The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

An Yi going to university really brought some prestige to the Pei family in Xiaxi Village.

Anning and Xiao Yuan were both insanely busy.

The weather was gradually cooling day by day, soon everyone was wearing autumn clothes.

During this time, Xiaxi Village presented a vibrant scene instead.

Anning planted more fields this year and started buying materials early. With his experience, Zhao Chuan led people to build greenhouses once the materials arrived.

Those in Xiaxi Village who didn’t lease their land to the Pei family also started building greenhouses.

Once the greenhouses were up, preparation for seedlings and planting vegetables commenced.

Workers at the town factory were trained, so Anning began purchasing quality sweet potatoes, potatoes, etc.

Besides that, Anning also established chicken and pig farms on the gravelly land between Xiaxi and Shangxi villages, purchasing chickens and pigs to rear at this time.

The village pond, which was leased, had its sewage drained, some silt cleaned out, and filled with clean water again. In the summer, Anning had released some small fish there, now they needed daily feeding.

In any case, Anning and Xiao Yuan had indeed spread their undertakings widely.

As the weather gradually turned cold, with many things spread out, Anning could finally take a break.

Then various foods from the factory were produced.

Braised chicken and duck, among other braised pork knuckles and pig ears, were vacuum-packed and sent nationwide in specially designed bags with brand names.

Even potato chips and such were packaged and started being sold.

Anning specifically called Pei Yu, who was looking for acting opportunities in the Capital, to ask her to help advertise on national TV. Pei Yu was the spokesperson for potato chips, and advertisements for braised chicken were aired on provincial TV via a rising movie star arranged by Pei Yu.

As soon as the ads aired on TV, Pei Laoshi’s braised delicacies and Wuyou chips suddenly became popular.

At this time, not many factories were filming ads; people were very receptive to ads and believed things on TV must be good, so many watched and started buying to try them out.

Adults bought braised meats, while children clamored for potato chips.

Once they tried them at home, they found the taste extraordinarily good; with great taste and guaranteed quality, sales naturally improved, and before long, these two flagship products opened up the market.

And these two factories also began to profit.

By winter, every household had started planting greenhouse vegetables.

Xiao Yuan then began to seek out sales channels.

Vegetables differ from other goods; they spoil easily, so need to be sold fresh quickly, and sales channels must be secured in advance.

Xiao Yuan scoped out several places and only returned once pathways were established.

Once everything was on track, Anning and Xiao Yuan’s wedding plans came into discussion.

Previously, Anning bought a house in town, and since Pei Laoshi had nothing to do, he went to town to help with renovations, adding household appliances and daily necessities, making the house tidy and comfortable to live in.

Now, as the weather turned cold, Pei Laoshi checked the heating, helped test the boiler and heating supply, inspected the wiring, all while busy for several days, only resting once assured everything was fine.

Upon returning, Pei Laoshi told Anning and Xiao Yuan, ”You two should get your marriage certificate first; once registered, we can pick a date and host a few tables of banquets in town.”

Pei Laoshi said this during a family meal.

On hearing it, Anning set down her rice bowl: ”That won’t do.”

Xiao Yuan nodded in agreement: ”Uncle, what you said won’t do.”

Pei Laoshi was taken aback.

An Xian was also surprised, looking at Anning: ”What’s got into you? Don’t you want to marry anymore?”

Anning shook her head: ”It’s not that I don’t want to marry, but marriage is a big deal; you can’t just muddle through it. There must be three matchmakers and six gifts, right? Xiao Yuan isn’t an orphan; he has parents and brothers. Though he separated from the family, he hasn’t renounced his clan, nor did he disown his parents. Such a major event like marriage certainly requires his parents to send matchmakers to our home to propose. A new bride entering the Xiao Family cannot do so empty-handed, right? Regardless of the quality, they should at least prepare several new quilts, and for hosting banquets, his parents have to be involved, don’t they? They’ve splendidly married off their other two sons, why neglect the youngest one? It doesn’t make sense; don’t they expect anything from Xiao Yuan in their old age?”

