I Became a Vicious Supporting Role in the '70s-Chapter 300: No Way Out

The cool evening weather is perfect, as Shen Meng and her group walk to where Uncle Guai has stopped his bullock cart, chatting and laughing along the way. They find Shen Xiaobin and Uncle Guai squatting in the shade of a tree with a bag of things placed beside them.

The old man holds a lunch box in one hand and pinches a dumpling with the other, grinning from ear to ear.

"Oh, Uncle Guai, it looks like your son-in-law cares about you a lot, brought you something to eat, huh?"

Wu Xianglan sets down what she was carrying onto the bullock cart and starts giggling too.

"I was passing by the dining hall after work and saw someone sprinting, thought it looked like Xiao Bin at a glance. I thought I was mistaken, but turns out it really was him."

Uncle Guai snaps the lid of the lunch box closed and pats the dust off his pants.

"Stop teasing him; he’s a good kid. I told him not to run over just to check on an old man like me. He wouldn’t have it—always worried I might get hungry. He wouldn’t listen no matter how many times I told him."

Shen Xiaobin, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment, awkwardly scratches his head.

"Sis, why are you guys so late today?"

"What good news! Xiao Bin, your sister scored a government job. She will be working at the County Government office from now on. Our entire Ning County commune will be under her management. Hahaha, it’s like we all ascended to heaven with her."

Shen Xiaobin’s eyes shine as he looks at Shen Meng.

"Really, sis?"

"What high position? Don’t listen to her nonsense; it’s not finalized yet. I’m going to see Mr. Li tomorrow to talk about it."

Shen Xiaobin smiles. Regardless, as long as his sister is happy, that’s all that matters. He’s gotten to know a lot of people at the textile factory, made some messy connections. He can’t help with big things for his sister, but he can still do small ones.

At least when his sister needs to handle big matters, he can keep some people from causing trouble.

"It’s getting late, Xiao Bin. You better head back. You still need to get up early to drive to the Provincial City tomorrow. Be alert on the road; safety first."

"Right, dad, don’t worry. Shihao’s with me, we’ll take turns driving, it’ll be fine. Here, take this. Share some with my older brothers, and keep the rest for you and mom to eat. When I get a day off, I’ll bring Xiangxiang to visit you."

Uncle Guai feels as sweet as honey inside, blessed with such a son-in-law who not only respects but also cares deeply for his daughter. He feels much younger, like he could live many more years.

"Alright, alright!"

As everyone climbs onto the bullock cart, Shen Xiaobin suddenly pulls out thirty yuan from his pocket and stuffs it into Shen Meng’s arms.

"Shen Xiaobin, what are you doing?"

"Sis, you spent quite a bit of money for Xiangxiang and my wedding. Now that our household is doing much better, my elder sister-in-law and the second sister-in-law don’t need my salary anymore. I thought I’d repay you thirty yuan every month. In about two years, I’ll have paid it all back."

Shen Meng looks at the money in her hand, at a loss for words. Whether it was building a house or celebrating festivities, she never thought about asking them to repay her, and she also didn’t like drawing clear lines with her family.

Yet, she also felt proud. Shen Family was not greedy; otherwise, she would be worried about how to get them off her back right now.

"Actually, there’s no need to be so explicit. I am also a daughter of the Shen Family. It’s my money, I’ll spend it as I wish, nobody else has a say in it."

Seeing the mix of feelings on his sister’s face, Shen Xiaobin is somewhat struck dumb.

"Sis, I’ve grown up. I can’t always rely on you or let you shoulder everything. Over this past year, our home has changed a lot because of you. Mom and dad don’t want you to be too tired. Xiangxiang and I thought we’d return some of the family’s debts so we can live more peacefully in the future."

Shen Meng looks at Shen Xiaobin and suddenly feels that he has grown up, almost unable to keep up. Just last year, he was still a naive, happy-go-lucky kid, and now he can stand on his own.

"Okay, it’s up to you guys. Now that both of you are earning salaries, if you want to repay, I won’t refuse it."

"Hehe..."

Uncle Guai looked at the siblings and also slightly curled his lips into a smile.

The ox cart traveled far, and Shen Xiaobin kept waving at them. Yu Xueli felt a bit dazed watching the warm interaction between the siblings.

Her family had started reaching out to her more frequently over the past few months, knowing she was different now, including her father who had slapped her and shamed her in the past. Now, he could speak to her in a soft, pleading tone.

But she knew in her heart that her family was acting this way because they wanted something from her resources.

When getting off the vehicle, Yu Xueli took out dinner she had packed for Uncle Guai.

"Yo, this isn’t necessary, take it home for Daya to eat. Xiao Bin bought two boxes of dumplings for me; that’s enough for tonight."

"Just take it and eat. There’s meat inside, you can enjoy it with some alcohol. If there’s leftover, the kids at home can have some."

All three of them were hurrying home; even Uncle Guai carrying the food boxes couldn’t catch up with them.

"This old age, this old age, even enjoying some blessings now, you tell me."

When Uncle Guai got home, he was carrying a big bag and three food boxes; people chatting at the village entrance saw this and looked on with envy.

This old man, in his youth he learned to drive an ox cart, these years he has also been blessed.

Lu Changzhu felt very uncomfortable hearing what people were saying; nowadays, the most capable person in the commune was his daughter-in-law, and it should be him who’s respected, what does Mr. Guai have to do with this?

"Hmph!"

He walked back home with his hands behind his back, fuming.

"Hey, is Old Lu angry?"

"Exactly, now that the elders are so capable, and they didn’t get anything, how could they not be angry?"

"I heard Mrs. Liu from Liu Family wants to arrange for her nephews to work at Head Flower Factory. But Xiao Meng didn’t agree, and it caused quite a stir."

"What were they thinking? Can Xiao Meng just listen to everything she says? She’s a deputy director now; she needs to consider the factory more as so many workers rely on it for their salaries. If two bad elements enter, can the factory even operate?"

"Exactly, that’s the logic. At their age, not lacking food or drink, why fuss about it and not feel embarrassment?"

...

When Shen Meng was approaching her house, Lu Changzhu suddenly stopped her.

"What is it, Dad? I need to hurry home to cook."

"Just a few words won’t delay you. I wanted to ask you about what we discussed last time, speaking to Director Hu at the textiles factory, about promoting elder sister-in-law. Any news?"

Shen Meng rolled her eyes, what was he thinking, asking her to pave the way for Zhou Jiaojiao using her own connections, was she a reincarnated saint and lotus flower, that when others throw mud at her, she should plant lotus with it?

Her nature, she would dig up twice the amount of mud with a shovel and throw it back, smashing those who bullied her.

"This matter, there’s no solution."

"What? Elder daughter-in-law, what kind of attitude is this? I know you’re quite capable now, it’s just a few words for you. Why can’t you help out, get elder sister-in-law a different position, let her finish work early to take care of her child? Such a small baby, without a mother by his side, how can that be okay? You’re a mother too, can you just watch them suffer this much?"

Shen Meng: "..."

The way he said it, as if Zhou Jiaojiao’s child had anything to do with her!!!