TRANSMIGRATED TO THE 80S TO BECOME STEPMOTHERS FOR FIVE HIGHER-UPS
Chapter 62: Biological Mother
Before the children's final exams, Mu Jingzhe recruited three more people and continued to make hair accessories.
As she expected, her hair accessories sold very well, with butterfly hairpins becoming very popular.
He had to expand production before his designs were replicated elsewhere.
Compared to a factory, his business was just a small workshop.
However, Mu Jingzhe was not afraid, as there were not many large factories in the era, and his small workshop was quite efficient.
The people he hired were all hardworking, and their speed was not slow either. Everyone worked together quickly and formed a production line as quickly as possible.
Before the weather turned cold, Mu Jingzhe renovated the courtyard and used wooden boards and bricks to completely block out the curious eye. Now it finally looks like a factory.
He also set up a regulatory system to make factory procedures more standard.
He's familiar with these things.
Employees do not work in factories, but they have to go in and out when they come to work. There is just no formality. The management is even stricter than a factory.
The only difference between this place and the factory is that there are no factory buildings or companies. When there is an opportunity, the factory can be established and immediately operate.
Most of the villagers only knew that Mu Jingzhe was capable, but those who had the opportunity to work here knew better than anyone else how incredible he was.
However, everyone knows that they are running a fast business there. This is especially noticeable when one looks at the workers— their condition is completely different from before. This caused jealousy in all the villagers.
Oldest brother-in-law Shao and Zhao Lan had heard a lot of gossip about them in the village. Although they were very angry, there was nothing they could do. When they heard that Mu Jingzhe was making money, they wanted to earn money with him. However, Mu Jingzhe paid them no heed. All they could do was make a slanted comment next door, slam things, or fight amongst themselves.
Since the two families lived next door, they could hear all the commotion. Sometimes, Eldest Brother Shao would lose his temper.
Mu Jingzhe heard everything but ignored it just like that.
Conflict at home affects children. Although Fu, Lu, Shou, and Xi did not dare bully Shao Dong and his brothers anymore, they imitated the adults and gossiped behind them.
In particular, they often made fun of Little Bei and Xiao Wu for calling Mu Jingzhe 'Mother'.
They mocked Xiao Wu by saying, “You called a random person 'Mother' just because she can suckle you, huh. I can also give you food. Come on, call me 'Dad'.”
They also mocked Little Bei. “It's okay if that little b*stard calls her Mommy because she didn't have a mother from the start, but even you call her that. If Second Aunt found out about this in the afterlife, I don't know how sad she is.”
Fu, Lu, Shou, and Xi spread rumors about them. The situation of Shao Dong and his brothers in the school had improved, and no one dared to bully them. However, there are also people who don't like them, and they start talking badly about them behind their back.
Mu Jingzhe was sensitive and sensed their mood swings, but they refused to tell him what had happened when he asked them.
Then, he learned from Eldest Brother-in-law Shao that Little Bei, Shao Dong, Shao Xi, and Shao Nan's birth mother's death anniversary were coming.
The reason Fu, Lu, Shou, and Xi suddenly mentioned their second aunt was because it would be a warning of her imminent death.
They did not remember his death anniversary so early because they missed their second aunt or something, but because they wanted Mu Jingzhe to feel sad.
No matter how impressive and arrogant Mu Jingzhe was now, it could not hide the fact that she was a stepmother.
In ancient times, the woman in her position was considered a concubine and had to submit to the first wife. They could never be compared to the first wife.
Even though she treated the children well, and Little Bei and Xiao Wu even started calling her 'Mother', she was still not their birth mother. She's just a stepmother.
It was rare for the oldest branch to find something that infuriated Mu Jingzhe, so they deliberately let their children learn this and even made them publish this matter in the village.
They don't mind, but the kids do. It is true that they feel bad.
Mu Jingzhe was speechless as he watched Eldest Brother-in-law Shao prancing around.
