The Stepmother's Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era-Chapter 54 - The Dog Man is a bit domineering and forceful on the body
Chapter 54: Chapter 54 The Dog Man is a bit domineering and forceful on the body
Chapter 54 -54 The Dog Man is a bit domineering and forceful on the body
When Pei Yang first saw Shen Mingzhu, he simply couldn’t believe his own eyes.
Was that his wife?
Was it just his imagination?
What followed was immense joy. freeweɓnovel.cѳm
He was just about to go over to his wife and son when suddenly, someone rushed out and hugged him.
Everything happened too fast and too suddenly.
Pei Yang, who had been focusing all his attention on Shen Mingzhu, was completely unprepared and taken aback.
Even in the moment of being hugged, his gaze had still been fixed on Shen Mingzhu, so he clearly saw the change in her expression.
“Yo, Yang Bro, is that your sister-in-law?
She’s really beautiful.”
A crew member teased as he watched the two people hugging, and Pei Yang, as if waking from a dream, pushed the person in his arms away.
“Ah—”
A delicate cry escaped.
“Pei Yang, it’s me!”
Wang Xiuzhu, who was pushed and staggered, quickly spoke up.
It took Pei Yang a few seconds to recognize Wang Xiuzhu, who had not only applied makeup but also curled her hair, appearing excessively mature compared to the last time he saw her.
“Xiuzhu?”
“Yeah, you’re finally back, I’ve been waiting for you so long…
Ah!”
Before she could finish her sentence, she was pushed to one side and took a solid fall.
Pei Ziheng might not have been a big person, but he sure had strength.
“Daddy, hug!”
Looking at his son stretching his arms out towards him, Pei Yang couldn’t care less about Wang Xiuzhu, who had fallen.
He dropped his luggage, bent down to lift his son, spun him in a big circle before hugging him tightly, his face beaming with a smile as he looked over his son.
His face was paler and plumper, and his body had definitely gotten much heavier.
Pei Ziheng’s dark eyes, unwavering, looked up at the familiar and kind countenance before him, his eyes slowly welling up with tears.
He finally saw his father!
“Wuu, Daddy, I missed you so much…”
Pei Yang reached out to wipe his son’s tears, “Be good, don’t cry.
I’m back now, aren’t I?
When did you guys get here?”
“We’ve been here for many days, waiting for you…”
Wang Xiuzhu got up from the ground, and while observing the father and son talking affectionately, she didn’t interrupt.
Instead, she walked towards Shen Mingzhu with a sense of triumph.
“You see, what Pei Yang cares about is Ziheng.
He doesn’t care about you at all because he has no feelings for you.”
“Shen Mingzhu, you’re just a country woman with no background, no education, and no ability; you bring nothing to Pei Yang’s benefit.
I am different.
My uncle is a first-class navigator, my uncle is the director of the Maritime Affairs Management Office, and I can offer Pei Yang not just a perfect marriage but also help his career climb to new heights.
You can’t compete with me.
If you’re willing to back out on your own, I can arrange a job for you and transfer your residence to the city.
This is my sincerity.
I hope you will seriously consider it.”
These days, an urban residence permit is very much sought after.
With it, you’re guaranteed a ‘job for life’, you can receive state grain, and there are various kinds of tickets you can get.
“Wang Xiuzhu, is it your brain that’s not functioning well, or do you think mine isn’t?
All these things you mention, a job, a residence permit, I can have them by marrying Pei Yang.
So why would I divorce him?”
Wang Xiuzhu’s face turned cold, “Shen Mingzhu, I’ve spoken nicely and if you won’t listen, then don’t blame me for being less polite after being courteous.
There’s nothing I want that I cannot get.”
“What are you talking about?”
Pei Yang, holding Pei Ziheng, approached, his deep eyes falling on Shen Mingzhu’s face, with a trace of joy.
“We were just sharing some heart-to-heart words between us women, not something to tell you men.”
Wang Xiuzhu said jokingly, glancing at Shen Mingzhu before speaking softly to Pei Yang, “Pei Yang, come to my place for dinner later.
Remember last time we ate, you said you liked the salt-baked shrimp I made?
I’ve prepared that dish specially today, and the shrimp are bigger than before, guaranteed to taste good.”
