I Became a Vicious Supporting Role in the '70s-Chapter 258: Enjoying Alone Time

Shen Xiaolong was working on a wardrobe with Lu Jiasheng. He held a plane, carefully smoothing the cabinet door. In just one month, it would be his uncle and aunt’s wedding, and he wanted to make the wardrobe as perfect as possible, free of any flaws, having made it himself under the guidance of his master.

"Brother Xiao Long, Ni is crying. Did she wet herself?" Ming Kai, holding a piece of shortbread, hopped over. Hearing this, Xiao Long quickly put down his tools and washed his hands before rushing inside.

The master had gone out to deliver goods, and the master’s wife had gone to the Head Flower Factory. He was the only decision-maker at home. Ni, Xiao Gang, and Ming Kai were all placed at the entrance of the hall so he could keep an eye on them.

"I’m here, Ni, don’t cry. Brother Xiao Long is here. Let’s see!"

When he was home, he often took care of his younger siblings, so now taking care of Ming Kai, Xiao Gang, and Ni was quite easy for him. He removed the diaper and saw, indeed, it was a bit damp.

"Just changing the diaper will do. Ming Kai, you’re great, taking good care of your younger siblings. Remember to drink some water after eating the shortbread, don’t choke."

"Okay!"

"Xiao Long, why are you alone here? Where is your master?" Shen Meng arrived to find Xiao Long soothing the children, with no one else at home. She frowned slightly.

"My master has gone to deliver goods. The people from the neighboring village ordered some tables and chairs. He will be back soon. Aunt, look at this wardrobe. I made it myself. How is it? This is for my uncle, for their wedding."

Shen Meng held back her annoyance while examining the large wardrobe on the floor, which indeed looked impressive – it clearly showed that he had put his heart into making it.

"My goodness, it’s really quite nice. Xiao Long, you’ve learned well. It doesn’t look like it will be long before you can graduate from apprenticeship."

Xiao Long blushed at the praise, shyly smiling at Shen Meng, not quite sure how to respond to such enthusiastic compliments.

"This is something your aunt brought for you from the county, some apples, bananas, and biscuits. These are for you to keep for yourself. There’s also some for your master’s family; you don’t need to share them separately with your siblings. These are labor protection gloves for you, be careful when you work, and don’t hurt your hands."

"Ah, thank you, Auntie. I—I am not lacking food and drink in my master’s home, I eat well every day. You don’t need to spend money on me, Auntie."

"Keep what I’ve brought you, and study well. In the future, once you are skilled, I’ll set up a workshop for you. When you make money, build a big house so your parents can live in it too."

Shen Meng painted a vivid picture, filling the young man’s face with longing.

"One of these days I’ll take a day off, and you come to Auntie’s house for lunch tomorrow. I’ll cook chicken for you."

"Okay."

Shen Xiaolong was very happy. Whenever his auntie cooked delicacies, he always had a portion reserved for him. Bringing goodies from the county always meant he’d be the first to receive them. He felt far better here than at home.

After placing Ni back in her little bed, he carried the heavy items back to his room. By the time he came out, Lu Jiasheng had returned, hauling a flatbed cart into the courtyard and greeting Shen Meng.

"Elder sister-in-law has arrived."

"Yes, Jiasheng, I came to bring Xiao Long some items, and I also brought some for you guys. A friend from the south in the county gifted me a huge box of fruits. I’ve brought some for you to try as well."

"Ah, thank you, elder sister-in-law. You’ve really given too much; this is too extravagant."

Shen Meng shook her head. What she had given was not much. She still had other fruits in her storage space, just not the right season to take them out yet. When the weather warmed up a bit more, she had even better things to bring out!

"Jiasheng, next time let Xiao Long handle the deliveries. He’s a big kid now, and he should exercise that responsibility. I just saw him changing Ni’s diaper, his hands are so rough, I was afraid he might hurt her."

"Little aunt, I was gentle, I didn’t hurt my sister."

Shen Meng glanced at him and remained silent. He was still a half-grown child taking care of a baby. What if something went wrong, could he take responsibility?

Lu Jiasheng seemed to have grasped Shen Meng’s concerns as well, and nodded firmly, promising to let Xiao Long take over some tasks and he would watch the children at home.

"Besides those fruits, I’ve brought you some more groceries. I covered them up with a big bag on the way back, so nobody noticed. You and Xiao Long do physical labor, and Jinghao is busy all day long. Without good nourishment, how can your bodies hold up?"

Lu Jiasheng was initially a little upset, but when he saw the noodles, high-protein flour, fine rice, and finally a strip of pork that Shen Meng took out,

"This, this is too much, elder sister-in-law, I, I’ll give you some money. I can’t just take so much from you for nothing."

"Keep it, aside from others, don’t I know it myself? Xiao Long eats a lot. As his aunt, it’s only right for me to contribute. You guys eat up, and if it tastes good, you can pay for it next time. I’ll bring it for you. Let’s forget about the cost this time. Oh, Xiao Long should come eat at our house tomorrow noon, so don’t prepare his meal."

"Ah!"

Who doesn’t want to save a bit? Even though she has a good relationship with Xie Jinghao, when it comes to family matters, it’s better to make things clear to avoid friction over time.

After finishing the conversation, Shen Meng took Ming Kai and headed home, and by the time Mingyang and the three children arrived home, dinner was already prepared.

"Mom, I kind of miss Dad. It’s been days since I saw him, I feel so empty inside."

"Dad has been gone for a few days, I’ve been counting the days on my fingers. When will he be back?"

"What are we having for dinner tonight, Mom? We eat so well, but can Dad eat well too?"

"I want to save a bowl of slippery chicken soup for Dad, he loves eating pancake soaked in it. Oh, I miss him so much I can’t sleep."

Shen Meng: "...."

All this drama just during dinner, if they really felt that way, why don’t they serve themselves a little less??

"It’ll be soon, wasn’t it a week as agreed? Only five more days, go to sleep and when you wake up, it’ll be four days."

"Ah, it’s too long, does Dad even miss me?"

Ming Liang had just finished speaking when Ming Kai elbowed him.

"No way, Dad says sons are like dog poop, if he misses anyone, it’s Mom and sister. But I’m going to take a bath tonight. After bathing, a baby isn’t dog poop anymore, but a sweet-smelling darling."

Shen Meng: "....."

She hadn’t felt it during the bustling day, but when she lay alone in bed at night, her thoughts were turbulent and full of worries, making the bed feel much colder.

She sighed, entered the room, briefly washed up, found a drama to watch while eating, then prepared herself a steak pasta and a glass of wine, and began to enjoy her rare solitude.