I Became a Vicious Supporting Role in the '70s
Chapter 179: Planting a Spy

Chapter 179: Chapter 179: Planting a Spy

Steaming hot dumplings were served bowl by bowl. The children devoured them voraciously. Of all the dishes Shen Meng made, dumplings were their absolute favorite. Seeing the kids enjoying their meal so much, Shen Meng felt a rare twinge of guilt. Previously, she often resorted to store-bought frozen dumplings or fresh ones prepared by others from the market, rarely making them herself.

But the dumplings for the New Year’s meal were no shortcut—they were wrapped by the whole family. Lu Mingkai shaped two dumplings into what he thought resembled dog heads; unfortunately, besides himself, everyone else thought they looked more like an indescribable creature. As expected, when served, not even a trace of the "dog" could be found. Helpless, Shen Meng served him a dumpling skin with a tear, claiming it was one he made.

The little guy knew you’re not supposed to cry during the New Year’s, so he munched on his dumpling skin, trying to hold back tears.

"You can go out to play if you want, or stay home for the visitors coming to pay New Year’s greetings, it’s all up to you."

"Thanks, Mom. I want to go with Dad to pay New Year’s visits."

"I do too! When we pay visits, people give out fried peanuts, roasted beans, and puffed rice candy. My pockets are big; I can carry lots!"

After the boys had spoken, Ming Fang tugged at Shen Meng’s clothes and quietly approached her, whispering, "Mom, I’ll stay home with you."

Shen Meng was surprised for a moment, then touched Ming Fang’s little face with pursed lips, moved by the thought.

"My girl is the best, always thinking of me. Sweetheart, if Mom wasn’t eating, I’d kiss you right now, my treasure. But I’m fine, Aunt Xifeng and your other aunts will come by to play with me in a bit, and you can go out to play with your friends. In a while, I’ll braid your hair beautifully so you’ll be the prettiest girl in Lu Family Village."

"Thank you, Mom. Then I’ll go play with Daya."

"Go on, just remember to wear your gloves when you leave, and don’t catch a cold."

"Okay!"

During New Year’s, no matter how capable or successful you are outside, or how much money you have earned, in the countryside, you must follow the old family customs. The younger generation must pay their respects to the elders home by home, bowing and, if the elders are of a significantly higher status, kowtow. Women are spared this duty, so Shen Meng doesn’t have to go.

She felt quite relieved watching Lu Zhenping lead a string of children out. It was a good thing she married into another family—no need to kowtow to elders she scarcely knew, and she could enjoy some peace and quiet.

Not long after Lu Zhenping left with the children, Xie Jinghao arrived with Ni to give New Year’s greetings.

"Elder sister-in-law, do you have any chores left to do? If not, let’s go to the old homestead together. I don’t really want to go alone."

Ni was murmuring nonstop and looked around with wide-eyed curiosity. Almost two months old now, she wore a hat, resembling a bundled-up ball from afar.

"There is nothing much left to do at home, let me wrap a scarf and we can go together. Just like visiting, oh, Jinghao, pull down Ni’s hat a bit to cover her eyes. The snow is too bright; she shouldn’t keep staring or it might hurt her eyes."

Hearing this, Xie Jinghao quickly covered the child’s eyes, shielding her from the glaring snow. With the outside scenery hidden from her, Ni’s little hands fumbled restlessly in her swaddle, still eager to keep looking.

"This child sure is energetic."

"You’re telling me. She was feeding really happily when suddenly she grabbed me, and it hurt so much. You wouldn’t know; my chest is all scratched up because of her. Her dad even feels sorry for me seeing those scratches..."

Shen Meng: "...."

Indeed, once married, these elder women can talk dirty with no hesitation. Shen Meng listened with keen interest, too embarrassed to interrupt.

"Look at the nipples, all red from being bitten..."

"Hey hey hey, stop talking about the lower parts, or the censors won’t let it pass, and the readers won’t be able to see it."

