I Became a Vicious Supporting Role in the '70s-Chapter 248: Going Out for a Week

Shirley tucked the money into her bag and suddenly felt a sense of clarity in her heart. She had received her salary today, twenty-three yuan, a bit more than usual as a bonus. The money at hand was gradually increasing. At twenty-six years old, she thought about the years spent with the Xu Family; there was a time when she even considered giving up completely, thinking that nothing could be worse, and that many women in the village lived even harder lives—they all did the same work, what was the big deal?

But every time in the dead of night, looking at Lai Zi’s despicable face, she thought again that she couldn’t give up, she had to stay clear-headed, especially with children to think about. Dezi was already a lost cause, part of the Xu Family’s lineage, but Daya and Xiao Ya are good kids; they are all good kids, and girls too. If she neglected to act, what would happen to those two kids’ futures?

She felt like a headless fly, without a single idea or clue. She had once considered getting close to Liu Yan; if she was lucky, Liu Yan might be able to help her leave this mire.

But it didn’t take long after they became acquainted for her to realize that Liu Yan wasn’t as nice as she seemed on the surface, with a mentality as complicated as a wasp’s nest. Shen Meng was also sharp-minded, but she didn’t trouble others unless they troubled her first; she had her own principles and bottom lines.

She had never imagined she would one day escape this quagmire and start anew. All of this was given to her by Shen Meng, and ever since she started living alone with her children, she had received a lot of care from everyone. No matter what, she should thank them.

"What’s that, I have a day off tomorrow and was thinking of treating everyone to a meal, what do you think?"

"What meal?"

Shirley put on a sincere smile and said to Shen Meng, "Of course, as a gratitude meal. Ever since I got divorced, everyone has been so helpful to me, even now that I have moved to the county to work, neighbors often bring vegetables to my house and help with my private plot. I should express my gratitude both morally and emotionally."

Shen Meng scratched her head, continuing to walk towards where Uncle Guai had parked the car. After a while, she stopped again.

"Let’s not do that. Inviting people out for a meal is too showy. If you really want to show your gratitude, spend some money on a big bag of candy, then see how much pickled vegetables you have at home, collect them all, ask Jinghao for some sun-dried spicy beans, and fry them well with some lard. Go door to door and deliver a small bowl to each household. That’s better than spending money on a meal. Most people in the village are kind, but there are many who love to gossip and create trouble. If you really spend money on a meal, just wait and see; in a couple of days, there will be gossip about you, followed by people coming to take advantage of your generosity. Not to mention others, Lai Zi’s family is still around. I’ve heard from Mingyang that Daya saw Dezi crying on the roadside from hunger and secretly gave him some food. Although you have a bit of money now, it’s still better not to show it off."

Shirley naturally listened to Shen Meng’s words, especially since she spoke for her own good. In fact, even if she did invite everyone for a meal, she wouldn’t be able to buy anything too expensive; it was just a gathering to express thanks.

But Shen Meng’s words sobered her up a bit. If she really hosted the meal and someone complained that the food was not good enough, it would be very embarrassing.

"Okay, I’ll do as you say. Let’s do it tomorrow then. Daya has no class, I’ll bring Daya and Xiao Ya to the county to have some fun, and take them to a meal at the State-Owned Restaurant, buy them something nice. Now that I have earned some money, I should spend a good time with my two children."

"Right, that’s the spirit. Let’s put aside the matter of thanking people for the time being. The village is now busy with the Head Flower Factory, working overtime to finish orders. When I treat everyone to a meal at the end of the month, you can come too, and just say a few heartfelt words then. Sometimes invitations and gifts aren’t that important; what country folks like is respect and sincerity. Just live your life well, and don’t think too much."

Shirley was about to nod when she saw Shirley, who had been waiting on the other side, waving at them.

"Look at Wu Xiang Lan, she doesn’t have that burden. She has also come to terms with things. What’s so important about a man? Both her son and daughter are close to her. She has a salary and a job, and as long as the family doesn’t deduct her food, she doesn’t care about anything else. Isn’t that great?"

"Yeah, when I took Daya to your place earlier, I saw Lu Jiahe come out of Liu Suqin’s yard. These two are also considered pests of the Lu Family Village. I heard Liu Suqin wanted to go to the Head Flower Factory, but Director Guo didn’t even bother to acknowledge her."

Shen Meng lowered her gaze and remained silent. Liu Suqin was on the same side as Zhou Jiaojiao, and with Wu Xiang Lan so proud in the village and knowing she was friends with Shen Meng, people were polite to her.

Shen Meng was still waiting for Wu Xianglan to stir up trouble and deal with Zhou Jiaojiao at the textile factory, so there was absolutely no way she would let Liu Suqin go to the factory.

The people of Lu Family Village are all working hard with great zeal, hoping to manage the factory well and let those who previously ridiculed their village see that the villagers are not ungrateful wretches.

After washing up, still in her pajamas, Shen Meng bent over the heated brick bed table, doodling and writing. When Lu Zhenping pushed the door open and came in, he still had a towel on his head. He casually wiped his hair a few times and draped the towel over the basin rack.

He paused for a moment and then knocked on the heated brick bed table.

"What?" freeweɓnovel.cѳm

"Xiao Meng, there’s something I need to tell you. I have to go out tomorrow and it will probably take a week for me to return."

Shen Meng looked at him with a gloomy face. His vacation was still a month away and since she had started working, they had spent little time together. Now he suddenly said he had to leave for a week, which made her feel a sudden sense of sourness in her heart.

"What for? Why do you suddenly have to go away for a week? Has something happened?"

"Well, a few days ago someone from the county Police Station came to see me. There’s a mission they want to collaborate on with my unit. The unit’s squad leader is also on leave at home, and he hasn’t been back for three years. His home is very remote; after much consideration, the higher-ups decided to have me join. I am a soldier, Xiao Meng. When the country and the people need me, I have to rush to the front line immediately."

"Okay. Since it’s a mission, you must pay attention to your safety. You’re an experienced veteran; I won’t say much else. I just want to say one thing – at all times, especially in dangerous moments, think of me and the child. You must come back safely."

"Okay."

Lu Zhenping was leaving tomorrow, which really was quite sudden. She simply closed her notebook and started to pack his things.

She put clothes, shoes, and socks into the bag, along with some dried meat and snacks, all easy to grab and carry. After thinking for a while, she went to the kitchen and brought back a large bag of chili powder from her storage space, carefully wrapped it, and placed it in the bag too.

"Zhenping, I was thinking about your mission. In case you are out for a long time and it’s inconvenient to find food, I’ve packed some dried meat and cookies that I made earlier. They’re easy to carry. And this bag contains chili powder. This white paper package is laxative, and this small yellow bag has some common medicines, like antibiotics. Remember to take them with you!"

Hmm???

"Why do you need to bring chili powder and laxatives?"

Shen Meng turned around and said with a sly smile, "In case you need to engage in close combat, just throw chili powder in the enemy’s face, that will leave them burning. They’re the enemy; there’s no point in playing fair or not. And the laxatives are for when you’re in hiding. If you come across the enemy’s water source, pour it in. This is a potent drug; whoever drinks it will become dehydrated and unable to continue."

Lu Zhenping: "....."