The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Chapter 1651: Chapter 1595: The Contrast Group in the Spoiled Girl Story 25

“Auntie, would you like to sit down and eat something?”

Anning asked Zhong Liumei with a smile.

Zhong Liumei kept a stern face, “Who has time to eat? No one’s helping out, and this day has worn me out.”

“Where’s Second Brother?” Xiao Yuan looked around for Xiao Lei, “Eldest Brother went to pick up his girlfriend. Where’s Second Brother? He runs out to play all day, never doing any work at home. Mom, don’t be angry, I’ll talk to him when he gets back.”

Anning and Xiao Yuan’s way of deflecting with just a few words left Zhong Liumei helpless, resigning herself to her work.

After waiting for about half an hour, Xiao Feng brought his girlfriend over.

Anning was momentarily stunned when she saw Zhang Xiaoyu.

Come to think of it, Zhang Xiaoyu and Pei Anjing were classmates. Anning had run into them playing together before.

“It’s you.”

Anning stood up with a smile and immediately took Zhang Xiaoyu’s hand, “It’s been so long since you came over to visit, I almost didn’t recognize you.”

Compared to Anning’s generosity, Zhang Xiaoyu seemed a bit shy, “Things have been busy at home, and since Anjing got married, I haven’t been over much.”

“Quickly, have a seat.”

Anning had Zhang Xiaoyu sit down, then said to Xiao Feng, “Eldest Brother, I’ll keep Sister Xiaoyu company, you hurry to the kitchen and help Auntie. She just mentioned that no one was helping her and she couldn’t keep up.”

With Anning having said that, what could Xiao Feng do? He had to hurry to the kitchen to help.

Xiao Yuan poured a cup of tea for Zhang Xiaoyu, which Anning handed over, “Sister Xiaoyu, have some hot tea, it’s getting colder now, you must be chilly coming all the way here.”

Holding the warm cup in her hands, Zhang Xiaoyu felt her almost-frozen hands warming up. She smiled at Anning, “It’s not too cold, just forgot to wear gloves, so my hands got a bit chilly.”

Xiao Yuan didn’t stay in the house. He didn’t go to help in the kitchen but instead went over to Zhong Liumei, saying, “Mom, I’m going out to buy something,” and then left, not saying what he was up to.

Zhang Xiaoyu sat for a while until she felt warmer and then quietly asked Anning, “Are you and Third Brother seeing each other?”

Anning gave a small “mm” in response.

Zhang Xiaoyu asked again, “We’re just sitting here, maybe we should go help out in the kitchen?”

Anning tugged Zhang Xiaoyu, “We’re guests today.”

With that one word “guest”, Zhang Xiaoyu sat back down.

She didn’t really want to work anyway, she had just been polite.

Over there, Zhong Liumei, with a flustered face, finished cooking. Just as the dishes were ready, Xiao Daguang and Xiao Lei came back, and Xiao Yuan leisurely returned as well.

Besides their family, there was also Xiao Daguang’s brother, Xiao Erguang and his wife, and additionally, Zhong Liumei’s sister-in-law from her mother’s side had also come over.

Seeing that most of the work was done, Anning pulled Zhang Xiaoyu up and started getting busy in front of everyone.

“Auntie, with so many people here today, should we set up a large round table? Otherwise, we won’t have enough seating. Where’s the round table? Sister Xiaoyu and I can carry it. By the way, are there enough stools? If not, should I boil some more water?”

In front of so many people, Zhong Liumei couldn’t possibly have Anning and Zhang Xiaoyu doing the work.

She directed Xiao Feng and Xiao Lei to run around instead.

Xiao Yuan was even more adept. As soon as Xiao Erguang and Auntie arrived, he welcomed them, “Second Uncle, Second Aunt, Auntie, please sit down. I’ll get some sunflower seeds for you.”

After serving the sunflower seeds and peanuts, Xiao Yuan sat beside Xiao Erguang and started chatting, “Second Uncle, what’s Xiao Po doing now? Has he found work yet?”

Having begun chit-chatting with Xiao Erguang, Zhong Liumei couldn’t order him around for the chores anymore. So, the remaining tasks of wiping tables and serving food fell to Xiao Feng and Xiao Lei.

Zhong Liumei really put in some effort today, she made quite a few hearty dishes. Once the food was on the table, Anning held onto Second Aunt in one hand and Auntie in the other, “You two sit down quickly. Yuanzi and I specifically brought two bottles of drinks today, new ones from our area. We don’t know how they taste, so you two must try them.”

