Chapter 13: Think About It Yourself

Chapter 13: Think About It Yourself

Lu Debang and Zhang Hongfa finished dividing the grain for Shen Meng and told her and the others to wait in the room for a moment. They needed to go to the production team to get some things and find a wooden board to carry her away. Shen Meng readily agreed.

When they stepped outside, they saw a large crowd gathered at the entrance of the Lu family home. They quickly waved their hands to shoo them away.

"Go on and get to work! Are you not going to earn work points? Running over here to watch the spectacle—don't come crying to me when it's time to distribute grain and meat at the end of the year."

Seeing the village head chasing them off, those who were sensible left first, while others shuffled their feet, their eyes still lingering on the Lu house.

On the way back to the production team, Lu Debang frowned and said, "Tell me, you decided to compensate Zhenping’s wife with ten yuan and thirty jin of fine grain—why didn't you discuss it with me? You just made the decision yourself. If others find out, do you think they’ll be happy?"

"Hmph, and what if they aren't? The production team's ox gored someone, leaving her half-dead, and we didn't even call a doctor. If word of this gets out, our Lu Family Village production team will become infamous in the commune. When Zhenping returns, do you think he’ll let it slide? Don't forget, Zhenping knows people at the county government. If he decides to make an issue of it, who’s going to take the blame?"

Lu Debang was unconvinced and curled his lip. "I think you're overthinking it. Zhenping is a reasonable man."

"Reasonable or not, it’s his wife and the mother of his children who got hurt. He’s out there defending the country, and we—his family and the fellow villagers he grew up with—stood by and watched her die. Do you think he’ll be happy? Think about it yourself."

Lu Debang was silenced by this, having no further response. He knew Lu Zhenping’s temper; when he got ruthless, it was truly terrifying.

Seeing him go quiet, Zhang Hongfa sighed and patted him on the shoulder.

"Debang, you have to consider the bigger picture. Regardless of anything else, Shen Meng is Zhenping’s wife. She was injured by the production team’s ox, and it’s unclear if she’ll even survive. If the village cadres don't stand up for her now, what will the commune members think? It’s only because her parents are honest that they didn't make a scene at the commune. Try doing this to someone else—they’d be screaming and demanding compensation from the production team! Besides, doesn't your nephew want to join the army? He’s fifteen this year. If he gets enlisted..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but he patted Lu Debang’s shoulder heavily twice. They were all young village cadres, and many relationships needed to be rebuilt. Things had to be done fairly, or they wouldn't be able to command respect.

It was then that Lu Debang’s heart skipped a beat. Lu Mingyang and the other children were growing up. If Shen Meng didn't make it through this, she would surely leave words for Lu Zhenping. Whether those words were good or bad would depend entirely on their performance now.

Thinking of this, he looked back at his previous attitude, and a cold sweat broke out. In this day and age, one person joining the army brought glory to the whole family. If you did well in the military, your future was limitless, but sometimes, no matter how hard you worked, you still needed connections.

"Yes, yes, you're right. I was wrong. Hongfa, you’re right. Let’s go, let’s hurry and get the money and grain for Zhenping’s wife. Oh, and see if there are any ration coupons left in the production team’s stash; let’s take some of those too. I just heard that Uncle Shen and his family don't plan on going back tonight, so let’s find someone to send a message to their home in Shenjiagi."

"Hahaha, alright, I’ll leave it to you." Zhang Hongfa laughed and pointed at Lu Debang. The two discussed how to move Shen Meng and deliver the supplies, while secretly planning to have their wives bring some things over to visit Shen Meng later to curry favor.

Half an hour later, Shen Meng was carried back to her home on a dilapidated door panel. The people lingering at the Lu house saw her half-dead, miserable state and began to believe what Wang Guizhi had said earlier.

Several people with loose lips pointed and whispered toward the old Lu family courtyard.

Zhou Jiaojiao had moved from a spacious brick-and-tile house to the dilapidated shack where Shen Meng now lived. The drop in her living standards was significant. She had accumulated quite a few belongings over time, saving money bit by bit, and now they were all piled on the *kang*, leaving her with no room to organize them. Her eyes turned red with grievance.

Lu Jiaxuan looked at her, feeling heartbroken.

"Jiaojiao, don't be sad. I’ll build you a few cabinets later. The room Mother renovated for us when we got married is very spacious; let’s move back there later!"

Zhou Jiaojiao frowned slightly and shook her head gently.

"No, autumn is almost here. Father and Mother are getting old; that house should be for them. We are young and strong, so we should stay here. I’ll find some newspapers to paste over the windows later, and if we clean this place up, it’ll be just as livable."

Seeing such a sensible wife, Lu Jiaxuan’s heart softened completely.

"Jiaojiao, you’ve been wronged."

"I’m not wronged. As long as I’m with you and we are of one heart living our lives, I’m not wronged."

Zhou Jiaojiao didn't want to move to the room near Liu Sanjin. She and Lu Jiaxuan were living a sweet life together; they only came to the old house for meals, and they could be as playful as they wanted. Living in the old house was different—any little noise could be heard by others.

She was calculating that she would eventually have to make her parents-in-law build a separate courtyard for their branch of the family, even if it was just a mud-brick house. Only by closing the door and living their own life would it truly be enjoyable!

Liu Sanjin was living comfortably in the main house. Seeing her youngest son and daughter-in-law move back, she felt bad for them, but she didn't want to move into the old house either. She noticed the roof was about to collapse if it wasn't repaired. Just then, Lu Jiaxuan told her that Zhou Jiaojiao didn't want to move over, saying that since her parents were old, they should live in comfort.

Liu Sanjin was deeply moved, once again feeling that her youngest daughter-in-law was thoughtful, while that little vixen Shen Meng was nothing but a debt collector. Once her eldest son, Lu Zhenping, returned, she would definitely make him divorce her.

Shen Meng was unaware of what was happening here. She was currently talking to the village head’s sister-in-law, Tian Guihua, and the branch secretary’s mother, Chen Jinling. The two had come together, carrying eggs, brown sugar, and some dried vegetables.

"Good child, take good care of your health. You’ll get better. Your Mingkai is still so young; he can't lose his mother. If you need anything in the future, just come to me, and I’ll stand up for you."

"That’s right, sister. We didn't know your life was so hard before. Everyone was busy earning work points, and some people have black hearts—they have no ability themselves, so they just think about taking from others. Don't worry, my brother-in-law is the village head. Although he’s young, he’s fair in his dealings and won't let our fellow villagers be taken advantage of."

Both women had their own agendas and were trying to get on Shen Meng’s good side, but while they were buttering her up, they were also genuinely interested in building a connection. Anyone who could survive a brush with death and still manage to reclaim their house was a smart person.

"Oh, I’ve let you and the elder sister see a joke. Being able to reclaim the children’s house today is truly thanks to the blessings of the two leaders. When my Zhenping returns, I’ll have him find the village head and the branch secretary to thank them properly."

Hearing Shen Meng say this, Tian Guihua and Chen Jinling exchanged glances, both letting out a sigh of relief. Never mind the thanks—as long as she didn't hold a grudge for them not helping to call a doctor earlier, that was enough.

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(End of chapter)