The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

It is now early autumn, and the weather has begun to cool in the mornings and evenings, unlike the unbearable heat of summer at noon.

Although the sun is strong, it still feels pleasantly cool under the shade of the trees or inside the house.

Anning had taken care of the household affairs, and then went to check on Granny Li.

The elderly couple now lived in the front yard. The old man was not someone who could stay idle; he was not used to doing nothing. Anning originally suggested creating a garden plot for them in the back garden to plant some vegetables.

However, the back garden of the house that Xiao Yuan bought was really not very big and was already full of flowers. Uprooting those flowers to plant vegetables would indeed be a pity.

So Xiao Yuan bought a small manor outside the city, where he planted some grains, melons, and vegetables, enough for the family’s use.

Every day the old man would drive to the manor to have a look, sometimes even plant a few vegetables himself, giving him something to do.

The autumn wind had been a bit chilly these past few days, and while the old man was fine, the old lady was feeling somewhat unwell.

When Anning arrived, the old lady had just taken some medicine and was talking about lying down to sweat it out.

Seeing Anning, she tried to get up, but Anning quickly approached: ”Mother, just lie down and rest. I’ll sit with you for a while.”

The old lady smiled: ”Alright.”

Anning took a chair and sat by the bed, talking in detail with the old lady about household matters.

As they were talking, Yue Niang came in.

”Granny, Madam, a new family has moved in next door, and their lady made some food to bring over. She wants to invite Granny and Madam to a housewarming soon.”

The old lady perked up at the news: ”What sort of family moved in? When is the housewarming?”

Yue Niang sat beside them and explained in detail: ”I heard they moved from Fu County. Their family name is Sun, and they are a family of three. Granny Sun has been widowed for many years, along with Mr. Sun and his wife, Mrs. Hu. I haven’t seen Granny Sun, but Mrs. Hu is quite beautiful and speaks very gently, appearing well-mannered.”

After hearing the date for the Sun family’s housewarming from Yue Niang, Anning smiled and said, ”You can go let Ms. Hu know that we will definitely attend.”

Turning to the old lady, Anning added, ”Mother, let’s pick out some gifts to bring. We shouldn’t go empty-handed.”

”Indeed, indeed.”

The old lady chuckled, ”Let’s choose some nice gifts, we mustn’t neglect proper etiquette.”

Anning pondered and then instructed Yue Niang: ”We just made some pastries in the kitchen. Pick some to send to the Sun family and chat with Ms. Hu.”

Yue Niang nodded and left.

Anning stayed with the old lady a while longer before returning to her room.

As she returned, Yue Niang was also just coming back.

Upon entering, Yue Niang reported to Anning, ”I brought over some osmanthus cakes, fried dumplings, and green bean cakes to the Sun family. Ms. Hu even thanked Madam and said she will visit Granny tomorrow if that’s agreeable.”

Anning smiled and said, ”Why wouldn’t it be agreeable? Let a little maid go and tell her she’s welcome to come.”

Yue Niang laughed, ”Granny was just saying she has no one to chat with. Ms. Hu coming over will surely make her happy.”

Lowering her voice, Yue Niang continued, ”Madam, it seems Ms. Hu’s life at the Sun family isn’t easy. Granny Sun is not an easy person; during the short visit, she scolded Ms. Hu several times, and Mr. Sun didn’t intervene, hiding in his room. It’s a good thing Ms. Hu has a kind nature and doesn’t take it to heart.”

”Every family has its own struggles; no one is perfect.”

Anning cautioned Yue Niang, ”Don’t speak ill of the Sun family outside; it wouldn’t be good if someone overheard.”

Yue Niang quickly reassured, ”Of course, I only said this in Madam’s presence, I wouldn’t gossip outside.”

Anning chuckled and told Yue Niang to get some pastries from the kitchen.

The next day, Ms. Hu did come to visit.

When she arrived, Anning went out to greet her. After looking Anning over, Ms. Hu approached with a smile and made a courtesy, to which Anning responded in kind: ”I heard from Yue Niang that you are very beautiful, and seeing you today, you truly have the looks of a goddess.”

Ms. Hu smiled charmingly, her eyes reflecting an enchanting allure: ”You, sister, are also very beautiful, with a fresh and elegant presence, graceful like an immortal.”

Laughing, Anning held Ms. Hu’s hand and led her to meet the old lady.

The old lady was much better that day. When they entered, she was pacing in the room, and upon seeing Anning and Ms. Hu, she laughed: ”With the two of you entering, the room seems to light up, and this old woman doesn’t know where to rest her eyes, thinking to herself, where did these two Heavenly Immortals come from.”

Ms. Hu approached with a smile to greet the old lady.

The old lady held her hand, ”We’re neighbors, let’s be close. There’s no need for formalities.”

Ms. Hu responded with a smile.

She sat and chatted with the old lady for a while, until the old lady grew a bit tired: ”I’m old, and it’s hard to keep up with you two young ladies; you two go enjoy yourselves instead of being awkward with me.”

Anning then took Ms. Hu out to the garden.

Just a few days ago, Xiao Yuan had arranged for some chrysanthemums to be placed in the garden, and now the various chrysanthemums were in full bloom, creating a lively spectacle from afar.

Ms. Hu seemed extremely delighted, pulling Anning along and discussing the various famous flowers.

Anning said, ”Speaking of famous flowers, my maternal family’s garden has quite a few, especially the peony brought back by my cousin from Luo City — an absolute marvel. I’ll take you there to see next spring.”

”That would be wonderful.”

Ms. Hu gleefully said, ”I’ve always loved flowers and plants, especially peonies, but being from a small place, I haven’t seen any famous peonies. It would be a great experience to visit with you.”

Tea and snacks were set up in the garden pavilion, and Anning and Ms. Hu sat down to drink tea and chat.

After a little while of conversation, Ms. Hu got up to take her leave.

Anning saw her out: ”Come by whenever you have time; our Granny loves company and will be very happy to see you.”

Ms. Hu said, ”I will definitely visit often.”

After seeing Ms. Hu off, Anning returned to rest.

Xiao Yuan returned and quietly commented to Anning about the neighbors, ”These demons are becoming bolder.”

Anning chuckled quietly.

Back in the room, Anning told Xiao Yuan, ”Indeed, quite bold; she even visited today.”

”What did you think?”

Xiao Yuan held Anning and asked softly.

”She’s focused on cultivation and hasn’t committed any killings.”

Anning had a favorable impression of Ms. Hu: ”She seems to be a deeply kind-hearted demon, but the Sun family mother and son are quite tricky; I fear Ms. Hu might fall victim to them inadvertently.”

”Cultivation naturally goes against the way of the world, so trials and tribulations are inevitable. This could just be one of hers.”

Xiao Yuan kissed Anning’s cheek and said, ”Enough about her, let’s go rest early.”

It turned out that from the time the Sun family moved in, Anning and Xiao Yuan had noticed that Ms. Hu was a demon.

She wasn’t an ordinary demon but a fox spirit who had assumed a human form.

However, Ms. Hu was not a bloodthirsty demon; through years of cultivation, she hadn’t taken a life, solely focusing on achieving enlightenment. She married into the Sun family simply to repay their kindness and settle her karmic debts to attain her ultimate goal sooner.

Ms. Hu did not commit evil deeds, and being a perceptive demon, Anning wasn’t inclined to harm her as she wasn’t a bloodthirsty Demon King.

Helping demons in their cultivation is not easy, and if they are good, Anning doesn’t mind lending a helping hand.