The Stepmother's Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era-Chapter 861 - 860: Reporting

Mai Qiu’s voice changed due to overwhelming guilt and nervousness.

Shen Mingzhu looked at her, her face expressing anger, "No, some things need to be made clear. I don’t believe I’ve wronged her in any way for her to begrudge me behind my back!"

Seeing that Shen Mingzhu was determined to call Du Juan, Mai Qiu became as frantic as an ant on a hot pot.

As soon as Du Juan arrived, her malicious intentions would certainly be revealed.

Rather than offend both Shen Mingzhu and Du Juan, it was better to come clean.

After quickly weighing the pros and cons, Mai Qiu hurriedly apologized, "President Shen, I’m sorry, I lied to you!"

Shen Mingzhu raised her eyebrows and remained silent.

"Actually, Director Du never said those things. I made them up. I was out of my mind, thinking this method could get me back into the food factory. I just wanted a job. Please forgive me for my foolishness. I promise this is the first and last time."

Seeing Mai Qiu’s true colors, Shen Mingzhu couldn’t be bothered to engage further with her.

Working all day was quite tiring.

"Just go. I don’t want to see you again."

Mai Qiu left in disgrace.

...

Shen Mingzhu didn’t take Mai Qiu seriously, nor did she ask Du Juan why Mai Qiu was dismissed, focusing instead on running the company.

The sales of the mooncakes turned the factory’s losses into gains.

Upgrading to a new production line and a series of measures improving staff welfare successfully stabilized the morale of the entire workforce.

But these did not fundamentally solve the difficulties at the food factory.

Currently, the food factory’s business was divided into three main parts: Mingzhu Food and Vice Products, Ronghua Mooncakes, and Mingzhu Restaurant.

More than half of the year had passed, but both Mingzhu Food and Vice Products and Mingzhu Restaurant were still incurring serious losses.

It was urgent to boost the sales of these two business areas.

Enhancing the flavor and packaging of existing products, developing new products, placing TV ads, and locking in next year’s Olympic champions as spokespersons.

Just as Shen Mingzhu was incredibly busy with work, the tax authorities came knocking.

As a successful entrepreneur, Shen Mingzhu’s influence and social standing in Fengcheng had grown considerably, along with a rich network of connections.

The day before their visit, the person in charge had called her in advance to discuss the matter.

Someone had reported the food factory for tax evasion.

The tax officials were performing routine checks, and Shen Mingzhu cooperated fully.

The investigation confirmed that there were no irregularities or disciplinary violations in the factory’s tax affairs.

This matter greatly annoyed Pei Wenping, the financial manager, who was busiest, most tired, and under the most pressure during the tax inspection.

"If I find out who the scoundrel causing trouble behind the scenes is, I won’t let them off!"

Seeing Shen Mingzhu lost in thought, she couldn’t help but ask curiously, "Who do you think it could be? Hui Kang? Lejia? Xin Zhiwei?"

These were all strong competitors of the food factory.

Competition in business is always a war without visible smoke.

In the second half of the year, the food factory first succeeded in turning things around during the Mid-Autumn Festival; afterwards, major reforms were made, introducing advanced automated production lines and constantly innovating.

This series of actions could well have put immense pressure on their competitors.

"I’ll get to the bottom of this. With the end of the year approaching, let’s urge everyone to be careful and meticulous in their work and not give anyone a chance to exploit us."

"Don’t worry, I’m on it."

Seeing Pei Wenping’s serious expression, Shen Mingzhu comforted her with a smile, "Don’t worry, in the face of absolute power, all plots and schemes are ineffective."

Pei Wenping clapped her hands together, "Well said!"

...

The tax audit storm hadn’t caused any substantial impact on the food factory.

Following the first TV commercial on CCTV, the main product—potato chips—sold out immediately, especially the "Seven Stars in a Row" variety.

Each bag contained seven different flavors, each individually packaged, and also came with currently popular stickers and little toys like whistles.

Besides, Shen Mingzhu had also introduced family packs and New Year gift sets.

The family pack was economical, whereas the gift set was beautifully packaged and high-end, paired with character figures, models, or dolls designed by the food factory itself.

On one hand, Shen Mingzhu was rushing orders to the point where the production line was smoking. On the other hand, Du Juan’s new factory was experiencing difficulties.

The environmental approval was delayed, preventing production from starting. The rent and labor costs were huge expenditures for each day of delay.

For a new company at the beginning of its venture, this was undoubtedly a crushing blow.

...

Ginkgo Restaurant, top-floor banquet hall.

"Why aren’t you eating anymore? Are you not feeling well? If so, I can have Xiao Xu drive you home to rest."

After finishing his drink with a few executives he cooperated with, Zhao Dafa returned to his seat and noted that Shen Hongmei had stopped eating, asking out of concern.

Shen Hongmei shook her head, "It’s nothing. I had snacks this afternoon, so I’m not very hungry."

Hearing this, Zhao Dafa picked up a bowl to scoop some pickled radish and duck soup to whet her appetite. After serving her the soup, he instructed her to drink it before picking up his glass to continue socializing.

Observing Shen Hongmei sipping the soup, the middle-aged woman sitting beside her cast envious glances.

"Mrs. Zhao, you are really fortunate—your husband treats you so well."

Shen Hongmei replied modestly with a smile, "He’s just worried I might starve the baby in my stomach."

The topic of children sparked the middle-aged woman’s interest, "From the look of your belly being pointy, I guess it’s a boy. Actually, at this stage of your pregnancy, you can find out the gender at the hospital—a little bribe usually does the trick."

Shen Hongmei placed her hand on her protruding belly, politely responding, "Boy or girl, I’ll love them all the same."

Last month, Zhao Dafa had taken her to find out the baby’s gender; it was a boy.

But since such matters weren’t exactly legal, she couldn’t share this with someone she wasn’t close to.

As Zhao Dafa’s business grew larger, so did the number of competitors and enemies, and they were always potentially plotting against him. As his wife, she had to be extremely careful with her words and actions in public.

Whether it was out of boredom, the middle-aged woman kept talking to her.

Hongmei, tired of responding, excused herself to use the restroom under the pretext of leaving the table.

The restroom was crowded with female guests that evening.

Hongmei wasn’t in a hurry to return, so she slowly made her way downstairs to use the restroom on another floor.

"Ugh—"

As she entered the third floor ladies’ room, right at the sink, there was a figure bent over, eerily familiar from behind.

After a closer inspection for two seconds, a look of surprise crossed Shen Hongmei’s face.

"Sister Juan? Are you alright?"

Du Juan looked up and through the mirror saw Shen Hongmei, pregnant belly in tow, paused for a moment then lowered her head to rinse her mouth.

Shen Hongmei approached her side, asking with concern, "Are you okay? Do you need help getting a ride home?"

After spitting out the water, she replied vaguely, "No need."

"I had a meal with some environmental bureau leaders. Drank a bit too much. I feel much better after throwing up."

After fixing herself up, Du Juan patted her chest and explained to Shen Hongmei.