Transmigrating into the Genius Cannon Fodder’s Aunt

Chapter 44.3 – The Future Heir to the Ning Family (III)

The girl standing beside Ning Shaoyang spoke up, looking confused. “What did my aunt do to Chenchen? What misunderstanding?” Then, as if having a realization, she sighed and said to Ning Shaoyun, “Sister Yun, you’re married into the Huo family now. My aunt hardly even sees Chenchen, so why do you keep blaming her for everything?”

This girl looked sweet and innocent, speaking in a soft, harmless tone, but her words hit like knives. “Grandpa Ning is very strict. If my aunt had done anything wrong, he would never have let it slide. She’s living well at home now, which just proves she’s done nothing wrong.”

‘So, even after framing Ning Shaobai and colluding with traffickers to kidnap Chenchen, nothing happened to Fan Xiuzhi, and she still lives a comfortable life in the Ning family?’ Xia Mian raised an eyebrow. She didn’t know all the details, but she was certain Ning Shaobai had been closely following the case. It was impossible for the head of the Ning family to be unaware.

The girl continued, “Sister Yun, are you perhaps resentful of Grandpa Ning’s decision to groom Shaoyang as the heir, and that’s why you’re holding a grudge against him and my aunt?”

“But Brother Bai is devoted to his medical career and isn’t interested in inheriting the family estate; that’s why Grandpa chose to nurture Shaoyang. Sister Yun, you know it yourself, and yet you keep taking your anger on my aunt and intentionally causing her trouble. Isn’t that a bit much?”

At that moment, Xia Mian felt she had wronged Zhou Qianqian. When it came to twisting the truth and framing others, Zhou Qianqian was far from the best—she wasn’t even in the same league as this girl!

“Xiao Wan!” Ning Shaoyang, either out of guilt or concern for the Ning family’s reputation, stopped the young girl. “Don’t speak nonsense. Sister Yun isn’t like that.”

Zhou Qianqian chimed in, “Oh, that’s not necessarily true. Second Young Master Ning, did you know Ning Shaobai barged into Brother Xuewen’s house like a thug and even beat him?”

“And let’s not forget that he forced the Huo family to sell their ancestral home to Xia Mian. I think it’s just their way of rebelling against your grandfather’s decision to name you the heir. They know the partnership between the Ning and Huo families is at a critical junction, so they’re causing trouble just to make things difficult for you.”

Ning Shaoyang frowned. “Sister Yun, is any of this true? Did big brother really attack brother-in-law and pressure Uncle Huo to sell the house?”

Zhou Qianqian snorted coldly, “Not just one; they’ve even demanded the entire row of courtyard houses, even the three-entry one. This Xia Mian is already living in one of them.”

Xia Mian couldn’t help but think that Zhou Qianqian was truly taking after Old Madam Huo—both mother and daughter clearly lacked the basic ability to think things through. “Didn’t you sell me that house in secret? Your Uncle Huo doesn’t know about it, right? Are you sure it’s wise to be talking about that so openly?” She kindly offered a reminder.

“If your Uncle Huo finds out about this, who do you think he’ll come down on first? The old lady has already suffered bad luck because of you once. If she’s dragged into trouble again, do you think she’ll continue to have your back?”

Zhou Qianqian’s face froze in that instant. It was clear she had been so focused on getting back at Ning Shaobai and Xia Mian—and trying to reclaim the courtyard—that she had forgotten Old Madam Huo’s repeated warning to keep it quiet.

Perhaps realizing what was at stake, Zhou Qianqian’s brain seemed to turn faster. “Second Young Master Ning,” she quickly turned to Ning Shaoyang. “I’m only bringing this up because I’m worried that Ning Shaobai’s reckless actions will sour things with Uncle Huo, affecting our business cooperation.”

“So I’m hoping you or your grandfather can step in and handle this quietly before Uncle Huo finds out. It’s still not too late now.”

“Oh, stop using the Ning family heir as your weapon,” Xia Mian interjected. “Have you already forgotten why I insisted on buying that courtyard in the first place? Or why Dr. Ning said he was going to take the entire row? It’s because you provoked us first, bullying Sister Ning and Chenchen.”

