Transmigrating into the Genius Cannon Fodder’s Aunt

Chapter 26.2 – Zhang Qiming Went Crazy (II)

“Okay, I’ll arrange it,” Xia Mian agreed. She soon met Gao Yongfeng. At first glance, he was a sharp-looking man, well-dressed even in the summer heat. With his clean-cut appearance, polished demeanor, narrow eyes that never ceased to smile, and eloquent speech that effortlessly put others at ease, this person perfectly embodied the stereotype of a traditional insurance salesman from a later era.

When he visited Zhang’s house, Gao Yongfeng carried a black briefcase and greeted Xia Mian warmly, “You must be Xia Mian. What a beautiful young lady.”

Xia Mian just smiled briefly in response and set the food on the table. “My brother-in-law is in a bad mood. Please keep him company, Brother Gao.”

Of course, Xia Mian didn’t cook herself. She bought ready-made dishes from a restaurant but personally prepared two good bottles of wine.

Gao Yongfeng’s eyes lit up at the sight of the Maotai bottles.

1 “Wow, Brother Qiming, you managed to get these!”

Zhang Qiming glanced at Xia Mian in surprise, and this time, she didn’t undermine him. “Dr. Ning downstairs has connections in the provincial capital. Since I’m asking Brother Gao for help, I had to show some sincerity,” Xia Mian said as she quickly opened both bottles.

“Alas!” Gao Yongfeng exclaimed. “One bottle is enough. Opening two is such a waste.”

“Oh, this little girl just doesn’t understand,” he lamented, clearly pained by the lost opportunity to take one bottle home as a gift.

Zhang Qiming also seemed a bit regretful, but he played along, saying, “Since they’re opened, let’s enjoy this good wine, Brother Gao! Only leaders usually drink this.”

There was no turning back now. Good wine was a good wine for a reason. Both Gao Yongfeng, a wine lover, and Zhang Qiming, who was under great stress recently, finished one cup after another, drinking to their heart’s content.

Taking advantage of their distraction, Xia Mian quietly slipped away to the guest room when they didn’t pay attention. It wasn’t until nearly eleven at night, just as Xia Mian worried they might not get drunk, that Gao Yongfeng finally loosened his tongue and let slip something useful. “Are you really buying insurance for Huang Xiaojuan?” His voice lowered, carrying a hint of encouragement, “There’s a better option this time…”

Zhang Qiming sneered, “Perfect. Let’s choose the best one. She’s caused me so much loss; she should compensate me somehow.”

Despite the high temperature in the midsummer, Xia Mian felt a chill run through her. Zhang Qiming was planning to kill Huang Xiaojuan!

Only when everything outside was completely silent did Xia Mian quietly leave the house. Unlike modern times, the deep night in the nineties wasn’t brightly lit. Only a few dim street lamps along the main road of the residential compound provided some faint light.

After descending the stairs, Xia Mian saw the warm yellow light shining from Teacher Mi’s house window. The security door was slightly ajar, clearly waiting for her return. The warmth rising in her heart gradually thawed her stiff limbs. She quietly opened the door and found a man sitting on the sofa. He was casually leaning on the sofa, reading a thick book, his tall figure bathed in the soft light of a small lamp appeared less distant and harsh than usual, even more gentle. Hearing the sound, he looked up and softly said, “You’re back?”

The concern in his hushed voice dispelled the last bit of coldness in Xia Mian’s heart. She walked over, sat on the sofa, and quietly told Ning Shaobai about her discovery and suspicions.

“What should I do?” Xia Mian couldn’t help but ask, her teeth chattering as she spoke about the situation. “Maybe we can catch Zhang Qiming in the act through this?”

“This kind of useless man can only come up with such crooked schemes. Since he’s made it so obvious, dealing with him will be easier,” Ning Shaobai sneered. “Don’t worry, tomorrow I’ll contact the provincial public security bureau to follow up on this matter.” Then he lazily got up and playfully tugged at a tuft of Xia Mian’s hair. “Go to sleep. I’m exhausted.”

Surprisingly, his nonchalant attitude made her feel calm, as if what she had witnessed was merely a petty gang squabble, not two psychopaths planning a cold-blooded murder.

…

Xia Mian woke up early the next day, feeling a bit awkward staying at someone else’s house. However, Xiao Feng woke up even earlier, staring at her with his big, unblinking eyes, as if afraid she might disappear. The child still lacked a sense of security; ever since Xia Mian rescued him, he had never been away from her for so long and always slept in her arms at night.

Seeing her open her eyes, Xiao Feng immediately smiled, as if his whole world lit up with her presence. “Auntie.” He called softly.

Xia Mian kissed his forehead. “Good morning, Xiao Feng.” Hang in there, Baby. These tough days will soon be over.

During breakfast, Ning Shaobai handed her a key. “This is the key to my hospital dormitory. It’s usually unoccupied. You can move in and help tidy it up.”

Ning Shaoyun gave her younger brother a reproachful look, “Can’t you speak nicely?”

Xia Mian smiled and softly replied, like a little angel would, “It’s okay, I understand Dr. Ning’s kindness.”

Ning Shaobai frowned slightly and mimicked her tone, “Can you speak normally?”

Who’s not normal?! Xia Mian was so angry that she wanted to hit him.

…

Xia Mian expected Ning Shaobai’s dormitory to be a regular single room, but it turned out to be on the ground floor with about twenty square meters of space and a small yard at the entrance. This was the treatment reserved for specialist doctors. Clearly, Ning Shaobai was a prized asset at the hospital.

Since Ning Shaobai sometimes stayed in the dormitory after night shifts, the place was neat and clean, showcasing his cleanliness, a common trait among doctors.

After seeing Xia Mian settled in with Xiao Feng, Ning Shaobai handed her a mobile phone. “Keep this for now. My number is saved in it. Contact me if anything comes up.”

“Thank you for your kindness.” Xia Mian said.

Ning Shaobai replied, “You’re welcome. Consider it repaying my debt for saving Chenchen. Don’t bother me again in the future.”

Xia Mian’s eyes widened, “I genuinely see you as a sister, and you’re keeping tabs on favors?”

The annoyed Ning Shaobai reached out to pull her hair tuft, but Xia Mian anticipated this and dodged, shouting, “Dream on!”

“A life-saving favor deserves a lifelong commitment, right?” Xia Mian’s mouth ran off like a machine gun. “Though we’re the same gender, it doesn’t prevent you from repaying me for life.”

Ning Shaobai was so angry that he grabbed her head and flicked her forehead hard. “Who’s dreaming now? You’re still young and already babbling so much nonsense!”

Seeing them frolicking, Xiao Feng quickly hugged Ning Shaobai’s leg and anxiously said, “Brother Ning, don’t! Auntie!”

Ning Shaobai paused, released Xia Mian, and patted Xiao Feng’s head. “Call me Uncle Ning.”

Xia Mian hugged Xiao Feng and laughed triumphantly, “Oh, Auntie’s Xiao Feng really is a good assist.”

Xiao Feng stared at Ning Shaobai, who gestured at Xia Mian from a distance and turned to go to work.

Maotai or Moutai is a style of baijiu made in the town of Maotai, Guizhou Province, China.