The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Xiao Lu is back, and Anning previously discussed the car purchase with Xiao Yilin, so they put it on the agenda.

The next day, Anning took some time to take the two girls to the dealership to look at cars, but then Qin Xiaocong stopped her: ”Mom, you don’t need to worry about buying the car. We will go have a look ourselves, and once we have chosen a car, you can just come and pay for it.”

Xiao Yilin also said: ”Xiaocong is right. When buying a car, you have to take a good look. It’s not possible to just decide on the spot. It would be a waste of time if you went with us, Mom. We can handle it and let you know once we decide.”

Anning thought it over and agreed.

After all, the kids’ tastes might differ from hers; the car she likes might not necessarily be their preferred choice.

So Anning gave the kids a day off, allowing them to accompany each other to the dealership to look at cars.

Having been so busy, they were finally able to have a day to enjoy themselves, and the kids were quite happy.

Early in the morning, the five kids got together to plan where to go car shopping, and after breakfast, they eagerly set off.

Anning, on her end, went to the company to meet with two newly signed artists.

The company recently signed two male artists, both of whom are exceptionally good-looking, tall and slim, naturally like coat hangers, with striking features. Even without styling or makeup, they stand out impressively.

Upon meeting them, Anning chatted a bit and then had their manager accompany them to sign the contracts.

After signing, there was also the arrangement for employee housing, among other things, although Anning doesn’t handle these matters directly.

Anning was thinking about how to help these two get launched quickly.

The two male artists are pursuing different directions; one, a graduate of the Music College, excels at singing and is focusing on a music career. The other has no formal art school background, yet Anning holds him in high regard.

This artist, named He Ningkang, is a university student from a top school, and was runner-up on their local exams. Although he hasn’t studied acting, his temperament is excellent, and his looks are quite striking. He could start with idol dramas, honing his skills before transitioning.

Regardless, Anning notices great potential for success in He Ningkang, and his looks verify this too.

Though He Ningkang is from a prestigious school, he hadn’t planned on entering the entertainment industry initially; it was due to familial issues.

He hails from a small town, and his family isn’t well-off. His mother passed away early, and his father raised him. Now his father is sick and requires costly treatment, and since Ningkang hasn’t graduated yet, he doesn’t have money. Desperate to raise funds, New Art’s scout found him, and Anning agreed to help with his father’s treatment, which led to his signing.

Before Ningkang’s debut, Anning didn’t want him doing nothing.

Since Anning was busy with audition planning, she first arranged acting classes for Ningkang. Even if acting in idol dramas, he needed at least some skills; otherwise, without camera awareness, it would be pointless.

In one morning, Anning had arranged everything for the two new artists and designated several small projects.

Auditions take time, and filming dramas takes time too. With so many artists in the company, they couldn’t be waiting indefinitely, so getting some things started was essential.

Anning chose to focus on web dramas, or more precisely, some short video projects.

Her plan was for the company’s newcomers to shoot a few 20-30 minute short videos to post online. This would help the artists gain some recognition, and if the videos went viral, it could facilitate their debut. Additionally, it could earn some money.

After selecting the projects, Anning called a meeting, and the morning passed like that.

By noon, Xiao Yuan brought lunch to share with Anning.

After lunch, Anning and Xiao Yuan took a walk.

In the afternoon, Anning called in Chen Wei.

As Chen Wei entered, Anning asked him, ”Back in Baisha County, do you still have any close friends there, ones you think of well, and who are a bit shrewd?”

Chen Wei thought for a moment: ”Fatty Xu is pretty decent.”

Fatty Xu?

Anning took a moment to recall who this was.

In Baisha County, Fatty Xu was something of a local celebrity.

This guy was chubby, with a fair complexion, initially seeming like an honest and simple man. However, he was naturally gossipy, knowing everything about everyone, loved spreading rumors, and was particularly shrewd, with a quick tongue that could make anything dead seem alive.

Remembering Fatty Xu’s character, Anning chuckled: ”Give Fatty Xu a call and ask him if he’d like to come work with me. If he’s willing, have him come over as soon as possible.”

”He’ll definitely want to come.”

Chen Wei was particularly happy for Fatty Xu: ”There aren’t many people in his family now. He had a girlfriend who left him for being poor. Now he’s alone and not worried about feeding anyone else. He envies me working with Uncle and Anning. If I invite him, he’ll surely come running.”

”Alright, tell him to hurry over because I’ve got important work for him.”

Anning tapped the table: ”This is urgent. Aside from you guys, I don’t trust anyone else.”

”Okay, I’ll call right away.”

Anning was busy with work, and the five kids went to the dealership to select a car.

They browsed several dealerships in the morning and grabbed a quick bite for lunch, then discussed which car to buy.

Yishan and Xiao Meng, being young, were into flashy sports cars. They suggested to Xiao Lu and Xiao Yilin, ”Big Sis, Second Sis, let’s buy a sports car. That red one looks so cool, and driving it would be awesome.”

Xiaocong, being a boy, liked the sturdier off-road vehicles and wanted to buy one too, so he pleaded with Xiao Yilin, ”Second Sis, why don’t you get an off-road vehicle? Then I could have some fun with it too.”

Ultimately, Xiao Lu was considering buying an off-road vehicle.

Mostly she thought about eventually heading to the wild or villages; with an off-road vehicle, there’s a lot more mobility, plus they have more space for trips.

Xiao Yilin didn’t choose a sports car — given the Capital’s traffic, there’s no point. So, she opted for a modest, not-too-flashy sedan.

Both girls were sensible; even though Anning had said she would only pay for whatever they chose, neither girl picked anything too expensive.

They didn’t even glance at cars costing over a million; both chose practical and affordable options.

Once they picked their cars, Qin Xiaocong called Anning, giving her the address to come handle the payment.

Coincidentally, Anning had things to do, so she asked Chen Wei to take the bank card and handle the payment.

Anning assumed, being young girls new to college at an impressionable age, they might pick luxury cars, so the card given to Chen Wei held plenty of funds. She even told Chen Wei to let her know if it wasn’t enough so she could transfer more.

Chen Wei, too, expected it to be a big expense.

However, upon arriving at the dealership and seeing the cars Xiao Lu and Xiao Yilin chose, he was stunned.

Honestly, having worked with Anning and Xiao Yuan for so long, Chen Wei had some idea of their financial standing.

Not to mention how much money Anning had, Xiao Yuan had earned quite a bit doing Feng Shui consultations for the wealthy over the past year. Plus, Xiao Yuan was an investor, particularly holding shares in the development zone of the Provincial City’s west side, which had been highly profitable.

Given such financial backing, you’d think the two girls might choose extravagant cars. Chen Wei expected each to cost two to three million, but instead, neither’s choice exceeded five hundred thousand.

As Chen Wei paid, he asked Xiao Lu, ”Why didn’t you choose something nicer? Mr. Qin had said he’d cover any cost.”

Xiao Lu smiled, ”We’re still students. What’s the point of choosing such fancy cars when we won’t even be driving them much? What, let them collect dust? Besides, right now we’re using Mom and Dad’s money... Mom’s company just started and surely needs funds. The money for this car could be better spent investing in projects. Cars are just consumer goods — no need to get something too luxurious. If I want a good car, I’ll buy anything I want once I earn my own money.”

Xiao Yilin nodded in agreement, ”Big Sis has a point. Once I earn money, I’ll definitely buy a good car.”

Chen Wei thought even more highly of these two girls.

He thought to himself, Uncle Xiao’s family is truly strict with their upbringing, and the kids are genuinely sensible. You’d expect most kids this age to behave recklessly, but all five kids in the Xiao Family are capable and sensible.