The Stepmother’s Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era
Chapter 732 - 731 New Year’s Eve Reunion

Chapter 732: Chapter 731 New Year’s Eve Reunion

Just after breakfast early in the morning, Qin Jinlian wrapped herself in a thick cotton coat, waiting expectantly by the roadside at the entrance to the town.

Even though her cheeks and nose were red from the cold, shaking all over, she still happily explained to everyone passing by,

"My eldest is bringing my grandson home today; I’m here to welcome him."

She waited from 8 o’clock until almost 10 o’clock, finally seeing the familiar car appearing in her sight, Qin Jinlian hurriedly ran forward.

There were too many people for one car, so Shen Mingzhu and Pei Yang each drove one, with Pei Yang’s car in front.

Seeing Qin Jinlian running towards him, he slowly stopped the car and invited Qin Jinlian to get in.

Bending over to look inside the car, Qin Jinlian didn’t see her grandson Shen Zilong and looked disappointed, ignoring her granddaughter Erya calling her.

"Where is Dandan?"

"They are still behind."

Hearing this, Qin Jinlian turned her worries into joy, waving her hand to signal Pei Yang to head home first while she continued to wait in the cold wind.

Out of concern, Shen Chaobei got out of the car to wait with her.

Although not as eagerly anticipated as his grandson, Shen Chaobei was also someone Qin Jinlian hadn’t seen for over a year, and she was very happy, chatting with him warmly.

The mother and son had been talking for only a short while when they saw Shen Mingzhu’s car.

Qin Jinlian couldn’t contain her excitement, "Is it Dandan and the others?"

"Yes."

"Good, good!"

The biting cold wind left Qin Jinlian’s already wrinkled face even more ravaged, making her look particularly aged and worn.

At that moment, her face was streaked with tears in anticipation of seeing her grandson, which made Shen Chaobei feel all kinds of discomfort.

On one side was his mother who had given birth to him, on the other was his wife who had shared his life through thick and thin; he was indeed caught in a difficult situation.

"Mom and big brother are ahead."

Inside the car, Shen Mingzhu, who first saw the mother and son, reminded Du Juan, who was beside her.

Du Juan looked up ahead and turned to her son, saying, "Dandan, remember to call out to grandma when you get off."

Shen Zilong, just five this year and at an age full of mischief, was indifferent to Du Juan’s reminder, immersed in the joy of solving a Rubik’s cube.

Du Juan felt helpless.

These past few years she and Shen Chaobei had been busy with work, and Shen Zilong had mostly been looked after by their daughter and a nanny. He was close to his sister and hardly listened to her.

"Dandan, mom is talking to you, did you hear?"

Seeing that Shen Zilong was not responding, Shen Mingzhu passed a glance at her son through the rear-view mirror.

Pei Ziheng understood the cue, raising his hand to take away the Rubik’s cube from Shen Zilong’s hands.

Just as Shen Zilong was about to make a fuss, he met Pei Ziheng’s stern, piercing gaze and immediately calmed down.

"Remember to greet people when you get out, or this..."

Pei Ziheng shook the Rubik’s cube in his hand, "won’t be yours to play with."

Shen Zilong retorted with pride, "Go ahead, take it. I’ll have my dad buy me one! My dad has plenty of money, who cares!"

Without another word, Pei Ziheng threw the Rubik’s cube out of the window.

Shen Zilong, not expecting Pei Ziheng to actually take it away, pouted and was about to cry, but was stopped by Pei Ziheng’s threat, "If you dare cry, I’ll throw you out too."

His eyes teary, he finally looked toward Du Juan.

"Mommy..."

Du Juan initially disapproved of Pei Ziheng scaring her son into crying, but seeing her son leaning toward her, she suddenly understood Pei Ziheng’s intention, feeling grateful in her heart, and additionally a mix of admiration and envy towards Shen Mingzhu.

When Shen Mingzhu married into the Pei family, Pei Ziheng was already four years old, yet despite being his stepmother, she had still raised him to be so sensible and outstanding.

