Transmigrating into the Genius Cannon Fodder’s Aunt

Chapter 30.3 – Second Aunt’s Past, Moving Preparation (III)

The Mao family was extremely patriarchal. Old Lady Mao always held a low opinion of her second son, viewing him as a disgrace. After Xia Wenyue entered the family, she was immediately pressured to have children, because Old Lady Mao wished to redeem her reputation with the birth of a golden grandson. As such, when Xia Wenyue gave birth to two daughters in succession, the old lady became even more hostile towards her and her two girls.

Xia Wenyue endured it all until one bitterly cold day, Old Lady Mao forced Huimei, who was just seven or eight years old, to wash clothes by the river while both her parents were away. Huimei’s hands were covered in sores from the cold, and she developed a high fever that night, but Old Lady Mao refused to pay for medical treatment.

Xia Wenyue finally snapped. She grabbed a pair of scissors and went to confront Old Lady Mao, but she was quickly stopped by the eldest son, who overpowered her, tied her up, and locked her in a storage where she was beaten severely.

Pregnant with her third child, Xia Wenyue had a miscarriage due to the beating and began to bleed heavily. Seeing her situation, Old Lady Mao didn’t care and left her bleeding on the floor. Eventually, Xia Wenyue’s husband noticed something was wrong when he returned from work and rushed her to the hospital. At that time, the doctor gravely informed them that if they had arrived two minutes later, Xia Wenyue’s life would have gone.

The Xia family rushed over as soon as they received the news and finally realized that the Mao family had gone too far. They had never been aware before—whenever the Xia relatives came to visit, the Mao family always behaved like normal in-laws, and Xia Wenyue herself had never shown any signs of distress. The marriage might be unwanted, but after the birth of her first child, Xia Wenyue seemed determined to try to make the best of her situation. Her husband appeared to care for her too, so the Xia family finally felt relieved and no longer paid much attention.

But after this incident, they couldn’t tolerate it any longer.

As the Xia family prepared to take Xia Wenyue back, her husband, the good-for-nothing disgrace of the Mao family, did something astonishing. He broke his eldest brother’s bones and locked him in the storage, then smashed his mother’s dining table, stove, and pots. Afterward, he knelt in front of Xia Wenyue and the Xia family, begging for forgiveness.

Xia Wenyue ultimately decided to stay. It was the harsh reality of that era—she couldn’t leave her children in the Mao family’s den of wolves, and she didn’t have the means to raise them as a single mother. After being suppressed for ten years, she had long lost the optimism of her youth—all that was left was fear and lack of confidence in the unknown world outside.

The Xia family, learning of her decision, went and trashed the Mao house again. As a result of the incident, Xia Wenyue and her husband split off to live separately from the Mao family, their life gradually returned to normal.

“Second Aunt, don’t cry,” Xia Mian stepped forward to hug Xia Wenyue, comforting her. She understood just how sympathetic Xia Wenyue was; despite enduring so many hardships, she still protected others so strongly. Xia Mian truly admired her.

Eldest Uncle Xia, finally exhausted from hitting, pointed at Xia Li and her father, “Get out of here, both of you. If you dare meddle in Mianmian or Xiao Feng’s affairs again, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”

He then turned to Wang Tao, “Thank you for helping with Xia Chun’s matter. We’ll pay whatever is due. If you feel it’s not enough, we’ll compensate more.”

“We don’t care about whatever your relationship is with Xia Li,” Eldest Uncle Xia continued, his gaze sharpening as he looked at Wang Zhiqiang, “but we won’t let you corrupt any other girl from our Xia family!”

Xia Wenyue stepped in front of Xia Mian, glaring at Wang Tao and Wang Zhiqiang, “Our Mianmian will go to university just like her sister. Don’t even think about it. Get out!”

The two men, who had been standing by watching the commotion, suddenly looked uneasy at being called out.

Wang Tao frowned deeply, and Wang Zhiqiang pointed at Xia Li, “You think we care? If she hadn’t begged me…”

As expected, it had all been planned.

The rest of the Xia family coldly stared at Xia Li. With a loud “Bah!”, Xia Wenyue cursed, “Just as expected from the spawn of Lin Meihua and Xia Chengyao, shameless even at such a young age.”

Xia Li, who believed she was doing Xia Mian a great favor, was infuriated by the animosity. Seeing Wang Tao and Wang Zhiqiang’s sour faces, she quickly ran over and held onto Wang Tao’s arm, saying, “Brother Zhiqiang, Brother Tao, let’s not stoop to their level. They’ve spent their whole lives in this small county town and barely seen a Santana. How can they comprehend your greatness?”

“Just let it go. We should be magnanimous and not hold grudges against their pettiness. Since they cannot appreciate our kindness, I won’t bother with them anymore.”

Wang Tao’s expression slightly softened at her words. Wang Zhiqiang pulled out car keys from his pocket, twirling them in his hand with a sneer, “Just a bunch of bumpkins who’ve never seen the world. You’ll regret it!”

The neighbors, who gathered after hearing the commotion, were attracted by the keys in his hand and showed envious looks,

The Xia family, however, darkened their faces., “Who are the bumpkins you are talking about?” Xia Mian coldly said.

“The bumpkins are talking about you guys,” retorted Wang Zhiqiang defiantly.

Xia Mian suddenly smiled, “It seems you are quite self-aware.” Then she sneered at Xia Li, “Birds of a feather indeed do flock together. You have no respect for your elders and even betray your own family for profit. Get out of here!”

Xia Hai and his brothers laughed along, and only then did the spectators and Wang Tao realize what Wang Zhiqiang said.

Furious and embarrassed, Wang Zhiqiang directed his anger at Xia Mian, “Who is the bumpkin here? All you have is a sharp tongue and yet you dare look down on us, acting all high and mighty.”

Recalling Xia Mian’s earlier mockery, Wang Zhiqiang sneered, “You look down on us for not having a mobile phone? Since you are so capable, then why don’t you show us a mobile phone yourself?”

As soon as he finished speaking, a clear ringing suddenly came from the house, causing everyone to pause. Xia Chuan looked towards the source of the sound, “Mianmian, your phone is working? But why does it sound different?”

Xiao Feng, who had been staying in the corner, ran into the house. Shortly after, he came out holding something and handed it to Xia Mian, “Auntie, it’s Brother Chenchen.”

All eyes were now focused on the small, rectangular device in the boy’s hand. Xia Mian took it, pressed a button, and a voice came through, “Where is your family’s house?”

Xia Mian was startled for a moment, “Ah? It’s near Mingxi County Junior High School, what’s up?”

Chenchen’s shout came from the other end, “Auntie Xia Mian, we’re coming to see Xiao Feng!”

“What do you mean? You’re in Mingxi County?” Xia Mian was surprised.

“Yes.” Ning Shaoyun took the phone, “Chenchen wanted to visit Xiao Feng, and you’re about to leave too, right? Let’s just go together.”

“Where are you now?” Xia Mian was no longer concerned about the crowd in the yard, “I’ll come pick you up.”

“We’re almost at the station.”

“Okay, then just follow the main road straight east until you see Mingxi County Junior High School. I’ll meet you there shortly.” Xia Mian hung up the phone and met a crowd of curious, wide-eyed onlookers.