The Stepmother's Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era-Chapter 848 - 847 Choices

Du Juan’s decision to withdraw her shares was first disclosed to Pei Wenping by Shen Mingzhu.

After all, Pei Wenping was the third largest shareholder of the food factory.

"Heaven wants to rain and a woman wants to marry, her heart is no longer in it, forcing her to stay makes no sense."

After expressing her stance, Pei Wenping inquired how much more money Shen Mingzhu needed.

"I have almost two hundred thousand, I can give it to you first."

Shen Mingzhu graciously declined Pei Wenping’s kindness, "No need, I am not short of money, and can provide it at any time."

Seeing Pei Wenping’s confusion, Shen Mingzhu explained with a light smile, "I deliberately delayed it for a week, to see if there was still room for maneuver."

Pei Wenping smirked, "Then you might be disappointed, I understand Du Juan well, she is strong and tenacious, once she decides on something, not even ten oxen can pull her back."

Shen Mingzhu gave no comment.

...

The third person to know about Du Juan’s resignation and share withdrawal was Shen Chaobei.

"You want to leave the food factory? Why? Just because I asked you to apologize to your younger sister?"

"You think too little of me, I am leaving the food factory because I plan to start my own business. I intend to collaborate with Fu Wang to invest and build a factory, to fight for my career in the latter part of my life."

Whether it was Du Juan’s idea that shocked him or her seriousness and determination he perceived, Shen Chaobei was stunned for quite a while before finding his voice again.

"When did you get this idea?"

"Quite some time ago, if I have to say, probably around the time when my younger sister pressured me with shares, forcing me to give up the cooperation with Luo Sen."

Shen Chaobei then asked, "What does your younger sister say?"

"She agreed."

Hearing Shen Mingzhu had consented to his wife’s resignation and share withdrawal, Shen Chaobei fell silent again.

"Is that Fu Wang reliable? Don’t get deceived, not everyone is as open-hearted and benevolent as your younger sister."

Although Shen Chaobei was honest and sincere, he was clear-cut about major issues.

"I may not be as capable as my younger sister, but I’m not foolish enough to trust people easily, I’ve been doing background checks and considering it for a while now, Fu Wang’s capabilities are without doubt, their several lead products are currently unrivaled in the Chinese market."

"Once work here at the food factory is finished, I will go to Ao City to conduct an on-site visit and study, to discuss the cooperative factory project with Fu Wang. Chaobei, I hope you can come with me."

"I won’t go, you can go by yourself!"

Shen Chaobei instantly refused her without a second thought, not understanding her rationale, "Why leave behind a perfectly good life to struggle with starting a business? Do you think starting a business is so easy?"

Du Juan chuckled lightly, "A perfectly good life? What’s so good about it? Guoguo is only ten years old and already has her own villa; our Daya doesn’t even have her own study room—I don’t think we’re living a good life at all."

"Why do you have to compare yourself with your younger sister?"

"I am not trying to compare with my younger sister, I just want a better life through my own efforts, is that wrong?"

Shen Chaobei had nothing to say.

"Think it over, if you decide to continue staying at the food factory, I won’t force you. You may not support my dream, but don’t obstruct me."

That night was one of the most agonizing dilemmas in Shen Chaobei’s life.

On one side was his blood-related younger sister, and on the other, hiswife whom he cherished deeply.

Staying at the food factory while his wife ventured into entrepreneurship alone was clearly not what a husband would do.

But leaving the food factory would also mean betraying his younger sister who had supported him for so many years.

There was no right choice.

After a night of restless tossing and turning, Shen Chaobei inevitably woke up late the next day.

Realizing he was about to be late for work, he rushed out of the house without even having breakfast.

Shen Yan chased after him with two eggs, pressing them into his hand.

"Dad, eat this on the way."

"Good girl."

Patting his daughter reassuredly on the shoulder, Shen Chaobei lifted his foot and walked downstairs.

Shen Yan unconsciously followed behind him. "Dad, is mom fighting with auntie because of what Dandan said?"

Her words made Shen Chaobei stop in his tracks.

The thought of facing his wife and sister once he reached the factory made him suddenly lose the desire to go to work.

He sat down on the stairs, peeling and eating an egg while speaking to his daughter.

"Adult issues aren’t your concern, just focus on your studies, get into a good university, and become someone useful in the future."

"Okay."

...

As Du Juan gradually handed her work over to Shen Mingzhu, the news of her departure spread through the factory like a gust of wind.

The workers were all talking.

Some thought that Du Juan was being pressured by Shen Mingzhu and had to leave, while others believed Du Juan had bigger ambitions and saw that the food factory was declining and wanted to seek better opportunities elsewhere.

But no matter what everyone thought, Du Juan’s departure unavoidably impacted the already struggling food factory significantly.

The HR department received resignation notices in double digits every day, including those from managers and higher-level management.

"I’ve inquired around, and these people are planning to start a business with Director Du, who has apparently promised them shares and dividends."

Listening to Wen Xiaoqin’s report, Shen Mingzhu didn’t show much emotion on her face and directly signed the resignation letters.

Resignation applications from supervisors and higher management required approval from her, the general manager.

"Should I post a recruitment notification?"

"Not for now, I’ll internally select suitable candidates for the vacant management positions, you handle the rest."

"Okay, then I’ll get back to work."

Shen Mingzhu stopped Wen Xiaoqin who was about to leave. "Has Deputy Director Shen come to work yet?"

"Not yet, he said he’s sick."

After finishing the work at hand, Shen Mingzhu picked up her car keys and headed out alone.

...

"Younger sister, what brings you here?"

Seeing Shen Mingzhu standing at the door, Shen Chaobei looked surprised.

"I heard you’ve been sick for several days, just came to see how you are."

Shen Mingzhu said as she walked inside.

Shen Chaobei stepped aside, his face showing a mix of guilt and awkwardness. "It’s nothing serious, just a common cold, I’ve taken some medicine and I’m much better now."

"That’s good."

Shen Mingzhu sat down on the sofa by herself, the maid attentively serving her tea and water, but Shen Yen’s siblings were nowhere to be seen.

"Are Daya and Dandan out?"

"Ah, Daya went to tutoring, and Dandan probably went out to play."

Shen Mingzhu took a sip of tea, waited for the maid to go to the kitchen before clarifying the purpose of her visit. "You haven’t been coming to work these past few days, am I to understand that you are planning to leave with my sister-in-law?"

"I am not!" Shen Chaobei immediately retorted without thinking.

Shen Mingzhu put down her tea. "Big brother, just be honest about what you’re thinking, I can understand and empathize, even if you decide to leave."

Shen Chaobei hung his head and rubbed his forehead, his face full of despair. "I don’t know what to do, younger sister, what do you think I should do?"