I Became a Vicious Supporting Role in the '70s
Chapter 39: A Ghost Fell Down

Chapter 39: Chapter 39: A Ghost Fell Down

Shen Meng brought Xiao Kai into the room, Xifeng was feeding Wang Lianhua some rice porridge, the dim kerosene lamp cast light on their faces, making their features less distinct.

"Sister-in-law Meng is here, come on in." Xifeng put down the bowl in her hand, called Shen Meng into the room, and then ran out to pour a bowl of warm water.

"Aunt, please sit. There’s no hot water kettle in my second sister-in-law’s room, so I poured this from mine. Please have some, it’s at just the right temperature!"

"There’s no rush, I’m just here to check on Sister-in-law Lianhua. It’s really my fault for not considering everything thoroughly and causing her to suffer."

Wang Lianhua was leaning against the kang cabinet, wearing a headscarf, and her face was blotchy with colorful bruises, which looked quite scary.

"What are you saying, sister? You were kind-hearted, giving such good food to Daqing and Erqing, and even brought some for me and Xifeng. I heard from the kids, they ate dumplings with white flour and meat stuffing, sister, you’re really generous. If this were someone else’s family, who could be so open-handed?" Wang Lianhua said haltingly, writhing in pain, barely able to speak with strength.

Xifeng was nodding constantly by the side. She had eaten quite a few of the dumplings yesterday, which tasted incredibly good. She had never had such delicious dumplings in her life. Although they were made with mixed flours, she could tell there was more white flour, less cornmeal.

"I heard that your mother-in-law and your elder sister-in-law compensated you three yuan. You better hide the money well, so it doesn’t get taken away from you later on."

"Oh, sister, don’t worry, I’ve hidden it securely. My mother-in-law is like a miserly rooster. This time, even though she plucked her feathers, it’s all thanks to you. Otherwise, the beating I got would have been in vain."

Wang Lianhua’s nose twitched slightly as she spoke, her voice heavy with a sobbing tone.

Shen Meng shook her head and took out some items from her basket.

"This is half a pound of brown sugar, and one pound of egg cake. I originally wanted to bring eggs, but I was afraid that Second Aunt would use them as an excuse to cause trouble. These I asked someone to buy before, hide them and eat them yourself."

"No, no, sister. I’ve already enjoyed your dumplings, and taking all this from you, we might well stop meeting. These items are so precious, even hard to buy, I can’t allow you to waste them on me."

Shen Meng stuffed the items into Wang Lianhua’s hands, gripping her hands firmly.

"Don’t refuse it. I may have been out of touch before, but the kids have always been looked after by you all. I’m deeply grateful. Besides, we are all cousins and sisters-in-law. We should keep in touch more often!"

Wang Lianhua was still trying to refuse, but Xifeng smiled and said, "Second sister-in-law, just take it. This is Sister-in-law Meng’s sincerity, and she’s right. We are sisters and should keep in touch with each other."

With both of them insisting like this, Wang Lianhua didn’t know what else to say. In front of them, she took out three pieces of the egg cake, gave half to each of the kids, and had Xifeng lock away the rest in the kang cabinet.

"That’s the spirit. But, I still have something to say. If Sister-in-law Lianhua and Xifeng feel there’s something wrong with what I’m about to say, just pretend I never said it, alright?"

"Just said we’re sisters, why acting all polite again, Xiao Meng? If you have something to say, just speak up, we’re all ears!"

Though I haven’t had much close contact before, ever since Shen Meng hit her head, her way of dealing with people has become so much kinder, much richer in human touch, making her conversations less awkward for others, and she’s always shown understanding and respect. Such a person, if befriended, would surely bring a lifetime’s worth of friendship.

"Then I’ll just say it, Sister-in-law Lianhua, Second Aunt is not an easy person to deal with, and you both as daughters-in-law surely understand this in your hearts. Yet, Zhao Jingui can get along with her well, not just because they’re from the same place, but also Zhao Jingui has a strong presence. Xifeng is somewhat stronger than you, sister-in-law. Daqing and Erqing are good kids, and since they’re boys, the Lu Family won’t give them trouble, but Yaoyao is a girl. She was really frightened today, sister-in-law, and this isn’t just about a dumpling. They know you didn’t hide food or money, they’re just seeing you as an easy target. If you keep this up, it’s Yaoyao’s whole life that will be affected."

Shen Meng’s words left Xifeng and Wang Lianhua stunned; both women turned to look at Yaoyao, who, after the morning’s ordeal, had withdrawn to a quiet corner to watch Xiao Kai, Daqing, and Erqing play. Yaoyao had been down all day, expressionless, and had barely eaten at lunch.

Wang Lianhua was filled with regret. A good number of people had come to visit her this afternoon, with Xifeng bustling about hosting the guests and taking care of her, and neither of them had noticed Yaoyao’s state.

"It’s good that you reminded me; I hadn’t noticed at all. Ah, it’s getting so late, why hasn’t the kid’s father come back yet? If he were here, he could..."

"He could what? Help you take care of the kids? Second sister-in-law, you were beaten up like this today and still haven’t come to your senses? Isn’t it always said that the onlookers see things more clearly than those involved? Sister-in-law Meng is right. The reason for your daze is that you can’t rely on your man. Erge is always running around, never home, busy with who knows what. Let me tell you, if you dare to give the items Sister-in-law Meng gave you to Erge to eat, then I’m done with you."

Wang Lianhua felt a bit awkward, holding her energy while remaining silent. Shen Meng saw that it was about time to leave. She still had to bathe the kids back home, and Xie Jinghao was waiting with the children to make clothes; she couldn’t stay much longer.

"Well then, I’ll be going. Oh right, this is the Red Flower Oil that Zhenping sent from Diannan. You should apply some on Sister-in-law Lianhua later, Xifeng, to help with the blood circulation and reduce bruising."

"Ah, thank you, Sister-in-law Meng. I won’t see you out. Wait until my second sister-in-law feels better and can get out of bed, and we’ll both come to visit you, alright?"

"Sure, take care."

After Shen Meng left, Xifeng clutched the Red Flower Oil and returned to the house. Wang Lianhua lay on the bed, her gaze distant, lost in her own thoughts,

Xifeng sighed, placing the Red Flower Oil on the kang table, and said quietly, "Who would’ve thought, elder sister-in-law has become so clear-headed now. In the past, when she wasn’t busy trying to please Third Aunt, it was the various Sister Hu’s. Claiming to be from a military family, but in reality, she was just a nanny brought by the Lu Family to take care of their kids. Now things are different. She gets along so well with the children; they’ll treat her as their real mother in the future. Having shaken off her confusion, she’ll definitely live a better life. Second sister-in-law, you see, even Sister-in-law Meng has managed to turn things around for the better, you should also think more for yourself and for the children."

Wang Lianhua didn’t say a word, her heart a mix of emotions, unsure of what to do.

Shen Meng took Lu Mingkai home; it was already getting dark. The little fellow was a bit scared, clinging tightly to his mother.

Suddenly, a dark figure whizzed down onto the ground. He stiffened in fright and pulled at Shen Meng’s clothes with a trembling voice.

"Mom, a ghost fell down. Did you see it?"

Shen Meng was jolted by what the little one said, nearly pulling the child into her space. She was scared too, especially on these rural paths without streetlights, where the moonlight wasn’t very bright. The yellow leaves on the trees rustled in the wind, and the occasional cries of insects and birds made her feel incredibly tense. Recognizing something after Lu Mingkai pointed it out, she too saw the "ghost" the little guy was talking about in his mouth.

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