The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Chapter 951: Chapter 929: Top Student in the 1980s 57

Yu Shen managed to calm Zhang Heping down and got him to sit.

Yu Shen quickly brought him a glass of water: ”Calm down, calm down. This isn’t entirely the kids’ fault. If you ask me, you parents are also at fault.”

”What fault do we have?” Zhang Heping grumbled.

Yu Shen chuckled, ”No fault at all? Let me point it out.”

”Go ahead.” Zhang Heping would never admit he was wrong.

Yu Shen tapped the table twice: ”Your daughter is smart, isn’t she?”

Zhang Heping nodded in acknowledgment.

Yu Shen smiled, ”Your daughter isn’t just smart; she’s exceptionally intelligent. In my entire life, I’ve only seen two such clever kids: your daughter and Xiao Yuan. Do you think a kid as smart as Anning can play with just any ordinary child? Even when she talks to others, including us adults, it’s hard for anyone to keep up with her thoughts. She can’t find common ground mentally, so who would you like her to play with? Like it or not, you must admit Xiao Yuan is just as clever as your daughter. Knowing they are two of a kind, and you don’t take precautions, they end up playing together since childhood. Two kids who can’t relate to others and see others as less intelligent can’t help but form a bond over time.”

Zhang Heping lowered his head.

Indeed, he had never considered this.

Yu Shen continued, ”Anning is incredibly smart, and she’ll only get smarter as she grows. When the time comes, who can you find suitable for her? Even if you search the world, you’ll only find someone like Xiao Yuan. You can’t stop your daughter from getting married; sooner or later, it doesn’t make much difference.”

Honestly, Yu Shen’s words really resonated with both Zhang Heping and Secretary An.

They were both thinking that it made sense. Given how pretty and smart Anning is, who could truly match her? An ordinary person wouldn’t suffice. If a couple isn’t on the same level, how can they live a good life together? If one can’t understand the other, can they truly be a couple?

Seeing that Zhang Heping was taking it in, Yu Shen continued, ”Moreover, it was your daughter who asked me to come talk about this. I think the little girl genuinely likes Xiao Yuan. She said if this doesn’t work out and she can’t be with Xiao Yuan, she won’t have the heart to study or engage in scientific research any further. Old Zhang, if Anning truly stops doing research, do you realize how huge a loss that would be for our country?”

Zhang Heping sighed.

Yu Shen patted Zhang Heping’s shoulder: ”I understand it’s hard for you to accept all at once, but you can’t treat Anning like she’s any ordinary girl. Think about Anning’s intelligence and her abilities. What’s there for her to fear in life? No matter who she marries, would her in-laws dare to treat her badly? Regardless, she’ll always be the one in a position to choose, not the other way around. If anyone dares to make her unhappy, the higher-ups are watching. Would they allow that?”

These words truly awakened Zhang Heping and Secretary An.

Isn’t that exactly the case?

Given Anning’s capabilities, no matter who she marries in the future, she can live comfortably. If her husband ever mistreats her, not only would her parents disapprove, but even the state wouldn’t allow it.

Yu Shen took a sip of water to moisten his throat: ”Old Zhang, you know Xiao Yuan is no less intelligent than your daughter. If he were to pursue scientific research, he definitely wouldn’t be much worse than your daughter. But why did he choose literature? He told me he did it for your daughter. He said that if Anning was to pursue scientific research in the future, he couldn’t compete with that. Instead, he should prepare as her strong support, take care of the family, and raise the children, so Anning can be without any worries.”

At this point, Yu Shen was truly touched: ”Old Zhang, if you miss out on this kid, where else can you find such a good son-in-law for your daughter? He’s given up so much just for your daughter.”

Yu Shen was touched, and Zhang Heping was equally moved after hearing these words.

Especially Secretary An.

As a woman, Secretary An was more easily moved than Zhang Heping.

She understood how difficult it was for a woman to pursue a career. Many men couldn’t tolerate having a wife who was more competent and successful than themselves. Even if they’re not very talented, many will still be arrogant. No matter how capable the wife is, the husband can’t bear to let her shine.

It was really rare to see someone like Xiao Yuan, who willingly clipped his own wings just so Anning could soar higher.

”Old Zhang.”

