The Stepmother’s Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era
Chapter 568 - 567 Zhou Hui’s Unyielding Greed, Causing Trouble

Chapter 568: Chapter 567 Zhou Hui’s Unyielding Greed, Causing Trouble

Others who couldn’t get Zhao Dafa out of their heads included Zhou Hui.

After breaking up with Zhao Dafa, relatives and friends had introduced her to quite a few potential matches, but not one of them satisfied her.

They were either widowers a decade her senior, poor bachelors who couldn’t afford a bride, or so ugly and short that they were painful to look at.

Compared to these suitors, Zhao Dafa was simply a delicacy.

Especially after a chance encounter at the market, the memories of Zhao Dafa’s past kindness made Zhou Hui all the more fixated, resolute in her desire to rekindle their old romance.

For this reason, she bought new skirts and got her hair done, dressing herself to the nines. She would walk past Zhao Dafa’s company daily, hoping to arrange another chance meeting.

Unfortunately, fate was not on her side. After several days of loitering, she hadn’t run into Zhao Dafa even once.

It was only after inquiring around that she learned Zhao Dafa’s company had moved to the newly built International Trade Building.

It was said that Zhao Dafa, in a display of lavishness, had rented an entire floor in the new International Trade Building.

This news both thrilled and saddened Zhou Hui.

She was thrilled because Zhao Dafa’s business had taken another step upward.

She was sad because she had let such a good man slip through her fingers.

...

"I’m very sorry, but our boss Zhao is not in."

Upon hearing the receptionist’s response, Zhou Hui was not discouraged, "Then I’ll wait for him."

The receptionist, knowing she was Zhao Dafa’s ex, didn’t dare to send her away and could only politely lead her to the waiting area, offering tea and snacks.

As she sipped her tea, Zhou Hui surveyed the opulent and spacious new office, which was more than double the size of the old one, feeling a surge of emotion in her heart.

Zhao Dafa was truly destined for great success!

Two receptionists were whispering gossip to each other—

"What do you think she’s looking for Zhao for? I bet she wants to get back together with him."

"Who knows? But I think she doesn’t stand a chance. Miss Shen is younger than her, has a better job, and it’s her first marriage. Men, after all, always prefer someone younger."

"That makes sense."

...

Zhou Hui had patience, sitting there for over two hours, having her tea refilled countless times before she finally saw Zhao Dafa.

"Dafa!"

Zhao Dafa was a bit surprised to see Zhou Hui, "Why are you here, what’s up?"

Zhou Hui nodded.

Zhao Dafa then had no choice but to lead her into his office and asked his secretary to prepare two cups of tea.

As the secretary was about to leave and close the door, Zhao Dafa suddenly said, "There’s no need to close the door."

The secretary, understanding the implication, opened all the doors and windows of the office and explained with a smile to Zhou Hui, "The office has been newly renovated, and the smell is still a bit strong; we need to air it out a bit."

Zhou Hui immediately recommended several plants that could be used to remove the odor and asked the secretary to buy and place them in the office.

The secretary agreed with a smile but clearly understood that the boss’s instruction not to close the door was just to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.

It also indirectly proved the boss’s attitude toward his ex and his current girlfriend.

Once the secretary had left, Zhou Hui took the initiative to start the conversation.

She talked about how her small shop was doing, and then she talked about her daughter Liang Xiaowen’s studies and grades.

Zhao Dafa listened patiently, occasionally interjecting a word or two.

When the atmosphere seemed right, Zhou Hui’s eyes suddenly reddened, "Dafa, I’ve actually never been able to forget you. I often dream about you. Xiaowen keeps talking about you too. Even when I see a car on the street that’s the same make as yours, I stop and look twice to see if it’s you."

"Zhou Hui, we need to look forward in life."

Zhou Hui’s eyes were blurry with tears as she looked at him, "Dafa, can you give me another chance? I’ve reflected over this period of time. I’ve indeed been negligent towards Xiaoyun in the past, not fulfilling my duties as a stepmother, but I can change all of that."

"I know Shen Hongmei is younger than me, but have you considered that being so young, she most definitely wants to have her own children?"

"If you don’t agree to have a child, will she just let it go? If you do have one, can you guarantee that she won’t favor her own child in the future?"

"I’m different. I have Xiaowen, and Xiaowen won’t compete with Xiaoyun for anything, and I will take care of Xiaoyun as if he were my own son."

Zhao Dafa sipped his tea and spoke leisurely, "Zhou Hui, all that you’re saying seems irrelevant to me."

Zhou Hui was incredulous, "You mean to say, you plan to have a second child with Shen Hongmei?"

"Zhou Hui, it’s over between us, and I hope from now on you won’t come to the company. I don’t want to be misunderstood, and I don’t wish to upset Hongmei. I wish you all the best in finding a good man soon."

As she walked out of the International Trade Building, Zhou Hui couldn’t help but look up at the floor where Zhao Dafa worked, filled with resentment, unable to understand.

In every aspect, she was no worse than Shen Hongmei. Zhao Dafa was willing to let Shen Hongmei have a second child, but not with her.

That wretch Shen Hongmei just put on a facade of decency, but was in fact sly as a fox.

The more Zhou Hui thought about it, the more she couldn’t get over it, convinced that Shen Hongmei had stolen her man.

...

"Now, let’s discuss this week’s work plan and schedule..."

"Manager Shen."

Shen Hongmei was conducting a departmental meeting when her attention was suddenly drawn by the security guard’s voice, "Someone outside is looking for you."

Before Shen Hongmei could inquire, the security guard urged her, "You better go have a look."

Noticing the unusual expression on the security guard’s face, Shen Hongmei had no choice but to postpone the meeting.

Arriving at the factory entrance, she was not surprised to see Zhou Hui and her entourage.

On her way over, the security guard had already informed her.

"You’re Shen Hongmei? The shameless wretch who has no decency, how expert you are at seducing other people’s men."

"I heard you’re even a little leader. I bet you got that position through unsavory means too, right?"

"Everyone, come look! This vixen, this mistress, this tramp specializes in seducing other people’s men."

As soon as Shen Hongmei appeared, the several women with Zhou Hui began pointing at her and cursing her out loud.

Yet the factory gate was locked, and apart from shouting through the iron bars, the women couldn’t harm Shen Hongmei.

Shen Hongmei turned to the security guard to call the police and then raised the digital voice recorder in her hand.

"I’m recording. Every insult you hurl is going to be evidence in court."

The women paused.

"Oh, you’ve got the nerve to record? What if I curse you out, you’re going to come out? Let’s see if you could still seduce men after I’ve disfigured your face!"

"Whom have I seduced?"

One of them rolled up their sleeves, sneered contemptuously, "Alright, since you’ve abandoned all sense of shame, don’t blame us for exposing your true colors!"

"Just answer me this, are you or are you not together with Zhao Dafa?"

Shen Hongmei scoffed, "I think you must’ve been raised on shit to spew such nonsense. I walk a straight path, and sitting upright, I am dating Zhao Dafa. What’s it to you?"

"Spit!"

Another woman spat forcefully towards Shen Hongmei’s face.

Luckily, Shen Hongmei dodged quickly; otherwise, the spit would have landed on her face.

"You really have some thick skin. Zhao Dafa was in a good relationship with our sister, they even had their wedding. If not for you, this harlot, sticking your nose in, they might even have had a child by now!"

This commotion swiftly attracted a crowd of onlookers.