I Became a Vicious Supporting Role in the '70s
Chapter 85: Apply for a Big Red Flower for You

Chapter 85: Chapter 85: Apply for a Big Red Flower for You

Even Lu Zhenping, with his thick skin, felt a bit embarrassed at the moment. He waved his hands and shooed the children out of the room.

"Don’t talk nonsense. Go on and play!"

Lu Zhenping’s voice was a bit loud out of shame and anger, scaring little Ming Kai in Lu Mingyang’s arms so much that he suddenly buried his head on his brother’s shoulder, tightly hugging his neck.

Lu Zhenping felt a tinge of regret looking at his youngest son. This was his son, whom he had barely seen since birth. He had only hurried back once during Lu Jiasheng’s wedding, and it hadn’t been two days before he left again. Back then, Ming Kai was still swaddled up, soft and vulnerable, and he had been too clumsy and afraid to hold him, not realizing he would miss out on so many years.

After the children left, he stood silently by the kang bed for a long while. Shen Meng felt dizzy and didn’t want to move at all, still wondering if she might have a concussion. Luckily, Lu Changzhu had used a broom and not a stick; otherwise, she might be on her way to meet King Yama by now.

"Does your head still hurt? If it’s unbearable, I can take you to the hospital to have it checked. It’s no use lying there."

Shen Meng shook her head. She didn’t even want to move right now, let alone run to the hospital. That distance was enough to make her feel sick from the jolting.

"I know you’re upset and that it’s not about the money. The old man’s getting on in years, and I, as his son, certainly can’t beat him up. If you, as his daughter-in-law, dare to slap him, people will talk behind your back tomorrow. Here’s the money that mother and Lao Si’s wife compensated. Don’t worry, this won’t be over so easily. Neither of us can hand out punishment for the beating you got, but I’ll ask Mingyang to make a trip and talk to your dad, to let him handle it."

Shen Meng: "Huh???"

"My father-in-law dotes on you, and if he knows you were beaten, he’ll surely come to defend your honor. Rest assured, I will definitely support your dad then."

Shen Meng turned over, holding her head. She quietly looked at the man who was speaking. Did he think he was being funny, having her dad Shen Fugui come over and fight Lu Changzhu? Those two old men, over fifty years old, and he still thought about siding with his father-in-law.

"No, Lu Zhenping, what are you thinking? How could you think of letting two old men fight? They’re so old. If they hurt themselves seriously, would I not have to live anymore?"

"Hehehe, I knew you’d be filial and well-mannered, and wouldn’t agree to it. See, I wasn’t wrong about you. Despite such a grievance, you still consider the old man’s health. You’re truly a military wife. Not to brag, but with your character, you’re among the top in the ranks of military wives. When I return to the army, I’ll talk to the commander about it."

"What for?"

Shen Meng squinted and asked, internally just "hahaing." She had actually thought this man really wanted Shen Fugui to come over and have a fight with Lu Changzhu. Turns out he was just trying to smooth-talk her. People these days are not very honest, slick tongues, huh!

"Of course, to have the army leaders present a grand silk banner to my wife that says, ’The Most Beautiful Daughter-in-Law, Shen Meng,’ and also a big red flower. After that, you can strut around the Lu Family."

Shen Meng suddenly flashed a radiant smile at Lu Zhenping: "There’s no need to wait for the grand silk banner and big red flower. With a hit like the one on my head, I could float out of here today already. Then you can feast with the kids."

Lu Zhenping, at the receiving end of sarcasm, rubbed his neck. He looked up at Shen Meng, then lowered his gaze again and reached out to take her hand, its calluses borne of years of hard work.

"You’ve been wronged today, and I feel truly remorseful. Lao Si and his wife often bully you too, but don’t worry. If I can’t handle the older ones, I can still deal with the younger ones, right? It’s hard for you alone to take care of the kids. I can’t let you face all this alone now that I’m home. This is the medicinal oil I brought back from Diannan; it’s good for relieving pain when rubbed in. Let me massage it for you."

