I Became a Vicious Supporting Role in the '70s-Chapter 207: Disdain for Your Poverty, Fear of Your Wealth

Shen Meng clocked out and pulled a large bag of candied haws from her bag, giving two to Shirley when she saw her.

"I bought them at the Cooperative Society on my way, how was your day at work? Did you get along well with your coworkers?"

Shirley didn’t hesitate, taking them and putting them directly into her own bag. Shen Meng disliked pretentious people the most, giving the candied haws to her, if she had declined before accepting, she might have been scolded.

"Very pleasant, with Director Cheng backing me, everyone in the canteen was quite nice to me. The lady cutting the vegetables must have heard somehow that my family is having a hard time, and when she was leaving, she secretly slipped me a small piece of cured meat, look."

Shen Meng glanced at it, indeed very small, the size of a baby’s fist, but it was definitely a gesture of kindness.

"Wow, it’s really good meat. It seems you get along well with this lady, but don’t let others know about this. The hospital supplies are for employees, sometimes there are leftovers, and it’s normal for everyone to sneak some home. But since it’s not much, just hide it well and take it home. Oh yes, just to be safe, next time this lady gives you something, you can show it to Dr. Cheng at noon and tell her. Dr. Cheng may not want it, but it’s good for her to know."

Shirley understood and nodded, putting the meat away. Her first day at work not only brought her some meat but also candied haws for her children. She felt hopeful about the future.

Uncle Guai was waiting for them at the main crossroads, with many people already on the bus, most from Lu Family Village. When they saw Shen Meng and Shirley approaching, they greeted them warmly.

Nowadays, who didn’t know that Shen Meng was the wealth god of Lu Family Village? A couple of Aunties had daughters-in-law working in the workshop, earning five or six mao a day. Everyone was hoping that Shen Meng would push harder and get bigger orders, so that their daughters-in-law could earn even more money.

"Throw this on, Zhenping asked me to bring it for you, just in case you get cold."

Uncle Guai handed a military coat to Shen Meng, who opened it and draped it over her and Shirley’s shoulders. Shirley glanced at her, thinking to herself how lucky she was that Shen Meng was a woman!

If it had been a man, she couldn’t have handled it, and would definitely have fallen in love.

The women on the bus looked at Shen Meng with envy, and a few calculating Aunties seeing Shirley, a woman with a bad reputation from divorce, now earning a salary, felt very petty and wanted to say a few words.

"Mrs. Daya, how’s the job? How much do you make in a month?"

"That’s right, Mrs. Daya, we helped out when you got divorced. We even visited you when you were discharged from the hospital and brought you dried vegetables, remember? If your workplace needs more people, you have to remember your Sister-in-law, alright!"

"It doesn’t matter if there’s no job, if there’s anything profitable, you can’t just think of yourself, you’ve got to be grateful!"

"Tsk tsk tsk, what are you old wives talking about? What help did you provide when Mrs. Daya got divorced? Wasn’t it just some dried vegetables? She just started working and is still raising two children, barely making ends meet, and you’re already eyeing her situation, how is that fair?"

The speaker was Aunt Lu Changhong, Granny Zhang, who lived very close to Shirley’s house. Naturally, she couldn’t stand hearing gossip about Shirley. Since she lived nearby, she knew a bit about Shirley’s household—the grains they had were from last year’s solo labor, barely enough to feed a family of three!

Now, they were just waiting for the end-of-month salary to buy some nice food for the children. This seemed fair until someone with a snide demeanor came along, eager for some benefits.

"You think because you live nearby, you can take all the benefits for yourself, huh!"

"Exactly, even Mrs. Daya hasn’t said anything, and you’re already panicking. Are you that worried about us snatching something?"

Shirley quickly took Granny Zhang’s hand, "Granny, don’t get upset. It’s quite windy, don’t choke." After saying this, she turned to the other aunts.

"Aunts, I’m just a temp worker. If anything goes wrong, I could be kicked out at any moment. There are no benefits. Working in the back kitchen chopping vegetables, doing all the heavy lifting, I’m just grateful if I can clock out early. A country person working in the county, who would respect you? If they don’t curse right to your face, it’s already not bad."

After saying this, she sniffled, and immediately, the aunts who were arguing calmed down and began to comfort Shirley. She winked at Shen Meng, nodding pretentiously.

Shen Meng watched this scene coldly, not wanting to speak at all. Initially, when Shirley was in a pitiful state, everyone looked on with sympathy and was willing to help. But now, it was different. A person who previously couldn’t afford meals or accommodations transforming into one with a secure job was hard for them to accept.

It’s typical: they despise you when you’re poor, fear when you’re rich, resent when you have, and mock when you haven’t.

When the comfort had nearly settled, Shen Meng slowly raised her head, looking at the boastful aunts.

"Mrs. Daya got this job because the Cooperative Society leaders saw how tough her days were and helped her find a position. Her case is typical, with so many battered women in the countryside, very few dare to take their children and divorce directly. It’s clear, the leaders intend to protect the will of our female comrades. The connection made between the Cooperative and the textile factory this time primarily considers our village’s care for Comrade Shirley, which led them to locate the workshop in Lu Family Village. If any negative news about Comrade Shirley spreads from here, whether so many from Lu Family Village can continue working there might become uncertain. After all, women from other villages are just as eligible to work here."

Upon hearing this, the faces of the aunts turned pale, realizing the severity through Shen Meng’s stern tone. They were just starting to earn some money; causing any trouble could ruin their family’s income, giving others a chance to make that money instead.

"Ah, my blabbering mouth, just saying things carelessly. Mrs. Daya, please don’t be mad at your aunt, and Sister-in-law Zhang, let’s not take this personally. Since you live close to Mrs. Daya, you could really help her out!"

"That’s right, Mrs. Daya. You are gentle. If anyone at your workplace bullies you, you must tell your aunt. I’ll definitely go and scold them for you. What’s so great about city folks? Are they better than us? It’s all nonsense, we are all the same, we’re not afraid of them."

"I’ve been telling you how much our village owes to Xiao Meng, and you didn’t believe me. Look now, was I wrong?"

Shirley looked at Shen Meng and smiled, then turned her head away thinking, truly, this lady never stops being charming, always making one’s heart itch.