I Became a Vicious Supporting Role in the '70s-Chapter 208: Pretend Not to Know Each Other

Shen Meng arrived home and without taking a break, she went straight to the old courtyard, waving the two candied haws in her hand vigorously towards Yong Qiang and Yong Li.

"Yong Qiang, Yong Li, come here, see what your elder aunt has brought for you."

"It’s candied haws, candied haws!"

"Elder Aunt, is this really for us?"

Shen Meng smiled warmly at the two little rascals, put the candied haws beneath her nose and sniffed vigorously, saying, "Oh, they smell so good and sweet. It’s elder aunt’s first day at work, and I remembered to bring you delicious treats. I haven’t even returned home yet, and you two still ask if it’s for you, that really hurts your elder aunt’s heart!"

Upon hearing this, Yong Qiang and Yong Li immediately beamed with joy. They hadn’t yet taken it, but were already jumping for happiness.

"Thank you, elder aunt, you’re the best."

"I wish you were my mom, elder aunt, then I could eat delicious food every day."

Shen Meng glanced at Yong Qiang; the boy was just like his father, would throw anything away for the sake of food. Yong Li, however, was better behaved; upon hearing her brother say such a thing, she went up to him and punched him.

Wu Xianglan, who came out from the room having heard the noise, also heard what her own son had said. Shock crossed her face, as she labored tirelessly, enduring disgust to lie beside a man who thought of someone else, all to provide well for her two children, only to have her own son wish to acknowledge someone else as his mother for the sake of a treat.

"You good-for-nothing boy, what are you saying? Your elder aunt can only be your elder aunt, she has her own daughter and son to dote on. You have your own mother, and the person who loves and cherishes you the most is your mother. Anyone else’s mother would surely dote on their own children first. Yong Qiang, such words can hurt your mother’s heart, you’re being too thoughtless. If you say such things again in the future, your elder aunt might not think of you when she has nice things."

Yong Qiang hadn’t even gotten his candied haw, so naturally, he would listen to anything said. Meanwhile, Yong Li nodded vigorously at Shen Meng.

"Elder Aunt, I’ll remember this. When I grow up successful, I will definitely treat my mom well and cherish her."

"Good child, you must always remember the kindness of your mother."

Hearing Shen Meng educate her children, Wu Xianglan was touched. She coughed twice and slapped the apron against her sleeve and pant leg.

"Eldest sister-in-law, why are you here? Did you just get off work?"

"Indeed, I thought since it’s my first day back at work, I should bring something delicious for the kids. The Cooperative Society happened to have candied haws today, so I bought a few. Also, I have something to tell you—I came here without even going home."

Wu Xianglan raised her eyebrows, knowing it must be about her job, and quickly threw her apron onto the rope in the courtyard and walked over to her.

Shen Meng gave each child one of the candied haws. Yong Li took it and smiled at Shen Meng, while Yong Qiang, happy as could be, stuffed it into his mouth and started gnawing away. However, his expression became somewhat sheepish when he looked at his mother, uncertain if she had heard the compliment he paid his elder aunt.

"Eldest sister-in-law, just speak your mind if there’s anything."

"As for the job, today I just happened to see Comrade Hu Biao, the factory manager’s son. I asked him, and he told me to bring you with me tomorrow directly. Everything has been arranged over there, and he wants you to work hard. This job opportunity didn’t come easy, and although he is the factory manager’s son, all the department heads and vice-managers are keeping an eye out. If anything were to go wrong, someone could certainly seize upon that mistake."

Wu Xianglan was overjoyed, she covered her face with her hands, tears of happiness flowing down.

"Elder sister-in-law, elder sister-in-law, I’ve been waiting for this news all day. This morning, when I saw you and Shirley going to work, I was so anxious. Elder sister-in-law, thank you for thinking of me, and for considering everything so thoughtfully. If I had to go to the textile factory alone, I wouldn’t even dare to step through the doors."

"Don’t worry about it, it’s also a stroke of luck. My kid brother Xiao Bin somehow got to know the son of the deputy food factory’s director. They’re quite chummy, and he helped Xiao Bin get into the factory. If you have any problems, just go find Xiao Bin!"

Wu Xianglan quickly waved her hands.

"No, no, that won’t do. We have to pretend we don’t know each other. If people at the factory find out, they might accuse Comrade Hu Biao, which would only give them a reason to find fault. They might even think he was given preferential treatment by the factory manager!"

Shen Meng looked at her in surprise and suddenly grabbed her hand, saying, "Xiang Lan, I hadn’t even thought of that. You’ve considered it so thoroughly. I’ll also remind Xiao Bin when I see him later, to pretend he doesn’t know you when he sees you. Xiang Lan, you must do your job well, otherwise, I wouldn’t know how to explain myself."

Wu Xianglan nodded vigorously. The job matter was finally settled, and starting tomorrow, she would be a textile factory worker. She would remember this great favor, all thanks to the elder sister-in-law’s efforts.

Speaking of the elder sister-in-law, she truly was a kind-hearted person. Not only did she help her, but she also supported many of the impoverished women comrades in Lu Family Village. Although the income from household chores was not as much as her wages, it could still contribute to the family expenses. Who in the village didn’t speak well of the elder sister-in-law? Even the few old ladies who were close to Zhou Jiaojiao, all of them were thinking about working in the workshop every day!

Pah, they used to bad-mouth the elder sister-in-law, dreaming of nonsense, a bunch of them!!!

"If there’s nothing else, I’ll head back. Remember to save your pay from work in a separate place, and hide it well. Don’t let anyone know about it. You can’t rely on men. Xiang Lan, your good days are still ahead!"

After Shen Meng left, Wu Xianglan wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes and called her two children into the room. Yong Li quickly waved a candied haw stick towards her.

"Mom, have some, it’s really sweet. The elder aunt bought it especially for us. Have one, Mom!"

Wu Xianglan saw that her daughter hadn’t eaten any yet, thinking of her, and then looked at her son, who had licked his candied haw stick clean. He wasn’t thinking of their mother at all. In that instant, her heart’s balance tipped in favor of Yong Li.

When Shen Meng got home, Lu Zhenping had already prepared dinner. Stir-fried cabbage with cured meat, radish salad... pork rib and kelp soup, and a pot of steamed buns of various sizes. Although they didn’t look very appealing, the smell alone indicated they were delicious.

"You’ve worked hard. Was everything okay at home with the four kids?"

"What’s there to worry about with those little rascals? I had new recruits in the army who I could discipline perfectly, and they’re no different."

Lu Zhenping wrapped his arm around Shen Meng’s waist, tilting his head, looking for a reward.

Shen Meng gave him a sidelong glance, feeling he was shameless, and then "smack," she gave Lu Zhenping a kiss on his handsome face.