The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Chapter 945: Chapter 923: Straight-A Student in the 1980s 51

No one was playing with Secretary An anymore, and the Old Madam was feeling down.

She asked Zhang Heping, ”Do you think my mouth is a bit annoying? Otherwise, why is nobody coming over to play with me anymore?”

What could Zhang Heping say?

Could he dare to say his wife is annoying?

”Not at all, they’re just jealous, that’s what it is.”

Anning overheard the elderly couple mumbling about this inside and couldn’t help but chuckle quietly.

Others might think these two are showing off too much outside.

But Anning didn’t feel that way at all.

What could elderly people have trouble with? It’s just about their children’s business, right? Secretary An is showing off, but isn’t everyone like that? Which of those old men and women outside aren’t showing off? When something good happens at home, they can’t wait for the whole world to know. It’s just that they can’t outshine Secretary An.

Moreover, Anning thinks it’s okay for older people to show off a bit, it’s nothing shameful. Besides, she’s confident she can make sure the elderly couple has something to show off for life, never falling behind others, and that’s fine with her.

Soon enough, Secretary An had new friends to play with.

This time she stopped going shopping, and organized a choir together with some retired elderly people, bustling around with practicing songs every day, never afraid of having idle time anymore.

That day, just as Secretary An came back from outside, still in her outdoor clothes, the phone at home rang.

She quickly answered the phone.

Upon hearing it was Sister Xu calling, Secretary An smiled, ”Hey there, big sister, it’s you. We haven’t chatted in a while, what’s the matter?”

Sister Xu also laughed, ”Oh, nothing major, just wanted to have a casual chat with you.”

”You haven’t come to see the kids for a while.”

Secretary An laughed, ”The kids miss you. Xiangling said when the weather warms up, she’d come with the kids and stay for a few days.”

”That sounds wonderful,” Sister Xu’s face was all smiles, ”I’ve been missing the kids too. I’ll get the house ready for when Xiangling comes back.”

Then, Sister Xu lowered her voice, ”Let me tell you something, someone from the Capital came back and told me that my Yuanzi is seeing someone.”

”Really?” Secretary An laughed and asked, ”Have you asked the kid? Is it true? Who is it?”

Sister Xu said, ”I haven’t asked the kid yet, but I heard it’s a student from Jing University. They’ve seen Yuanzi and that girl together a few times. I want to ask Yuanzi but I’m a bit afraid, just in case it’s not true. I thought maybe you could ask Anning, since Anning and Yuanzi are close, like siblings. Maybe Yuanzi has mentioned it to Anning.”

Secretary An thought for a moment, ”Alright, I’ll ask Anning later.”

The two chatted a little more and then ended the call.

Just as Anning came back from school, she was about to put her schoolbag down when Secretary An called her over.

”Ningning, do you know about Xiao Yuan seeing someone?”

This question really confused Anning.

Anning thought, did I slip up somehow? But that can’t be, Xiao Yuan is in the Capital now, far away. Even if he wanted to date someone, he couldn’t.

”No, I don’t.”

Anning shook her head, ”Mom, where did you hear that? I don’t know anything about him seeing someone.”

Secretary An laughed, ”Your aunt called and mentioned it. She heard from a fellow townsman that Xiao Yuan was seen with a girl several times and they seemed close, so they guessed he might be dating her.”

Anning thought for a moment and understood, ”That’s not it. That girl should be my second sister.”

Secretary An then remembered that He Erniu seemed to be studying at Jing University too.

”Could it be that Xiao Yuan likes your second sister?”

Where did that come from?

Anning found it amusing, ”I really don’t know about that. I’ll find time to ask them.”

”Ask them sooner rather than later,” Secretary An urged, ”Your aunt is waiting for news.”

Anning nodded, ”Alright, I’ll ask them sometime.”

After saying that, she went inside and sat down, still finding it funny.

