I Became a Vicious Supporting Role in the '70s-Chapter 232: The Boss’s Wife is a Stubborn Mule

The people from Shenji had come to Lu Family Village to observe the workshop situation, which was now spreading throughout the village. Previously, some had confidently believed that even if Shen Meng and Zhou Jiaojiao stopped being involved, the village cadres would never truly let go. Only at this moment did everyone truly feel that their once famous Head Flower Workshop in the Lu Family Village was most likely doomed.

Some of the women who had been the most aggressive in the fracas were now cowering at home, not daring to go out. Aunt Hua, who was particularly close to Zhou Jiaojiao, was currently being harshly scolded by her mother-in-law.

Zhou Jiaojiao was, after all, pushed into the role. Though she fainted at the Xiangyang Commune, it still did not salvage her reputation. She and Lu Jiaxuan, under the pretext of caring for their child, also stayed cloistered at home all day long.

This made Liu Sanjin so distressed. She loathed the couple Shen Meng and Lu Zhenping to the core. If it weren’t for her own child and the money mailed from Shangjing every month, she would have let everyone know Lu Zhenping’s true colors, that he was the spawn of someone of disrepute.

"Wuwuwu, Elder Brother and his wife are too much. His wife already has such a good job, yet she’s so restless, always meddling with this workshop or that workshop. Really, it’s too much! A woman always putting herself out there, and Zhenping, as head of the family, doesn’t even manage her. It’s unbecoming for a man to stay at home and take care of the children all day. And as for the workshop, would it matter who managed it? Isn’t it all under the Lu Family anyways? Old Lu, Jiaxuan is your son too, are you really going to let outsiders talk about him like that? And Jiaojiao, the baby she carries is your blood grandchild. Our Jiaxuan has a promising future; you can’t just stand by and do nothing!"

Lu Changzhu looked at Liu Sanjin with disgust. Clearly, it was Lao Si and his wife stirring up trouble, yet in her mouth, it became Elder Brother and his wife’s fault.

"You care for Jiaxuan and his wife, but who’s going to care for Elder Brother and his wife? Xiao Meng worked herself to the bone helping the old mothers of the village; you sure had your share of chilling comments to make back then. When Lao Si and his wife took over the workshop, you praised their capabilities, saying all the good and bad things. What is your mouth, a windmill? Turns whichever way the wind blows."

"Lu Changzhu, in the end, you’re biased! In your heart, it’s only the child born by that woman. I’ve been married to you for so many years, having children and raising them. If there’s no merit, there’s at least the hard work. Now with Jiaxuan being poked at the spine by others, how can you let him work at the Commune in the future?"

Deep down, he felt a bit guilty and believed he had wronged Liu Sanjin. But now that Lao Si and his wife were in the midst of a storm, what could he do, an old man half in the grave?

"So, what do you suggest we do now that things have come to this?"

Liu Sanjin sobbed for a while, wiped her dry eyes, and hurriedly approached Lu Changzhu.

"Old Lu, the workshop was started by Elder Brother’s wife yesterday. As long as she’s willing to take over, the merit will still belong to our Lu Family. Whether it’s Elder Brother’s family or Lao Si’s family, it all comes down to our family’s reputation. After a while, if others bring it up, just say Elder Brother’s wife was so busy she had Jiaojiao help manage it for a few days, and then things will pass, won’t they?"

"You speak so lightly. Is Elder Brother’s wife willing to be such a stubborn mule?"

Liu Sanjin snorted coldly, "What can she do if she’s unwilling? In the end, she’s still a daughter-in-law of the Lu Family. If Zhenping suggests it, she’ll have to accept it, willing or not."

Lu Changzhu wished he could hammer some sense into her skull. After all this time, how could his wife still not understand? In Elder Brother’s family, Zhenping isn’t the one in charge!

Besides, Elder Brother and his wife were both too shrewd, and he himself had no say in front of them. To truly have Elder Brother’s wife take the workshop back would require a severe financial loss!

