Male Lead's Canon Fodder Wife

As the Zhang siblings walked, only several villagers were seen taking care of their winter vegetables in their yards. Seeing them, one of the villagers asked, "Ermu, Yulan, where are you two going so early in the morning?"

Hearing this, Zhang Ermu smiled and replied, "Good morning, Aunty, we are going to visit the vice team leader."

The villagers exchanged glances when they heard his words. After a moment, one of them asked curiously, "Yulan, will you share some good news with us soon?"

When Zhang Yulan heard this, she smiled and asked her back, "Aunty, what do you mean by good news? Besides waiting for the New Year, where do we have any good news?"

Hearing her words, the middle-aged woman's eyes lit up as she asked, "Yulan, you mean that you and the vice team leader are not in a relationship?"

After she asked this, those villagers with daughters of marriageable age at home perked up their ears. Lots of them were eyeing An Xuyuan and hoping to get him as their family's son-in-law.

Not only because he held a city household registration book, but also because he had a stable job with a good salary and bright future prospects. Whoever married him would have a good life for the rest of her days.

Before Zhang Yulan could reply, Zhang Ermu pulled at her sleeve and said, "Aunty, we have to get going now or the food will turn cold."

Being pulled by her brother, Zhang Yulan asked, "Brother, why are you pulling me away?"

As they walked, Zhang Ermu asked, "Yulan, what answer were you planning to give them?"

"Well, Brother An and I are not in a relationship," she said.

"So, you want to tell them that?" he asked again.

Seeing how his sister went silent, Zhang Ermu let out a sigh and said, "Yulan, I know you understand An Xuyuan's intentions toward you. If you say that you have no relationship, wouldn't you have to eat your own words when the two of you get engaged in the future?"

Zhang Yulan went silent when she heard this. After a while, she said, "Brother, I know that Brother An is a good man and he treats me well. But you know our family's situation. If he marries me, it will only harm him. I don't want to ruin his future."

When he heard his sister's words, Zhang Ermu let out a sigh and said, "Yulan, I understand your feelings because I also had the same thoughts before. But after missing so many years with Ah Piao, I know that matters of the heart are not something you can decide alone."

"Since you like him and he also likes you, both of you should sit down and talk it out. You should tell him about your worries and thoughts and let him make the decision whether to stay with you or not."

After hearing her brother's words, Zhang Yulan lowered her head and said nothing. She didn't dare to have any hope when it came to her relationship with An Xuyuan.

He was a wonderful person, and there were lots of women who were more talented and prettier than her. Compared to them, she was like an ugly duckling. She only wanted to become his good friend, this way, they wouldn't become strangers even after so many years had passed.

While she was lost in her thoughts, they arrived at An Xuyuan's house. Standing outside the gate, she suddenly said, "Brother, you go inside. I want to visit the neighbor first."

Zhang Ermu stared at his sister for a while before he let out a sigh and said, "Okay."

As if being pardoned, Zhang Yulan quickly walked toward the next house without looking back. Seeing this, Zhang Ermu walked to An Xuyuan's house as he called, "Comrade An, I'm here."

In the next house, Zhang Yulan knocked on the door and called out, "Sister-in-law, are you home?"

Hearing the familiar voice, the middle-aged woman opened the door and greeted her with a smile, "Sister, you are here. Come in, please."

Zhang Yulan didn't refuse and entered the house. With a brazier burning in the living room, the temperature inside the house was warmer.

After she took a seat, she asked, "Sister-in-law, did Brother An have a fever yesterday?"

The middle-aged woman poured a cup of warm water for her, sat on the chair beside her, and said, "Yesterday, my husband went to check on the vice team leader. It's indeed as you said. He had a fever at midnight. We didn't dare to neglect it and went to invite Doctor Xie over."

Hearing this, Zhang Yulan asked, "Sister-in-law, what did Doctor Xie say?"

"Doctor Xie said it's normal for him to get a fever due to his injury. After he took some medicine, his fever went away and he fell asleep. It's just that my husband had to stay with him for the whole night and didn't get any sleep," the middle-aged woman said meaningfully.

Understanding her meaning, Zhang Yulan said, "Sister-in-law, thank you for your husband's and your help. Did you pay Doctor Xie with your money? How much was it?"

"We paid four yuan for the medication and consultation fee. Inviting Doctor Xie is very expensive," the middle-aged woman replied.

Zhang Yulan smiled and took out her pouch. She took out a few bills and handed them to the woman while saying, "Sister-in-law, I might have to ask for your help for the next few days. Take the extra money to buy some candies for the children."

Hearing this, the middle-aged woman smiled and took the money. She checked the amount and noticed that Zhang Yulan had given her one yuan extra. With this money, she could buy several eggs to nourish her children and husband.

Feeling delighted, she agreed readily, "Don't worry. You can leave this matter to me. I will ask my husband to check on him once every hour."

"Thank you, sister-in-law. Then, I won't bother you any longer."

After saying this, Zhang Yulan stood up and left the house. When she came out, she planned to go back home. But before she could leave, she heard An Xuyuan's voice, "Yulan, where are you going?"