They were gossiping about Xiao Yuan’s love life and ended up involving his actual girlfriend, leaving her speechless.

Xiao Yuan and He Erniu were close probably because he was looking after his future sister-in-law.

Anning wrote a letter to Xiao Yuan, explaining the situation to him, and suggested he clarify things with his family.

Just as she finished writing the letter and before she could send it, something happened in the Capital.

He Erniu had a great relationship with Professor Hu and his wife over the years.

Even though she was in university, she often thought about the elderly couple, helping them whenever she could. When she had time, she would accompany Mrs. Hu for walks around the campus.

At that time, attending university didn’t cost money. There were no tuition fees, and the state provided a subsidy. He Erniu’s university studies didn’t cost her much money.

She had saved some money before and started looking for work after starting university.

She studied several foreign languages and entered the Foreign Language Department at Jing University. She had a solid foundation, so improving her grades was quite easy.

After studying for a while, He Erniu started working. She took on translation jobs and also worked as a guide for foreigners, which earned her quite a bit of money.

With money in hand, she often bought things for Professor Hu and his wife.

If she encountered delicious snacks, she’d bring some over. If she found seafood or fresh fruits, she’d also bring some along. She knew what the couple liked to eat and bought those things, making them very fond of her.

This child didn’t get discouraged in poverty or arrogant in prosperity, and showed gratitude. Her character and nature were impeccable.

He Erniu didn’t expect anything from Professor Hu.

She just felt very grateful for the kindness shown by the couple and wanted to repay them as much as she could.

But in the eyes of some, it wasn’t seen that way.

The current housekeeper at Professor Hu’s, named Aunt Yu, was actually a distant relative of the Hu family.

Before Aunt Yu came, Professor Hu’s son had specifically asked her to keep an eye out, lest someone take advantage of the elderly couple.

Professor Hu claimed his son worked out of town, but in fact, he had long cut ties with him.

Professor Hu’s son wasn’t capable of much, and as he saw the elderly couple aging, he began to covet their belongings.

He heard about the good relationship between Professor Hu and He Erniu and feared that Professor Hu might impulsively leave his wealth to her. When it came time for Professor Hu to look for someone to help with the household, his son manipulated the situation and had Aunt Yu recommended to him.

After Aunt Yu arrived at the Hu family, she frequently saw He Erniu visiting and bringing things, and assumed she had ulterior motives.

She secretly reported these events to Professor Hu’s son over the phone.

That day, when He Erniu was returning from a guiding job, she found some fresh delicacies and bought some to bring to Professor Hu.

When she got there, neither of the elderly couple was home, and Aunt Yu was in the kitchen cooking.

He Erniu walked in and placed the items in the kitchen cabinet, smiling as she said, ”Auntie, I’ll leave these here. When Grandpa Hu and Grandma Hu get back, let them have some, but not too much...”

Aunt Yu turned off the stove and gave He Erniu a cold look.

He Erniu paused, ”Auntie, why are you looking at me like that?”

Aunt Yu sneered, ”Some people really have no shame. Do you think others don’t see your intentions? My uncle and aunt took you in out of pity, and you think this is your home now? You’re running around, are you eyeing their money? Let me tell you, the Hu family’s assets are for their descendants, not a penny for you...”

Those words immediately sparked a fire within He Erniu.

She was just about to argue with Aunt Yu, but before she could speak, they heard anxious shouts outside, ”Old Hu, what’s wrong? Don’t scare me.”

He Erniu rushed out of the kitchen and saw Professor Hu lying on the floor, eyes rolled back, with Mrs. Hu crying and trying to help him.

He Erniu quickly ran over, ”Grandma Hu, don’t move him yet, quickly call 120, and make sure no one else moves him, I’ll go downstairs to find someone for help.”

The area was home to many retired Jing University professors, and He Erniu remembered there were a few who knew some medical skills. She hoped to find someone to help with Professor Hu before the paramedics arrived.