Pei Yang instinctively looked towards Shen Mingzhu but did not see any anger or jealousy on her face, and he let out a sigh of relief, but then immediately felt uneasy again.
It reminded him of what his master had said on the ship: women are understanding and tolerant only because they don’t care.
“Xiuzhu, I got it.
You go back first with the master, we’ll come by later.”
“Mm, Pei Yang, come early.
I’ve got something to talk to you about.”
After Wang Xiuzhu finished speaking, she didn’t wait for Pei Yang’s response and turned to leave.
“Mingzhu…”
Shen Mingzhu looked at the man with a smile brimming in her eyes, “Let’s go, I’ve been waiting for you for ages, my legs are aching.”
Pei Yang nodded, turned around to pick up the luggage bag on the ground, but Shen Mingzhu insisted that he carry Pei Ziheng, while she would handle the luggage.
So, Pei Yang carried Pei Ziheng, Shen Mingzhu carried the luggage bag, and the family of three made their way out of the harbor.
Along the way, they met many acquaintances, each greeted by Pei Yang with a smile, as he introduced the identities of the mother and son.
The harbor was not far from the oceanic employees’ dormitory, just about a five to six minutes’ walk.
Pei Yang intended for them to walk back, so the three could chat as they went, but Shen Mingzhu was adamant about taking a rickshaw.
A rickshaw could only fit two people, so Shen Mingzhu had Pei Yang and Pei Ziheng ride in one while she went alone in another.
Shen Mingzhu, who hailed a rickshaw first, got in and immediately instructed the rickshaw driver to leave, without waiting for Pei Yang and his son.
Watching the rickshaw disappear into the distance, Pei Yang belatedly realized what had happened.
“Did Aunt Mingzhu get mad?”
Pei Ziheng held tightly around Pei Yang’s neck, his dark eyes blinking, “Dad, you’re not too slow to catch on.”
Pei Yang pinched his nose, “What kind of way is that to talk?
Show some respect.”
Pei Ziheng smiled emotionlessly, “Dad, you still have the mood to lecture me.
If we go back any slower, Aunt Mingzhu might already be on the train home.”
“…”
Pei Yang immediately hailed a rickshaw and headed back to the dormitory with his son.
Shen Mingzhu was indeed upset, but she wasn’t about to impulsively pack up and leave.
Going back alone now, to spend the holiday in the family compound by herself, would not only be lonesome but might also provide fodder for the neighbors’ gossip and mockery.
To return to her parents’ home was an even less desirable option for her.
No matter what, she was determined to spend the Spring Festival here before heading back.
Since arriving here, she had bought quite a few things, including a lot of clothes, filling Pei Yang’s wardrobe to the brim.
Considering that Pei Yang might have trouble storing his luggage, she took out her own travel bag and started packing some clothes from the wardrobe into it, to make some space for Pei Yang’s belongings.
Just as she was halfway through, Pei Yang ran back, out of breath, carrying his son.
As soon as he saw her packing, he put down his son and hurried over to her.
Shen Mingzhu was somewhat frightened by his aggressive approach and instinctively stepped back.
Pei Yang grabbed the clothes from her hands, stuffed them back into the wardrobe, then bent down and scooped her up.
“Ah!”
Shen Mingzhu let out a startled cry from the sudden loss of balance.
Before she could react, Pei Yang had carried her onto the balcony.
Pei Yang carefully set her on the railing, his long arms wrapped around her from behind.
The dormitory’s railing was made from bricks and was as wide as a small bench.
With Pei Yang’s arms around her, it was actually quite secure, but the thought of the seven- or eight-meters drop behind her made Shen Mingzhu’s heart race with fear.
“What are you doing?!”
She glared at him, irritated.
“I wanted to talk to you.”
Pei Yang’s gaze was intense as he looked at her, his deep voice laced with a hint of amusement, but Shen Mingzhu was about to explode with anger.
“Are you crazy?
Who talks while sitting on a balcony?
What if I fall off?”
“If I hadn’t done this, you wouldn’t listen to me properly.”
“…”
“Don’t be scared, I’m here,” Pei Yang’s voice carried a playful tone as if soothing her, “As long as you don’t move around, you won’t fall.”
“…”
Right, after a moment’s glance, she confirmed the man had a certain high-handed dominance about him.
