I Became a Vicious Supporting Role in the '70s-Chapter 259: Erqing Has a Fever

Yesterday evening, I was so busy talking to a few children that I forgot to bring out the little cakes for them to eat. It wasn’t until this morning when they went to school that she took them out, giving each a red velvet cake and packing one into a box for each of them.

"This box of little cakes is for your Teacher Zheng, your mom specifically took it for her. If she asks where it came from, you all just say you don’t know. Mingyang and Mingliang, if you can’t finish, you can share with your mates. Ming Fang, you can share with Daya, don’t waste it."

"Wow, it smells so good, I want to eat it now."

"It’s sweet, I want to take a bite."

Ming Kai watched his brother and sister each with a lunch box, himself without one, fussing and stomping on the spot, crying out that he wanted a bite too.

"Alright, alright, you deal with it yourselves, there’s still more at home. Ming Kai, don’t fight over it; your mom has saved some for you."

Mingyang, Mingliang, and Ming Fang, the three children, took their little forks and dug a big bite into their mouths. Ming Fang, usually taught by Shen Meng to be elegant and clean, also took a big bite at that moment, her little mouth smeared all over with cream.

"Be sneaky, don’t let others see."

Shen Meng couldn’t help but remind them again as they were leaving. If Lu Zhenping were home, she would never have taken these treats out. Just as she was about to close the door and enter the house, Daqing suddenly called out to her.

Shen Meng paused in her steps, thought for a moment, and then turned around.

Daqing and Erqing only dared to come over after Mingyang and the others had left. Since the incident at the Head Flower Factory, Mingyang and his schoolmates had walked separately from them.

"Aunt, I, I want to talk to you about something."

Erqing didn’t dare to speak; he lowered his head and followed behind his brother, his hands unconsciously rubbing his clothes, his whole person very restrained.

"Daqing, Aunt knows what you want to say. Are you hoping that your mom can continue to work at the Head Flower Factory?"

After hearing this, Daqing suddenly raised his head and then lowered it again.

"My mom, my mom gets beaten every day. If she can’t work at the Head Flower Factory, she’ll be beaten to death by my dad. Aunt Guo has visited my mom, and the village chief and the Secretary also confronted my dad saying they would take measures, but my dad just doesn’t change – he stops for two days and then continues to beat her. Yaoyao, Yaoyao is now all dazed, yesterday, yesterday she saw my dad and got so frightened she wet herself, sob sob sob, Aunt, can you please speak to the factory manager, let my mom work there, however much it pays is fine, can you let her go?!"

After listening to the child, Shen Meng’s heart felt very uncomfortable. Wang Lianhua had once helped Mingyang and the other children as much as she could. No matter what, Shen Meng wanted to help her, but her hands were also tied.

"Daqing, Erqing, you both are good kids, Aunt knows, these are all adult matters, you don’t need to worry, hurry off to school, or you’ll be late."

Daqing still wanted to say more, but Erqing staggered a few steps and suddenly kneeled on the ground. Shen Meng frowned, thinking this child was trying to morally bind her. She reached out to lift Erqing up when she suddenly felt something was off. When she touched Erqing’s forehead, it was burning hot.

"Erqing, Erqing you have a fever, don’t go to school, hurry back home to rest!"

The little guy heard that he could go home and cowered immediately, "I, I’m afraid."

Shen Meng was choked up after hearing that. After helping Erqing stand up, she took his hand.

"Daqing, you hurry to school. Erqing will stay at our house for now, Aunt will take good care of your brother."

Daqing looked at Erqing’s pitiful appearance, somewhat reluctant to leave him, but he also feared that if he didn’t obey, Shen Meng might get upset, and then his mom wouldn’t have a chance at the Head Flower Factory, which would mean more beatings.

"Okay, then I’ll go, Aunt."

When Shen Meng led Erqing back, Ming Kai’s mouth was covered in cream, his little tongue still licking at the food container. Turning his head and seeing his mom come back, he gave a "hehe" laugh.

"Mum, eh, why is Erqing here? Shouldn’t he be in class?"

"Your brother Erqing is sick, he’s going to stay at our place for a while. Go play by yourself, wipe your mouth, and hands, you can’t eat anymore."

"Oh!"

Erqing was holding his schoolbag, overly cautious and anxious. He followed Shen Meng into the western room and climbed onto Mingyang’s kang bed.

"Erqing, you lie down in your brother Mingyang’s room for now. Auntie will get a thermometer and pour you some water to drink."

"Okay."

Shen Meng tucked him in and turned to leave, signaling to Ming Kai.

"Xiao Kai, go find your Aunt Xifeng and tell her that Erqing is at our place. Ask her to somehow bring Aunt Lianhua over."

"Yes, mission guaranteed."

Ming Kai wiped his nose and ran straight towards the yard entrance.

Shen Meng carried the thermometer and a basin of hot water into the room. Seeing Erqing somewhat neglected, she snorted inwardly. Wang Lianhua now can’t even resist a man, and she can’t take care of her children either. She’ll give her one last chance; if she doesn’t seize it, Shen Meng would no longer take care of her affairs.

Whether it’s food or work from before at the Head Flower Factory, everything that should’ve been done has been done. She owes her nothing more.

"Erqing, Auntie will take your temperature first. If your fever is high, we’ll have to wipe you down and take some medicine, then you can have a good sleep, okay?"

"Okay!"

Five minutes later, Shen Meng glanced at the thermometer; the child’s temperature had soared to 38.5 degrees. She hurriedly wiped him down to prevent discomfort from sweat after being covered with a blanket.

The little guy lay there with his eyes closed, obviously in discomfort, and Shen Meng carefully started to unbutton Erqing’s clothes.

When Ming Kai came back, he was followed by Xifeng and Wang Lianhua, with Yaoyao held in Xifeng’s arms. She had men at home to take care of her daughter but still came over because she wasn’t at ease with the child being alone.

As soon as they entered, they saw Shen Meng’s grim expression. She was almost glaring at Wang Lianhua, and Xifeng felt that if it weren’t for the children being present, Shen Meng might have come up and slapped her sister-in-law’s face.

"Erqing, Erqing, how are you?"

"What are you howling for? The child has taken his medicine and is asleep. You only realize to worry now? What were you doing before?"

Shen Meng’s voice was particularly fierce, causing Wang Lianhua to shiver a little. Yaoyao saw this and suddenly leaned against Xifeng’s shoulder, trembling all over.

"Yaoyao, don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid. This is your Aunt, Auntie Meng, she often brings you tasty treats. Look, take a look, don’t be scared."

"Don’t be afraid, Yaoyao. Look at this, Auntie Meng has saved some nice stuff for you. Take a look, it’s sweet and delicious, only Yaoyao gets it, no one else does!"

Shen Meng wobbled a little cake in front of Yaoyao’s eyes, and the young girl was immediately attracted.

"Xiao Kai, you take this and feed it to sister Yaoyao. Xifeng, you hold Yaoyao and sit down. Wang Lianhua, follow me to the main room, I have something to say to you."