The Stepmother’s Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era
Chapter 610 - 609: Establishment of Central China Branch Company

Chapter 610: Chapter 609: Establishment of Central China Branch Company

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Time flies, passing swiftly by.

Two years later.

"Crackle, pop, crackle, pop..."

In the deafening sound of firecrackers, Shen Mingzhu, Du Juan, and Shen Chaobei covered their ears and exchanged joyful smiles.

Today is a great day for the establishment of the Central China Branch Company.

In these two years, Shen Mingzhu spent the first year mainly focusing on product innovation and development, aiming to create high-quality and safe products, and achieved very good results.

In the following year, Shen Mingzhu began to layout and explore new markets.

After nearly a year of on-site research, she finally decided to set up the second branch company in Jiangcheng.

Jiangcheng is located in the eastern part of the Jianghan Plain. Not only is it a historic and cultural city, but it is also the economic center of the Central China region.

A year ago, upon learning that Shen Mingzhu intended to establish the Central China Branch Company, Du Juan volunteered to lead the charge and came to Central China to develop the market.

After years of experience, Du Juan had indeed grown into a career woman.

Shen Mingzhu was also willing to fulfill her ambition.

Du Juan did not disappoint her, quickly opening up sales channels in the Central China region and establishing the branch company.

The opening ceremony was followed by a celebration party.

The branch company had grown from the initial couple, Du Juan and Shen Chaobei, to a small enterprise with fifty employees.

Although Shen Mingzhu was not in charge of the branch’s business, she had visited almost every month over the year to understand the operating conditions and oversee important decisions. Therefore, she was familiar with the employees and, after being coerced into drinking a few glasses of alcohol, quickly found an excuse to leave early.

"After so many years, your alcohol tolerance hasn’t increased at all."

In the taxi, seeing Shen Mingzhu leaning against the seat with flushed cheeks, Du Juan couldn’t help teasing her.

Squinting through drunk eyes, Shen Mingzhu looked over, "Big sister, you’ve changed quite a bit."

Her hair was styled high, she wore a light blue silk shirt, wide-leg trousers, black high heels, and her makeup was exquisite, every strand of her hair exuding the mature competence of a powerful woman.

With a laugh and a sigh, Du Juan said, "Time spares no one. This morning, while washing my face, I found another wrinkle at the corner of my eye. I can only apply makeup to cover it up and deceive myself."

Shen Mingzhu was already 28, and Du Juan was five years her senior.

Men bloom at thirty but a thirty-year-old woman starts to decline.

Physical functions degrade, metabolism slows, skin slackens and loses its elasticity, and the figure starts to distort.

No woman is unafraid of aging, and Shen Mingzhu is the same.

She often felt undue anxiety and restlessness about the upcoming thirties.

"Actually, it’s not a big deal. Everyone gets older, and every stage has its own beauty."

It seemed like she was consoling Du Juan, but she was actually consoling herself as well.

The taxi driver was also a woman, older than both of them. Hearing their conversation, she joined in.

"What’s there to worry about? Life is about attitude. No matter if you’re thirty or fifty, as long as you eat well, drink well, and live without illness or worry, you’ll live forever young!"

"You’re right, big sister really knows how to live," Shen Mingzhu replied with a laugh.

Du Juan echoed in agreement.

With their encouragement, the driver opened up and started chatting about everything under the sun, from astronomy to geography, speaking fluently and incessantly.

Upon asking, they found out that the driver used to be a teacher, teaching geography and history, and had turned to driving a taxi due to life circumstances.

Du Juan exchanged pager numbers with the driver.

Shen Mingzhu knew clearly that Du Juan exchanging contact information with the driver wasn’t just for the convenience of future rides.

Being newcomers in a strange place, having a local driver like her to show the way can often make things much easier.

Back at the hotel.

As soon as she opened the door to her room, she saw a big bunch of bright red roses and the air was filled with a fragrant floral scent.

Shen Mingzhu’s lips curled up unconsciously, she closed the door, walked to the bouquet, set down her bag, and picked up the square box next to the flowers.

Before she could open it, the cell phone in her bag rang.

"Are you done being busy?"

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The call had barely connected when Pei Yang’s familiar voice came through.

"Mmm."

Shen Mingzhu tilted her head, holding the phone to her ear while continuing to open the box.

Hearing her voice sound a bit off, Pei Yang asked with a laugh, "What are you doing?"

"Guess."

The box was quickly opened to reveal a yellow quartz keychain.

When she picked it up, the quartz clinked with a crisp ding-dong sound.

"Are you back at the hotel?"

"Mmm."

"Did the celebration end that quickly?"

"It hasn’t ended, but I took off early. These youngsters are too good at socializing; if I hadn’t left, I would have ended up under the table."

"Did you drink a lot? Are you feeling okay?"

"I’m fine, just a bit dizzy. I’ll feel better after some sleep."

Shen Mingzhu kicked off her shoes, climbed into bed, and lay there, swinging the quartz keychain above her head towards the crystal chandelier.

Under the light, the crystal beads shone with a sparkling clarity.

"Are you going to sleep? I wanted to talk to you a bit more."

Listening to his muttering on the phone, Shen Mingzhu’s lips curled up, "What’s there to talk about? When I get back, you can talk to your heart’s content."

"Okay then. By the way, you got the flowers and the grand opening gifts I sent, right?"

Before going back to the hotel, Shen Mingzhu had managed to stay somewhat sober, but now, lying on the soft bed, she felt completely dazed, as the man’s voice seemed to come from far away.

Too lazy to reply, she tossed the phone beside the pillow and buried her head in sleep.

On the other end of the phone, Pei Yang was waiting for Shen Mingzhu’s response.

"Hello? Are you there? Wife?"

"Wife? Wife?"

Not even a word of goodbye and she ignored me.

After calling out several times with no response, he grumbled in displeasure.

"Pei, are you fighting with your sister-in-law?"

Turning his head, he saw the female employee who had come into the office at some point, Pei Yang put on a serious face, "Xiao Dai, what is it?"

"There’s a document that needs your review."

Dai Mingfang approached with a smile, placing the document in front of him.

As she came closer, a sweet fragrance of orange blossom wafted into his nostrils.

Pei Yang glanced at Dai Mingfang and began to flip through the document, saying, "These trivial matters, like delivering documents, can be given to Xiaoshe in the future."

"It’s the same who delivers them. I’m new here; it’s only right for me to learn and do more."

Hearing her reply, Pei Yang didn’t waste words and seriously began to peruse the document.

After he had signed the document, Dai Mingfang brought up the topic he had ignored earlier in a joking tone, "Pei, I heard you on the phone with your sister-in-law when I came in. Did you make her upset? Do you need me to help you think of a solution..."

Pei Yang interrupted her, "Xiao Dai, you’ve been with the company for over half a month now. Any thoughts?"

Dai Mingfang was quick to respond, discussing the company’s philosophy, management models, and systems, and even offered some personal opinions and suggestions.

"...Pei, what do you think about my ideas?"

"Good, very good."

Pleased with his praise, Dai Mingfang couldn’t help but be happy.

"Xiao Dai, I think clerical work is beneath your talents. How about this, starting tomorrow you’ll work at the People’s Road Store; they need a reserve store manager there."

Dai Mingfang was both shocked and delighted, "Pei, I will do my best and won’t let down your training."

"Mmm, get back to work now."

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