The Stepmother's Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era-Chapter 426 - 425 Dull Knife Cuts Flesh, Gentle Fire Simmers the Heart

Chapter 426: Chapter 425 Dull Knife Cuts Flesh, Gentle Fire Simmers the Heart

"Feifei, what are you dazed about? Hurry up and greet Mr. Xiaoning, Mr. Yan, and Mrs. Yan. It’s a blessing that many people can’t even beg for to have dinner with the three of them."

Under Qiang Tai’s urging, Sun Feifei hid her inner turmoil and forced a smile as she greeted the three of them.

Mr. Xiaoning folded his arms across his chest, his face full of amusement as if he was watching a show.

Yan Yi gazed at her steadily, his narrow eyes carrying a hint of chill.

Zhong Qing looked graceful and dignified, every bit the lady of status, but her expression was tinged with cold ridicule.

Sun Feifei felt a tingling on her scalp as the humiliating history she didn’t want to recall surged back into her mind, making even breathing difficult for her.

"Tai brother, I suddenly don’t feel well; maybe I should go back first," she suggested.

Qiang Tai felt displeased, feeling that Sun Feifei had disgraced him, and warned her in a suppressed voice, "Don’t bite the hand that feeds you. As long as you can still breathe today, you must stay seated here!"

Sun Feifei didn’t dare to defy Qiang Tai and reluctantly sat down.

As the dishes and wine were served, the atmosphere started to warm up.

Qiang Tai, true to form as a businessman, was adept at dealing with both sides, gauging his interactions to perfection.

On one hand, he discussed cooperative ventures with Ning Yuan, on the other, he didn’t forget to exchange pleasantries with Yan Yi.

Although Yan Yi wasn’t involved in business, the support behind him was formidable, and latching onto one of his connections could skyrocket one’s status.

As for the two ladies at the table, Sun Feifei, and Zhong Qing, both were quietly dining.

In reality, Sun Feifei was anything but calm.

Every second was an agony for her.

"Mr. Qiang, there’s some private matter I’d like to consult you about," said Yan Yi.

Hearing this, Qiang Tai immediately smoked with ingratiating laughter, "Mr. Yan, please go ahead."

Yan Yi’s gaze swept past Qiang Tai and settled on Sun Feifei.

Splash.

Sun Feifei accidentally knocked over the glass of water beside her, "Sorry, I, I need to go to the restroom."

She hurriedly got up to leave the private room but was halted by Yan Yi’s call, "Miss Sun."

"I’m puzzled; Miss Sun spread rumors and caused trouble before my wife; was this orchestrated by Mr. Qiang?"

Qiang Tai was taken aback, denying repeatedly, "No, no, no, there’s no such thing, Mr. Yan; could there be some misunderstanding?"

"There is no misunderstanding."

Zhong Qing dabbed the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief, a faint smile sounding amidst Sun Feifei’s hopeless and frightened gaze.

"Mr. Qiang, Miss Sun approached me a few days ago, speaking ill-founded rumors about my husband and another lady. It caused great harm and inconvenience to my husband, the lady, and myself. I would like to take this opportunity to demand an explanation from Miss Sun."

Sun Feifei felt like she was on the verge of collapse.

Qiang Tai had no more doubts.

He had wondered why Yan Yi, reputed to be so proud and aloof from business circles, would take the initiative to invite him to dinner; it turned out he came to seek retribution.

Without thinking, Qiang Tai lashed out and slapped Sun Feifei twice across the face.

Sun Feifei didn’t dare make a sound as she covered her face.

"Mr. Yan, Mrs. Yan, although I had no knowledge of this incident, I also have a lapse, having failed to discipline properly, causing trouble for both of you. I will punish myself with three drinks," he said, while also making sure to distance himself from the matter.

This had nothing to do with him.

After downing three large drinks, Qiang Tai continued to press Sun Feifei’s head down in apology to Yan Yi and Zhong Qing.

After such a scene, Yan Yi generously indicated he would not pursue the matter further; however, he warned Sun Feifei—

"Miss Sun, there’s a saying ’three strikes, and you’re out.’ This is the second time. If there is a next time, I will settle all past accounts with you together."

As soon as Yan Yi and his companions left, Qiang Tai backhanded Sun Feifei another slap.

