Time-Travel: The Tragic Cannon Fodder Female Supporting Character Makes a Comeback
CHAPTER 20: The 1970s Naive Supporting Girl (20)
Meanwhile, at the Jiang household.
“Mother, why hasn’t that Song Susu returned yet? I saw Guo Juan, who went with her, came back yesterday,” asked Sun Caifeng, the eldest daughter-in-law, as she set bowls on the table.
Jiang Jian’e was short and slightly plump, with high cheekbones and upturned eyebrows, giving her a naturally fierce look.
She lifted a sip of noodle soup, then slurped up some noodles with her chopsticks, saying as she ate, “Probably didn’t catch up in time. She’s a sent-down youth, of course she’ll come back eventually.”
Sun Caifeng watched her mother-in-law eat with envy, swallowing hard. Unfortunately, with her mother-in-law in charge, this special bowl of mixed noodles was only for her.
Even the two sons couldn’t get any, let alone the daughters-in-law.
They all had girls in the family; just being able to eat cornbread was already a blessing.
Swallowing again, Sun Caifeng continued, “That’s good. There’s a whole basket of clothes waiting to be washed at home, just in time for her return. That girl doesn’t mind using soap, and she washes everything so cleanly.”
Jiang Jian’e scoffed and shook her head, “I don't know how her parents raised her. She looks like a blockhead. But at least she's rich and naive, and someone will do the housework. That extra money can improve our meals. The second son also landed a good favor. He handed over thirty yuan as a gift, and I bet they’ll arrange a temporary job for him in town next month.”
Hearing that her second son got a good assignment, Sun Caifeng’s smile faltered, so she quickly went over to pat her mother-in-law’s shoulder in flattery.
“Mother, Xiao Dong’s job is settled. After that, we’ll see about finding something for Junzi too, so our whole family can get into the city.”
Jiang Jian’e lifted her chin and replied casually, “Of course. They’re my sons; how could I be biased? Xiao Dong has more schooling, so that town job suits him. Junzi has only studied a few days, so we’ll have to look for him slowly. With your little sister around, once she makes something of herself, you’ll all benefit.”
Hearing her little sister’s name, Sun Caifeng’s smile grew even wider. “Ah, then Junzi and I thank you, Mother, and thank little sister as well.”
Even though the little sister-in-law was only nineteen, she was the apple of the family’s eye. She was clever and quick-witted from a young age, and it was said that she knew how to dig up medicinal herbs to sell for money when she was only ten. She was beautiful, excelled in her studies, and knew how to make money. According to her mother-in-law, she was a golden phoenix; with this daughter, there was no worry about food or drink.
This year, the little sister-in-law had started running a small business in town. Since she was working secretly at first, things didn’t go smoothly and she even lost some money.
Luckily, she met Song Susu, a big, silly girl who didn’t mind helping out. With that, the little sister-in-law’s capital grew, and recently her business was picking up. She could earn around two yuan a day.
For villagers who relied on farming, that was no small sum. And the little sister-in-law said it could even multiply a few times over.
Goodness, how much money is that? It even surpasses the earnings of a regular City worker!
Thinking of this, Sun Caifeng’s face lit up with delight. Whatever the little sister-in-law earned belonged to her mother-in-law, but the mother would naturally reserve it for her two sons. So the more the little sister-in-law earned, the better. As long as she stayed unmarried, the whole family would benefit.
Sun Caifeng became even more attentive. “Mother, you eat while I go get you another bowl of noodle soup.”
“Go ahead, and bring me a piece of pickled vegetable too. The noodles are a little bland.”
“All right,” she replied.
Sun Caifeng smiled and headed to fetch the soup. Before she even reached the small kitchen, the door suddenly banged open.
Startled, she froze and instinctively turned to look.
Standing there was a pretty young woman, leading an equally cute little boy.
Sun Caifeng blinked in surprise and asked aloud, “Who are you?”
Song Susu glanced around and saw only the two of them. She raised her eyebrow. Not the whole family, huh?
“You’re already eating noodles. Life’s treating you well. Must be fun playing with my money,” she said with a smirk.
