The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Due to Anning’s competence, An Xian and Anjing’s self-awareness and concessions, and Mr. Pei’s clear communication, the Pei family was harmoniously peaceful. Even the three brothers-in-law coordinated well in their work. The family lived joyfully and contentedly.

While Anning was busy with factory matters, a phone call from An Yi brought immense joy to the Pei family.

An Yi called home to say she got into university, a university in the Capital, and the acceptance letter had been sent.

Upon hearing An Yi had gotten into university, Mr. Pei was overjoyed, grinning widely.

Liu Dalian, being more composed, quickly asked An Yi, ”Which university is it? When will you come back? We’ve built a new house; come back and see it. How about your dad and I accompany you when you start school?”

An Yi was also extremely delighted.

She had worked hard for over a year, and her efforts paid off as she was admitted to her dream university. She felt a significant sense of achievement, more thrilling than stealing someone else’s boyfriend before.

”It’s the National University in the Capital. My score couldn’t reach the top two universities, but my aunt found someone to consult, and I applied here. Turns out I got admitted. I’m packing now and will go back in a few days. Let’s talk when I return.”

Listening to An Yi’s cheerful laughter over the phone, Liu Dalian inexplicably shed tears.

She was both happy and excited, with a twinge of bittersweetness. It all felt surreal, like a dream, fearing she’d wake up to the previous hardships.

”Why did you hit me?”

Mr. Pei was standing nearby in a cheer, when suddenly Liu Dalian slapped him on the face. He asked, covering his face in grievance.

Liu Dalian asked, ”Did it hurt?”

”It hurts a lot,” Mr. Pei was even more aggrieved.

Liu Dalian laughed, ”If it hurts, it’s not a dream. It’s all real; our family has a college student now. Our third child got into university.”

Mr. Pei didn’t mind being hit and headed out.

”Where are you going?”

Liu Dalian asked.

”To the cemetery to tell my parents. Such joyous news must be shared with them.” Mr. Pei smiled broadly.

”Go, quickly,” Liu Dalian hung up and headed out too, ”I’ll get the paper money and some offerings. Our dad loves a drink; take half a bottle of wine and talk with them. Tell them not to worry about the family. Though Eldest and Second aren’t very accomplished, they have money now and can live steadily. Third is in university, sure to do well. Fourth is capable, and Xiao Yu is now a star. This family will only get better.”

”I understand, I’ll tell them properly.”

Mr. Pei smiled as he took a basket, and Liu Dalian packed it with items.

Once Mr. Pei went to the cemetery, Anning and the others returned from outside.

Liu Dalian quickly gathered the three sisters to share the news about An Yi’s college admission.

Anning took a sip of water and asked, ”Is it National University?”

Liu Dalian nodded.

Anning smiled, ”That’s a great university. When is Third Sister coming back?”

Liu Dalian said in a few days, and Anning asked again, ”Will there be a banquet at home?”

This was a real matter to consider.

As Liu Dalian was pondering, Mr. Pei returned home and heard the word banquet, he suddenly clapped his thigh, ”Sure, why not? Before, when Liu Baojia’s son from Shangxi Village got into university, he threw a big party. Our third scored better, and our family conditions aren’t worse than theirs. Why not throw a party? Yes, a grand one.”

Upon hearing there’d be a banquet, Xiao Yuan immediately went to the storage room.

”Where are you going?”

Zhao Chuan followed Xiao Yuan, asking as they walked.

Xiao Yuan smiled, ”I remember we have a few strings of firecrackers at home. We should find them and light them at the door. It’s a celebration; it should be lively.”

Zhao Chuan hurried into the storage room to search.

Soon, the two moved the firecrackers outside, and Chen Qiang also helped arrange them.

All six strings of firecrackers were set up; Xiao Yuan and the two others lit them with cigarettes. They crackled loudly, alerting half the village.

Many neighbors nearby came over to catch the excitement.

Seeing the Pei family light firecrackers, Mr. Pei stood at the gate smiling, and others asked him, ”Mr. Pei, what’s up? Some happy occasion? Are you getting married again?”

They were joking, Mr. Pei wasn’t offended, he bowed and said, ”No, getting married isn’t what this is about. This is happier than that — our third child got into university, in the Capital, you know, National University.”

This news instantly exploded in the crowd.

What was everyone’s impression of Pei Anyi?

Just a useless person who only knows how to seduce men, like a hedonistic demon. Her getting into university was as shocking as the earth splitting open.

”Who? An Yi?”

Mr. Pei laughed, ”Yes, An Yi. Although she was unruly as a child, she’s been hardworking these past two years. After seeing the world in Dream City, she realized there’s more to life than idling around. Seeing many of those working still studying, she decided she didn’t have to work yet, had some money on hand, why not learn while young. After a year, she thought about taking the college entrance exam and surprisingly she passed.”

The more he said, the more proud Mr. Pei became, ”We never thought the child would get into college. Hearing the news, my three sons-in-law were thrilled, immediately took out the firecrackers to celebrate. Don’t forget, when Third returns, there’ll be a banquet; everyone is welcome to join.”

Many people then snapped out of their stupor, quickly telling Mr. Pei, ”Certainly, certainly, on such a joyous occasion, if you don’t throw a banquet, we wouldn’t be happy.”

Across the street, the Yang family.

Yang Laoer sat in the yard smoking, pretending not to hear the Pei family’s celebration, silently brooding.

Sun Jinhua, upon hearing Mr. Pei say An Yi got into university, felt an unease in her heart.

”How come the Pei family is so lucky this past year, all good things seem to go their way?”

Sun Jinhua squatted beside Yang Laoer and asked.

Yang Laoer continued smoking silently.

Yang Bao Lin emerged from the house, went to the water well and took a big gulp after drawing some, and angrily tossed the ladle into the bucket, ”Who was it that disliked the Pei’s reputation and forced me to break up with Anning? I dated Anning for years, and I...”

Yang Bao Lin’s eyes reddened as he spoke, clenching his fists with a fierce look, ”You all know what Anning is like? She’s so wonderful, but you kept saying nasty things, Mom even threatened her life to break me and Anning up. Now, look, Anning is so promising, has bought property and built a factory in town. You said An Xian was lazy, but now she’s happily married to Zhao Chuan, Zhao Chuan cleans up nicely when he goes out. You used to say Anjing was aloof, I never saw it myself. You called An Yi a fox spirit, Pei Xiaogu shameless, but now your so-called fox spirit has gotten into university, the shameless Pei Xiaogu has become a star, and what of your over-praised Treasure Bead? She’s in the Provincial City now, hasn’t called us once... You ruined me and Anning, or else now I’d be in the limelight, not only marrying who I love, but having considerable assets.”

Sun Jinhua lowered her head in resentment.

She felt her heart being sliced by knives, such intense pain.

”I...” She opened her mouth, ”Back then, their family was indeed not good.”

”You just see everyone as bad,” Yang Bao Lin kicked the water bucket, ”You listen to Yang Baozhu, if she likes someone, you think they’re good, Yang Baozhu always derided Anning, so you thought she was bad. Huh, you might disdain them, but they likely disdained us even more. What is all this? As parents, you favored Yang Baozhu, we three brothers seemed like adopted, no wonder elder sister-in-law was upset, if I marry, my wife sees Yang Baozhu’s laziness and your bias, she’d be upset too.”

Venting done, Yang Bao Lin got to his feet and left.

After he left, Sun Jinhua burst into tears, ”Dad, is this my fault?”