"Oh!"

The sisters-in-law chatted and laughed as they walked together to the old courtyard, where the atmosphere in the main hall was still decent. Two groups of people had already arrived, packed together, saying lucky words to Liu Sanjin and Lu Changzhu to curry favor. In previous years, the old couple would have eagerly called people over for something to eat by now, but these past few days the mood in the old courtyard had been very poor. Even now, Zhou Jiaojiao was still weeping, her eyes red from crying, which broke Lu Jiaxuan’s heart so much that he promised to build a house as soon as spring came, barely soothing Zhou Jiaojiao’s feelings.

The two of them thought it over and figured that since Lu Jiaxuan was working at the commune after all, if he went to the textile factory and put in a word, perhaps the job could be kept. After all, a notice of appointment had been given, so that meant a position was now vacant. As long as the factory director’s wife spoke up, Zhou Jiaojiao would still be able to keep her shift.

Shen Meng was unaware of their plans; at the moment, she was being sweet with Wu Xianglan.

"Xiang Lan, you shouldn’t worry about Lao Si and his spouse’s troubles. It’s all fate. Alas, if only their mother could read, she wouldn’t have lost such a good job. Anyway, it’s their own problem; just pretend you don’t know about it."

Wu Xianglan’s expression was rigid. She had been so distressed the past few days that she couldn’t sleep, her mind constantly replaying when she went to the latrine and lost the appointment notice. If only she had been more careful, would the mother-in-law not have picked it up? Or if she had found it first, it would still be hers—such a good job, how could she have been so careless!

"Thank, thank you, elder sister-in-law!"

"Here, have some candy. This is what your eldest brother bought; I got it from a few kids. I wouldn’t want to give it to just anyone."

"Ah!"

Wu Xianglan’s heart ached so much, too much; she took the candy, peeled it, and stuffed it into her mouth, but couldn’t taste anything for a long time.

Xie Jinghao sat to the side holding a child, waiting. She had fought with Wu Xianglan before, over Mingyang. She had no reason to get along with Wu Xianglan, this second sister-in-law was no good, truly baffling why the elder sister-in-law was so polite to her this time.

"Xiang Lan, come here, I have something to tell you. This matter wasn’t certain at first, but I thought about how difficult your days have been in Lu Family, so I’ll tell you now. If it works out, that’s great; but if it doesn’t, don’t blame me."

"What’s it, elder sister-in-law?"

"Well, after the New Year, I’m supposed to start working at the bus company, you know. That was really given to me by the County Government because of your eldest brother’s face. But I also have connections at the textile factory, so I asked around. They don’t need more workers, but they do need a janitor, a temporary worker, for nineteen yuan a month with two days off. If you agree, I’ll talk to them about it."

Upon hearing this, Wu Xianglan immediately clasped Shen Meng’s arm, teary-eyed and unable to speak clearly.

"Elder sister-in-law, is that true?"

"Would I lie to you? Xiang Lan, we’ve had our differences, but that’s all between us. Yong Qiang and Yong Li are two good kids; I’m willing to help you because I see you’re a good mother. You must do well and not let me down; you understand?"

"Wuwuwu... Elder sister-in-law, thank you so much. As a rural woman, I’m so lucky to have met such a kind person as you. Elder sister-in-law, in the future, I will work like an ox or a horse to repay your kindness!"

Wu Xianglan held Shen Meng’s hand, crying aloud. She was wrong; she had been way too wrong before, not realizing that the elder sister-in-law was such a good-hearted person and even helped Zhou Jiaojiao to bully her. From now on, she would follow the elder sister-in-law’s lead.

Shen Meng smiled knowingly; what she wanted was precisely Wu Xianglan’s words. Cleaning at the textile factory was not easy, and she believed that no matter how she tried to stop it, Zhou Jiaojiao would definitely get into the textile factory. That was the main storyline; entering the factory was the start of her development.

If she didn’t plant a spy, she wouldn’t be at ease.