The brick kiln factory opened, and they made a stew, a seaweed egg drop soup, and a pickled cabbage tofu dish, all with generous ingredients. The egg drop soup was taught by Shen Meng, who whisked the eggs finely and poured them into the pot at its boiling peak, stirring vigorously back and forth twice before serving, making it seem like each bowl contained eggs.

A group of men who usually had only two meals a day at home, now looking at baskets of buns and pots of dishes, couldn't help but want to pounce and eat their fill.

Shen Meng and Xiao Zhang, along with other commune directors including Feng Si, were dining together with Director Guo and Lu Jiaxuan, who were specifically invited by Feng Si, observed Shen Meng's demeanor at the brick kiln feeling very different emotions.

One felt a pride emanating from within, the other felt suffocated with discomfort in their heart.

After the official business was settled, Director Guo pulled Shen Meng aside.

"Xiao Meng, can I talk to you about something?"

"Aunt, please go ahead."

"It's like this, I see Zhenping is now working in the Provincial City, and Mingyang's children are about to transfer to the county schools. You're busy all the time, and there's no one to take care of the house. I was thinking of introducing someone to help you out at home, doing laundry, cooking, and cleaning and such. What do you think?"

Shen Meng actually had this idea too, but just hadn't found the right person.

On her maternal family's side, her second sister-in-law's daughter was still young, and Xiangxiang was now pregnant, so she definitely couldn't ask her parents to come help with the children. Mingyang's children, smart as they are, are just kids after all, and it's really not okay without an adult around.

"Aunt, not to hide it from you, I indeed have been wanting to find someone, just haven't come across the right person yet. Who is the person you are introducing, where are they from, how old are they, what kind of person are they, have any bad habits, have they gone to school?"

"Ah, you have so many requirements. Then the person I'm talking about definitely won't do. I'm talking about my maternal aunt's sister, who is divorced and now on her own. She's indeed honest and good with household chores, just that she hasn't been to school."

Guo Xiuxin spoke somewhat embarrassingly, she didn't expect Shen Meng's requirements to be so high. She just thought the woman pitiful, and thus wanted to help. She had also thought of placing her in the Head Flower Factory, but the woman's sewing skills weren't great, and she spoke in a blunt manner. It would definitely be uncomfortable for her in the Head Flower Factory, and perhaps helping out in someone's home would be better.

Moreover, Shen Meng was amiable, and Mingyang's children were clever and well-behaved. The woman would surely find her spirits broadened a bit, which was the initial intent. But with Shen Meng's high requirements, it looked like this arrangement might fall through.

Shen Meng did not concern herself with these, as there were plenty of pitiful people in the world. Mingyang's children were growing up gradually, and the person accompanying them could not just be adept at household chores. Otherwise, she might as well let the children stay with Aunt Chang to be fed.

"Aunt, this definitely won't work here. I'm constantly busy running around. The person overseeing Mingyang's siblings must have some insight, capable of managing them, because at home, we have only Fangfang as the girl. When she is around, Mingyang's siblings manage to restrain themselves a bit. If she isn't there, they could tear the roof off in just a moment, oh boy, now I finally realize how precious having a daughter is."

"Isn't that so? Just when you're married, you think of having a son for your in-laws, securing your status by giving them a son for an explanation. But only those who have daughters realize how affectionate a girl is, just like a little padded jacket."

Shen Meng smiled and said nothing. She certainly did not hold the idea of favoring males over females, nor did she care about giving any explanations to 'those in-law's uncle's legs.'

While taking a sip of water, she saw Lu Jiaxuan sitting to one side, head drooped, listlessly picking at his food, completely out of tune with the cheerful atmosphere around.

"What's with Jiaxuan, he looks so gloomy?"

"Hey, it's been quite a few days since you returned to the village; naturally, you wouldn't know. He and his wife had a fight the other night, a bitter one at that. What an affair, eh? They used to live a tough life together and were so affectionate every day. Now that life has improved and both securing secure jobs, they've started to squabble out of idleness."

Shen Meng: "....."

Aren't leading men supposed to be head over heels in love with leading ladies? How come he's throwing punches instead of love???

"That's not acceptable, hitting female comrades is not allowed, I'll need to have a serious talk with him later."

"It's not entirely Lao Si's fault, who knows what kind of trouble Jiaojiao encountered in the factory, and came home to take it out on her husband and kids. Just a small quibble, couples fight at the head of the bed but make up at the foot, it's no big deal."

Shen Meng nodded solemnly, whether there was a problem or not, it had nothing to do with her. No, it couldn't be said it had nothing to do with her; she was part of the atmosphere team.

Guo Xiuxin hasn't seen Shen Meng in a while, pulling her in for a long chat. Just then, Xiao Zhang came over to remind her of the meeting in the afternoon. Director Guo, quite perceptively, greeted and then excused herself.

Shen Meng tidied up her lunch box; she was about to go look for Lu Jiaxuan when Xiao Zhang suddenly stopped her.

"Secretary General, I... I just heard Director Guo say you were looking for someone to take care of Mingyang and the others, I have a candidate, a very hardworking girl, she's nineteen this year, strong, honest, and enthusiastic, she's also attended primary school."

Shen Meng raised her eyebrows, giving him a scrutinizing look, causing Xiao Zhang's face to turn beet red, almost mesmerized.

"I... I just want to help her, she's from our village, and her parents are good people, with two elder sisters and one younger brother. Her brother is eighteen and is working at our brick kiln factory, I know them well."

"Look at you, I didn't say anything bad, being young is good, young girls react quickly, I indeed wanted someone to help look after the kids, given my usual busyness, and can't always leave them at home or at Director Qi's place. Okay, bring the girl over to our house in a few days to see, if it works out, she can stay; if not, I won't force it!"

"Ah, okay, okay Secretary General, I'll go and talk to her immediately."

Shen Meng watched his face flush red, his nervous yet happy demeanor, clear signs of being smitten.

Having finished their conversation, she handed her lunch box directly to Xiao Zhang, then turned and walked towards Lu Jiaxuan.

What a perfect opportunity to stir some trouble, she didn't want to miss it.

Lu Jiaxuan was eating lunch when suddenly he felt a shadow over him, and he looked up to see the rather stern Shen Meng.

He quickly stood up, swallowed the food in his mouth, and gave her a smile. Regardless of everything, Shen Meng held a higher position now and was also his elder, he inevitably had to show some politeness.

"Elder sister-in-law."

Shen Meng frowned, sizing him up from head to toe.

"Jiaxuan, what's with you looking so listless, today is the grand opening day of the brick kiln factory, this won't do with your current state!"