The Stepmother’s Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era
Chapter 564 - 563: The Return of Zhao Yun’s Mother

Chapter 564: Chapter 563: The Return of Zhao Yun’s Mother

Upon encountering each other suddenly, all three felt a bit awkward.

Although Shen Hongmei had mentally prepared herself to face Zhou Hui, her ex, she didn’t expect to be caught so quickly.

Even though she considered herself to be open and honest, she still felt uneasy under Zhou Hui’s scrutinizing and hostile gaze.

"Zhou Hui, long time no see, what have you been busy with lately?"

Zhao Dafa’s attempt at small talk temporarily diverted Zhou Hui’s attention.

"Just keeping busy, I’ve started a little shop, selling some barbecue and fried skewers and stuff."

Zhao Dafa nodded, "That’s pretty good, owning a business of your own."

Looking at Zhao Dafa’s spirited face, Zhou Hui’s heart couldn’t help but ache.

After half a year, she found that Zhao Dafa had become even more handsome and charming.

Her lonely and reluctant heart couldn’t help but stir, and her tone softened, "Dafa, my shop is just up ahead, come sit for a bit and try my cooking. I specifically learned the barbecue recipes from a master, and I have a lot of repeat customers."

"I’ve got other things to do today, maybe next time. I have to go now."

Having said that, he casually took Shen Hongmei’s hand and pulled her as they walked toward the market.

Staring at the two holding hands affectionately, Zhou Hui’s face twisted with anger.

This bitch Shen Hongmei, she really ended up with Zhao Dafa!

Entering the market, Zhao Dafa not only didn’t let go of Shen Hongmei’s wrist, but rather grasped her hand.

This was their first time holding hands since they began dating.

Although Zhao Dafa had held her hand before, it had always been with the intention of providing comfort and encouragement.

Right now, the act of holding hands was a display of intimacy between a couple.

Shen Hongmei’s face bloomed like a radiant dawn.

Having walked only a few steps, Zhao Dafa suddenly leaned his head closer to her, "Are you that afraid of her? Your palm is all sweaty."

Facing Zhao Dafa’s teasing, Shen Hongmei denied it with feigned composure, "I’m not afraid of her, what’s there to be afraid of?"

"Could it be that you’re afraid of me?" Zhao Dafa asked again.

"No."

She was simply not accustomed to such public displays of affection.

Even though she had been intimate with Ma Chao, and they had done intimate things, back then she was young and their emotions were discreet and restrained.

At most, they would hide on an unpopulated mountain or in a haystack for a hug or a kiss.

In front of others, they never dared any intimate gestures; even when walking on the road, they would consciously keep their distance.

Even though she was past the age of youthful ignorance, she still had the innate conservatism and shyness of a young girl.

"It’s good that you’re not."

Zhao Dafa didn’t tease her further, but led her to a vegetable stall and let her pick vegetables she liked to eat.

Zhao Dafa himself started chatting with the vendor, looking like they were acquainted.

After Zhao Dafa finished chatting with the vendor, Shen Hongmei had also chosen her vegetables.

Noticing Zhao Dafa staring at the basket of vegetables, Shen Hongmei felt a bit nervous, "What’s wrong, did I not pick well?"

Zhao Dafa smiled at her, "No, you picked very well, it just so happens they’re all Xiaoyun’s favorites."

"I just chose at random."

There aren’t that many coincidences in the world, it’s mostly a matter of careful thought.

Zhao Dafa naturally understood this principle.

But he did not dislike such careful planning, on the contrary, he was very pleased.

After buying the vegetables, the two of them returned to the Zhao Family’s home.

On her first visit, Shen Hongmei was very thorough with her etiquette. In addition to fruits, tea, tobacco, liquor, and pastries, she also prepared individual gifts for Zhao Yun and Aunt Deng.

