The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

When the new bride entered the house, Zhang Xiaoyu’s dowry was displayed in the courtyard, and Zhong Liumei could feel proud.

With Zhang Xiaoyu’s family being well-off, her dowry was naturally abundant.

The family accompanied her with a TV, a washing machine, and a motorcycle, just these three major items would cost several thousand, not to mention the various other bits and pieces.

This kind of dowry was undoubtedly the best in the town.

The new friends who came to see the new bride were envious of the dowry and began to compliment Zhong Liumei: ”You’re so lucky, look at you, quietly marrying off three sons with brides.”

Zhong Liumei puffed out her chest with a big smile: ”Yes, I didn’t expect it all to go so smoothly. It seems like the old saying is true: with a parasol tree at home, the golden phoenix won’t be hard to attract. My three daughter-in-laws aren’t bad at all, Xiaoyu’s family conditions are good, Nana’s family is from our town and they are doing well too, mainly because Nana is tall and looks good... Anning, though from a rural area and her family conditions aren’t as good as the other two, she looks good and is capable.”

Anning was about to find Xiao Yuan, but she overheard this and smiled, detouring around to avoid being caught by Zhong Liumei for another round of endless questioning.

In rural areas, weddings are typically banquet-style with help from the village. Generally, a wedding requires at least three days of busy preparations, starting two days before the main day: relatives and neighboring villagers come to set up stoves, both large and small. The second day includes tasks like slaughtering pigs and buying vegetables, and the third day is the main wedding day, not even counting the bride’s return visits. Altogether, it’s especially complex.

Xiao Yuan was at the time staying by the wall outside the courtyard near the sunny wind-sheltered small stove.

On the small stove were several large iron kettles, the water bubbling and boiling loudly. Xiao Yuan, wrapped in a thick cotton jacket, sat on a stool by the stove, his face gently reddened by the fire’s glow.

Seeing Anning, Xiao Yuan smiled and waved: ”It’s warm here, come sit.”

The group of guys chatting with Xiao Yuan laughed when they saw Anning: ”The sister-in-law is here, when can we eat your wedding candies?”

Anning sat down elegantly: ”Getting wedding candies is easy, you can have some today. I’ll get some for you later, there’s plenty to share.”

Xiao Yuan got up, fetched a clean bowl, added some tea leaves, and poured a large bowl of tea to hand over to Anning: ”If you don’t want to drink, just hold it to warm your hands.”

Anning took it, and Xiao Yuan leaned in to say softly: ”I noticed today’s meal isn’t up to much, after the ceremony, you should check it out. If it doesn’t suit your taste, just head back early or go take a stroll in town, see if there’s anything you fancy then bring it back.”

Anning smiled: ”Mom said she didn’t have time to buy New Year’s goods. Later I’ll walk around the big mall over there, if there’s something suitable, I’ll buy it back. Anyway, we drove here, no worries about having nowhere to put things.”

While the two were chatting and laughing, Xiao Daguang came along.

He said straight: ”Third, the Zhang Family wants good cigarettes, they aren’t satisfied with what we prepared, and I don’t have time, so you go to the county to buy some good cigarettes.”

Xiao Yuan stood up: ”Isn’t there someone managing it? Let them find a broker to buy it.”

”Just go when you’re told, don’t talk so much.” Xiao Daguang was a bit displeased.

Xiao Yuan considered: ”What kind of cigarettes? How much should they cost? Give me the money.”

Xiao Daguang felt his pockets: ”You pay first, I’ll reimburse you later.”

Xiao Yuan knew what Xiao Daguang meant: mainly, good cigarettes require money spent, and a lot of it. He didn’t want to fork out that cash, so he wanted Xiao Yuan to pay.

This being a joyful day, Xiao Yuan didn’t want to haggle over trivial matters, and he felt it was beneath him.

”Alright, I’ll account for it later.”

He agreed readily, standing up while pulling Anning to her feet: ”Let’s go, help me with buying cigarettes.”

The crowd here was large and troublesome, mainly because Xiao Daguang and his wife were rather difficult to deal with, not knowing what trouble would arise later, so Xiao Yuan wanted to take Anning with him to avoid these people and gain some distance.

Anning stood up smiling, addressing Xiao Daguang: ”Uncle, I’ll go with Xiao Yuan to buy cigarettes.”

She even patted the bag she was carrying: ”He’s got no money; I manage the finances at home. If I don’t go, he won’t be able to buy any.”

Xiao Daguang’s face instantly reddened in embarrassment: ”You two go together, go together.”

Anning’s implication was clear: Xiao Daguang wanted Xiao Yuan to buy cigarettes no less than wanting to spend Pei Family’s money; Pei’s daughter hadn’t even entered the house yet, and he was already eyeing up their assets.

