The Stepmother’s Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era
Chapter 745 - 744 Going Abroad

Chapter 745: Chapter 744 Going Abroad

At the beginning of March, Jia Yuemei got her wish and gave birth to a son, named Shen Jinlong, and his nickname was Jindan.

It was obvious to everyone that the two names Jia Yuemei had chosen for her son were meant to outshine Du Juan.

One was named Zilong, the other Jinlong; one Dandan, the other Jindan.

If it had been any other sisters-in-law, they might have taken offense at the choice of names.

But Du Juan of today no longer stooped to the petty squabbles of the women inside the house.

She just laughed off Jia Yuemei’s intentions and even generously gave a gold dragon peace amulet as a full-month gift for Shen Jinlong.

At the start of May.

After attending Shen Jinlong’s full-month banquet, Shen Mingzhu boarded the flight to Y Country, ready to start a new yet brief journey in life.

Pei Yang took both siblings to see her off.

He held her in his arms and said in a voice filled with reluctance and affection, "Once you get there, call home every day, so I know you’re safe."

Shen Mingzhu playfully retorted, "Aren’t phone calls expensive?"

International long-distance calls were exorbitantly expensive in this era.

"No matter the cost, it can’t compare to you. Not hearing your voice, I won’t be at ease," Pei Yang said. He had always been domineering, but he had tried hard to restrain himself in front of her these past few years. Today, however, he let it show again.

With their separation imminent, Shen Mingzhu didn’t see the point in quibbling over trivial matters and readily agreed.

Satisfied, Pei Yang released her and looked deeply into her face, "Once I’m free, I’ll come to see you."

"Mmhmm."

Shen Mingzhu raised her hand to smooth the creases on his shirt from their embrace, "Bring the kids with you too, think of it as taking them on an overseas trip."

"Alright."

Pei Yang verbally agreed with her, but he thought to himself: I wouldn’t bring along two little light bulbs. I want to come alone and spend our time together, just the two of us.

With that thought, the prospect of Shen Mingzhu going abroad suddenly didn’t seem so painful.

"Mom, take good care of yourself when you’re there. I’ll come see you with brother during the vacation!"

Her daughter’s smile was so sweet, her voice clear and pleasant, each word uttered warming her heart to no end.

The thought of not being able to see her lovely and affectionate daughter for a long time suddenly made Shen Mingzhu unable to hold back her emotions, and tears streamed down her face.

She instructed with a choked up voice, "Behave at home and listen to Daddy and brother. Mommy will be back very soon."

"Mommy, don’t cry, you’re not pretty when you cry."

Looking at her daughter earnestly wiping away her tears, Shen Mingzhu suddenly felt heartache.

As her daughter grew up day by day, right at the time when she needed her mother’s care the most, she had chosen to leave for abroad. Was her decision too selfish?

"Mom, Dad and I will take good care of Guoguo."

Perhaps sensing her self-reproach and guilt, Pei Ziheng wrapped his arms around her and Pei Tang, his voice low but firm.

After his birthday last month, Pei Ziheng had entered the period of voice change.

His voice, once clear and youthful, had become much deeper and more resonant.

The consolation from her son eased much of Shen Mingzhu’s emotions.

She lightly wrapped one arm around his lean yet sturdy shoulders, "Even though I won’t be by your side during your university entrance exams, Mommy will still cheer for you. You can call Mommy anytime if you need anything."

"Okay."

Amidst the reluctant farewell from father and sons, Shen Mingzhu embarked on the flight to London.

Despite being mentally prepared, the moment the plane took off and she watched the shrinking ground below, Shen Mingzhu couldn’t help but tear up.

"Is this your first trip abroad?"

A white silk handkerchief was offered obliquely.

Shen Mingzhu turned her head to look, it was the gentleman seated next to her.

The man had boarded the aircraft a few minutes after her, and she had been aware of his presence when he sat down,

but she was so immersed in the emotions of parting that she didn’t pay attention to him.

"Thank you, no need," she declined the gentleman’s offer and took a tissue from her backpack to wipe her tears.

The man withdrew his handkerchief with composure and started chatting with her with a smile, "Are you going to study in London?"

"Mhm."

Being able to afford a business class seat on an international flight, she wasn’t worried that he might be someone of ill repute.

"I’m going over for a business trip. The company has an infrastructure project there. I spend about half the year living there."

As he spoke, the man proactively handed her his business card.

Shen Mingzhu glanced at it and accepted politely.

The man’s name was Ye Jianli, a project manager at Poly Real Estate.

Poly Real Estate was one of the top three leading enterprises in the domestic real estate industry; there might be a chance for future cooperation between Poly and Dafa Real Estate.

With this thought in mind, Shen Mingzhu gave the man a slight smile, "Mr. Ye, it’s a pleasure to meet you. My surname is Shen."

"Miss Shen, I’m very pleased to meet you."

Ye Jianli was very talkative. Shen Mingzhu didn’t even have to ask before he had revealed quite a bit about himself, such as his age, education, family, and work.

Upon learning that Shen Mingzhu was going to Cambridge to pursue her MBA, Ye Jianli looked at her with even more admiration and curiosity.

After all, judging by her appearance and temperament, Shen Mingzhu looked more like the kind of person who studied art or academia.

"You’re going abroad to study by yourself, isn’t your boyfriend worried?"

Once they had become more acquainted, Ye Jianli half-jokingly and half-probingly brought up the topic of relationships.

"I don’t have a boyfriend."

"How can that be? A girl as outstanding and beautiful as you should have suitors."

Shen Mingzhu replied, "Mainly because my family doesn’t agree."

"Who doesn’t agree?"

"My husband."

The smile almost cracked on Ye Jianli’s face, "You’re married??"

Shen Mingzhu smiled and nodded, showing him the family portrait from her wallet: "I have two children, my eldest son is 13 this year, and my daughter is 7."

Ye Jianli stared at the family portrait for a long time, then looked at her, with a slight strangeness in his expression, a mix of shock and a trace of regret.

"I’m really curious, how do you take care of yourself? You look no more than twenty-five at most."

"Thank you for the compliment, Mr. Ye."

Shen Mingzhu thought about it seriously and replied, "I personally feel that the best care for a woman is a harmonious family and a happy marriage."

She wasn’t naive and could naturally see Ye Jianli’s fondness for her.

Her answer was also a tactful rejection of his advances.

Ye Jianli was a smart man and, hearing her rejection, didn’t bring up any more inappropriate topics, instead turning the conversation to their respective work.

The journey was long, and having someone to talk with was indeed a good way to pass the time.

...

After six months of getting to know each other, Pei Qiuxia and She Zheming had reached the point of discussing marriage.

After all, both of them weren’t young anymore, and parents from both sides were urging them on.

Most importantly, both were very satisfied with each other and were willing to combine forces to start a new family.

"My goodness, She Zheming’s family background is that good? Then how come he hasn’t married at his age? You’re not being deceived by him, are you? There are so many men out there nowadays masquerading as from prominent families to trick women into marriage. Qiuxia, you have to be cautious,"

Qian Rong expressed disbelief followed by skepticism after hearing Pei Qiuxia’s introduction to She Zheming’s family.

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