The Stepmother’s Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era
Chapter 641 - 640: The Road is Chosen by Oneself

Chapter 641: Chapter 640: The Road is Chosen by Oneself

Shen Mingzhu raised an eyebrow, found a seat without any hurry, and adjusted her posture before she leisurely began, "Where does this come from?"

Shen Hongmei said angrily, "Mrs. Yan has spread the word. Now many companies, including Longchang, dare not cooperate with Dafa, or else they’ll offend the Yan Family and the Zhong Family. If Mrs. Yan is doing this, isn’t it because of you?"

"I was not aware of this matter, nor did I instruct anyone to target Brother Zhao’s company."

Shen Hongmei nodded, "Even if you weren’t aware, can you deny that Mrs. Yan is doing this to take your side?"

Shen Mingzhu neither denied nor confirmed, "Perhaps."

Shen Hongmei stared at her for a while before softening her tone, "Mingzhu, I have let you down, and you have every right to hate me and retaliate against me, but could you please spare Brother Zhao?"

"I will reiterate once more that I have nothing to do with this matter."

"But Mrs. Yan must be doing all this for you. With just one word from her, Brother Zhao’s company can barely survive. Could you please speak to Mrs. Yan and ask her to let Brother Zhao off?"

Seeing Shen Mingzhu unmoved, she bit her lip, stood up, walked in front of Shen Mingzhu, and slowly knelt down.

"Mingzhu, I’m begging you. Please, have mercy and let Brother Zhao go, will you?"

"Please, get up first."

"I won’t unless you agree. If you don’t, I will kneel forever."

Shen Mingzhu sneered, "Then remain kneeling."

As she watched her cold indifference, Shen Hongmei could no longer hold back her tears and broke down crying, "What will it take for you to forgive me?"

Shen Mingzhu observed her, "Regarding you leaving the food factory, I indeed felt regret and sorrow, but I don’t blame you, hold any grudges against you, nor do I seek revenge."

Shen Hongmei wiped her tears, "I didn’t want to come to you either, but what else could I do? Should I just watch as the business Brother Zhao has worked so hard on for so many years falls apart?"

Watching her sob, Shen Mingzhu couldn’t help but feel annoyed.

The person she had mentored with her own hands, she had thought yearned to spread her wings to forge her path and achievements. And this was the outcome?

"Brother Zhao sought me out a few days ago. Did you know that?"

Seeing Shen Hongmei sobbing without a word, Shen Mingzhu scoffed, "You certainly have more self-control than Zhou Hui."

With tearful eyes, Shen Hongmei asked, "What did Brother Zhao say when he found you?"

"He apologized on your behalf, saying that you were young and impulsive and did not fully consider your actions. He hoped that I wouldn’t hold it against you."

"What else?"

"That’s all. However, Brother Zhao must have realized that his predicament is related to Qingqing, but from start to finish, he never pleaded on his own behalf. Hongmei, why do you think Brother Zhao didn’t broach that with me? Does he not care about his company’s survival?"

"Given what I know about Brother Zhao, he is aware that he’s in the wrong and wouldn’t coerce anyone. Instead of humiliating yourself here, you’d better go home and reflect on how not to make further mistakes and stop forcing Brother Zhao to clean up your messes."

Having said that, Shen Mingzhu didn’t bother with Shen Hongmei, who was still kneeling, and stood up to attend a meeting in the conference room.

...

After the meeting, Pei Wenping made a point to walk with Shen Mingzhu.

"What did she come to find you for this time?"

Pei Wenping didn’t name names, but Shen Mingzhu knew she was referring to Shen Hongmei.

She briefly explained the situation regarding Zhao Dafa’s company.

Upon hearing this, Pei Wenping cursed Shen Hongmei for getting what she deserved, "She really is delusional, actually hoping that you would plead on her behalf."

Yes, Shen Hongmei should have realized there would be a day like this when she chose to betray their friendship for her own benefit.

Although she had no intention of advocating for Shen Hongmei, Shen Mingzhu still went to see Zhong Qing to inquire about Longchang’s situation.

