I Became a Vicious Supporting Role in the '70s
Chapter 134: He Can’t Stand Others Saying A Word Against Me

Chapter 134: Chapter 134: He Can’t Stand Others Saying A Word Against Me

Shen Pingping took a sip from the teacup in front of her and noticed that the few people who had been happily chatting with Shen Meng just a moment ago were now silent. Even Shen Meng herself had bowed her head, and Pingping lowered her eyes and pursed her lips.

"I’m going to sit with Mom, it stinks here."

"What?"

Lu Mingkai saw that his father seemed not to understand and shouted directly.

"Dad, it stinks here, the baby’s nose is itchy, I want to sit with Mom."

"Okay."

This exchange between father and son made the several well-educated individuals seated at the table look very displeased. They had all made an effort to dress up for this military comrades gathering, especially Shen Pingping, who had applied a lot of scented powder.

Who would have expected that they would be called stinky by a little brat? How could anyone accept that?

"Brother Zhenping, you have a lengthy leave for family visits this time. You should spend more time with your kids at home, as they still need their father’s company. I’m not saying that Sister-in-Law hasn’t taught them well, but the countryside habits are not that great. It can really affect the children’s growth."

"Yeah, Captain Lu, actually, you could have taken your wife and children with you to the military base a long time ago. Over the years, you’ve always given your opportunities to others. You should also think about yourself."

As soon as Shen Pingping heard the military wife’s comments, she immediately became anxious.

"You can’t say it that way. Following to the military base is certainly good, but Brother Zhenping’s duty in the army comes first. If Sister Shen Meng and the children constantly worry Brother Zhenping because of home affairs, that’s not good either. I think it’s actually nice letting them stay in the countryside. The base has service soldiers, and Brother Zhenping is not lacking anyone to take care of him. Why bother going there to be a burden, oh my, sorry, sorry, I misspoke."

Shen Yi’s face had already turned sour. His sister, with her foolish head, did she not realize that the previously warm atmosphere had now deflated, with barely anyone speaking? They were all cunning as thousand-year-old vixens, so what in the world was she playing at, acting like an evil spirit here—did she want others to misunderstand her intentions or what?

Lu Zhenping’s eyelids were twitching. Beside him, Qin Hao kept nudging him with his elbow, suggesting that he quickly say something. He needed to clear himself of any connection, otherwise, once the trouble started among siblings, the scene could get ugly. No matter what, Shen Pingping was Shen Yi’s sister, just a young girl, there was no need to stoop to her level.

Seeing that he remained silent, Qin Hao "haha-ed" a few times, trying to ease the situation. After all, everyone could see that Shen Pingping was deliberately trying to make Shen Meng uncomfortable. They had only just managed to arrange a gathering, and now she was causing trouble. He was also very annoyed inside, thinking it was a comrades’ reunion, what was the point of bringing along the old ladies!

"Sister-in-Law, I’ve heard Zhenping talk about you. You’re taking care of three kids, two of whom are from his eldest brother’s family. Your in-laws are elderly and not in good health, and you’ve still got your younger brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law at home, but they are all practically grown. Over the years, with your husband away in the army, the household allowance has not been enough to cover everyone’s needs. Thanks to your tireless efforts in earning work points, weaving, and raising chickens, you’ve managed to take good care of the family. I wasn’t lying earlier; although you may not look as young, you are beautiful, truly. Every time your husband mentions you, he is full of gratitude."

"And this little sister-in-law, I heard that when you married, you were very timid. When Zhenping joined your wedding, you didn’t dare to lift your head to look at them. But after your husband was injured and discharged from the military, you took on the heavy burden of the family, and you fiercely turned your gentle nature into that of a tigress. No one in your village dares to bully you. I just saw your husband manage to stand up and walk a few steps, and couldn’t tell there was an injury at all. It’s obviously because you’ve taken good care of him."

The two military wives who were called out blushed a bit. They hadn’t expected that their husbands, who didn’t talk much at home, would speak so highly of them when they were not around. Their hearts were touched knowing that their efforts were remembered. This recognition was more comforting to them than any amount of money or delicacies.

"This sister-in-law seems extraordinary. You must be Mr. Qin’s wife, right? I was in the hospital a while ago, and I owe you thanks for the help and porridge you stewed!"

Qin Hao’s wife was a clerk at the bookstore, also an intellectual, but she was modest. She saw that Shen Meng spoke and acted very appropriately, much better than the few women around her. Plus, her own husband repeatedly mentioned how Lu Zhenping took good care of him in the military, so she was certain to be a bit more courteous to Shen Meng.

"It’s nothing, really. Qin Hao often says that Captain Lu took great care of him in the military and that they got along very well. I just did what I could to help, no need for special thanks."

"That’s not right. We are military wives. If you helped me out, I definitely need to thank you."

"Alright then, I accept your thanks."

The two women exchanged smiles, letting everyone breathe a sigh of relief, especially the group of intellectuals.

Shen Meng redirected the awkward mood to one of emotion, and now the atmosphere had improved considerably. But Lu Zhenping knew in his heart that several times she had stopped him from speaking, obviously because she wanted to cause trouble.

Shen Pingping had tried to speak multiple times but was held back by her older brother. She was quite resentful. Just then, the dishes they had ordered started arriving at the table one after another.

Finally, Shen Pingping saw her chance.

"Hey, Sister Shen Meng, these are the dumplings specially ordered for you, perfect for Ming Kai to eat. I ordered a lot, so eat more later. Such good food, you definitely can’t get it at home. Today is a good opportunity."

Lu Zhenping frowned when he heard this, and "smack," he put down his chopsticks.

Everyone was startled by him. While Shen Pingping’s face was smug with mocking Shen Meng, her smile now froze on her face.

"Zhenping, what are you doing? Don’t scare the young lady. Pingping is it? Don’t be afraid. He’s just like that. At home, I bear children for him, respect the elderly, deal with trifles, and he can’t stand anyone saying a bad word about me. But I think you’re right. When we were in the countryside, we rarely ate such good food. Not just me, I believe everyone here, including the men present, couldn’t have dumplings for every meal in the military, could they? I’ve said so much just now, and smart people should have understood. For those who didn’t, let me make it clearer. We are all military wives, the same people, without any distinction of high or low, noble or humble. You are intellectuals, discussing things we don’t understand, like concrete facts, politics, movies, fashion, or romantic poetry. We are country folks, talking about how to fatten up the children, how to weave a bit more coarse cloth, earn more work points, save a bit more between the teeth to honor the elderly and fill the children’s bellies. Put yourself in our shoes. We are all around our twenties, in the prime of our lives. When you were sitting in a cozy classroom, we were shouldering heavy invisible burdens, barefooted in the mud, working diligently for ourselves, our husbands, our children, and our families. Of course, I’m not saying that you haven’t contributed. You work hard, earn the fruits of your labor, strive for betterment, and always continue learning, which is certainly commendable. But we live by the rules and do not wish to intrude into your world. Likewise, we do not want to become the targets of your mockery, laughter, and discussion. Comrade Shen Pingping, do you understand?"

Shen Meng’s words left everyone stunned. Her speech was indeed eye-opening, causing several military wives who had come from the countryside to have tears welling up in their eyes.

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