Transmigrating into the Genius Cannon Fodder’s Aunt

Chapter 44.1 – The Future Heir to the Ning Family (I)

With Ning Shaobai’s assurance, Xia Mian felt completely at ease and could focus on settling into her new home.

The next day, Xia Wenyue handed over the stall to her eldest daughter so she could accompany Mao Zhishan to the hospital.

Yan University Hospital wasn’t far, so they returned before noon.

“Is Dad okay, Mom?” Mao Huilan asked anxiously.

“No major issues, just a lot of physical wear,” Xia Wenyue replied. “The doctor said he needs to rest, avoid heavy labor, and eat well. A few months of good care, and he will be fine again.”

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, and then Mao Zhishan was forced by his daughters to take two days of total rest. Xia Wenyue also cooked a variety of nourishing dishes daily to help him recover.

But Mao Zhishan, having been too used to ridicule, was sensitive and self-conscious. Afraid of embarrassing Xia Wenyue and their daughters, he avoided going out and especially dreaded visiting Ning Shaoyun’s home. He only visited them out of courtesy on the first day, kept his head down while eating, and didn’t dare say a word.

Feeling sorry for him, Xia Wenyue would bring him a meal while the family continued to eat at Ning Shaoyun, though it did feel somewhat impolite.

Thankfully, the market fair was approaching. Once they purchased the pots, pans, and other kitchen tools, they could start cooking in their own home.

Market fairs in Xia Mian’s time mostly revolved around New Year temple fairs, with street food and game stalls. But this market was far more interesting, offering a wide variety of goods from daily essentials to rare curiosities, along with traditional street performances that had nearly faded from memory. For children, market fairs were almost as exciting as the New Year.

This was especially true for Huizhu and Huilan, who had been eagerly counting down the days.

Mao Huimei and Xia Wenyue put together a long shopping list and made adjustments as needed, ready to make the most of the day.

On market day, the whole family rose early.

Xia Wenyue carefully instructed the girls, “Mianmian, make sure to keep hold of Xiao Feng. It’ll be very crowded, and there are pickpockets and kidnappers around. Huilan, you’re in charge of holding onto Huizhu, and don’t let go no matter what. Understood?”

“Don’t worry, Second Aunt.” Xia Mian took out a makeshift fabric rope, tied it securely around Xiao Feng’s waist, and held the other end firmly in her hand. “See? I’m doubly prepared.”

Xia Wenyue laughed, “Alright, as long as it works.”

Mao Huizhu, being a bit older, protested, “I don’t want to be tied up. I can walk on my own!” Then she ran out quickly, calling across the street, “Chenchen, are you ready? We’re leaving!”

Since Mao Huizhu and Xiao Feng were going to the market, Chenchen insisted on coming along, too. After some hesitation, Ning Shaoyun agreed. However, she was still traumatized by Chenchen’s near kidnapping, so she asked Ning Shaobai to accompany them.

At Huizhu’s call, Chenchen soon ran out, also with a red fabric tied around his waist, although it looked neater than Xia Mian’s handiwork. The other end was in his own hand, with the excess dragging behind him.

Like Xiao Feng, Chenchen wore a bright red sweatshirt. After rushing out the gate, he shouted toward the house next door, “Uncle, Uncle, hurry up, we’re leaving!”

Shortly after, Ning Shaobai came out. Chenchen ran over and handed him the other end of his rope. “Uncle, you have to protect me today.”

Ning Shaobai glanced at the rope in surprise, but when he spotted Xia Mian and Xiao Feng with matching setups, he instantly knew whose clever idea this was and sighed in exasperation—this girl sure has a lot of tricks!

In those days, pets weren’t as common, so Xiao Feng and Chenchen were lucky enough not to encounter anyone with similar ‘leashes.’ The boys darted around, only to be tugged back by the rope like a pair of kites, which they found endlessly amusing.

The two took turns running ahead, and Xia Mian, leashes in hand, felt like she was walking a pair of puppies!

…

With a lot of laughter, the walk seemed short, and before they knew it, they had arrived at the bustling market. From a distance, they could already see the crowded scene and hear the lively noise. Four rows of stalls stretched along the wide street, seemingly endless.

“Wow, so many people!” Mao Huizhu exclaimed. “It’s much bigger than the market back home.”

