I Became a Vicious Supporting Role in the '70s
Chapter 182: The Speed of Changing Faces is Really Fast

Chapter 182: Chapter 182: The Speed of Changing Faces is Really Fast

Shen Xiaobin entered the house with apprehension. Wang Guizhi was already having a warm chat with Shen Meng, with Lv Qinlan and Su Xiaomei also sitting around them, the two sisters-in-law taking turns making pleasant conversation with Shen Meng and the children, expressing their concern for them in the cold weather.

"Xiao Long, come here, your auntie and uncle are here, come over quickly and say hello. In a bit, you’ll be going to learn carpentry, and your auntie and uncle will surely be a help to you then."

Xiao Long appeared bashful, his face painted with two patches of highland red, and he shuffled over to Shen Meng’s side. It wasn’t that he was afraid of people; it was just that his impression of Shen Meng had been too deep-rooted, and he wasn’t quite sure how to get close to her. As for Lu Zhenping, admiration was mixed with a bit of awe; his uncle was no ordinary man, having been a soldier on the battlefield, and all the village lads envied him for having such a formidable uncle.

"Auntie, hello Uncle."

"Xiao Long, you’re going to your master’s house after this month ends. If you start to miss home, just tell your master and his wife, and they will let you come back. When you’re not busy in Lu Family Village, come to your auntie’s house. I’ll make something delicious for you, okay?"

"Yep, thank you, Auntie." After Xiao Long spoke, his hopeful gaze turned to Lu Zhenping, wishing to receive some advice.

Lu Zhenping looked at Xiao Long, thinking that once he went to the army and Shen Meng went to work in the county, it would be a good time for him to come home and help take care of Ming Kai.

"Xiao Long, you’re getting to be a big boy now. Carpentry is a trade that once mastered, can take away the bread from your master’s mouth. Typically, apart from teaching one’s own children, few pass their skills on to outsiders. Your master has agreed to take you on, and your auntie has made quite an effort; it’s not just about giving some gifts, it’s that simple. Your auntie saved the lives of your master’s wife and little sister, which convinced your master to take you on as an apprentice. When you get to your master’s, learn well, put in hard work, and ask questions boldly if you don’t understand anything. Don’t be shy, and don’t be afraid. If your master is strict with you, it means he wants to teach you well. If he isn’t strict, then that would harm you. When you’re not busy, take care of your younger brothers and sisters at home as well, be diligent, understand?"

Shen Meng: "....."

The last sentence is so crucial, so important, and the request is so shameless!!!

Hearing Lu Zhenping say this, Lv Qinlan, Shen Shoutian, Wang Guizhi, and Shen Fugui were all deeply moved. Only a family would give such detailed and thoughtful instructions, which showed that Lu Zhenping truly considered Xiao Long as his family, otherwise if it were some other uncle, you’d be lucky if they didn’t give you a few harsh words.

Xiao Long was incredibly excited, his face flushing a darker red, and his lips quivering.

"Thank you, Uncle. I understand. I will work hard and study well. When I have time, can I, can I go and play with my brothers and sisters? I won’t just think about playing when I’m free, I will study diligently and ask questions boldly."

"Good boy."

Lu Zhenping praised him with these words, making Xiao Long so happy that he was all thumbs when he left. Shen Meng felt awkward, not knowing how to describe her feelings at the moment, feeling like her nephew was a bit of a simpleton.

Lv Qinlan and Su Xiaomei greeted Shen Meng for a while, and then hurried off to prepare lunch. Wang Guizhi originally wanted to help as well, but the two daughters-in-law wouldn’t allow it; the auntie had come to visit, and they wanted the mother and daughter to have a good chat, it wouldn’t make sense for the mother-in-law to help cook.

Shen Meng and Wang Guizhi were chatting. When they arranged the marriage for Shen Xiaobin earlier this year, the family spent quite a bit of money. Although the bicycle and watch were paid for by Shen Meng, the family still gave her some money. Wang Guizhi meticulously recorded every cent she spent on the Shen Family, and although they were all expenditures, she remembered them clearly.

The Shen Family moved into a bigger house and acquired a bicycle, but they abided by certain principles, rooted in the fact that she was already married. They were worried about her being unhappy, afraid that Lu Zhenping would disapprove, afraid of conflicts with her own parents-in-law. Though they accepted the help they were given, they kept it in mind, knowing that if the Shen Family had the means, they would repay the money and perhaps even more.

When it came to the work points red envelope distributed at the New Year, some were used during the marriage arrangement—no, it probably covered quite a bit of the famine.

Looking at the people laughing and chatting inside the room, the children playing in the yard, and the busy figures in the kitchen, Shen Meng felt they were still too poor. She was calculating things in her mind.

Uncle Guai and Shen Fugui, the two old men, were having an animated conversation. If it weren’t for Shen Xiaobin coming over to pour them a glass of water, interrupting them, they might have already started discussing what names to give the future children of Shen Xiaobin and Lu Xiangxiang.

After warming up a bit, Shen Meng took out the gifts she brought. Uncle Guai was no stranger, so there was no need to hide anything. She took them out one by one.

"For Dad and Mom, I brought malted milk essence, elder milk powder, egg cakes, rock sugar, brown sugar and jujubes for my elder and second sister-in-law, and two bottles of red wine. This sugar-infused stewed egg is good for women’s health. And here are two silk scarves, two pieces of defective cloth, a fountain pen and scarf for Xiaobin, hats and gloves for my elder and second brothers, snacks and head accessories for the children, Mom, you distribute these. Also, the most important thing, here’s the New Year’s gift money for the kids, ten cents each."

Shen Shoutian and Shen Yutian watched as Shen Meng kept taking things out, feeling as if their sister’s bag was a magical, bottomless pouch.

"Good heavens, you extravagant girl, buying us all these things. Every time you come back it’s like this. If you do this again next time, I won’t let you in the door," exclaimed Shen Yutian.

"Little sister, look at the big head cotton shoes on your brother’s feet, I just put them on. And here you are buying hats and scarves, all precious items. How much did these cost? Now at home..."

"Cough cough... Yutian, look at the hat your sister got for you, it’s fur, right? It’s so soft and warm to the touch. These gloves are really thick too, convenient for working. Xiao Meng is just so caring."

Shen Shoutian didn’t mean to criticize Shen Meng; their family was just so hard-pressed by the famine that they couldn’t catch a breath. He himself was quite helpless, year after year, all depending on those few work points from the fields. Seeing his sister bring so many things, he just felt distressed. Even with money, she shouldn’t spend it like this. She still had four children at home, and there would be plenty of expenses in the future. He just wanted his sister to think more about the future.

Wang Guizhi, sticking to her old stance, was afraid that Lu Zhenping would disapprove. The son-in-law had already been very good to their Shen Family. If they continually reached out to the young couple for help, they might become fed up one day, and then her daughter would be caught in the middle. She didn’t want to see that day come.

"Mom, second brother, these were all bought by me and Xiao Meng. It’s good that she has you all in her thoughts, better than those who still cling to their parents’ home for money and grain. Take it, and with you living a good life, she can be at peace."

Sure enough, as soon as Lu Zhenping spoke, Wang Guizhi immediately lost her words, her face beaming with a smile. Despite knowing her mother-in-law had good intentions, Shen Meng was still shocked at how quickly the old lady could change her demeanor.