The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Chapter 603 - 493: The Stepmother Who Refuses to Be a Stepping Stone 81

Anning asked Li Jingyu about her dating prospects, and the girl’s face flushed red.

"Just, just seeing someone, but it’s just talking for now, nothing’s been decided yet."

"Then try to get to know him better."

Anning didn’t press for details; she continued to serve dishes to the girls, adding, "If you do decide, give me an answer soon."

"Okay."

Li Jingyu smiled.

After they had finished eating, Anning settled the bill and was ready to take the girls home.

Just as they left the club, they ran into those young men again.

They were arguing with a woman at the entrance.

Li Jingyan actually recognized the girl, she looked astonished for a second before turning to ask Liu Yuzhen, "Isn’t that your roommate?"

Liu Yuzhen didn’t expect to bump into her roommate here.

She stopped in her tracks, curious about what was happening.

Anning, following Liu Yuzhen, overheard the argument.

Liu Yuzhen’s roommate was confronting a handsome and refined-looking young man, "Qi Ze, tell me clearly, what are you trying to do? You’ve been leading me on for over two years, having me do this and that for you. You know well that I have feelings for you yet you didn’t refuse, instead played ambiguous games with me. Now you turn around and chase after someone else, am I a fool to you? You..."

The young man named Qi Ze hurried to explain, "It’s not what you think. You and I are just colleagues. We are both in the student union, and we inevitably need to work together. There’s nothing between us beyond that."

The girl burst into tears on the spot, "Qi Ze, you’re really something. So clever. I’ve been such a fool, letting you toy with me for two years and not even realizing it."

Qi Ze was quite anxious.

He has always been careful to maintain a distance. Although he liked the idea of keeping the girl on the hook, he had never actually made a move. She was quite attractive, performed well in her studies, and had good social skills, but her family background was not what he desired. He never intended to develop any relationship with her and had just entertained a bit of flirting for his benefit. He didn’t anticipate being exposed now.

With so many people watching, Qi Ze didn’t want to make the situation ugly.

Both were members of the student union, and he was the president. Making a scene could damage his own reputation.

Moreover, the girl he was pursuing now came from an especially wealthy family. Although she wasn’t very impressed with him, he still wanted to give it a try. If she learned of his mess, it would be out of the question.

Qi Ze tried to remain calm, but the girl obviously intended to expose him, "Stop playing word games with me. I know you’re currently pursuing a girl from Yu Qing University. If you don’t explain things clearly to me, do you believe I won’t spill everything to her face?"

Qi Ze was genuinely scared.

The young men beside him seemed to be enjoying the drama and didn’t offer to defend him.

Qi Ze looked around for help, and his gaze landed on Liu Yuzhen.

He suddenly had an idea.

He approached to take Liu Yuzhen’s hand, "Ping Ya, the one I’ve always liked is Yuzhen. I got close to you because you’re Yuzhen’s roommate, I..."

Anning slapped away Qi Ze’s hand, "Who do you think you are, trying to grab my daughter’s hand out of nowhere? Seems like you don’t have any regard for the people here."

Jingyu and Jing Yan quickly stepped in to block Qi Ze, glaring at him.

It was obvious to everyone that Qi Ze was not innocent; he expressed his feelings towards Liu Yuzhen only because he was cornered and was looking for an excuse.

Qi Ze, unfazed, tried to keep a smile, "Auntie, my apologies, just now I only had eyes for Yuzhen, I’m really sorry, I truly like Yuzhen, I..."

Anning scoffed, "There are plenty who like my daughter; who do you think you are?"

She took Liu Yuzhen by the arm, walking ahead, while saying, "Zhenzhen, you have to see clearly, this man has no good intentions. Stay away from him in the future to avoid being deceived."

Liu Yuzhen kept nodding: "I will remember that."

Li Jingyan, who stayed behind, watched Qi Ze with cold eyes: "Qi Ze, I’ve been at the school for quite some time. Ever since Yuzhen enrolled, I’ve been looking out for her. How come I never knew she liked you? I haven’t noticed you showing any affection for her either."

