The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

On the day agreed with Coach Hetian, Anning got up early to pick up Xiangshan.

Neither Yang Erchou nor Yang Junni followed, it was just Anning and Zhang Xiangshan.

Anning and Zhang Xiangshan went to the athletic team’s side, where Coach Tian was already waiting.

Anning chatted with Coach Tian for a bit, and then Coach Tian took them to the training field.

He had Zhang Xiangshan exercise on the side while he and Anning got to know Zhang Xiangshan’s situation a bit better.

After Anning finished introducing Zhang Xiangshan’s situation, Coach Tian began testing Zhang Xiangshan.

This time, Zhang Xiangshan’s running results were much better than the results Anning had measured last time.

It’s understandable—after all, the elementary school playground wasn’t level, some parts were bumpy, and it was cold outside that day. Zhang Xiangshan wore a lot, including thick cotton shoes, plus there was wind that day, he was running against the wind, so the results weren’t true to his ability.

And now, in a proper training field, there was heating, making it very warm. Before coming, Anning had also specially bought Zhang Xiangshan a pair of running shoes to change into. He ran in thermal underwear, so of course, the results were different.

The previous results Anning measured were already good, but this time he did even better.

Anning recounted the situation back then, and Coach Tian nodded: ”I already thought of these factors. After all, rural elementary school conditions aren’t suitable for professional running training and testing.”

Coach Tian seemed particularly happy, always having a smile on his face: ”Zhang Xiangshan, right? He’s a good seedling. You all go back today, and tomorrow I’ll handle the formalities for him. Once those are done, he can go home, pack up a bit, and come.”

While putting on his cotton jacket, Zhang Xiangshan asked Coach Tian: ”Coach, do the formalities cost money? Will the country pay me a salary for coming here?”

”What do you think?”

Coach Tian asked Zhang Xiangshan with a smiling squint.

Zhang Xiangshan scratched the back of his head: ”There should be, right? Can you apply for a salary for me? If I can earn money, my sister can attend high school and college. I’m not good at studying, but my sister is really good, she’s always first in her grade on exams.”

Coach Tian paused for a moment, then patted Zhang Xiangshan’s head: ”There will be a salary, and you’ll be provided food, accommodation, and an allowance. Don’t worry.”

”I’m relieved.”

Zhang Xiangshan nodded vigorously.

Anning took Zhang Xiangshan to bid farewell to Coach Tian, and once they came out of the athletic team, Zhang Xiangshan joyfully jumped up.

”Sister Ningning, was I really admitted? Am I dreaming? This feels like a dream.”

Anning smiled and took his hand to get on the bus: ”It’s not a dream; it’s all real. Come on, let’s go back and I’ll buy you something good to eat.”

”Okay.” Zhang Xiangshan became even more thrilled: ”I want meat, lots and lots of meat.”

Anning brought Zhang Xiangshan back to the hotel and asked Yang Erchou and Yang Junni to eat together.

Anning indeed ordered a lot of meat.

Yang Junni looked at it with concern: ”With so many dishes, how much does this cost?”

Anning smiled and invited her to sit down: ”We’re happy today; Xiangshan has accomplished something. The athletic team accepted him. Tomorrow, after handling the formalities, you can go home, tidy up a bit, and let Xiangshan say goodbye to his family. He will live in the athletic team afterward and might not be able to come home for a long time.”

”He won’t come home; we can visit him. As long as he succeeds, it doesn’t matter where he lives.”

Yang Junni quickly said.

Anning picked some food for Zhang Xiangshan: ”Eat up, eat more. Once you join the athletic team, you won’t lack meat to eat.”

”Really?”

Zhang Xiangshan’s eyes glistened at the sound of that.

After finishing the meal, Yang Erchou and three others stayed another night. The next day, after Coach Tian completed the formalities, after contacting and sending the admissions document down to the provincial and county levels, Yang Erchou and the others hurried to take the train home.

This time returning, Zhang Xiangshan would stay home for about ten days, also needing to go through some processes back at the county before joining the athletic team.

When they came, all three were filled with unease; but when they returned, they were triumphant.

Once they got back, the Old Madam quickly asked: ”How was it? Was he admitted?”

Yang Erchou nodded with a smile: ”Admitted. Didn’t I say my nephew would achieve something? Look, after just one trip, the coach set his eyes on him. They even said they’d provide food and lodging, and there are pretty good allowances.”

”That’s really wonderful.”

The Old Madam was beside herself with joy.

Yang Junni was eager to rush home with good news.

She grabbed Zhang Xiangshan and said: ”Mom, Second Brother, we’re heading back first. We have to quickly tell the child’s father about this to make him happy too.”

”Go on, go on.”

The Old Madam waved her hand: ”Hurry back, let Jianfang be happy too.”

Yang Erchou wanted to accompany Yang Junni, but Yang Junni insisted it wasn’t necessary.

After Yang Junni left, the Old Madam started boasting around the village again.

Over at the Zhang Family’s side, when Yang Junni and Zhang Xiangshan went back and shared the news, Zhang Jianfang couldn’t have been happier.

If Zhang Xiangshan weren’t already grown, Zhang Jianfang would have loved to lift him up high.

”My son really made it. In the future, not only won’t he spend money, but he can also earn for the family. The most important thing is, if he truly wins a championship, what is there to worry about?”

Zhang Xiangshan was also thrilled, unable to stop smiling.

By the next day, the villages where the Zhang Family and Yang Family lived already knew about Zhang Xiangshan’s story.

Then many relatives and acquaintances brought their children over to Yang Erchou’s home.

One said: ”Uncle, could you call Anning and ask if there’s a chance for my child to get into the sports team?”

Another said: ”Master, look at how robust my child is, maybe he’s a good seedling too.”

Others asked: ”Uncle, take a look at my child, can’t you have Anning think about what my child could do?”

This made things quite troublesome for Yang Erchou.

These were all rural neighbors, some even relatives; he couldn’t very well chase them away. He had no choice but to carefully speak and tactfully refuse, seeing them off nicely.

Fang Family

Fang JianShe and his wife also heard about this matter.

Zhou Chunhua went to find Yang Anzhen.

She directly asked Yang Anzhen: ”Is that kid at your aunt’s really that impressive?”

Yang Anzhen frowned. What did Zhou Chunhua mean by this? Was she implying they faked it, or that they pulled some strings?

This remark sounded quite ridiculous.

The Yang Family was just an ordinary farming household in the village; what connections could they have?

It was only Anning who managed to get to know Coach Tian through someone, but what kind of person was he? If Zhang Xiangshan didn’t have some skill, would he have been chosen?

”He’s quite amazing.”

Yang Anzhen felt annoyed inside but kept a smile on her face: ”My dad said, the coach even called Xiangshan a good seedling, and with proper training, who knows, he might win a championship. Honestly, I didn’t expect Xiangshan to have this talent. When my dad said Xiangshan got admitted, I was also surprised, and later just filled with joy. Oh, do you think the Old Zhang’s family tomb is blessed, or that our family has good genes, why else would both children my aunt has be so successful? Xiangxiang always places first in exams, Xiangshan doesn’t study well, but unexpectedly he’s so good at running.”