I Became a Vicious Supporting Role in the '70s
Chapter 177: Never Giving Up

Chapter 177: Chapter 177: Never Giving Up

Shen Meng shuddered in fear at Zhou Jiaojiao’s accusing voice. Nonsense, what urine and feces? That’s clearly the scent of durian. That fake notice has been in her possession for so long, how could it possibly be urine and feces? Zhou Jiaojiao looks gentle and refined, how can she say such disgusting words?

Shen Meng thought to herself, while the crowd around her had already exploded into chaos. What? The thief caught at last, could it be the least likely person, yet the most suspicious one?

Wu Xianglan was also shocked. She wondered if it was because she was not careful when using the toilet, letting the notice slip and fall, making it possible for her mother-in-law to pick it up by chance. Such a disaster, such a good thing smeared with filth – which leader from the county would want to look at it now?

Isn’t this a total waste?

"I, I, this is not mine, how did it end up on me? I don’t know about this, really!"

Liu Sanjin was extremely panicked. How did this thing end up on her? She just went to the toilet this morning and hadn’t been there since. How could it possibly be on her?

Lu Jiaxuan hurried over as well, and after hesitating for a moment, he took the item from Zhou Jiaojiao’s hand. The text, the stamp on it, you could tell at a glance – it was the notice that Jiaojiao had to check daily. Now, the contaminated script was unclear, and there was some... filth on it. It was completely impossible to be recognized in the factory, nor would anyone want to look at it, and it was so dirty that it couldn’t even be cleaned.

"Mom, I am really disappointed in you. How could you use such an important thing in the toilet? You’ve ruined Jiaojiao’s life."

These words were too heavy; Liu Sanjin couldn’t bear it and staggered three steps back.

"Damn it, Lord above, please let it snow! My old woman is truly wronged. How did this thing end up on me? I had no clue, I really didn’t take it, what would I even do with it, Jiaxuan, my son, I really didn’t take this thing. Maybe your wife herself dropped it in the toilet. Otherwise, why would there be feces and urine on it? I’m wrongly accused, I’m even more wronged than Dou E, wuu wuu wuu... What are you looking at? I really didn’t take it, what use would it have for me?"

He glared at his own mother, no matter what she said, neither Lu Jiaxuan nor Zhou Jiaojiao were willing to believe it anymore. The two held the notice that was so dirty it became unrecognizable and supported each other back into their room.

Lu Changzhu looked at Liu Sanjin with disgust as well. Of all things to use for wiping, to use his daughter-in-law’s notice, how precious must her buttocks be to use this job security for wiping? It’s wiped now, so be it, she even stuffed it in her sleeve. The more he thought about it, the more displeased he became, and didn’t even want to go to bed that night.

Liu Sanjin sat down on the ground in despair, vigorously slapping her thighs. She was truly wronged; where could she even begin to complain? How did that item end up on her in the first place?

No matter how much she cried and shouted, the Liu family was not ready to let it go. Wrongly accused for no reason, they must get something back. Lu Lanhua and Lu Miaomiao also had very unpleasant expressions. They had pooled in several hundred yuan and got nothing in return, and they both felt that the notice brought back into the room by Lu Jiaxuan and Zhou Jiaojiao was actually theirs. Lu Miaomiao glared menacingly at Lu Lanhua and lunged at her with a weep.

Shen Meng watched cheerfully; she was not concerned about the commotion anymore. This matter had nothing to do with her now. In her previous life, Lu Zhenping’s family suffered deaths, captures, and madness, and these people had contributed greatly. She was determined not to stop, it didn’t matter, as her lifetime was still long, and she intended to slowly torment them to death.

After sending her husband and children back home, Shen Meng went to visit Shirley’s house alone. A single woman raising a child had a really tough life. Previously, accompanying Zhou Jiaojiao in earning work points, the distributed grains, festive red envelope and money were barely enough to survive on, but having enough to eat was impossible.

