I Became a Vicious Supporting Role in the '70s-Chapter 241: Then Kneel, I’m Not Afraid of Shortening My Life

Shen Meng waited for a while before seeing a group of people enter the yard in a grand procession. The children, including Yong Qiang, were startled and stood up to run into the house. Xie Jinghao saw that the leaders from the village were in the front, so she hurriedly stood up to greet them, but before she could fully stand, a hand landed on her leg, pushing her back down into her chair.

The villagers stood in the courtyard, and seeing that Shen Meng didn’t even stand up, they all looked somewhat embarrassed. They had long lost the arrogance they once had, and now no one dared to speak first, fearing that Shen Meng might lash out and take it out on whomever spoke first.

Director Guo saw that no one was speaking, glanced at Lu Debang and Zhang Hongfa, and then scanned the rest of the people behind her who all had their heads lowered. She couldn’t help but roll her eyes.

"Xiao Meng, the people from our village say they have something to tell you. They’ve been wanting to find you, but heard that you went to the Provincial City a few days ago. Now that you’re back, everyone has been waiting. Hehehe. The Shenji food workshop is about to be completed. The managers from the factory came to check it out and said it’s really good, very responsible. Have you gone to see it yet? How is it?"

Shen Meng didn’t immediately respond to Aunt Guo’s words. She took a sip of water and then slowly turned her gaze towards the people in the courtyard.

"Hey, I just got back and haven’t had time to check it out yet. While I was in the Provincial City, I did call the food processing factory to inquire. They said the environment, sanitation, and personnel are all very well-managed, everyone is proactive and cooperative, and there are no troublemakers. This reassured me. While in the Provincial City, I got through to seven or eight Cooperative Societies, and I’m also in negotiations with the Provincial Clothing Factory. We’re just waiting for the pastries to be ready to send a batch of samples over. If the leaders of the clothing factory like them, they plan to purchase our workshop’s pastries as gifts for their workers during the holidays. Although I don’t know the specific results yet, it’s still good news."

The crowd was shocked, not expecting Shen Meng to secure such a large order on her first move. They had heard that the Provincial City’s clothing factory had several hundred employees. With so many holidays in a year and gifts for each worker, that’s a lot of money!

Of course, there’s also the matter of reputation. The name of the Shenji workshop will soon be known by the people at the Provincial Clothing Factory. As the word spreads, could this not become a brand?

This made them, the people of Lu Family Village, look even more foolish for not sticking with Shen Meng, the golden goose, and instead stubbornly seeking Zhou Jiaojiao to be in charge.

Now it’s too late. When the other villages rise, Lu Family Village won’t even be able to catch up with the buzz.

"Xiao Meng...."

"I just got back yesterday, and all these people from the village have come to see me; I’m truly flattered. You’ve seen I’m fine; thank you all for your concern!"

Hearing Shen Meng’s clear rejection, everyone looked a bit displeased, but most were afraid. If Shen Meng really refused to go back, they wouldn’t know how to explain themselves when they returned home.

"Sister-in-law Cui here, Xiao Meng, do you remember me? Hehehe, I visited your home during the New Year, and you gave my child a handful of candies. The child has been grateful ever since, always calling you Auntie Meng, Auntie Meng. At that time, when Director Guo told me to go to the workshop, I didn’t dare, but as soon as she said you were the one arranging it, I went without a second thought. On the day the workshop had trouble, I had already gone home to cook, and the change of management, I only found out the next day. I didn’t go over there, really, Xiao Meng, I only recognize you."

"That’s right, Xiao Meng, Sister Cui and I are the same. I had gone home to care for the children and look after the house, laundry, cooking—I always ran straight home after work. When I found out about the change, it was the next day, and it really upset me. We are not ungrateful people. We didn’t go there the next day, and we didn’t bother you at home during the days you were there. We didn’t want to upset you."

"Yes, although Director Guo brought us all here hoping you would return, a few of us had already decided privately—if you’re willing to come back, then come back, otherwise, no one can force you. After all, we all have hearts, and what they said back then really hurt. Now that the workshop is in jeopardy, they want you back; as if it’s such a great turn of events."

....

"What’s the meaning of this, you old hens? Didn’t we agree upon entering the yard that we’d accept scolding and beating, as long as Comrade Shen Meng would cool down and return to the flower workshop? Weren’t we willing to do anything for that? How can you suddenly go back on your word?"

"Go to hell! All the nasty and nice things have been said by you guys. You were the ones who sent her away, and now you’re the ones trying to get her back. What are you, the Lord? Everyone has to listen to you? Can’t even be the master of their own homes, now strutting around pretending to be the big boss; have you even considered your own weight?"

Zhou Jiaojiao and Lu Jiaxuan arrived right at this moment. The majority of people wanted Shen Meng to follow her heart, while a small handful were the ones who initially drove Shen Meng away. Naturally, they hoped Shen Meng would hurry back to the workshop because if they couldn’t get her back today, once the Shen Family’s workshop opens tomorrow...

They really wouldn’t have a place in Lu Family Village anymore.

Watching the people bickering endlessly, Shen Meng didn’t even have the desire to speak. She just watched them argue, observing the sincerity and deceit in their expressions.

"Shut up! Stop arguing! You came here to invite my elder sister-in-law back to manage the workshop, not to force her to go back. If you want to invite someone, do it in a proper manner. If arguing could solve everything, then by all means, keep arguing."

Zhou Jiaojiao, holding Lu Jiaxuan’s hand and caressing her belly, took a few steps closer to Shen Meng.

"Elder sister-in-law, the workshop replaced you with me. Even though it wasn’t my intention, the current situation of the workshop isn’t unrelated to me. I’m here to apologize to you. I’m sorry. I hope you can forgive me considering we’re both daughters-in-law of the Lu Family, living in the same village, and sincerely looking out for the village’s best interest. Please forgive me, if you can. I’m willing to kneel and kowtow to you if that’s what it takes!"

Zhou Jiaojiao hadn’t finished speaking when her tears started falling. Director Guo watched with furrowed brows, thinking this woman was obviously trying to coerce someone. She’s even ready to kneel, just look at her.

"Then kneel. I’m not afraid of losing life years!"

Shen Meng smiled mischievously, watching Zhou Jiaojiao with interest. The latter turned pale, not expecting that even after speaking to this extent, Shen Meng would still not relent.

"Fine, I’ll kneel!"

"Jiaojiao, you can’t do this, elder sister-in-law, what are you doing? We’re all family. Jiaojiao is also very upset about the workshop, but it’s all for the good of the people in the village. Can’t some things just be left in the past?"

Shen Meng doubted if her own ears were malfunctioning. Didn’t she already give them the answer yesterday? Why not just copy that answer, instead of doing the problem all over again?

"No!" ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com

Shen Meng answered very firmly, leaving Lu Jiaxuan and Zhou Jiaojiao momentarily unable to save face.