The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Li Wanping walked quickly to the living room, her face full of smiles: ”Jingchen is here, come sit down.”

Xi Jingchen sat down with a smile.

Li Wanping looked towards Xia Man: ”Oh dear, Manman looks even prettier after just a few days. We met the other day but didn’t get to chat much. Now that you’re here, let’s have a nice talk.”

Xia Man replied with a smile: ”I will chat with you, Auntie.”

Li Wanping took Xia Man’s hand: ”We have a small garden behind our home, how about I take you for a walk there?”

”Sure.” Xia Man followed Li Wanping outside.

Anning didn’t stop them, she smiled and talked with Xi Jingchen.

”When you visit Manman’s house, you must be polite, speak nicely with Manman’s parents, and make a good impression.”

Xi Jingchen laughed: ”Of course, I want to marry Manman and definitely need her parents’ approval.”

Anning nodded: ”If Manman’s parents agree, let me know, and your father and I will visit sometime soon. At least we should meet them, that’s basic etiquette.”

”I understand.”

Xi Jingchen, being young and focused on his studies, hadn’t experienced these situations and didn’t know what to do. Anning guided him step by step.

After pondering, Anning added: ”I know a little about Manman’s place, it’s a small county in the north, with a relatively closed environment and more traditional thinking. Many things are done by old customs, so when you visit, you must ensure all formalities are observed, don’t let them pick faults. Also, people there have a fierce local culture, love drinking and encouraging others to drink. If you can’t handle alcohol, just find an excuse like alcohol allergy, and don’t drink no matter who tries persuading you. Not drinking any won’t be an issue, but once you start, it won’t end. If you get drunk, it’ll invite ridicule.”

Xi Jingchen really didn’t know this.

He nodded seriously: ”I’ll remember that.”

”Oh right.” Anning clapped her hands: ”When going there, don’t bring alcohol, choose another gift. When chatting with Manman’s dad, mention that in our family, generations aren’t fond of drinking. Then, when others try to persuade you, Manman’s dad should try to help stop them.”

Anning advised everything she could. Xi Jingchen, with a good memory, remembered it all.

Meanwhile, Li Wanping led Xia Man to the back garden.

This garden isn’t large, but it’s quite exquisite, planted with many flowers blooming this season. There’s also a small pond with lotus flowers and several Jinli fish. Beside the pond is a small artificial hill and a vintage pavilion.

Li Wanping took Xia Man to sit in the pavilion.

”Manman, where is your home?”

Li Wanping asked Xia Man with a smile.

Xia Man named the place and Li Wanping’s smile didn’t reach her eyes: ”I see, what do your parents do?”

Xia Man replied: ”My dad is a civil servant, my mom is a high school teacher.”

”Oh.” Li Wanping nodded: ”That’s quite decent in your area.”

Xia Man laughed lightly, saying no more.

”However...” Li Wanping’s tone changed: ”You must have seen that Jingchen is really outstanding; I believe there are many girls at your school who like Jingchen.”

Xia Man just smiled without responding.

”Moreover, Jingchen’s grandma married into the Xiao Family, and Jingchen is my son. In the future, Jingchen’s prospects are undoubtedly bright. Manman, do you think, given your background, you are a match for Jingchen?”

Li Wanping asked Xia Man with a smile, but her eyes carried undeniable contempt and coldness.

Xia Man shivered involuntarily at that look.

”Auntie, I don’t understand how you think, but for Jingchen and me, these external conditions don’t matter. Jingchen has bought a house in Su Hai, fully paid, and a car is just a means of transport as long as it works. I believe after we graduate, with our salaries, we can buy a car within a year. We have a house and a car, starting out better than many young people. Jingchen and I are capable, and we’ll manage our lives well. Since we don’t worry about food and clothing, for us, love is most important.”

Xia Man took a deep breath, trying to suppress the grievance rising inside and spoke softly to Li Wanping.

Li Wanping scoffed coldly: ”So naive. In the past, people emphasized marrying within similar social status; nowadays, many families do too. If the social gates aren’t equal, even if deeply in love, they could become a resentful couple.”

Xia Man could no longer suppress her anger.

She stood up abruptly: ”Auntie, are you implying you and Uncle Xiao are a resentful couple?”

”What did you say?”

Li Wanping stood up too, glaring at Xia Man: ”Is this your attitude? How dare you speak to an elder like this? Remember, I am Jingchen’s mother, and he must consult my opinion before marrying.”

That statement didn’t sit well with Xia Man.

”Auntie, when you divorced Uncle Xi, did you ask Jingchen for his opinion? When you left Jingchen and neglected him for so many years, did you ask his opinion? As a mother, you haven’t fulfilled your responsibilities, so why meddle in Jingchen’s and my affairs now? Not that you never raised Jingchen, but even if you did, you have no right to interfere in his marriage. Our country banned arranged marriages decades ago, with the Marriage Law stating freedom of marriage. Are you more effective than national law now?”

Xia Man is not one to endure grievances quietly.

No matter who it is, if they dare to make her suffer, speak nonsense to her, or cross her boundaries, she’ll definitely render them speechless.

Unquestionably, Xi Jingchen is Xia Man’s boundary.

Li Wanping’s expression changed dramatically.

Now she was determined not to let Xi Jingchen marry Xia Man.

Actually, a few days ago she thought of ways to stop Anning and Xiao Yuan from registering their marriage, but before she could act, Xiao Tong confronted her, and she only focused on fighting him, forgetting the most important matter. By the time she realized it, Xiao Yuan and Anning were officially married.

Moreover, these days, Xiao Yuan was urging Li Wanping to help organize their wedding.

This angered Li Wanping immensely.

Seeing Xia Man’s defiant lack of respect, she clearly knew if Xi Jingchen married Xia Man, Xia Man would surely team up with Anning against her.

That’s something Li Wanping absolutely does not want.

”You should know.”

Li Wanping, barely controlling her anger, crossed her arms and looked at Xia Man: ”Xi Zhenhua listens to me well. If I say, ’I disagree with you marrying Jingchen,’ he will certainly oppose it too. Parents’ disagreement, without blessings, means you and Jingchen will never succeed. Don’t tell me grandma agrees; grandma, after all, is just grandma, she can’t replace parents.”