The Stepmother’s Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era
Chapter 665 - 664: Lending Out the Necklace

Chapter 665: Chapter 664: Lending Out the Necklace

Scolded by her own mother, Han Xiuxiu cried even louder.

And with her crying, parents who were scattered around the yard were all drawn over, asking what happened with chattering curiosity.

"It’s nothing, my kid doesn’t have any sense, sneaking some cream and deserves a scolding!"

While the words seemed to be criticizing her daughter, they implied a complaint about Shen Mingzhu’s inhospitality and making a mountain out of a molehill—making a fuss just because a child had licked some cream.

Parents exchanged glances, not sure whom to support, making the atmosphere a bit awkward.

In Shen Mingzhu’s view, this was all nothing trivial.

Ever since agreeing to throw a birthday party for her daughter, she had been ready to handle all kinds of emergencies.

For instance, to ensure the children’s safety, the pond was enclosed with a fence one and a half meters high, and signs warning against climbing or entering the water were placed around the yard, while she had the father and son take turns observing the yard from the window on the third floor.

Nowadays, with most families having only one child, the preciousness of these children goes without saying—a minor bump or scrape could lead to a big ordeal.

"Xiuxiu’s mom, you’re overreacting. It’s not that the children can’t eat it, but the cream has high sugar content and is greasy, eating too much could easily upset the stomach," Shen Mingzhu politely explained, while implicitly criticizing: your child has already eaten quite a lot, if it wasn’t for my intervention, you would still not be supervising.

Han Xiuxiu’s mom wasn’t foolish, either; she could hear the sarcasm in Shen Mingzhu’s words, and her expression immediately soured.

Shen Mingzhu stopped there and lowered her head to gently instruct her daughter, "Guoguo, Xiuxiu is the friend you invited. Go comfort her."

Pei Tang was unruly at home but extremely sensible and well-behaved in front of others.

She took a handkerchief out of her small crossbody cowhide bag and walked over to Han Xiuxiu, helping her wipe her tears.

She was half a year younger than Han Xiuxiu, but taller, and sturdier in build, making her seem more like the older sister.

"Xiuxiu, don’t cry..."

Saying this, she whispered something in Han Xiuxiu’s ear.

After hearing it, Han Xiuxiu actually did stop crying, though she was still softly hiccupping from sobbing.

Pei Tang then took her hand and returned to Shen Mingzhu’s side, "My mom’s birthday cake is really delicious. Let’s learn together, and once we know how to make it, we can have cake anytime we want."

Han Xiuxiu did not respond to Pei Tang, her damp red eyes timidly looking at Shen Mingzhu.

Shen Mingzhu gave her a smile.

Her attitude clearly gave Han Xiuxiu the courage and confidence she needed, as she nodded and quietly agreed.

The storm passed, and everyone was happy again.

Shen Mingzhu continued making the birthday cake.

To avoid further mishaps, she sped up the process, decorating the sides of the cream-smoothed cake with a border, scattering cut fruit pieces on top, writing "Happy Birthday Guoguo" with fruit syrup in the middle, and encrusting the vertical face with chocolate cream-filled biscuits.

The completed cake was adorned with six star-shaped candles, and Pei Yang with his son Pei Ziheng, as well as the elderly couple Shen Jianguo and Qin Jinlian, gathered around for the celebration and photos.

Surrounded by her parents, elders, and friends, Pei Tang closed her eyes in contentment and made a wish.

After blowing out the candles, Pei Tang, with help from her mother, cut the 30-inch cake into palm-sized pieces and handed one to each guest.

Those who received a slice promptly took their seats under the canopy.

Two long tables had been set up under the canopy, and by now, a sumptuous lunch was laid out on the tables.

Fruits, drinks, desserts, various grilled meats, vegetables—it had everything children liked.

To let Pei Tang eat to her heart’s content, Shen Mingzhu had purposefully arranged for her and her friends to sit at one table, while the parents sat at another.

The two tables were close enough to ensure that the children were always within sight, leaving the parents with nothing to worry about and happy to enjoy the break.

The dozen or so kids sitting together were chattering like sparrows, turning the place topsy-turvy.

"Pei Tang, what’s that thing you’re wearing around your neck? I’ve never seen it before," one of them asked.

Pei Tang generously took off the necklace, making it easier for all the little friends at the table to get a clear look.

"This is a crystal necklace, a birthday gift from my mom."

Under the sunlight, the silver chain complemented the blue crystal, presenting a dazzling array of colors, which left the group of children amazed.

"So pretty!"

"Pei Tang, your mom is so good to you!"

"Of course!"

Pei Tang happily put the necklace back on and continued eating the cake with her spoon.

The birthday cake mom made was so delicious.

Seeing her enjoy the food, the other little friends also concentrated on eating the food on their plates.

...

Children’s appetites aren’t big; a piece of birthday cake and some fruit and drinks was enough to fill them up, and they scattered to play on their own.

At the parents’ table, some were still eating, while others, worried about their children, followed them around with their bowls in hand.

It was too hot, and after a busy morning, Shen Mingzhu wasn’t in the mood for eating and just picked some fruit while keeping an eye on the kids to prevent any trouble.

"Wow..."

A child’s crying came from behind.

The parents at the table quickly looked over, and each breathed a sigh of relief when they saw the crying child wasn’t theirs.

Although the crying child had a parent by their side, as the hostess, Shen Mingzhu could not ignore the situation.

"Why are you crying? Are you not feeling well?"

In response to her question, the child sobbed and turned away, acting stubborn.

It seemed the parent was somewhat angry too, "Never mind her, that child is spoiled and gets jealous over every nice thing she sees."

Shen Mingzhu understood—it was probably envy over the other children’s toys or belongings, children are all like that.

At that moment, Pei Tang, followed by two friends, came hopping over.

"Xun Sishi, what happened to you?"

Confronted with Pei Tang’s concern, Xun Sishi replied mournfully, "I want to wear a crystal necklace too."

Xun’s mother, upset but unwilling to see her daughter slighted, negotiated with Shen Mingzhu, "Would you mind lending your Pei Tang’s necklace to my Sishi to wear for a bit?"

"The crystal necklace is a special birthday present from Pei Tang’s mom!"

Before Shen Mingzhu could respond, another child blurted it out, drawing the attention and onlookers of other parents.

Seeing everyone watching her embarrassment, Xun Sishi’s mother felt she couldn’t keep face and scolded her daughter in a low voice, "Desiring other people’s things, what shamelessness!"

Xun Sishi’s lips quivered, and she cried even more fiercely.

"Stop crying, you’re making a spectacle of yourself. Look around; everyone is staring and laughing at you!"

The mother’s scolding did not make Xun Sishi hold back; instead, she cried louder.

Faced with an escalating scene, Shen Mingzhu had no choice but to whisper a suggestion to her daughter, "Could you lend your necklace to your friend for a while?"

Pei Tang was reluctant in her heart but still took off the necklace.

"Sishi, stop crying; I’ll lend you the necklace for a bit, but you have to be careful not to break it."

"Mm, I know!"

Finally wearing the coveted blue crystal necklace, Xun Sishi’s tears turned to joy, and she was exceedingly happy.

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