I Became a Vicious Supporting Role in the '70s-Chapter 267: It’s Just About Dating Someone, What’s There to Fear

Shirley came back to her senses, smiled at Shen Meng, and nodded. The families living nearby got along quite well. Whenever she had something nice, she would always think to share a bit with them. But after all, she was a divorced woman and now had a job; she was different from the farming households, and naturally, this change affected some people’s attitudes.

A single woman with a child, with no man to rely on, and now often harassed by her ex-husband, she needed help from neighbors. Over time, some unpleasant words started circulating. Two sisters-in-law were worried their men might get involved with her. Now, whenever she visited, their faces were as dark as charcoal; the previous warmth had gone, even though she was on good terms with Shen Meng, and even though those sisters-in-law also wanted to work at the Head Flower Factory, they still didn’t welcome her.

She understood and respected it. People who had helped her in the past now didn’t want to; it was only human nature, and she found nothing to be angry about. She touched her backpack; inside were two new locks she had bought. She needed to secure her room’s door at night.

"Does Dr. Qian still come to talk to you?"

"Why, why do you ask about this?"

Shirley’s face turned a bit red, thinking the conversation had ended and she was about to go to Xie Jinghao’s home to pick up her child. Mody suddenly brought this up again, which was really embarrassing.

"It’s just that I’m also worried about you. Let me tell you, if you think Dr. Qian is a good man, then be quick about it. You’re a mother of three; there’s no need to be shy. You’re an outstanding woman, and it’s normal to be pursued. In my opinion, if you think he’s alright, give it a try. Start dating someone. It doesn’t mean you have to get married, but it’s nice to have someone who cherishes you."

Shen Meng dared not be too explicit, for fear that Shirley couldn’t handle it. After all, it’s just dating, not necessarily committing to a lifetime. Why couldn’t she?

Shirley had her reputation spoiled by Lai Zi, which is why she was pressured into marriage. Her previous partner was even someone she met on a blind date. She had never had a romance; how could she know what it was like to be cherished and loved?

She thought Dr. Qian was not bad; she even took the time to carefully check out his family’s courtyard house, which was quite nice, spacious, and grand. There was only a sprightly old mother at home, and she was on good terms with the neighbors. She heard that every now and then people would come to propose marriage, only to be sent away by the old lady.

Shen Meng found out that the old lady had attended a girls’ school when she was young and was quite Westernized. She believed in letting her children decide on love and marriage without interference. freēnovelkiss.com

With such a progressive old mother, Shen Meng felt that if Shirley married into the family, she might truly find happiness!

"I’m, I’m still understanding the situation. After what you said last time, I thought maybe I could give it a try. He doesn’t mind that I have children, knows my situation, and even says it’s not my fault. Xiao Meng, I’ve never met someone so good. It’s not that I don’t think he’s good; I’m afraid I’m not worthy of him. He’s a big doctor, I’m just, just a rural woman. I don’t understand anything. Right now, he sympathizes with me, but what if one day I..."

"Cherish the present, Shirley. We’ll deal with the future when it comes. Even if he looks down on you later, don’t belittle yourself. If he changes, it’s not your fault. You have your daughter, friends, savings, and a job. Even if you end up living alone, you can still lead a good life. Me, Jinghao, Xiangxiang, Xifeng, all of us are here for you. What are you afraid of? Be bold and go for it. Love is wonderful, and you deserve to have it."

Money, looks, and kids—just dating someone, what’s there not to do? If she wasn’t already with Lu Zhenping, she’d want to try it out for herself. A beautiful forest full of saplings, just looking at them made her eyes green with envy!

Shirley was invigorated by the conversation, as if she had suddenly figured things out. She smiled at Shen Meng and nodded vigorously. She, too, deserved to live for herself.

That evening, as Shen Meng had dinner with her children, Shirley and Liu Sanjin brought over some food. Actually, Wu Xianglan had wanted to come herself; she felt she was close with Shen Meng, and having the old woman come over would be quite an annoyance.

"Elder sister-in-law, Mom and I brought you some food. Look, fine wheat buns, and here are chili potato shreds with pork slices, made especially for you. I know that’s what you like."

Wu Xiang Lan was about to take the food from Liu Sanjin’s hand and put it on the table when the latter repeatedly dodged, sticking out her butt to edge Wu Xiang Lan away and placed the food on the table herself.

"Xiao Meng, even though Xiang Lan cooked the dish, the shredded pork was bought by Jiahe with her own money. She’s such an honest kid, picked out the best meat especially for you, just look how fat and delicious the meat looks!"

Shen Meng: "...."

The food indeed smelled great, but it was too fatty. A small pot of meat dish barely had any lean meat visible, and it made her lose her appetite just by looking at it.

"Thanks, I just had some porridge earlier and I’m feeling dizzy, not really in the mood to eat right now, I’ll eat later!"

Seeing how Shen Meng acted, Liu Sanjin rolled her eyes. Such good food and not rushing to eat it, truly a wasted blessing and a waste of perfectly good cooking.

"Mingyang, Ming Liang, my dear grandsons, you eat. Grandmother hasn’t spent quality time with you for so long. You’re always busy with school, not even coming to check on grandmother."

"Grandma, this meat is too fatty, makes you feel queasy. I’ll eat it later!"

"Ming Liang, don’t talk nonsense. Grandma, my brother didn’t mean that. The dish does smell great, it just doesn’t look appetizing."

Wu Xiang Lan: "....."

Liu Sanjin: "....."

You might as well have not explained it, your words hurt even more after the explanation!!!

"The child is just blabbering, Xiang Lan, don’t take it to heart. Did you guys come to see me for a reason?"

Liu Sanjin let out a sigh and began to wipe away tears. The Wu Xiang Lan standing next to her was no longer the Wu Xiang Lan of the past. If this was before, she would’ve jumped up and scolded Shen Meng for upsetting her mother-in-law. Now she just sat quietly, and if it weren’t for fear of angering Shen Meng, she would’ve wanted to take out the pumpkin seeds from her pocket and snack on them.

"Xiao Meng, seeing you and your elder brother living such a prosperous life truly makes us happy. The two of you have really brought pride to the Lu Family. Everyone in Lu Family Village looks at you and envies us, your parents. My heart is just burdened with worry for the second and the fourth brothers. The second is solely focused on earning work points, and the fourth, although not doing badly at the commune, is just a minor official. Who knows when he’ll manage to become the office director. We are all one family, and it’d be wonderful if we could all progress together. That’s when my heart would really be at ease."

Shen Meng hadn’t even spoken yet when Wu Xiang Lan let out a laugh.

"Oh my, old lady, aren’t you afraid of being a joke saying things like that? Let’s not even talk about the fourth; just look at Jiahe, when was he ever focused solely on going to work and earning work points? His mind is just set on snuggling up in Liu Su Qin’s blankets!"

Liu Sanjin: "...."

What a disgraceful thing to say, acting as if he’s not your husband. How can you still laugh about it!