I Became a Vicious Supporting Role in the '70s-Chapter 193: Isn’t This Decision Too Hasty?

Hu Biao paused momentarily with his chopstick-holding hand, carefully observing Li Qianqian and then glanced at his parents-in-law and his own parents. It was tough to utter cheesy words, but he still hurriedly begged for forgiveness.

"Qianqian, dear Qianqian, I’m not heartless. What my mother did was way too excessive, and I’m truly disappointed in her. However, she’s old after all. When she just entered, I saw her stumbling a bit, worried she might faint at the door. Both my parents are respectable people; if someone with ill intentions saw that, even if we’re not at fault, it could lead to negative gossip."

"Hmph, glad you know better. Here, eat some more, you’ve been worn thin these past few days taking care of the kids and me."

"Hehe, thank you, my wife."

Qi Mingyue and Mr. Li watched the young couple, both shaking their heads. Qianqian is still like a teenager; fortunately, Hu Biao is more mature, tolerating her more. If it were some chauvinistic man listening to his daughter say those things, he would have already been smashing chopsticks and bowls.

"Xiao Meng, Zhenping, I apologize for making you witness this embarrassing scene, please don’t mind. These two are perpetually childish, we really don’t know what to do with them. Please, have some dishes, eat up. Also, Mingyang and you few kids, don’t be shy, eat up!"

"Thank you, Grandma."

"This meatball that grandma made is so delicious!"

"Don’t call her grandma, call her aunty, she looks like a mom! Aunty is really pretty." Ming Kai, being the youngest, had quite the clever mouth. His words were highly effective, almost disorienting Qi Mingyue.

"This fish soup that grandma made is really tasty, even better than what my mom makes!" Ming Liang added, taking another big sip, which greatly amused Qi Mingyue who then ladled another bowl for him.

"If you love drinking, drink more. Oh, Xiao Meng, how did you raise these kids? They’re so charming, and their words are as sweet as honey, I really like them a lot." freewebnσvel.cøm

Shen Meng smiled, glanced at Li Qianqian, and took the opportunity to repeat the earlier conversation in the room. Both Qi Mingyue and Li Chuan sighed.

How could they not be aware of such matters? Over the years, they too have been striving to improve the livelihood in Ning County. Although Ning County is large and supported by several factories, it’s still quite backwards compared to other cities.

However, it seems to have improved a lot in the past two years. The country has increased its efforts towards generating foreign exchange. Recently, he’s been vying for a spot in the summer product exhibition. If they could just get a spot to showcase Ning County’s offerings, their county’s future reputation might change; at least, it won’t be labeled as a poverty-stricken county.

"Mr. Li, Director Qi, I didn’t mean to stir trouble or spoil the mood by bringing this up. Just now in Qianqian’s room, I heard you wanted to feature some of Ning County’s specialties at the summer exhibition. So, I was thinking, what does Ning County have? Textiles from the textile factory, towels from the towel factory, shortbreads, sugar cakes, canned goods from the secondary food factory, or perhaps some handcrafted items from the locals?"

Initially, Director Li listened to Shen Meng while eating, but gradually, he put down his chopsticks and started looking at her attentively.

"Our Ning County is large with many inhabitants, and is known to many big cities outside as a poverty-stricken county. But there are so many poverty-stricken counties nationwide. Towels, shortbreads, candies, and handcrafts, aren’t these common in many rural areas? Mr. Li, no offense, but even if you successfully attend the exhibition, do you think the items you present will appeal to foreigners?"

Lu Zhenping also took over the conversation at this point. He had met foreign soldiers during his military service. To be honest, they were very arrogant and powerless, but most foreigners have one advantage; once you defeat them, they genuinely admire and respect you.

"Xiao Meng is right. When I was not there, He Ping and I received foreign soldiers. They are physically strong and use advanced weapons. In the military roadshows, they indeed outperformed us by a lot. However, our soldiers are not pushovers. By embodying the virtues of never abandoning or giving up, we’ve defeated them several times. I’ve heard a lot from them about their love for our country and for many old objects from our country. So, Mr. Li, if you really want to take Ning County’s specialties to the exhibition, you should think it over."

"Hisss~ So Xiao Meng and Zhenping, do you have any ideas? Otherwise, you wouldn’t have brought up this topic, would you?"

A gleam of joy appeared on Shen Meng’s face, as she had been waiting for this question. She glanced at Lu Zhenping, then walked over to the sofa, picked up her bag placed there, and took out five headpieces and five hairpins, plus two handkerchiefs, laying them in front of Li Chuan and Qi Mingyue.

Li Chuan was astute. This pair’s give-and-take probably waited just for him to ask this question. He chuckled and pointed at Shen Meng and Zhenping, shaking his head, "Look, look, after all this talk, you were waiting here for me, hahaha. This old guy is indeed beaten by the young people on the beach."

After laughing, he picked up the hairpins and handkerchiefs placed in front of him and inspected them carefully. They were indeed beautiful—fine stitches and exquisite patterns.

"Can this work?"

Shen Meng shook her head, "I’m afraid not. We don’t have so much fabric at home. It’s just some leftover materials we had someone make a bit with. But if we had some high-end quality materials, then we could definitely create more patterns. We don’t need entire bolts; fabric scraps would do. These needlework tasks, the women in the countryside can do them. If we can organize this, the power it could harness should not be underestimated. As long as these items can appear at the exhibition, the headpieces, hairpins, and handkerchiefs from Ning County can become famous. Mr. Li, even if we cannot earn foreign exchange at the exhibition, I believe you still have methods to place these items in stores in the Provincial City, even the capital’s Friendship Store or Cooperative Society. This way, our common people would have one more source of income. Later on, thinking about other livelihoods, eventually, Ning County could cast off the hat of a poor county."

Li Chuan and Qi Mingyue were left dumbfounded by Shen Meng’s enthusiastic pitch. On the other side, Hu Biao was already too excited to contain himself. Talking about fabric scraps, their textile factory had plenty, especially the stock in the warehouse that they couldn’t sell. If they could utilize it, it would bring another source of income for the textile factory.

What is most important is that if this could solve a big concern for his father-in-law, then his own parents could lighten some of their burdens, and he wouldn’t have to carry such a heavy psychological load—a win-win situation indeed!

"That... that, about the fabric scraps, our textile factory can indeed provide some."

Going with the flow, Shen Meng slammed the table, "Alright then, let’s settle it with Mr. Hu. When it comes to needing fabrics, I’ll come to you. But don’t worry, we’ll treat this as the textile factory’s business. Our society will be affiliated under your factory. The common people will earn some manual labor fees, but the major profits will still belong to your factory. However, I think Qianqian is the most suitable to take charge of this, let her be the coordinator then, and make sure her salary and benefits are substantial, otherwise Qianqian won’t have the spare time."

Li Qianqian: "...."

Hu Biao: "......"

Li Chuan/Qi Mingyue: "...."

Is this really settled? Isn’t it a bit hasty?!!