The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Chapter 566 - 557: The Stepmother Who Refused to Be a Stepping Stone 45 (Bonus for 400 Monthly Tickets)

Wang Baozhu was in a hurry and offered some more money, so it didn’t take long for her to get ahold of some finished composite photographs.

She hurried back with these photographs.

On her way into the village, Wang Baozhu ran into several women who were heading to the town market.

She stopped to chat with them.

"Wang Baozhu, where have you been?"

A few women asked her.

Wang Baozhu smiled and said, "I went to the Provincial City. Our Jing Yan said she wanted to try for high school in the Provincial City, so I went to sort out a place for her to stay."

"Goodness, Jing Yan is such a treasure, her academic performance is top-notch. Our children said that Jing Yan got the second highest score in the county on the last exam. She’s really impressive."

A woman whose child also studies at the county’s No.1 Middle School complimented with a smile, "You really need to support her well, she has great prospects."

"Definitely, definitely."

Wang Baozhu smiled and asked, "What are you ladies headed to do?"

A few women laughed, "Just going to the town to shop."

The woman whose child was a classmate of Li Jingyan then said, "I’m heading to the county to see my child. He sent me a message earlier, saying he’s not coming back this week, so I’m bringing him some money and food."

"He’s not coming back this week, huh."

Wang Baozhu was surprised. "Jing Yan didn’t tell me. You’re going to the county, right? Then could you kindly bring some money to Jing Yan for me?"

While she spoke, Wang Baozhu opened her handbag that she carried with her and started to search for her coin purse inside.

She was somewhat flustered, rummaging through, and ended up dropping everything inside the bag onto the ground.

One woman bent down to pick up and saw something, and immediately her face turned pale with shock, "What is this, what’s going on here?"

Wang Zhuzhu’s face also changed drastically as she snatched it back, "This... there’s nothing to see here, pretend you didn’t see this, okay? Now, I’ve found the money."

She handed the money to the woman, "Tell Jing Yan that studying is what’s important, she shouldn’t worry about home."

As she handed over the money, another woman beside her grabbed the stack of photographs, "Let me see what this is."

She looked through them and was also filled with fear and trepidation.

Someone nearby peeked over, "This, this looks like Anning, what’s happened to her?"

The photograph showed Anning hugging a man.

She was wearing revealing clothing, hugging face-to-face with a man who was both short and fat, with a big gold chain hanging around his neck. They looked terribly unsightly.

"It’s nothing, really nothing."

Wang Baozhu forced a bitter smile, "You all saw it wrong."

She snatched the photographs back, "I’m heading home now."

People watched as Wang Baozhu put the photographs back into her bag and hurried home, exchanging glances and whispering softly, "What a sin, what must have driven Anning to... there’s no way she would do this unless she had no choice."

"How high is the cost of living in the Provincial City, after all. Anning didn’t take any money with her when she got divorced. What could she possibly do in the Provincial City with a child? She won’t be able to earn much, and with three kids to raise, she must have been desperate."

The women whispered among themselves.

In just one day’s time, everyone in Li Jiazhuang knew that Anning had become that kind of person when she went to the city; they said she was keeping company with a wealthy man, not just one, but entangled with several men at the same time.

Not long after, these rumors spread even uglier.

People at that time had no idea about the existence of photoshopped images. They all believed that seeing a photo with their own eyes was proof of reality. Each and every one of them was convinced that Anning was up to no good, earning money for her child by selling her body.

County’s No.1 Middle School

Liu Ming brought some food from a small restaurant to where several people were eating together.

He had just set down the food when Li Jingyu and Li Jingyan arrived with steamed buns, rice, and pancakes. Before they even sat down, they heard a male student, who didn’t get along well with Liu Qi and Liu Ming, say loudly, "Liu Ming, does this food taste good?"

Liu Ming glared at him, "If you want to know how it tastes, why don’t you buy some for yourself and try it?"

The male student laughed, then with a sneer said, "Surprised you all can even stomach it. If I were you, I’d be too ashamed to even come to school. Liu Qi, Liu Ming, eating meat with the money your mom earned through selling herself, how does that feel?"

"What did you say?"

As soon as Liu Qi heard these words, he sprang in front of the male student, grabbed him by the collar: "Say that again if you dare."

The male student stood his ground, looking defiant, "I’ll say it alright. The whole Li Jiazhuang is buzzing with it. Your mom messed around with several men in Provincial City just to make money. She’s nothing but a loose woman, and here you are, spending the money she earned by prostituting herself without a care in the world."

"You’re talking nonsense!"

Liu Ming was so angry his face turned red.

Li Jingyu and Li Jingyan stared angrily at the male student: "What rubbish are you spouting? You have no right to slander people like that."

The male student smirked, "I’m not talking nonsense. If your mom were decent, why would she remarry after your dad died? She should’ve stayed home and waited. Your dad passed away, and to support you, she wanted to give you a stepdad. And now, since the stepdad doesn’t want her anymore, look, she’s found you a few more dads."

Liu Qi was so furious his eyes turned red and veins bulged on his forehead.

He punched the male student in the face, causing the student’s nose to immediately gush blood.

"You hit me!"

The male student was angry too, and he started fighting with Liu Qi.

Several students who were on good terms with the boy also jumped in. Rather than fighting, it was more like they were taking sides.

Liu Ming couldn’t just watch; he jumped in and started fighting, too. He couldn’t let Liu Qi lose out.

Li Jingyan managed to grab a broom from somewhere and began hitting a few males, "For those of you spewing nonsense, your mouths should be good for eating, not for talking shit. Keep talking crap and I’ll smash your mouths."

Li Jingyu saw the commotion and quickly moved the dishes aside, then picked up a stool and slammed it hard against one of the boys who was being particularly aggressive.

The classroom was a complete mess with everyone fighting, and soon after, the homeroom teacher and the grade supervisor arrived.

Behind them was the tall and robust P.E. teacher.

As soon as the homeroom teacher got there, he shouted, "What’s going on here? Everybody, stop this madness and stand still. No more fooling around!"

A bunch of students had injuries, both Liu Qi and Liu Ming had bruises on their faces, and their clothes were torn.

Li Jingyu went over to help Liu Ming, and Li Jingyan helped Liu Qi, "Are you guys okay?"

Liu Qi shook his head, "I’m fine."

Red-eyed, he pointed at the boy who had spread the rumors, "If I ever hear you babbling nonsense again, I’ll beat you up every time I see you."

"What’s going on here?"

The homeroom teacher pulled Liu Qi aside, "Even with teachers present, you’re still threatening people? You really don’t know when to stop."

Anning had just finished an embroidery piece. She was now doing quite well for herself in Provincial City, having met many people through whom she sold her embroidery for a pretty good price. Additionally, she had taken on another small job.

Anning planned to wrap up this job and then take a break from embroidery. It was a way to make money, but it was slow going compared to running a business, and also the earnings were somewhat less.

Anning wanted to finish the work by summer, then take some money and travel to the south.

She had just received some money and had barely gotten home when she got a call from a teacher at the county school.