The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Chapter 922: Chapter 900: Top Student in the 1980s 28

Now that it’s cold, there’s not much work to do in the fields. The entire family knew that today was Zhang Erzhu’s matchmaking day. After breakfast, they all went to visit neighbors early.

Zhang Gouxiong was wondering how the matchmaking went and wanted to take a look, so he came back early.

As soon as he entered, he was stunned to see Chunfeng.

Chunfeng smiled at Zhang Gouxiong, ”You’re back.”

Zhang Gouxiong nodded, ”Yeah, I’m back.”

Zhang Erzhu didn’t think much of it.

Zhang Gouxiong said to Zhang Erzhu, ”Go to the village edge and get some meat.”

To make Zhang Erzhu hurry and get the meat, he even gave Zhang Erzhu five yuan, ”While you’re at it, buy some seeds and candies.”

Zhang Erzhu felt quite happy upon hearing this. He thought his father was finally showing an interest in his marriage; it was support for him. So he happily took the money and left.

By this time, the matchmaker had also gone out for a visit. As soon as Zhang Erzhu left, Zhang Gouxiong said to Chunfeng, ”Come in and sit down.”

Once they were inside, Chunfeng started crying, ”Brother, I never thought... I could see you again. You don’t know how hard my life has been these years, my dead husband...”

Zhang Gouxiong felt bad about it too, ”What happened in the past was my fault. I couldn’t control myself, I really liked you.”

Chunfeng wiped her tears and asked Zhang Gouxiong, ”Do you still like me now?”

Zhang Gouxiong was taken aback.

He didn’t say he still liked her, but neither did he deny it.

Chunfeng smiled, ”All these years, I’ve kept thinking of you. I imagine you haven’t forgotten me either. I heard your wife is in trouble and might be executed. Will you be looking for someone new then?”

Zhang Gouxiong sighed, ”What’s there to look for? I won’t be looking.”

”Is that so?”

Chunfeng seemed disappointed and got up to leave, ”Then I won’t stay long, I’ll just...”

But after only a few steps, Chunfeng tripped.

Zhang Gouxiong hurriedly went to help her, and Chunfeng fell right into his arms.

Zhang Erzhu came back with the meat and candies, only to see Chunfeng laughing and talking with Zhang Gouxiong.

Zhang Gouxiong gave some of the candies to Chunfeng and told Zhang Erzhu to call his elder sister-in-law to come back and cook.

Chunfeng and the matchmaker had lunch at Zhang Erzhu’s house before leaving.

Zhang Erzhu thought this event was set in stone and was quite happy for a few days.

However, a few days later, the matchmaker came by and said Chunfeng had agreed to it, but she wasn’t interested in Zhang Erzhu; it was Zhang Gouxiong she liked.

Hearing this, Zhang Erzhu felt as if he had been struck by lightning.

Zhang Dazhu and Sanzhu Sizhu were equally shocked.

They thought the matchmaker had made a mistake, ”What? Wasn’t this a match for Erzhu? How did it end up being our father she fancied?”

Nobody in the family had the idea that Zhang Gouxiong might look for a new partner.

The matchmaker turned to look at Zhang Gouxiong.

Zhang Gouxiong placed his tobacco pipe on the table, ”What? Can’t I find another wife? You all have your own families and homes, why should I be alone? Chunfeng likes me, and I like her. As soon as your mother is executed, I’ll immediately marry Chunfeng.”

What did this mean?

Was he hoping for their mother to die quickly?

The Zhang brothers were instantly filled with resentment. Not only was Chunfeng originally being matched with Zhang Erzhu, but now their father was snatching his son’s match. Plus, their mom hadn’t even been executed yet, and Zhang Gouxiong was already thinking of marrying again. This was truly disheartening.

Zhang Erzhu felt utterly disgusted, as if he had swallowed a fly.

”Dad, how can you do this? You...”

Zhang Erzhu struggled to speak as he was overwhelmed with emotions.

”What’s wrong?”

Zhang Gouxiong was bold, seemingly shameless, ”Can’t I get married? I am your father, and you have to listen to me. I’m determined to marry Chunfeng, and you can find someone else later.”

Zhang Erzhu squatted on the ground, slapping his own face.

He felt ashamed to be alive.

Zhang Dazhu and the others also felt extremely embarrassed and ashamed.

In the days that followed, the Zhang brothers quarreled with Zhang Gouxiong, determined not to let him remarry, believing it was humiliating.

