I Became a Vicious Supporting Role in the '70s-Chapter 155: Stirring Up a Wild Animal’s Den

For Shen Meng, the child’s simple thoughts were unknown to her. After delivering the soy milk to Xie Jinghao, she headed straight home. As she passed the private plot, she took a detour into the space, first entering the bathroom for a good bath, then changing into light clothes, and serving herself a pot of super spicy butter hotpot base.

Authentic Sichuan flavor, delicious without being overwhelming.

Tripe, duck intestines, marinated chicken feet, beef tendon, fatty beef, fatty lamb, shrimp paste, tribute vegetables, potato slices, dried tofu, fried rice, tofu pudding, ice cream, cocktails.... Finally, she played a beautiful piece of music, saliva dripping as Shen Meng eagerly started the hotpot.

With a table fully set, she began to heartily eat. Outside, the north wind howled, the cold was intense, but inside the space, the temperature was warm, making Shen Meng thoroughly satisfied.

After eating and drinking her fill, Shen Meng took care of the odor on her body before exiting the space. Back in the kitchen, the tofu was almost ready.

She found a basket and assigned tasks to several children.

"I made so much tofu, usually we freeze it for ourselves to eat, the rest we’ll give away. These are all cut into pieces, give one piece each to your Fourth Aunt, Mrs. Daya, Aunt Lianhua, Aunt Xifeng, at your grandma’s, Uncle Guai’s, the village chief’s, and the Secretary’s house. Leave this larger piece for your Brother Ah Man. After you’re done delivering, hurry back home. Tonight, mom will make you something delicious."

"Alright mom, Ming Liang and I will go, you take a rest, it’s still early!"

Shen Meng: "...That’s exactly what mom was thinking."

After her meal, she felt sleepy, her eyelids heavy, the tofu was still warm, and while sending it out, you could add some soy sauce or garlic juice to eat directly. Others’ families might fare a bit better, but not Ah Man’s - they hardly received any grain at all, if she didn’t help out, who knows how they would manage this year.

Ming Kai and Ming Fang were sitting by the coal stove, drawing and occasionally looking towards the room, fearing their mother might kick off the blanket or sleep uncomfortably.

By the time Shen Meng woke up, Lu Xiangxiang had already returned, studying characters earnestly with Ming Fang.

"Xiangxiang is here."

"Sister-in-law, you made so much tofu by yourself, you really worked hard."

"It’s not hard, it’s winter now, there’s nothing much to do at home anyway. Tonight, let’s stew some vegetables and steam two pots of buns, then they can have dinner when they return."

"Let’s go with what sister-in-law says."

After finishing their conversation, Lu Xiangxiang and Shen Meng got to work; carrying firewood, fetching water, cleaning pots, cutting vegetables and kneading dough, Lu Xiangxiang didn’t let Shen Meng lift a finger, only when it came to cooking did she step aside and let her take over the stove.

Scallions, ginger, chili exploded with fragrance as fatty pork slices were stir-fried until the oil sizzled. Then, adding cabbage, radish, water, vermicelli, tofu, and bean sprouts, they also added light and dark soy sauce, covered it with a lid to stew.

Once the pot heated up, they stuck the rolled dough with vegetable soup on the side of the pot and covered it to continue cooking.

On another stove, buns were being steamed and soon the fragrance filled the courtyard.

By evening, it had grown dark and light snow began to quietly fall. Shen Meng and Lu Xiangxiang, along with a few children, had already eaten dinner. With this weather, they had gotten hungry early. After dinner, Shen Meng brewed a large pot of vitamin C water.

"Drinking this is good for your health, it’s sour and sweet and tastes good, you few little ones should drink a cup every day."

Mingyang and the other children’s eyes lit up, they thought they wouldn’t be allowed more after one cup, but to their surprise, mom encouraged it and they immediately giggled in joy.

When the courtyard door was knocked, Shen Meng and Lu Xiangxiang quickly stood up, threw on their clothes, and stepped out of the main house door.

Lu Zhenping and Shen Xiaobin were carrying quite a lot of things, and behind them, Lu Jiasheng and Lu Changhong were carrying a big wild animal into the yard. After closing the gate, Lu Jiasheng hurriedly shut the door.

Shen Meng and Lu Xiangxiang looked at the game in the yard and immediately gasped in astonishment.

There were over a dozen wild rabbits, five or six pheasants, an elk, and a big wild boar lying on the ground, apparently already done for.

"How did you guys end up with so much? Did you guys raid a game den or something?"

Lu Xiangxiang didn’t speak, just stood next to Shen Meng trembling.

"Today was a lucky day, Xiao Meng, hurry and bring over some hot water; I’m thirsty."

"Okay, coming!"

Shen Meng turned around and went back inside. Lu Xiangxiang also went in, and soon, both women came out holding cups of water. Mingyang and Ming Liang each held a cup, handed them to Lu Jiasheng and Lu Changhong, who gulped them down. Just as they were about to return the cups, they saw Lu Zhenping and Shen Meng being sweet with each other, while Lu Xiangxiang and Shen Xiaobin were also exchanging longing glances.

Lu Jiasheng: "..."

Lu Changhong: "..."

As if none of us have wives!!!

Feeling like they could hear their inner voices, Lu Jiasheng suddenly turned his head to look at Lu Changhong, who awkwardly touched his neck—he didn’t have a wife.

After taking a break, Shen Meng and Lu Xiangxiang called them inside to eat first, since the game was already in the house and wasn’t going anywhere. The priority was to restore their strength.

Warm stewed dishes and big steamed buns were served. Shen Meng scooped up two cups of liquor from a jar. The men who had been out in the mountains all day finally got to enjoy a warm meal, complete with meat and alcohol, savoring it thoroughly.

How the meat was divided, Shen Meng didn’t care—she and Lu Xiangxiang boiled two pots of hot water for the men to use; that was enough for her. She then took the kids to wash up and rest for the night.

Lu Xiangxiang pulled Shen Xiaobin aside and told him everything that had happened to her today, her eyes tense, fearing he might despise her.

"I’m sorry, I didn’t know. You must have felt terribly wronged today. Don’t worry, I will stand up for you. In a few days, I’ll have my parents propose marriage at your place, and after the New Year, we’ll get married."

"You don’t despise me?"

"Silly girl, this wasn’t your fault—it was that damn Lai Zi’s doing. Don’t be afraid, I’ll be there for you. I’m not someone who lacks reason; it wasn’t your fault, yet you were blamed. Besides, if I dared to accuse you unfairly, my sister would break my legs in an instant."

Lu Xiangxiang was moved at first, but upon hearing what Shen Xiaobin said next, she burst into laughter.

"My brother-in-law said he won’t distribute this batch of game to the village to avoid everyone eyeing him up later. He said he’ll give me one leg of the meat, along with a wild rabbit and a pheasant. We’ll split it half-and-half between our two families!"

"That’s too much, don’t take so much. Just take it home for your Aunt and Uncle to eat!"

Shen Xiaobin touched his head and said, "My brother-in-law mentioned he wants to maintain a good relationship with my Uncle; these gifts are not just for your parents, but your brother-in-law and his family get shares too."

After hearing this, Lu Xiangxiang felt incredibly sweet and then paused, "Let’s leave out my second brother. They’re not worthwhile to interact with, like a plague, better kept at a distance."