Once these two were seated, Anning pulled Zhang Xiaoyu and sat down as well.

Anning knew that in this village, it’s still traditional for the men to drink during guest visits while the women busily work in the kitchen. Once done, they just grab a quick bite.

Anning was not willing to adhere to these old traditions, she didn’t care. Anyway, the four of them sat down. If the men weren’t happy, they could set up another table.

Zhong Liumei was internally fuming with nowhere to vent.

Anning smiled sweetly, “Auntie, you should sit too. You’ve been busy all morning; you must be tired, right? Let me pour you a cup of water to drink first.”

When it came time to eat, Zhong Liumei intentionally sat next to Zhang Xiaoyu.

She just wanted to humiliate Anning, eagerly adding meat to Zhang Xiaoyu’s bowl, even picking out fish bones, “Xiaoyu, eat more. Look at how thin you are, you need more meat to replenish.”

While saying this, Zhong Liumei deliberately looked at Anning.

Anning couldn’t care less about her actions; she took whatever she wanted to eat. Once full, she sat on the side, casually grabbing a handful of sunflower seeds. Meanwhile, she asked Second Aunt Xiao, “Second Aunt, does Brother Xiao Po have work this winter? If not, let him come over to my place. I have twelve acres of vegetables planted, and we’re short on hands. I trust Brother Xiao Po to help out.”

Second Aunt Xiao was immediately overjoyed, “Where else can you find work in this winter? If you think it’s okay, I’ll have Xiao Po give it a try at your place.”

Anning smiled, “Don’t worry, Second Aunt; the work isn’t too hard, just needs to be careful. Besides, the work is done inside the greenhouse, where it’s warm, so he definitely won’t get cold.”

After this meal, Zhong Liumei was left feeling frustrated and stifled.

After eating, Anning didn’t stay much longer. She put on her coat, pulling Xiao Yuan up, “Uncle, Auntie, Second Uncle, Second Aunt, Auntie, Xiao Yuan and I have to head back quickly. There’s so much to do at home, everything needs attention. Once the vegetables are about right, I’ll come again, then I’ll treat everyone to a meal.”

She smiled at Zhang Xiaoyu, “Sister Xiaoyu, stay and play a bit longer, I have to go now. We’ll set a date to hang out.”

Before Zhong Liumei could say anything, the two of them had already stepped out the door.

“I’ll see you off.” Second Aunt Xiao was quite earnest, considering Anning found work for Xiao Po, she was particularly kind to Anning.

Anning waved her off, “It’s cold outside, you stay inside and rest, no need to come out.”

Once the two left, Zhong Liumei snorted and sat silently in her chair.

Second Aunt Xiao and Auntie quickly stood up to help clean up.

But could Xiao Feng and Xiao Lei let the elders do the work? They had to get up to tidy up the place, pouring tea and everything before sitting down to chat.

Auntie was praising Anning to Zhong Liumei, “I must say, that Fourth Son of Pei Family is truly excellent, looks smart, definitely won’t be bad at establishing a household.”

Second Aunt Xiao also added, “Xiaoyu seems nice too, friendly and steady. I’m telling you, sister-in-law, you’ve picked two good daughters-in-law, they surely won’t disappoint.”

Zhang Xiaoyu sat on the side observing the scene. She understood everything but didn’t say anything.

After sitting for a bit, Zhang Xiaoyu mentioned she should head back, and Xiao Feng went to see her off.

After leaving the Xiao Family, Zhang Xiaoyu, sitting on the back seat of the bicycle, pulled on Xiao Feng’s clothes, “Let me tell you, stay close with Third Brother.”

Xiao Feng was sulkily brooding, “Third Brother is cunning, just look at him and his girlfriend today, all talk and then came back for a good meal, didn’t lift a finger.”

Zhang Xiaoyu almost rolled her eyes, “How silly of you, honestly, what can I say to you? No matter how cunning Third Brother is, he’s moved out. I reckon he’ll live at the Pei Family and rarely return, so nothing at home concerns him. But Second Brother is different, who knows about the future division of family assets? What if your parents favor Second Brother? You’re sincere and straightforward, but Second Brother is much craftier. In the future, if something happens, you’ll need to consult Third Brother. Besides, do you know what kind of people the Pei Family’s daughters are? They are all quite formidable. If you clash with Third Brother, you’ll suffer, but if you make friends with Third Brother and Anning, they can help you devise strategies against Second Brother.”