I Became a Vicious Supporting Role in the '70s
Chapter 184: Go to hell

Chapter 184: Chapter 184: Go to hell

Lu Jiaxuan, under Lu Zhenping’s scrutinizing gaze, felt a moment of tension. In fact, he hadn’t intended to come over to borrow the bicycle today. The production team also had one, but Jiaojiao was right—after all, they were family. He couldn’t always be at odds with his older brother and sister-in-law. Moreover, he had taken to heart the incident from last time, recognizing that the County Party Secretary still favored his big brother. As long as he maintained a good relationship with his big brother, in the long run, his own rise was assured.

"50 cents."

"What?"

Lu Zhenping furrowed his brow at Lu Jiaxuan. Normally a quick-witted man, why couldn’t he understand a word he said now?

"The bicycle can be borrowed, go ahead and ride it. 50 cents rental fee. Didn’t your sister-in-law mention it when she rode the bike home before? If there are damages or scratches, you’ll be charged extra."

Lu Jiaxuan’s face stiffened. He hadn’t remembered the words Shen Meng had said when she rode the bicycle home. Back then, when there had been discord between the two households, he had thought those were just offhand remarks. Moreover, he and Jiaojiao had never actually borrowed the bicycle. It was their first time trying to do so, and unexpectedly, there was indeed a fee.

"Big brother, we are family. Are you really asking for money? It’s only 20 cents to rent one from the production team. How can you ask your own brother for such a high fee of 50 cents?"

"If you don’t want to borrow it, then go back. You’ve been working for so long yet being stingy over such a small amount. Where’s your magnanimity gone? How did you become like this?"

Lu Jiaxuan: "...."

Even you, a regimental commander, have the audacity to charge your brother for borrowing a bicycle. What’s wrong with me being a bit calculating?

"Here, take the 50 cents. Big brother, I feel you have changed a lot. It’s as if you’ve become obsessed with money. Never mind, I won’t say more. Actually, apart from the bicycle, there’s something else I want to discuss with you."

"Make it quick, I’ve got a lot to do!"

Lu Zhenping shook his hands, which had gone numb from washing Ming Kai’s cotton pants in cold water. It has only been a month since the good times, and he couldn’t stand a bit of hardship. Way too finicky.

"Jiaojiao and I have discussed it with our parents. We’ll separate our households come spring. We will need a yard. Big brother, can you help me get some bricks and tiles? If I hadn’t renovated the roof earlier this winter, our small house would have definitely collapsed. Jiaojiao is carrying your nephew, surely you don’t want to see them suffer, right?"

Lu Zhenping nodded, and just when Lu Jiaxuan thought the matter was settled, Lu Zhenping said, "No."

"Big brother...."

"Jiaxuan, even if I don’t claim to know people at the brick and tile factory, and even if I did, I wouldn’t get involved. When Jia Sheng needed to build his house, he relied on your sister-in-law’s connections to get some black tiles. You don’t just want bricks but tiles as well. Don’t you know how difficult it is to get supplies from the brick and tile factory? So many people are waiting in line. With just a word from you, you expect me to get you bricks and tiles? Jiaxuan, I’m curious to know how you even managed to make such a request."

"Big brother, how can you say that? Where does sister-in-law have any connections? That’s just an excuse, isn’t it? If we talk about who knows people, obviously, it’s big brother who knows more. Isn’t the Police Station Chief’s wife..."

Lu Zhenping’s eyes narrowed. It seemed that this younger brother of his hadn’t wasted his time at the commune over the past half year. He had thoroughly investigated the relationship with the Police Station Chief’s wife. He had underestimated him. How could he have thought that Jiaxuan lacked progress? He hadn’t just made progress; he’d made significant strides, now harboring a belly full of petty schemes.

"Jiaxuan, if I remember correctly, the little house you’re living in now used to be where our parents lived. Later, when you and Zhou Jiaojiao got married, you fooled your elder sister-in-law into handing over this yard which had no home to speak of to you. How old was Ming Kai back then? What were you thinking when you got married? Did your brain fall into your crotch? Didn’t you think about Ming Kai, your own nephew, at that time? With Shen Meng, a woman raising a child on her own, if she couldn’t make ends meet, who would’ve thought to repair the house she and her children lived in during the winter? When the heavy snow came and collapsed the house, how were she and her children supposed to survive? Have you ever thought about all this?"

