The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Anning deliberately called Xi Zhenhua.

"Zhenhua, are you busy right now?"

Xi Zhenhua had just finished a project, so he actually had some time: "I’m not too busy, what’s up?"

Anning smiled: "If you’re not busy, take some time off and come to Su Hai. I met an old acquaintance here in Su Hai, and after spending a few days together, I feel quite good about it. I want to take a step forward, so come over, let’s all meet."

"What?"

Xi Zhenhua stood up from his chair in shock: "Mom, you said you were going to Su Hai to see Jingchen. Now you... how can you do this?"

Anning had been a widow for so many years, and in Xi Zhenhua’s mind, Anning was supposed to be alone for life. He never thought about Anning remarrying. Now that Anning said she wanted to get married, it was a bit hard for Xi Zhenhua to accept. Of course, there was more of an indescribable anger and frustration.

"What’s wrong with me, what’s wrong with remarrying? After your dad passed away, I’ve waited all these years, struggling to raise you and your son. Now that Jingchen is about to get married, I’ve fulfilled my duty to the Xi Family and your dad. I truly don’t owe you anything. Now, I’m solemnly telling you, I’ve made up my mind to remarry. If you’re willing to come, we’ll meet peacefully; if not, I’ll just consider I don’t have a son."

Anning spoke with such determination and resoluteness that it gave Xi Zhenhua a headache: "Mom, don’t be like this, alright? This is... this is too sudden."

"When you brought Li Wanping home saying you wanted to marry her, why didn’t you say that was sudden?" Anning sneered. This son of hers is a double standard jerk. Whatever he does is justified, but if others do such things, it’s wrong.

"I, it wasn’t the same for me." Xi Zhenhua briefly defended.

Anning was both amused and annoyed: "It’s not the same. You’re just a pig, willingly being a backup, becoming the scapegoat. Even knowing Li Wanping doesn’t love you, you still claimed you were truly in love in front of me. I can’t compare to you dog-couple."

Xi Zhenhua was both angry and helpless: "Mom, stop, okay? I’ll agree, alright? I’ll ask for leave right now and immediately book a flight over."

With that, Xi Zhenhua hung up the phone.

After thinking for a moment, he gave Xi Jingchen a call.

"Jingchen, did you know your grandma is getting married?"

Xi Jingchen was about to have his finals; he was busy preparing for exams every day. When he received Xi Zhenhua’s call, he was in the library studying. He gestured to Xia Man, walking out while answering the phone: "Dad, I know. Grandma told me. Actually, if you ask me, it’s a good thing if she wants to remarry. She’s been lonely for so many years, meeting someone who knows her well is truly hard to come by."

Xi Zhenhua felt a bit stifled, as if he was having a heart attack.

He originally thought about asking Xi Jingchen to persuade Anning, but hadn’t expected his foolish son to fully support it.

"You... what if the person is deceiving your grandma? How can you all be so naive?" Xi Zhenhua grumbled.

Xi Jingchen laughed: "No way, the person is very wealthy, how could they cheat my grandma? Besides, Grandma said she knew the person before she married grandpa, and they even dated back then. It’s her first love."

Mom’s first love.

Xi Zhenhua wanted to curse.

Yet he didn’t expect Xi Jingchen to say something even more stifling: "First love, of course, is unforgettable. After all, Dad, you’ve been pining over your first love for so many years. Grandma encountering her first love is like an old tree blooming again, it’s understandable."

He didn’t want this son anymore. Whoever wants him can take him.

Xi Zhenhua hung up the phone, simmering with anger by himself.

After sulking, he still obediently asked for leave and booked a flight ticket.

While booking the ticket, Xi Zhenhua comforted himself: "It’s like the rain falling or a mother remarrying; there’s nothing that can be done."

Xi Zhenhua took leave for ten days, then booked the flight and informed Anning.

Anning thought the timing was quite good; at that time, Xi Jingchen would have finished his exams, and they could all meet. Then he could visit the Xia Family with Xia Man. If anything happened with the younger ones, it wouldn’t involve them.

