I Became a Vicious Supporting Role in the '70s-Chapter 319: You Are Earning Merit

This night was destined to be a sleepless one; when Shen Meng passed out, she was still contemplating how doing such a thing could actually make someone faint from exhaustion. It really was tiring enough to make breathing difficult.

Lu Zhenping and Shen Meng both got a few days off and spent some sticky, comfortable days at home.

That evening, Yu Xueli came over with her two kids.

"Come quick, freshly cut watermelon, ice cold and perfect for eating right now. Mingyang sent one over to your Third Uncle, and there’s still more than half left. You’re here just in time."

"That’s really lucky, Daya, Xiao Ya, go ahead and eat, thank you, Aunt."

"Thank you, Aunt."

Both Daya and Xiao Ya were thrilled, giggling as they started eating the watermelon. But Daya, after eating a bit, took another piece and set it in front of herself, looking at it but not eating.

Yu Xueli and Shen Meng both knew what she was thinking. It was just a piece of watermelon, so they didn’t say anything.

"I’ve set a date with Old Qian for the wedding on the sixth of next month. His mother has cleaned out the house for us. I came here to let you know."

"Really? Hey, that’s great news! Congratulations! It’s good that you could be so open-minded. Otherwise, who knows how many years Old Qian would have to wait. Daya and Xiao Ya still have four or five years before they finish elementary school. You think about it, how old will you all be by that time?"

"You’re right about that. Old Qian’s mother is getting on in years and whenever she sees Daya and Xiao Ya, you should see how much she adores them. They really treat my two girls as their own family, and Old Qian is so good to me. Having such a good family to marry into, if I waited any longer, wouldn’t that make me a fool?"

Shen Meng giggled twice and then looked at her and said, "That’s great. Are you planning to have a ceremony?"

Yu Xueli blushed and smiled, "Originally, I thought we’d skip it. We’re not young anymore, and it felt embarrassing. But Old Qian insists on having it. He says marriage is an honorable thing; why not make it official? He plans to give the bride-price in a couple of days. I’ve already spoken to Aunt Juying, asking her to act as the matchmaker over here. Yeah, we’ll do everything by the book."

"That’s wonderful. Old Qian is really good. Xueli, seeing you live better and better, my heart is truly, truly happy for you."

Yu Xueli never expected that the darkness in her life would one day give way to light.

Life at Qian Family’s courtyard was convenient. The rooms were spacious, and they could even grow some vegetables in the yard. A hospital was just across the street, the school and Cooperative Society only two roads away. Wherever they wanted to go, it was convenient.

In the future, after meals, she could walk her daughters, Daya and Xiao Ya, to school, then head to work herself, and even pick them up from school afterward. Her future mother-in-law had also said that she was still in good health and could help take care of the kids, so she and Old Qian should just focus on their work.

Sometimes she felt like she’d stepped in a fortune.

"All this is because of you. If it weren’t for you, how could we ever have such good days? You’re always busy in the county and have no idea how grateful the women comrades in our villages are for you. Some of these women couldn’t even get a word in at home, with all the housework and looking after the children, the burden on their shoulders isn’t light. But it’s not like before, where the best food only went to the men and children in the house. Now it’s different. They have some money in hand, they can enjoy a meal with meat every now and then, and even afford to buy some brown sugar for themselves. Shen Meng, do you know what you’re doing? You’re accumulating merit."

"Don’t say that. When you put it like that, I start to feel myself floating on air. I get proud easily. Accumulating merit, such grand ideas. I just want our sisters here to live a little better. As long as you’re all doing well, that’s all I need to know."

Shen Meng smiled sincerely, but internally she pondered that she was not the only one with such thoughts. Actually, many others shared her mindset. Some were already living better and pulling their sisters up with them. One influences another, and someday, more people would share her vision.

"I know. When you first started out, wasn’t it to improve life for your sister-in-law and Jinghao? That’s why you took those handmade head ornaments to Mr. Li, wasn’t it? I’ve heard from Mingyang. Back then, you barely knew a few words, yet you dared to speak up in front of Mr. Li. I don’t know how long you must have practiced beforehand. Shen Meng, you’ve really put in a lot of effort."

Shen Meng: "..."

No big deal, sister. This is nothing compared to presenting multi-million-dollar projects to big shots in the past, really, just a small case.

"Recently, I heard that Lianhua and Chang Hong have been seen together quite a bit. Seems like something might be brewing."

"Hmm?"

"Don’t you go saying I told you this, okay? I heard it from Daya. She said..."

"Mother, didn’t you say it’s supposed to be a secret, and yet you’re talking?"

Daya frowned with dissatisfaction at her mother. She had sworn not to talk about it, but now she herself had spilled the beans. Humph, you can’t trust what adults say sometimes.

"Look at you, calling your aunt an outsider, ungrateful little thing. Whose melons are you eating, huh? Don’t pay attention to Xiao Meng, let me tell you. A few days ago, Daya saw Lianhua bringing a basket of steamed buns to Grandma Chang, and then Chang Hong came out to see her off. They stood and chatted for quite a while."

"Wow~~."

"The two are around the same age, and Chang Hong is a doctor. If he didn’t always feel self-conscious about his leg problem, he probably would have married by now. Lianhua’s house is nearly finished, too. If Daqing, Erqing, and Yaoyao have no objections, I’d say the two of them are a good match."

"Of course, it’s fine. They’re both young; if they want to get married, then get married, if they want to date, then let them date. Grandma Chang’s getting on in years, if Chang Hong doesn’t get married soon, she wouldn’t rest in peace even if she passed away."

"Exactly."

The two chatted for a long time, and in the end, Daya still asked Shen Meng for something before taking the watermelon with her.

On her way home, Daya happened to see Dezi carrying a back basket of firewood home.

Daya called out to her brother, and he immediately stood to one side, not daring to speak.

"This is a watermelon from your aunt’s house. Eat it secretly outside, and go home once you’re done."

"Thank, thank you, sister. You all eat, I won’t. I don’t need it."

He glanced at Yu Xueli, not daring to take it, nor did he walk away. It was rare to have the chance to be with his mother and sisters, so he wanted to linger a bit longer.

"Take it. Your sisters have had theirs, and this one’s for you."

Dezi’s eyes gleamed brightly as he glanced at Yu Xueli, let out a soft "Ah~" and then joyfully accepted it, eating voraciously. Their family had their own plot of land too, but with the grandparents getting old, they only grew staple crops. Fruits like watermelons were something you’d normally find only at the Mingyang’s place. He really was lucky to taste a bit.

"Eat up and get home early, sleep with your grandparents to avoid a beating from your dad." fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm

"I will, thank you, mother. You go back with my sisters. I’m heading home now, it’s getting a bit chilly at night!"

Yu Xueli nodded at him, took Daya and Xiao Ya, and walked towards home. She had tried to bring up the subject of remarriage several times, but she couldn’t bring herself to say it out loud. Never mind, she’d talk about it another time!