I Became a Vicious Supporting Role in the '70s-Chapter 197: Clearly Arranged for You

Shen Meng went inside the house and repeated what she had just told Hu Jinbu to Li family members. All of them turned their eyes to Hu Biao because after all, it was his mother, and if he spoke up to plead for her, thought Li Qianqian, she wouldn’t refuse.

"Don’t look at me like that, mom, dad, Qianqian. I happen to have heard about this issue just as I was stepping out. I think Sister Meng is right. If my mom isn’t taught a harsh lesson, who knows what else she might do in the future. Bao Guo is still young, and these two years are neither too long nor too short. He can recognise a lot of things. Who knows, my son is smart, he might be able to discern right from wrong. If my mom stays by his side and teaches him all wrong, it would be too late for regrets."

After saying this, Hu Biao gave a bitter smile, lifted his glass but then set it down again, thought for a moment and then drank it all.

"Hu Biao, after all, she’s your own mother, even if it’s for Qianqian and the kid’s sake, you can’t just not allow her to come back. How about this, she should still come back to visit during festivals and holidays, otherwise this..."

"Dad, there’s no need. She is my own mother, and it pains my heart as well, but this time she went too far, really too far. What was Qianqian like before? Beautiful, intellectual, such a charming young woman. Coming home this time, I nearly couldn’t recognize the person in the photographs. And Bao Guo, how many days since he was born? My son, starved to the point of becoming just bones. Did my dad not know about all these things my mom did? He knew, but for the sake of his pride, his backbone, he acquiesced. I know it all as clear as a mirror. In the past, just because they are the parents, how much did I let Qianqian suffer? But from now on, no more, I can’t do this. I finally married a woman like a flower, I want to treat her well, I want her to get better and better, but I never expected her to suffer so much. All of this was caused by me, I must take a stand. Mom and dad, let it go, I will often visit my mom, don’t worry."

His own mother, the person who used to cherish him like holding something in the palm of her hands, how could he not feel heartache? But Li Qianqian is also a treasure of the Li family. Why should she suffer so many grievances just because she got married! He is a man, Li Qianqian’s man, their son’s father, he must stand up like a man, supporting both his wife and son.

Since Hu Biao had said so, the rest of the Li family had no further objections. Li Qianqian was immensely touched, tears streaming down her face.

Shen Meng and Lu Zhenping did not get involved in the matters afterward. Today, they mainly came for the business of hairpins, and since it was almost finalized, they had to hurry back to the village to organize people, waiting to set the plan in stone and then follow up. Everything is spoken through products.

The first thing after returning to the village, Shen Meng went to find Guo Xiuxin, who was so happy she almost clapped her thighs red.

"Aiyah, Xiao Meng, I just knew you’re a good one, rest assured, leave this matter to me. I can organize it very clearly. We have many skilled women in Lu Family Village... women with adept hands, knitting shoe soles, doing embroidery, they can do it all."

"Aunt, with so many people in our village, why did I bypass the Cooperative Society and give this matter to you, there is indeed a reason. Over the years, you know in the village which families have good daughters-in-law and which girls are not appreciated. Aunt, it’s not for anything else, I just want to empower our female comrades. You can find others as needed, but Sister-in-law Lianhua and Xifeng are a must. However, you must also scrutinize others; both the character and skill must be good, no cutting corners, no idle work. For these hairpins, a cent per piece is the manual labor fee. If it sells well, I might even fight for more. Of course, as a supervisor, you’ll also have a share of the profit, but I can’t promise anything right now. After the first batch of work is completed, then I’ll secure a fixed salary for you."

Guo Xiuxin was delighted, such great news, and she didn’t even need to be deeply involved but still got a share, especially since it was all above board. What else could she think about!

"Rest assured, Xiao Meng, you know what kind of person your aunt is. Let’s not talk about salary first, as long as I can help our village’s female comrades, I’m very happy to assist. However, my ability is limited alone. I see Jinghao is a good choice, she can help me share some responsibilities when the time comes. She is skilled with her hands, helping me supervise would be better. And Daya’s mother, Xiangxiang, they are all quite good. I heard your elder sister-in-law and second sister-in-law are also skilled, maybe distribute some work to them too?"

Shen Meng smiled and happily agreed.

No wonder Guo Xiuxin, a woman who married into the village, could become the head of the women’s committee of Lu Family Village. Her careful and clever thinking is not something ordinary people have. Normally, securing such a job, many would first think of their close associates, not consider distributing it.

"That’s okay, I’ll inform my maternal family about this. Oh yes, Aunt, after the first batch of products is delivered, we need to notify the Cooperative Society. After all, this also contributes to the Cooperative Society’s revenue, and all deliveries and such must be under the name of the Cooperative Society. Otherwise, if something goes wrong, it would be our fault."

Guo Xiuxin shuddered at the thought, indeed, if they didn’t notify the Cooperative Society and were reported, that would be illegal trading. If they didn’t share some profits with the Cooperative Society, it could cause trouble.

"That’s fine, I’ll talk to the village chief and secretary about this. Actually, the Cooperative Society’s primary concern is production; as for side businesses, they’re usually not strict, so be bold and just do it."

Guo Xiuxin reassured Shen Meng, wishing she could send this grandma quickly back home to write up a well-thought-out plan and proposal, solidifying this matter. She thought if this project succeeded, the days in Lu Family Village would become prosperous. When women also earn money, who would dare to casually berate or hit a woman?

Wu Xianglan learned that Shen Meng had been to the county and immediately visited her home, carrying a box of pearl powder with her. This box of pearl powder cost her US$ 1.5, which pained her, but thinking that today’s work might be finalized, her heart brightened up a bit.

"Elder sister-in-law, what are you writing? Is there anything I can help with?"

"Xiang Lan is here. This is for writing an order for the textile factory. I’ll finish it soon; just checking for typos."

Wu Xianglan didn’t consider herself an outsider, directly pulled up a stool and sat down in front of Shen Meng. She handed over the pearl powder to Shen Meng and smiled warmly at her, "Sister-in-law, I went to the Cooperative Society and saw they were selling pearl powder, so I bought a box for you. See if it’s good."

Shen Meng was momentarily surprised; she didn’t expect the normally stingy person to be generous this time.