Anning was very pleased and complimented Xi Zhenhua a few times, leaving him more puzzled.

On the other side, the Xiao Family started watching Xiao Yuan closely every day.

Seeing Xiao Yuan going out every day, either to the company or... presumably on a date, everyone’s feelings were mixed.

Li Wanping commented to Xiao Zhe: "Your dad is something else, isn’t he? At his age, acting like a young man in love, doesn’t stay home all day, his soul’s been hooked by some fox spirit out there."

"What am I supposed to do?" Xiao Zhe was quite helpless: "He’s my dad. If he insists on getting married, what can I do? Am I supposed to tie him up and keep him home?"

"What do you think, your dad hasn’t hooked up with some young little demon, has he? Nowadays, there are girls scamming old men for inheritance." Li Wanping started to imagine.

Xiao Zhe thought for a moment: "Probably not. My dad is quite shrewd. Over the years, there’ve been lots of women wanting to marry him, but he brushed them all off and never got serious with anyone. Besides, Dad said the person is from a noble family, with a substantial fortune. If she were young, beautiful, and wealthy, why would she be interested in an old man like him?"

Li Wanping wanted to say ’yes,’ but thinking of Xiao Yuan’s recent appearance, a sixty-something-year-old looking like he’s in his thirties or forties. He only had some gray hair, but now it’s all dyed black. He doesn’t look anything like an old man. Plus, Xiao Yuan is really fit, broad-shouldered, and long-legged, exuding aura in a suit. Going out, he looks like Xiao Zhe’s younger brother. Given this image and demeanor, it’s possible a young girl might be interested in marrying him no matter what.

Of course, Li Wanping wouldn’t dare say this to Xiao Zhe.

After all, looking younger than his own father would be a huge blow to Xiao Zhe.

These thoughts she could only keep to herself, deciding that she must confront that fox spirit carefully. If she could catch any of her faults, that would be the best.

Time passes quickly, and the agreed day soon arrived.

In the past ten days, it was only Xiao Yuan and Anning who were having a great time every day, while others were weighed down with worries.

Then, Xi Zhenhua took his leave and flew over to Su Hai.

Anning didn’t go to meet Xi Zhenhua; she had Xi Jingchen pick him up, arranging for him to stay in a hotel.

Xi Zhenhua called Anning upon reaching the hotel: "Mom, have you set the meeting time yet? When do we meet?"

Anning certainly had everything arranged, even the hotel: "How about tomorrow? Tomorrow night let’s all meet for dinner."

"Alright."

Xi Zhenhua readily agreed.

Xi Jingchen sent Xi Zhenhua to the hotel, then took a cab back home.

Xia Man was staying over tonight, and when Xi Jingchen returned, Xia Man had just made dinner.

As soon as Xi Jingchen entered, he smelled the aroma of food and, feeling hungry, hurried to the kitchen to help Xia Man.

Xia Man smiled and asked: "Did you receive your uncle?"

Xi Jingchen nodded: "Yes, I did. I dropped him off at the hotel."

Xia Man placed the soup on the table, reaching out to touch Xi Jingchen’s face playfully: "Grandma told me we’ll meet tomorrow. I’m a bit impatient now. How do you think your mom will react upon seeing Grandma? And when your dad and Xiao Zhe meet as old rivals, will it be particularly intense? Once rivals in love, now brothers..."

Xi Jingchen sat down helplessly while Xia Man served him a bowl of soup: "Jingchen, do you think your grandma will consider putting both families under one household register later? And then tell your dad..."

Xia Man cleared her throat, mimicking Anning’s tone: "After all, you and Li Wanping have no chance in this life. Since you can’t lie together forever, you might as well be on the same household register. At least you’ll be a bit closer, right?"

Xi Jingchen wanted to cover Xia Man’s mouth quickly, to prevent her from saying any more unpleasant words.

Xia Man had a sense of propriety and stopped bringing it up after joking a bit.