The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Xiao Yuan also informed Xiao Zhe about meeting the girl’s family tomorrow.

Xiao Zhe knew this couldn’t be changed. After all, he knew from a young age how stubborn the old man was; once he decided something, not even ten oxen could drag him back.

He turned around and told Li Wanping.

Li Wanping said angrily, "Tomorrow I’ll have a good look at what kind of fox spirit she is."

Xiao Zhe worried that Li Wanping might cause trouble and reminded her, "Pay attention tomorrow, be nice. The old man is keen on this right now. If you upset him, it’s us who’ll suffer."

"I know." Li Wanping laughed lightly, "It’s just acting, isn’t it? Who can’t do that?"

That night, Xia Man stayed at Xi Jingchen’s place, and the next morning they went to school together.

After finishing her morning classes, she returned to the dorm to rest, where Wang Xin just happened to be.

Wang Xin leaned in with a smile and asked Xia Man, "How was it? Did you spend time with your god yesterday?"

Seeing Wang Xin’s curious expression, Xia Man smiled and shook her head, "Not telling you."

Wang Xin was particularly curious, "Come on, tell me, how far have you two gotten?"

Xia Man poured a cup of water to drink, "Not like what you think. My god is very good to me. We haven’t gotten married yet, how could we... We slept in separate rooms last night."

"Boring," Wang Xin scoffed, "Your god is a bit too conservative, isn’t he afraid that one day someone might snatch you away?"

"What’s yours can’t be taken away by others. What isn’t yours won’t stay," Xia Man laughed, "That’s what my god told me. He’s quite confident about us."

Wang Xin leaned in a bit closer, "Let me tell you, I told my mom about Grandma Xi’s situation. My mom has started spreading the news, and maybe the people living in Xi Family’s neighborhood know those hidden stories from the past by now. Before long, Grandma Xi can clear her name completely."

Xia Man was quite pleased about this, "I really should thank you. Let me treat you to a meal someday."

"Sure thing, sure thing," Wang Xin agreed with a smile.

Then, Xia Man stood up to pick clothes and simultaneously discussed with Wang Xin, "What should I wear today to meet the elders?"

Wang Xin helped Xia Man choose, "When meeting elders, you should dress decently and appropriately. But we’re students, so we can’t overdo it and look too mature. This long dress looks really nice and quite appropriate."

Xia Man tried it on, indeed, it looked great and suited the occasion tonight.

"Let’s go with this one then."

She chose the clothes and began to think about what hairstyle to do.

Wang Xin saw how serious she was, couldn’t help but ask, "Who are you meeting?"

This was something Xia Man didn’t need to hide.

"I’m meeting my god’s future grandfather’s family, and Uncle Xi is also coming."

"What grandfather?" Wang Xin leaned over, looking all ears for gossip.

Xia Man recounted the story of Anning’s marriage plans, "Tonight is the meeting between the two sides. I initially said I wouldn’t go, but Grandma insisted on taking me, so I couldn’t refuse and had to go along."

Actually, Xia Man had her own little scheme. She agreed with the intention of watching the fun.

She knew there was bound to be a major scene tonight. Missing it might make her regretful.

"I see." Wang Xin seemed to suddenly understand, "Actually, Grandma Xi getting married is quite reasonable. Nowadays, isn’t it popular for the elderly to find companionship like in Sunset Glow? Grandma Xi meeting someone she likes means she’ll have a partner in her old age, which is nice."

"That’s what we think too." Xia Man checked the time and pulled Wang Xin along to eat; they dined and went to class. After the afternoon class, she texted Xi Jingchen.

Meanwhile, Xiao Zhe’s family was also getting prepared.

Xiao Zhe and Xiao Zhang were easygoing, just switched to suits, but Li Wanping was making a fuss.

She went for a beauty treatment in the morning, started doing her hair in the afternoon, picked clothes, and did makeup - fussing all the way until evening, but ended up looking quite exquisite, appearing truly noble and grand.

Li Wanping looked in the mirror and was quite pleased with herself.

"Honey, didn’t Dad say the other side is some old noble family? Hmph, I don’t believe it. Tonight I want to compare with that fox spirit and see who’s got more presence."

Xiao Zhe was indulgent.

In fact, Xiao Zhe probably also had thoughts about wanting Li Wanping to outshine the other side.

The usually rebellious and disobedient Xiao Tong was different this time. She wore a ladylike long dress, appearing unusually gentle and docile.

