Transmigrated as Cannon Fodder — I Rise to Female Lead Through Hard Work-Chapter 60: A Gift of Gratitude

When Xia Xingchen returned from the commune, she brought back anti-inflammatory medication, along with emotions she thought she had concealed.

"What’s wrong?" Yi Roujing, ever perceptive, immediately noticed Xia Xingchen’s abnormal state, "Did you encounter someone at the commune?"

Xia Xingchen did not refute, and Ding Anmin, recalling Xia Xingchen’s previous experiences, quickly asked, "Who did you meet, did anyone hurt you?"

"No." Xia Xingchen shook her head with a smile, but her smiling face couldn’t hide the pain in her eyes.

Ding Anmin hugged her, "Xingchen, do you want to cry? It’s okay to cry, let it out and then we can talk later. Let’s have dinner at home and sit in the room for a while."

The three of them sat in Ding Anmin’s room. Yi Roujing went to make brown sugar water, and after Xia Xingchen cried for a bit, she calmed down and drank an enamel mug of sugar water, finally feeling somewhat restored.

"I met Gu Shizhao." Xia Xingchen laughed, but this time her smile was deeply sarcastic, "He said my ’nice sister’ got married yesterday."

"The family hosted over a dozen tables at a state-owned restaurant, inviting relatives and friends from both sides. Yet, no one bothered to inform me, their ’family’."

"Thinking back, I feel so foolish, so naive. Just because they show a little goodwill, I open my heart to them. How stupid could I be..." Xia Xingchen’s eyes turned red.

Whether she could make it to the wedding banquet was one thing, but whether they notified her was another; those people never considered her family.

"I wanted to call and question them today, but Gu Shizhao stopped me."

"He did the right thing, otherwise you would have harmed yourself." Yi Roujing rationally said, "Remember the time when Gu Shizhao followed your stepmother’s instructions to abduct you? It’s good-hearted of him to spare you, but if your stepmother hears of it, others will come to kidnap you again."

"It’s understandable that your family didn’t notify you. Your stepmother is probably paranoid, thinking you’re already someone’s wife in a remote place. Where would she notify you? She doesn’t want your father to know this news, so the best approach is to conceal it."

"Maybe your stepmother told the family she already notified you, but you couldn’t attend." Yi Roujing’s analysis was spot on, as that’s exactly what Gu Yiyi did.

"What you need to do now is heal your body and enrich yourself so that when you return to Jing City, you’ll have the strength to deal with those bad people." Yi Roujing advised.

"Make sure to read diligently, and if the college entrance examination is reinstated, you’ll be well-prepared with full marks. Strengthening yourself will make others take notice and fear you."

"Your junior..." Ding Anmin almost blurted out "junior high diploma" but swallowed it back.

"I talked to your brother, and when the County First Middle School’s final exams take place, I will take them to get the diploma, so you don’t need to worry about me." Yi Roujing clucked her tongue and said.

"If you don’t understand something, you can ask me, or Xingchen and your second brother. Of course, asking your eldest brother is the best, as he’s the best at studying." Ding Anmin suggested.

"Okay." Yi Roujing accepted the goodwill but didn’t plan to ask. Her intelligence didn’t require her to seek advice for a high school graduation exam; otherwise, her nearly two decades of study would be in vain.

After this day, Xia Xingchen’s state was different, perhaps truly giving up and finding a new pursuit. She worked diligently, and in her spare time, she discussed studies with Ding Anmin and Ding Anguo, and with Mr. Qi, a great talent around, life was fulfilling and rich.

This week, Ding Ancheng couldn’t return and called ahead. During lunch, Yi Roujing was called to take the phone, causing a stir throughout the brigade. It became quietly circulated that Ding Ancheng feared his wife, possibly due to previous troubles, and now even reported voluntarily when he couldn’t return home for the weekend.

The little wolf on the mountain had Yi Roujing visiting for five consecutive days. When she saw the little wolf healthy and lively, she smiled. On the day she was about to leave, the head wolf prepared gifts for her.

A still warm but lifeless deer and a string of wild chickens were brought over by the head wolf, leaving Yi Roujing dazzled.

"Give them all to me."

"Woo—"

"I’ll take the wild chickens back first, and then call someone to carry this deer. Keep an eye on it for me in the meantime."

Early in the morning, Yi Roujing carried back a basket full of wild chickens, astonishing the Ding Family members, as there were six, all quite large.

"Where did they come from?" Li Hongying was dumbfounded.

"A gift from someone." Yi Roujing replied with a smile, "Previously, Anmin and I helped someone on the mountain. Their family is good at hunting."

Ding Anmin was amazed, internally admiring her sister-in-law’s strong mind. It seemed effortless for her to spin these lies.

"There’s more, Anmin, Anguo, help me fetch it." Yi Roujing set down the basket and said.

"I’ll go too." Ding Weihuo said, "Ancheng’s wife, you should rest for a while."

"Dad, I’m fine. You can rest. Once we bring it back, I won’t be much help with the handling. That’s where we’ll need you and mom. I’d rather spend energy elsewhere." Yi Roujing stopped them, explaining with a smile.

"Alright, alright." Ding Weihuo nodded happily, thinking Ancheng’s wife was indeed getting better and better.

"Mom and Dad, hide these wild chickens first."

"Huh? Oh." Li Hongying, though confused, quickly stashed the wild chickens away, and then the three headed out.

"People gifted you wild game?" Ding Anmin asked incredulously.

"Yes, they were very kind, and there’s even a deer." Yi Roujing’s eyes shone, "Let’s make roast venison tonight."

"A deer!" Ding Anguo was shocked, "How capable hunters they must be to catch a deer."

"They’re master hunters."

Ding Anmin twitched her mouth at Yi Roujing’s words, thinking, aren’t they master hunters; it’s a wolf after all.

"I’ll first check if they’re still in the usual place." Yi Roujing said, then gave Ding Anmin a look.

"Alright, sister-in-law." Ding Anmin nodded repeatedly, then suddenly slipped, grabbing Ding Anguo beside her, "Second brother, hold onto me, this place is too steep."

Yi Roujing quickened her pace, and sure enough, the head wolf was still by the deer, "Thank you, our family is here to help move it. You can go back now."

"Woo—" The head wolf glanced at Yi Roujing, nudging her arm with its head, and then turned to leave.

She truly had a way with beings; even animals liked her. Yi Roujing was filled with joy.

"Wow..."

Ding Anguo’s exclamation was quickly hushed by Ding Anmin’s palm, and rightly so, as he had no idea how close they were to a wolf’s den. Otherwise, we’d see if he dared to shout.

"Keep it down, what if other animals come?" Ding Anmin quietly warned.

This deer weighed about seventy to eighty pounds, and the three of them slowly carried it down the mountain together.