The previous two slaps had been restrained to avoid making the scene too ugly.

But this slap was fueled by all his pent-up anger and force.

Sun Feifei was knocked to the ground, blood seeping from the corner of her mouth.

But she didn’t dare to cry; instead, she kneeled and crawled to Qiang Tai, begging for forgiveness, "Tai brother, I was wrong. Please, for the sake of the time I’ve spent following you, forgive me this once."

"I did this for the sake of business; that Shen Mingzhu has always been against me, and I just wanted to trip her up. I never expected to provoke Mrs. Yan."

Qiang Tai grabbed her hair and forced her face up, "Cause trouble for me again, and I’ll kill you!"

"No, Tai, I’ll work even harder from now on and help the company secure even more orders."

Considering that Sun Feifei had indeed been working hard recently and that Yan Yi was not pursuing the matter further, Qiang Tai let her go.

After some effort to appease Qiang Tai’s anger, Sun Feifei ran to the restroom to tidy herself up.

Looking at her swollen face in the mirror, a burning hatred and jealousy kindled in her eyes.

She couldn’t believe that after all this time, Yan Yi was still hung up on Shen Mingzhu.

...

After watching Zhong Qing’s Bentley drive away, Ning Yuan looked puzzledly at Yan Yi.

"Old Yan, have you gone soft in your old age? You actually let that Sun Feifei off the hook?"

Yan Yi walked straight to his own car, "A blunt knife cuts the deepest, a slow fire burns the heart, those are the most torturous methods."

For Sun Feifei, although she had narrowly escaped this time, his presence would be like a sword hanging over her head, making her uneasy and hesitant to make a move.

And for Shen Mingzhu, it was better to teach her to fish than to give her a fish, and Sun Feifei was just the touchstone to help her grow.

Yan Yi wouldn’t explain these profound intentions, nor did he wish to share them with anyone.

Ning Yuan reached out to open the passenger door of the Jeep, ready to get in, but the moment he touched the door handle, he heard a "click."

Yan Yi had locked the passenger door from the inside.

Ning Yuan bent over, "I didn’t drive today, you have to take me home."

Yan Yi looked at him, "I’m getting old, need to get home early to sleep, find your own way back."

"..."

This old man holds a grudge, doesn’t he!

...

Shen Mingzhu placed the fruit basket and gifts on the ground, confirmed the door number and address, then raised her hand to knock.

Creak.

The door opened and a man in his fifties wearing a vest and shorts walked out.

"Who ya lookin’ for?"

"I’m looking for Pei Ke."

Hearing her speak in Fengcheng dialect, Pei Ke’s wariness vanished, "That’s me. Who are you?"

"Uncle, hello, I’m Shen Mingzhu, Pei Yang’s wife."

The middle-aged man’s face lit up with surprise, "You’re Pei Yang’s wife? Come in, come in, have a seat."

Noticing Shen Mingzhu standing still, the middle-aged man looked down at himself and quickly said, "Just give me a moment."

Pei Ke returned home and came back out within two minutes dressed in trousers and a shirt, looking far more presentable than in shorts and a vest.

As Pei Ke was fastening his buttons, he warmly invited her inside.

Seeing her bending down to pick up the fruit basket and gifts behind her, he hurried forward to help, "Let me do that."

"Pei Yang’s wife, here’s some water."

Shen Mingzhu withdrew her gaze from looking around the room, accepted the glass of water, and replied with a smile, "Uncle, you can just call me Mingzhu."

"Alright, Mingzhu, good name!"

Pei Ke looked at her, his expression filled with the emotion and excitement of seeing a family member, "Did you come alone? Where’s Pei Yang?"

"He went to Rongcheng..."

Shen Mingzhu inquired about Pei Ke’s health, updated him on the family situation, left her address and phone number, and invited him to Fengcheng for the Spring Festival.

This was one of her reasons for visiting Pei Ke.

With both parents-in-law deceased, within Pei Yang’s family, Pei Ke was the closest blood relative.

Though Pei Yang never mentioned it, Shen Mingzhu knew he cared about his uncle.

"Mingzhu, wait a moment." free𝑤ebnovel.com

As Shen Mingzhu stood up to leave, Pei Ke stopped her, went back into his room to rummage around for a bit, and returned with a red envelope in his hand.