Since they were all familiar with each other, their interaction was harmonious.

```

After dinner, Shen Hongmei was watching TV at the Zhao Family’s for a while before noticing it was getting late, and got up to say goodbye.

Zhao Dafa drove her home.

"How about that, didn’t lie to you, did I? Xiaoyun really likes you, and Aunt Deng has a good impression of you too, saying you’re better than Zhou Hui."

"Xiaoyun is a sensible kid, very polite to people, and Aunt Deng is also very amiable, and the food she makes is delicious."

Hearing her say this, Zhao Dafa’s smile on his face deepened a bit.

He was very satisfied with today’s dinner as well.

Shen Hongmei looked out the car window, feeling not as relaxed as she appeared on the surface.

Although Zhao Yun was smiling and respectful to her on the surface, as a woman, she could clearly feel that Zhao Yun was not as enthusiastic and affectionate towards her as before.

She thought that Zhao Yun must be unable to accept the change in their relationship for the time being.

Before getting into a relationship with Zhao Dafa, she also treated Zhao Yun as a younger brother, after all, their age difference was only eleven years.

...

"Sigh, Ziheng, Aunt Hongmei and my dad are really getting together, what should I do?"

Looking at Zhao Yun’s worried expression, Pei Ziheng asked in puzzlement, "Didn’t you used to really want Aunt Hongmei to be your stepmom? Why don’t you like it now?"

Zhao Yun fretfully squeezed the small rubber ball in his hand, "It’s not that I don’t like Aunt Hongmei, it’s just, well..."

Zhao Yun hesitated, "I’m going to tell you, but you can’t tell anyone else, including Aunt Mingzhu."

"Then don’t say it."

Zhao Yun: "..."

"Aren’t you curious about what I’m going to tell you?"

"I’m not interested in your business."

Zhao Yun: Felt like he had received a critical hit!

"Then just don’t tell Aunt Mingzhu for now, I haven’t even told my dad about this yet."

Pei Ziheng neither agreed nor disagreed, "First, tell me what it’s about."

Zhao Yun got up to close the door of the room, then sneaked up close to Pei Ziheng, "My mom came back."

"Which mom?"

"How many moms do I have? Of course, it’s my biological mom!"

Pei Ziheng watched him, "Since when?"

Zhao Yun intermittently squeezed the rubber ball in his hand, "For about half a month now."

No wonder Zhao Yun always seemed eager to go out alone during this time, returning each time looking very happy. He had thought Zhao Yun might be secretly dating some girl, but it turned out he was going to see his biological mother.

Pei Ziheng asked, "Why did she come back at this time?"

Zhao Yun briefly explained the situation of his biological mother, He Liyi.

After giving birth to Zhao Yun, because the Zhao family was very poor and she couldn’t get along with Mrs. Zhao, she ran off to work elsewhere in a huff.

She originally intended to earn money and then come back for Zhao Yun, but after leaving, she was deceived into a black workshop, where, rather than earning money, she couldn’t even get enough to eat, working like an animal every day with only four to five hours of sleep, and deteriorated her health severely.

"...She said she was too ashamed to come back to me and dad, and all these years she’s been doing odd jobs to get by. Last year, she was diagnosed with lung cancer, and only then did she manage to scrape together the fare to come back and find me."

"She said she didn’t want to affect me and my dad, just wanted to make up for past mistakes and spend more time with me before she died."

Zhao Yun’s face showed a distress not fitting for his age, "I really like Aunt Hongmei, but she is after all my biological mom."

Zhao Yun’s dilemma made it clear that between his stepmom and biological mom, he chose his biological mom.

After all, blood is thicker than water.

In the heart of a child, no matter how good a stepmom is, she can’t compare to the importance of a biological mom.

Pei Ziheng said, "Have you ever considered that she might have come back for you only because she saw that your dad is now rich?"

Zhao Yun retorted defiantly, "Isn’t it the same for Zhou Hui and Aunt Hongmei? They’re willing to date my dad because he’s rich too, right? Otherwise, who’d want a little old man like him?"

```