Transmigrated as Cannon Fodder — I Rise to Female Lead Through Hard Work

"I didn’t expect us to be distant relatives with Roujing." Jiang Yuhua’s attitude towards Yi Roujing became noticeably warmer; previously it was mostly gratitude, but now it exuded a sense of familiarity, evident from the way she addressed her.

"Our Mrs. Dai and Mrs. Huang have been friends for many years. Every year when Mrs. Huang visits Huaixi County, the two of them always plan to dine and enjoy the scenery together. But previously, Mrs. Huang always came in the winter, and surprisingly, she came in the summer this time."

"Previously, my family’s Mrs. Dai wasn’t in good health, so even when she knew, she didn’t visit and told Mrs. Huang not to come, fearing it might spread the illness. Yet Mrs. Huang sent Director Huang over with regards anyway."

"Recently, my family’s Mrs. Dai became healthy again, and while taking a walk in the lane, she happened to meet Mrs. Huang, who was with her family decorating their new home."

"The two elderly women talked for quite a while, even from a distance, fulfilling what was in their hearts, seeing each other before Mrs. Huang returned to Jing City."

Jiang Yuhua’s topic revolved around the Huang Family, and Yi Roujing stayed silent, letting her talk to Ding Anmin instead.

"Grandma often calls home, frequently mentioning the Dai Family’s grandma," Ding Anmin replied with a smile.

"I truly didn’t expect Roujing’s sister-in-law to be Anmin, but truly as sisters-in-law, their appearances are both excellent," Jiang Yuhua praised with a smile.

Her appearance was fair too, but not compared to Ding Anmin and Yi Roujing. Frankly, she was amazed at first sight when she saw Yi Roujing; who would’ve thought there’d be such a pretty nurse in the factory hospital, but after learning the other was married, she didn’t pay much attention.

Upon returning to Jing City, Mrs. Huang immediately praised Huang Xiaobao’s partner Ding Anmin excessively. Mrs. Huang’s eldest son, Huang Qianyi, cared about his family’s nephew and, even without having met Ding Anmin, expressed agreement with his mother’s words.

Recently, Mrs. Huang has been busy preparing things with her eldest daughter-in-law, wanting to add items for Huang Xiaobao’s wedding.

"Mom, in a few days the Xu Family is hosting guests, we’ll go together," Huang Qianyi said.

"Xu Family? Director Xu?" Mrs. Huang asked in surprise, "Director Xu hosting guests? Is he really going to marry the Chi Family’s younger daughter?"

Mrs. Huang had been solely focused on Huang Xiaobao’s affairs, paying little attention to other matters.

"No," Huang Qianyi explained, "Director Xu found his son. Back then, the Chi Family’s eldest daughter and Director Xu were already engaged, and during her time in the countryside she discovered she was pregnant. Over twenty years have passed, and she unexpectedly bore a son for Director Xu."

Mrs. Huang was in shock, then delighted, "Really, it seems Director Xu is truly blessed."

But upon thinking about the Chi Family, Mrs. Huang frowned, "I used to meet the Chi Family’s eldest daughter several times; her looks were excellent and personality was good. That younger daughter was somewhat spoiled, but the last time I saw her, she was rather domineering, probably relying on Director Xu’s influence. Now that Director Xu’s son has been reacquainted, isn’t that younger daughter even more likely to marry into the family, given that it’s her real nephew."

"No," Huang Qianyi smiled, "The Chi Family had a hand in the issue with the eldest daughter back then, and Director Xu already had a disliking toward the Chi Family. Director Xu only loves his original match; he shows more patience to the Chi Family’s younger daughter just for his wife’s sake, since both sisters suffered at that time."

"Now that the son has been found, he’s clearly stated he won’t marry again," Huang Qianyi, with a hint of joy, said, "Mom, Director Xu’s son is exceptional. I met him yesterday, he’s even better than some children raised in grand families, and he’s the disciple of the Zhou Family’s Zhou Jinruo."

"Really," Mrs. Huang exclaimed, "Graduated from Jing University?"

"Yes," Huang Qianyi smiled, "Furthermore, yesterday Director Xu’s son was especially kind to me, Director Xu himself spoke to me quite a bit."

"That’s wonderful," Mrs. Huang smiled broadly.

"Director Xu’s son is a teacher, the education department leader was there too yesterday, he’s very approachable," Huang Qianyi said, "And interestingly, Director Xu’s son’s name is very similar to Xiaobao’s future wife; he’s named Ding Ancheng."

Mrs. Huang suddenly dropped the handkerchief she was holding, "Named Ding Ancheng?"

"Yes, isn’t that a coincidence?" Huang Qianyi laughed.

"Anmin’s older brother has this name." Mrs. Huang suddenly recalled the scene from their first meeting with Ding Ancheng, she felt he looked familiar—it was indeed because he resembled Xu Zongyin and more like Chi Moyao from her youth, "Oh—"

Mrs. Huang’s startled exclamation made Huang Qianyi leap, "Mom, what happened? Are you alright? You scared me."

"Oh, oh, our Anmin is Ancheng’s sister," Mrs. Huang described to her eldest son, "The Ding Ancheng you mentioned, is he about 1.8 meters tall, looks excellent, fair-skinned, with thick eyebrows and big eyes, a high nose, thin lips, and carries a cool demeanor."

Huang Qianyi thought for a moment and nodded, "It seems about right."

Mrs. Huang shot her eldest son a glance, "She looks more like you don’t care about Xiaobao’s marriage at all. I’ve already introduced Anmin’s family to you all before, telling you their names and jobs, where were you listening?"

"Mom, you must have mentioned it to my wife; I don’t recall."

...

In their back-and-forth, the Huang family duo managed to clear up quite a few things; however, Mrs. Huang still desired more thorough information and decided to call her daughter-in-law, Wan Baohua, who would likely know more being in Huaixi County.

Meanwhile, in Huaixi County, Yi Roujing and Ding Anmin followed Jiang Yuhua to Red Star Lane; Number 18 was at the far end of the lane, away from the main street, making it more tranquil.

Jiang Yuhua directly opened the door, and upon hearing the noise, Dai Shuhao was the first to greet them warmly, addressing Yi Roujing and Ding Anmin, and leading them into the house, where the grand eight-immortals table in the living room was already filled with dishes.

Three people sat on the living room sofa: Dai Shuhao’s grandma, Mrs. Dai; his father, Dai Chunhui; and his mother, Ning Xinyuan. Upon seeing the two girls come in, Mrs. Dai suspiciously raised her spectacles.

"Xinyuan, why do I see Zhenhua coming?" Mrs. Dai asked uncertainly.

Ning Xinyuan also seemed surprised upon seeing them, "Mom, it’s Anmin."

Ning Xinyuan had already grown accustomed to her mother-in-law’s remarks—Zhenhua was the daughter of the elder brother Dai Chunsheng’s household, yet when Ding Anmin smiled, she indeed resembled Dai Zhenhua somewhat. The first time her mother-in-law saw Anmin, she mistook her.

But precisely due to this, Ning Xinyuan had a positive impression of Anmin, let alone being the Huang Family’s future daughter-in-law.

Jiang Yuhua introduced Yi Roujing with a smile and explained their relation.

"Oh, such a coincidence, we’re all family," Mrs. Dai beamed, holding Yi Roujing in one hand and Ding Anmin in the other, laughing continuously, "I remember the last time Yuzhu kept telling me how beautiful Anmin’s family is. I thought it was exaggerated, but it turned out quite modest."