Chapter 23: Taking Advantage of the Situation

Shen Meng looked at the still somewhat timid Lu Mingkai and beckoned him over.

"Mingkai, come here."

Lu Mingkai hesitated for a moment, then slowly shuffled toward her. Despite the lingering fear in his heart, his blood connection and the youthful desire to be close to his mother were very strong.

"Mother."

Shen Meng got off the *kang* bed, reached out, and pulled him into her arms as she sat back down. The three-year-old felt a bit bony against her legs; he was far too thin. She stroked Lu Mingkai's hair.

"Mingkai, you were asking about dinner just now. Are you hungry?"

Nestled in his mother's arms and smelling her fragrance, Lu Mingkai felt a sense of floating euphoria.

"Mother, I'm not hungry. I was just asking. Your cooking is so delicious, I just want to eat more of it."

"Alright, Mother will cook for you again later. I'll raise you up to be white and chubby, just like a little pig, okay?"

"Hehe, okay! Mother, you're so good."

"Silly child."

Inside the room, the mother and son were acting affectionately, but outside, Lu Mingyang felt as if he had been struck by a bolt of lightning. That wicked woman said Mingkai was like a little pig—what did she mean? Did she mean once Mingkai grew up, she was going to sell him!

Trembling with fear, he glared at Shen Meng with dark, sinister eyes. If that wicked woman dared to sell Mingkai, he would fight her to the death.

In the evening, Lu Jiaxuan and Zhou Jiaojiao had just finished work and returned home when they were tasked with delivering food to Shen Meng. They carried a small basin of stir-fried vegetables topped with five steamed buns and a small bowl of cornmeal soup. As they walked, many people returning from work passed by, frequently glancing their way, drawn by the aroma.

"Oh, what's that delicious food? It smells so good!"

"Eating so well tonight! As expected of a surplus-grain household, they're even having a proper meal!"

Hearing the questions, Zhou Jiaojiao replied with a smile, "How could that be? This is food for my sister-in-law and Mingyang and the others. It was sent over as soon as it was made at home. We're just having something simple when we get back. My sister-in-law hasn't fully recovered yet!"

After answering, Zhou Jiaojiao said to Lu Jiaxuan, "Hurry up. Sister-in-law and the children are probably hungry. I still have to wash clothes when we get home; there's so much to do!"

Hearing her words, Lu Jiaxuan's expression darkened slightly. His wife worked like an ox and a horse, yet his sister-in-law just sat there waiting for food to be delivered to her door. He frowned but said nothing, merely quickening his pace.

"That's true. I heard this afternoon that the Lu family wasn't sending food to Zhenping's family. Seeing them now, that must have been a lie. Auntie Sanjin is such a good person; how could she not send food?"

"I said it couldn't be true. Maybe it was just sent late, and Shen Meng got upset and started spreading rumors. I've never seen such a daughter-in-law. Jiaojiao worked hard all afternoon, her work points are almost as high as a heavy laborer's, and yet she still has to deliver food to her sister-in-law after work. It's truly pitiful."

"Jiaojiao is such a good wife; Jiaxuan is truly blessed. Fortunately, Jiaxuan is capable and earns three yuan a month, so Jiaojiao can enjoy some comfort."

"No one enjoys comfort like Shen Meng. Living in a brick house with tiles, and her brothers and sisters-in-law even deliver food to her. Look at her life—what kind of amazing fate is that!"

"Typical capitalist behavior."

Shen Meng emerged from the western room with a dark expression. In the children's wardrobes, there wasn't a single decent piece of clothing. Not only were there patches upon patches, but they were all filthy, clearly washed by the children themselves.

She had held Mingkai for a while this afternoon and noticed he smelled quite bad and his hair was dirty. She had been too busy coaxing him at noon to notice. If even Lu Mingkai, who was being reasonably well-cared for by the children, was like this, then Mingyang and the others were even worse.

As Lu Mingyang and the others watched Shen Meng wander into their own room, their expressions changed, and they suddenly grew nervous. Just as Lu Mingliang was preparing to bolt if she made a move, Shen Meng let out a long sigh.

"Mingyang, in a little while, go help Mingliang boil a pot of hot water. Mother will give you all a wash tonight. In this heat, you can't go without bathing. When I was holding Mingkai this afternoon, the little guy was covered in sweat."

"Okay, Mother." No matter what she asked, they would agree for now, Lu Mingyang thought.

Being called upon made Lu Mingkai's small face turn a shy red. Lu Mingfang also felt a bit embarrassed, subconsciously shrinking her neck and sniffing herself—yes, she did smell a bit unpleasant. Only Lu Mingliang didn't care; he thought it was the "scent of a man."

"Sister-in-law, Jiaxuan and I have brought food for you and the children. Can we come in?" Zhou Jiaojiao called out loudly at the door.

"Come in, the door isn't locked."

As soon as Zhou Jiaojiao entered with the food basin, she saw Shen Meng standing at the entrance of the main room, with the children lined up in front of her.

"Oh dear, sister-in-law, what are you doing? Mingyang and the others are good children. This afternoon, the two of them made several trips to gather firewood for the family; everyone saw it. No matter what happens, you can't lay a hand on them!" Zhou Jiaojiao hurriedly interjected.

Since the door hadn't been closed tightly when they entered, passing villagers heard Zhou Jiaojiao's words and began to stop and peer in.

"What are you saying, Jiaojiao? I was just telling the children that since it's so hot, they should boil some hot water to bathe tonight. And then you all arrived. They are very well-behaved. Heaven has opened its eyes to give me such wonderful children; how could I possibly hit them?"

Hearing Shen Meng's words, the people outside felt it was nothing interesting and turned away.

*So what if they are the protagonists? I have a golden finger; I'm not afraid of them.* Shen Meng had never intended to avoid them. After all, she had promised the original owner that those responsible and those who benefited must pay their debts.

The smile on Zhou Jiaojiao's face faltered for a moment. She turned to Lu Jiaxuan and said, "I misunderstood. Jiaxuan, hurry and put the food on the table. Third Sister made food today, and Mother specifically asked Third Aunt to boil some eggs for you. Sister-in-law, please eat quickly to nourish your body."

Shen Meng looked at the food on the table and nodded with a smile. It seemed Liu Sanjin had truly spared no expense; the vegetables were glistening with oil, likely representing several days' worth of the Lu family's oil supply.

"Thank you, Mother. Jiaojiao, Jiaxuan, have you eaten? Why don't you join us?"

"No thank you, sister-in-law. We have to head back; there's a pile of things to do at home. If you need anything in this house, just tell me, and I'll help if I can."

"That would be so embarrassing. If you aren't too busy, Jiaojiao, could you help Mingyang boil some hot water? He's just a child, and I'm afraid he'll wet the bed if he tends the fire tonight. My head hurts so much, and I won't be able to wash the clothes they change out of after their bath. Sigh, I'm just so useless."

Lu Mingyang: "..."

*I wet the bed? I'm nine years old and I wet the bed???*

Zhou Jiaojiao had only intended to be polite before leaving, but she hadn't expected Shen Meng to seize the opportunity so aggressively. Her movements froze for a second before she quickly replied, "Alright then. Jiaxuan, help Mingyang boil some hot water. Sister-in-law, leave the dirty clothes; I'll come by to pick them up tomorrow."

Looking at the seemingly gentle Zhou Jiaojiao, Lu Jiaxuan felt his wife was being pitifully bullied. He frowned and was about to refuse, but he suddenly remembered Sun Shanzi mentioning during work that the commune was recruiting officials. His thoughts shifted, and he silently closed his mouth.