The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

She put the Jade Pendant away. ”I’ll take care of Mrs. Rong for the time being, and I’ll also try to help find a good agent as soon as possible. If you manage to find a suitable candidate, Aunt, please let me know as well.”

”All right, I’ll also ask around for help.”

Anning rubbed her eyes and gave Ms. Li a gentle smile. ”Aunt, I’ll be going now. Take good care of yourself.”

”I’ll see you out.” Ms. Li said politely.

Anning hurriedly waved her hand. ”No need, you stay.”

Ms. Li didn’t insist on walking her out.

Anning turned around and left.

In a corner of the room, Ning Ruoxi was hidden away, and she had heard the entire conversation between Anning and Ms. Li.

For a moment, her heart was a jumble of mixed feelings.

She herself no longer knew what she was feeling now.

Ning Ruoxi had been Jun Hao’s classmate back in high school, only Jun Hao probably didn’t know her—or rather, didn’t remember her.

But Ning Ruoxi remembered Jun Hao. Back then she was being bullied at school, and it was Jun Hao who spoke up for her, which was basically saving her, and later he even gave her clothes so she could put them on and go home.

Ever since then, Ning Ruoxi had remembered Jun Hao.

All through the three years of high school, she secretly tried to find out everything about him; she wanted to follow in his footsteps.

Unfortunately, her grades weren’t good, whereas Jun Hao’s were excellent. During the college entrance exam, he got into the best university in the city, while Ning Ruoxi only managed to get into a nursing school and studied nursing.

After that, Ning Ruoxi never saw Jun Hao again.

Not until Jun Hao had his car accident—she heard about it from their old high school classmates.

When she learned that Jun Hao had become a vegetative patient, she used all sorts of connections and pulled every string she could to get into the Rong Family. She wanted to take care of him.

Back then, she herself couldn’t really say what exactly she felt—was it because she liked him, or because she wanted to get close to him, or because she wanted to repay him.

But after she came to the Rong Family and had taken care of Jun Hao for a while, all those feelings of liking really faded away.

To be honest, whoever takes care of someone who’s lying in bed motionless, needing help with eating, drinking, and bowel movements, and whose appearance is growing more and more unpleasant over time—after a while, all those secret little crushes are bound to be worn down.

In Ning Ruoxi’s eyes, Jun Hao no longer had any privacy at all. Because of long-term immobility, no matter how well you tend to him, his muscles inevitably atrophy, his cheeks lose their fullness, and his skin takes on a bluish pallor—he really doesn’t look good at all.

What’s more, Ning Ruoxi has to wipe down his body and clean up his waste. Taking care of someone like this is truly filthy and exhausting.

But Ning Ruoxi is a good-natured girl, and she values feelings and loyalty.

Even if she no longer likes Jun Hao that way, she keeps thinking of the kindness he showed her back then, and she still wants to care for him with her own hands, wants him to live as comfortably as possible even if he’s stuck in bed.

She also thinks about how well the Rong Family pays. Here she only has to look after one patient and can still receive a high salary, so she treats it as a good job and does it with peace of mind.

She already knew before that Jun Hao had a fiancée, but ever since she came to the Rong Family, she rarely saw Anning.

At first, Ning Ruoxi wondered if Anning was disgusted by Jun Hao, if she was just too cold-hearted.

But today, she changed her mind.

When Anning cried at Jun Hao’s bedside, Ning Ruoxi actually heard it too.

Only then did she truly understand what kind of days Anning had been living this past year or so. Thinking about it, she could imagine how hard it must be for a young woman to carry two large conglomerates on her shoulders.

She herself could never manage it—no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t possibly keep two such big companies steady. But Anning did it. To be honest, Ning Ruoxi really admired her.

Just now, she had also overheard the conversation between Anning and Ms. Li, which made her feelings even more complicated.

If it had been back when she first came to the Rong Family, and Anning had come to break off the engagement then, Ning Ruoxi might have been quite happy.

After all, she still had a bit of a secret crush on Jun Hao at that time. If he no longer had a fiancée and became a free man, she could secretly fantasize that maybe she’d have a chance to be with him.

But now, that crush has long since vanished. She no longer feels that secret joy. Even so, she still worries for Jun Hao.

If Anning stops managing Mrs. Rong, what will happen to Mrs. Rong? What will happen to Jun Hao in the future?

Ning Ruoxi is only worried; she doesn’t resent Anning the way Ms. Li does.

After all, given Jun Hao’s situation, it’s perfectly normal for Anning to dissolve the marriage contract with him. She wants to pursue a better life, doesn’t want to be dragged down by the Rong Family for the rest of her life—that’s exactly what she should do. No one has the standing to condemn her for it.

After thinking for a bit, she waited until Ms. Li went upstairs, then trotted out after her.

Anning’s car was still parked in the Rong Family’s garage. She had just started the engine and hadn’t driven off yet.

Ning Ruoxi ran over and knocked on Anning’s window.

Anning rolled the window down. ”Nurse Ning? Is something the matter?”

Ning Ruoxi had run in a hurry; she took several deep breaths before she caught her breath. ”Miss Yun, I... could I please ask you a favor?”

”What is it?” Anning asked with a smile.

Ning Ruoxi’s face flushed a little; she was a bit embarrassed, but still spoke up. ”Could I ask you to think of a way to set aside a portion of Mrs. Rong’s annual profits, and, and create some kind of fund for Senior Brother Rong? So even if, in the future, Senior Brother Rong ends up... all alone, he’ll still have some money for follow-up treatment and to hire people to look after him.”

Anning was taken aback for a moment.

She hadn’t expected such a request from Ning Ruoxi.

”What made you think of this?” Anning looked Ning Ruoxi over curiously. ”Aunt Li is Jun Hao’s mother. I don’t think she’d abandon him, would she?”

Ning Ruoxi shook her head. ”People can run into misfortune overnight. What if something happens to Ms. Li? And besides, down the line if... she’s only in her early forties and takes good care of herself. If she remarries, there’s a strong chance she could have another child. If someday she feels there’s no hope, she might think of remarrying, or doing IVF.”

It had to be said, everything Ning Ruoxi was considering could really happen—she was just stating reality.

Anning nodded. ”All right, I understand. I’ll think it over after I go back.”

Ning Ruoxi pressed her palms together and gave Anning a little bow. ”Please, I’m begging you. You’ll be blessed for it.”

”Oh?” Anning couldn’t help but laugh. ”You don’t think I’m heartless and ungrateful? Don’t you think I ought to play the Holy Mother, keep looking after Aunt Li and Jun Hao forever, and that by asking to dissolve the marriage contract now I’m just an ungrateful wretch?”

”No, I’ve never thought that. Everyone has the right to pursue happiness. You want to live your own life—that’s only natural. You don’t have an obligation to care for Rong student for the rest of your life. Besides, you’ve worked yourself to the bone for over a year, putting in so much effort to keep Mrs. Rong steady. You’ve already done more than enough.”

Ning Ruoxi smiled as well. ”Miss Yun, honestly, I really admire you. You’re just...”

She gave Anning a thumbs-up in praise.

Anning’s impression of her improved a bit more. ”Thank you for understanding. I’ll keep what you said in mind. I’m leaving now—see you again if we get the chance.”