The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Anning was stunned when she learned what kind of car the two girls had bought.

Then, she called Xiao Lu and Xiao Yilin.

”How’s the car? Do you like it?”

Xiao Lu laughed, ”It’s great, both Yilin and I really like it.”

Yilin chimed in, ”Yeah, I’ve always wanted to buy one like this, and now my wish has come true. Thanks, Mom.”

”As long as you like it, that’s all that matters.”

Qin Xiaocong sat next to Xiao Yilin and said into the phone, ”Mom, when my sister and I get into college, you have to get us a car too.”

”Of course I will.”

Anning agreed readily, ”Of course, but if you score poorly, then there’s nothing for you. Work hard for your car.”

Qin Xiaocong was very confident, ”I’m sure I’ll do well. By then, I want a luxury car, not like the ones my sisters got...”

”I’ll get you all one.”

Anning understood what Qin Xiaocong meant.

This kid had a lot on his mind. He was pre-warning Xiao Lu and Xiao Yilin, worried that if he, Xiaomeng, and Yishan ended up buying nicer cars when they get into college, and theirs were more expensive, Xiao Lu and Yilin might feel a certain way.

After all, the five children had different parents, and even Yilin and Anning had no blood relation to Xiao Yuan. Who knows what they might think if they overthink it?

They might think, see, it’s different when it’s not your real mom; she’ll buy better stuff for her own children.

Of course, Anning wasn’t afraid of that.

She wasn’t worried about what the kids might think. She believed she was being fair and just and hadn’t mistreated any of them. As long as she had a clear conscience, that was enough.

Xiao Lu and Xiao Yilin weren’t foolish; they understood Qin Xiaocong’s concerns. Yilin even tapped Qin Xiaocong on the shoulder, ”If you do well on your college entrance exams, and I have money, if Mom doesn’t buy you one, I’ll get you one.”

Xiao Lu gave Yilin a look, ”Don’t make big claims. When will you ever have the money? Better wait for me. I’ve almost finished learning Fengshui Skill, and Dad will let me take on jobs next year. Once I get a few big deals, I can buy any car.”

”Hmph, Dad taught you Mysticism, but he didn’t leave me empty-handed either. Dad gave me things too.”

Yilin looked at Xiao Lu smugly, ”Wait until I score big next year; it’ll be much faster than you.”

”Hmph, let’s wait and see.”

Xiao Lu turned away, ignoring Yilin.

Yilin leaned over and talked to Qin Xiaocong, ”Don’t listen to Big Sister; just wait for Second Sister to buy you a car.”

Qin Xiaocong wouldn’t offend anyone, ”Then I’ll thank both sisters in advance. My sister and I are waiting for you. You have to work hard and earn more money so you can buy us the best.”

The five kids had taken a taxi to the car dealership, but they drove back with two cars.

Xiao Lu and Xiao Yilin, having bought new cars, were thrilled and stayed in the garage for a long time before getting out.

”Is it that big of a deal?”

Yishan jumped out of the car, backpack on her shoulder, ”I don’t think it’s that good-looking. If it were me, I’d buy a sports car.”

In the evening, when Anning got home, Xiao Yuan had already cooked dinner.

The family of seven gathered around the dining table to eat. After the meal, when the children wanted to clean up, Xiao Yuan raised his hand, ”Sit down first; your mom and I have something to say.”

The children obediently sat down, ready to listen to what Xiao Yuan had to say.

Xiao Yuan cleared his throat, ”LuLu and Yilin are big girls now, about to go to college. Today, your mom let you two buy cars as your coming-of-age gifts.”

Xiao Lu and Xiao Yilin thanked Anning with smiles.

Anning raised her hand, ”Listen to your dad first.”

Xiao Yuan smiled slightly, ”Since you’re adults now, you’ll have to rely on yourselves from now on. Your mom and I will pay your tuition, but you’ll need to earn money for everything else. Your food, your expenses, all that you’ll have to earn yourselves, including maintaining your car and all the associated costs.”

”Dad.”

Xiao Lu and Xiao Yilin didn’t say anything, but Qin Xiaocong got anxious, ”My sisters are going to college, where will they find time to work?”

”Work on weekends.”

Xiao Yuan put on a stern face, becoming much more serious, ”Not just your sisters, you’ll all be the same once you’re adults. Right now, you three are in high school and studying hard, so we won’t make you work. We’ll cover all your expenses, but apart from your living and eating costs, pocket money will be limited. Each of you will get three thousand yuan a month; if it’s not enough, you’ll have to figure it out yourselves.”

”Three thousand?”

Xiao Yishan complained, ”Dad, what can you do with three thousand yuan? It’s not enough for me to eat out with classmates, go to the movies, or buy snacks and stuff.”

Qin Xiaomeng also felt it wasn’t enough, looking teary-eyed at Xiao Yuan.

Xiao Yuan resolved sternly, ”You’re living and eating at home; we’re covering tuition and books. You’re not even worrying about clothes. Isn’t three thousand enough? If it’s not, then be frugal. If that’s still not enough, find a way to make money. You’re getting used to it now because once you’re in college, even that won’t be there.”

”Dad.”

Qin Xiaocong wailed.

Xiao Yishan, teary-eyed, looked at Anning, ”Mom, help us with Dad.”

It all started this past year because Anning and Xiao Yuan started earning more. They rarely set limits on the kids, giving them however much they wanted, leading them to spend freely. Now that everything stabilized, Xiao Yuan wanted to turn their habits around.

To him, it was easy to say, but for the kids, it was a challenge.

After all, transitioning from frugality to luxury is easy, but from luxury back to frugality is hard.

Anning stroked Xiao Yishan’s head, ”Your dad is doing this for your own good, cultivating your independence in advance. Besides, three thousand yuan a month is really not a small amount.”

She softly explained to the three youngsters, ”Think about what life was like for us a few years ago, Yishan. Back then, your dad couldn’t earn money and had to pay off debts from your mom’s illness, and life was really tight. At that time, we managed to get by. And Xiaocong and Xiaomeng, in those early years, Zhao Dahai barely brought money home. Everything was paid with my salary. A teacher’s salary wasn’t much back then, yet our family of three managed to survive on that. Now, you don’t need to worry about school fees or books. We’ll buy your clothes, and you get three thousand yuan a month. Apart from travel to and from school, it’s mostly for snacks and occasional gifts with friends. Isn’t that enough?”

Anning calmly and thoroughly explained to the kids, ”If you find it truly insufficient, you can come work at my company during school breaks or follow your dad for some jobs. We’ll pay you. Or, you can figure something out yourselves.”

The kids at home weren’t particularly unreasonable.

They had seen harder days, and Anning’s careful explanation calmed them down.

Thinking it over, they realized she was right.

Back when they were studying in the county, some families didn’t even spend three thousand yuan a month, and they were getting three thousand yuan pocket money on top of other expenses—truly not a small amount.

It was now only possible because the family conditions had improved; in earlier times, it wouldn’t have been feasible.

Supporting five kids’ education was a heavy burden for any ordinary family.

Indeed, just pocket money for the three little ones was nearly ten thousand a month—it’s not a small sum.

”Alright then.”

Qin Xiaocong started calming down and accepted the restriction.

Once he accepted it, the two girls stopped fussing.

”Whatever.”

Xiao Yishan said, ”At least I still have three thousand; my sister has nothing.”

Xiao Lu joked, ”Give it three more years, and you’ll be just like us.”

”Alright, alright, clean up the dishes, and you five clean the kitchen. Tomorrow you’ll start getting ready for the new school year.”

Anning stood up to assign chores to the kids.