The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Provincial City

Xiao Yuan spent a day moving bricks at a construction site, riding a beat-up bicycle he got from who knows where back to the rented house.

After he and Xiao Qin arrived in the Provincial City, just buying a set of clothes left them with hardly any money in hand.

Without a penny in hand, trying to make money was exceedingly difficult, and after turning every way possible, Xiao Yuan could only move bricks at the construction site.

He managed to find Xiao Qin a job as a caregiver.

Xiao Qin looked after two patients alone at the hospital, exhausted every day, earning hardly US$ 20.

Xiao Yuan earned a bit more moving bricks at the construction site.

He found those day-pay jobs, where he earned based on how many bricks he moved in a day and got paid in the evening; although it was short-term work, it was decent pay if he put in the effort.

Xiao Yuan had not done such work in many lifetimes, and at first, it was really a struggle for him.

Returning to the rented room, Xiao Yuan entered, took off his shirt, and wiped his body with a damp towel.

Xiao Qin, having prepared the meal, came out of the room and saw the skin peeling off Xiao Yuan’s sunburned back, feeling so distressed that she almost cried.

”Second Brother, let’s not overwork ourselves; if it doesn’t work out, we can just go back; it’s not this hard at home.”

Xiao Yuan turned back with a smile, showing a mouth full of white teeth: ”I’m not tired. We don’t know many words, have no education, and no skills, so to make money, we have to put in effort initially; how could we get by without enduring some hardship? Don’t worry, I’m well aware of what’s going on.”

Xiao Qin knew that Xiao Yuan was unlikely to return once he left, so she wiped her tears and went back to the kitchen to bring out the meal.

While eating, Xiao Yuan said to Xiao Qin, ”I’ll do this for a few more days, and as soon as I make a bit more money, I’ll stop this and plan something else.”

”Stop this; it’s too hard.”

Xiao Qin said while eating a bun, ”We don’t ask for much, just need a place to live and fill our stomachs. Once we’re familiar with this place, we can think of other plans.”

Xiao Yuan smiled and ate a big bun.

He was mulling over the idea that in a few days, he could save up a few hundred dollars, and by that time, he and Xiao Qin could find another place to live, rent a courtyard house in the suburbs, and buy a second-hand tricycle, they could steam buns and sell them every day.

Xiao Yuan had already planned out the locations.

In the morning, he would sell near a school; at noon, he would go to a factory entrance nearby. Those two spots were crowded with people, selling twice a day would earn quite a bit.

Of course, he hadn’t mentioned any of this to Anning in his letters.

He was afraid that Anning would feel distressed; as a grown man, if he couldn’t protect Anning, he at least couldn’t let Anning be sad because of him.

Capital

Yi Qihang came out of the meeting room, with the secretary following him holding documents.

”Mr. Yi, regarding your previously set itinerary, you need to make an international trip soon. The plane tickets have been booked, and you...”

Yi Qihang had been quite busy lately and nearly forgot about this. ”How many days abroad?”

The secretary checked the schedule: ”Approximately ten days.”

”Go ahead.”

Yi Qihang walked a few steps forward and suddenly stopped: ”Check my schedule again. Adjust it for me; try to arrange social engagements earlier and leave time free after September.”

The secretary agreed but was at a loss at how to arrange the schedule.

Yi Qihang left the company and got into the car that picked him up. Leaning back in the seat, he appeared to be resting but was really thinking of someone.

”Ningning.”

Yi Qihang softly called the two syllables.

Just saying those two simple words filled him with sweetness.

At the same time, longing surged in like a tidal wave.

For several years now, he has missed Anning more and more, but he cannot go find her now.

His ancestors were all from the Capital, while Anning is just a girl from a small village now, and he cannot take the risk of rushing to her.

He knows Anning well; if he suddenly barged into her life unreasonably, not only would he not get close to her, but it might also make Anning wary of him.

At that point, he might have no chance with Anning in this life.

That’s the last thing he could accept.

However, his torment is about to end; soon, he’ll be able to meet Anning.

In less than two months, Anning will come to the Capital, and by then, he can create an opportunity to meet her, slowly get to know her, and then gradually fall in love and marry her.

Just like the previous life.

In the previous life, Yi Qihang was just an ordinary person, while Anning was a college student. Once, when he was heading home at night, he happened to meet Anning being harassed, and for once, he was stirred up to help her; from then on, the two got acquainted.

At the time, Yi Qihang truly liked Anning, and through gradual interaction, he increasingly liked this beautiful, kind, and talented girl.

Yi Qihang pursued Anning relentlessly, and back then, he had no money or anything noteworthy. He just had intense affection and care for Anning, which eventually moved her.

After Anning graduated and started working, the two got married.

Their married life was very happy.

Anning was a very good person; she was talented, determined, and had a good job. With Anning around, Yi Qihang almost never had to worry about things, living a very comfortable life.

Later, Anning felt working at the unit was boring, so she took all their saved money, borrowed some from Yang Erchou, and invested, eventually starting a business. She was very capable and really made it work in commerce.

Though Anning had money, she never looked down on the less successful Yi Qihang. On the contrary, no matter how successful she was outside, she was always kind and considerate towards Yi Qihang at home, also trusting him immensely.

The family money was never guarded against Yi Qihang; he could use it however he wished. Whatever Yi Qihang wanted, Anning would try to get it for him.

Many people envied Yi Qihang, saying he must have accumulated virtue over several lifetimes to marry such a good wife like Anning.

But over time, Yi Qihang became unsatisfied.

Because Anning was too busy to have time for children, her business empire kept expanding, and sometimes she couldn’t manage to spare time for Yi Qihang, which left him very dissatisfied.

They argued over this several times.

Anning was truly exhausted at that time but still agreed to consider having children and gradually return to family life.

Even though Anning had agreed, Yi Qihang was still not content.

He cheated.

That time he got drunk, and had a one-night stand with a woman at a bar.

Eventually, Anning found out about it, and they had a massive fight; she was adamant about getting a divorce at all costs.

Yi Qihang regretted it and became scared.

He promised Anning it wouldn’t happen again, saying it was just an accident and didn’t reflect his true intentions, begging Anning not to abandon him.

In truth, Yi Qihang really did like Anning; it was just that Anning was too strong, which made him feel insecure. Also, Anning’s success hurt his pride, which was why he did such a foolish thing.

However, no matter how much he begged and pleaded, Anning was determined to divorce.

Yi Qihang couldn’t take it, so he left home, saying he needed some time to clear his mind. But then he was in a car accident, and when he woke up, he found himself back in his younger days.

At that time, he hadn’t met Anning yet; it was still several years before she would start college.

Initially, Yi Qihang was at a loss, but eventually, he started a business venture.

Having been with Anning for over a decade, he didn’t just sit by while Anning was starting her business; he helped where he could. When Anning established her company, she often discussed business matters with him, which made Yi Qihang very clear about future developments and many commercial matters.

He seized the opportunity to start small, gradually expanding his business over the years, also using his foresight to make money in the stock market.

He had made up his mind to accomplish something big this time.

He wanted to stand proudly in front of Anning; this time, he would love and cherish her, making Anning the happiest woman in the world.

Thinking that he might soon be able to be with Anning, Yi Qihang smiled with anticipation, as he could hardly wait.