Lu Jiaxuan’s face turned pale, his breathing becoming rapid. He had just gotten married back then, living every day in sweet bliss; how could he think so far ahead? Moreover, the incidents his brother mentioned never happened, did they? And now, their family lived in such a big brick house. Not only was his brother’s future bright, but his elder sister-in-law also had a stable job. Why dwell on who was right or wrong in the past?

"Big brother, now is not the time to fret about those things. If you and elder sister-in-law felt that Jiaojiao and I had done anything wrong in the past, isn’t an apology enough? Big brother, why bother with all that? The most important thing right now is to figure out how to get those bricks and tiles, lay the foundation, and after the house is built, Jiaojiao and I will invite you and elder sister-in-law to dinner and give a proper apology, okay?"

Lu Zhenping: "..."

Dream on, damn it, an apology from me? Do you think an apology makes one live a long life or takes away the worry of food and drink? I feel like straining your ignorant little neck, you little bastard, speaking such words without batting an eye, really infuriating enough to choke a person!!!

"Give money for borrowing the bike, if not, scram, I can’t help you with the brick and tile matter. If you have the ability, figure out your own solution."

Lu Jiaxuan’s face flushed white, he took out 50 cents from his pocket and gave it to Lu Zhenping, then, fuming, he stormed off with the bicycle. He had already lowered himself so much, yet big brother was still not satisfied, what exactly did he have to do!

Shen Meng and Lu Mingkai each held a cup of hot water, sipping it slowly. As soon as Lu Zhenping came in, he told them verbatim what he and Lu Jiaxuan had talked about.

Shen Meng looked at him in surprise, thinking to herself that Zhou Jiaojiao really was cut from the same cloth as Lu Jiaxuan, the same nest doesn’t breed different birds; this couple really were both sick in the head.

On the sixth day of the new lunar year, Shen Meng left the men and children at home and took Uncle Guai’s ox cart for a trip to the county. Uncle Guai had saved a good spot for her early in the morning knowing that Shen Meng would come for a ride.

You scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours; Shen Meng stuffed a meat sandwich into Uncle Guai’s hands, and his eyes lit up. He didn’t refuse and began eating with big bites. After all, it’s all family. In the future, when Shen Meng and Zhenping were not at home, the old man could take his wife to help them out more often, considering it a way of repaying the favor. That’s what neighbors are for, to keep coming and going and grow closer.

After arriving in the county, Shen Meng first went to see Dr. Cheng. It was naturally about Yu Xueli’s job. Although the job was tough, the pay was good, and if she did well, she might even earn more later on. For Yu Xueli, it was like a pie falling from the sky, a fantastic opportunity. Having just gotten over the New Year, naturally, she had to rush to get things settled with Dr. Cheng.

Loads of gifts, as well as a fashionable red scarf bought from Sea City, were placed on Dr. Cheng’s desk, making Dr. Cheng extremely nervous. She didn’t accept gifts, she really didn’t.

"Sister Cheng, don’t be nervous. I don’t have any patients at home; I’m not here to see a doctor. It’s just that it’s the New Year, and I’m here visiting relatives. You’re as good as my real sister, is it not okay for me to come see you? Other than the scarf, everything else is just food, nothing expensive."

"Not expensive? My dear, the moment you placed them here, you almost made your elder sister jump."

After getting to know her better, Shen Meng felt that Cheng Yufen’s personality was actually quite lively, unlike the staid impression she had before.

"Speaking of which, elder sister, that job you mentioned before, can we settle it now? As I’ve told you, that lady from our village is having a really tough time. It’s not for my own sake, I just feel sorry for her and her daughter."

Cheng Yufen glanced outside and shook her head at Shen Meng: "That’s not going to work; someone’s already filled the position and started working."

"What the hell?"