The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Xiao Qin listened and frowned: ”What a sin.”

”Isn’t it just.”

Old Madam, softened by age, felt tender-hearted thinking of such a small child suffering: ”Do you have your sister’s phone number? If not, give her a call and let her know that it’s better to raise her own child. Ask her to quickly take the child back to avoid such misfortune.”

”Hmm, I’ll tell her.”

Xiao Qin felt she couldn’t wait any longer.

She walked to the phone and dialed, quickly reaching Xiao Xiu.

Xiao Xiu seemed to be playing mahjong on the other end; Xiao Qin could hear the sound of tiles being shuffled.

”Xiu’er, I need to tell you something.”

Xiao Qin directly told Xiao Xiu about her child: ”Look at what kind of sin you’ve made! You shouldn’t have had a child if you didn’t want to raise it. After birth, it should be taken care of properly. Throwing it back home, what is that? You really think our mom can raise it well? Listen to me and quickly take the child back. If you really don’t want to raise it, find a family without kids to adopt—it’s better than leaving it at home.”

Xiao Xiu waited a moment before speaking softly: ”Sis, it’s really inconvenient here. Mr. Geng already has three daughters, and adding this one... it bothers him. What can I do if not leave it at home? I’ve thought about giving it away, but I gave birth to it, how can I give it away? Besides, I have to plan for myself too. If Mr. Geng leaves me one day, with the child here, he has to support both of us, or at least give a sum of money. Without the child, it would be different... Plus, when the child grows, she’ll take care of me. I’m also thinking about future security.”

Listening to this nearly knocked the wind out of Xiao Qin.

”Fine, you’ve got reasons for everything. You just don’t want to raise the child, right? It’s your kid, do whatever you want with it, I’m done.”

Xiao Qin hung up angrily and spoke to Old Madam: ”The child probably committed a huge sin in a past life to end up in her womb in this one. Listen, do those words sound human?”

Old Madam sighed along: ”With such a muddled and heartless mother, the child can only accept her unlucky fate.”

Xiao Qin remained upset for a while, then saw Anning getting up to fetch water. She quickly rose: ”Sis-in-law, sit down. I’ll get the water. Do you want fruit juice or plain water?”

”Just some plain water, I’m a bit thirsty.”

Anning replied.

Xiao Qin went to the kitchen to pour two cups of water, handed one to Anning and another to Old Madam.

After Old Madam drank the water, Xiao Qin offered her some homemade snacks, which delighted the Old Madam.

While eating, she chatted with Xiao Qin: ”The little ones in Ningning’s belly are lucky. Their father has already prepared everything, look at the house and the big company. Will these children lack anything in the future? Even if they spend their life lying around doing nothing, their parents’ capability will ensure they’re well taken care of.”

”Isn’t it just.”

Xiao Qin laughed: ”My nephew and niece are truly blessed. My brother and sister-in-law adore children and have everything prepared well in advance. My brother is already looking at school district houses, planning to buy several. So when the kids decide which school to attend, they’d move there.”

Anning chuckled: ”It’s not just buying school district houses. A Yuan is thinking about the kids eventually going to school. With our two going, and when Qinzi marries and has kids, they will need schooling too. So, we’re considering finding a partner to run a school. Having a family-run school makes attending more convenient.”

”Really?”

Xiao Qin was increasingly delighted: ”My brother truly becomes more capable by the day, even contemplating running a school now.”

”All for the children.”

To Anning, it seemed only logical: ”A few years after birth, they start kindergarten, followed by primary, secondary school, and college. Instead of scrambling for schools later, it’s better to establish one early. At least, from kindergarten to high school, there’s no worrying.”

That does make sense.

Still, it nearly overwhelmed the Old Madam, the casual way Anning spoke of such plans stunned her.

Goodness, who designs such comprehensive plans for unborn children?

The children aren’t born yet, and there’s fear they might not attend good schools, leading them to establish one. Who would dare dream that? Even if they dare, they wouldn’t have the capability to achieve it.

