhao Dafa and his son to celebrate the festival at her home.

Shen Hongmei actually wanted to go back to the countryside but was persuaded to stay by Shen Mingzhu with the excuse of needing her help.

Recently, with the reopening of Shenji and the sales of mooncakes, the search for a new nanny had been delayed.

In the afternoon, Shen Hongmei, as instructed by Shen Mingzhu, arrived at the Pei Family’s home early.

"Mingzhu, what needs to be done, just tell me."

"No rush."

Shen Mingzhu looked Shen Hongmei up and down and took her to the bedroom.

"Try on this dress, see if it fits."

Shen Hongmei looked at the dress and asked with confusion, "This looks new, did you just buy it?"

"Yeah, I bought it a size too big and couldn’t be bothered to exchange it. If it fits you well, you can have it."

Hearing this, Shen Hongmei didn’t think much of it and went to stand in front of the dressing mirror, holding the dress up against herself.

"It’s quite pretty. How much was it?"

"If it fits, it’s yours."

"Really?"

"Put it on and come out so I can see."

After speaking, Shen Mingzhu went out first.

Soon, Shen Hongmei came out of the room dressed in the skirt, covering her chest with her hands, and nervously asked Shen Mingzhu if it looked good.

Shen Mingzhu stepped forward to move her hands away, "How can I see if you cover it up?"

Shen Hongmei’s cheeks turned a light red, "It’s too revealing; it feels chilly."

The dress had a wide neckline, perfectly showcasing the shoulder and neck line, but for Shen Hongmei, who was used to buttoning her shirt up to the second topmost button, such a neckline was daring and too open.

"It looks very nice on you, it suits you. Wear it, today’s a festival day; dress up and look beautiful."

Convinced by Shen Mingzhu’s words, Shen Hongmei happily nodded.

Shen Mingzhu found her pearl necklace and had Shen Hongmei put it on.

And sure enough, with the jewelry, her entire demeanor was instantly elevated.

Shen Mingzhu then took out her makeup box and gave Shen Hongmei a ’barefaced’ first-love makeup look.

After the makeup, looking at her own face in the mirror, Shen Hongmei was stunned.

"Goodness, how do I feel like I’ve got a different face altogether, is that really me?"

Shen Mingzhu, while putting away the makeup box, laughed, "If it’s not you then who else could it be, me?"

Shen Hongmei giggled and, feeling beautiful, began striking various poses in front of the mirror like a movie star, thoroughly enjoying her vanity.