She tugged at Zhang Heping’s sleeve: ”I think Xiao Yuan is truly a good kid, growing up with Ningning, a rare gem. Besides, we know the Xiao family brothers, they’re the most honest and straightforward people...”

Seeing there was room for compromise, Yu Shen played his trump card: ”The leadership knows about this, too. I came because they asked me to.”

With those words, Zhang Heping had nothing more to say.

”Alright, alright, let them do as they wish. Tell Xiao Yuan to come over tomorrow.”

Yu Shen chuckled, ”Alright.”

Xiao Yuan didn’t wait for the next day; he went to the Zhang family that very evening.

Zhang Heping called him into the study to talk, and it was quite a while before they emerged.

When they came out, both Zhang Heping and Xiao Yuan had smiles on their faces, which suggested they had reached some kind of agreement.

Anning had no say in this matter for now.

She’s incredibly busy at the moment.

She has to improve the protective covers and also organize experimental data and such.

By the time she and a team of researchers finished improving the protective covers and submitted the experimental data, nearly a year had passed.

When she left the lab, she didn’t return to school but went straight home.

During this time, Anning had truly been very busy and exhausted. Once her work was done, it was natural for her to go home and rest.

Zhang Heping and Secretary An were well aware of how busy Anning had been.

When she came home, neither of them would bring up her age or relationships, nor would they give her a hard time. When they saw Anning, they only expressed concern, afraid they’d miss the slightest detail in taking care of her.

Even Xiangling wanted to hold Anning in the palm of her hand.

Anning being with Xiao Yuan made Xiangling actually quite happy.

Xiangling had biological parents and adoptive parents, basically two sets of in-laws.

Anning is her sister, and Xiao Yuan is her brother. She’s particularly close to both of them, so with the two together, she’s full of confidence no matter which in-law’s house she visits in the future.

Furthermore, Xiangling thought Anning and Xiao Yuan made a great couple.

Previously, Secretary An had told her not to mention it to the Xiao family yet, to wait until Anning came out of the lab.

Now that Anning was home, Xiangling asked Secretary An if she should mention it.

So, Secretary An had a talk with Anning to ask for her opinion.

She talked with Anning about many things related to feelings, hoping Anning would be cautious.

After all, the Zhang and Xiao families had a good relationship, and Xiangling was related to both. If Anning and Xiao Yuan got together, it wouldn’t be like it is with others.

Given Anning’s young age, if she wasn’t thorough and something happened between them, it would make it awkward for both families.

Anning understood this well.

At the time, she told Secretary An, ”Mom, I’m young, but in terms of mentality, I’m no less mature than an adult. I’ve thought it through. When I decide on something, I have to see it through. If I settle on a person, it’s for life. Xiao Yuan and I both feel this way. If we weren’t sure, we wouldn’t have told you. Moreover, my sister is involved. If things go south, she’s the one who would be most affected.”

Hearing these words, Secretary An’s eyes turned red.

She hugged Anning, ”It’s not just because of your sister. In my heart, you and your sister are equally important. It’s for you, just for you, that I said those things.”

Anning smiled, ”Mom, I know. I’m well aware.”

Once they had cleared the air, Secretary An told Xiangling to give the Xiao family a heads-up.

Xiangling happily called Sister Xu.

Xiangling and Sister Xu spoke on the phone regularly, and would always visit Y County when she had the time. Sometimes, Sister Xu would visit the Capital to see her grandchildren. They were never estranged.

Sister Xu had just finished her meal and was about to head out with some old friends when she received Xiangling’s call.

”Hello, Xiangling, what’s the matter? How’s everyone doing at home? What’s up with your brother? Didn’t he just pass his grad school exams...”

Xiangling laughed, ”Mom, everyone’s doing well. Xiao Yuan is now a graduate student, studying in the graduate program and working on a project with a professor. I don’t really understand it all.”

”What graduate school? I don’t really understand either.”

Sister Xu felt a bit confused.

Xiangling chuckled, ”Well, I don’t quite understand it either. You can ask him another day, Mom. But I do have something to tell you.”

Before Sister Xu could respond, Xiangling merrily announced, ”Yuanzi is dating someone now.”

”What?”

Sister Xu nearly dropped the phone: ”Really? Is the girl from the same school? How does she look? Is she a good person?”