I Became a Vicious Supporting Role in the '70s-Chapter 271: Call Auntie

"Grandpa, is Aunt upset? I need to explain. Aunt said before she would send us off, but this is too rushed. My uncle is still out on a mission and hasn’t come back yet?"

"Stay calm, your Aunt and Uncle aren’t like that; they must have something to give us."

After a while, Shen Meng came out holding a bundle, looking at the grandfather and grandson with a light laugh.

"I feel a bit embarrassed. I previously told Ah Man that when you and he return to Shangjing, I would make you clothes and personally make some dumplings. But I’ve been so busy recently, I thought I’d buy a set first. Just in case I couldn’t finish, my purchase would also count as a gesture. The dumplings, though, I can make by hand. I’ve already made some; they’ll be ready soon. Once we’ve eaten, we can head out. Ah Man, your and Grandpa’s clothes are here. Aunt will heat some water for you and Grandpa to wash up and change into clean clothes before setting off, all neat and brisk."

Ah Man wiped a tear and forced a smile, saying, "Ah!"

He was surprised for a moment when he took the clothes in his hand; they were unexpectedly heavy. He looked at Shen Meng bewilderingly, but she just smiled, turned, and went back inside to get a clean towel and an enamel basin.

When the grandfather and grandson took the clothes inside, the three young people waiting outside followed them in.

"Mr. Chu, I’m really embarrassed. We came in such a hurry that we forgot to bring clothes for you and Ah Heng."

"It’s fine; my daughter has prepared everything for me, haha, oh wow, everything’s perfectly ready."

Towels, soap, a razor, even menthol cream and hair oil were provided.

While they cleaned themselves up in the main room, Shen Meng was in the kitchen making dumplings. Soon after, Mingyang, Mingliang, and Ming Fang got home from school. Ming Fang also brought along Ming Kai. The children entered the house and went straight to the kitchen. They saw unfamiliar faces not recognizing anyone in the main room and weren’t sure if they were good or bad people, so they went to find Shen Meng first.

"Don’t be afraid, they’ve come to pick up your Brother Ah Man and Grandpa. In a moment, they’ll be leaving by car. Mingyang, come help Mom heat the pot. Mom will start cooking the dumplings I prepared, and then we’ll send them off."

"Okay, Mom."

Mingyang took his schoolbag off his neck, placed it on a chair, he heated the pot, while Mingliang and Ming Fang washed their hands and helped Shen Meng wrap dumplings. The two kids had been skillful with their hands since they were young; although their dumplings looked a bit ugly, they still turned out quite proper.

The three worked together quickly. After boiling one batch of dumplings, they didn’t stop and continued wrapping the second batch.

After Mr. Chu and Chu Heng, Ah Man, changed their clothes and tidied up, they looked renewed standing in front of the three.

"Look at this lass, how well the clothes she prepared for this old man fit, and these shoes, so comfortably!"

Chu Heng adjusted his overcoat. Such good fabric and fine leather shoes must have cost Aunt quite a bit. When he returned to Shangjing, he would study hard and once he got a job, he would give all his earnings to Aunt.

"Ah Heng, help your Aunt—no, your Auntie—to tidy up a bit. Lin Xin, you brought me some items, right? Give them to me, I’m about to acknowledge a goddaughter, and I need to prepare a gift!"

"Ah, right away, Mr. Chu! "

Shen Meng was unaware of it all. After boiling two pots of dumplings, she served them all up, filling five big bowls on the table. It was already getting slightly dark. Mingliang ran over, lit the kerosene lamp with a match, and gazed at the changed Chu Heng and Mr. Chu, his eyes wide.

"Are you still my Brother Ah Man and Grandpa?"

"Hahahaha, you rascal, if I’m not your Grandpa, who is? Your Brother Ah Man is standing right here perfectly fine. What’s there not to recognize?"

Mingliang giggled and circled around Chu Heng and Mr. Chu a couple of times.

"When did Brother Ah Man become so handsome, even Grandpa is handsome, everyone is good-looking!"

Chu Heng, with his ears turning red from the compliments, reached out to rub Mingliang’s head, causing Mingliang’s eyes to redden.

"Brother Ah Man, I, I can’t bear to part with you. I just made dumplings for you. You must eat more. When I grow up and become knowledgeable, I will go to Shangjing to find you. You must not forget about me!"

Ah Man pulled his wool coat tighter, looking emotionally at Mingliang.

"Brother will never forget Mingliang, nor will he forget how many times Mingliang fell down in the snowy ground for bringing food to brother."

Lu Mingliang cheered up with a "hey" and tears began to flow, he somewhat embarrassedly slapped Chu Heng’s hand.

"Look at what you’re saying, it’s making me feel embarrassed, it was slippery on the ground, it’s not my fault."

"Yes, it’s not your fault."

Mingliang pouted his lips and then suddenly hugged Chu Heng’s waist, bursting into tears.

Chu Heng was almost moved to tears by his crying, Mr. Chu turned his head away, feeling heartache. During the hardest times, he thought about when he could leave here, but now that the time to leave has come, he is filled with reluctance.

Shen Meng brought two bowls of dumplings, Mingyang and Ming Fang each held two dipping sauces. Seeing the situation inside the house, Shen Meng didn’t plan to scold Mingliang. The emotions of children are genuine, outward, and passionate; they are their own feelings, she couldn’t intervene.

Ming Fang and Mingyang also had red-rimmed eyes, apparently having cried already.

"Uncle, Ah Man, and all our comrades, eat the dumplings while they’re hot. I’ve made them with cabbage, pork, and glass noodles filling, Ah Man’s favorite. I’ve also prepared a dipping sauce, you all should try it too."

After she finished speaking, she looked towards Mr. Chu and Chu Heng, the two of them wearing new clothes really looked different, indeed showing they are the strongest support in helping the male and female protagonists in later stages.

"Good, good, good, before departing, I’m glad I can have one last meal made by you, which means I have no regrets. All of you sit down too, try it. This girl is usually lazy, it’s rare for her to cook, you must finish it all, otherwise, she won’t be happy."

"Look at what you’re saying, although I don’t cook often, I always remember to include tasty dishes for you when I do. It’s just a pity that Zhenping isn’t here to see you off, please don’t remember his faults!"

Mr. Chu gave her a sharp look: "Am I an unreasonable old man? I know he is on a mission, I won’t blame him."

"Well, that’s good."

He began eating first, Lin Xin and the others then picked up their chopsticks. They couldn’t help but sigh internally, this fellow villager genuinely cares for Chu Heng and Mr. Chu. Look at these dumplings, generously filled, with smooth and glutinous skins, all made from finely milled flour, they hadn’t even eaten this well back in Shangjing.

Mr. Chu finished a bowl of dumplings, and Shen Meng hurriedly served him another half bowl, soon bringing over a bowl of dumpling soup.

"The original soup harmonizes the original food. Have some dumpling soup and return to the city with a full stomach and without worries."

"How can that be, without worries? My daughter and my grandson are both in Lu Family Village, no matter where I go, they are always on my mind!"

Shen Meng: "...."

Hmm? What daughter, what grandson, why haven’t you mentioned them before???