I Became a Vicious Supporting Role in the '70s-Chapter 270: We will be leaving soon

The person who came with Li Qianqian directly handed over the items brought for Shen Meng one by one into her hands. With a respectful expression, even carrying a bit of admiration, they made Shen Meng feel a little embarrassed.

"Thank you, factory director. I will definitely work even harder in the future, striving to contribute more to our Head Flower Factory."

"Sister Meng, I’ve always known you are capable. With you in the factory, I’m very at ease. Oh, and some good news, this is your school admission confirmation. I’ve already spoken to Principal Ping of the junior high division. When he found out it was for you, he was so happy he almost jumped. He knows you’re busy, so he agreed that you can just go once a month, and he will arrange for a teacher to help you with your studies."

Shen Meng’s eyes lit up; this was exactly what she coveted. She could obtain a diploma without having to attend school in person; this meant she would possess both academic qualifications and capabilities.

"I’m so grateful to you, factory director. I’ll go and register at the school immediately."

"No need to thank me, Sister Meng. Oh, that design training you recommended to me, I’ve started reading books on it recently. I feel I have some talent in that area, and I’ll work hard. Let’s strive together, Sister Meng."

"Alright."

After Li Qianqian left, Shen Meng looked at the table full of items with some helplessness. How was she going to take all these things home after work!

Before the office staff had the chance to crowd around, Hu Biao and Kong Wenhui also arrived one after another. Seeing the things they brought, Shen Meng also felt somewhat helpless.

When it was almost noon, Shen Meng, with a generous gesture, took the office staff to dine at the State-Owned Restaurant. Director Fu, usually someone who napped in the office, also tagged along.

Shen Meng used food coupons and money to order a large bowl of lamb noodles for each person, added three side dishes, and swiftly ordered twenty pastry puff cakes. Everyone from the bus company ate heartily.

She herself was also very pleased. In that era, people wore their hearts on their faces. Within one day, she received so many items, as well as a significant amount of bonus—a total of more than two thousand yuan. She kept it in mind that likely the County Government and the commune would also reward her. With so many items and money at hand, she couldn’t be stingy like a miser; else, there might be problems in the future!

There’s a saying, "It’s easy to meet King Yan, but the little devils are tough to deal with." She didn’t want to pay a price in the future for having offended someone over trivial issues. She aimed to preempt any preventable issues.

"Today, leaders have brought so much stuff, let’s all share the pastries and candies. I’ll take the rest home, and I’ll need everyone’s help with work in the future."

"Hey, Xiao Meng, you’re too polite. These are rare items that the leaders have brought for you. Take them home for your kids to enjoy, why give them to us?"

"That’s right, we already owe you for the great meal we had at noon. How can we take your things now? You take them home. If you can’t finish them, you can share them with your family. No need to worry about us."

"Yes, yes..."

...

Shen Meng placed the items on their tables and pretended to be upset: "How could you treat me like an outsider? If you look down on these, just throw them away, but please don’t refuse them in front of me; it’s quite heartbreaking."

After saying this, those who had just refused hurried over to appease her, and they ended up laughing again.

She displayed ample grace so that if anyone amongst them caused her trouble later, the others would not let that person off easily.

Shen Meng, carrying bags of various sizes, got onto Uncle Guai’s ox cart. When Wu Xianglan arrived, she was given a box of cookies. It took quite some time for Shirley Yu to show up, and Shen Meng could tell that she seemed to be preoccupied with something different.

As she boarded the vehicle, the looks she received made Shirley feel somewhat embarrassed.

When Shirley and Chang Hong’s affair became public knowledge, Sister Meng had considered playing matchmaker, but ultimately decided against it. People like Wu Xianglan need not marry friends of Lu Zhenping. It would appear staged, like matching literature with harmony. Besides, why should she meddle? Everyone has their own fate, and she couldn’t overstep her bounds by minding other people’s business.

And indeed, their better days were yet to come!!!

When Sister Meng and her group arrived at the village entrance, they saw a car parked at the corner from afar, surrounded by a crowd of people. Sister Meng got off the ox cart and, holding her belongings, approached the scene.

"Who would have thought that Ah Man and his son would have a day to return? Look, this person must have been someone important in the past to have a car come pick them up!"

"Indeed, you should have seen how warmly those people greeted Ah Man, shaking hands and all, just like they were greeting a high-ranking official."

"Hehe, the people in our village who once bullied Ah Man and his son are now keeping their distance, fearing retribution. Tsk, what were they doing back then? They’re humans too; it was cruel to prey on two unfortunate souls like that. It’s despicable."

"They even stole their food. Luckily, those two have strong survival instincts; otherwise, how could they have made it until now? It’s like heaven finally saw fit to let them pull through."

"People who have endured great hardships are bound to live a peaceful, prosperous life full of good fortune!"

...

Sister Meng listened without a word. There were many who once cursed Ah Man, but now they only had good things to say. She felt a bit fed up with it all and went home with her belongings, not concerning herself with Shirley and Wu Xianglan.

A while later, she pulled out two sets of clothes from her space. For Ah Man, there was a shirt, black pants, small leather shoes, and a grey woolen coat; for his grandfather, there was a Sun Yat-sen suit along with a pair of rubber-soled cloth shoes.

She wrapped the clothes in a blue floral cloth and placed them on the table. Although she had promised to make clothes herself and hadn’t managed to do so, she could at least make dumplings with her own hands.

Taking out quality pork belly, Chinese cabbage, soaked vermicelli, and minced meat from her grinding machine, she mixed the filling and began wrapping the dumplings with the pre-made wrappers.

She was in quite a rush, and many things were ready-made, which made her sigh quietly and feel slightly embarrassed.

Ah Man arrived with his grandfather, followed by three young men, all of whom looked at Sister Meng with grateful eyes.

"Aunt, I, my grandfather and I came to see you, and we’re leaving soon."

After their long time together, Sister Meng was also reluctant to part with the two, so she turned and wiped some flour off her face before looking at them. In the eyes of Ah Man and his grandfather, her actions seemed to suggest she was reluctant and crying.

"Aunt, I, I will write to you and my uncle."

"Good, good. It’s a good thing that you can go back. You don’t need to struggle here in the countryside anymore. It’s only when you return to the city that grandpa can properly take care of his health."

Sister Meng noticed the worn clothes still on the grandfather and grandson and her brow furrowed for a moment. Without waiting for them to say anything, she went straight back into the house. Ah Man panicked for a moment, fearing she was angry and was about to follow her, but his grandfather caught his arm.

"Wait outside!"