He originally thought that Zhao Lan would also be prancing around with Eldest Brother-in-law Shao. However, to his surprise, Zhao Lan did not say much about the death anniversary this time. Although he continued to pull a long face, he did not say much.
Eldest Brother-in-law Shao thought that it would make Mu Jingzhe miserable, but this was not the case at all.
He seemed to have forgotten that Mu Jingzhe did not care about these things now that Shao Qihai was gone.
“I heard your mother's death warning in a few days. I'd like to ask how you used to salute. Is there anything special you do?”
The children looked at each other for a moment but said nothing. Little Bei even looked at him carefully.
Mu Jingzhe laughed. “Why didn't you say anything? Why are you looking at me like that? Is it uncomfortable for you to tell me? I didn't mean anything by that. I just want to help you prepare.”
Little Bei shook his head strongly. “No, we are afraid.. Mom will not be happy.”.
So they are considering forgiving her feelings. The foolish children were sad and worried that he would feel bad.
Mu Jingzhe would willingly stroke their heads.
“Thank you for your consideration, but I'm fine with that, so tell me. I must make preparations before the anniversary of his death arrives.”
Shao Dong, who was feeling a little uneasy from having his head caressed, thanked him in a whisper.
"Together."
Shao Xi looked at Shao Dong. On his orders, he took the responsibility of communicating with Mu Jingzhe like he did in the past.
Only then did Mu Jingzhe learn that their birth mother was named Bai Lu.
It is said that he was named so because he was born on Bailu Day[1]. Also, his last name was Bai, so he was given the name Bai Lu.
Shao Xi spoke too much and even referred to Bai Lu as 'Mother' a few times. When he finished speaking, he was a little embarrassed.
Mu Jingzhe did not seem to notice it. “So the day after. What does your mother like to eat?”
“Kue walnut,” Shao Xi immediately replied.
“Kue walnut? Hmm, alright.”
Walnut cakes were a famous and delicious snack of the era.
Mu Jingzhe had never known Bai Lu before, but he took this opportunity to get to know him a little.
It was difficult to find out from the children, but he did not hesitate to ask Shao Qiyang. When Shao Qiyang came back, he asked about her.
Shao Qiyang was initially still angry with the conversation, but he came back because he was afraid that he would feel bad. In the end, he was fine. He had no choice but to tell her what he knew.
In this way, Mu Jingzhe learned about the conflict between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, Zhao Lan and Bai Lu.
It was said that Zhao Lan was dissatisfied with Bai Lu from the very beginning.
Shao Qihai was the second child. He had Eldest Brother Shao on top of him and two younger brothers under him. So, he was the most neglected child among them.
Ever since she was young, she had never spoken heartwarming words and she only knew how to work in silence. Only after he joined the army, became successful, and started sending pocket money back, his presence gradually began to be seen in the house.
Zhao Lan originally wanted to find a good wife for Shao Qihai in the Great Eastern Village, but before she could do anything, Shao Qihai had already found someone.
It was said that a friend of the army had introduced the girl to him. She is a smart and beautiful city girl with a job.
It was usually a good thing to find such a daughter-in-law, but Zhao Lan was not happy. This was because after they got married, Shao Qihai started sending less money, saying that he now needed to support his family.
Zhao Lan was not happy. She wanted to find Shao Qihai a wife from the Great Eastern Village so that she could keep her daughter-in-law at home to maintain control over Shao Qihai. This way, Shao Qihai would continue to send back his allowance to him.
Unfortunately, Zhao Lan's objection to Shao Qihai's sudden request to marry was futile. As a result, he was very unhappy with Bai Lu.
Initially, Shao Qihai asked Zhao Lan to go see her daughter-in-law before returning home to have a dinner party when Lunar New Year arrived. However, Zhao Lan did not leave.
In fact, Zhao Lan even told her not to bother having a wedding party in their hometown. He said he had nothing to wait for the daughter-in-law from the city.
[1] 15th of the 24 solar terms in the Chinese Lunar Calendar