"I initially acted out of respect for you and provided her husband with a livelihood. When she chose to betray you, she forfeited that favor. She made her own choice, and she should bear the consequences herself,"

Shen Mingzhu felt contemplative, "Qingqing, had she not come to me today, I wouldn’t have known you had done so much behind the scenes."

"I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want to burden you. Your greatest flaw is that you are too considerate, always fearing that you owe someone a favor,"

"It’s because you’ve all been too good to me, to a point where I can’t possibly reciprocate."

Or perhaps, her values and upbringing made her unable to comfortably accept the generosity of others.

Zhong Qing looked at her leisurely, "Now that you know it was me, the villain, doing the mischief behind the scenes, what do you plan to do? Will you defend her?"

Shen Mingzhu pointed at her own face, "Do you see the words ’Holy Mother’ carved on my face?"

Zhong Qing snorted lightly, "It’s for the best, if you dare to plead for mercy, I would only get angrier."

Shen Mingzhu said with a giggle, "What if one day I really make you mad, what would you do? Would you punish me?"

"You can try."

Shen Mingzhu shook her head like a rattle, "No way, I wouldn’t dare to offend Mrs. Yan."

Zhong Qing looked at her, "If one day, I lose all these glamorous titles and can’t offer you support and convenience, would you still consider me a good friend?"

"No, if you were a woman of ordinary background, I’d bring you under my command, making you work like an ox and a horse for me, earning money."

Zhong Qing spits lightly, "Dream on."

"One must always have dreams, what if they come true~"

As they were talking, the sound of children’s joy and laughter came from outside, and both subconsciously looked towards the doorway.

Soon after, two adorable little boys ran into the living room one after the other, cheerfully rushing towards Zhong Qing on their tiny legs.

"Mommy!"

"Mommy!"

Zhong Qing opened her arms, hugging a twin on each side with full embrace.

"An’an, Kangkang, say hello to Auntie Mingzhu."

Upon Zhong Qing’s reminder, the twins politely greeted Shen Mingzhu.

Any mother would find it hard not to adore human cubs as cute as dolls.

She opened her arms and said to one of them, "How about a hug?"

"Go on, let Auntie Mingzhu give you a hug."

Encouraged by Zhong Qing, the elder, Yan Ruili, reluctantly walked over to Shen Mingzhu.

Seeing the child’s reluctance and shyness, Shen Mingzhu only hugged him lightly for a second before immediately letting go.

Although she often visited the Zhong family, she hadn’t seen the kids very often.

After they were weaned, the two boys were taken to the Yan family to be raised by Yan’s mother.

Zhong Qing would stay at the Yan family two to three days a week to spend time with the children and Yan’s mother, and the rest of the time she returned to the Zhong family’s home to take care of Zhong Yin and Zhong Min.

"Are you An’an?"

Hearing Shen Mingzhu’s question, Yan Ruili nodded politely, but his lips were pursed, showing a bit of the haughtiness of a young noble from a very young age.

"So well-behaved, come over to Auntie’s house when you have time, and I’ll bake you a delicious cheese cake."

Yan Ruili’s eyes suddenly brightened, and after hesitating for a moment, he nodded lightly.

The younger one, who had been clinging to Zhong Qing’s embrace, was also tempted by the words ’cheese cake’ and scampered over to Shen Mingzhu, saying in a baby voice:

"Can you bake strawberry-flavored cake?"

Compared to the elder, the younger one was obviously more lively and outgoing.

"I can, when you and your brother come over, Auntie will bake a strawberry-flavored cake for you too, okay?"

"Okay!"

Seeing Shen Mingzhu win over the two children with just a few words, Zhong Qing couldn’t help but chide with a laugh, "You two little gluttons."

...

Zhao Family.

Shen Hongmei stopped Zhao Yun, who was upset and about to leave the house, handed him two hundred yuan, and soothed, "Don’t be mad at your dad, the company has run into quite a few difficulties recently, having lost a lot of clients and projects. Your dad’s been worried, he hasn’t had a good night’s sleep in days."

"Aunt Hongmei, what’s the matter?"

Since the start of the summer vacation, Zhao Yun had been running around every day. He had to show his eagerness in front of Ren Jingshu, practice basketball, and also find time to pay attention to Pei Ziheng’s challenge with Gong Rong, unaware of his own family’s situation.