The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Xia Man saw Xi Jingchen waiting for her downstairs as she came down, and she walked over with a smile, taking Xi Jingchen’s arm: ”What time does Grandma arrive?”

Xi Jingchen checked his watch: ”In over two hours, we can find a place to get a drink at the airport while we wait for Grandma.”

”Okay.” Xia Man nodded with a smile.

The two took a taxi to the airport.

Anning slept on the plane, and when she woke up, the plane was ready to land, so she quickly put away the tray table and sat upright.

After a while, the plane landed.

By the time Anning got off the plane and collected her checked luggage, another twenty minutes had passed.

She came out carrying a big bag and pulling a suitcase when she saw Xi Jingchen and a pretty girl waving at her from afar.

Anning smiled and quickened her pace, waving back at Xi Jingchen.

To be honest, Xi Jingchen almost didn’t recognize Anning.

The original Anning didn’t dress up, and her attire was quite dowdy, but now that Anning’s here, she definitely looks different.

Anning threw away all her old clothes and shopped around both the county and the Provincial City before coming to Su Hai. Her current clothes are newly bought and fashionably styled, instantly making her look like a sophisticated old lady.

She’s wearing straight-leg jeans with a high-quality white shirt, layered with a fitted thin blazer. Notably, she’s wearing a trendy pair of shoes, and her designer bag catches the eye right away, making people think this old lady’s taste and style are genuinely impressive.

Anning walked to Xi Jingchen’s side and hugged him: ”You’ve grown taller, but you look thinner.”

Xi Jingchen shrugged helplessly: ”Grandma, I’m not thinner; I’ve gained weight.”

”That’s because you’ve grown taller.” Anning didn’t care if he’s gained weight; she still thinks he’s thinner.

Xi Jingchen smiled at Xia Man, softly whispering: ”There’s a kind of thin called Grandma thinks you’re thin.”

Xia Man burst out laughing.

Anning looked at Xia Man, who instantly became nervous.

Looking at Anning’s style, Xia Man thought this old lady seemed really youthful and felt particularly charismatic. Then, recalling Wang Xin’s words made her even more anxious: ”Hello, Grandma.”

Xi Jingchen quickly added: ”Grandma, let me introduce you, this is my girlfriend Xia Man.”

Xia Man quickly followed: ”Grandma, you can call me Manman.”

Anning nodded and immediately took Xia Man’s hand: ”Manman, oh, you’re so beautiful and likable. It’s all Jingchen’s fault for not telling me he’s in a relationship. I didn’t know; otherwise, I would’ve visited you earlier. So, what do you like to eat? I made a lot of jerky for you to take home later.”

”The jerky Grandma makes must be delicious.”

Xia Man really is lively and sweet, calling out ’Grandma’ so sweetly and saying things that make Anning feel especially pleased.

Anning glanced at Xi Jingchen: ”This rascal has such a nice girlfriend, why didn’t you mention it earlier and kept it from us...”

Xi Jingchen rubbed his nose: ”I haven’t graduated yet, just thought I’d wait until graduation to tell you all.”

They talked and walked out of the airport, got into a taxi, and Anning gave the driver an address. The driver smiled and started driving.

Xi Jingchen asked Anning: ”Grandma, who booked the hotel for you, my parents?”

Anning pouted: ”Your dad would take forever; I’d wait until the cows come home for him to book a hotel. I booked it myself.”

Xi Jingchen was familiar with the hotel Anning mentioned, as he studied here for three years and also dealt with the Xiao Family’s business.

Knowing how expensive that hotel is, he asked Anning: ”And you’re okay money-wise? I have a bit of cash here...”

Anning waved her hand: ”Enough, Jingchen, Grandma has more money than your dad. I came here this time wanting to give you some money. We graduate in a year, so what are your plans? Looking for a job or starting a business? Whatever you decide, Grandma supports you; I’ve saved money for you. If you want to start a business, Grandma will invest; if you join a company, I’ll buy a house for you with this money.”

Xi Jingchen’s first reaction was fear, not joy: ”Grandma, don’t say that, houses here are really expensive, where would you get money...”

Anning interrupted him impatiently: ”Don’t underestimate your grandma. Our ancestors were wealthy before they fell on hard times and settled in Jingxia Village. They left me many treasures, and since I know your dad isn’t reliable, I never told him. All of these are reserved for you, so even if my grandson does nothing, he’ll have enough to live off for life.”

Before Xi Jingchen could process this, Anning smiled and took Xia Man’s hand: ”Jingchen never mentioned you, I didn’t bring gifts for you this time.”

Xia Man quickly waved her hand: ”Grandma, you’re too polite; we should be the ones preparing gifts for you. Unfortunately, as the time was short, I couldn’t pick something nice, just bought a scarf since Jingchen mentioned you liked them. Hope you don’t mind.”

Xia Man took out a packaged scarf from her bag and handed it to Anning.

Anning was very happy and tied it around her neck: ”It’s really beautiful; Manman has great taste.”

She rummaged through her bag and finally took out a jade bracelet, slipping it onto Xia Man’s wrist: ”This is a family heirloom, given to me by Jingchen’s great-grandmother. I’m passing it on to you now.”

Xia Man was shocked: ”Grandma, this, this is too precious.”

Xi Jingchen saw Li Wanping often and learned much about jewelry through her, giving him some knowledge about valuable jade and gemstones.

He looked at the jade bracelet on Li Wanping’s wrist and was equally startled: ”Grandma, where did you get this, isn’t it too valuable?”

Anning waved away their concerns with a smile: ”Not valuable at all, these are just for fun. This bracelet is actually not worth much; its significance is in its heritage.”

”I can’t accept it.” Xia Man was more afraid now, thinking how could she accept the Tao family’s heirloom when they’re not even married yet.

Anning knew what Xia Man was thinking and patted her hand: ”Don’t overthink it or feel burdened. I’m not forcing you to do anything or make any commitments; I just like you and wanted to give you something. As there’s nothing else at hand, this bracelet is decent, so I’m giving it to you. It’s not some granddaughter-in-law family heirloom; wear it for fun. If you ever don’t like it, Grandma will give you something else. What do you like, diamonds, pearls, rubies, or Jade?”

Xia Man’s heart was racing.

She thought, isn’t Xi Jingchen’s grandma supposed to be a country woman, and isn’t his family just ordinary? Why does she talk as though they are so wealthy?

Xi Jingchen didn’t understand his grandma either now.

Yet, they were in the car, and he didn’t say anything. When they got to the hotel and entered the room Anning had booked, Xi Jingchen was even more surprised.

”How much is this room per night?”

Anning waved off: ”Don’t worry about it.”

She smiled and sat Xia Man down.

Xi Jingchen was feeling increasingly anxious and asked Anning: ”Grandma, you... you were serious about gifting jewelry and all? I know our family situation; where do you have so much money?”

He feared Anning might be bragging in front of Xia Man to maintain face, hence was trying to remind Anning and also inform Xia Man that he’s just from an ordinary family background.