Xiao Feng also looked around with wide eyes. He had never seen anything like this before, but he remembered Xia Wenyue’s instruction and immediately returned to hold Xia Mian’s hand whenever the crowd thickened.

Chenchen, meanwhile, was already drawn to the cotton candy at a nearby stall. “Mom, Uncle, look, cotton candy!”

Ning Shaoyun took him over to get some.

Today, the group had been prepared with specific tasks in mind. Xia Mian, Ning Shaoyun, and Ning Shaobai strolled around with Xiao Feng and Chenchen, picking up small items here and there, while Xia Wenyue’s family took care of the larger purchases.

Ning Shaobai looked at the cotton candy stall with a gloomy face, his expression so grim that the stall owner glanced nervously, unsure of what he’d done wrong.

Xia Mian nudged him, “Hey, lighten up. We’re here to have fun!”

Ning Shaoyun, obviously knowing the reason, chuckled with amusement, “His cleanliness obsession is kicking in. In a doctor’s eyes, probably no place is clean enough except the operating room. They must be seeing a crowded street stall as a nightmarish gathering of germs.”

Xia Mian was reminded of the doctor aunt in her previous life, causing her to shudder in conditional reflex, “Come on, Dr. Ning, a little dirt won’t hurt you! Our bodies need some bacteria to build immunity!”

Ning Shaobai raised an eyebrow, “You actually know that?”

Xia Mian lifted her chin proudly, “I told you, there’s nothing this little angel doesn’t know.”

Ning Shaobai flatly responded, “Then do you know how to avoid all these people?”

Ning Shaoyun laughed, “He’s never liked crowds. He only went to a fair once as a child and never went again.”

“I don’t know how to avoid the crowd,” Xia Mian said, taking his arm and pulling him along. “But I do know how to blend in. When you encounter challenges, face them bravely. Just like with bacteria—immunity only develops following enough exposure. Once you get used to it, you won’t feel anything.”

“…” Ning Shaobai felt even more uncomfortable. “Please, just stop talking.”

Xia Mian burst into laughter.

But soon she was too distracted by the market to keep bantering. The stalls offered an overwhelming variety of items, and their layout was delightfully unpredictable—there was no concept of zoning in this era, so you never knew what the next stall would hold. The two little ones wanted to try every game they came across, and when they spotted a dart game with rows of balloons waiting to be popped, even Xia Mian couldn’t resist giving it a shot, too. But playing alone was boring, so she dragged Ning Shaobai to join the game.

True to his nature, Dr. Ning initially showed little interest, yet once he started, he played fiercely. Fortunately, the difficulty level was low for both of them, and they ended up with a tie.

Xiao Feng and Chenchen each won a stuffed toy, which thrilled them.

They also came across a stall selling traditional candy sculptures. The boys each bought one and tried their hand at blowing the candy—Xiao Feng chose a dragon, while Chenchen preferred a tiger. Both were immensely proud of their creations, carefully holding their candy sculptures to keep them safe as they navigated through the crowd.

Seeing Xiao Feng cautiously guarding his candy, Xia Mian picked him up to give him a break. Chenchen, noticing this, held out his arms to Ning Shaobai, who obliged and lifted him as well.

As they squeezed through the tightly packed crowd, they noticed a group of people gathered around, cheering excitedly at a performance. Xia Mian, carrying Xiao Feng, made her way closer to watch. In the open space surrounded by cheering crowds, a man directed two little monkeys as they flipped, bowed, mimicked people walking, crossed their legs, and even play-fought with the trainer, drawing laughter from the spectators.

Xiao Feng and Chenchen, who had never seen anything like this, were enthralled, stretching their necks and clapping along with the crowd, their laughter never ceased.

Although Ning Shaobai occasionally glanced at the performing monkeys, he mainly kept a watchful eye on their surroundings. Suddenly, his gaze sharpened, and without a word, he handed Chenchen to Ning Shaoyun, pulling Xia Mian and Xiao Feng closer to him.

Xia Mian was a bit puzzled, but seeing it was Ning Shaobai, she brushed it off and kept watching the monkey, now riding a unicycle.

Moments later, Ning Shaobai swiftly caught a hand reaching toward Xiao Feng. The hand’s owner, startled, looked up and met Ning Shaobai’s fierce gaze.