I Became a Vicious Supporting Role in the '70s-Chapter 250: Focus on Women’s Power

Mr. John’s team had just started their half-hour shift at the bus company when Hu Biao brought a man and a woman to the office. Fu Meili, who was listening to the music in the office, hurriedly came out, pausing in shock for quite a while.

In front of Shen Meng, one was holding a camera, while the other was recording in a notebook; both individuals wore badges around their necks. Her heart "thumped" nervously.

Seeing her approaching, Hu Biao quickly reached out and pulled her back.

"Director Fu, keep your voice down. The journalists are conducting an interview; let’s not disturb them."

"What, did Xiao Shen find lost money, bravely save someone, or help an old lady cross the street? Why are reporters suddenly here to interview her?"

Hu Biao gave her a look, laden with multiple meanings. Fu Meili felt like Hu Biao was looking down on her, thinking she wasn’t a good leader, not even aware of her own workers’ situations.

"Let me tell you about Sister Meng... never mind, just wait for the newspaper. I guarantee it’ll surprise you. Director Fu, having Sister Meng work at the bus company is indeed a blessing for you all. I wonder if she’ll take your bus company along with her, soon the entire Provincial City will know there’s a talented person at your bus company."

Fu Meili’s eyes lit up, regardless of what Shen Meng had done, as long as it was something positive and vibrant, and it would bring the bus company into the limelight, the higher-ups would definitely praise her work ethic. Now, she even moved forward a few steps, less concerned about Hu Biao before her.

Not just Fu Meili was surprised; everyone in the office was astonished to see Shen Meng being interviewed after merely selling a round of bus tickets. Mr. John had brought these individuals along, and the journalist and photographer didn’t even ask Shen Meng to stand up—they just started the interview, both seemingly inspired by her presence; the journalist’s pen nearly breaking from how fast he was writing.

"The power of an individual is insignificant, it’s all about unifying all the forces we can to unleash their greatest value. The potential of our working people is limitless; they can not only grow food to fill their stomachs but also create colorful products that will amaze the world."

"Comrade Shen Meng, what you said is wonderful. I didn’t expect our provincial city to have such incredible talent like you. This interview is truly fascinating. I’d love to learn more of your stories and maybe visit your hometown to see the current scale of Xiangyang Head Flower Factory and the styles of the head flowers?"

Shen Meng could handle the limelight, but the idea of visiting her hometown entailed interviewing her family members, both from her husband’s side and her own, which could lead to unpredictable outcomes especially with some contentious villagers.

She didn’t want the first line in the newspapers about her to be something like, "Dear public friends, did you know that she used to be sharp-tongued, disrespectful to her in-laws, fond of small gains, and now she has become a role model of the Provincial City, helped the county and the commune earn forty thousand in foreign exchange, what changed her so much..."

"Journalist, that might not work. Our Xiangyang Head Flower Factory is not yet operational, currently, our workers are rushing to complete Mr. John’s orders. Today’s interview is merely meant to promote our Xiangyang Commune and Ning County. Compared to my contributions, Mr. Li from the County Committee deserves more praise and an interview. He, along with Ning County’s Textile Factory and the Mechanical Factory in Provincial City, are the crucial backbones that secured this order. Without them, even if I were to praise our products to Mr. John, it wouldn’t be valid. Once again, the strength of an individual is negligible, my personal growth and experiences are not significant. What matters is the outcome we achieve. If you have time, I would kindly ask you to visit the Head Flower Factory’s director. She is a woman who recently finished her confinement period, managing to become the director of the Head Flower Factory. Since you, as a journalist, are also a woman, we should focus more on the strength of women."

The journalist was momentarily surprised, then looked deeply at Shen Meng. Yes, focus on the power of women; although the newspaper had sections on women, content sometimes gets cut or reduced due to other facts.

She was genuinely surprised; Comrade Shen Meng had such far-reaching thoughts.

"It’s my oversight, Comrade Shen. I’m really happy to have met you. When you visit Provincial City, please come to Guangming Newspaper; I’ll treat you to coffee."

"Absolutely, now we are friends. Comrade Fang Yan, since we are friends, I have a humble request. Could you include one more sentence in the interview?"

"What is it?"

Shen Meng hesitated, feeling a bit embarrassed: "Actually, aside from the Head Flower Factory, our Xiangyang Commune also started a food workshop, in collaboration with our county’s food factory. The intention was also to provide additional income to our commune members. We already have finished products; later, if you and your colleagues have time, you could visit our food factory with Mr. Hu Biao and see for yourself. Comrade Fang Yan, although Ning County is still impoverished, it is striving to develop and use its resources to sustain its people. As someone born and raised here, I hope to introduce it to more people, to show that Ning County is brimming with vitality. Please give Ning County more opportunities."

Fang Yan looked at this infinitely loving woman—in both the interview and her request, everything was for Ning County and to manifest its limited resources. Once she returned to the Provincial City, she must report thoroughly to her leaders and strive to secure recognition for Shen Meng.

Mr. Hu Biao, moved to tears, thought not only about his wife but also his father-in-law and their textile factory, specifically requesting the journalist to visit the food factory. His name would surely be mentioned in the newspapers too.

Sister Meng was indeed Sister Meng, always considering her family in everything she did.

Fu Meili, watching anxiously from the sidelines, wondered why the bus company hadn’t been mentioned yet. Both the journalist and the photographer seemed to have overlooked such a big sign!

After Mr. Hu Biao and his team left, those in the office immediately gathered around. Without waiting for others to speak, Fu Meili directly approached Shen Meng and spoke unhappily: "Shen Meng, I’ve been trying to catch your eye several times. Why didn’t you see? It was a great opportunity; the journalists from the Provincial City were here. Why didn’t you mention our bus company at all? You work in our unit but only cared about your Xiangyang Commune. If the commune is so great, why don’t you stay there and earn work points?"