Transmigrated as Cannon Fodder — I Rise to Female Lead Through Hard Work-Chapter 172: Looks a Bit Familiar

The state-run restaurant was exceptionally lively on the evening of July 1st. It was a special day, and there were quite a few diners, but the liveliest of all were the two large tables at the back.

Mei Qianyao originally only reserved one table, thinking it would be just her family and Yi Roujing’s family having dinner. But when Wan Baohua went to Qin Suyun’s house to pick up her mother-in-law and learned of this, she was excited and told Mrs. Huang that Yi Roujing was Ding Anmin’s sister-in-law and so on...

It was then that Mrs. Huang realized that the two young ladies who had brought her to the Lou Family today, one of whom was supporting her, was her future granddaughter-in-law. She looked straight at Mei Qianyao with delight and said they wanted to join for dinner that night, to which Qin Suyun laughed and joined in as well.

Afraid of being impolite, Mei Qianyao made a special trip to the employees’ hospital of the food factory to tactfully inform Yi Roujing about this. Yi Roujing was amused; the Huang Family seemed too eager. After all, since it wasn’t her family hosting, and they wanted to invite more friends and family, there was no reason for Yi Roujing to refuse, so she nodded in agreement.

When Yi Roujing’s family went to the state-run restaurant, Ding Anmin was the most anxious among them, but after seeing Huang Xiaobao cheerfully peering and watching at the restaurant entrance, Ding Anmin felt reassured.

"Anmin, over here, over here, big brother, big sister-in-law, please come in," Huang Xiaobao ran up to Yi Roujing and the group, waving enthusiastically, and ushered everyone inside.

Mrs. Huang had already sat at the head of the table, with Lou Chongshang on her left and Huang Qianren on her right, while Chen Youyi and others took their seats in turn. Mei Qianyao, as the main host for the event, guided Yi Roujing and her group for introductions.

Among the group, the calmest were Ding Ancheng and his wife, both having faced many grand occasions. In her past life, Yi Roujing never lacked socializing experience and was very familiar with social interactions in prestigious families.

Mrs. Huang first looked at Ding Anmin with interest, then smiled and nodded occasionally while talking with the Huang Qianren next to her, her eyes frequently glancing at Ding Anmin.

What caught Huang Qianren’s attention the most was Ding Ancheng. His demeanor was on par with children raised by several prominent families in Jing City. If he didn’t know Ding Ancheng was a teacher at County First Middle School, he might have thought he was a child from a major family visiting the county. No wonder his son had said he was afraid to talk to such a person. Alas, he had to admit, they just couldn’t measure up.

Mrs. Huang noticed her son’s lack of response to her, frowned, and followed his gaze only to see Ding Ancheng, and curiously said, "This child looks so familiar to me, from which family might he be?"

Huang Qianren was taken aback by his mother’s words. Though his own mother didn’t concern herself much with mundane matters, her sharp eyes were renowned in Jing City, combined with her age; she recognized all prominent figures in Jing City. That’s why his elder brother often brought his mother along for social functions. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"Hello, I’m Ding Ancheng, this is my wife Yi Roujing, my brother Ding Anguo, my sister Ding Anmin, my third cousin Yi Weiliang, and this is Xia Xingchen." Ding Ancheng introduced his family one by one, and they were welcomed and seated.

Ding Ancheng, Yi Roujing, and Ding Anmin, were led by Mei Qianyao to sit at the main table.

Ding Anmin was pulled by Wan Baohua to sit right next to her, and throughout the meal, it was Wan Baohua’s lively voice that filled the air, serving Ding Anmin food and inviting Ding Ancheng and Yi Roujing to eat. Mei Qianyao teased her, "Perhaps it is Wan Baohua hosting today instead of me."

"Ancheng, are you a native of Huaixi County?" Mrs. Huang asked with a smile after becoming familiar.

"I was born and raised in Dingping Production Team, so I suppose I am a native," Ding Ancheng replied politely while putting down his chopsticks.

"Have you been to Jing City?" Mrs. Huang asked directly, "I always feel you look somewhat familiar, but if we had met, shouldn’t I recognize you?"

"I studied in Jing City, Madam Huang might have seen me there occasionally." Ding Ancheng replied with a smile.

"Ah, that might be." Mrs. Huang nodded upon hearing this, and the topic moved on.

Ding Ancheng could be sure he hadn’t met Mrs. Huang before. During his time studying in Jing City, although he accompanied his teacher to some engagements, they were mostly academic, so Mrs. Huang likely knew the Xu Family, knowing his resemblance to Xu Zongyin.

Chen Youyi specially had his family toast to Yi Roujing, thanking her for her help to Chen Guole. Only then did Mrs. Huang learn about this and looked at Yi Roujing with even more kindness, holding Chen Guole with affection.

The meal was eaten in a very harmonious and lively manner. At the end, Mrs. Huang held Ding Anmin’s hand, hoping she would visit often, to which Huang Xiaobao immediately promised he would bring her home for meals.

"Ah, Anmin, because of you, even my little grandson is becoming quite the gentleman now," Mrs. Huang exclaimed happily.

Huang Xiaobao wanted to escort Ding Anmin back, but with Ding Ancheng and Ding Anguo there, he didn’t have the chance, so he had to follow his family back with repeated glances.

Afterwards, the relationship between Huang Xiaobao and Ding Anmin proceeded steadily, and Yi Roujing felt the two were particularly affectionate.

On Saturday, July 5th, taking advantage of the day off, Liu Guangmei brought Liu Youning and her family to the house at No. 6 Bright Alley. Although they had often mentioned coming over for a meal and getting acquainted, the textile factory had been rushing an order recently, and she and her husband hadn’t had time off until now, so the entire family came.

Upon entering the courtyard, Liu Guangmei couldn’t hide her surprise. Bunches of purple grapes hung over half the courtyard, and under the grapevine was an Eight-Immortals table with four long benches placed.

In the other flowerbed, there were flourishing green onions and garlic, alongside a stone-paved surface, making laundry and vegetable washing very convenient. Next to it was a well, and in the courtyard was parked a brand-new ladies’ bicycle.

Ding Weihuo and Li Hongying had arrived yesterday. With autumn harvest approaching, there were many farm chores, but they managed to come to the county before the double harvest. Not only the Ding Family had come; Yi Shunyin and Liu Huilan were also here today since it concerned their youngest son.

Liu Guangmei didn’t expect others to take it so seriously; both families came, personally attended to the guests. Liu Guangmei was acquainted with Liu Huilan, and they had a chat, starting introductions, and instantly the atmosphere in the courtyard became lively.

On the Eight-Immortals table were roasted seeds, candies, and Jiang rice sticks, with tea and sweet water already poured into enamel cups, the adults drank tea, and the children drank the sweet water.

Seeing everyone had arrived, Ding Anguo retrieved the watermelon chilled in the well water, sliced it, and served it to everyone to cool down and quench thirst.

Liu Guangmei clearly felt that Liu Youning was unrestrained in this family, eating the watermelon happily and smiling at Yi Weiliang and others, which made Liu Guangmei’s heart ache. Thinking of how her own elder brother’s family had been thick-skinned recently to no avail, it didn’t compare to the caring and loving concern shown by outsiders toward her nephew.