Chapter 332: I’m innocent, I really am innocent
Shen Meng and Lu Zhenping exchanged a look, then suddenly laughed.
“Are you trying to use your position to control others, bringing the children to the provincial capital, and then planning to exploit me next?”
Lu Zhenping: “…”
Sometimes a wife being too clever isn’t a good thing!
“Wife, you can’t think that way. I’ve now secured a position in the provincial capital with good housing and benefits. It’s only natural to want to reunite with the family, isn’t it?”
“But what about my work? Are you suggesting I quit and become a stay-at-home wife in the provincial capital, washing clothes, cooking, and cleaning all day?”
Lu Zhenping saw the slightly cold look on Shen Meng’s face and swallowed nervously.
“I wouldn’t dare think such a thing, wife. I’ve always respected your career. But being alone in the provincial capital, it can be lonely sometimes.”
“Is there a troublesome admirer?”
Spot on. Lu Zhenping’s smile faltered. Earlier, while investigating in the provincial capital, he had helped a female comrade, a martyr’s widow. He and some colleagues felt sorry for the children and organized a fundraising effort.
But the details were handled by subordinates. For some reason, the widow insisted on thanking him, and she often brought the children over.
He’s not a warm-hearted person, but over the past year, Shen Meng’s warmth has melted his heart. And every time it’s those three children who come to him, with their wet eyes, he couldn’t bear to refuse.
A time or two, he didn’t think much of it, but three or four times… that’s a problem. Currently, other colleagues are handling the children, and he’s extremely troubled, but doesn’t know how to respond without hurting the children’s self-esteem. After all, they are the children of martyrs.
Who is Shen Meng? He couldn’t hide it even if he tried. And he certainly wouldn’t hide anything from her, especially something that might be a violation of principles.
He told Shen Meng everything, including his inner thoughts.
He had initially thought nothing of it, but now seeing Shen Meng’s increasingly cold expression, his heart pounded. He suddenly felt that if a look could kill, he would have died countless times already.
Shen Meng dislikes people who lack principles and boundaries. Lu Zhenping had been excellent in these areas before. But now he’s fallen prey to a sly woman’s tactics. Doesn’t he realize his mother and his fourth sister-in-law are the biggest manipulators?
“Mingyang, Mingliang, Mingfang, Mingkai, pack your things. We’re going to the county town. Your father has a house, children, and a woman in the provincial capital.”
Shen Meng stood up abruptly. Lu Zhenping jumped, also rising to his feet.
“What? Father has children in the provincial capital?”
“Father’s having an affair?”
“I’m going with Mother. Mother has worked so hard these years. How could you do something like this to her? I’m disappointed in you, Humph!”
“Ugh!”
The older three children could still talk things out, but the youngest one was practically insulting. The little brat ran into the house, grabbed his small backpack, and burst out.
“Mother, I’m ready. Let’s go. I’m going to the county town to find Xiaoya. I want to eat the big meat dumplings Grandma Qian makes.”
Lu Zhenping’s temples throbbed with anger.
“No, I’m innocent! I really am! There are no children, no women. I told you, I didn’t do anything. Several colleagues jointly organized the fundraising. Ultimately, the local police delivered the gifts and money. Those children, for some reason, went straight to me. I only saw them twice. I haven’t seen them since. I’m truly innocent. I just wanted you and the children to come to the provincial capital with me so we wouldn’t have to deal with this mess.”
◈◈◈
“Humph. You’re hiding something. Come clean, or we won’t go. I’m the secretary of the Ning County Revolutionary Committee now, and I’m very busy.”
“Look, I didn’t want to make it too obvious. Why do you have to ask so directly? Although it was the army’s arrangement, suddenly being promoted to deputy bureau chief in the provincial capital… It’s probably someone else’s position, someone trying to make trouble. Just pretend you don’t see it, and let’s move on.”
So everything else was just a lie. He still wants to lure her to the provincial capital.
It’s not impossible to go, but I’ll only go after I’ve settled my work in the county town. From now on, speak directly. You’ve been beating around the bush for so long, and you’ve upset the kids.”
Lu Zhenping: “…”
Communication issues. He actually wanted to see if his wife would get jealous. But he didn’t expect such a strong reaction. In a few words, the family was almost destroyed.
The brick kiln hasn’t been completed yet. It’s Ning County’s largest brick kiln, built after thorough investigation and consideration. The clay in Lujia Village is abundant, and Shen Meng promised to prioritize the employment of Lujia Village’s strong laborers.
Other communes are also actively showcasing their strengths, hoping to gain Shen Meng’s attention.
This will improve the lives of the commune members.
Everyone in Ning County is now highly motivated. Feng Si, who has risen to the county government, now obeys Shen Meng’s every command.
Xiao Zhang heard that Shen Meng was going to the provincial capital, and he begged her for tasks. Shen Meng considered carefully before assigning a few tasks. Xiao Zhang was ecstatic and jumped up and down in the county party committee compound.
Shen Meng sighed and shook her head. This is how a powerful leader is born. Watching him work so hard, she sometimes feels guilty, almost unable to resist his requests.
Lu Jiaxuan still works at the commune. He had thought that after Feng Si’s promotion, he would at least take over Xiao Zhang’s position. After all, their promotions were thanks to their sister-in-law.
But nothing changed. He remained a commune cadre, with no promotion, and no pay increase.
Zhou Jiaojiao, working tirelessly at the textile factory, was also frustrated. Sometimes, when getting food at the canteen, she saw Wu Xianglan resting outside the factory, and her anger flared.
She didn’t understand why Shen Meng valued Wu Xianglan and Xie Jinghao so much, but was so critical of her. She’s so kind and easy to get along with, but she just couldn’t win her favor!
Shen Meng didn’t care about any of this. She, along with her children, packed up and boarded the bus to the provincial capital with Lu Zhenping.
Seeing his wife and children around him, Lu Zhenping was overjoyed.
After a nearly three-hour journey, the bus passed through two small lanes and stopped in front of a courtyard.
Lu Mingkai had already had enough of the bus ride. When the doors opened, he jumped out first. Mingyang, fearing he would run off, quickly followed, grabbing him to stop him.
At the gate, the two of them saw three dirty children sitting at the gate, watching them warily.
