The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Just when Xia Man was so busy, the date for the charity auction that Anning mentioned to her arrived.

On this day, Anning gave Xia Man a day off.

Xia Man was finally able to sleep comfortably.

In the past few days, she had to wake up very early every day, plan her day, then rush to work, even eating her breakfast bought on the way.

She would return home especially late at night, go over the day’s work again, fill in any gaps, and then still read some professional books, going to bed after midnight every night.

Xia Man felt it was even more exhausting than during the college entrance exam, but she also felt full of vigor and energy.

After all, such a good opportunity to learn from experience is hard to come by.

However, after working for several days, Xia Man also needed a rest.

She woke up late, only to find Xi Jingchen had already left.

Wearing slippers, she walked to the living room and found breakfast that Xi Jingchen had bought on the dining table. Next to the breakfast was a card with a cartoon couple and a big heart drawn on it.

Xia Man picked up the card, glanced at it, and couldn’t help but smile.

Even though it was just an ordinary bought breakfast, Xia Man ate it and found it exceptionally delicious.

After breakfast, she took a taxi to find Anning.

Anning was already waiting at home, and the team she invited to help with image styling had already arrived.

Anning did a skincare treatment, then began selecting dresses, matching jewelry, and choosing a suitable hairstyle.

When Xia Man arrived, Anning tugged her over to undergo a full body care, and then choose dresses, and the like.

Anyhow, the two kept tinkering until four or five in the afternoon when they finally finished.

During the styling, Anning introduced the auction items and donations for this charity auction to Xia Man.

”I donated an official kiln blue and white porcelain, and also donated a Jade carving Peony Plate on your behalf. It’s not something particularly valuable, just a contribution to charity.”

”I originally had something prepared.”

Upon hearing Anning had donated on her behalf, Xia Man felt quite embarrassed.

Anning patted her hand, ”You’re still young, how much can you have? Keep what’s good for yourself. I don’t have anything else, but there are still some of these little items.”

”Grandma, you’re really good to me.”

Xia Man was truly touched.

She could tell if someone was sincere or not.

Anning’s care and love for her had always been evident, she had always been grateful, and this time, Anning’s thoughtful preparation of donations for her made Xia Man even more sentimental.

”You.”

Anning smiled as she placed a Ruby hairpin in Xia Man’s hair, ”This suits your outfit, wearing it looks really beautiful.”

Xia Man stood up and looked at her reflection in the mirror, growing more and more satisfied with her appearance.

She took a selfie with her phone and sent it to Xi Jingchen.

In no time, Xi Jingchen responded with messages, not only praising Xia Man’s beauty but also sending several hearts.

Anning waited until Xia Man admired herself enough, then stood up and took Xia Man outside.

When they arrived at the venue, Anning and Xia Man’s entrance surprised many people.

Several people came over to greet Anning, ”Hello, Mrs. Xiao, didn’t expect you’d be here.”

Anning smiled and shook hands with them, ”Just came to take a look, and brought the kid along.”

Xia Man quickly joined in to greet others.

In just a short walk around, Xia Man got to know many people.

Anning lightly introduced these people to Xia Man, ”That tall bald man is President Yu, and beside him is his wife, Lady Zhou. Lady Zhou is quite the strong woman, she founded the company together with President Yu, but her health hasn’t been great these past two years, which is why she retired.”

Xia Man nodded to show she remembered.

Anning advised further, ”Lady Zhou is very astute, even in retirement, President Yu consults her on many company matters. You should strike up relations with Lady Zhou when you find the time.”

Xia Man acknowledged her advice.

Anning then pointed to another short but young and handsome man, ”That is President Zhao, owner of Xintong. President Zhao values righteousness and has a good character, someone worth associating with. And that is President Wang, a slick individual with many tactics, suitable for interaction but not for deep association, and then...”

Xia Man earnestly made note of everyone Anning discreetly pointed out to her.

She held Anning’s arm, ”Grandma, I remember all of them.”

Anning smiled, ”Let’s find somewhere to sit.”

As the grandmother and granddaughter settled down, a few Madams gathered over.

The Madams approached with smiles to speak to Anning, ”You must be Mrs. Xiao, we’ve heard about you but never had the chance to meet. Finally seeing you now, you indeed have the remarkable aura they talked about.”

Anning replied with a smile, ”I’ve long wanted to meet you all, but have been too busy lately. Now that we’ve met, by the way, my husband and I will be holding a wedding soon, you must come.”

”Certainly, certainly.”

The Madams replied warmly, ”We will definitely attend Mr. Xiao’s wedding.”

While they were speaking, someone announced, ”Mrs. Xiao is here.”

Anning laughed as she heard it, ”Had I known she would be here too, we should’ve come together.”

She said so, but the fact the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law didn’t arrive together indicated to others that there was a discord between her and Li Wanping.

”Why is she here?”

Li Wanping arrived with Xiao Zhang.

She immediately saw Anning.

Xiao Zhang shook his head, ”I have no idea, but she usually sticks closely with Grandpa, why isn’t she with him this time?”

”The old man usually doesn’t attend events like this,” Li Wanping explained.

Xiao Zhang was about to say something when he inadvertently noticed Xia Man sitting behind Anning.

”Mom, I’m going over there.”

Xiao Zhang pointed in a direction, and Li Wanping didn’t pay too much attention, ”Alright, go have fun, remember to come find me later.”

Xiao Zhang agreed and went to a spot close to Xia Man.

He sat down and stared at Xia Man.

Li Wanping had initially planned to greet Anning, but after taking a few steps she seemed to have thought better of it and sat down far away from Anning.

Others seeing this setup could further confirm that the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were likely arch enemies.

Xiao Zhang saw Anning was busy talking with others, while Xia Man sat somewhat bored on the side, so he quietly approached her.

”Xia Man.”

Xiao Zhang called out.

Xia Man turned and saw him, ”Oh, it’s you.”

Xiao Zhang smiled brightly at Xia Man, ”I didn’t expect you’d come. Had I known, I would’ve picked you up. So, do you have any donations, if not I can...”

”Grandma, I’ll go take a walk over there.”

Xia Man had no desire to deal with Xiao Zhang, so she said a word to Anning, got up, and tried to find a quieter place.

But Xiao Zhang wouldn’t let her have her way.

Xiao Zhang stuck to her like glue, impossible to shake off.

”Xia Man.”

Xiao Zhang followed Xia Man to a corner of the venue.

He reached out, trying to grab Xia Man.

Xia Man sidestepped to avoid him, ”Mr. Xiao, please behave.”

”Xia Man, I wasn’t... I don’t have bad intentions, I just like you.”

Xiao Zhang couldn’t help confessing, ”I really like you, it was love at first sight. I... I want to marry you.”