Transmigrated as Cannon Fodder — I Rise to Female Lead Through Hard Work-Chapter 167: Huang Family Members

Although Anmin is quite carefree, she’s not a fool. She can somewhat sense if Huang Xiaobao is interested in her, but since he hasn’t made it clear, she treats him openly and straightforwardly.

But today, with Huang Xiaobao laying things bare, she starts to seriously consider things. The earnestness of his interest shines through his clumsy efforts in the kitchen, his carefree change of image, and his frequent caring greetings and tempting treats. It would be a lie to say she isn’t moved, especially since he’s the first to treat her this way.

"Sister-in-law, what do you think of Huang Xiaobao?" Anmin asked Yi Roujing seriously.

"From just the two meetings, I feel his nature is quite simple. I just asked him, and his family situation is quite uncomplicated—he’s an only child, spoiled as he grew up, so he still has a pure heart."

"But to be honest, how someone like that will be after marriage is hard to say. Marriage is lived by two people, and whether the shoe fits, only the wearer knows. As long as the person’s character is fine and their family has no major issues, I’m all for it."

Anmin was somewhat moved, "Sister-in-law."

"However, with just one child, parents tend to pay extra attention to their child, and possibly the future daughter-in-law as well. I wonder what Huang Xiaobao’s parents are like?" Xia Xingchen expressed some concern.

"That’s up to Huang Xiaobao," Yi Roujing replied. "Whether the in-laws get along well largely depends on the man. If he likes his wife, values her, loves her, and protects her, his parents will likely come to accept their daughter-in-law, as long as she’s fine."

"So you don’t need to worry about your future, let Huang Xiaobao worry, you just be yourself," Yi Roujing said with a smile.

"How can you be a good daughter-in-law like that?" Anmin muttered, "Aren’t daughters-in-law supposed to present themselves well in front of in-laws? But it seems you don’t need to put on a show; being calm and steady is the best display."

Yi Roujing blinked, feeling like that was a disguised insult.

"But you do make some sense." Anmin added in agreement, "You’re like this because my brother takes good care of you, you’re really lucky to marry my brother. I hope I’m as fortunate."

Thinking of Anmin’s bleak future in the book, Yi Roujing felt a twinge in her heart, "Don’t worry, you’ll have a good life. If not, I’ll take care of you for life."

Eyes red, Anmin laughed, "You said it, you’ll have to treat me well."

"The same goes for Xingchen. If the men can’t be relied on, you can rely on me," Yi Roujing promised.

Wiping her eyes, Xia Xingchen also laughed, "Mm, thank you, sister-in-law."

Behind the Huaixi County Government courtyard, across a street, lies a residential area for staff, with two central tube buildings surrounded by small independent courtyards, housing county government staff, albeit occupying only half the residences. The other half houses workers from the Huaixi County brick factory.

Back when the county government went to the brick factory for bricks, the factory director sought benefits for his workers by personally negotiating cooperation with the county government, offering free bricks and sending artisans to build houses, hoping the county would grant them land to build workers’ residences.

At the time, county finances were limited, so the cooperation was readily agreed upon.

Huang Xiaobao’s father is the factory director, and his mother the head of the county government tax bureau. Arranging an official job for their son is no difficult task.

It’s not just his parents who are concerned about Huang Xiaobao. His uncle, the deputy county magistrate of Huaixi, tried to place him in the county office, but due to a city directive, Xiaobao had to start as a temp, hoping for later regularization.

Truth be told, Xiaobao didn’t need to work as a temp, but he wanted to see the workplace, intending to leave if unsatisfied, simply passing time.

After high school, his family asked which Worker, Peasant, Soldier University he wanted to attend. Xiaobao wasn’t keen on studies and refused. His family didn’t insist, believing his high school diploma and family connections guaranteed decent work. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

The family agreed to the temp position mainly because Xiaobao expressed interest, and also because it offered a chance to introduce him to social interactions, learning how to navigate workplace relationships.

Initially thought to be merely a whim, it turned out Xiaobao persisted, discovering he was diligent and improving at work, had good relations with colleagues, and had changed his style. He even started skipping family meals, bringing gifts, which delighted his parents, Huang Qianren and Wan Baohua, as their son had matured.

However, they never expected their son to come home talking about marriage.

"You want to get married?" Wan Baohua asked their son, sitting on the opposite couch, with a firm yet bashful expression.

"Yes, Mom, Anmin is a really nice girl. You should care for her as you do for me," Xiaobao earnestly told Wan Baohua, ensuring to include Huang Qianren, "Dad, you too."

"I have no wife?" Huang Qianren glared at Wan Baohua, "Your wife, you take care."

"What nonsense." With a hefty pat on Qianren’s thigh, Wan Baohua retorted, "Once the daughter-in-law enters our home, she’s like our own daughter. Our son wants us to love and support her, you should just agree, no need to argue."

"Alright, got it." Yielding to his wife’s "authority," Qianren maintained his aloof demeanor.

"Baby, about this Anmin, how old is she? Where does she live? Who’s in her family? What’s her occupation..." Wan Baohua’s excitement grew as she asked, voice rising with delight, for their son was interested in a girl for the first time, wanting to marry her, awakening on his own. Very good, indeed.

"Mom, with so many questions, which do I answer?" Though saying this, Xiaobao beamed with joy.

"Anmin is the younger sister-in-law of Yi Roujing, who was commended for altruism by a city directive. She’s Ding Anguo’s sister, who works as a clerk in the County Government office. She’s nineteen, same age as me, and lives at 6 Bright Alley. I’ve had dinner there twice, and Anmin’s a fantastic cook," Xiaobao praised with admiration.

"Anmin and her family are from the Dingping Production Team at the Tongxian Commune. Her parents are still in the village, but they’re diligent folks who occasionally stay in the city during the farming off-season."