I Became a Vicious Supporting Role in the '70s-Chapter 190: Two Pieces of Great News

Zhou Jiaojiao showed off the job she had already secured under the guise of gifting dates. After putting down the dates, she left with a proud stride, and before long, Wu Xianglan came over with a gloomy face.

"Elder sister-in-law, did you see that? The moment she secured a job, she started to strut. Her tail is wagging so high it could reach the skies, as if she wants the whole village to know she’s acquainted with the Textile Factory Director’s wife."

Shen Meng stopped knitting and took out a handful of melon seeds, chatting with Wu Xianglan and gossiping about Zhou Jiaojiao.

"Exactly, Xiang Lan, don’t be upset. I’m going to take a trip to the county soon, and I guarantee I’ll get your job sorted. So what if the Textile Factory Director’s wife found Jiaojiao a job? The wife doesn’t hold any real power. Most likely, they’re sorting it out behind someone’s back. There’s a place for everyone, and if she’s got one, it means someone else is left out. If this gets out, it will surely break Jiaojiao’s spine."

Upon hearing her own job situation could also be settled, Wu Xianglan quickly moved her stool closer.

"Thank you, elder sister-in-law. This New Year, I’ve come to realize that the only things I can rely on are the money in my hands and my two children. I can’t count on anything else."

"You’re right to think that way, Xiang Lan. You were just too naive at the beginning. What’s so special about men? Look at Jiahe’s father, where he puts his heart, you must be aware. For your children, you’ve already fought for what should be theirs. Once you get it, you must protect it for them, or who knows who will take advantage of it?"

Speaking of Lu Jiahe, Wu Xianglan was so angry she could crush her yellow teeth. She used to be so thrifty, she would rather deprive the children to ensure this laborer was well-fed, but that damn brother of hers had charm with others; all the sweet things were given to Liu Suqin. Whenever she thought of these things, she felt like she could suffocate.

"Elder sister, I do regret things. I regret caring for the wrong person and not seeing clearly enough. I mistook such a woman for a good person and treated you that way. I was utterly blinded by stupidity, elder sister. I really owe you an apology."

Whether Wu Xianglan was sincere or not, Shen Meng still took her hands and said, "Xiang Lan, don’t say that. It’s all in the past. I just see you having a hard time and I feel sorry for the kids. Otherwise, why wouldn’t I give such a good job to Jinghao? Our relationship is also not bad. It’s just that your man is unreliable, right? Without someone to rely on, I don’t know how much your children would have to suffer in the future."

Shen Meng answered a lingering question in her heart today. Her elder sister-in-law truly had a kind heart, genuinely caring for Yong Qiang and Yong Li.

"Alright, don’t be like that. If the kids see us, they’ll think I’ve been bullying you. I’m good friends with the Textile Factory Director’s daughter-in-law, so I’ll ask her to take care of you, making sure you won’t get bullied in the factory. Rest assured. It’s just that Qianqian just had a baby and won’t be at the textile factory often. Many things there will depend on you. When dealing with people, don’t be stingy. Spend money when it’s necessary. The factory provides one meal, and you can take the bullock cart to work in the morning and back in the evening, which is perfect. Oh, and if you see Jiaojiao at the factory, try to avoid her as much as possible, or else she might make things difficult for you, ah!"

Wu Xianglan immediately widened her eyes, disagreeing with Shen Meng.

"Elder sister-in-law, what are you saying? I haven’t done anything dishonorable, why should I be afraid of her? You’ve thought of everything for me, how I get by in the factory is up to me. It’s not just that I’m not afraid of Zhou Jiaojiao, even if I were, what of it? I’ll do my work well. Can she control me?"

"Ah, sister-in-law, it’s not that I’m worried about that. But you know, my brother is going to return to the army in a few months, and then I’ll start working at the public transport company. If Zhou Jiaojiao gets a permanent position, as well as Jiaxuan, should the two of them seek to bully our family or yours, who could stop them? In the past six months, our two families have had quite a few run-ins. Just look at how Jiaojiao was just now, did she look like someone who doesn’t hold grudges?"

Wu Xianglan’s complexion was somewhat pale, not out of concern for herself—she had a job that paid over ten yuan a month and wouldn’t leave even if she were yelled at or hit—but when she wasn’t home, what if her two children were bullied? freewebnøvel.coɱ

"Elder sister-in-law....."

"No rush, no rush, it’s like this—I go to work, and I’ve entrusted Ming Kai to Jinghao’s care, giving her two yuan a month, while food and drink come out of my own pocket. Your Yong Qiang and Yong Li are still a year away from being old enough to go to school. If you’re willing, I’ll talk to her and see if she can give a discount for the two kids, say three yuan, and let her and Jiasheng take care of them. Don’t be stingy with money—nothing is more important than the kids. If you could rely on Jiasheng, that would be another matter, but I’m afraid he..."

Wu Xianglan quickly replied, "I’m willing, I’m very willing, elder sister-in-law. As soon as I get my salary, I’ll immediately pay Jinghao."

Shen Meng was pleased with Wu Xianglan’s agreeable response, reaching out to pat her and saying, "Don’t feel bad about the money. If you have some spare time in the county, you can make some money helping others with washing and cleaning. Just do your job well, and after a while, I’ll have Qianqian find a way to transfer you. Even if you can’t transfer, work will get easier, and the conditions will improve."

Wu Xianglan felt deeply moved after hearing this and promised that she would inform Shen Meng about everything concerning Zhou Jiaojiao at the textile factory, so that if Zhou Jiaojiao and Lu Jiaxuan had any thoughts, they could be ready to respond accordingly.

By late morning, Yu Xueli had wrapped a pot of meat buns, bringing over seven or eight of them. Coincidentally, Xie Jinghao also brought over a pot of sauerkraut tofu fish, and carried it over in a basin. Shen Meng, looking at the food the two had brought, couldn’t help but think Lu Zhenping would be happy since there was no need to cook lunch.

"Hey yo, I was just thinking about going over to you two this afternoon, and here you are on your own. This is good news, great news for each of you."

Yu Xueli and Xie Jinghao exchanged a puzzled look and then turned their gazes to Shen Meng, waiting for her to say what the good news was.

"Here’s the thing—I went to the county yesterday, and Shirley, that job I told you about is a no-go. But Dr. Cheng said he’d switched it to a lighter job, cutting and preparing vegetables, and even raised your wage by five yuan. Now it’s twenty-four yuan a month. And Jinghao, I told Wu Xianglan to hand her two children over to you for care, three yuan a month. I’m giving you Ming Kai for two yuan a month, you just need to watch them at home."

The moment the two women heard this, their eyes widened in immediate shock, but what could they say? It was indeed great news. Shirley blinked and said: "Jinghao, I’ll also send Xiao Ya to your place, two yuan a month for you to look after her. I’m sending Daya to school, and she will have lunch with you too. I’ll figure out the kids’ meals separately."

Xie Jinghao’s mouth fell open, looking at the children; she could earn as much as seven yuan a month?

Shen Meng looked at Shirley with a smile, admiring her gratefulness and quick thinking. She had only started the conversation, and Shirley was already taking it forward—a truly clever person.

Meanwhile, the county’s textile factory was also bustling. Li Qianqian’s mother, Qi Mingyue, had come to the family compound with four or five women, looking very imposing. Behind them followed three men, one of whom was an agitated Luo Shihao with a flushed face.