I Became a Vicious Supporting Role in the '70s
Chapter 81: Growing Up is Truly Exciting

Chapter 81: Chapter 81: Growing Up is Truly Exciting

Deep and resonant, the magnetic voice brought a moment of stillness to the chaotic scene. The man flicked the broom in his hand and with a sharp glance around him, threw it outside the door.

Shen Meng looked up, startled, recognizing the face that had appeared countless times in her dreams. He wore a white shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and black straight-leg pants that accentuated his slender figure. The neatly trimmed crew cut, handsome features, high-bridged nose, and sharp gaze contrasted starkly with the disheveled appearance from her dreams.

For a moment, Shen Meng was transfixed. No wonder netizens from her past life often lamented that all the good-looking men had been claimed by the state. She thought so now as well; this man was indeed striking.

Lu Zhenping’s stern expression made Lu Changzhu and Liu Sanjin quite uncomfortable. Lu Jiahe, who was holding Lu Jiasheng, quickly let go, regretting deeply. Just as the commotion started and before he had the chance to scavenge for goodies, his eldest brother had returned. How unlucky could he get!

"Zhenping is back?"

Someone in the crowd muttered, shattering the tense atmosphere.

The corner of Liu Sanjin’s mouth twitched slightly, and he suddenly burst into tears.

"Son, you’re finally back. If you hadn’t come back, your parents would have been bullied to death by your wife. Sob sob sob, I wrote you so many letters, but you never replied. Did your wife say something? Didn’t she let you come back? Zhenping, you must stand up for your parents and your brothers!"

Liu Sanjin wept pitifully, and Lu Changzhu turned his head away, panting heavily as if he had been the one beaten.

"Big brother, you’re finally back. You have no idea how much your parents have suffered while you were away. The state of our family... it’s a mess," said Zhou Jiaojiao, wiping away tears, her words seemingly pointed yet vague.

Mingyang, Ming Liang, and Lu Mingfang hadn’t seen him for three years and only snapped back to reality upon hearing the name "Zhenping."

However, none of them greeted him or approached him; instead, they turned and adopted a protective stance around Shen Meng. They had come to pick on their mother—when did their father return? Was he watching from the sidelines as they were bullied, as their mother was bullied? When their grandmother and Fourth Aunt came up accusing their mother, would their father stand by them or join in the bullying?

Lu Mingkai had never seen Lu Zhenping but had often heard of his father referred to as "Lu Zhenping." He clutched Shen Meng’s pant leg fearfully and hid behind her, yet his eyes were fixed unwaveringly on Lu Zhenping.

Lu Zhenping turned around, taking a look at everyone, then placed the cigarette at his lips, biting it gently. Without waiting for a reaction from the crowd, he walked straight to Shen Meng’s side and touched her covered forehead.

"Does it hurt? Why didn’t you dodge? Let me see."

He ignored everyone’s words and went directly to Shen Meng, gently lifting her chin with his long fingers, bending slightly to press lightly on her wound.

"Hisss~"

"It’s red. I’ll apply some medicated oil for you later. Don’t worry, I’m back now. I won’t let you and the kids suffer these grievances for nothing."

Lu Zhenping addressed Shen Meng with such words in front of everyone, making his message clear without needing to say for whom it was intended. Liu Sanjin and Lu Changzhu were fuming with anger.

Parricide. Just returned home and already siding with the wife, the troublemaker of the family.

Shen Meng was utterly bewildered. She gazed at Lu Zhenping in confusion. Although she had done many things using his name, this was actually their first real-life encounter. Moreover, his actions just now were undeniably flirtatious, making Shen Meng feel uneasy and turn her head away.

Lu Zhenping took it as though she was upset about something. He glanced at the children and saw that all of them were glaring at him with indignation, showing such closeness to Shen Meng. Remembering the contents of Lu Changhong’s letter, he initially only half-believed it, but now he was fully convinced. Shen Meng had indeed changed for the better and was incredibly kind to the children; otherwise, kids like Mingyang, who were so wary, wouldn’t be so fond of her.

"Zhenping, what are you implying? She’s wronged? She’s wronged, you say? What injustice has she faced, I’m asking you? You have no idea what she’s done; our family is practically being stripped bare by her, and she’s carted everything off to her natal family! You don’t even know what these kids are going through."

"Don’t talk about my mom like that! My mom treats us really well, so well! She feeds us, clothes us, sends us to school, and cooks delicious food for us every day. My mom is the best mom in the world, and nobody is allowed to speak ill of her, nobody!"

Lu Mingfang, with tears welling up in her eyes, shouted at Liu Sanjin. She couldn’t let anyone bully her mom; nobody could.

"Ming Fang is right; our mom is the best mom. She always thinks of us, buying us clothes, shoes, and never even bought a single new piece of clothing for herself. When it rains, she rides her bike to pick us up. If anyone dares to bully our mom, I’ll fight them to the end."

Seeing his siblings taking a stance, Lu Mingyang followed suit, "Grandma always says that mom takes things to grandmother’s house, but we’ve already divided the family. Our family’s possessions belong to my mom; can’t she show filial piety to her own parents? Grandma, you often give money to the nephews in your natal family. We’ve seen it several times, but you don’t let it be spoken, and if we dared to speak out, you’d tell me to get lost."

Liu Sanjin didn’t expect none of the children to appreciate her kindness; back in the old courtyard days, she was the one feeding them meal after meal!

"Nonsense! You children really have no conscience! Grandma was so good to you in the past, and this is how you repay her, huh?"

She glared at the three children threateningly, causing Ming Fang to shrink back slightly.

Shen Meng quickly pulled the children behind her. She was hit twice today for nothing and was in unbearable pain; there was no way she was going to let it go just like that.

Lu Zhenping had just said that he wouldn’t let her be wronged, so she would wait and see what he would do about it. Otherwise, she wouldn’t even let him step through the front door, let alone live in peace. From now on, the children would have nothing to do with him; they were her kids, and she’d take them all, leaving not one behind for him.

"I remember we didn’t divide the family long after the last letter arrived. What’s the matter, Jiaxuan hasn’t gone to work at the commune?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Jiaojiao stiffened. She didn’t understand why Lu Zhenping was bringing this up, but it felt like bad news.

"What do you mean? You are the eldest brother. Isn’t it only right for you to help your own brother? Besides, your brother has his own capabilities, or else why would the commune hire him?"

Lu Changzhu pointed at Lu Zhenping, anger bubbling up inside of him. Right now, is it time to talk about Jiaxuan’s job, when the real issue is Shen Meng, that family-wrecking demon?

"What skills does he have? He’s not good at writing or at martial arts. If father thinks his job was too easily obtained, I can speak to the commune and have him return home to continue as a warehouse manager."

"What are you saying? How can you do such a thing? He’s your brother!"

"Mother, I made myself very clear from the start; now that we have divided the family, if you and father can come here in broad daylight to bully my wife and children, why can’t I sabotage Lu Jiaxuan’s job?"

Shen Meng sneered in her heart. It’s easy not to feel the pain when the stick hits someone else. If Lu Jiaxuan’s job is jeopardized now, the old couple of the Lu family will definitely be upset. But this is just the beginning; Lu Zhenping aims for the vitals as he seeks justice for the children. Her own scores, however, she intends to settle personally.