I Became a Vicious Supporting Role in the '70s-Chapter 324: Forgot to Introduce Myself

Shirley glanced at them and walked straight toward home, supporting Aunt Qian and taking the two children with her. Her parents and brother and sister-in-law from the Yu Family were furious, ready to confront her.

"Our dad, mom, and me, your sister-in-law, we’ve all apologized to you. What more do you want? Back then, if we didn’t sever ties with you, not only would we be unable to lift our heads in the brigade, but your nieces and nephews would also be ridiculed. They were so young, could you really bear it? Over the years, our parents haven’t neglected to visit you, but wasn’t it you who failed to live up to expectations, becoming a leper staying at Laizi’s house? If that rubbed off on us, how could the Yu Family end up well? Now that you’ve managed to get by, and us brothers no longer need to earn work points and can get salaries, can’t you just let bygones be bygones and look ahead?"

"Let bygones be bygones? Why should I let it go? It wasn’t you who got beaten and scolded; it wasn’t you who was abandoned and ignored. Why didn’t you speak up for me when I suffered, but now that you see me having a good life, you suddenly show up. Who do you think you are? Family severance papers have already been signed; why are you meddling in my life again? What exactly do you want?"

Suddenly, Shirley exploded with anger. If it had been someone else, perhaps she could have remained calm, but the person speaking was her older brother. He used to treat her quite well, being the kindest person in the family to her. Before she married into the Xu Laizi’s house, she had sought his help.

Thinking she could either manage to get a letter of introduction or beg, which would surely be better than marrying Xu Laizi.

Yet, before she could return home to wait, he gathered the family and had her locked up. She could never forget the night before her wedding, locked in a room, how desperately she cried and begged, and how cold they were to her.

Qian Chengwang, seeing Shirley so heartbroken, felt a profound ache. Ever since he met her, she had always been strong, independent, and positive, and he had never seen her so sad before.

"You’ve had enough. Shirley said it already, you have signed the family severance papers. Legally, you have no relationship anymore. She’s marrying into the Qian Family next month, she’ll be under the household register of the Qian Family, with no relation to you. If you still come here to harass her, I will call the police."

"You, what are you firing off? You said it’s next month that you’re getting married, but if my old man doesn’t agree, you can’t get married, hmph. Now she’s a divorced woman, she should return to her maternal home. What severance papers? I don’t care about that; she’s still my daughter, you this young man, even got the betrothal gifts wrong and still want to marry my daughter? I’m telling you, you can forget about this marriage. Just go home!"

"You old fool, still gasping when called fat, huh? Telling us, mother and daughter, to leave? Just go fart off! Shirley is only lucky to have met some good friends. If she were still how she used to be, would the Yu Family even bother to come look for her?"

Hearing her words, the people of the Yu Family were silent, as if they were completely disregarded by her.

"Why hasn’t this ended yet? It’s time for dinner, I’ve already prepared the meal and brought it to the main room, and Mingyang’s family will be coming to eat soon."

Shirley wiped her tears and turned to Shen Meng: "Let’s go home."

Xie Jinghao and Lu Jiasheng looked at the group, their eyes nearly rolling to the heavens. Shirley, supporting Aunt Qian and following Qian Chengwang, stepped over the threshold. Just as Shen Meng was about to close the door, Mrs. Yu suddenly moved forward, grabbing onto the door.

"Shirley, if you’re still my daughter, then agree to what we discussed today. Otherwise, I’ll hang myself right in front of you, letting the leaders of the county see, letting them witness a woman who drove her own mother to suicide. Let’s see what good can come to you after that."

Once she finished speaking, everyone in the yard’s face turned dark.

"Hey there, old lady, what are you saying on such a joyous day for your daughter Shirley? Talking like this is downright unlucky. So, tell me what you want, and I’ll see if it’s too much. If it’s doable, maybe we can really make it happen."

Mrs. Yu looked at the person in front of her, whose aura was different from the others in the courtyard, and felt her request was not excessive at all, so she repeated it directly.

Shen Meng nodded and said, "Lu’s Mansion brick kiln is indeed about to start up and does need talent. You too, Shirley—if your brothers have the ability, they might also manage to be foremen at the brick kiln. We’re all family here; there’s no need to make things ugly."

The Yu family felt better hearing that she was trying to persuade Shirley, and their expressions softened considerably. Mr. Yu even stepped out to the doorstep.

"Yes, your girl speaks sense. We’re all family. Just a good word to the Revolutionary Committee Secretary General, what’s the big deal? Within the relatives, those who can help certainly should."

"Indeed, indeed. So, sir, what are your daughter Shirley’s brothers named? Tell me, I’m all ears."

"Yu Guang, Yu Nian, Yu Xin, all three brothers. They’re the strong labour force in our household, earning full work points every day. Girl, you know the Revolutionary Committee Secretary General too, right? Hahaha. It’s not that our kids don’t want to do the tough jobs, it’s just that everyone aims for higher places. If you can step forward, why not put in the effort?"

Shen Meng chuckled and said, "Yes, you’re right. But pardon my frankness, sir, what’s the education level of your sons? Can they read? Can they do accounting? Can they keep records and write reports? If they can, then I could give the nod for them to be foremen at Lu’s Mansion right away."

The Yus’ faces flushed red at Shen Meng’s words. If they had such capabilities, they wouldn’t need any help; they would have gone to apply for the positions themselves. Did they still need to go through the back door?

"It seems they cannot, then. So, it’s not possible. The brick kiln project in Lujiaville is a key project for Ning County’s leaders. They won’t allow anyone to get in through the back door or pull strings. If discovered, the whole commune will be informed, and they will be criticized and not allowed to work to earn work points for a month. Do you understand?"

"That’s what they say to outsiders. Behind closed doors, it’s still whatever one wants to do. If the head agrees, the matter can be settled. It all depends on whether this girl is willing or not."

Everyone looked at Shen Meng, who could have thought that now, the highly regarded economic leader of Ning County, would actually help her good sister cook for her engagement celebration.

The ordinary person couldn’t imagine it, and the Yu family even more so.

But the people from Lu Family Village were already used to it. Some old men and women with slower legs suddenly turned around and glanced at them as if looking at fools.

No choice; kind words can’t persuade those hell-bent on their own ruin. We’ve already said it several times—told them to leave, but hey, they just won’t go.

"Excuse me for not introducing myself properly despite having talked so much. My name is Shen Meng, Shirley’s good sister, and currently the Secretary General of the Revolutionary Committee of Ning County. Today, on her engagement day, I especially took a day off to help her add joy by cooking. I never expected to witness such a scene. I’ve taken a mental note: Yu Guang, Yu Nian, Yu Xin, you’ve just entered the brick kiln factory, right? Treasure it. The salary is eighteen and a half a month. If you think this job isn’t good enough, then let others do it. In Ning County, what we don’t lack is people. What do you say?"