Anyway, Old Madam felt all her concepts were nearly overturned in such a short time.

In the evening, Xiao Qin stayed here for dinner and returned to her place afterward.

After dinner, Xiao Yuan accompanied Anning for a walk, while the Old Madam, tired from the day, retired early.

At dawn, Xiao Qin returned to take Old Madam to the mall, buying her many clothes and daily items.

Afterward, Old Madam settled here.

She didn’t need to cook or tidy up, just accompany Anning, walk with her, converse, and also had brought cotton from home. Together with Xiao Qin, they bought fine cotton cloth, washed, dried, and began making bedding and clothes for the soon-to-be-born babies.

Old Madam’s needlework was quite good. She crafted several bedding sets and many little clothes, for both boys and girls.

Entering summer, Xiao Yuan’s two sisters, Su Yue and Su Shuang, were to take the college entrance exams.

Anning called the Su family several times, continually discussing the exams with Su Yue and Su Shuang.

Anning advised the girls not to stress too much, not to dwell on performance, just do their best. She thoroughly explained exam precautions, how to review questions, how to approach different types of problems, everything.

The girls were quite good students, but they were studying at the town’s middle school, where educational quality couldn’t match the city. Normally the town middle school produced few college graduates, seldom even diploma holders. The Su family didn’t have high hopes, but Anning’s frequent calls and extensive instructions worried Su Liang and his wife, sparking hope for the girls’ college entry.

When the school break began, allowing students to relax and prepare for exams, the package Anning sent to the girls arrived.

In the package were two sets of clothes, a mock exam paper Anning made, and two jade pendants she carved.

Anning included a letter in the package, advising them to complete her mock exam and wear the jade pendants during exams for luck and guidance.

Upon opening and inspecting the contents, Geng Shuhua told Su Yue and Su Shuang: ”See how concerned your sister-in-law is? Even while heavily pregnant, she remains mindful, calling every few days. Now she’s even sent you exam papers. You must do well and treat her well in the future.”

Su Yue laughed: ”Got it, mom. If we don’t treat our sister-in-law well, you’d never accept us.”

Geng Shuhua tapped Su Yue’s forehead: ”If it weren’t for you two, I’d be in the Capital attending to your sister-in-law now. As she’s due soon, these things coinciding is truly stressful.”

Su Shuang giggled: ”We’ll finish exams in a few days. After that, we’ll join you in the Capital. I want to witness the birth of my little nephew.”

Su Yue beckoned Su Shuang to take Anning’s mock exam inside.

There were two unclear questions; they specifically went to Su Zhong’s house to call Anning, who meticulously explained them and gave two similar ones for practice. This time, they solved them.

Su Yue and Su Shuang spent the day working on the mock exam.

The next day, they went to County High to inspect the test site, rested in the afternoon, and revised in the evening.

On the college exam day, Su Liang borrowed a tractor from Yang Erchou to drive the girls to the exam.

After the morning exam, the three had lunch at Yang Erchou’s house and stayed the night in a house Yang Erchou bought in the county.

After two days of exams, Su Yue and Su Shuang could hardly wait to pack with Geng Shuhua and head on the evening train to the Capital.

By this time, Anning neared her due date.

Carrying twins, typically they’d arrive earlier.

Old Madam had long prepared for Anning’s delivery, constantly watching her, worried for any mishap.

That night, waking past midnight, Anning felt periodic abdominal pain, so she woke Xiao Yuan: ”I’m about to give birth.”

Xiao Yuan didn’t panic much, having encountered such situations often; he handled it methodically.

He dressed, prepared Anning’s clothes, and gathered birth-related items.

Anning sat up in bed: ”Help me take a shower.”

Xiao Yuan supported her into the bathroom.

He didn’t feel comfortable leaving Anning alone, so he stayed, awaiting her finished shower before dressing her and knocking on Old Madam’s door.

”Grandma, Ningning is going to give birth.”