I Became a Vicious Supporting Role in the '70s -
Chapter 135: Where Does the Money Come From?
Chapter 135: Chapter 135: Where Does the Money Come From?
Some of them had accompanied their husbands to the military, some had visited relatives, and some had attended gatherings like this several times, often being ridiced or having their speech, actions, eating, and even drinking criticized.
If their own men had the gumption to stand up for them, that would be one thing, but some, after coming home, even looked down on their wives. This really stifled their hearts, after so many years of hard work, not knowing what it was all for. But Shen Meng had spoken their minds.
These were the exact things that they wanted to say but didn’t know how to express.
"Girl, what you said is so right, I always wanted to say these things too, just didn’t know how to put them."
"Me too, me too. I’ve also come here with Old Chang for gatherings. The way they spoke about me, ah, they said I eat with a smacking sound, drink water like an old ox, can’t even handle my liquor, and they even talked about me burping and farting. Tell me, who doesn’t burp and fart, then she must be a goddess."
"Hahaha, oh my, alright, let’s stop the crude talk for now, lest we get talked about again later."
"Hehehe, I’m just expressing my opinion. Captain Lu has really good taste, I genuinely like you a lot, Xiao Meng."
...
The crowd started to chatter away; the group of intellectuals next to Qin Hao’s wife blushed, because previously they did indeed have similar thoughts. Shen Meng’s words felt like a slap in their faces.
Having been soldiers for years, they’d forgotten about the wives who’d toiled so hard at home. If it weren’t for their diligent care at home, how could they serve at ease in the military?
Several military wives exchanged glances with their husbands, seeing the guilt and compassion in their eyes, they felt even more fond of Shen Meng.
Shen Pingping turned pale with the realization. She had never expected a rural woman to speak so eloquently and to the point. "Sss, what are you doing, brother? You’re pinching my leg blue."
"Shen Pingping, I warn you, stop talking. If you want to stay, then just sit quietly and finish this meal. If you don’t want to stay, then hurry up and leave. Don’t embarrass me any further."
Shen Yi said with a smile, leaning in close to whisper to Shen Pingping.
Shen Pingping also realized that Shen Meng was not to be trifled with, and with Lu Zhenping clearly angry, she decided not to say anything more. After all, with so many people around, even if Lu Zhenping wanted to defend her, there were some things that were not appropriate to be said.
All she could do was sulkily shut her mouth.
Her resentful gaze almost made Lu Zhenping too sick to eat; several times he turned his head to look at Shen Meng to feel a bit better.
Lu Mingkai ate a few dumplings, then clumsily picked up another one with his chopsticks and fed it to Shen Meng, earning another round of praise for being a good child.
Shen Meng tasted one and thought it was delicious, planning to buy a few more servings to take home for Mingyang’s children to try.
With the troublemaker silent, the dinner went much smoother. After eating, everyone gathered their food coupons and money to settle the bill.
Shen Meng and Lu Zhenping were the last to leave. Once most of the people had left, she went back and asked a waiter for three servings of pork and cabbage dumplings.
"These dumplings are quite tasty. I’ll buy some to take back for Mingyang and the kids to try."
"Sounds good. Oh, and Qin Hao just told me that the officer boots I ordered have arrived. He will help deliver them to the Cooperative Society later. Let’s go home together after that, Ming Kai seems tired."
"Alright."
Shen Meng waited for him for a while at the entrance of the alley outside the Cooperative Society. In addition to handing him a gunnysack, there was also a bag and a bundle of food coupons.
"Here, these are for you to help deliver to Li Jun and Da Niu."
"Okay!"
Qin Hao had seen Shen Meng before but wasn’t familiar with her; he hadn’t expected her to be so articulate. He nudged Lu Zhenping with his elbow.
"Hey, I didn’t expect your wife to be so eloquent. Didn’t you say before that she wasn’t educated? She seems to know more than those who are educated. You didn’t see it, but when she was speaking, those military wives who always put on airs—their faces were so sour!"
"How could I not see it? I was there, wasn’t I?"
Qin Hao gave him a look,
"Tsk, you didn’t see jack. Your eyes were practically glued to your wife. So many old comrades were speaking with you, but it was like you were deaf—the words just didn’t reach you. Oh well, what your wife said is true; being a military wife isn’t easy. I feel sorry for my own wife again. I have to make a trip to my mother-in-law’s place; she makes noodles that my wife loves to eat. I have to trouble her for some."
"Roll off, I get annoyed just by looking at you!"
Lu Zhenping couldn’t stand it when others flaunted their wives in front of him, especially since he hadn’t started boasting yet!
Shen Meng bought three pairs of rain boots and three rain capes at the Cooperative Society, along with two bags of milk powder and four bottles of malted milk. She also bought four boxes of shortbread. The weather was never short of apples and oranges, but it seemed neither Li family’s sister-in-law nor Da Niu’s wife could bear to buy such things.
At the State-Owned Restaurant, she had specifically mentioned these two people. Lu Zhenping had visited both families over the years, so she remembered them well.
"Mom, we have these at home; we have these at home."
"I know, I know. These are for other brothers and sisters; it’s not a waste of money. Don’t worry!"
After leaving the Cooperative Society, while bending over to pack things, she took out a dark blue corduroy fabric from her space—a piece just right for two families, enough for each to make clothes.
"Why did you buy so much stuff?"
"Here, everything in this gunnysack is for the two sister-in-laws. You take it!"
Shen Meng looked at the somewhat surprised Lu Zhenping and said with a speechless expression, "When you were home, you always mentioned how Li Jun and Da Niu’s families were struggling, especially Da Niu’s family, which had a really hard time. They have three kids to support, and after he was discharged, his parents made them move out. I remember the years we sent things to support Mingyang; both Li Jun and Da Niu sent things as well. Everything in here is in double portions; you distribute them as you see fit. I also spent about thirty yuan to buy a piece of fabric, a full fifty meters. Split it between the two families. Li Jun’s family has more people, so you can give them a bit more. Deliver the items after dark and remind them to hide things away so as not to attract envy from others."
Lu Zhenping’s eyes brightened when he looked at Shen Meng. He did mention that Li Jun and Da Niu’s families had a rough life since most comrades had jobs arranged for them by their families or the military. Only Da Niu was discharged due to injury, and Li Jun was still waiting for an arrangement.
But he never imagined that Shen Meng would be so thoughtful, preparing so many items including food, clothing, and necessities.
"Hehe, wife, you’ve gone to quite an expense."
Shen Meng chuckled, reached out to twist his ear, leaned in, and said, "It’s not a big expense, but I really want to know, when you came back home initially, you clearly said you gave all your money to me. So, what did you use to buy all those officer boots and large woolen scarves?"
Lu Zhenping: "....Uh!"
If you find any errors (non-standard content, ads redirect, broken links, etc..), Please let us know so we can fix it as soon as possible.
Report