The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Anning unceremoniously told Zhang Lu what to do. She knew this child had just arrived in a new home, a strange place, and was actually feeling very nervous and restrained. At a time like this, the more politely you treated her, the more ill at ease she would feel.

”Okay.”

Zhang Lu stood up and went into the kitchen. ”Is there anything else I can help with?”

Anning smiled. ”Help set the table.”

Zhang Lu agreed, took out bowls and chopsticks, and quickly set the table. Then she went back into the kitchen again to help carry out the dishes and rice.

Just as the food was set on the table, the three little ones came back.

Now the three children went to and from school together as companions. On the way back they would chat together, and when they came in the door they were still chirping away nonstop.

When the three younger ones saw Zhang Lu, they clearly froze for a moment, but they were all quite sensible and each called Zhang Lu ”big sis.”

Zhang Lu smiled. ”Go wash your hands and eat.”

The six of them sat down to eat. Anning and Xiao Yuan both paid attention to which dishes Zhang Lu ate more of and which she didn’t eat. Over the course of the meal, they also learned some of Zhang Lu’s preferences.

After dinner, when the children were about to do their homework, Xiao Yuan stood up and said, ”Don’t start your homework yet. Pack up the things you’ll need for tomorrow. We’re moving tonight.”

”What?”

All four children were stunned.

Xiao Yuan laughed. ”We already got the new place ready earlier. We were going to move in a few days, but since LuLu came home today, let’s move tonight to celebrate and welcome the new member of the family.”

”Where’s our new home?”

The three little ones all cared a lot about this question.

Anning and Xiao Yuan smiled mysteriously. ”Don’t ask. You’ll know when we get there.”

So Zhang Lu didn’t even open her suitcase; she just picked it up again. The three little ones packed the books and things they needed for school the next day, and each took a set of pajamas and a change of clothes, then followed them downstairs.

Today, in order to set up the rooms and move things, Xiao Yuan had specially borrowed a seven-seater business van, which now happened to be very convenient for the whole family.

Xiao Yuan drove and took the family to Longhu District.

”Our new home is in Longhu District?”

As they entered the compound, Zhao Xiaocong was still muttering to Yishan, ”I heard there are a few large single-floor apartments here, but they’re really expensive. Where would Mom and Dad get the money to buy one?”

Yishan was also very curious.

Before the kids could figure anything out, Xiao Yuan drove into the villa area and straight into the king-of-the-block villa.

Xiao Yuan drove into the garage, got out, and opened the car door. ”Alright, we’re home. Everyone get out.”

”This is our new home?”

The three little ones got out of the car and stared dreamily at their new home. They had thought buying a big single-floor apartment would already be impressive, but they hadn’t expected it to be a villa—moreover, the largest villa here. How much must this cost?

Even Zhang Lu was stunned.

Her heart was full of doubts.

Wasn’t it said that the Xiao Family was very poor?

Wasn’t it said her real dad was a swindler who wouldn’t do honest work, and that the family relationships at home were definitely terrible?

Why was nothing she saw like that?

Even though her real dad and stepmom hadn’t been married long, just from watching how the two of them got along you could tell their relationship was especially good. And the three younger siblings also seemed very sensible; it didn’t look like there were any conflicts.

And if they could afford to live in a place like this, was the family really poor?

Zhang Lu, who had originally braced herself for hardship and suffering, truly hadn’t expected that on the first day of seeing her real dad, she would be given such a surprise.

Then, when the four children went up to the second floor and saw their respective rooms, Zhang Lu understood that life in the Xiao Family would not be worse than at the Zhang Family—at least in terms of living conditions, it was in no way inferior.

The other three practically went crazy with joy when they entered their own rooms.

Especially Zhao Xiaomeng, who bounced on the double bed for a long time before climbing down.

She ran downstairs, just as Anning had finished cutting fruit and set it in the living room. ”Well? Do you like it?”

”I like it.”

Zhao Xiaomeng hugged Anning. ”Mom, I really like the new home, and I really like my room.”

Anning pointed at Xiao Yuan. ”Your rooms were all set up by your dad. I didn’t lift a finger. If you like it, go thank your dad.”

Although Zhao Xiaomeng was still a little shy—she had always called him Uncle Xiao before, and suddenly being told to change how she addressed him made it hard to say—but thinking of how well Xiao Yuan had treated them these days, far better than her irresponsible, womanizing real father, the word ”Dad” slipped out of her mouth almost on its own. ”Thank you, Dad. I really like it.”

”As long as you like it.”

Xiao Yuan smiled, eyes crinkling. ”Alright, now that you’ve seen your new rooms, hurry up and do your homework.”

By this time, Yishan and Zhao Xiaocong had also come downstairs.

Judging from the smiles on their faces, they were clearly very satisfied with their rooms too.

Yishan even acted coquettishly with Anning. ”Mom, since we’ve moved into a new home, shouldn’t we buy some new clothes to celebrate?”

Anning smiled and pinched her nose. ”Of course. I’ll take you to buy clothes next week.”

”Then it’s a deal. You’re not allowed to go back on it.”

Yishan, holding her homework, obediently sat at the dining table, waiting for Anning to tutor her.

Xiao Yuan called Zhang Lu into the study on the first floor.

The two of them went into the study, and Xiao Yuan closed the door, then had Zhang Lu sit down.

He spoke first. ”Now that you’ve come back, I’ll take you to register your household tomorrow. I want to ask your opinion: do you want to change your surname when we register this time?”

Thinking of how on the Zhang Family’s side they had already changed Yilin’s surname, Zhang Lu nodded. ”I want to change it.”

”Then we’ll change your surname tomorrow. After the household registration is done, your student record will also need to be transferred. Your mom teaches at First Middle School. She has connections there, and it’s also the best school in the county. Your mom and I discussed transferring your student record there. Do you agree?”

Xiao Yuan discussed everything with Zhang Lu.

Zhang Lu naturally knew that Xiao Yuan was doing all this for her own good. She smiled. ”Of course I agree. Mom teaches there, and my younger brother and sisters are all at First Middle School too. If I go, there’ll be people to look out for me, so I don’t have to worry about others bullying me.”

This child was really sensible and tactful, which made it much easier for Xiao Yuan to get along with her. ”Then it’s settled. I’ll take you to get everything done tomorrow, and the day after you can start school at First Middle School. After all, you’re already in your second year of high school; you can’t fall too far behind. Right, if there’s anything you don’t understand in the future, you can ask your mom.”

”I understand. If there’s anything I don’t know, I’ll definitely ask Mom.”

Zhang Lu answered with a smile.

Xiao Yuan then took a card out of his pocket and handed it to Zhang Lu. ”Take this. You’re a big girl now; you should have some pocket money.”

This was her real dad. Money given by her real dad was something she should definitely accept. Zhang Lu didn’t refuse; she took it with a smile. ”Thank you, Dad.”