When she went to the county to buy New Year goods, Dr. Cheng mentioned that their hospital’s kitchen needed a helper for odd jobs – heavy work with low pay. People from the county pull strings to get hospital jobs, aiming for easy and profitable positions, meaning these labor-intensive and less dignified tasks were undesirable for many.

At that moment Dr. Cheng just casually mentioned it, but Shen Meng kept it in mind and asked for her help. She gave Dr. Cheng a hand-knitted woolen scarf and made her promise to keep the position. People in the county might disdain it, but country folks wouldn’t complain and would even consider it a good job.

Shirley was sewing. She had bought two pieces of fabric and used the allotted cotton tickets to buy three pounds of cotton, making two pairs of cotton shoes for Daya and Xiao Ya, and was just about to finish the last one, just two more stitches. Hearing a knock, she hastily stood up and thought for a moment before grabbing a wooden stick from behind the door.

"Who is it?"

"Mrs. Daya, it’s me, I’ve come with good news!"

When Shirley heard it was Shen Meng, she was so delighted that she put down whatever she was holding and hurried to open the door.

"Aiyo, it’s freezing cold, why aren’t you staying warm at home instead of coming here? Is the road slippery? Are you cold? Come in quickly and have some hot water."

"I’m not cold, I’m just really happy today. I went to the county on the 27th, and I happened to hear some news. I wanted to tell you sooner, but it rained and snowed continuously, and Lu Zhenping wouldn’t let me go out. The weather is okay today, so I rushed over."

Shirley welcomed her in, had Shen Meng sit down, poured her a cup of hot water, and brought out a plate of peanuts from the cupboard.

"I roasted them myself, see if they taste good. Daya, Xiao Ya, come out and see, your auntie’s here."

"Auntie’s here, are you cold, auntie? Daya will warm your hands."

"Xiao Ya will blow on them, Auntie, eat the peanuts, my mom’s roasted peanuts are so fragrant."

Shen Meng cherished these sensible kids so much. Before even speaking to Shirley, she hugged and played with the two children for a while before bringing up the important matter.

"When I went to the county earlier, I met Dr. Cheng from the county hospital. She’s been promoted to head physician this year and has quite a say in the hospital. While chatting, she mentioned that their kitchen needs someone to help out; not just moving fruits and vegetables, but also chopping, washing, and even stoking the furnace. There’s quite a lot of miscellaneous work. Few locals want the job; they find it undignified and too tiring. City folks may not like it, but we are willing to do it. You couldn’t manage it, Shirley, being a woman competing with men in the countryside for work points. How could you support your two children? Listen to me, go for it. It’s tiring, but Dr. Cheng will take care of you, and nobody will make things difficult for you."

Shirley’s eyes widened. What was Shen Meng talking about? Had she secretly found her a job? And in the hospital?

"You, why would I mind? I couldn’t be happier!"

"That’s settled then. I’ll also be working in the county after the New Year, and we can go together. Oh right, although the work is tough at the hospital, the salary and benefits are quite good. They pay 18.5 yuan a month, and they distribute those hard-to-get county tickets every month. If you agree, I’ll ask someone to speak to Dr. Cheng for us!"

"I have no objections at all, where could I object? Shen Meng, I really can’t thank you enough. You’ve been a savior to me and my daughters. Daya, Xiao Ya, bow to your auntie. Mom will be able to make money in the county and support you. I promise you won’t suffer. Daya, after the New Year, you’ll go to school with Ming Fang. I would break pots and sell iron if I have to, just to fund your education."

"Thank you, Auntie."

"Thanks, Auntie."

The two little girls were somewhat overwhelmed, but obediently bowed as instructed. Shen Meng gently patted their heads and pulled out New Year’s gift money of 20 cents for each from her pocket.

"Take care, Daya should study hard, and all you need to do in the future is take good care of your mom. I don’t ask for anything else from you."

As Shen Meng left Shirley’s house, her mind was already calculating who else could be useful to her. She needed to select those who would lean on her, admire her, and be supportive, as they would become her strength in the future.