The Stepmother’s Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era
Chapter 554 - 553: Apologizing in Person

Chapter 554: Chapter 553: Apologizing in Person

"Mrs. Ning, when did you get back?"

Seeing Zhuang Xueqi playing with the child in her arms, Shen Mingzhu was quite surprised.

Ever since Zhuang Xueqi went to Hong City last year to give birth, they hadn’t seen each other until now.

"A few days ago."

Zhuang Xueqi casually answered her and then continued to play with the baby in her arms.

The once spoiled and glamorous young miss now had a few more traces of motherliness and gentleness on her face.

At Zhong Qing’s invitation, Shen Mingzhu handed over the items she had brought to the nanny and then sat down on the bed to chat with Zhong Qing.

Shen Mingzhu had just sat down when Zhuang Xueqi handed the child back to the maternity matron and took out two invitations from her purse.

She gave one to Zhong Qing and handed the other to Shen Mingzhu.

"Next month is my child’s first birthday party. If you’re free, bring your child over to play."

Shen Mingzhu readily agreed, "Sure, Mrs. Ning, I’ll definitely be there."

After Zhuang Xueqi left.

Shen Mingzhu opened the beautifully embossed invitation and her eyelids twitched when she saw the date.

"Oh no!"

Zhong Qing, who was watching the two children, looked over when she heard the exclamation and asked gently, "What’s wrong?"

"I have an appointment on the fifth. I promised the mayor to attend the school’s anniversary cultural performance at the town middle school, and I have to discuss some matters. If I skip the birthday party, won’t Mrs. Ning think I’m unappreciative?"

The Ning Family giving her this invitation as a small boss was really a sign of high regard.

It was rare to see her pull such a long face, which made Zhong Qing laugh.

"Isn’t that simple? Just say you’re sick and don’t want to spread germs to the kid."

While it was a good excuse, Shen Mingzhu didn’t want to use it.

She already felt guilty about selling the designer bag that Zhuang Xueqi had given her.

It was fortunate that Zhuang Xueqi didn’t hold a grudge.

What’s done once can’t be done twice; she didn’t want to ruin this trust and friendship.

"I’ll just tell the truth."

Knowing her decision, Zhong Qing showed admiration in her eyes, "Don’t worry, I’ll put in a good word for you. Xueqi isn’t the petty type."

"Qingqing, you’re the best! What have I done to deserve such a beautiful, kind, and gentle friend like you?"

Watching Shen Mingzhu link arms with her and flatter up a storm, Zhong Qing raised her hand indulgently and patted her forehead.

"Don’t worry, even without your flattery, I’d still help you."

"Hehe."

Two days later.

Shen Mingzhu brought gifts and paid a visit to the Ning Family.

She didn’t know if it was because of the addition of two children, but the servants at the Ning Family seemed to have increased significantly, bustling everywhere she went.

"Mrs. Ning."

Zhuang Xueqi sat on the living room sofa, watching the nanny play with the twins on the playmat, and casually called her to sit when she arrived.

"Have a seat."

Shen Mingzhu placed the items she brought on the coffee table, "I made some coarse grain teething sticks and cheese sweets that are low in sugar, oil, and salt, perfect for one-year-old children."

Zhuang Xueqi gestured for the nanny to put the items away.

"Just tell the nanny directly if you want to drink something."

Shen Mingzhu asked for a lemon water and then turned her gaze to the twins on the playmat.

Perhaps because of in vitro fertilization, the two didn’t look much alike, but one could see shadows of Zhuang Xueqi and Ning Yuan in them.

Shen Mingzhu picked out the nicest things to say and praised the two children, then took out the red envelopes she had prepared for them.

Facing Zhuang Xueqi’s puzzled and uncomprehending gaze, Shen Mingzhu steeled herself and explained why she wouldn’t be able to attend next month’s birthday party.

After listening, Zhuang Xueqi didn’t say anything and just looked at her with crossed arms.

"Mrs. Ning, are you angry with me?"

"What do you think?"

Zhuang Xueqi lifted the teacup before her and took a sip, her voice laced with mockery, "This first birthday party sent out a total of three hundred invitations, and you were the only one who refused to attend."

