I Became a Vicious Supporting Role in the '70s-Chapter 13: Think for Yourself

Lu Debang and Zhang Hongfa finished distributing the grain to Shen Meng, asking her and the others to wait inside the house. They needed to go to the production team to fetch some things, and also to find a plank to carry her out. Shen Meng readily agreed.

As they stepped outside, they saw quite a crowd gathered at the entrance of the Lu Family. They hastily waved their hands, shooing the crowd away.

"Get back to your work. There are no work points earned here. Don't come running to me when grain and meat are distributted at the end of the year."

Watching the village chief dispersing the crowd, those who knew better left first, while others shuffled their feet, still glancing towards the Lu Family home.

On the way back to the production team, Lu Debang said with a frown, "What are you thinking, compensating Zhenping's wife ten yuan and thirty kilos of fine grain without discussing it with me first? If other people find out, will they be willing to accept this?"

"Humph, what if they are not willing? A bull from our production team gored someone, nearly killing her, and we didn't even call a doctor. If word gets out, our Lu Family Village production team will be known throughout the commune for this. When Zhenping gets back, he won't let this go. Don't forget that the County Government has people who know Zhenping. If he decides to hold grudges, who will take responsibility?"

Lu Debang sneered, unconvinced, "I think you're overthinking it. Zhenping is someone who listens to reason."

"Reason or not, his wife, the mother of his child, was injured. He's out there protecting our country, and we, his family and fellow villagers who grew up with him, did not come to their rescue. Think about whether he would be willing to accept that."

Lu Debang was rendered speechless by his words, knowing full well Zhenping's temperament; when roused, he could indeed be frightening.

Seeing that he fell silent, Zhang Hongfa sighed and patted his shoulder.

"Debang, consider the overall reputation. No matter what, Shen Meng is Zhenping's wife. She was injured by the production team's bull, and it's uncertain if she'll survive. If we, the village officials, don't stand up for her now, what would the members of the collective think? It's only because her parents are honest people that they didn't make a scene in front of the commune. Put someone else in their shoes and see if they wouldn't demand the production team to pay compensation! Moreover, doesn't your nephew aspire to join the army? He's fifteen this year, and if he's enlisted..."

He left the rest unsaid but patted Lu Debang's shoulder emphatically. The younger generation of village officials needed to establish relationships anew and handle matters impartially; otherwise, they truly wouldn't earn people's respect.

It was then that Lu Debang felt a chill in his heart. As the children of the Lu Mingyang family have grown up, if Shen Meng doesn't survive this ordeal, it will surely leave an impression on Lu Zhenping. Whether those would be good or bad words depends on their performance now.

Thinking thus, he looked back at his previous attitude and broke out in a cold sweat. These days, having a family member in the military brings honor to the entire family. Perform well in the army, and one has endless prospects. Yet, sometimes, no matter how hard you work, you still need to have the right connections.

"Yes, yes, you're right, Hongfa. Let's hurry up and give Zhenping's wife the money and grain. Oh, and see if there's anything we can spare from the production team's ration tickets, and bring some of that as well. I just heard that Uncle Shen's family isn't planning to return home tonight. Let's send someone to Shenji to pass on the message."

"Hahaha, alright, I'll listen to you," Zhang Hongfa laughed, pointing at Lu Debang. The two men discussed how to move Shen Meng and what gifts to bring, as they secretly planned to have their wives visit Shen Meng later, hoping to leave a good impression.

Half an hour later, Shen Meng was carried back home on an old door plank. Those loitering around the Lu Family saw her barely alive state and began to believe the words Wang Guizhi had previously spoken.

Several loose-lipped individuals began making gestures towards the Lu Family Old Mansion.

Zhou Jiaojiao, moving from her spacious brick-and-tile home to the run-down house now occupied by Shen Meng, felt a substantial gap that overwhelmed her. All the items she had accumulated, bit by bit, through saving money, now cluttered her kang bed, leaving her at a loss of where to store them. With grievances welling up, her eyes reddened.

Lu Jiaxuan, seeing her like this, felt incredibly heartbroken.

"Jiaojiao, don't be sad. I'll make you a few cabinets later. The house that mom prepared for us when we get married is spacious too. We'll move there later!"

Zhou Jiaojiao frowned slightly and shook her head gently.

"No, autumn is coming soon, and my parents are getting older. They should live in that house. We're young and healthy; we can live here just fine. Later, we can paste some newspaper over the windows. After cleaning up a bit, this house will be suitable to live in."

Lu Jiaxuan, looking at his sensible wife, felt his heart soften indescribably.

"Jiaojiao, you're suffering."

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"I'm not suffering. As long as I'm with you, and with our hearts united in living a good life together, I don't feel aggrieved."

Zhou Jiaojiao didn't want to move to the house near Liu Sanjin. Life was blissful with just the two of them, coming to the old house only during meals and having the freedom to be playful. Living in the old house was different; the slightest noise could be heard by others.

She planned to ask her in-laws to build a separate compound for their family, even if it's just a mud-brick house. With its doors shut, living their own life would have a true flavor!

Liu Sanjin was living comfortably in the big house. Seeing her youngest son and his wife moving back, she felt sorry for them; however, she didn't want to move to the old house either. The roof, without repairs, was on the verge of collapsing. Just then, Lu Jiaxuan told her that Zhou Jiaojiao didn't want to move in, insisting that she, being older, needed to live comfortably.

Liu Sanjin was moved beyond words, once again feeling that Zhou Jiaojiao, her youngest daughter-in-law, was considerate. Shen Meng, that little vixen, was just a debt collector. When her eldest son Lu Zhenping returned, she would certainly make Zhenping leave her.

Shen Meng was unaware of these events; she was currently chatting with the village chief's elder sister-in-law, Tian Guihua, and the Secretary's mother, Chen Jinling, who had come together bringing eggs, brown sugar, and some dried vegetables.

"Good child, take good care of your health. You can get better. Your Ming Kai is still so young; he can't lose his mother. If there's any trouble in the future, come to me. I'll take care of you."

"Yeah, sister, we didn't know you had such a hard time before. Everyone was busy earning work points. Some people are mean, without any ability, and just think about taking advantage of others. Don't worry, my uncle is the village chief. Although he's young, he's fair and won't let our fellow villagers suffer."

Both had their own motivations and were lavishing kindness upon Shen Meng, yet their intent to befriend her sincerely was also genuine. Having gone through a life-and-death ordeal and managed to get her house back, she was indeed a clever person.

"Ah, I've embarrassed both sister-in-law and aunt. Being able to get my child's house back really owes much to the leaders' blessing. When my Zhenping comes back, I have to make sure he pays a visit to both the village chief and the Secretary to give them a proper thank you."

Hearing Shen Meng say this, Tian Guihua and Chen Jinling exchanged a glance, both heaving a sigh of relief. They didn't care for the thanks; they just hoped she wouldn't hold a grudge for their prior failure to help seek a doctor.