I Became a Vicious Supporting Role in the '70s-Chapter 151: Let’s Make Dumplings Together

Shen Meng pulled out the dough that Lu Zhenping had proofed from the basin, kneaded it, and placed it on the cutting board. She stirred the fillings again, one with cabbage, vermicelli, and pork, another with chives, eggs, and minced pork.

The two kids hadn’t finished washing their clothes yet, but she had already wrapped the buns and placed them in the pot to steam. Soon, the aroma filled the air.

She took out ready-made dumpling wrappers from storage for the remaining filling and began to wrap them.

After Xie Jinghao finished washing the clothes, she picked up Ni and led Xiao Gang, ready to leave.

Seeing everyone gathered together, and with it being just after New Year’s, plus the fact that they had come together because of a major mishap with the kids, Shen Meng felt like this was the perfect moment for a classic line from the annual gala sketch. She thought it was quite fitting to say it now.

"Don’t leave just yet, with everyone here, and since I’ve already prepared the fillings, stay and we’ll make dumplings together!"

"No, elder sister-in-law, we have dough ready at home too. I’ll go home and make dumplings. This year, our elder brother and sister-in-law didn’t get much meat, it’s enough for you guys to eat."

Shen Meng: "...."

Even though I know you mean well, I still feel a bit awkward hearing that!!!

Lu Jiasheng cleaned up the bathtub, came over, and picked up Xiao Gang embraced in his arms.

"It’s still bright out, we’ll head back first, elder sister-in-law, today is an important day for distributing grains and meats, and it’s a time for your family to have a good reunion. We won’t disturb you."

"Well, if you’re leaving, I won’t keep you. Here, take this innards with you, this is the marinade I prepared. When you stew the innards, just wash them, add water, put in some spring onions and ginger, then add this to the pot and let it stew slowly."

Xie Jinghao joyfully took the spice packets. Her elder sister-in-law’s stewed meats were delicious, just the broth with rice could make her eat several bowls. She had been wondering how to prepare the innards at home, and didn’t expect her sister-in-law to be so thoughtful.

"Thank you, elder sister-in-law. Then I’ll take it back, and in the evening I’ll bring some dumplings I make for you to try my cooking."

Shen Meng smiled and nodded. After they left, she continued making dumplings. Lu Zhenping pulled up a chair to sit beside her and helped as well. Once the two pots of buns were ready, Lu Zhenping placed the buns in a basket. After emptying and cleaning the pot, he added fresh water.

"Let’s cook the dumplings, the kids are hungry. After these two pots of buns are ready, I’ll stew the innards, and you rest for a bit."

"Okay."

Shen Meng appreciated this about Lu Zhenping; he never left all the household chores to women. Whatever he could do, he would take care of it himself—breakfast, lunch, dinner—as long as the kids and she didn’t mind, he would keep doing it. He would only occasionally let her cook if the kids expressed a desire for her cooking.

Such a man, regardless of the era, is worthy of praise.

The dumplings in Lu Zhenping’s two pots hadn’t finished cooking when there was a knock at the door; first, Lu Jiasheng brought two bowls of dumplings, one for his own family and one to take to the old courtyard.

Even before setting one bowl on the table, there was another knock on the door. Shirley came over with a bowl of dumplings made from three-grain noodles, a large bowl.

"Why did you bring these over? We’ve made plenty here. Jinghao just brought a bowl over as well!"

"Don’t mind, it’s just a small gesture. I made plenty, and I will also deliver a bowl to the Secretary, the village chief, and Director Guo’s family before heading home. Everyone in the village is my benefactor, and I will gradually show my gratitude."

Hearing her say this, Shen Meng had no choice but to accept it and returned the empty bowl to Shirley.

The dinner was lavish, featuring buns and dumplings, along with a basin full of braised meat. The children ate until their faces were greasy. To motivate Lu Zhenping to hunt well the next day, Shen Meng was extra enthusiastic on the kang bed, knowing that if Lu Zhenping brought back some game, she could take the opportunity to bring more meat out of her space.

The next morning, not long after breakfast, Shen Xiaobin came over. He had arrived early, wearing the big head cotton shoes Shen Meng had taken out from her space, but his neck was exposed.

Shen Meng took a scarf out of the wardrobe for him.

"Don’t you know to bring a scarf when you go out? How are you going to hunt in the mountains later? Your brother-in-law has an old hat, wear it later, don’t catch a cold."

"No need, sis, let brother-in-law wear it. I can handle the cold!"

"No, no, your brother-in-law will wear the new one. I specifically made a sheepskin hat for him. With the two wild mountain goats last time, I made him a vest and a hat, very warm. That old hat is nearly falling apart, letting the wind through."

Shen Xiaobin: "..."

Not sure why, but despite not feeling cold originally, after listening to his sister’s words, he felt a sudden chill in his heart!

Lu Zhenping managed a wry smile, trying hard to keep his facial expressions not too obvious. His brother-in-law wasn’t married yet, probably couldn’t understand the feelings of being cherished by one’s spouse, tsk, delightful!

When Lu Jiasheng also arrived, they all set off together towards the mountains.

Shen Meng had nothing to do at home, so she went into the kitchen to check on the bean sprouts she had been soaking. Hmm, they were growing well. She took out the beans she had soaked the night before, intending to grind them for tofu. People in the village usually gathered soybeans and went to someone to make tofu, but she wanted to do it herself.

In an era without the internet, and lacking entertainment facilities, it really was boring if there wasn’t something to do. No wonder there were so many pregnancies during the winter.

"Mingyang, mom is going to grind some beans. You stay home and watch your brother and sister do their homework, huh? I’ll make tofu pudding for you all at noon."

"Do you need my help, mom?"

"No, you stay at home."

She was just using it as an excuse to go out for a while, and to just go through the motions; she planned to directly use the high-speed blender in her space later, which was faster and more convenient.

She left the house with a basket slung over her arm and a small bucket in hand.

When she reached the entrance of the village, she saw a few old ladies basking in the sun, gathered together gossiping. Curious, she joined them and slowly started grinding her beans.

Oh my, this thing is really heavy, almost couldn’t get it moving.

"I saw it with my own eyes, it was definitely those two." freewebnσvel.cѳm

"Don’t spread rumors, don’t smear that girl’s reputation for nothing. Such a nice girl, how could she fancy such a man, it’s just not possible, right?"

"Hmph, she was dumped, what good reputation does she have left? She just married whoever was available. It’s not that I look down on her, but I could tell yesterday when distributing the grain. The two of them kept exchanging glances, all sticky sweet, it made me almost gag."

Shen Mengqing lightly clapped her hands and approached, "Who are they talking about?"