The Stepmother’s Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era
Chapter 549 - 548: Rebirth

Chapter 549: Chapter 548: Rebirth

Qin Jinlian obviously didn’t take it seriously, just patting her little granddaughter’s back before being done with it.

Shen Mingzhu withdrew her gaze, turning the car towards the direction of the health clinic.

"What are we doing at the health clinic?"

Seeing the car stop at the entrance of the health clinic, Qin Jinlian asked in confusion, "Are you sick?"

Shen Mingzhu got out of the car and opened the rear door, "Bring Erya down."

"What for?"

Qin Jinlian asked while carrying Erya out of the car.

Shen Mingzhu gestured toward Erya’s red cheeks, "With her face so red, do you think that’s normal?"

"What’s abnormal about that? Aren’t all children like this?"

Shen Mingzhu was too lazy to argue, simply leading the way into the clinic.

"Hiss, she’s got quite a case of lung heat, parents need to be careful, cut down on oily, greasy, and spicy foods for the child, also don’t let her eat too much. Overeating and indigestion can lead to a buildup of internal heat, which causes lung heat."

Shen Mingzhu turned back and glared at Qin Jinlian, "Did you hear what the doctor said? Fried, grilled, pan-fried, spicy foods—give the child less of those, and don’t let her eat too much at once."

Qin Jinlian pouted, "What’s the big deal? Isn’t this how all children are raised, and they grow up just fine?"

Shen Mingzhu said coldly, "Since you promised to take care of your niece’s child, then take it seriously, or you might as well give the child back to your niece!"

The doctor understood that elderly people like Qin Jinlian still held old-fashioned thoughts and chimed in to persuade, "Child’s grandmother, listen to your daughter. Lung heat can be a minor or serious issue, from a simple cold and cough to potentially developing pneumonia."

Though Qin Jinlian lacked education, she knew pneumonia was no trivial matter.

"Is it really that serious? Aren’t all children like this?"

The doctor was patient, "Each child is different; some can get through it, others can’t. Nowadays, with families having just one child, do you really want to risk your granddaughter’s health?"

Hearing the doctor’s words, Qin Jinlian started to panic, "Then, what should we do?"

The doctor patiently repeated his advice and casually prescribed some medicine to clear the lungs.

Upon leaving the health clinic, Shen Mingzhu turned back to look at Qin Jinlian, "Did you remember everything the doctor said?"

"I did," Qin Jinlian answered quickly.

"Tell me what he said."

Qin Jinlian, slightly annoyed, glared at her, "No eating pan-fried, deep-fried, grilled, or spicy foods, and take the medicine three times a day at set times."

"You’d better do as you say. Your brother and sister-in-law only have this one child. If something goes wrong, I want to see how you’re going to explain it to them."

"We can always make another one if it comes to it."

Shen Mingzhu had already been walking forward but whirled around at that remark, "What did you say?"

Qin Jinlian, feeling awkward under her gaze, gave a forced laugh, "I was just speaking off the cuff."

"The big brother and sister-in-law have settled down in Rongcheng, and it’s uncertain when or if they’ll come back. If something happens to Erya under your care and you alienate your brother and sister-in-law, you’d better be prepared to spend your old age alone."

"What are you talking about? Erya is my own granddaughter, how could I harm her?"

Looking at Qin Jinlian’s tearfully indignant eyes, Shen Mingzhu supposed she wasn’t so heartless and said nothing more.

...

"The store isn’t in front, keep going backwards."

Once in the car, noticing Shen Mingzhu was driving in the wrong direction, Qin Jinlian, while wiping away tears, reminded her.

"I know what I’m doing."

You know nothing, if you did, you wouldn’t be throwing so much money away.

Qin Jinlian silently cursed under her breath and looked down at the granddaughter lying in her lap, the child’s round and rosy cheeks resembling apples, her eyes black and bright, her little mouth red, both well-behaved and adorable.

Feeling guilty and ashamed about her earlier slip of the tongue, "We can always make another one," she couldn’t help but feel remorse.

She had only this one dear granddaughter by her side, with whom she spent every day—how could she not love her.

Thinking of this, she bowed her head to rub her little granddaughter’s face, "My sweetheart, Grandma loves you the most."

"Mm."

Erya responded softly, her face blossoming into a shy and happy smile.

Shen Mingzhu glanced at the affectionate grandmother and granddaughter in the rearview mirror, then started asking about her father’s condition.

"...We went to see the old traditional Chinese medicine doctor the day before yesterday. He did acupuncture and applied some medicine. Now he’s much better and can get back to the fields."

This getting back to the fields wasn’t about walking, but about working the land.

In the countryside, it’s like this: light injuries do not keep you from the frontline; people still work the land every day, which is why many elderly folks suffer from chronic conditions.

Actually, Shen Mingzhu had thought about, in another two years or so, bringing the old couple to the city to settle down with a light job, so they could enjoy some peaceful days.

The car soon stopped in front of the town government building.

"What are you doing at the town government?"

Shen Mingzhu turned to Qin Jinlian and said, "Wait for me in the car," before getting out.

Qin Jinlian really wanted to know what Shen Mingzhu was up to and followed her out of the car.

"I’ll go in with you."

After entering the gate of the town government, Shen Mingzhu headed straight to the JSB to find Wang Feng.

Thanks to their previous interactions, Wang Feng received the three women cordially.

But when she learned of Shen Mingzhu’s intentions, Wang Feng was overjoyed, slapping her thigh in excitement.

"This is great, really great news! Come on, I’ll take you to see the mayor!"

With that, she was ready to lead Shen Mingzhu to the mayor.

Qin Jinlian, however, grew anxious and grabbed Shen Mingzhu, "Wait!"

Wang Feng, a sly one, noticed Qin Jinlian’s intentions at a glance and immediately began to butter her up.

"Auntie, you are truly remarkable, raising such an accomplished daughter who makes contributions and brings glory to Anping Town. Soon, people from ten miles around will be grateful to the Shen Family for their kindness."

Qin Jinlian was not swayed by this and pulled Shen Mingzhu aside.

"Have you lost your mind? Huh?..."

Shen Mingzhu interrupted in a calm voice, "I will take care of your matter, but you should not interfere with what I intend to do."

"Are you burning up money because you have too much of it? Do you want to piss me off to death?" Qin Jinlian fumed, stamping her foot.

Shen Mingzhu, speechless, said, "Every penny I spend is earned by me—it’s my freedom to spend it how I wish. Likewise, when you earn your money in the future, you can spend it however you like—I won’t say a word."

Having said that, Shen Mingzhu no longer paid any attention to Qin Jinlian and followed Wang Feng to meet the mayor.

"Young Tong, is Mayor Ruan in?"

"He is in, but he’s in the middle of a meeting right now."

Tong Gang eyed Shen Mingzhu while speaking in official tones.

Every day, there were too many people seeking the mayor’s attention to count; if everyone was allowed in, the mayor would get nothing done all day.

"This is Officer Tong, who is in charge of the mayor’s daily affairs and reception work."

After whispering Tong Gang’s role to Shen Mingzhu, Wang Feng walked up to him with a smile and briefly explained Shen Mingzhu’s purpose.

After listening, Tong Gang’s attitude visibly warmed up.

"Ms. Shen, please wait a moment; I’ll go inform Mayor Ruan."

Shen Mingzhu nodded, "Thank you for the trouble."

"No problem at all, take a seat, have a seat."

Having said that, as if fearing Shen Mingzhu might flee, he turned and hurriedly dashed into the mayor’s office.

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