The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Chapter 931: Chapter 909: Top Student in the 1980s (Part 37)

He Erniu often wrote letters to Anning.

The sisterly bond between them really developed deeper.

Meanwhile, at Anning’s house, people started introducing potential partners to Xiangling.

Most of them were acquaintances, and the prospects seemed quite promising.

There were workers’ children from certain factories, who had houses and were divorced, with two kids. Their wives had died in childbirth when the second child was born, and they had not remarried for years for the sake of the children. Knowing about Xiangling’s situation, they wished to find someone to propose on their behalf, saying that if Xiangling took good care of the children, the children would surely be filial to her in the future.

There were also school teachers with one son who was already eighteen and about to take the university entrance exam. The fathers thought that since the children had grown up, they didn’t fear stepmothers mistreating them, so they considered remarriage.

Anyway, they were all not young anymore, had houses, but had children to raise.

Some even had three or four children.

It seemed like marrying Xiangling meant having her help take care of the children and do some housework as well.

The matchmakers thought they were introducing quite decent options, believing it was all for Xiangling’s good.

But Secretary An was infuriated.

Why should it be?

The daughter she finally got back, she was reluctant to let her do much housework, so why should she go elsewhere to work hard serving a whole family?

Secretary An certainly couldn’t bear it.

Zhang Heping couldn’t bear it either.

They weren’t short of money, able to support their daughter, even if she spent her entire life at home without marrying, they could still provide for her.

In the future, when they were gone, wouldn’t there still be a younger daughter? The age difference between the young and old daughters was significant. When the elder daughter was old, the younger would still be young, able to look after her sister.

Secretary An had no intention of having Anning support Xiangling. She and Zhang Shuping would certainly leave enough money for Xiangling in the future, just hoping Anning would slightly look after Xiangling to prevent her from any grievances.

Secretary An thought this way and spoke to Xiangling in the same manner.

”What kind of families are these, all with children who are already so big? How can they become accustomed to you? They make it sound nice about being filial in the future, but who can’t say these words? Can you believe them?”

Xiangling wasn’t foolish.

She could see through it too.

”Mom, don’t be angry, I won’t marry. I’ll just stay home with you and Dad.”

Xiangling hadn’t thought about remarriage.

The marriage with Zhang Erzhu had hurt her enough, she didn’t want to marry again.

Secretary An felt those being introduced to Xiangling had ulterior motives, she never wanted Xiangling not to marry, she also wished for her daughter to have a fulfilling life.

But where to find a good match, especially someone mature, without children or family burdens?

Secretary An turned away a whole batch of people, and the house became peaceful again.

As the days grew colder, Xiangling went to Hou Jun’s place to order winter clothes for the family.

Over the past half year, Xiangling often visited Hou Jun’s shop, sometimes bringing him food, and Hou Jun would give her small handmade items in return. The frequent interactions made them familiar, and their relationship was quite good.

Xiangling came to order clothes, and Hou Jun personally entertained her, taking her to the small guest lounge, brewing tea, and offering snacks.

”I’ve heard that you were introduced to some potential partners recently?”

After pouring the tea, Hou Jun directly asked Xiangling.

Xiangling took a sip of the hot tea and replied, ”Yes, quite a few introductions, but my mom doesn’t approve, saying their intentions aren’t pure, not looking for a wife but a nanny.”

Hou Jun felt relieved.

As Xiangling was about to give him her measurements, he suddenly asked, ”What do you think of me?”

”Huh?”

Xiangling nearly dropped the teacup. ”What did you say?”

Hou Jun asked again, ”I mean, how about we date? I want to marry you.”

Xiangling was so shocked she stood up abruptly, ”Brother Hou, don’t joke around, I... I’ve been married, I’ve had a child, and I got injured during childbirth, I probably can’t have any more children in the future, you... with your conditions, you can find anyone you want.”

Hou Jun, being of a certain age, spoke openly, without concern about embarrassment, and said loudly, ”But I just want to marry you, not being able to have children doesn’t matter, I just click with you, and we have endless things to talk about. I imagine, if we lived together, wouldn’t life be wonderful and prosperous?”

Hou Jun truly admired Xiangling.

Putting aside other conditions, he felt very relaxed and genuinely happy when with Xiangling.

In his life, he had suffered, been wounded, and faced all kinds of hardships, so he had an open view of things.

He just wished, in the latter half of his life, to find someone he clicked with, to live together in harmony, with a warm, lively home.

”My family once had bad social status; I had been married, but she couldn’t bear the hardships and left early. Later, I gave up on remarrying, thinking that living alone was also good. Who knew I’d meet you...”

Xiangling was stunned.

She also had a fondness for Hou Jun.

She thought Hou Jun was truly nice, only feeling that his conditions were too good for her.

”I...”

Facing Hou Jun’s earnest expression, Xiangling found herself unable to refuse.

Hou Jun smiled, ”I’ll go buy the gifts, today I’ll visit your home with a proposal.”

After speaking, he stormed out.

Xiangling, startled, dashed out after him.

When Anning came home from school at noon, she saw that there were guests in the house.

She put down her backpack and went to the kitchen to ask Secretary An, ”Mom, who’s here today, someone I’ve never seen before, why are they visiting?”

Secretary An glanced at Anning, ”They came to propose, they fancy your sister.”

”Ah?” Anning was quite surprised too, ”That person seems pretty nice, has a good face, seems like a good person.”

Secretary An, in a slightly annoyed tone, said, ”What do you know, quickly, take some money and go buy some cold cuts or something.”

Anning went inside, took some money, and went out to buy meat and cold cuts.

When she returned, Zhang Heping was already sharing drinks with Hou Jun.

Anning cut the cold cuts, arranged them on a plate, and brought them into the living room, where she heard Zhang Heping asking about Hou Jun’s situation.

Hou Jun candidly explained.

Almost everyone in his family had passed, leaving only him.

Zhang Heping asked about Hou Jun’s current work, to which Hou Jun explained that his grandmother’s family used to make Dragon Robes for the Royal family, and he had learned the craft of tailoring and embroidery from his grandmother.

When he was young, his grandmother was reluctant to teach him, but since he loved the craft, and considering his poor health in childhood, his grandmother ultimately taught him.

After the family’s reputation was restored, he earned money with his embroidery skills and renovated their house, eventually opening a tailoring shop.

Hou Jun was very honest, explaining everything necessary.

”Uncle, my house has over ten rooms, not far from here, you can visit sometime. Recently, I saved up and bought a house in the Provincial City. If Xiangling marries me, she can choose wherever she wants to live. Even if she wishes to live in the Capital, I’ll find a way for her.”

When Hou Jun said this, his tone was confident, yet his sincerity made Zhang Heping feel he wasn’t bragging; he might indeed have the capability.

Anning returned, and Secretary An pulled her aside, ”What have your dad and he been talking about?”

Anning recounted the conversation word for word.

Secretary An glanced at Xiangling, busy cooking in the kitchen, her face couldn’t hide her smile.

”Ah, a grown daughter really can’t be kept, can she?”

Secretary An sighed, resigned to lend a hand to Xiangling.