The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Right now, Zhang Yilin is feeling a bit down.

She originally thought that returning to the Zhang Family, seeing her biological parents, she would be able to live a good life.

However, she never considered that her days at the Zhang Family were actually worse than at the Xiao Family.

The first day she returned to the Zhang Family, during dinner, yes, everyone came back to accompany her.

But during dinner, she could clearly sense the disdain in Mrs. Zhang’s eyes, Zhang Hao’s frowning brows, and Zhang Linfeng’s indifference.

The Zhang Family upheld the tradition of not talking during meals, remaining silent, but that was fine—only, they were her family, yet they actually looked down on her.

This meal left Zhang Yilin feeling very uneasy.

After dinner, Mrs. Zhang said to Zhang Yilin, ”Your dad has already transferred you to another school, and tomorrow we’ll take you to report at Yucai.”

Yilin nodded, ”I understand.”

Mrs. Zhang continued, ”I’ve hired a private etiquette teacher for you. Learn some etiquette after school each day, also, do you have any special talents?”

Zhang Yilin shook her head, ”No special talents, I haven’t learned anything since I was little.”

Mrs. Zhang sighed.

Zhang Linfeng suddenly remembered something, ”LuLu has learned violin, plays piano well, and knows folk dance, and then...”

This made Zhang Yilin feel even more uncomfortable.

She couldn’t help but stand up and retort, ”Well, I’m really sorry, I’m just like this, can’t do this, can’t do that, definitely going to embarrass you guys in the future. Are you especially regretting bringing me back now?”

After speaking, Zhang Yilin turned and went upstairs.

”Yilin, it’s not like that... you kid...”

Mrs. Zhang wanted to explain, but Zhang Yilin simply did not listen.

When she was at the Xiao Family, she was spoiled for being headstrong, as the entire family was very tolerant of her. In fact, to put it honestly, Zhang Yilin’s life at the Xiao Family was quite free, which also cultivated her straightforward nature—she wouldn’t hold back when she felt uncomfortable and would retort if she didn’t like someone.

Zhang Yilin went upstairs, and Mrs. Zhang complained to Zhang Linfeng, ”See how you speak to your sister.”

Zhang Linfeng shrugged, ”Can you blame me? Was what I said wrong? Mom, you should refrain from bringing sister to social events for now, just in case she speaks her mind and offends someone.”

Mrs. Zhang nodded, ”I have considered that. I won’t take her out until she learns social etiquette well.”

Zhang Yilin thought that life at the Zhang Family was already stifling enough.

But she never expected school to be even more distressing.

Because she went to the school where Xiao Lu studied for nearly five years, Xiao Lu was in the student council at Yucai, was beautiful, talented, and although her academics weren’t top-notch, they were quite good. So, most of the students at school knew about her.

And the story of the switched children had also become known among these students.

When Zhang Yilin arrived at school, her classmates couldn’t help but compare her to Xiao Lu, and the differences became apparent.

Saying how Zhang Yilin wasn’t as pretty as Xiao Lu, didn’t have as good a temperament, didn’t know etiquette properly, and that Xiao Lu was so talented while Zhang Yilin couldn’t do anything. On top of that, her grades were horrendous.

Many whispers surrounded her, and Zhang Yilin couldn’t avoid hearing them.

Every day at school was torture for her.

At home, she wanted to talk to Mrs. Zhang, but Mrs. Zhang often wasn’t around, the housekeeper was there, Mr. Zhang was busy with work, with social interactions, and often didn’t come home. Zhang Linfeng after work would go out to play with childhood friends, so more often than not, Zhang Yilin found herself alone, making her truly sad.

She felt like she was about to explode.

That day, while the Xiao Family was having dinner, Xiao Yuan’s phone rang.

Xiao Yuan took out the phone and placed it on the table, pressing the answer key.

Soon, Zhang Yilin’s voice could be heard.

Her voice sounded like it was tinged with tears, ”Dad.”

Xiao Yuan paused for a moment, then smiled warmly and asked, ”What’s wrong?”

”Dad, I miss you all so much.” Zhang Yilin said chokingly, ”I feel awful and don’t know who to talk to. Dad, you know what? Here, I almost never see my relatives, they all resent me. Yes, I’m not good at this or that, but is that my fault? They don’t take me out, saying I’m an embarrassment. My classmates think I’m not good at studying or talents, and now they’re starting to alienate me...”

As she spoke, Zhang Yilin began to cry sadly.

Xiao Yuan quickly picked up the phone, ”Sweetie, don’t cry. Our Yilin is the best and most amazing, how could you cry over such a little thing.”

”It’s not a little thing.”

On the phone, Zhang Yilin wiped her tears, ”To me, this is a huge deal, okay.”

Xiao Yuan chuckled, ”Yes, it’s a huge deal, but isn’t the sky still up? It’s not that urgent then. Yilin, Dad told you before, they are your family, relatives connected by blood. What can’t you say to them? You’re returning home, not visiting, so don’t let yourself be aggrieved. If you feel lonely at home, just tell them directly, and if they despise you, retort back! Our Yilin is the best at retorts, isn’t she? Use the same energy you use to retort to Dad and vent out, you’ll feel relieved. Also, learning some things isn’t bad. We didn’t have the conditions before, but we do now. Learn something you like, we’ll take it slowly, it’ll surely get better.”

”Is that so? Can I really do what I want?”

Zhang Yilin asked, ”Will they get mad?”

”Sis, between letting them get mad at you and you getting mad yourself, which would you choose?”

Zhao Xiaocong couldn’t help but chime in.

Zhang Yilin thought for a moment, ”That would still be them getting mad.”

After saying that, she laughed herself, ”I got it, by the way, have you guys eaten yet?”

Zhao Xiaomeng and Xiao Yishan answered together, ”We’re eating, we’re having such a good dinner tonight. Mom made dumplings, Dad made fish ball soup, and also...”

Zhang Yilin was almost drooling, ”Alright, stop, you’re making me hungry again, you guys eat, I’ll hang up now.”

After the call, Xiao Yuan looked at Xiao Lu, ”LuLu, heard that? I still say this—connected by blood, if there’s anything don’t bottle it up. If you’re wronged at school, tell your mom, and if you can’t tell me or your mom, then tell your brother and sister. You’re home, it’s a family reunion, not to be wronged, okay.”

Xiao Lu nodded with a smile, ”I understand, I won’t be aggrieved.”

In her previous life, she was aggrieved enough, the heavens pitied her and allowed her to be reborn. With such a rare opportunity, this chance at life is most cherished by her, she wouldn’t let herself live with regrets.