I Became a Vicious Supporting Role in the '70s
Chapter 57: Risking Life to Repay

"Sis, your cooking is really good, how come I never saw you cook before!" Shen Xiaobin felt deep down that he had missed out greatly by not eating Shen Meng’s cooking before, which was a big loss.

Shen Meng ate less for dinner, but seeing her cooking so well-received made her happy.

"It’s not that I didn’t want to cook before, but our parents couldn’t bear it. Oh, mom, is dad okay eating alone over there?"

Gui Zhi bit into a crispy fried bun, "He’ll manage, he’s grown enough, not like you need to feed him, you eat yours. The pot’s got hot water, tonight you take Mingyang and the kids to rinse off, tomorrow morning your brother can drive you all back home."

"Ah!"

The food was too delicious, hardly anyone spoke except that Mingyang and the others, accustomed to Shen Meng’s cooking, didn’t even understand why tonight’s dinner tasted extraordinarily yummy.

Knowing that the house was going to be rebuilt and furniture was to be made, Lv Qinlan and Su Xiaomei were also happy since a more spacious house would mean the kids wouldn’t always have to squeeze together on the same bed with them.

Shen Xiaobin, as the uncle, actively offered to bathe the nephews, Lv Qinlan brought a wooden tub full of water for Ming Fang to wash, and when Shen Meng’s tasks were done, she carried a stool and joined the others in the yard for a chat.

A gentle breeze carried the laughter and chatter, unable to dispel it. By evening, knowing that Shen Meng had returned, several unmarried sisters came over to see her, genuinely happy to find her speaking and dressing better than before her marriage.

Upon returning to the room, Gui Zhi took out the brown sugar she’d put away in the cabinet; her second son’s wife was pregnant, drinking some brown sugar water occasionally is good for her health, but she couldn’t show partiality—it was necessary to give some to the eldest son’s family too, to avoid any ill feelings.

She decided not to take out the rest of the items; after all, they were gifts from her daughters for her and her husband. Handing the gifts meant for her from her daughter to the daughters-in-law would hurt her daughter; unfortunately, some people just lack this kind of sense.

"All those good things, we can’t finish them ourselves; just giving away some brown sugar, old lady, when did you become so stingy."

"Go to sleep, these are all gifts from Xiao Meng to us. Grandchildren also have their candies, what more to ask for? Building the house will cost a lot. Xiao Meng mentioned asking about buying black tiles, I was thinking straw might be okay, but later thought better to listen to Xiao Meng. Building a house is a big matter, we should really thank our son-in-law and Xiao Meng properly, once the house is built, arrange for the furniture and such. Such great news we already have, what more do you want? Go out and check, where else can you find such a good mother-in-law like me."

Shen Fugui stopped talking; he knew it wasn’t right to use the daughter’s gift for the daughters-in-law, but he still felt he was letting down his daughters-in-law and grandchildren.

He looked up at Gui Zhi bending over to clean and felt a sudden pang in his heart.

"Gui Zhi, why do I feel like you’ve gotten more white hair?"

Gui Zhi paused from locking the cupboard, turning to glance at him.

"I’m old, it’s normal to have white hair. I’ll make you a bowl of milk powder—oh no, two bowls, I need to drink one too. These are gifts from my daughter, I’ve suffered for so many years, now someone cares for me too. Let me tell you, tonight you sleep with the boys, I’m going to the eldest son’s house, to sleep with my daughter."

"Alright, alright, go ahead. You mother and daughter can have a chat, and while you’re at it, remind Xiao Meng to keep in touch with her son-in-law more. You can’t let the marital affection fade. Also, ask her if she’s coming back this year. If not, have Xiao Meng see if she can visit the military base to see him."

It’s been several years, and her son-in-law hasn’t been able to return, and her daughter hasn’t even mentioned visiting him. Wouldn’t this prolonged absence dampen their affection?

"Got it, I’ll secretly ask around later."

Shen Meng watched the children playing in the room, none of them showing any sign of going to sleep. She just laughed, thinking, just wait, there will be tears when it’s time to go back to school.

"Mom, why do you laugh so creepily? What’s wrong?" Lu Mingliang crawled over from the edge of the kang (traditional Chinese bed) and snuggled into Shen Meng’s arms. He had been eating well lately, even drinking a delicious cup of milk every night, and he had grown quickly.

"Ouch, you little rascal, be careful, Iron Head almost bumped into Mommy’s chin."

"Hehehe..." Lu Mingliang felt sweet inside; that stinky kid Xiao Kai always relied on being younger, often sneaking into Mom’s embrace, but now look, he got there first and the others could only watch.

Lu Mingyang watched his younger brother’s annoying smirk, feeling quite irritated by it.

"Your little uncle just bathed you guys, and now you’re all sweaty again, settle down and go to sleep early. Once Grandma’s house is finished being built, Mom will bring you over to play again, okay?"

"Okay, Mom, little uncle, I caught some earthworms and I performed surgery on them, cutting them into pieces." Lu Mingkai crawled up to Shen Meng, trying hard to squeeze into her arms, aiming to push his older brother out.

Shen Meng: "...."

That sounds quite disgusting!!!

"Oy, you two, don’t be so naughty. You’re going to squish Mom, go to sleep. Mingyang, Mingliang, Ming Fang, hurry up and cover yourselves with the blanket and sleep; you need to wake up early tomorrow. Just wait, Grandma will wake you up before dawn."

With that, Lu Mingyang immediately exerted his authority as the eldest brother, getting his younger siblings to lie down properly.

Holding her own pillow, Wang Guizhi hesitated whether to go in or not. Mody listened to the two daughters-in-law talking. She took a few steps forward, standing right at the entrance of the second room.

"Elder sister-in-law, my younger sister-in-law has really changed this time since coming back, treating our parents and us very politely; she doesn’t treat us like outsiders."

"Exactly, all the children have candies from her, constantly saying ’younger auntie is so good, so good.’ Ah, younger sister-in-law really knows how to live life now. Did you see the clothes Mingyang’s kids wear? The fabric is really good. I touched it, those silk clothes are so soft."

Lv Qinlan said this and patted her own son, feeling quite envious. If she had money, she would definitely buy the best for her children.

"Our own children are naturally dear to us, but Mingyang’s kids are also sensible. Look at the clothes they brought for us; though they have a few patches, they’re still better than ours. I heard from Xiao Kai that younger sister-in-law also brought several new clothes they never wore, I’m really grateful. I’m thinking about how to repay younger sister-in-law’s kindness." Su Xiaomei felt truly grateful, and she expressed it openly. Growing up self-conscious about her limp, she never expected anyone to truly be kind to her, but as long as someone sincerely cared for her children, she was willing to repay that kindness no matter what.