Transmigrating into the Genius Cannon Fodder’s Aunt

Chapter 45.2 – Uninvited Guest (II)

For Fan Xiaowan, who took great pride in her supposed intelligence, being called brainless left her fuming. “Xia Mian! How dare you slander me! What do you even know?”

“I know that Dr. Ning and Sister Ning have no interest in the so-called inheritance rights of the Ning family. Naturally, there’s no reason for them to resent the elders. If there were any resentment, it’d be because the elders did something wrong.”

“So, from my perspective, what you said earlier is nonsense. Or, maybe, it’s just more of Zhou Qianqian’s influence?”

“However, we all know Zhou Qianqian herself is a petty and shameless person. Nothing she says is credible.”

“To sum up, Miss Fan, everything you’ve said is what we should call a slander.” Xia Mian advised Fan Xiaowan earnestly, “Since you lack the basic brain to discern facts from fiction, I suggest you speak less. Otherwise, no matter how angelic facade you put on yourself, you’ll easily expose your essence, just like Zhou Qianqian—foolish and ugly.”

Fan Xiaowan was too furious to speak, her eyes brimming with tears of grievance.

Xia Mian frowned slightly. “You said so many nasty, slandering things to Sister Ning, and she didn’t cry. Yet I state a fact, and you’re acting all wronged?”

Ning Shaoyang stepped in front of Fan Xiaowan and said to Xia Mian, “Don’t go too far.”

“Compared to you all, she’s already being quite restrained,” Ning Shaobai said impatiently. “You all came here to provoke us. Who’s actually going too far?”

“Future head of the Ning family, you’re busy managing important affairs—don’t waste time with small fry like us. Hurry up and leave so we can enjoy a peaceful meal.”

After being repeatedly shut down, even the stubborn Ning Shaoyang couldn’t hold on any longer. Before leaving, he angrily threw out, “I will definitely inform Grandpa about the Huo family’s affairs.”

Ning Shaobai scoffed, as if to say, ‘Suit yourself.’

Xia Mian noticed the vicious look in Fan Xiaowan’s eyes as she left.

As the group exited Yixiang Pavilion, Xia Mian, watching the boys running ahead, asked Ning Shaobai, “What’s the deal? From what Fan Xiaowan said, your stepmother has done so many terrible things, yet she’s completely fine?”

Ning Shaobai’s gaze rested on Chenchen, and he said calmly, “Only for now.”

Ning Shaoyun looked slightly worried. “Both Fan Xiuzhi and Fan Xiaowan are so vindictive. I’m afraid they might bring trouble to Xia Mian.”

Ning Shaobai glanced at Xia Mian, who spread her arms helplessly in response, “What are you looking at? You know I have a hot temper, so what’s wrong with me stepping in when I see injustice? Besides, even without today’s incident, she would’ve found another excuse to come after me.”

“After all, she’s someone who resorts to such despicable means. What bottom lines does she have? Just the fact that I saved Chenchen is enough for her to hold a grudge against me.”

Saying this, she turned to Ning Shaobai. “Dr. Ning, do you think she’ll use me as the chicken to warn you, the monkey?”

Seeing her fearless expression, