The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Anning found it absolutely hilarious.

Where did Xiao Tong get the confidence to think other people would definitely help her?

Xiao Tong was underestimating Anning far too much, and underestimating Xiao Yuan even more.

Did she really think Xiao Yuan was the kind of man who puts special emphasis on blood ties and would definitely hand the Xiao Family over to his own children and grandchildren?

With tens of thousands of employees at the Xiao Family, Xiao Yuan has to be responsible for them. As for the successor, he’ll definitely choose carefully. If his descendants are capable, he might hand it to them, but if none of them has the ability to take over the Xiao Family, Xiao Yuan won’t be constrained by ”family.” He’ll choose someone who can keep the Xiao Family steady and even lead it down a more successful path.

As for his children and grandchildren, Xiao Yuan really hasn’t cared that much.

If they’re decent, he’ll leave them enough money to spend. If they’re not... well, good luck, he won’t bother with whether they live or die.

Anning sized up Xiao Tong, adopting a thoughtful expression.

After a while, Anning finally agreed: ”Alright then. I don’t like Li Wanping anyway, so I might as well help you out.”

Xiao Tong broke into a smile.

She’d already thought this through before she came—just based on the friction between Anning and Li Wanping, Anning would choose to help her.

”I’ll be counting on you from now on.” Xiao Tong reached out her hand. ”Pleasure working together.”

Anning smiled and reached out to shake hands with Xiao Tong. ”Pleasure working together.”

As for how exactly they would ”cooperate,” that would obviously be up to Anning.

Xiao Tong thought she’d successfully pulled Anning over to her side and left in high spirits.

Once she was gone, Anning let out a cold snort: ”As expected, she’s an idiot.”

Very soon, Xi Jingchen and Xia Man returned to Su Hai.

As soon as they got back, they went to see Anning first.

Of course, neither of them went to the Xiao Family. The unpleasant scene with Li Wanping last time had made both Xi Jingchen and Xia Man reluctant to go there again.

They arranged to meet Anning at Anning’s villa.

Anning went over together with Xiao Yuan.

Once the four of them were inside, Xi Jingchen took out some local specialties Mrs. Xia had prepared: ”These are from Manman’s parents. They said they wanted Grandpa and Grandma to have a taste.”

Anning accepted them with a smile. ”Your in-laws went to a lot of trouble.”

She pulled Xia Man over and had her sit by her side. ”How are your parents’ health? Are they busy at work? Do you help out around the house at home...”

Xia Man answered each question with a smile.

Anning nodded.

Xiao Yuan cleared his throat and looked at Xi Jingchen: ”Jingchen, starting tomorrow you’ll report in at the Xiao Family. For this summer break, you’ll stay by my side as an assistant.”

Xi Jingchen was startled.

He hurriedly waved his hand. ”Grandpa, this... I don’t think I’m up to it.”

”Why not? Who’s born knowing everything? You can learn what you don’t know. Besides, I don’t only have you as an assistant. I’ve got several secretaries and assistants, all highly seasoned and very capable. If you follow them, you’ll be able to pick up a few things too.”

Only after hearing that did Xi Jingchen agree.

Seeing him agree, Xiao Yuan relaxed and smiled.

Anning held Xia Man’s hand and said, ”Jingchen will be an assistant to the old man; you can be my assistant. My company’s just been set up, there’s tons of things to do, and I can’t find the right people in the short term. Come lend me a hand.”

Xia Man agreed without even thinking.

Anning continued, ”Have you two eaten yet?”

Xi Jingchen shook his head.

Anning got up and went into the kitchen to cook, and Xia Man followed her in to help.

Once inside, Xia Man helped pick the vegetables, while Anning chopped the meat and said, ”There’s going to be a charity auction in a few days. You’ll come with me and have a look. If there’s something you like, you can bid on it.”

”Sure.”

Xia Man replied with a smile.

She didn’t take it to heart. She wasn’t planning on buying anything anyway; she’d just go along with Anning to gain some exposure.

The four of them only went home after having eaten there.

Xi Jingchen and Xia Man were already exhausted from the trip. Once they got back, they had a good sleep, and when they woke up it was already evening.

Neither of them wanted to cook, so they went out together to eat.

It was still very hot at that time. Coming out from an air-conditioned room and being hit with the heat, both of them felt it would’ve been better to stay inside and enjoy the AC and just order delivery instead.

But since they were already out, they couldn’t just turn around and go back.

The two picked a restaurant nearby and went in.

They had barely sat down, the dishes weren’t even served yet, when someone walked in from outside.

Xi Jingchen looked up—well, what do you know, a familiar face.

The one who came in was Xiao Zhang.

He walked into the place and spotted Xi Jingchen and Xia Man instantly. Before anyone could greet him, Xiao Zhang headed over on his own.

He pulled out a chair and sat down right next to Xia Man. ”There are quite a lot of people; you don’t mind sharing a table, do you?”

Xi Jingchen smiled and nodded. ”I don’t mind.”

But he cleverly dragged another chair over to his side and called to Xia Man, ”Manman, come sit over here.”

Xia Man quickly moved over and sat down beside Xi Jingchen.

She even smiled as she asked Xiao Zhang, ”Mr. Xiao, what brings you to a place like this? You don’t strike me as the type to eat in a little joint like this.”

Xiao Zhang gave Xia Man a long, deep look, then turned to Xi Jingchen: ”I heard you had a fight with Mom a while back. What happened? I didn’t know you two had come back; I came over specially to ask. Whatever Mom did wrong, don’t take it to heart. No matter what, she’s still our mother. It’s not easy, raising us and all.”

Xi Jingchen kept a smile on his face as he rinsed a cup for Xia Man and said, ”It’s nothing much, really. Just a few arguments over differing views. Like you said, I didn’t take it to heart. No matter what, she’s a senior. What can I do to her? Cut off some flesh to give back to my mother?”

At those words, the smile on Xiao Zhang’s face almost froze.

Xia Man took the cup, gave Xi Jingchen a sweet smile, and seeing that smile only made Xiao Zhang feel worse. Jealousy burned in him like a fire, even reddening his eyes a little.

Xiao Zhang lowered his head, hiding the malice in his gaze. ”Is that so? As long as there’s no real falling-out. I thought... Guess I was overthinking it.”

Just then, Xiao Zhang’s phone rang.

He hurried to answer, and Xi Jingchen heard him say, ”Yeah, I’m at... Come over.”

Only a few minutes after Xiao Zhang hung up, a tall, very slim woman walked in.

The woman was dressed in a business suit, looking sharp and capable.

She walked over in high heels, carrying a commuter-style handbag, every move radiating a strong, assertive air.

She sat down next to Xiao Zhang. ”You’re really hard to track down these days.”

Xiao Zhang smiled and introduced her to Xi Jingchen: ”This is Hu Family’s daughter, Hu Yushan.”

There was a flicker of irritation in Xi Jingchen’s heart, and he didn’t offer his hand. He only nodded at Hu Yushan. ”Hello.”

Hu Yushan’s eyes lit up when she saw Xi Jingchen. ”Hello.”

Xiao Zhang then introduced Xi Jingchen to Hu Yushan: ”This is my younger brother, Xi Jingchen. And that’s Miss Xia Man.”

Hu Yushan gave Xia Man a few glances, a hint of disdain flashing in her eyes.

Xia Man frowned; she had a bad feeling about this.

Xi Jingchen reached out and squeezed Xia Man’s hand, telling her not to overthink.

Soon, the dishes Xi Jingchen had ordered were served.

He first helped Xia Man pick some food and then ladled soup for her. ”Weren’t you hungry? Eat more.”

Xiao Zhang looked at Xia Man. ”Do you want something to drink? How about some juice? I’ll have them make you a freshly squeezed glass at room temperature...”

Xia Man shook her head with a smile. ”No thanks, I’m fine with water.”

”How can that be? Who knows what kind of water this is.” Xiao Zhang said, starting to get up. ”If you want water, I’ll go out and buy you a bottle.”

Xi Jingchen looked up at Xiao Zhang. ”Sit down. Manman and I have been drinking plain boiled water for ten, twenty years and nothing’s happened to us. We’re not suddenly so delicate now that we have to specify some particular brand of water.”

Xiao Zhang frowned. ”You’re a man. You’ve got thick skin and flesh; you’ll be fine no matter what. But Manman is...”

By now, Xia Man was feeling a spark of anger as well. ”Mr. Xiao, as far as I remember, we aren’t that close. At least not close enough for you to be calling me by my nickname, right?”