The Stepmother’s Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era
Chapter 594 - 593: Having Too Much Money Is Not A Good Thing

Chapter 594: Chapter 593: Having Too Much Money Is Not A Good Thing

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Regarding the withdrawal of shares, Zhou Shuhuan was conflicted and struggled deeply.

On one hand, he remembered how Pei Yang had extended a helping hand during his most difficult times, for which he felt grateful and thankful.

But on the other hand, he had gone through so much trouble to finally make a name for himself, only to have others take a share of the profits.

It was as if he had painstakingly grown a peach tree that finally bore fruit, only to watch helplessly as someone else came with a basket and picked them all. He couldn’t help but feel distressed, even furious.

Shen Mingzhu had guessed correctly; he indeed wanted to use Shen Baolan’s words to test Pei Yang’s stance on the matter.

If Pei Yang was willing to back out on his own, that would be cause for celebration.

But the outcome was a huge disappointment to him.

Trying to pry away his million with just forty thousand, what bullshit brotherhood, nothing more than a hypocrite pretending to put interests last.

...

"What, eight hundred thousand? Is he a bandit?"

When Shen Baolan recounted the situation at home, Ma Sufen almost twisted her mouth with anger.

"You two have been brothers for so many years, how could he even ask for that? Heartless, deceitful couple, worse than the infamously stingy Zhou Babaipi. No wonder they can make money."

Zhou Quanxiong still maintained some calm and rationale, "Based on the agreement, how much do you have to give Xiaopei?"

"No less than eight hundred thousand." Zhou Shuhuan’s face was sullen.

He had previously understated the business situation to his family; the money in his account was far more than a million, and this year’s orders were definitely going to multiply several times over compared to last.

If he really went by the agreement, it would cost him at least two million to get back all the shares from Pei Yang.

Now, Zhou Quanxiong also lost his composure.

This year’s New Year’s Eve dinner was more lavish than the past twenty years combined, yet not a single family member was in the mood to eat, all heartbroken over the big sum of money that had to be parted with.

Only Zhou Fu, not yet four years old, was blissfully gnawing away at a piece of soy-sauce-braised pig trotter.

...

After a few hasty bites, Zhou Shuhuan put down his chopsticks and prepared to leave.

"Where are you going?"

Seeing Zhou Shuhuan’s cold face ignoring her, Shen Baolan spoke again, "It’s cold outside, put on more clothes, and come back early, okay?"

Her response was the door closing behind him.

Shen Baolan felt indignant but turned around to fawn over the elders with a smile.

The afternoon’s sarcasm from Shen Mingzhu still made her feel threatened.

She had endured for so long and finally come out on top; she was determined to secure her position as the Zhou family’s daughter-in-law and become an envied wealthy matron.

...

When Zhou Shuhuan arrived at the restaurant’s private room, the large round table was fully seated, with only the host’s seat vacant.

Under everyone’s flattery and fawning, Zhou Shuhuan was half-coaxed into taking the seat.

"Everyone’s here, right? Come on, let’s all toast to Shuhuan."

"Yes, yes, yes, let’s drink!"

"Happy New Year!"

"Pei Yang hasn’t arrived yet, Shuhuan, have you called him?"

Facing a table full of eyes, Zhou Shuhuan downed the wine before responding languidly "He’s got something tonight and can’t make it."

"Could it be that he’s under tight control from his wife and can’t get out? Haha!"

The whole table burst into laughter, and the atmosphere once again became lively.

Only He Tao glanced at Zhou Shuhuan while sipping his drink, his face thoughtful.

...

After hanging up the phone, Pei Yang sat back down cross-legged next to the coffee table and continued cutting the unfinished paper-cut pattern.

After the New Year’s Eve dinner, Shen Mingzhu cleared the coffee table and placed cushions all around it. The family of four gathered around to watch the gala while doing paper cutting, enjoying a harmonious and joyful time.

"Mom, look!"

Shen Mingzhu turned to see the paper-cut in her daughter’s hand and praised theatrically, "Wow, what a beautiful little mouse."