"Woman, you should think about it yourself. During the New Year, Elder Brother’s family only gave us a bowl of meat dish on New Year’s Eve, and they visited us with their children on the first day of the New Year. When else have they visited us since then? They hold grievances against us. Now Lao Si and his wife have offended them, and I’m telling you it simply won’t do. Don’t forget Elder Brother’s temperament. If they get really angry, you can forget about the money from Shangjing."

Liu Sanjin’s heart skipped a beat; during the New Year’s festivals, she had already caused an uproar with her parental home and had to compensate with twenty yuan to settle matters. The money her daughters borrowed from her, she hasn’t even seen its shadow till now.

But what’s the old man’s intention now, bringing up money for what?

She has no money, she’s the poorest person in Lu Family Village!

"To ask for a favor, one must look the part, but I’m afraid it’s no use. Look at the village officials, not one of them is in a hurry, so what are you fretting about? For now, let it be. From beginning to end, Jiaxuan hasn’t been involved in the issue, it’s nothing to do with him, as long as you boldly go to work, and if anyone asks, just explain the details clearly."

"In the end, you’re just unwilling. As a father, when asked for help by your son, you even need to offer gifts?"

Lu Changzhu has always been short-tempered, and now seeing Liu Sanjin being so obstinate, he simply lost the desire to deal with it, pocketed his old man’s tobacco, and stood up ready to leave.

Liu Sanjin was even more rudely swearing as she got up. Their family was in chaos, and the noise from other families wasn’t any lighter. Meanwhile, the large dining hall at Shenji was slowly being renovated and improved. Everyone in Shenji knew that the Old women from Lu Family Village had driven Shen Meng away over a wage dispute, leading directly to the workshop’s downfall. Now, several villages were laughing at the spectacle of Lu Family Village.

Because of past examples, the people in Shenji were all hoping Shen Meng would come to their village. They definitely wouldn’t mess things up, considering the work was easy and they earned wages. If they didn’t do it, surely someone else would want to.

Now in Shenji, Wang Guizhi and Shen Fugui’s status had suddenly shot up quite high. If they stepped out and met people, there wasn’t anyone who wouldn’t chat with them for a bit, mostly praising how well Shen Meng had been brought up.

On the bus, Shen Meng was chatting warmly with a fellow passenger, a lead sister. In no time, they were getting along like actual sisters, and she even took a head flower from her bosom and gave it to that big sister.

"This head flower is made by our Xiangyang Commune workshop, it sells extremely well in the various Cooperative Societies, in such high demand that we cannot keep up. We’re going to the Provincial City this time to discuss a foreign trade order. I felt especially close to you the moment I saw you, big sister, so I’m giving this to you. Whether you wear it yourself or give it to a child in your family, it will surely be flattering, it looks very nice!"

"Oh dear, big sister, how could I accept this? You might still need this head flower, keep it, I don’t need it. It’s already incredibly fortunate to meet someone I hit it off with this trip. I don’t need to take anything from you!"

Shen Meng directly stuffed it into her bosom. freewēbnoveℓ.com

"Sister Jiang, are you not planning to recognize me as your sister? Just take it. I’m in a hurry this time, give me your address, and the next time I go to the Provincial City, I’ll bring you some fashionable ones. No need for formalities between us sisters."

Jiang Huan felt warmly touched. She patted Shen Meng’s hand and said, "Sister, then I won’t be polite. I’ll give you my home address, and you must come for a meal when you’re in the Provincial City again. My husband is a tricycle driver; if you ever need a ride and can’t hail one, just call Feng Dakui. He will definitely come to pick you up."

Shen Meng’s smile was so big her teeth were nearly the only thing showing, and she expressed her thanks for quite a while. This act of hers left County Magistrate Li and the group traveling with them completely stunned.

This Mr. Shen seems not to know what ’shame’ is, randomly pulling anyone into a chat!!!