The Stepmother's Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era-Chapter 805 - 804: Mind Your Own Business

"You all aren’t eating anymore?"

Seeing that Zhong Qing and a few others had stopped using their chopsticks, Shen Mingzhu was a bit confused, as she was only halfway through her meal.

"Yeah, I’m good, take your time." Zhong Qing smiled and poured her some hot tea.

Yan Su, Zhuang Xueqi, and Ning Huimin, a cousin from the Ning Family who had come to Fengcheng for a visit, also expressed that they were finished eating.

Perhaps it was related to their family backgrounds. Having been raised in luxury, everything they wore, used, and ate was top-notch, these young ladies from wealthy families had very little desire for food.

They might travel halfway around the world just to taste a fresh dish, but when they actually sat down at the table, they would hardly eat more than a few bites before stopping.

"If you all aren’t eating anymore, then I won’t eat either."

Seeing her looking like she still wanted more, Yan Su teased, "You seem to have a pretty good appetite there, you’re not pregnant, are you?"

Shen Mingzhu was too embarrassed to admit she was just being greedy.

Thinking of going on a diet, starving herself for a week, looking at the delicious pastries on the table, she was tempted to stuff them all down her throat.

"I’ve been more active lately, burning more calories."

Zhuang Xueqi said, "Wanting to lose weight is simple, go back to work, and you’ll slim down in a month."

Yan Su chimed in, "You’ve been resting for over a year, when are you planning on resuming work?"

Shen Mingzhu sipped her tea and smacked her lips, "I’m really enjoying life right now, we can talk about work later. In life, a busy day is just as long as a leisurely one. Instead of forcing myself, I prefer to cut myself some slack and live however makes me happy."

"Well said, here’s to us, the leisurely ones."

Seeing Zhong Qing lifting her tea, Shen Mingzhu also cheerfully raised her cup, "Come on, everyone, here’s to having days like today every year and joyous gatherings always."

...

Capital, Sanli Long Street, a stretch of bars.

After instructing Lin Fei to come pick him up in half an hour, Pei Ziheng got out of the car and headed towards the brightly lit DK Bar.

Today was Dai Yu’s birthday, and he had invited a bunch of friends to celebrate at DK Bar.

Pei Ziheng didn’t want to come initially, but Dai Yu had blackmailed him with Ren Jingshu and Zhao Yun’s wedding.

Ren Jingshu, who wasn’t really a daughter of the Ren Family, had gradually grown closer to the Dai Family after breaking up with Mother Ren, Dai Ruixue.

Among this generation of the Dai Family, Dai Yu was considered outstanding.

Zhao Yun, planning to marry Ren Jingshu in the future, could not afford to neglect building a good relationship with Dai Yu.

"Ziheng, over here!"

Afraid that Pei Ziheng would be stopped, Dai Yu specially came to meet him at the entrance of the bar.

Though Dai Yu led the way, Pei Ziheng was still stopped by the bouncer, simply because Pei Ziheng’s face looked too young and delicate.

"ID card."

Just as Dai Yu was about to brush it off with a "forgot to bring it," Pei Ziheng handed over his student ID instead.

Seeing the words "Qing University" on the student ID, the bouncer immediately let him through, even warmly wishing Pei Ziheng to enjoy himself.

It was evident that the prestige of a top institution worked anywhere.

Little did the bouncer know, Pei Ziheng, who had enrolled in the second year at Qing University, wasn’t even sixteen yet.

To fully enjoy themselves, Dai Yu had taken two adjacent booths.

After introducing Pei Ziheng around to the friends present, Dai Yu pulled Pei Ziheng to sit down.

"Do you want juice or milk?"

Pei Ziheng ignored Dai Yu’s query, reached out his hand to grab an empty glass, threw in two ice cubes, and then picked up a bottle of foreign liquor.

Dai Yu reached out to stop him, "You can’t drink, you’re underage."

In the dim and hazy lights, Pei Ziheng’s dark eyes shone like cold winter stars, "Do you know the secret to a long life?"

Dai Yu laughed, "It’s not drinking for sure."

"It’s minding your own business."

Dai Yu loosened his grip but still couldn’t help but advise, "Then drink less, don’t get drunk."

Pei Ziheng was noncommittal and raised his glass for a sip. His posture and expression, both practiced and weary, didn’t seem like those of someone drinking for the first time.

With this thought in mind, Dai Yu stopped concerning himself with Pei Ziheng and stood up to greet others.

Usually, handsome and good-looking young men attract the attention of girls wherever they go.

Especially someone like Pei Ziheng, who was not only handsome but also had a clean aura, was like a delicious dessert attracting the interest of young girls.

Girls approached him one wave after another, as if the tide was rising.

Without exception, all were ignored by Pei Ziheng.

People always get restless over things they can’t have.

The more Pei Ziheng rejected them, the more excited the girls became.

In the VIP room on the third floor of the bar.

"Meng Jie, let me tell you something interesting. A top-tier handsome guy came to the second floor’s elegant seats, super aloof. Do you want to go meet him?"

Ye Yimeng, who was bored, stood up upon hearing her little sister’s words and walked to the floor-to-ceiling windows.

The room’s glass was one-way, so people outside couldn’t see inside, but those inside could view the entire bar, allowing the guests to enjoy the performances in the hall.

With just one glance, Ye Yimeng became interested in Pei Ziheng.

It was the first time she saw a man more delicate and beautiful than herself. Even though he looked young, playing around with him was still a possibility.

Accompanied by her two little sisters, Ye Yimeng smoothly joined Dai Yu and his group.

The two little sisters dragged Dai Yu to the side to play a drinking game, and Ye Yimeng smoothly took the seat Dai Yu vacated.

"I haven’t seen..."

"Please move to another seat."

Ye Yimeng hadn’t finished speaking when Pei Ziheng coldly interrupted.

"What, afraid you’ll fall in love with me?" Ye Yimeng flirtatiously toyed with a lock of hair by her ear.

Honestly, Ye Yimeng was very beautiful, with delicate features like a porcelain doll and a good figure. She had smooth, long, straight black hair and a playful fringe, wearing a black mini-skirt.

A cute and queenly demeanor blended perfectly in her, making her fatally attractive to men.

A beautiful girl like Ye Yimeng, sitting next to any man in the bar, would usually astonish him.

But Pei Ziheng was an exception, "The perfume on you is so pungent, it makes me nauseous."

Taken aback for half a second, Ye Yimeng laughed, "Good, you’ve successfully piqued my interest. If you don’t like this scent, why not buy me a bottle you do like?"

Pei Ziheng gazed at her for half a second then suddenly leaned over.

As he drew closer, Ye Yimeng’s face showed a triumphant smile, but before it could spread, she heard Pei Ziheng whisper, audible only to them:

"I’d like you to back off a little more, got it?"

Coming from a prestigious family, Ye Yimeng had her pride and dignity. Clearly seeing Pei Ziheng’s disinterest, she got up with a poor expression and walked away.

Seeing this, the two little sisters quickly left their drinks and followed.

Dai Yu returned to Pei Ziheng’s side, his look at Pei Ziheng quite complex.

Envy mixed with jealousy, and with curiosity threaded through.

"Do you know who the girl that just hit on you is?"

"Not interested, I’m heading back."

Dai Yu got up to leave with him, "Why go back so early?"

"I’m still growing, need to sleep early."

"..."

Why didn’t you mention you were still growing when you were drinking just now?