However, despite Xiao Daguang’s thick skin and the family’s inadequate means, even if embarrassed, he had determined to let Anning pay for them.

In the cold weather, Xiao Yuan certainly wouldn’t let Anning freeze.

He drove with Anning to the county.

Once there, the pair didn’t rush to buy cigarettes, but first found a small restaurant to have a warming meal before starting their shopping trip.

The household hasn’t bought any New Year’s goods yet, so Anning just bought some dried fruits and sweets, and got a few clothes. When she saw red lanterns for sale on the street, she bought two pairs.

After they finished buying the New Year’s goods, the two went to buy cigarettes.

When the cigarettes were bought and they returned, the gift-giving began.

Anning got out of the car to give a gift; she handed over fifty dollars and asked the account keeper to write down Pei Laoshi’s name.

Someone nearby was also giving a gift and was surprised to see Anning offering fifty dollars.

Fifty dollars was indeed quite a lot at this time. Generally, street gifts were five yuan, and there weren’t many ten-dollar ones. Fifty dollars was definitely the most.

Just as Anning recorded the gift money, Zhong Liumei came over.

”Anning, there are several tables inside, all occupied by older family relatives, including Yuanzi’s aunt and uncles, elder aunties, and the like. They’re all old and can’t bear the cold, so they are seated indoors where it’s packed. So how about you sit outside?”

Anning smiled, ”Sure.”

When it was time to eat, Anning had Xiao Yuan serve her a large bowl of rice, and she took it to a small restaurant diagonally opposite the Xiao Family’s home.

Upon entering, Anning found a spot close to the stove and placed her rice on the table, ”Boss, I’ll have a stir-fried three delicacies, and also sweet and sour pork ribs. Do you have beef? Slice some, and make a pickled veggie shredded pork soup...”

Her manner of ordering surprised the boss for a moment, and it took him a while to respond, ”Alright, hold on.”

The boss asked Anning to wait, then hurriedly ran to the Xiao Family to find Xiao Yuan, ”Yuanzi, your partner is waiting to eat at my restaurant.”

Xiao Yuan waved his hand, ”Just serve her whatever she wants. Put it on my family’s account; you can ask my dad for it later. If he doesn’t pay, I’ll give you the money myself.”

The boss didn’t understand what was happening, but knew this must be a disagreement between Xiao Yuan and his family, ”Alright then.”

After sending the boss away, Xiao Yuan looked inside. In the warmest room apart from the newlyweds’, Gao Nana was sitting comfortably at a table filled with fine dishes, eating happily.

Xiao Yuan felt a bit annoyed.

He waited a while more, waiting until the dishes outside were almost ready, then turned to enter the small restaurant opposite.

As soon as he stepped in, a wave of warmth hit him, and Xiao Yuan quickly saw Anning.

He pulled a chair over and sat down, ”Are you full?”

Anning wiped her mouth with a napkin and pointed at the remaining food, ”I’m full, you eat.”

Xiao Yuan said nothing, picked up chopsticks, and began eating the leftovers.

After they finished eating, the two asked the boss to record the bill under Xiao Daguang’s name.

Xiao Yuan didn’t rush to leave; he waited until the guests at the other table finished their meal and the Zhang family left, then brought Anning back.

Once home, Xiao Yuan approached Xiao Daguang to settle the bill, ”Dad, the cigarettes cost US$ 360 in total. Here’s the invoice, take a look.”

Xiao Daguang glanced at it, ”Got it, I’ll hold onto the invoice, and I’ll pay you when I have money.”

Xiao Yuan smiled, ”Also, Anning and I ate at Gangzi Restaurant earlier, the bill is recorded here, remember to settle it.”

Then he pulled Anning to leave.

They hadn’t reached the door when Zhong Liumei came running after them, ”Third, wait a moment.”

Xiao Yuan paused.

Zhong Liumei, breathing heavily, said, ”There was a lot prepared today, and there’s plenty leftover, like stewed cabbage and some remaining noodles. You and Anning can take them home. You could eat well for several meals.”

Xiao Yuan looked at the big pot of stewed cabbage in the yard, cabbage cooked so soft it was like mush. The meat and tofu inside had all been picked out, leaving just cabbage stems. As for the noodles, they seemed to be a mix of various leftover half bowls, looking quite dirty.

Additionally, there was a large basket of white rice in the yard that looked good, covered with a clean white cloth.

However, Zhong Liumei didn’t say a word about offering some rice.

He smiled, ”No need, Anning’s family has refined tastes; they wouldn’t appreciate these items.”