The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Chapter 542 - 533: The Stepmother Who Refuses to Be a Stepping Stone 21

Wang Dan immediately became furious upon hearing Anning’s tearful words.

She stopped crying and lunged forward, intending to tear into Anning.

With a slap, Anning pushed her aside: "Look at this, cousin, this is your own niece. She wants to start a fight right here in your memorial hall. Your family clearly doesn’t care about you, which shows just how tough your life has been. No wonder you couldn’t take it anymore, it’s so pitiable. You were driven into this desperation by your parents and siblings. In the end, even the cousin here has to take the blame. Can you believe there’s any justice in the world?"

"What did you say?"

Wang Dan, her voice hoarse from crying, could barely speak: "What nonsense are you spouting? Say one more word, and I’ll tear your mouth apart."

"My goodness, cousin, what kind of life did you have at your parents’ home? Were you not soaked in miseries? It’s truly pitiful. You were unloved like a little bok choy when you were young, barely having a few good days after getting married, and then it was all gone. Your life was truly bitter, even more than coptis."

As Anning ranted and acted dramatically, she continued crying, pushing away the Wang Family’s nephews and nieces who were rushing at her. It was indeed a hectic scene.

Having taken the lead, Sun Xiumei and others were not stupid and started crying as well.

Like Anning, they all pointed fingers at the Wang Family with their words.

After wailing around the memorial for a while, the steward outside called them to burn the twilight paper. Along the way, Anning and several sisters-in-law continued crying, broadcasting throughout Shanqian Village just how much Chunliu had suffered at her parental home.

The Wang Family members were nearly driven insane upon hearing this.

But they were helpless.

The mourning was already underway, with many eyes from the village on them. If they caused more trouble, they couldn’t justify it. They could only swallow this bitterness silently.

That evening, Li Zhikang hurriedly drove his family back to Li Jiazhuang.

When Anning returned, it was around eight or nine o’clock. The snow had stopped, but the roads were difficult to traverse. She was freezing in the cart, and since she remained immobile, her blood circulation slowed. After returning home and being hit by the warm air, her hands and feet felt unbearably itchy and tingly.

Li Jingyu and the children knew that Anning and Zhifang had gone to attend a funeral. It was so cold, and they were extremely worried at home. Li Jingyu and Li Jingyan had heated some water early so when Anning and Zhifang arrived, Li Jingyu went to get the water: "Dad, Mom, hasten and wash your hands and feet, don’t get frostbite."

Anning nodded, firstly soaking her feet in hot water, warming up before asking the kids, "Have you all eaten? If not, I’ll cook something for you shortly."

Li Jingyu smiled, "We have eaten. I learned a few dishes from mom, and Aqi also knows how to cook. Tonight’s dinner was made by the two of us; he steamed the buns and I stewed the pot dish."

Liu Qi also ran over: "Mom, have you and uncle eaten? If not, I can reheat the food for you."

Anning waved her hand: "We ate before we came back. You two don’t busy yourselves further. You have exams tomorrow; you need to spend time on your studies."

She sat on the kang bed, inviting the children over and prompted Li Jingyu to bring her books: "Jingyu, if there’s anything you don’t understand, ask me and I’ll explain."

Li Jingyu asked a few questions about her books, and Anning explained them carefully before sending the children to bed.

Early the next morning, Anning prepared breakfast and ensured the children were well-fed. Zhifang took the four older ones to school, and Anning took the two younger ones to Li Bao’s place, asking him to help look after them for the day.

Afterwards, the whole family hurried to the Xiao Family.

They were busy at the Xiao Family’s home for half the day, waiting until Chunliu was finally buried before rushing back.

As they were leaving, Xiao Yuan held Zhang Fengfeng’s hand and spoke to her; considering how difficult these days had been for Xiao Yuan, Zhang Fengfeng said to him: "Yuanzi, if you feel upset, come and stay with your aunt for a few days to clear your mind, don’t just coope up at home."

"I understand."

Xiao Yuan was indeed reluctant to leave Zhang Fengfeng: "Let’s wait until after the New Year. There’s still a lot to be done before then. Once it’s not so busy over New Year, I’ll stay at my aunty’s place for a few days. I really owe this time to aunty, cousin, and cousins for their help. I’ll remember this in my heart and will have to personally go to Li Jiazhuang to give thanks later."

Zhang Fengfeng had a few words with Xiao Yuan, and Zhang Erfeng, overhearing it, hurried over: "Sister, what’s this? Yuanzi is fine at home, why should he go to your place? We won’t go, we won’t go no matter what."

Zhang Fengfeng huffed and glared at Zhang Erfeng before telling Li Zhikang to quickly drive the cart home.

By the time they got home, it was almost dark.

Li Jingyu and the others had finished their exams and come back earlier.

They even brought Li Jinghan and Liu Yuzhen home.

Li Jingyan was tending the fire, Liu Ming was playing with the two little ones, and Li Jingyu and Liu Qi were cooking.

These two kids were really growing up; they were even kneading dough and filling dumplings.

And not just one type of filling; they made both cabbage pork and chive egg fillings.

But they were still kids after all, with flour smeared all over their faces and bodies.

Anning hurried over after washing her hands.

She took a towel to wipe the flour off the kids’ faces and tasted the two fillings, which were surprisingly decent.

Anning then added some seasonings to make the flavors even better, and then started kneading and rolling out the dough.

With her help, the dumplings were finished quickly, and Li Jingyan had the water boiling ready for them.

Once the dumplings were cooked, the whole family sat around in the main room, warmly enjoying the meal together.

While eating, Li Jingyan said to Anning, "Mom, I did really well on the tests this time."

Liu Ming quickly added, "Mom, I did great too, definitely got double hundreds."

Liu Qi didn’t say anything, and Li Jingyu kept his head down, eating his dumplings.

Anning smiled and said, "Good, everyone did well. Mom will take you to the county tomorrow. We’ll buy New Year goods together and get you two new pieces of clothing."

Anning kept her word. The next day she took the kids to the county and indeed brought back a lot of things.

Some candies and seeds for the New Year celebrations, some meat, and new clothes for the children. Everyone carried quite a load on the way back from the county.

Though the children were tired from the trip, they were all very happy.

The day after returning from the county, the exam results were released. The four kids spent the morning at school and officially started their winter vacation in the afternoon.

When the four children came home, they were all very cheerful.

Liu Ming charged at Anning like a little cannonball: "Mom, I scored double hundreds."

Li Jingyan also waved her exam paper: "Mom, I got double hundreds too."

Li Jingyu smiled slightly: "Mom, I did well too. Ninety-five in math and ninety-eight in Chinese."

Walking last, Liu Qi said calmly, "Mom, I got double hundreds."

Anning took the exam papers from the children and looked at them: "Good, everyone did well. Tonight, we’re having stewed meat, and tomorrow we’ll steam rice cakes and fry meatballs, so you all can eat to your heart’s content."