The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Zhou Chunhua forced a laugh: ”Yes, your aunt’s child sure is capable.”

She tentatively asked, ”Could you speak to your sister and see if there’s a way to find Lingling a path? Your aunt’s child is obviously further removed, whereas Lingling is your own niece. When benefits arise, you should certainly think of her first, shouldn’t you?”

These words nearly made Yang Anzhen laugh with anger.

What does ”own niece” mean? If we’re talking closeness, Xiangshan is definitely closer to her since they have blood relations.

And what kind of relationship does Fang Yuling have with her? If she hadn’t married Fang Jianhua, who would even know who Fang Yuling is?

Besides, this matter is Anning’s doing. Zhang Xiangshan is Anning’s cousin. And what is Fang Yuling to Anning? It can be said that apart from the link through Yang Anzhen, Fang Yuling and Anning have no relation at all.

Why should Anning help your sister-in-law’s daughter instead of her own cousin? Nobody’s insane or stupid, right?

”Sister-in-law, do you think getting into the track team is so easy? You think talent is as common as cabbages in the field, and thus worthless? Xiangshan could join because he’s fast, Anning checked his data, and on top of that, Anning happened to know a coach. Can Yuling run or jump? And do you think Anning knows everyone in all trades? She’s still a student; knowing such a person is already fortunate. Where does she have the means to arrange such things for Yuling?”

Yang Anzhen, filled with pent-up frustration, spoke sharply.

Zhou Chunhua was instantly incensed.

She cursed aloud: ”Well, if you’re unwilling to help, why say all this? I see, you’re just selfish. Your family has money, your sister has money, and now you look down on others. If you’re truly kind, after buying the house, why not persuade your parents to give theirs to us? You don’t live there, yet won’t give us theirs. Really, it’s absurd.”

This time, Yang Anzhen was genuinely infuriated. She abruptly stood up and pointed outside: ”I have matters to attend to. Sister-in-law, don’t waste my time here. Leave now.”

Zhou Chunhua grumbled as she turned and left.

When Fang Jianhua returned, Yang Anzhen shared the incident with him.

”Listen to what your sister-in-law said. Since I didn’t oblige her, I’m now deemed selfish. Apparently, others must comply with her and let her have her way; otherwise, they’re deemed bad. But why? Why should I yield to her? What is she to me? Has she done anything meritorious for me or bestowed any favors?”

Fang Jianhua hurriedly soothed Yang Anzhen, flattering her until she was less angry.

That night as they went to bed, Fang Jianhua proposed to Yang Anzhen: ”Look, we’ve already bought a house. Why not say outright that we don’t want your parents’ house, to leave it for my brother? They haven’t got one for so many years...”

Before Fang Jianhua could finish, Yang Anzhen sat up.

Yang Anzhen clutched her stomach with one hand and pointed at Fang Jianhua with the other: ”Fang Jianhua, I never thought you were such a fool. Fine, you want to give it to your big brother, that’s your family’s property, I won’t interfere. But if you dare say such things, we’re getting a divorce. I can’t live with a fool.”

Fang Jianhua was truly frightened.

He quickly hugged Yang Anzhen: ”Honey, don’t get mad. If you disagree, we won’t do it. I wasn’t making conclusions... I was just discussing it with you. If we’re talking closeness, it’s us who are closest, isn’t it? My brother can’t be with me forever; he’s got his own family and career, and will inevitably drift further apart. But we are partners, growing old together. I don’t need to upset you for him.”

Yang Anzhen took several deep breaths to quell her internal frustration: ”Move aside, I feel irritated just looking at you.”

”I won’t move. If I do, then I’ll lose my wife.”

Fang Jianhua started being playful: ”Honey, Eldest came to see me today. He’s lost weight recently with stubble all over, looking quite pitiful, and I... After all, he’s my brother, and I feel a bit sympathetic.”

Yang Anzhen tapped Fang Jianhua’s hand firmly: ”First, let go of me.”

Fang Jianhua only relaxed his grip when he saw Yang Anzhen wasn’t as angry: ”Honey, how are you? Are you okay? Is the child okay?”

