Chapter 269 - 202: Such a High Income

"And another thing, the AC in Meng Meng’s car is so comfortable. The air blowing in your car made my arthritis flare up."

Wu Min couldn’t take it anymore. ’Shen Meng has automatic climate control, and I just have a regular AC. How can they possibly feel the same? There’s a huge price difference between them!’

"Mom, from now on, don’t ride in my car when we go out. Just have Shen Meng drive you. You’re too high-maintenance."

Shen Meng knew they were just bickering, so she smiled and said, "Auntie, just ride with me from now on. I have more free time these days. If you really need anything, calling on me is even more convenient than calling on Minmin."

Wu Min said in surprise, "How could you possibly be more available than me? I can leave work early whenever I want now. Wang Hua just has to clock me out."

Jia Lian added, "Meng Meng, your new job seems to be treating you well, so you should just focus on that. Don’t let anything affect your work. I don’t have much going on usually, and if there’s a real emergency, I can just take a taxi. We managed just fine before the family had cars, didn’t we?"

That was true; it was all just idle chatter. Shen Meng’s job at Yanghe Commerce was flexible. As long as she had the livestreams scheduled and sorted, her work was done. She didn’t have to clock in or out—the sales department was all about results.

Ever since he heard Shen Meng was coming back, Tang Bin had been on pins and needles. He couldn’t even stay in his own house, terrified he might miss her arrival. He sat in his BMW with the air conditioning running, positioned so he could see the Shen Family’s gate in his rearview mirror. That way, he’d be the first to spot her the moment she appeared.

It was almost dinnertime. Old Tang came out of his courtyard, walked over to the BMW, and tapped on the window. "Come eat first. It won’t be too late to say hello after she’s actually home."

Busted, Tang Bin scratched his head. Just as he was about to get out of the car, he happened to glance at his rearview mirror and saw a white car heading their way.

He got out and stood with Old Tang, both of them watching the approaching vehicle. "Well, I’ll be. Looks like someone around here got a new Mercedes. Seems brand new, too. Huh, and it’s got Qingzhou plates."

As it drew nearer, they could see the license plate started with "Qing A," just like Tang Bin’s.

Now, neither of them was in a hurry to go inside. That’s just how things were in their hometown. Any time someone bought a new car, it became the talk of the town, fodder for gossip. This was fueled by a competitive streak—if you bought a 3-Series today, I’d buy a 5-Series tomorrow. If you could afford a Mercedes E-Class, then whoever bought a Mercedes S-Class the next day would be the one with the most prestige in Shenjia Village.

The radiant white paint of the Mercedes C260L shimmered under the sun as the car pulled to a slow stop on the roadside, right outside the Shen Family’s courtyard.

There were no parking lots here; everyone just parked their cars along the side of the road. It was a rural lane with little traffic. When the Tang father and son saw who stepped out of the car, their faces filled with utter disbelief.

It was Shen Meng. ’Doesn’t she work in Qingzhou City?’ Old Tang thought. ’How is she driving a Mercedes C-Class?’ He’d already heard from his son that this model was several tens of thousands of yuan more expensive than his BMW 325.

Shen Meng pushed open the car door, dressed in a baggy T-shirt, casual shorts, and a pair of flat-soled sneakers.

The hem of her baggy T-shirt swayed above her white sneakers, offering a glimpse of her waist, while the edge of her shorts brushed against her pale thighs. She had specifically chosen a casual yet stylish NLB outfit for the drive.

Sensing an intense stare, she turned her head and saw the Tang father and son standing at the entrance to their courtyard. Tang Bin, like so many other men she encountered, was just gawking at her. She hated that kind of look.

Old Tang called out a greeting, "Meng Meng’s back."

Shen Meng nodded and called back, "Uncle Tang."

Jia Lian got out of the back seat and also greeted Old Tang. As her brother-in-law’s neighbor, she had of course met him before.

In the trunk, Shen Meng had a pile of health supplements, cigarettes, and liquor. Just as she and Wu Min were about to start carrying things, Shen Ming, who must have heard the voices outside, walked out of the courtyard.

Seeing his daughter and niece moving things from the trunk, he said, "Why did you buy so much stuff to bring home?" He told Shen Meng and Wu Min to grab the smaller items, then stacked the cases of liquor and cigarettes together and lifted them all in one big armful.

He grumbled at the same time, "We run a small convenience store at home. What is it that we don’t have? And you still go out and spend money buying things from others to bring back."

Jia Ru, following them into the Shen Family’s courtyard, teased, "Your little store doesn’t sell Maotai. Your daughter brings you a few bottles of good liquor out of filial piety, and you’re still grumbling."

Only then did Shen Ming look down. Sure enough, it was Maotai, and it even had the official seal from Yida Department Store.

"Meng Meng, what’s the point of buying such expensive liquor? I’m usually happy with a couple bottles of Erguotou. This stuff isn’t for a family like ours to drink. I’ll put it in the store to sell later and give the money back to you."

Shen Meng was exasperated. "Dad, I went through all the trouble of hauling it back here. If you just sell it, all my effort will have been for nothing."

If you tried to buy Maotai on the open market, there was a 99% chance you’d get a fake. Yang Hui had specially called the general manager of Yida Department Store and had them set aside a case for Shen Meng to pick up. The six cartons of soft-pack Zhonghua cigarettes were sourced the same way.

Just then, Jia Ru came out from the kitchen. "Elder Sister, please, come sit inside. The food is ready. I made sweet and sour pork ribs today, Minmin’s favorite."

Wu Min said happily, "Auntie Jia Ru is the best to me. My own mom only ever cooks what Shen Meng likes."

Shen Meng just smiled, following everyone inside to put her things down. She then went to the kitchen to help carry out the dishes, but was shooed out the moment she stepped in. "You get back out there. This is no place for you. Go on, out you go."

What could she do? She wasn’t the daughter of some wealthy tycoon, but her parents had never let her do a single chore in her life. As Shen Ming used to say, "Our family might not be rich, but that won’t stop our Meng Meng from being treated like a princess."