The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Xiao Yuan grabbed the crank of the tractor and started cranking it in the courtyard.

In the cold winter weather, it took quite some effort to get it started.

Anning helped her aunts and uncles up into the vehicle, while the children all sat wrapped in thick clothes.

Li Cuixia brought several thick quilts from inside the house and covered them up.

Xiao Yuan finally managed to start the tractor, and Anning said to Li Cuixia, ”Mom, I’ll go along. Otherwise, I won’t be at ease.”

Li Cuixia nodded, ”Okay, keep an eye on things.”

Anning also put on a thick cotton coat and sat in the trailer.

Xiao Yuan drove the tractor to send people, and Anning sat in the back. With her cousins beside her, it wasn’t easy for Anning to talk to Xiao Yuan.

After dropping off people from three families, Anning moved to sit close to Xiao Yuan on the way back and started talking to him.

Xiao Yuan slowed down the tractor a bit. Listening to Anning’s continuous chatter about domestic matters, he felt it was quite nice, adding a touch of warmth to life.

Upon returning the tractor to the Yang family, Xiao Yuan was a bit reluctant to leave.

He intentionally slowed his pace, and when he reached the doorway, Li Cuixia came out after him.

Li Cuixia was holding two packs of cigarettes and some candies and snacks, ”Xiao Yuan, you’ve worked hard today, take these.”

Xiao Yuan hurriedly waved his hand, ”Auntie, what are you doing, we’re neighbors here to help each other. It’s really no trouble just sending people.”

Li Cuixia chuckled, ”It’s New Year, can’t Auntie give you something?”

Only then did Xiao Yuan accept the items, ”Alright, I’ll head back now, Auntie, you should rest early too.”

”Take it slow on the road,” Li Cuixia reminded, watching Xiao Yuan leave, and after a while, locked the courtyard door and returned inside.

Xiao Yuan returned home with cigarettes and snacks, giving both packs of cigarettes to Xiao Qun.

Xiao Qun looked over them, ”Wow, these are really good cigarettes, I’ve seen others smoke them, but I’ve never known what they taste like.”

He carefully hid the two packs, fearing Xiao Hei and Xiao Li might sneak them away.

Xiao Yuan went inside with sunflower seeds and snacks, feeling a bit hungry. He ate a few pieces of snacks and drank some water to fill up a bit.

He had just finished the snacks when Xiao Qin came in from outside.

She brought in a bowl of noodles, ”Second Brother, have some hot soup quickly.”

Xiao Yuan smiled and accepted the noodles, stirring them with chopsticks, discovering two poached eggs hidden underneath.

He knew Xiao Qin cared for him, feeling sorry for him being out in the cold, and made this especially for him.

After sipping some hot soup, Xiao Yuan had Xiao Qin sit down, ”Have you eaten?”

Xiao Qin nodded, ”Mom heated up some leftovers, we all ate.”

Everyone heated up leftovers and ate, but there was nothing left for him. Xiao Yuan smiled on the surface, yet inwardly he understood the family dynamics clearly.

He Fangfang outwardly just said some nice words about the children, but took no real action.

In most cases, she would listen to Xiao Qun.

If she truly cared about the children, she would have fought for their education. Even if it wasn’t possible for the older ones, when the younger ones were studying, the older ones were no longer in school and could help at home. If He Fangfang stood her ground, she would have found a way for the kids to study.

This alone showed He Fangfang’s self-centered nature.

Like today, she knew Xiao Yuan was out in the cold driving the tractor, yet didn’t make him any food, not even saving leftovers for him.

If not for Xiao Qin remembering and feeling sorry for Xiao Yuan being cold, he wouldn’t have had any warm soup or food upon returning.

Xiao Yuan lowered his head and continued eating, various thoughts flashing through his mind.

Even Xiao Qin’s heart had long grown cold.

Watching Xiao Yuan eat, she spoke softly, ”After all, they are our parents. As long as we do our part, it’s enough. When they can’t move anymore, we’ll take care of them till the end and won’t feel guilty.”

Xiao Yuan smiled, handing some snacks to Xiao Qin, ”Have some.”

Xiao Qin accepted without hesitation and started eating.

Meanwhile, Anning went to her grandmother’s house on the third day of the New Year, and on the fourth, she paid New Year visits to each of her three aunts, staying in after that.

After the tenth, Anning began packing for school.

Li Cuixia and the Old Madam were reluctant to let her leave, packing a large bag full of homemade food for Anning, including steamed rice cakes, cured meats, and various sausages.

Yang Erchou drove the tractor to take Anning to the county, and as they were leaving, Xiao Yuan, along with Xiao Bai and Xiao Qin, came over, saying they would join them.

What could Yang Erchou do? He just took them along.

Upon reaching the county, Anning didn’t go directly to the Capital but went to the Provincial City with Xiao Yuan and the others first.

Xiao Yuan worked hard for a few days to get Xiao Bai into a technical school to study automobile maintenance and decoration.

Once Xiao Bai was settled, the three of them took a train to the Capital.

As soon as Anning arrived at school, Gu Zhiyuan came looking for her.

Gu Zhiyuan had been trying to find an opportunity to introduce Gu Xueqing to Anning, and finally found one, so he hurriedly came to discuss it with Anning.

Anning discussed with Gu Zhiyuan, suggesting he bring Gu Xueqing out for a meal, give her the address in advance, and Anning would just show up, pretending by coincidence that she too was dining at the restaurant as Gu Zhiyuan’s classmate.

Whether Gu Xueqing believed it or not, as long as they met it didn’t matter.

Once they had planned it all out, on the first day of school, Anning, along with Xiao Yuan and Xiao Qin, went to that restaurant early to wait.

They didn’t just wait, of course; at the restaurant, they decided to try the food, ordering dishes while waiting for Gu Zhiyuan and Gu Xueqing.

Despite everything, Gu Zhiyuan proved reliable.

About ten minutes after their order arrived, Gu Zhiyuan entered with a young woman.

Anning recognized Gu Xueqing at once, having seen her photo before.

Seeing Gu Zhiyuan, Anning quickly stood up, smiling and greeted, ”Hello, Gu.”

Gu Zhiyuan feigned surprise, ”Hello, you’re eating here too?”

Anning, smiling, nodded, ”I’m here with my boyfriend and sister.”

Gu Zhiyuan gestured to Gu Xueqing, ”This is my cousin.”

”Nice to meet you.”

Anning reached out her hand with a smile.

Gu Xueqing, while sizing up Anning, extended her hand for a light handshake.

With just that simple handshake, Anning knew Gu Xueqing hadn’t been charmed.

She had thought about it earlier, suspecting that Gu Xueqing wasn’t influenced.

If Yi Qihang truly possessed the skills to charm, he would’ve long captivated Yang Anning, instead of being ruined by her.

Xiao Yuan and Xiao Qin also came over, exchanging a few pleasantries with Gu Zhiyuan. Anning signaled subtly to Gu Zhiyuan, who took the hint, ”Well then, enjoy your meal, my cousin and I have other plans...”

”Feel free, Gu.”

Anning said with a smile.

Gu Zhiyuan led Gu Xueqing further inside, but after a few steps, Gu Xueqing suddenly turned back to Anning, ”How can you have a boyfriend?”

Uh?

What did that mean?

Anning was taken aback.

Gu Xueqing approached Anning with a few steps, expressing disapproval and even some aversion, ”Qihang likes you so much, he’s always been devoted to you, saying he’ll only marry you in this lifetime, and here you are, hooking up behind his back. Do you know how heartbroken he must be? How could you bear to hurt him?”