I Became a Vicious Supporting Role in the '70s
Chapter 60: Constantly Returning Favours Can Create Distance

Chapter 60: Chapter 60: Constantly Returning Favours Can Create Distance

Wang Lianhua claimed she was still recovering from her injuries and refused to go to work, so she took some of the compensation money she received from her elder sister-in-law and mother-in-law to enroll Erqing in school.

She was determined not to let her child end up a blind drifter like herself.

On her way home, she bumped into Shen Meng, who said she was going to clean up her private plot, "Wait for me, I’ll go home and call Xifeng over; she didn’t go to work today either. Yaoyao and Gao Gao took Jinghao somewhere. Don’t worry, Xiao Meng, Xifeng and I are quick workers. By noon, we’ll surely have it all done for you!"

"Thanks a lot, sister-in-law. You go ahead, I’ll go tell Jinghao, and on that side, my brother and Uncle Guai have already started working."

After Wang Lianhua left, Shen Meng went straight home to find a sand pot, putting in half a pot of rose mint tea with a couple of rose petals and mint leaves floating on top. This was just the right thing to drink in the autumn, refreshing the mind, reducing irritability, and relieving fatigue. She placed the sand pot at the edge of the field with three bowls and went down to work in the fields as well.

She wasn’t really good at farm work; she was just imitating what she saw, copying how Shen Shoutian worked, and during work, she seemed awkward no matter how you looked at her.

When Wang Lianhua and Xifeng arrived, Shen Meng was struggling with both hands to pull up a stalk of straw, exerting all her strength without success, almost falling flat on her bottom.

"Wow, Xiao Meng, what on earth are you doing? Performing a circus act?" Xifeng, wearing a straw hat, couldn’t help laughing upon seeing Shen Meng’s attempts at working.

She wasn’t good at it, but didn’t feel embarrassed, "I don’t know what’s up with this one, it just won’t come out. I think it’s unwilling to leave my private plot!"

"Hahaha, if you can’t handle that one, just pick the ones that are easier to pull out. Leave the rest to us."

"You’re all slender and delicate, doesn’t look like you have much strength. For those of us who are in the fields all year round, this kind of work is easy."

Wang Lianhua and Xifeng started working with their sleeves rolled up, chatting and joking.

"Sister-in-law, Xifeng, there’s water in the sand pot over there. Drink up if you’re thirsty."

"Nah, no rush, let’s finish the work first," Sister-in-law Lianhua paused and turned her head to look around before continuing, "Why the hurry to get the private plot sorted? What’s up with this?"

Humans instinctively gossip, and at this moment, Xifeng also sneaked in to listen.

"It’s because when I went back to my parents’ house yesterday, the thatched roof of our house was badly moldy. So I asked my elder brother to come and take the straw away. I wanted to sort it out quickly in case anyone had anything nasty to say."

Wang Lianhua and Xifeng exchanged a look, understanding her situation, and began to help out with efficiency.

That’s why daughters-in-law understand each other’s difficulties best. All of their mothers-in-law from Lu Family Village were extremely difficult to deal with, and yet, such people still ended up being outdone by Aunt San; one can imagine, those who smile in front of you are skilled in grinding people down behind their backs.

With five people working, the progress was much faster. Shen Shoutian saw that his sister was really different now. Whenever there was work to be done at home, she could round up several people to help, which could also mean that her life was truly getting better.

They finished the work around noon. Uncle Guai and Shen Shoutian, one pulling a flat cart and the other driving a bullock cart, cleaned up all the straw.

Wang Lianhua and Xifeng sat at the edge of the field, drinking the rose mint water, feeling cool inside.

"This water has mint in it, it really tastes different. What’s this extra fragrant smell? What flower is this?"

"It’s nothing much. This was sent over from the Zhenping Army, from Diannan. I think it’s pretty good, so I added it to the water to let you both have a taste as well."

The two of them chuckled and finished the water in the bowls, clearly not seen as outsiders since they were offered such good things to drink.

"Goodness, it’s getting late. Time to go home to make lunch. Let’s go and pick up the kids from Jinghao’s place, then head back."

"No, no, you’ve helped me with so much work. I must at least treat you to lunch today."

Xifeng glanced at her, exerted force with her hand, and hoisted the hoe onto her shoulder.

"Don’t be so polite, it’s not a big deal to do some work. If you need help with planting or plowing later, I’ll have Yong Jun come over to help you."

"You’re right, Xifeng. We should be like sisters to each other, always ready to help out. Mingyang and the others will be getting out of school soon, you’d better hurry back and start cooking!"

Shen Meng understood what they were saying, and she didn’t insist further. Building relationships is all about mutual help and understanding, and it slowly accumulates over time. Always trying to repay with things can create distance instead.

"Alright, but tonight, bring the kids over to play at our place. I’m stewing pork trotters for Jinghao—it’s just a matter of adding some more water, so you all come over for a drink too."

"Sure, no need for empty politeness. If there’s work in the fields, just let me know."

The three of them, chatting and laughing, each went home carrying a child. Shen Meng let Lu Mingkai play in the main room, worried he’d be hungry, mixed him half a bowl of milk powder, and gave him an egg cake.

"Baby, eat this to tide you over in the house; Mom’s going to cook. Your brothers and sisters will be out of school soon, they must be getting hungry."

"I’ll be good." Having taken a sip of milk, Lu Mingkai had a milk mustache above his lips, and with his cute voice, Shen Meng found him exceptionally adorable.

"That’s right, our Xiao Kai is the best behaved."

After settling the child, she went to the kitchen, scrubbed the pot, and directly entered the space, carrying out a pot of beef soup, two hands’ worth of hand-pulled noodles, and prepared enough side dishes for five large bowls.

She heated the beef soup on the stove for a while, and as soon as it was warm, she started cooking the noodles. She also took out a can of meat gifted to them by Lu Zhenping’s comrade, sliced it, and placed it on top of the noodles.

The colorful spread looked appetizing, and people passing by their house after finishing work salivated at the sight.

Lu Mingkai was in the main room eating an egg cake, and, overwhelmed by the smell, he couldn’t eat anymore. He trotted straight to the kitchen, sniffling.

"Mom, your treasure is hungry, wants to eat... food."

Shen Meng just watched as a clear droplet of saliva hung from the corner of his mouth.

"Let’s eat then, Mom has prepared two bowls. We’ll eat first and we’ll cook more when your brother and sisters come back."

The little one, knowing he could eat first, his eyes lit up, and he ran back to the main room. In no time, he brought his little wooden stool to the kitchen, set it up, then went to wash his hands.

When he returned, a bowl of beef noodles was already on his seat. She smashed the beef slices using a food processor, making it easy for the child to eat without much effort.

"Eat up, this is the canned meat your father’s comrade sent. I cut it into small pieces for you to digest easily."

"Okay!"

On her own noodles, she added a big spoonful of chili oil. After mixing, the aroma was so enticing that Shen Meng couldn’t help but swallow her saliva.

Outside, carrying his backpack, Lu Mingyang and his siblings could already smell the aroma drifting from their house from far away.

"Brother, Mom has made something delicious, let’s run."

"Second brother, slow down, wait for me."

Lu Mingyang, watching his brother and sister who had already run ahead, muttered, "No ambition," yet his own pace involuntarily quickened a lot.