Before Shen Meng could refuse, he poured the medicinal oil onto his hands and began to rub it into her forehead. The strength in his hands was too much for Shen Meng’s head to bear.

"Hisss—It hurts, it hurts!!!"

"It has to hurt to work. Bear with it."

Shen Meng’s pained grimace and for a fleeting moment, she thought she saw the Black and White Yaksha.

"All right, do you still have injuries on your back? Turn around, and let me give you a rub."

"No, no, need, my back injury isn’t serious. You haven’t been home for a long time, go out and play with the kids. I just need to rest, really, there’s no need for ointment anymore."

Lu Zhenping didn’t mind that his hands were still smeared with medicated oil, he directly twisted Shen Meng’s shoulders, and began to take off her clothes, his hand so strong that the fabric seemed no different from noodles in his grasp.

"What’s there to be shy about? We’re an old couple, be obedient, I’m your man, there’s nothing to it. You better keep your voice down; otherwise, Mingyang might think I’m gnawing at you."

Shen Meng was panic-stricken. To her, Lu Zhenping was just a stranger, and even if his body and looks fit her aesthetic preferences, it was a bit much to be undressing the first time they met, wasn’t it?

"Really, there’s no need, hurry up and go out!"

"No way, how could I rest assured? Hurry up or I’ll take you to the hospital to get checked out."

Shen Meng couldn’t refuse and was also afraid the children outside might rush in if they heard her voice, so she had to turn around, shivering as she undid her buttons. After taking off her outer garment, only a small vest was left on her. With her back to Lu Zhenping, she slipped down the shoulder straps, revealing the swollen red marks on her shoulders.

Lu Zhenping’s gaze surveyed her back, and upon seeing a small wound near her waist, his eyes paused slightly, and he felt a sense of relief. He began to pour medicated oil and massage Shen Meng’s shoulders without saying a word throughout the process.

After finishing, he tidied up the medicated oil and pulled up the blanket for her.

"Massage it with this medicated oil every day, it will be much better in a couple of days. You take a good rest, I’m going to visit the Lu Family. This is what I bought for you on my way back, you’ll look good in it. I’ll cook tonight, don’t worry about the kids, just have a good sleep!"

After speaking, Lu Zhenping placed the clothes next to her pillow and when he left, he carefully closed the door behind him.

Shen Meng felt a bit flushed as she glanced at the door. She reached out and fiddled with the clothes wrapped in oil paper; it was a red dress made of crisp fabric, the style was trendy for the time, but such a shame the weather was getting cold, she might not have many chances to wear it. Casually, she threw it into her space and closed her eyes to rest, wishing the messy images in her mind would disappear quickly.

When Lu Zhenping returned to the main room, he saw several children playing joyfully with model airplanes and tanks. He raised an eyebrow; if he could train those stubborn greenhorns in the army well, there was no reason he couldn’t handle these mischievous kids.

"Having fun, son?"

When Lu Mingkai saw him, he turned and hid behind Lu Mingyang, his eyes, resembling his father’s, flickered as he stared at him, his small demeanor made Lu Zhenping’s heart soften tremendously.

He reached out to pick Lu Mingkai from behind Lu Mingyang, tossing him high into the air before catching him back in his arms.

"Ah~"

Lu Mingkai yelped in surprise, flailing about. Suddenly he fell into a firm and solid embrace, which, unlike his mother’s, gave him a strong sense of security. He looked down, realizing the height was something he couldn’t achieve in his mother’s arms, and he was held in a bit of daze.

"Silly son, Mingyang, Ming Liang, Ming Fang, haven’t you seen your dad for so long that you’ve forgotten how to greet him?"

The children exchanged glances and, feeling coerced, bowed their heads and cunningly said, "Dad."

"Mhm, your Uncle Changhong told me that your mother has been very good to you all this time. Tell me, besides sending you to school, what else has she done for you?"