The Stepmother’s Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era
Chapter 552 - 551: Love and Not Love are Very Obvious

Chapter 552: Chapter 551: Love and Not Love are Very Obvious

"Hongmei, do you know how to tell if a man loves you or not?"

Shen Hongmei was taken aback, her cheeks flushing with heat as she guiltily glanced at Huang Ju.

She and Zhao Dafa’s affair was still a secret at this stage.

Fortunately, Huang Ju did not notice her reaction, but was filled with curiosity about what President Shen had said.

"President Shen, how can you tell?"

"See if he’s willing to spend money on you. A man who is willing to spend money on you may not truly love you, but one who isn’t willing definitely doesn’t love you."

Huang Ju thought it over and bobbed her head like a pecking chicken, "That’s really true. My granny doesn’t like me, thinks I’m just a girl. She glares at me for a long time even if I take an extra piece of meat."

"But my dad is different. He always buys me things behind my granny’s back and secretly gives me pocket money."

Huang Ju was forever single from birth; her family’s attitude towards her was all she could think of.

Shen Hongmei, however, thought of the pager hidden inside her handbag’s inner pocket, her cheeks a vivid rush of blush.

By that logic, Zhao Dafa must really like her too, since he had given her such an expensive gift before they even confirmed their relationship.

...

"Here, dip it in the sauce and try it, see how it tastes."

Zhao Dafa placed the roast duck wrapped in lotus leaf cake into Shen Hongmei’s bowl and considerately told her how to eat it.

"Thank you, Brother Zhao."

Shen Hongmei took a bite of the roast duck, saw Zhao Dafa watching her, and smiled shyly, "It’s really tasty."

Zhao Dafa smiled along, "As long as it’s good, take your time, there are other dishes too."

"Mhm."

Shen Hongmei continued to eat her roast duck, her mind circling back to the words Mingzhu had said in the office that afternoon.

After finishing a piece of roast duck, Shen Hongmei summoned up her courage to speak, "Brother Zhao."

"Hmm, what is it?"

"Do you have someone you deeply admire?"

Zhao Dafa was startled, then nodded with a smile, "Yes, many..."

Zhao Dafa casually named a few tycoons in the same industry, telling Shen Hongmei about their identities and their glorious deeds.

Shen Hongmei listened, entranced, until she snapped back to reality and remembered why she had brought it up.

"Brother Zhao, do you know who I admire the most?"

"Who?"

"I admire Mingzhu the most..."

Shen Hongmei recounted all the charitable acts Mingzhu had done over the years, including the recent paving of cement roads in the town and the expansion of the farmers’ market, without leaving any detail out.

After listening, Zhao Dafa was somewhat shocked.

He knew Mingzhu was a capable woman and could foresee her extraordinary future achievements but was unaware she had done so many good deeds in private.

He considered himself a magnanimous and righteous person, never stingy in lending a hand to struggling relatives and friends.

Yet compared to Mingzhu, his vision and generosity were far too shallow.

"... When I have money and the ability in the future, I want to be like Mingzhu, making a contribution to the construction of my hometown."

"There will be a day for that, no weak soldiers under a strong general. Sister Shen is impressive, and you’re not bad either."

"Mhm."

Shen Hongmei smiled at Zhao Dafa and lowered her head to continue eating.

After dinner, the two strolled around the restaurant area before Zhao Dafa drove Shen Hongmei back near her dormitory around ten o’clock.

"Brother Zhao, I’m off. Be careful on the way back."

"Mhm, goodbye."

After watching the Santana drive away, Shen Hongmei walked back to her dormitory feeling a bit dejected.

She tossed and turned all night.

The next day at work, Shen Hongmei was unusually distracted, zoning out from time to time.

Yesterday, she mentioned the renovation of the old street in front of Zhao Dafa, actually wanting to test whether Zhao Dafa would make a statement—whether he would, like Pei Ke, actively donate some funds.

On one hand, she felt her idea was somewhat unreasonable, forcing others to do something difficult.

Zhao Dafa was not from Anping Town, and they had just begun dating. Why should he pay for her dream?

Yet she couldn’t control the disappointment within her heart.

During the time they had spent together, Zhao Dafa’s thoughtfulness and care had not only fulfilled her and brought sweetness but also slowly raised the expectations in her heart.

She shouldn’t be so greedy.

She really must be seriously ill to have started hallucinating Zhao Dafa’s voice.

Shen Hongmei chuckled at herself, ready to focus on her work, but then she caught a glimpse of Shen Mingzhu and Zhao Dafa walking past the office.

The moment she looked up, Zhao Dafa even smiled at her.

Why had he come?

What was he doing here?

Shen Hongmei’s heart inevitably began to beat rapidly.

Seeing Shen Mingzhu return to the office, Shen Hongmei quickly stood up to find Shen Mingzhu, but halfway there, she returned to her desk, picking up documents that needed approval and tidied her hair, trying to look less eager.

"President Shen."

"Just leave it there, I’ll have Huang Ju send it back to you after I deal with it in a bit."

Shen Hongmei stood still, "What is Brother Zhao doing at the factory?"

Shen Mingzhu glanced up at her, "What do you think?"

"How would I know."

Shen Hongmei’s voice couldn’t hide her guilt and nervousness.

Shen Mingzhu laughed in a way that carried hidden meaning, "I’m also surprised. Why did Brother Zhao suddenly come to give me money, saying it was a sponsorship for building a farmers’ market for the town?"

Shen Hongmei’s heart skipped a beat, and she mumbled vaguely, "I just casually mentioned it during dinner yesterday, so, how much did Brother Zhao give?"

Shen Mingzhu folded her arms across her chest, "Take another guess."

Shen Hongmei’s lips twitched, "Five thousand?"

Shen Mingzhu shook her head.

"Then, three thousand?"

The pager he had gifted her had cost over two thousand, so it didn’t make sense for him to donate just a thousand or two for construction.

Seemingly understanding her thoughts, Shen Mingzhu didn’t keep her in suspense any longer. She pulled open a drawer and took out a package wrapped in brown paper.

By its shape, it was clear to be money.

But the thickness...

Shen Hongmei blinked, wondering if they were all large-denomination bills.

Shen Mingzhu placed the heavy, brick-like object into Shen Hongmei’s hands, "You take a look."

Shen Hongmei unwrapped the brown paper, and upon seeing the cash inside, her heart felt not joy but deep shame and unease.

When she had spoken those words in front of Zhao Dafa, indeed she harbored selfishness and scheming.

Yet now that she had gotten what she wished for, she despised herself.

In the end, she wasn’t the sort of person who would scheme for personal gain.

"President Shen, this money, perhaps we should return it to Brother Zhao."

Shen Mingzhu teased her, "You weren’t afraid when you used this method to test him. Have you lost your nerve now?"

Shen Hongmei bashfully nodded, "I didn’t expect Brother Zhao to give so much. I thought he’d donate at most ten thousand or so."

"Hongmei, even I can see through your thoughts. Do you think Brother Zhao wouldn’t be able to? Then you’re seriously underestimating his ability, honed over many years in the business world."

"He knows what you’re thinking, and he could have completely played dumb. But he brought this money, even much more than you imagined. He’s not a fool easily parted from his money; rather, he wants to show you his attitude towards you with this gesture."

"I think that over the years, Zhou Hui may not have failed to make similar requests to Brother Zhao, but it’s clear Zhao hasn’t given in."

"That’s how men are, their love or lack of it is very obvious."