Xiao Tong planned to win Anning’s favor to ingratiate herself more with the old man. Thus, she dressed in a way generally most favored by the elders.

Once the family was ready, Xiao Yuan urged them.

So, the family took three cars to the hotel.

Mainly because they were always at odds with each other - Xiao Yuan being one faction, Xiao Tong another, Xiao Zhe, Li Wanping, and Xiao Zhang forming a third, naturally needing at least three cars.

When they arrived, Anning’s family still hadn’t come.

Li Wanping sat down and frowned, "What kind of manners let people wait like this?"

Xiao Zhe said nothing.

Xiao Yuan cleared his throat, "During a date, the man waiting for the woman is appropriate. Generally, for marriage discussions as well, the man should arrive first – that’s the etiquette."

"Isn’t the situation different here?" Li Wanping said somewhat tartly.

Xiao Yuan glared at her, "If you don’t want to wait, then get lost."

Li Wanping was frightened into silence.

Xiao Yuan turned to warn Xiao Zhe again, "Today, all of you must show some respect. If she comes later, and any of you dare to act up or say anything unpleasant, don’t blame me for severing ties without mercy."

"Dad, I understand." Xiao Zhe appeared very obedient.

Only then did Xiao Yuan nod in satisfaction, "We’ve lived so long to be together. I don’t want anyone to disrespect her or let her feel aggrieved. I intend for us to have peace and joy in our remaining years. If she’s made to feel frustrated, then we’re better off not being together. I’m saying it here: if anyone dares to make her upset for even a moment, I’ll make sure they suffer for a lifetime."

These words were quite severe, scaring Li Wanping into not daring to breathe loudly.

Xiao Tong looked at Li Wanping with some glee.

On the other side, Xi Jingchen and Xia Man went to see Xi Zhenhua at the hotel first before the three of them took a car to pick up Anning.

Xi Jingchen called Anning on the way, and Anning replied, "No need to pick me up, let’s meet at the hotel entrance."

So, the three of them asked the driver to turn around and went to the appointed hotel.

When they arrived, they waited for a while at the entrance, maybe about three or four minutes, and then Anning arrived.

When Xi Zhenhua saw Anning, he almost stumbled down the steps.

"Mom, Mom, what’s going on?"

The sight of Anning left Xi Zhenhua in disbelief.

After all, in Xi Zhenhua’s memory, Anning wasn’t very mindful of her appearance. Her hair had already turned white, her complexion wasn’t good, a bit sallow, and her attire was very old-fashioned, typical of a rural old lady.

But today, standing in front of Xi Zhenhua, was a completely transformed Anning.

She was wearing a well-fitted, sleek outfit. Her hair was dyed black, neatly combed back, her face smooth and fair without visible wrinkles.

Most importantly, Anning wore high heels, not only high heels but also had makeup on.

She was dressed in a royal blue dress suit, had matching-colored high heels, and carried an exquisite bag. As she gracefully walked over, she showed no signs of a rural old lady. Instead, she was more glamorous and suave than a modern-day professional woman, her presence even stronger.

"So, how do I look?"

Anning walked up to Xi Zhenhua smiling and asked.

Xi Zhenhua nodded dumbly, "You look good."

"Oh dear, isn’t this about falling in love again? You know, people tend to pay attention to their image when they’re in love, and it’s true that good moods lead to looking prettier. See, doesn’t it seem like I’ve turned into a different person? Even I feel a lot younger."

Anning said while gently touching her face, "Indeed, love is the best beauty product."

Xi Zhenhua felt a pang of sourness.

He felt his teeth almost chattering.

How could his mom be like this? Doesn’t she know her age? Yet she’s saying such overly sweet things.

Anning still didn’t stop talking, "No wonder you insisted on marrying Li Wanping back then and talked about true love. Your father and I didn’t really have romance; I couldn’t understand your feelings and thought it was incomprehensible. Now that I know the feeling of love and affection, I must say, it’s wonderful."

Anning generously patted Xi Zhenhua’s shoulder, "Son, if you fall in love in the future, Mom definitely won’t stand in your way. Mom supports you."

Xia Man lowered her head to giggle.

Holding onto Xi Jingchen’s hand with one hand.

Xi Jingchen leaned over, gently kicked Xia Man with his foot, signaling her to maintain composure and spare Xi Zhenhua some dignity.