I Became a Vicious Supporting Role in the '70s

Mixing dough and rolling out wrappers, the filling that had been prepared early in the morning was ready—after a drizzle of hot oil, the cabbage and streaky pork mixture emitted a tantalizing fragrance. Four children gathered around the low kitchen table, peering eagerly.

Shen Meng, once a minor office worker who loved to cook during weekend days off, had now picked up cooking again, her skill gradually resembling something impressive.

"Mother, can Aunt Xifeng have one? She used to secretly cook eggs for me!" Lu Mingkai said as he swallowed hard.

Ming Fang, worrying that Mother might feel hurt, hurriedly said, "The dumplings are ready, Mother should eat first. You’ve not fully recovered, and you work every day. Ming Kai is right, isn’t he?"

Shen Meng glanced at Ming Fang. You could really say that daughters are like intimate little cotton-padded jackets. In the span of less than half a month, she had grown so considerate.

"It’s fine. Ming Kai is a kind child, always remembering Aunt Xifeng’s kindness. I made dumplings with two kinds of dough. We’ll eat the ones with white flour and save some for Daqing, Erqing, and Gao Gao. The others, made with mixed dough, will be sent back home with them for their mother. Just use the bag I’ve prepared. The rest we’ll send over to Grandma Chang."

Mingyang frowned, confused, "Mother, why make two different kinds of dough? If we’re giving them to others, we should give the good kind."

"You can give them, but only if people are willing to accept. Times are tough in the countryside these days. As for white flour meat-stuffed dumplings, there are shameless people who would refuse your offer but still covet what you have. Like Daqing’s mother, Aunt Xifeng, Grandma Chang—they live a hard life yet still care for us. How could such good people accept something so fine from us? Don’t worry, the filling is the same for all dumplings. The mixed dough has more white flour than cornmeal, they’ll be able to taste the difference."

Having heard Shen Meng’s explanation, Mingyang had no objections. The reasoning of adults must be sound. The mother he used to know would hoard even the smallest things for herself, but now she not only prepares a variety of food for them but also repays those who had been kind to them in the past. Such a mother was as good as one could get, and he somewhat regretted the words he had just said.

Shen Meng pretended not to notice the change in Lu Mingyang’s expression. She continued to shape dumplings without pause, and in no time at all, two portions were ready. Lu Mingliang, who was keen on lively activities, had already started boiling the water when Shen Meng was halfway through the batch. It was just the right time to cook the dumplings.