I Became a Vicious Supporting Role in the '70s-Chapter 23: Climbing Up the Pole

Shen Meng watched Lu Mingkai, who still appeared somewhat timid, and beckoned to him,

"Ming Kai, come here."

Lu Mingkai hesitated for a moment before slowly shuffling towards her, his blood relations and a child's yearning to be close to his mother still burning brightly despite his fear.

"Mom."

Shen Meng got off the kang and took Ming Kai into her arms, then sat down with him diagonally on the kang. The three-year-old child felt almost prickly to the touch on her lap, too skinny. She stroked Lu Mingkai's hair.

"Ming Kai, were you asking about dinner because you're hungry?"

Lu Mingkai cuddled in his mother's embrace, inhaling her sweet scent, and felt almost lightheaded.

"Mom, I'm not hungry. I was just asking. Mom's cooking is really delicious. I want to eat the meals you make."

"Alright, later on Mom will cook for you, making you plump and white like a little piggy, okay?"

"Hehe, okay, Mom, you're the best."

"Silly child."

Inside the house, mother and son shared a warm moment, while outside, Lu Mingyang felt as if he'd been hit by a thunderbolt. That wicked woman said Ming Kai looked like a pig; what did she mean by that? Was she implying that once Ming Kai grew up a little, she would sell him?

Fear-struck, he glared at Shen Meng with a sinister look. If that bad woman dared to sell Ming Kai, he would fight her with all he had.

By evening time, Lu Jiaxuan and Zhou Jiaojiao had just finished work and were promptly assigned to deliver food to Shen Meng—a small basin of stir-fried vegetables topped with five steamed buns, and a small basin of cornmeal lumps soup. As they carried the food over, there were many people on the road coming back from work, who frequently glanced over, drawn by the aroma.

"Wow, what's that delicious smell?"

"Eating so well tonight, huh? No wonder you're a surplus grain household, still having proper dinner!"

Zhou Jiaojiao, hearing people's inquiries, cheerfully responded: "How could we? This is for my elder sister-in-law and Mingyang. We just prepared it and are sending it over. We'll have something simple when we return home. My sister-in-law is still not well!"

After Zhou Jiaojiao responded to the inquiries, she said to Lu Jiaxuan, "Hurry up. The sister-in-law and the kids must be hungry. When we get back, I still have laundry to do—so much work!"

Lu Jiaxuan, hearing her words, looked displeased for a moment. His wife was working hard like an ox, while his elder sister-in-law just waited for someone to deliver her meal. He scowled a bit but said nothing, quickening his pace.

"Some people were saying that the Lu Family wouldn't deliver meals to Zhenping's house this afternoon, but here I see it, so that must have been a lie. Aunt Sanjin is such a good person; how could she not deliver meals!"

"I'm saying, it might have just been that they delivered late, and Shen Meng got unhappy and started spreading lies. Never seen a daughter-in-law like this. Jiaojiao has been busy all afternoon, her work points nearly equal to those of a heavy laborer, and after work, she still has to deliver food to her sister-in-law. That's so pitiful."

"Jiaojiao is such a good daughter-in-law; Jiaxuan is really lucky. Luckily, Jiaxuan is capable, earning three yuan a month in wages, allowing Jiaojiao to enjoy some good fortune."

"The one who knows how to enjoy is still Shen Meng—living in a house with blue bricks and tiles, having brother and sister-in-law delivering meals. Just look at the life she's living, what good fortune!"

"Like a capitalist..."

......

Shen Meng came out from the west room with a dark face. The children's cabinets didn't contain a single decent piece of clothing; it was all patches on top of patches, and they were all filthy, clearly laundered by themselves.

She held Ming Kai in her arms in the afternoon and noticed that he smelled bad and his head was dirty. She had been too busy soothing everyone at noon to notice. If Lu Mingkai, who was normally taken care of by the other children, was already like this, there was no need to mention the others.

The group of Lu Mingyang and his siblings watched Shen Meng walk around their room, and then their expressions changed. They all started to feel an inexplicable tension. Just when Lu Mingliang was thinking about running away the moment she raised her hand, Shen Meng let out a long sigh.

"Mingyang, you and Ming Liang heat up some water later. Your mother will wash you all tonight. It's so hot, you can't go without a bath. When I held Ming Kai this afternoon, the little guy was all sweaty."

"Okay, Mom." No matter what, he would agree to her. That's what Lu Mingyang thought.

Lu Mingkai's face turned red with embarrassment when his name was brought up. Lu Mingfang also felt a bit awkward and subconsciously shrank her neck sniffing herself. Yep, it smelled a bit unpleasant; only Lu Mingliang did not care, thinking it was the scent of a man.

"Elder sister-in-law, Jiaxuan and I have brought food for you and the kids. May we come in?" Zhou Jiaojiao called out loudly from the doorway.

"Come in, the door isn't locked."

As Zhou Jiaojiao walked in holding a dish, she immediately saw Shen Meng standing at the entrance of the main room, with several children lined up in front of her.

"Oh dear, elder sister-in-law, what are you doing? Mingyang and the others are good kids. This afternoon, they went back and forth several times to collect firewood for the household. Everyone saw it. No matter what, you shouldn't hit them!" Zhou Jiaojiao hurriedly advised.

The door was not completely closed when they entered, and the neighbors passing by began to stop and peer in after hearing Zhou Jiaojiao's words.

"What are you talking about, Jiaojiao? I was just telling the kids that it's too hot, and they should heat some water for a bath tonight, and now you all have come. They are very well-behaved. Heaven has blessed me with such good children; how could I raise my hand to hit them?"

The onlookers outside, finding the conversation uneventful, turned their heads and left.

No matter what happens with the male and female protagonists, she has the golden finger. She is not afraid of them. She never thought about avoiding them since she promised the original owner of the body that those responsible and those who benefitted must pay back what they owe.

Zhou Jiaojiao's smile froze briefly, then she turned to Lu Jiaxuan and said, "It was a misunderstanding. Jiaxuan, quickly put the food on the table. Aunt Sanjin cooked today, and Mom specifically asked Aunt Sanjin to cook an egg for you. Elder sister-in-law, you should eat and nourish yourself."

Shen Meng looked at the meal on the table and smiled, nodding her head. It seemed Liu Sanjin really invested in it; the stir-fried vegetables were glistening with oil, probably the Lu Family's oil consumption for several days.

"Thanks to Mom. Jiaojiao, Jiaxuan, have you guys eaten? Why not join us?"

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"No need, elder sister-in-law. We have to get going. There's still a pile of work to do at home. Whatever you need, elder sister-in-law, just tell me. If I can help, I will."

"That would be too embarrassing. If you're not busy, could you help Mingyang heat some water? He's just a child and has to tend the fire at night. I'm worried he might wet the bed. My head really hurts and I won't be able to wash their clothes after they bathe. It's just, I'm not very capable."

Lu Mingyang: "..."

I wet the bed? I'm nine years old, do I wet the bed???

Zhou Jiaojiao had planned on being politely dismissive when leaving, but she found herself climbing up the pole offered by Shen Meng. She stiffened momentarily, then quickly said, "Okay then, Jiaxuan, help Mingyang heat some water. Elder sister-in-law, leave the dirty clothes, I'll come to get them tomorrow."

Lu Jiaxuan, seeing Zhou Jiaojiao acting amiably, felt like his wife was being bullied pitifully. He frowned, ready to refuse, but then he suddenly remembered Sun Shanzi talking about the commune recruiting cadres during work, and after a moment's thought, he quietly closed his mouth.