Chapter 54 - 54 54 The Dog Man is a bit domineering and forceful on the body
The Stepmother’s Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era
Chapter 54: 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 When Pei Yang first saw Shen Mingzhu, he simply couldnât believe his own eyes.
Was that his wife?
Was it just his imagination?
What followed was immense joy.
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.
âYo, Yang Bro, is that your sister-in-law?
Sheâs really beautiful.â
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.
âAhââ
A delicate cry escaped.
âPei Yang, itâs me!â
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.
âXiuzhu?â
âYeah, youâre finally back, Iâve been waiting for you so longâ¦
Ah!â
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.
âDaddy, hug!â
Looking at his son stretching his arms out towards him, Pei Yang couldnât 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 Zihengâs 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!
âWuu, Daddy, I missed you so muchâ¦â
Pei Yang reached out to wipe his sonâs tears, âBe good, donât cry.
Iâm back now, arenât I?
When did you guys get here?â
âWeâve been here for many days, waiting for youâ¦â
Wang Xiuzhu got up from the ground, and while observing the father and son talking affectionately, she didnât interrupt.
Instead, she walked towards Shen Mingzhu with a sense of triumph.
âYou see, what Pei Yang cares about is Ziheng.
He doesnât care about you at all because he has no feelings for you.â
âShen Mingzhu, youâre just a country woman with no background, no education, and no ability; you bring nothing to Pei Yangâs 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 canât compete with me.
If youâre 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.â
These days, an urban residence permit is very much sought after.
With it, youâre guaranteed a âjob for lifeâ, you can receive state grain, and there are various kinds of tickets you can get.
âWang Xiuzhu, is it your brain thatâs not functioning well, or do you think mine isnât?
All these things you mention, a job, a residence permit, I can have them by marrying Pei Yang.
So why would I divorce him?â
Wang Xiuzhuâs face turned cold, âShen Mingzhu, Iâve spoken nicely and if you wonât listen, then donât blame me for being less polite after being courteous.
Thereâs nothing I want that I cannot get.â
âWhat are you talking about?â
Pei Yang, holding Pei Ziheng, approached, his deep eyes falling on Shen Mingzhuâs face, with a trace of joy.
âWe were just sharing some heart-to-heart words between us women, not something to tell you men.â
Wang Xiuzhu said jokingly, glancing at Shen Mingzhu before speaking softly to Pei Yang, âPei Yang, come to my place for dinner later.
Remember last time we ate, you said you liked the salt-baked shrimp I made?
Iâve prepared that dish specially today, and the shrimp are bigger than before, guaranteed to taste good.â
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 donât care.
âXiuzhu, I got it.
You go back first with the master, weâll come by later.â
âMm, Pei Yang, come early.
Iâve got something to talk to you about.â
After Wang Xiuzhu finished speaking, she didnât wait for Pei Yangâs response and turned to leave.
âMingzhuâ¦â
Shen Mingzhu looked at the man with a smile brimming in her eyes, âLetâs go, Iâve been waiting for you for ages, my legs are aching.â
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 employeesâ dormitory, just about a five to six minutesâ 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.
âDid Aunt Mingzhu get mad?â
Pei Ziheng held tightly around Pei Yangâs neck, his dark eyes blinking, âDad, youâre not too slow to catch on.â
Pei Yang pinched his nose, âWhat kind of way is that to talk?
Show some respect.â
Pei Ziheng smiled emotionlessly, âDad, you still have the mood to lecture me.
If we go back any slower, Aunt Mingzhu might already be on the train home.â
ââ¦â
Pei Yang immediately hailed a rickshaw and headed back to the dormitory with his son.
Shen Mingzhu was indeed upset, but she wasnât 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 neighborsâ gossip and mockery.
To return to her parentsâ 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 Yangâs 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 Yangâs 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.
âAh!â
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 dormitoryâs railing was made from bricks and was as wide as a small bench.
With Pei Yangâs arms around her, it was actually quite secure, but the thought of the seven- or eight-meters drop behind her made Shen Mingzhuâs heart race with fear.
âWhat are you doing?!â
She glared at him, irritated.
âI wanted to talk to you.â
Pei Yangâs 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.
âAre you crazy?
Who talks while sitting on a balcony?
What if I fall off?â
âIf I hadnât done this, you wouldnât listen to me properly.â
ââ¦â
âDonât be scared, Iâm here,â Pei Yangâs voice carried a playful tone as if soothing her, âAs long as you donât move around, you wonât fall.â
ââ¦â
Right, after a momentâs glance, she confirmed the man had a certain high-handed dominance about him.