The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Anning’s film crew was already assembled.

The female lead was the talent show winner Bei Mier.

Bei Mier’s looks really fit the original female character; she’s not exceptionally beautiful but she’s very cute, and has a kind of appearance that appeals to the audience and makes people feel comfortable.

The male lead wasn’t a big name, but an actor from a film academy, Nie Ming, who had appeared in a few TV dramas, albeit in supporting roles.

Nie Ming looks cool and handsome, and his acting skills are good, which is sufficient for filming idol dramas.

And paired with He Ningkang, who has refined features and a gentle appearance, as the second male lead, the setting was complete.

Meanwhile, the weather was already particularly cold, and the final exams were approaching.

Qin Xiaomeng had been pestering Anning lately, thinking about visiting the film set after the holidays, wanting to see how TV shows are made.

Xiao Yishan had been quite busy recently; aside from studying, she even started learning to paint.

Additionally, Xiao Yishan had developed an interest in Hanfu.

She began saving money to buy Hanfu, but her allowance was really quite small, and good quality Hanfu can be quite expensive. Xiao Yishan didn’t have enough money, so she planned to work during the winter break to earn some, and had already agreed with Anning to work odd jobs at her company during the holidays.

The kids were all busy with their own affairs, Anning and Xiao Yuan both had their own jobs, and there hadn’t been time for a good chat with the kids for quite a while.

It wasn’t until after the final exams, when the kids came home for the winter vacation, that Anning could manage to take them out for some fun and a big shopping spree.

When buying clothes, Anning noticed that Xiao Lu’s expression was noticeably off.

After buying clothes and while having a meal, Anning sent off the other kids to the supermarket for some snacks and such, and sat with Xiao Lu waiting for them.

The four left and Anning asked Xiao Lu, ”What’s the matter? Did something happen recently?”

Xiao Lu shook her head, ”Nothing’s wrong.”

”You don’t look well, are you overworked? If you’re tired, you should rest more. Your dad’s not old, he can work for another twenty or thirty years. If there’s anything hard to manage, let your dad handle it; don’t wear yourself out at such a young age.”

Anning gently counseled Xiao Lu, ”Our life isn’t difficult. My company has started profiting, and your dad earns a lot too. Your brothers and sisters are sensible and obedient, they don’t cost much, you don’t have to push yourself so hard and look how pale your face is, it makes me worry.”

Xiao Lu smiled, ”It’s really not about being tired, it’s just...”

She hesitated.

Anning suddenly understood, ”Is it a relationship issue? Got a boyfriend?”

Xiao Lu massaged her temples, ”Not exactly a boyfriend, just someone pursuing me. I’m a bit uncertain about it.”

”Can you tell me about it?” Anning asked, ”Of course, you don’t have to say if you don’t want to, you’re an adult now, you can decide your own matters.”

Xiao Lu thought for a moment, ”My dad knows this person, he’s the same person who had us check the Feng Shui at his home before, the president of the Du Family.”

”Du Heng?”

Anning realized who he was, and immediately became worried, ”People in the Capital know all about Du Heng’s situation, his naturally unlucky constitution, are you concerned about that?”

Xiao Lu smiled bitterly, ”Du Heng’s constitution is very unique. He’s always had misfortunes growing up, though nothing major, just constant small troubles. But he has a wealth-attracting constitution, the more misfortune he encounters, the more his family earns. If he’s with me, he won’t be unlucky anymore.”

”Oh?”

Anning raised an eyebrow.

She was really curious, ”That’s quite strange. It’s as if you two were meant to be together.”

Xiao Lu’s face showed some bitterness, ”I also find it strange, and I can’t be sure what he feels about me. Does he truly like me, or is it because being with me means no more bad luck?”

”Back home, you can have your dad compare your birth dates.”

Anning patted Xiao Lu’s shoulder, ”Don’t worry too much, who knows what will happen. Just follow your heart and see if you like him. If you truly do, there’s no harm in trying.”

These words were comforting.

With Anning’s words, Xiao Lu felt much relaxed.

Due to having experienced two lifetimes, Xiao Lu’s thoughts were deeper and more detailed, making her naturally suspicious and difficult to truly trust anyone.

Anyway, Anning thought, with Du Heng’s constitution and Xiao Lu’s personality, even if they liked each other, there’d be constant ups and downs, and it’s hard to predict the outcome.

Back home, Anning talked about this with Xiao Yuan.

Xiao Yuan compared Xiao Lu and Du Heng’s birth dates, smiled wryly and said to Anning, ”It’s unclear.”

”What’s going on?”

Anning asked Xiao Yuan.

Xiao Yuan pulled Anning to sit down, ”If Xiao Lu is the Chosen One, then naturally there will be a man suited for her. Du Heng is handsome and wealthy, the Du Family is rapidly developing and has significant influence, so logically, Du Heng should be the right match for Xiao Lu. But Xiao Lu is a reincarnated person, and since her rebirth, many things have changed. Whether Du Heng can fully assume this role as the male lead is still uncertain.”

”I see Xiao Lu is struggling over this, I think she has some feelings for Du Heng, otherwise she would have directly rejected him.”

Anning shared her thoughts.

Xiao Yuan smiled and said, ”Every generation has its own fortunes, we can’t interfere in this, it all depends on Xiao Lu’s choice.”

The next day, Xiao Lu was invited out by Du Heng, saying he had a friend whose family had a problem and wanted Xiao Lu to help check it out.

Since work came her way, Xiao Lu certainly wouldn’t refuse, so she went out with Du Heng and didn’t return until late.

When she came back, Du Heng personally drove her home.

Considering the relations between the Xie Family and the Du Family, Du Heng drove Xiao Lu all the way to her doorstep. Out of courtesy, Xiao Lu invited him in, ”Would you like to come inside my home for a bit?”

Du Heng, taking her up on the offer, followed Xiao Lu inside.

Anning was cooking at that time.

Just released from intensive work, with the New Year approaching, and the household not yet stocked, she and Xiao Yuan shopped and spent the afternoon preparing things according to their hometown customs.

When Xiao Lu returned, Anning had just finished frying meatballs in the kitchen, the whole house was filled with their aroma. In another pot, Anning was simmering chicken, planning to make chicken noodle soup for dinner, and had already mixed and set the dough.

”Mom.”

Xiao Lu called out, and Anning emerged from the kitchen. Seeing Du Heng, she greeted him with a smile, ”Du Heng, come in and sit, want anything to drink?”

Du Heng promptly said, ”No need, I just escorted LuLu back and thought to say hello to you; I’ll leave soon, no need to fuss.”

By rights, given the relationship between the Du and Xie families, Du Heng and Anning would be equals, and he should address her as sister. But he’s dropped down a generation and calls Anning aunt, showing his intentions clearly.

Anning kept smiling, ”Thanks for bringing LuLu. Oh, I’ve just fried some meatballs, hold on, let me give you some. Your mom loves these, let her try them.”

”Alright then.”

Du Heng didn’t refuse out of politeness.

Anning went into the kitchen, got a box of meatballs, and handed them to Du Heng. With the meatballs, Du Heng couldn’t linger longer, exchanged a few words with Anning, and left.

After Du Heng left, Xiao Lu slumped onto the sofa.

Anning went over and asked, ”So? Don’t like him?”

Xiao Lu shook her head, looked at Anning, and softly asked, ”Mom, what does it feel like to love someone?”