The Stepmother's Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era-Chapter 849 - 848: Husband and Wife Walk Together Hand in Hand
Chapter 849: Chapter 848: Husband and Wife Walk Together Hand in Hand
Looking at the helpless Shen Chaobei, Shen Mingzhu reflected and said, "Big brother, although we are blood-related siblings, in this lifetime, the person who can stand by your side throughout your life is only your wife, including Daya and Dandan. They will have their own lives and families in the future and won’t be able to stay with you forever."
Shen Chaobei looked at her and didn’t speak for a long while.
Shen Mingzhu continued, "What I’m going to say next isn’t meant to sway your thoughts and decisions, but from the standpoint of a woman and a wife, I would hope that my husband supports and understands me and can walk this journey with me shoulder to shoulder."
In the evening.
Du Juan returned home from work to find the table already set with a dinner a bit more lavish than usual. Shen Chaobei, wearing an apron, placed the last dish on the table and smilingly said to her,
"You’re back just in time, go wash your hands and let’s have dinner."
"Where are Daya and Dandan?"
Du Juan’s tone was somewhat cold. The couple had had a disagreement over her decision to resign and start a business, and they had been in a cold war for several days.
"I took them back to town this afternoon, to keep company with dad."
Hearing this, Du Juan didn’t say more and turned to change clothes in her room.
By the time she came back out, Shen Chaobei had opened a bottle of wine and was pouring it into glasses.
Du Juan paused for a moment and silently took a seat opposite him.
"Have a drink; it’s been a long time since we’ve had dinner together, just the two of us."
Du Juan neither agreed nor disagreed, took the wine glass, clinked it with Shen Chaobei’s, and drank it all in one gulp.
After drinking, the two silently and tacitly picked up their chopsticks and began to eat.
"Juan, I’ve thought it through."
Hearing Shen Chaobei speak, Du Juan lifted her eyes to look at him.
"I’ve decided to resign and start the business with you."
Du Juan watched him, not speaking.
Shen Chaobei continued, "I’ve already talked to my little sister, and she agrees. When we both left Shenjiagou with our bags to make a living in the city, we’ve been through so many storms together over the years, it doesn’t make sense to part ways halfway. Whatever you do in the future, I’ll be with you."
It was dusk, and the golden afterglow filtered through the windows, casting a glow on Shen Chaobei’s resolute face.
Looking at this familiar face, Du Juan couldn’t help but feel a twinge in her nose.
She raised her glass and drank in one gulp, using the biting alcohol to suppress the softness and wavering in her heart.
For that moment, she truly wanted to give up everything and live a quiet life of supporting her husband and teaching her children.
After calming herself, she looked up earnestly at the man and said, "Chaobei, thank you."
Shen Chaobei reached across the table to hold her hand, "As long as we’re good, that’s better than anything."
Du Juan nodded.
Time quickly came to the predetermined day of signing.
With their lawyers, other shareholders, and a few managers as witnesses, Shen Mingzhu and Du Juan completed the equity transfer signing process in the food factory’s conference room.
"The ten million for the equity transfer will be wired to Mrs. Du’s personal account before four o’clock this afternoon."
"Okay, thank you for your hard work."
After signing the agreement, the lawyers continued to negotiate the follow-up details, while Shen Mingzhu and Du Juan shared a knowing smile.
"What are your plans next?"
"The day after tomorrow, Chaobei and I are going to Ao City to visit Fu Wang’s factory for an on-site inspection and to talk about collaboration."
"If there’s anything I can help with, just let me know."
"I will."
While Du Juan completed the equity transfer procedures at her end, Shen Chaobei also handled his resignation.
"Little sister, we’re going to head off first. Keep in touch when you have time."
"Right, I wish you both all the best."
"Thank you," Du Juan replied.
After saying farewell, the couple turned and walked away.
Today marked the start of autumn, as the breeze caressed their faces, bringing a hint of coolness and casting a veil of subdued sorrow over Shen Mingzhu and the others watching the couple leave.
All gatherings will inevitably end, and every meeting will have its departure.
In the car, Shen Chaobei was almost completely turned around, gazing through the rear window at the receding factory area, his face filled with reluctance and affection.
Du Juan silently watched the road ahead, her thoughts unknown.
"Chaobei."
"Hm, what’s up?"
When he heard his wife call out, Shen Chaobei turned his head to look at her.
Du Juan gave him a serious look and said, "We’ll have our own factory soon, our very own business, and the future will surely be better than the present."
Shen Chaobei smiled, "I’ll listen to you."
In the meeting room.
As Shen Mingzhu entered, the already subdued atmosphere grew even quieter.
Compared to the past, there were significantly fewer people present, giving off the impression of the decline at the end of the day.
Looking at the dispirited management staff, Shen Mingzhu smiled lightly, "I believe you all know by now, Director Du has officially left the food factory. Starting from today, I’ll assume the role of general manager."
As her words fell, there was a round of applause in the meeting room, though not particularly enthusiastic.
The meeting began, and as usual, heads of various departments reported on their work.
"Next week starts the mooncake production cycle, and quite a few temporary workers have been inquiring. They’re asking if we’re hiring this year, because if not, they’ll go to other factories."
Ronghua Mooncakes, as one of the main businesses of the food factory, had sold over a million boxes, bringing in substantial income to the factory and providing lots of temporary jobs.
Forty-five days before the Mid-Autumn Festival every year, the food factory would hire a large number of temporary workers to produce mooncakes.
But this year was different from the past; sales of mooncakes hadn’t even reached a tenth of the previous year’s.
If there wasn’t a substantial increase in mooncake orders later, there’d be no need to hire these temporary workers.
But if they announced they weren’t hiring now, it would essentially mean giving up on this year’s mooncake market.
"Let’s hire a hundred workers for now."
Hearing Shen Mingzhu’s words, the head of the production department raised a new concern, "This year, the wages at various factories have risen a lot. Hui Kang is offering two yuan and fifty cents per hour. If we stick with last year’s wages, I’m afraid people won’t want to come."
Upon hearing the wage of two yuan and fifty cents, the meeting room erupted.
"Sheesh, has Hui Kang gone mad? Last year it was only one yuan and fifty cents, and now they’ve increased it by a whole yuan?"
"They’ve got the backing of foreign investors, their pockets are deep. Unlike us, we’re so poor we’re almost unable to lift the pot."
Shen Mingzhu tapped the tabletop, silencing the discussion, "This year, we’ll offer a wage of two yuan to recruit people."
A wage of two yuan was not as high as Hui Kang’s but still considered on the higher end.
Someone expressed concern, "With this year’s dismal mooncake sales, if we hire workers and end up without production, won’t we be incurring a huge unnecessary expense?"
Even if temporary workers didn’t work, they’d still need to be paid a minimum of eight hours of wages daily.
"There are still over forty days until Mid-Autumn Festival, don’t lose heart, we still have a chance."
As the general manager, Shen Mingzhu’s word was final, and there was nothing more anyone could say.
After the meeting ended, Shen Mingzhu inspected the production workshop before returning to her office to work.
Before she could enter the office, her assistant Xia Wushuang came running out excitedly to greet her, "President Shen, there’s a visitor here to see you."
