I Became a Vicious Supporting Role in the '70s
Chapter 124: Episode 224: A fuss at home

Zhu Juying ran out of the house, looking at Huang Maochun with a face full of outrage.

"What’s all this fuss about? Xiangxiang is still feverish; she’s already asked for leave from the team. What’s wrong with resting? Besides, there was such a good marriage proposal that you deliberately spoiled. Now you want Xiangxiang to marry again, what are you really planning here?"

Huang Maochun threw away the roasted peanuts in his hand, placed his son in the needle basket by the waist, and started arguing with Zhu Juying.

"What heart am I planning? I’m thinking kindly, that in-law from last time was no good at all, I saw no benefit, they give us nothing, that’s it, just a few tens of yuan for the dowry, not even one of the big three items. My daughter is being too humble, rushing to marry someone and asking for nothing."

Zhu Juying’s head was buzzing with anger, the dowry Xiangxiang got from her fiancé was already ten or twenty dollars more than what the average girl gets. As for the big three items, not only could their village’s mud-legged people not afford it, even the folks in town begging their grandparents still might not be able to get one.

All struggling for work points to make ends, how could she and the old man shamelessly ask for too much? Her daughter Xiangxiang is no fairy; she just wants a stable life after marriage.

"We are not asking for much, just want the in-laws to treat my Xiangxiang well, and them as a couple to live a stable life; I don’t care about the rest."

"I care if you don’t, and let me tell you, my cousin’s son works at a smithy in the county, earning this amount each month. I’ve already agreed to introduce Xiangxiang to him, and they promised eighty yuan for the dowry and a Butterfly brand bicycle. These were agreed; they’ll be coming over soon."

Huang Maochun said this without noticing Zhu Juying’s increasingly ugly expression; her mind was full of the dowry money, planning how to spend it.

Even though her cousin has some physical disabilities, that’s a secure job. She isn’t lucky to marry into the city, her husband earning well, she could wake up from a dream laughing.

Thinking of Lu Xingchang, she couldn’t help but frown, regretting having seen him good-looking and immediately agreeing to marry.

"Let me tell you, only her father and I have the say in Xiangxiang’s marriage matters; as an in-law, you better not meddle too much. Don’t bother having your cousin or anyone come here; even if they do, I’ll drive them out. Just don’t blame me then for leaving you without face."

"You dare!"

"Watch me dare!"

Huang Maochun, infuriated, picked up the scissors from the basket, aiming at Zhu Juying. Just then, the door slammed open and a feverish, unable to stand, Xiangxiang held herself up on the doorframe, her hands shaking pointing at Huang Maochun.

"Huang Maochun, if you dare lay a finger on Mom, I will fight you to death."

Huang Maochun hesitated with the scissors in hand while Zhu Juying didn’t back off, thinking it might be good to stab her, which could lead to a family split or her son’s divorce. She desperately wanted to get rid of her intimidating daughter-in-law.

The two glared at each other tensely, Xiangxiang, holding the door frame, continued coughing. She glanced at her terrified little nephew trembling, feeling an overwhelming sadness. If it weren’t for the child, her brother could divorce easily, but with a little nephew, all they could do was make concessions; they couldn’t leave the child motherless.

The courtyard gate was knocked "bang bang bang," interrupting the highly tense trio.

Shen Meng, carrying a basket covered with a blue cloth, knocked on the door again.

"Aunt Juying, are you home? It’s Xiao Meng. Aunt?"

Mao Chun reacted quickly; she grabbed a handful of hair and turned around to open the courtyard door. Seeing Shen Meng with a basket, her eyes lit up, but her face showed a hint of grievance.

"Sister-in-law, you’re here. Look at this, there’s a fuss at home. Come in quickly, come in. What have you brought? Let me take it for you!"

Shen Meng didn’t stand on ceremony and handed it over directly, but in that moment of handing it over, she swiftly hid all the good items under the dried vegetables into her pocket space.

"Oh dear, what happened here, why the quarrel? Aunt, please support Xiangxiang, she can barely stand. Is she sick?"

"What sickness? She just dislikes the cold and doesn’t want to go to work, being lazy. Sister-in-law, do you want to come to my room for a chat?"

Before Zhu Juying could speak, Mao Chun spoke first, not embarrassed at all as she opened up the basket Shen Meng had brought. She rummaged through it, finding only some dried vegetables, which made her face darken a bit, and the thought of inviting Shen Meng for a chat faded considerably.

She also knew about the two cars that had visited Shen Meng’s home that noon; who wouldn’t be envious seeing those big and small packages? She had thought Shen Meng would bring something valuable when she visited, but it turned out to be just these worthless dried vegetables, something everyone had at home.

"Forget it, I have something to discuss with Aunt Juying, this basket..."

"Take it, I have to go soothe the children now, they are fussing. I’m afraid I won’t have time to chat with sister-in-law."

She pushed the basket towards Shen Meng’s chest and turned back into the house. Zhu Juying, watching this, blushed with embarrassment. No matter what, Shen Meng was a guest at their home; this really wasn’t proper.

"Xiao Meng, let’s talk inside the room!"

Shen Meng smiled and followed Zhu Juying inside. She then put the items she had hidden back into the basket. Lu Xiangxiang looked very weak, her cheeks flaming red and her breathing rough.

"Xiangxiang seems quite sick. Have you taken any medicine?"

"Cough, cough, cough... No, I thought I’d just sweat it out and be fine, it’s nothing, sister-in-law. I’ll wait and see. If it’s not better by tonight, I’ll ask dad to find Brother Changhong."

Shen Meng glanced at the door and nudged Zhu Juying with her elbow.

"Aunt, I still have some fever and anti-inflammatory medication at home. Let Uncle Guai come over later, and give them to Xiangxiang tonight."

She spoke a bit louder this time and handed the basket to Zhu Juying, who hesitated but then took it, rummaged through the dried vegetables, and discovered a canned bottle, a box of honey sachets, and a pound of brown sugar beneath.

"How can this be, these are too valuable, I really can’t..."

"Aunt, please take it. Xiangxiang is sick, and it’s essential for her to take medicine. These dried vegetables can be used later to make dumplings or buns."

Lu Xiangxiang was drowsy, but she understood deep down. It must be Sister-in-law Meng who had brought them some good things again. Her mom was so flustered only because of this. Remembering that ever since they had established a good relationship with Sister-in-law Meng, she always provided genuine help while her own family could only pitch in when it was inconvenient for them, which truly paled in comparison. Their family had indeed gained a lot of benefits.