Pei Tang looked down seriously at the paper-cut in her hand, then corrected her mother, "Mommy, this is a rabbit paper!"

Shen Mingzhu played along, "Mommy was just teasing you. It’s obviously a rabbit, nothing like a mouse at all."

She had thought her daughter would be placated, but instead, the little face grew more serious and even more upset.

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"Mommy is a big liar, this isn’t a mouse or a paper rabbit, it’s Fugui!"

Hearing his name, Fugui under the coffee table stretched lazily, wobbled over to Pei Tang’s feet, and curiously wagged his tail.

How am I supposed to pretend it’s a god or a demon?

Why are kids these days so difficult to handle?

Shen Mingzhu muttered to herself and coaxed aloud, "Ask Mommy again, and I’ll give a new answer."

Pei Tang then imitated his earlier tone and asked her, "Mommy, look at this!"

"Wow, it’s pretty!"

"Mommy, do you know what this is?"

"I have no idea."

"This is Fugui!"

"So it’s Fugui, no wonder it looked so familiar."

Pei Tang was very satisfied with the conversation and bent down to show the paper cutting to Little Demu, "Fugui, look, this is you."

Fugui tilted his head and gazed intently at the strange paper cutting, deep in thought.

Am I that ugly?

"Fugui, what nonsense are you thinking, can’t you recognize your own appearance?"

"Woof~"

Forget it, if you say it’s me, then it must be me.

Who made you so good-looking after all.

Fugui wagged his tail and affectionately licked his little owner’s ankle.

Pei Tang happily took the paper cutting and ran to Pei Ziheng, "Brother, look~"

After receiving Pei Ziheng’s approval and compliments, he floated like a butterfly to Pei Yang’s side, "Daddy, look at the Fugui I cut!"

After earning praise from the entire family, Pei Tang joyfully returned to his spot, eager to cut paper portraits for Mommy, Daddy, Brother, Aunt, Great-Uncle, Great-Aunt, Great-Grandma, and Brother Hei Xiong.

So cute and lovable, he endeared himself to the whole family.

...

Shen Mingzhu had planned to keep the entire family up for the New Year’s Eve, but by ten o’clock, everyone had started yawning, and she too felt her eyelids growing heavy.

"Forget it, let’s sleep, we’ll wake up early tomorrow."

Her words were like a decree and the family breathed a sigh of relief.

Pei Ziheng carried his little sister to the second-floor bedroom, and Pei Yang helped her tidy up the coffee table.

Before going to bed, Shen Mingzhu presented her clenched fist to the man beside her, "Here’s a gift for you."

Pei Yang reached out, interested to receive it.

Shen Mingzhu opened her hand, and a delicately folded paper heart appeared, lying as vibrant and eye-catching as a red rose on the palm of her fair hand.

Shen Mingzhu gently placed the paper heart in the man’s hand, "Keep it safe."

Pei Yang stared at the paper heart for a while, then turned with a smile to ask her, "What does this represent?"

"Nothing really."

Shen Mingzhu turned her back to him.

Pei Yang held the paper heart, embraced her, and said affectionately, "I know, this is your answer."

Shen Mingzhu asked him, "What’s your answer then?"

Before dinner, both had asked each other a question.

Shen Mingzhu had asked Pei Yang if he regretted investing in Zhou Shuhuan, and Pei Yang had asked her if she loved him.

"I don’t regret it."

"Given another chance, I would still help Shuhuan. He’s my brother, and when he was in his most difficult time, I couldn’t just stand by and watch. I believe if it were me, he would have extended a hand without hesitation."

"Seeing him achieve what he has today, I’m truly happy for him. It’s just that, I never expected my brotherhood with him to falter in the face of money."

Pei Yang felt a little regret and was quite reflective.

"Money is a fine thing, but too much of it doesn’t seem to be a good thing either."

After sharing his reflections, he turned partially pleading, "Wife, I’ve got something to discuss with you, please don’t get angry, okay?"