She was his real mother, with her son by her side since birth, yet their relationship was nowhere close to that of Shen Mingzhu and her stepson.

With Du Juan’s promise to buy a new Rubik’s cube, once they got out of the car, Shen Zilong obediently called out to Qin Jinlian.

From the moment the car door opened, Qin Jinlian didn’t blink once.

And when Shen Zilong got out of the car and called her grandma, tears flooded her eyes like a waterfall.

"Dandan, my dear grandson..."

She cried out and lunged forward to hug Shen Zilong, which frightened him into hiding in Du Juan’s arms.

"There’s plenty to talk about at home; it’s cold outside."

Upon hearing this, Qin Jinlian finally looked directly at Du Juan.

It was their first meeting after the "child-snatching storm" five years ago.

During those five years, Du Juan had returned to Fengcheng several times, but she always went straight to her parents’ home. The things she bought were also sent over by others, never meeting them face-to-face.

The daughter-in-law in front of her had changed completely from when she first married into the Shen Family.

Her neat updo, delicate makeup, a knee-length gray mink coat, and long leather boots from head to toe exuded both luxury and fashion.

If she were walking down the street, Qin Jinlian wouldn’t have recognized her face to face.

"Juan, you’re back," Qin Jinlian greeted her, trying to curry favor.

Du Juan nodded gently, "Yes, mom."

"Ah!"

Qin Jinlian wept with joy.

Watching this scene from the car, Shen Mingzhu could only think of one thing: If I had known this day would come, why did I act as I did?

...

As soon as they entered the house, everyone was handed a bowl of piping hot brown sugar ginger egg tea.

In addition to brown sugar and eggs, the soup also contained red dates, sweet wine, and ginger slices.

In the cold winter, having a bowl of brown sugar ginger egg tea warmed the stomach and drove away the chill.

"Dandan, don’t just sit there. Hurry up and drink; the sugar-egg water will warm you up."

Seeing Shen Zilong sitting and daydreaming, Qin Jinlian urged him with a cheery smile.

Daya explained on behalf of her brother, "Dandan doesn’t like ginger."

"I’ll make him another bowl then..."

Shen Chaobei stopped Qin Jinlian, "Mom, no need to fuss; Dandan won’t eat much anyway."

"It’s getting late; let’s start cooking so we can have lunch earlier."

Shen Jianguo, looking affectionately at Shen Zilong, spoke to Qin Jinlian.

"All right, I’ll go cook."

With that, she smiled at Shen Zilong and said, "Grandma will make you chicken stewed with mushrooms," and then happily went to the kitchen.

Pei Yang put down his bowl, "I’ll go help Mom."

Upon hearing this, Shen Chaobei quickly finished his soup and followed her to the kitchen, wiping his mouth.

Seeing Shen Xiangnan remaining seated, Shen Jianguo spoke, "Second brother, you should help too. Let’s get lunch ready sooner so Dandan won’t get hungry."

"Okay."

A table full of children, and these two old folks only doted on their nephew like the apple of their eye; Jia Yuemei couldn’t help but touch her swollen, bulging stomach.

Sitting next to her, Du Juan noticed her movement and casually asked, "Is the baby giving you trouble?"

"Yes."

Jia Yuemei continued the conversation, "Boys are indeed much more troublesome than girls."

Du Juan just smiled, pretending not to hear the bragging.

Meanwhile, after hearing this, Shen Jianguo turned his attention to her.

He spoke kindly, "Yuemei, if you feel uncomfortable, go upstairs and lie down, and I’ll bring your meal up when it’s ready."

"No need; the fuss will settle down soon."

...

With the help of a son-in-law and two sons, Qin Jinlian quickly finished cooking lunch.

Two large round tables, one for adults and one for children.

Looking at the bustling gathering, Qin Jinlian couldn’t stop smiling.

As soon as lunch was over, not even bothering to clear the dishes, she wanted to take Shen Zilong out.

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