I Became a Vicious Supporting Role in the '70s-Chapter 19: Jiaojiao Should Have No Objections

After finishing their meal, Lu Mingyang cleaned and put away the dishes, then took his younger brother and sister to the west side room. He helped Lu Mingkai with his shoes and carried him onto the kang, then covered his little belly with a worn, thin blanket.

"Be good, Ming Kai, you stay home with elder sister. Don't come out for no reason. Your second brother and I will bring the firewood back home soon. If anything comes up, we'll discuss it after we return. If you need to pee, just use the pee pot, okay? Ming Fang, take good care of our little brother!"

"Okay, big brother, I'll make sure to look after Ming Kai properly."

Lu Mingyang and Lu Mingliang gave instructions for a good while before silently leaving the house. Facing the blazing sun, the two children walked toward the foot of the mountain. Passing by the Lu Family's front door, they were suddenly called out to.

"Mingyang, Ming Liang, wait up!" Xie Jinghao called out to them softly, looking around before quickening her pace to catch up with them. She then took two steamed cornbreads out of her pocket, which she had swiped without the Lu Family noticing. She had rummaged through her own storage chest for a while and found nothing else to eat.

"You must be starving, eat these quickly. Your third aunt only managed to get two, so you guys can use them to fill your stomachs. Tonight, your third aunt will try to bring you some more food. There's cucumber in the private plot; I'll see if I can pick some for you later to stave off hunger!"

Lu Mingyang knew that she didn't have it easy at the Lu Family either. Xiao Gang was still young, their third uncle was working away, and she was pregnant. If they ate these two pieces of steamed cornbread and got found out, their third aunt would be scolded again.

"No need, third aunt, you take them back. You see, my mom made us wheat noodles for lunch and even fried some eggs. We're full, really. She said she's going to make us a delicious dinner too. Just look after Xiao Gang for us, don't worry about us."

Xie Jinghao looked at Lu Mingyang in surprise. Shen Meng cooking noodles and frying eggs for the children? Why didn't she believe it?

"Really? You can't lie to me. Your mom is still injured, could she stand up and cook for you guys?"

"Really, third aunt. My mom is much better today. When we went home, she made us wheat noodles, and the fried eggs were glistening with oil. My brother and I each had a big bowl. Third aunt, my brother and I still have to go gather firewood, so we'll be leaving now. You better hurry home, don't let anyone see you."

Once Lu Mingliang finished speaking, he grabbed Lu Mingyang and ran off. He had just seen someone from the Lu Family snooping around; he didn't want them to see their third aunt giving them food, or hear some unpleasant words said.

Xie Jinghao watched the two children run off, mouth hanging open, about to call out to someone, when she saw Zhou Jiaojiao coming out from the courtyard.

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"Did third sister-in-law give something to eat to Mingyang and Ming Liang? Why did they run off?"

Xie Jinghao stood straight and took two steamed cornbreads in her hand, motioning to Zhou Jiaojiao.

"Of course. I was worried the kids might be hungry, so I brought them two steamed cornbreads. Speaking of which, my Jiasheng is working outside to earn money. With him not home, we have one less mouth to feed in our third branch. The saved share is to help big brother's children. Jiaojiao, you shouldn't have any complaints, right? After all, every month big brother and elder sister-in-law contribute three yuan for our parents' support."

Zhou Jiaojiao quickly hid her smug expression, speaking to Xie Jinghao with a gentle voice: "How could I, third sister-in-law? I also wanted to ask Mingyang and the others to come home for a meal. Mom was just speaking out of frustration; how could she really not feed the children? If big brother comes back and finds out, he would be furious. Ah, what time it is already, and elder sister-in-law hasn't come over for a meal yet. This won't do; I'll bring something over to check on her!"

As Zhou Jiaojiao spoke, she made to walk towards her house. Xie Jinghao didn't stop her, but slowly wrapped the cloth around the steamed cornbreads properly.

"No need, Jiaojiao. Mingyang said elder sister-in-law made them food. Elder sister-in-law doesn't get along with you, so she might not be happy if you went. Let me do it. I'll just have a look. If they haven't eaten, I'll come back to you, and you can make something warm for elder sister-in-law and the kids. If they have eaten, that'll be exactly what Mom wants to see, right?"

"I....."

"I'll be going over; you head back. It looks like these steamed corn buns won't be needed anymore. Take them with you!"

Zhou Jiaojiao watched Xie Jinghao walk towards Shen Meng's house, gnashing her teeth in anger. For some reason, ever since Shen Meng woke up, nothing had gone smoothly for her.

Xie Jinghao hesitated at the gate, but her concern for the children compelled her to push the door open. Even from there, she could faintly smell a lingering fragrance in the air, which eased her mind. It seemed Mingyang and Ming Liang hadn't lied; the elder sister-in-law truly did cook for the children.

Shen Meng had a fitful sleep and heard some noise in her dazed state. Upon hearing the knocking, she opened her eyes.

"Who is it?"

"Elder sister-in-law, are you awake? It's Jinghao. Can I come in?"

Xie Jinghao didn't come alone; Lu Mingfang and Lu Mingkai were with her. The children rushed out of bed upon hearing someone enter the yard, thinking it was Lu Mingyang and Lu Mingliang returning, only to see Xie Jinghao and hurriedly surrounded her.

Xie Jinghao, thinking that if Shen Meng really wanted to live a good life, she must get along with the children. So, she coaxed the two children to come with her.

"Come in; the door is unlocked," said Shen Meng as she got out of bed. Raising an eyebrow upon seeing Xie Jinghao enter with two children.

"Elder sister-in-law, are you feeling better? I didn't get a chance to see you yesterday. I'm free now, so I came to visit. Ming Fang even told me that you made them noodles with eggs for lunch. It was so delicious that each of them had a big bowl!"

Shen Meng smiled at the timid children without saying anything and poured a cup of brown sugar water for Xie Jinghao.

"Oh dear, I'm fine; I don't need such good things. Keep it for yourself to replenish your body!"

"Drink up. You're pregnant and need to take care of yourself too. I'm feeling much better. The children went early in the morning to collect pigweed. We waited for a long time and didn't get called for a meal by the people at the old courtyard, so I got up and cooked myself. Thanks to the production team, we had some fine grains at home, so I made some noodles."

Xie Jinghao didn't drink the brown sugar water; instead, she fed a sip to Lu Mingkai. The little guy glanced at his third aunt and Shen Meng, couldn't resist taking a few small sips, but dared not drink anymore.

"Ah, mother is like that. You might as well make amends with her, elder sister-in-law, so in the future, you could take the children back home for meals," Xie Jinghao probed subtly.

Shen Meng's eyes flickered subtly, pretending not to catch on.

"Mother probably doesn't want us to come over for meals. What's the use of making amends? I shouldn't have to give up the house again. As autumn approaches, it gets colder. How are we supposed to spend the winter living in a drafty room? If we don't go, then we don't go. Your eldest brother will soon be sending the subsidy. Either way, he won't let us starve."

Xie Jinghao seized the opportunity to say, "It feels so awkward to live like this, eating separately while living together. It's as if we haven't really split the family, and it's really embarrassing in front of others."

"Indeed, it might as well be an actual split!" Shen Meng added with that.