Yang Anzhen lay back down: ”I’m fine.”

Fang Jianhua moved closer: ”When we got married, I promised to listen to you, no matter what happens. I know you’re smart, and I’m a bit dumb, not inclined to think deeply. I just thought there should be someone in the family making decisions. Since you consider things thoroughly, following your judgment isn’t wrong. If you say no, then it’s no. I’ll follow your lead.”

Yang Anzhen lay there for a while before feeling better. She then began speaking calmly to Fang Jianhua.

”So you suggest giving up the house, have you considered your parents’ feelings? They just tangled with my sister-in-law, and you’re immediately siding with my brother. Wouldn’t that upset them?”

That was indeed a valid point.

Fang Jianhua quickly smiled and agreed: ”You’re right. I hadn’t thought of that.”

Yang Anzhen continued, ”Plus, even brothers account for their shares clearly. Over the years, we’ve pretended not to notice our parents’ support to Eldest’s family and never said a word. Our parents are aware too, and that’s minor, so I won’t mention it. But the house is a major issue. You say no, but if Eldest gets the house, do you know what sister-in-law will say? She’ll definitely say it was divided to them by our parents, proclaiming to outsiders that our parents gave them the house and wondering what on earth they’ve given to us. She might even claim we’ve benefited greatly. At that point, any grievance we suffer has no outlet, and outsiders might think that our parents gave us countless good things.”

Fang Jianhua thought it over and realized that was indeed the case. With sister-in-law’s temperament, she would seize every opportunity for advantage.

Yang Anzhen sighed, ”If you truly care for your brother, then just wait until our parents decide to divide the family. At that point, request fairness and transparency, whatever the division may be as it should be. After the division, you can tell your brother the family house can eventually be his, but not for now. Our parents might still need to live there, and wait until they’re no longer around, then we say we won’t take it. It should all go to Eldest. This way, our sister-in-law can say nothing, our parents won’t be left without a place to return, outsiders will praise us for handling things openly, and if we ever clash with her, people will say she’s ungrateful and at fault.”

Yang Anzhen analyzed it point by point for Fang Jianhua.

Fang Jianhua absorbed it all.

He quickly hugged Yang Anzhen: ”That’s why you’re my wife; you think comprehensively. I hadn’t thought of any of this. I only pitied him and considered letting him have it all. I didn’t account for the points you made. It’s my fault. I almost caused our parents distress and let people criticize you.”

Yang Anzhen laughed: ”Luckily you discussed it with me. Had you decided on your own, we truly couldn’t have continued, and I’d have surely divorced you.”

Fang Jianhua turned pale with fear, ”How could I not discuss it with you? I understand closeness and distance. Besides, we’re a family, and must discuss major matters together. The house isn’t just mine. How could I decide alone?”

Yang Anzhen thought Fang Jianhua had this one admirable trait.

Sometimes, he’s a bit confused, but he’s clear on major matters. Most importantly, he knows whom to be close to, unlike some, whose eventual downfall is due to siding too much with brothers over wives, leading to family destruction.

Zhou Chunhua felt slighted, muttering curses as she returned home.

Back home, she took out her frustrations on Fang Yuling.

Noticing the kitchen was cold and bare with no rice or flour left, she had to gather her change to buy some groceries.

While buying rice, she ran into a man talking to an elderly figure from town whom she called Grandma.

Zhou Chunhua cheerfully approached: ”Grandma Wang, out for a stroll?”

Grandma Wang chuckled: ”Indeed.”

Grandma Wang pointed to Zhou Chunhua: ”Young man, if you want to know about the Yang family, ask her. Her sister-in-law is Anning’s real elder sister.”

The man speaking to Grandma Wang immediately looked at Zhou Chunhua: ”Sister-in-law, I want to ask if you know Yang Anning?”

Zhou Chunhua quickly nodded: ”Of course I know her. She’s my sister-in-law’s sister. How could I not? Isn’t she studying at Imperial University? Heard she’s doing quite well academically. Why? What’s up?”