And then during this time, the county held a trial and executed a batch of felons, among whom was Second Pillar’s mother.

That day, the Zhang brothers went to the county to retrieve their mother’s body, hired a hearse to bring it back, and began the mourning and burial rituals.

No matter what, when a person dies, they should be buried for peace.

During the days of mourning, only a few people from the village came to pay their respects—barely any. Some of the daughters-in-law’s families showed up, and a few relatives from the Zhang family.

The mourning lasted for three days before the burial.

Barely had they finished burying Second Pillar’s mother and were returning home when Zhang Gouxiong gathered a few brothers and relatives to announce he was getting married.

And then...

The relatives of the Zhang family all looked at the Zhang brothers with sympathetic eyes.

Zhang Dazhu kneeled in front of Zhang Gouxiong, begging tearfully for him to wait, at least until a hundred days had passed since their mother’s death.

But Zhang Gouxiong wouldn’t agree.

Zhang Dazhu’s wife was furious as well.

Even though she didn’t have a great relationship with her mother-in-law, after half a lifetime, she was finally free from her mother-in-law’s oppression. But barely had they buried her real mother-in-law when her father-in-law was ready to bring in a new one. How could she accept it?

Zhang Dazhu’s wife sternly retorted to Zhang Gouxiong, ”My mother just got buried, and we haven’t even taken off our mourning caps. Dad, do you think this is appropriate? And does Li Chunfeng dare to enter our home at this time? Isn’t she afraid my mother might visit her at night?”

Zhang Gouxiong glared at Zhang Dazhu’s wife, ”The household is falling apart, and I, as the father, have no authority left. Dazhu, what is your wife talking about? Is she trying to drive me to my death?”

Zhang Gouxiong immediately sat down on the ground, picked up a stone from somewhere, and threatened to smash it against his forehead, ”You all say I’m a disgrace. Well then, I won’t live anymore. Let’s see if you have any face left when I’m gone.”

He started to make a scene right in front of everyone.

Zhang Dazhu was so angry he almost fainted.

Zhang Erzhu went directly back to his mother’s grave and started crying again.

The county

After dinner, Anning told Secretary An, ”Mom, I’m going out to play for a while.”

Kids at this time all loved to play together after dinner.

Even in the middle of winter, they couldn’t resist their playful nature, running around outside without feeling cold.

Secretary An didn’t restrain Anning, ”Alright, just remember to come back early.”

Anning left home, but she wasn’t going to play with her friends.

She specifically chose today to go out and observe the earth’s energy.

Anning walked out from the steel plant, observing the way as she walked.

In the past, wealthy families would examine Feng Shui before building their houses. Generally, they would choose locations with good Feng Shui. Y County had had some wealthy families, but it was now uncertain where they had lived. Anning was searching for this.

As she walked, she studied the geological trends and eventually reached the outskirts of the county.

The steel plant was built near the edge, and she soon arrived at a village nearby.

Upon reaching this place, Anning noticed that there were no buildings around and paused her steps.

She took a few more steps forward, observing a bit longer, then smiled with pursed lips.

Looking around, Anning found a thick tree branch and started digging the ground with it.

Surprisingly, she dug much faster with the branch than with a shovel, creating a big pit in no time.

As she dug deeper, the branch hit something hard.

Quickly clearing away the topsoil, she brought out a box from below.

Opening it by moonlight, she found a layer of oiled paper inside. Unwrapping it revealed rows of small gold ingots.

Removing the ingots, underneath were dozens of gold rings, some rubies, and a cloth pouch.

Anning opened the cloth pouch to find it filled with diamonds and other items.

Carefully re-wrapping the pouch, she put everything back in the box, moved it to the side, filled the pit, and took the box home.

Using a concealing technique, Anning carried the box in such a way that nobody else could see it.

When Anning arrived home, Secretary An was out visiting neighbors, and Xiangling was talking to Zhang Heping.

Anning smiled, ”It’s too cold outside, so I came back early. I’m going to read inside.”

”Go ahead.”

Zhang Heping waved his hand.

Xiangling asked Anning, ”I just made some soup, would you like some?”

Once inside, Anning replied, ”No, thanks. I’ll just make some hot water to drink later.”

She placed the box on the floor, took out the contents, hid them, then pushed the box under her bed, using another concealing technique to ensure nobody would see the box.