Qi Ze was taken by surprise and quickly explained: "Teacher Li, I—I do like Yuzhen, but I didn’t dare confess my feelings."

"Heh."

Li Jingyan let out a scoff, arms folded as she looked at Qi Ze: "Qi Ze, who always faces consequences bravely, now doesn’t dare to confess? Are you joking? Let me tell you this: from now on, stay away from my sister, or you’ll have to deal with me."

Qi Ze was startled again: "Your... your sister?"

Li Jingyan smiled: "Yes, my little sister."

Having said this, Li Jingyan gestured to Ping Ya: "Ping, come with us."

Once in the car, Anning turned to Ping Ya with a smile: "Young girl, Qi Ze is good at putting on an act. You took two years to see his true colors, but it’s not a loss. Now that you know what kind of person he is, just keep your distance from him."

Although Ping Ya was still heartbroken, she raised her head and gave Anning a smile: "Auntie, I understand. I won’t argue with Yuzhen over this matter. From what happened today, it’s obvious that Qi Ze is just using Yuzhen as a shield."

Anning nodded: "It’s good that you see things clearly."

Ping Ya didn’t hold any grudges against Liu Yuzhen. Whispering to Liu Yuzhen, Yuzhen introduced the girls to her: "This is my eldest sister, this is my second sister, this is my cousin, this is my distant cousin..."

Ping Ya was very envious: "You have so many sisters. I’m an only child. I wish I had a brother or sister."

Liu Yuzhen was especially happy as she laughed: "I also have two brothers and a younger brother."

Anning smiled and shook her head, driving the children back home.

She first dropped off Jingyu, then took Jingyan, Liu Yuzhen, and Ping Ya back to Qing University, later dropping off Jingfang, before finally returning Xiao Shiman home.

When it was just Anning and Xiao Shiman left in the car, Xiao Shiman suddenly said: "Aunt, I want to seek revenge for my mother."

Anning pulled the car over to the side of the road and turned to look at Xiao Shiman. The lighting inside the car wasn’t very good, but Anning could still tell that Xiao Shiman was determined when she said those words.

"Make your own decision, but if you need anything from your aunt, you must tell me, okay?"

Xiao Shiman nodded vigorously: "Okay, I won’t act rashly. I will plan carefully and won’t let myself get hurt."

Anning reached out and ruffled Xiao Shiman’s hair: "Don’t harm yourself in the pursuit of revenge. You are all that your mother has left. She definitely wants you to live a good and joyful life. Even if you choose not to seek revenge, as long as you are well, she would be happy. Moreover, your grandparents have also been treating you with wholehearted kindness over the years; don’t make them sad."

The grandparents Anning was referring to were Zhang Erfeng and his wife.

Knowing that Xiao Yuan would likely never remarry and have more children, they naturally doted on Xiao Shiman, their only grandchild, and couldn’t bear to see anything bad happen to her.

Regardless of Zhang Erfeng’s past wrongdoings, she was especially good to Xiao Shiman. So, in front of Xiao Shiman, Anning couldn’t speak ill of Zhang Erfeng. Not only could she not talk bad about her, but she also wanted the child to be closer to the elderly and to be more filial.

Before she was ten years old, Xiao Shiman had only her mother to treat her well. After her mother died, Xiao Shiman’s life was filled with darkness and fear.

It wasn’t until she met Xiao Yuan that she felt cared for once again.

She cherished her current life and would never let her loved ones get hurt for the sake of revenge.

"Aunt, I’m aware of the risks, and I’ll be very careful."

Xiao Shiman smiled: "Aunt, the boyfriend that Sister Jingyu is dating, named Xu Han, is not a good man. It’s better if you can check on him and persuade Sister Jingyu if possible."

Anning was taken aback: "How do you know that?"

Xiao Shiman recalled a previous incident: "Didn’t I stay at the hospital with my teacher? Once, when I was shadowing a senior during his consultations, I saw him there. The illness he was being treated for was somewhat..."

Although Xiao Shiman didn’t spell it out, Anning understood—what kind of illness would make Xiao Shiman feel uncomfortable to even talk about it?

"I got it. I will look into it."