The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Xiao Yilin stayed at the amusement park with her younger brother and sister until it closed.

On the way back, Zhao Xiaomeng got into the car and immediately fell asleep leaning against Zhao Xiaocong.

Xiao Yilin took out her phone to start browsing, wanting to see if there were any interesting things happening.

With just a glance, she saw the video of Anning confronting the mistress in the supermarket.

”What are you looking at?”

Zhao Xiaocong, sitting next to Xiao Yilin, couldn’t help but lean over to see when he saw her grinning at her phone.

”Is this my mom?”

Seeing Anning’s particularly fierce confrontation with Yu Mei in the video, Zhao Xiaocong could hardly believe this was his usually gentle and soft-spoken mother.

”Yeah.”

Xiao Yilin nodded, ”I never saw Mom being so fierce before.”

Xiao Yishan also joined in, summarizing after watching, ”It’s so satisfying.”

Xiao Yilin also found Anning’s confrontation particularly refreshing, ”It was really satisfying. I’ll treat you all to ice cream later.”

The four kids entered their home, each licking an ice cream, just as Xiao Yuan and Anning finished cooking.

”Mom.”

Zhao Xiaocong quickly grabbed Anning, asking, ”Did you run into Zhao Dahai at the supermarket?”

”I did.” Anning smiled, ”How did you know?”

Xiao Yilin took out her phone, ”I don’t know who filmed and posted the video online, but you’re trending now.”

The Zhang Family in N City

Mrs. Zhang also saw Anning’s video and was quite worried.

Just as Zhang Lu came down from upstairs, Mrs. Zhang called out to her, ”LuLu, why don’t you stay at home? You’ve been living here for over ten years, and suddenly leaving will make me miss you. Besides, you won’t be used to it there. Your biological father only has a small two-bedroom apartment, and you’ll have to share a room, which is such a grievance. You’ve never lived like that.”

Zhang Lu remained calm, ”Mom, I’m going back for our family. If my sister comes back, it’ll be awkward for us living under the same roof, facing each other all the time. It’ll be hard for you as well. If you are biased towards her, I might think, ’Of course she’s the biological child.’ If you’re biased towards me, it’ll hurt her feelings. Over time, it might cause conflicts. It’s better if we each go our own way.”

Mrs. Zhang was on the verge of tears, ”But...”

She showed the video to Zhang Lu, ”Look at your stepmother; she’s quite fierce. That eloquence, that aura... She has your father wrapped around her finger. If you go, you might suffer under her.”

Zhang Lu laughed, ”It’s alright. It’s only for about a year. When I go to college, I’ll come to the city and visit you often.”

The Xiao Family

After dinner, Xiao Yuan called Xiao Yilin out for a talk.

The house was small, with no quiet place for the father and daughter to talk properly, so they had to go outside.

As they walked, Xiao Yuan said, ”Yilin, Mr. Zhang called to say the paternity test results are out. I want to know what you think.”

Xiao Yilin was aware that this day would come, but she was speechless when it actually happened.

After a long pause, she finally said chokingly, ”I, I better go back.”

Xiao Yuan patted her shoulder, ”Whatever decision you make, Dad will support you. Since you’ve decided to go back, you should call Mr. Zhang and Mrs. Zhang later to let them know. Remember to communicate more with your parents, and when you get home don’t be afraid or feel insecure. They’re your biological parents; you don’t need to hold back. Just be yourself.”

”Mm, I understand.”

Xiao Yilin lowered her head, tears slowly streaming down.

Xiao Yuan smiled and rubbed her head, ”That’s all I can say to you. How you walk the road ahead is entirely up to you. Yilin, remember, our whole family always stands behind you. If you’re tired or feeling down, you can come back, or call Dad to talk about it.”

”Dad.”

Xiao Yilin cried calling him, hugging Xiao Yuan and sobbing, ”I’m sorry, I’m sorry...”

”Silly child.”

Xiao Yuan patted Xiao Yilin’s back, ”What’s there to be sorry for with your father? You see, no parent wouldn’t forgive their children for mistakes. Stop crying now, you’ve soaked my shirt.”

Feeling embarrassed, Xiao Yilin let go, and under the streetlight’s glow noticed Xiao Yuan’s new shirt had a large wet patch on the shoulder.

She felt even more embarrassed.

Xiao Yuan led her back inside, ”When you call your parents, be sweet and polite. Remember to greet everyone properly. Also, don’t ask or meddle in LuLu’s affairs; those are adult matters. You’re a child; just take care of yourself.”

Xiao Yilin nodded and agreed repeatedly with her head down.

After going back, she called Zhang Hao and Mrs. Zhang, mentioned her intention to return to the Zhang Family.

After the call, Xiao Yilin returned to the room she had lived in for many years, looking at the cramped space with a growing sense of reluctance.

The next day was Sunday, Anning got up early and, after breakfast, took Xiao Yilin out.

”Mom, what are we going to do?”

As Xiao Yilin changed shoes, she asked Anning.

Anning smiled, ”To buy you clothes and some gifts.”

”Why buy clothes? I have clothes.”

Xiao Yilin frowned.

Anning smiled and brushed her hair, ”Your clothes before were either bought by your mom or yourself, old and worn or unsuitable. If you wear those clothes to the Zhang Family, who knows what some people might say? Your biological parents wouldn’t mind, but the housekeeper and strangers might gossip. Also, you can’t go back empty-handed. You’re a child, yes, but we as your parents must prepare something for you to bring as gifts.”

”Don’t buy anything.”

Xiao Yilin tried to drag Anning back, ”With the money for things, it’d be better to buy some treats for my siblings.”

Unable to move Anning, she was instead pulled out by her, ”Our family isn’t short on money, stop always thinking about saving.”

That morning, Anning took Xiao Yilin to several malls, bought clothes that were not designer brands but very suitable. After buying clothes, she took Xiao Yilin to get her hair done. Anning discussed with the hairdresser to design a hairstyle for Xiao Yilin, and after the haircut, she looked more spirited.

Then, Anning went to buy some specialty products from Baisha County, putting them in gift boxes and had them specially packed to bring back.

As they returned home, someone from the Zhang Family arrived.

This time, it was Xiao Yilin’s biological brother, Zhang Linfeng.

He drove specially to pick up Xiao Yilin to go home.

Anning didn’t keep them long, leading Xiao Yilin back to pack her things, putting clothes and her usual items in the suitcase, and taking out the gifts.

Zhang Linfeng didn’t come upstairs and waited downstairs.

Anning and Xiao Yuan accompanied the children to send Xiao Yilin off to the car, reminding her again as she was about to leave, ”Call when you arrive safely.”

Xiao Yilin leaned against the car window, continuously turning her head to look back.

Watching the car go further and further, Xiao Yishan couldn’t hold back and started crying.