Song Yuanchao glared fiercely at them too. Anyone who dared bully his sister was going to get a taste of his fists just like she would.
At that, Sun Caifeng froze, and even Jiang Jian’e paused mid-bite to look over.
Sun Caifeng stepped forward with her bowl, scrutinizing carefully, then asked uncertainly, “Y-you’re Song Susu?”
Song Susu let out a soft snort, settling herself and her brother on a long wooden bench in the yard. “Oh wow, you finally remembered me. Took you long enough.”
Sun Caifeng’s mouth opened, but no words came out. She still couldn’t believe it. This really was Song Susu, and the change was shocking. Instinctively, she glanced at her mother-in-law.
Jiang Jian’e furrowed her brows and studied Song Susu’s face for a long moment, then slammed her chopsticks onto the table with a sharp clack.
“Susu, what are you talking about? Don’t forget who saved you. My Xiaoli risked herself to rescue you. That little comment of yours just now—it had a meaning.”
Song Susu tossed her bundle to her brother and slowly stood up. “Oh, so you understood? That’s exactly what I meant.”
“Don’t sidestep. When are you paying back the money you borrowed from me? You said it was for medical expenses, but I see everyone’s perfectly fine now.”
At this, Jiang Jian’e reacted like someone had stepped on her tail, slapping the table hard.
“How dare you! My family never borrowed money from you. You gave it voluntarily to honor me. There’s no reason to take it back. And without my daughter saving you, you’d have banged your head to death ages ago.”
Song Susu clicked her tongue and walked over, slapping the table herself. The wood cracked, and one of the legs collapsed with a loud bang.
Boom!
Everything on the table clattered down in a mess. The bowl of noodles that had barely been touched smashed onto the ground, the pale strands instantly coated in dirt and mud, ruined beyond saving.
“Ah! My noodles!”
Jiang Jian’e flew into a rage and lunged to shove Song Susu. Song Susu dodged cleanly, then shoved back without hesitation.
With her slightly plump frame, Jiang Jian’e staggered a few steps, lost her balance, and fell hard backward.
Bang.
She crashed straight into a metal basin behind her. Sun Caifeng was completely stunned by the chaos, but she still rushed over to help her mother-in-law up. “Mom, are you okay?”
“You little slut! You barged into my house trying to kill me! This old woman got pushed down by you. I’m reporting you to the police. Without a thousand yuan, don’t even think about settling this!”
Song Susu crossed her arms and strolled closer at an unhurried pace. “Oh really? Then let me help you up.”
As she spoke, she moved in, quick and precise, and stepped squarely on the two hands Jiang Jian’e had pressed against the ground.
Jiang Jian’e let out a piercing scream. “Ah!”
Song Susu covered her ears, putting more weight down with her foot, not loosening at all. She snapped impatiently, “What are you screaming for? Why did you put your hands under my foot? You almost made me strain my waist. My life is way more precious than yours. If something happens to me, can you afford it? Without ten thousand yuan, don’t even think about settling this!”
Jiang Jian’e was sweating profusely, her lips trembling as she spat out curses. “You little brat, I will never forgive you…”
“Really? And who do you think you are? Without me, you wouldn’t even be able to eat a single bowl of noodles. This is what you call eating your mother's food and then trying to smash her bowl. It should be me who won't forgive you!”
Song Susu grinned and gave another sharp kick.
“Ah—!!”
Jiang Jian’e’s eyes rolled back and she passed out instantly.
Sun Caifeng panicked and let go immediately, scrambling back into the house. “Ah! Don’t come after me! I didn’t take the money! It was my mother-in-law, my sister-in-law, my second brother-in-law and others who used it! Don’t come looking for me!”
Bang!
She slammed the door shut behind her.
FIn her memory, this Sister-in-law Jiang had often bullied people alongside Jiang Jian'e. Song Susu kicked the unresponsive person on the ground to confirm that the person was truly unconscious.
She grabbed some hemp rope from the yard, tied the woman up, and started dragging her toward the house.
“Sis, I’ll help you!”
Song Yuanchao ran over excitedly, copying his sister’s boldness and kicked the door open with flair.
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