“It was originally just something said in the heat of the moment, but you pushed things too far. “

“Now that the courtyard has changed hands, our anger has mostly subsided; but if you keep pushing, well…” Xia Mian’s tone shifted to one of light mockery. “Based on my understanding of Dr. Ning’s character, even if he didn’t intend to buy the whole row before, he’s probably set on it now.”

Zhou Qianqian glanced at Ning Shaoyang and then sneered at Xia Mian. “Such big talk! Who do you think Ning Shaobai is? You think he can just buy whatever he wants? The real heir to the Ning family is standing right here!”

“The Ning and Huo families are in a crucial partnership right now,” she smirked proudly. “If Grandfather Ning finds out that Ning Shaobai is straining relations with the Huo family because of you, even Ning Shaobai will find himself in big trouble, and you’ll be thrown back to where you started!”

“All this trouble is just to reclaim that courtyard, isn’t it? How about we make a bet,” Xia Mian said, folding her arms with a smile. “Let’s see if Dr. Ning can acquire that whole row.”

“And we’ll use the courtyard I’m currently living in as the wager,” Xia Mian added. “If he can’t get that whole row, I’ll return the courtyard to you, exactly as it was. How about it?”

“You really have that much faith in me, huh?” a calm voice chimed in.

Chenchen looked back excitedly, “Uncle!”

Ning Shaobai strolled up, casually tapping the brim of Xia Mian’s cap.

Zhou Qianqian seized the opportunity. “Since Xia Mian wants to bet, I’m in! What do you say, Ning Shaobai? Do you dare? If you can secure that whole row within two months, I’ll… I’ll give you my apartment!”

“A time limit, too?” Xia Mian widened her eyes. “Isn’t that a bit underhanded?”

Zhou Qianqian, thinking Xia Mian was intimidated, smirked, only to hear Xia Mian urging Ning Shaobai, “Now’s the time to step up, Dr. Ning. Let’s take the bet!”

Ning Shaobai shot her a helpless look, then turned to Zhou Qianqian. “If that’s the case, Miss Zhou, you should wager something of equal value. Don’t try to cheat me with your worthless apartment.”

Zhou Qianqian frowned. She certainly didn’t intend to lose, but the apartment was her most prized possession, and she was reluctant to part with it. Noticing her hesitation, Ning Shaobai knew she had nothing else to offer, so he pulled out his phone and made a call.

“Hello, Old Madam Huo? Your d—… uh, Miss Zhou here is in front of me and wants to make a bet. She says if I manage to acquire that row of old courtyard houses from your family, I should make your little secret public.”

“…”

“Well now, no need to get agitated. Didn’t Xia Mian already advise you to teach her some manners? Since you didn’t, and now she’s out here stirring up trouble, it’s only fair that you deal with the consequences, don’t you think?”

“…”

“Yes, I’ll give it two months. So, please keep those property deeds secure and out of Uncle Huo’s reach. If he finds out, he might even be pleased with the outcome.”

“…”

“The Chengbei project has already started, remember? And Assistant Huo seems to be thriving. All he needs now is acknowledgment.”

Zhou Qianqian’s heart raced as she looked at Ning Shaobai. ‘Aunt Hu’s secret…? Could the things I’d heard yesterday really be true?’

Ning Shaoyang frowned. “Big Brother, what are you doing? We’re in the middle of an important collaboration with the Huo family. Are you trying to ruin things with Uncle Huo?”

“What do you think?” Ning Shaobai replied with a cold smile. “Still, it’s in everyone’s best interest to keep things quiet until I acquire the row. As long as your Uncle Huo remains in the dark, the cooperation can continue smoothly. In two months, once the deal is finalized, even if our relationship with him becomes strained, it won’t affect you. After all, the Huo family isn’t foolish enough to reject profit that’s already secured.”

“But if Huo Pengyi finds out now…” Ning Shaobai continued, “Your first major project may go up in smoke.”

Xia Mian had a feeling this was exactly Ning Shaobai’s plan. For now, it was crucial that Old Master Huo stayed in the dark. That’s why, the moment he found out that the idiot Zhou Qianqian had carelessly run her mouth, Ning Shaobai wasted no time in exploiting their vulnerabilities, turning enemies into coerced helpers.

‘As expected of the hidden big boss—no wonder he’s the male lead’s strongest ally in the novel!’

Author’s Note:

Haha, can you guess how Dr. Ning will get the courtyards?