Xiao Yuan added, ”Even though Anning and I are doing well and we have money, parents doing what they should is proper. I can’t let Anning be talked about later. They don’t do anything and may claim Anning rushed to marry into the Xiao family, or accuse her of being indiscreet. Such talk can scar a reputation for life; we must prevent it.”

Pei Laoshi then realized he had been presumptuous.

Liu Dalian slammed the table: ”Lao Si and Xiao Yuan are right; marriage is a serious matter, not something to muddle through.”

After dinner, as An Xian and Anjing cleaned the kitchen, they discussed: ”No wonder Lao Si can achieve great things; she’s not only smart but also clearly understands social nuances.”

After clarifying things with Xiao Yuan and Pei Laoshi, Xiao Yuan rode his motorbike to town the next morning.

He went to the Xiao family early, catching the whole family at home.

When he arrived, Xiao Daguang’s family was just getting up, Zhong Liumei was making breakfast, Gao Nana and Xiao Lei were still asleep, while Xiao Daguang was sweeping the yard.

Seeing Xiao Yuan return, Xiao Daguang put the broom down: ”Why have you come back?”

Xiao Yuan parked his motorbike and called out to Zhong Liumei in the kitchen: ”Mom, come over for a moment, need to talk about something.”

Zhong Liumei dropped her work: ”What’s the matter?”

The three of them sat in the living room; Xiao Yuan handed a cigarette to Xiao Daguang, lighting it for him: ”Dad, Mom, Anning and I have been together for so long, we’re of age now, thinking of getting married.”

Xiao Daguang smoked without speaking; Zhong Liumei glared sideways: ”Then get married, you’re not lacking money, do what you want to do, why consult us?”

Xiao Yuan’s face immediately fell: ”Mom, that’s not right. Am I not your biological son? You married off my elder brothers, but won’t bother with mine?”

Seeing Xiao Yuan angry, Xiao Daguang spoke up: ”It’s not ignoring you, your second brother’s wedding cost a lot and the debt isn’t yet settled. So for you...”

Xiao Yuan sneered: ”Whoever owes the debt should repay it. What, you arranged lavish weddings with dowries and banquets for my elder brothers, but now you’re quiet with mine? Do you plan to ignore my filial duty, or cast me aside as your son?”

On hearing this, Zhong Liumei burst into tears: ”Why are you stabbing at my heart? When did I say we don’t want you? I raised you this far, and now you...?”

”What else should I do?”

Xiao Yuan too kept a cold face: ”Even though I separated, I’m still a Xiao, still your son. It’s been over a year; have you asked how I’ve been? You hurried to marry off my elder brothers but never inquired about my relationship, hoping I’d remain a bachelor forever, or marry into the Pei Family? Dad, Mom, being partial isn’t this biased.”

Seeing neither Xiao Daguang nor Zhong Liumei speak, he continued: ”With you unspoken, should I host my wedding in Xiaxi Village? Then will you attend or not? Do you have the face to attend?”

Xiao Daguang looked at Xiao Yuan: ”How should we handle this matter?”

Xiao Yuan snorted coldly: ”Dad, you’ve handled my elder brothers’ weddings perfectly; now you’re asking me, who’s never married, how to proceed? What do you think?”

Xiao Daguang fell silent again.

Xiao Yuan said no more, got up, and left.

After he left, Xiao Daguang and Zhong Liumei started discussing.

Xiao Daguang told Zhong Liumei: ”Logically, we should take charge of Third’s wedding.”

Zhong Liumei was a bit unwilling: ”How to handle it? He was unhappy, let him arrange the wedding himself; why involve us?”

Zhong Liumei had tried to suppress Anning several times but only suffered losses, which aggravated her disdain for Anning. Now, with Xiao Yuan clashing over wedding matters, her obstinance intensified; she simply didn’t want to be involved, figuring that if Anning was capable, let’s see what she would do without a senior’s intervention. Would she shamelessly come to the Xiao family with her quilt all by herself?