"I admit my guilt. I really wanted to come, I did." Shen Mingzhu said earnestly.

Setting down her cup, Zhuang Xueqi inquired, "I’m curious, what sort of benefits could a small, broken-down town’s literary performance offer you to make you turn down the Ning Family’s banquet?"

Shen Mingzhu contemplated then earnestly replied, "The benefit is that I can maintain my reputation as a person whose word is as good as gold."

"That’s it?"

"Yes."

Zhuang Xueqi scoffed, "Fine, I don’t like to coerce people. If you don’t want to come, so be it. Anything else?"

Ignoring the obvious hint to leave, Shen Mingzhu stood up and placed two red envelopes and a pair of gold locks in front of Zhuang Xueqi.

"These are my little gifts for the children. The presents might be modest, but they are filled with heartfelt wishes. I hope they grow up healthy, safe, and happy."

Zhuang Xueqi glanced at the items and lazily responded, "It’s the thought that counts."

Seeing that Zhuang Xueqi had cooled off a bit, Shen Mingzhu presented another "secret weapon," "Mrs. Ning, this is the yield on your funds over the past two years. It might not be much, but it’s enough for the children’s pocket money."

Zhuang Xueqi scoffed as she flipped through the report, "Had you not mentioned it, I would have completely forgotten about it."

That was the strength of a wealthy lady; she’d completely forgotten about over two hundred thousand just like that.

She, on the other hand, could remember exactly where she might have lost a twenty, down to the nook and cranny.

Shen Mingzhu, who knew all too well not to put all her eggs in one basket, had made various plans for the money.

A portion of the funds was invested in gold futures. Although the international market price of gold had dropped from last year to the first half of this year, it had slowly climbed back up in the second half, currently sitting at a profit.

Beyond gold futures, Shen Mingzhu had also bought shops and commercial buildings.

Apart from the value-added by the properties themselves, the annual rental income was also quite considerable.

On top of that, Shen Mingzhu had invested in two taxis.

Altogether, the total yield on Zhuang Xueqi’s 250,000 capital had reached 30%.

Zhuang Xueqi closed the report, her fox-like eyes measured Shen Mingzhu from head to toe, and hummed, "I didn’t expect it, but you do have an eye for investments."

"It’s just luck, and I also owe it to Mrs. Ning’s trust in me."

Zhuang Xueqi chuckled, but her mood evidently improved quite a bit.

"Have a seat for a while."

With that, she got up and left.

It wasn’t Shen Mingzhu’s place to ask where she was going; heaven forbid she was off to defecate, how awkward that would be.

Looking for something to occupy her, she walked over to the play mat, amusing the two children while chatting with the nanny about their condition.

However, her queries were all non-invasive, such as weight, the number of teeth they had, whether they had started learning to walk, and so on.

About ten minutes later, Zhuang Xueqi returned to the living room.

She handed Shen Mingzhu a cheque, "Take this money and continue to invest it for me."

Seeing the amount on the check, Shen Mingzhu’s breath hitched.

"Mrs. Ning, all investments carry risks, I think..."

"Don’t worry about losses; if there are profits, twenty percent of them will be your commission."

Shen Mingzhu promptly pocketed the cheque, "... I see no issue with that."

Money that comes knocking at your door isn’t to be turned down.

Seemingly discerning her avaricious thoughts, Zhuang Xueqi snorted derisively and handed her the large paper bag she was holding.

Shen Mingzhu immediately recognized the Ma Family’s LOGO printed on the bag.

"I bought this earlier, but I don’t like it anymore; consider it a gift."

Shen Mingzhu rubbed her hands together, "I really shouldn’t, how could I."

Zhuang Xueqi grabbed her wrist, hanging the bag from it, and with a mocking smile said, "Dare to try selling it off, and see if I don’t make things difficult for you."

"I won’t, absolutely not. I swear on my beauty!"

Shen Mingzhu raised her finger.

The entire living room burst into laughter at her gesture.

This scene was also witnessed by Ning Yuan and Yan Yi as they happened to arrive home.

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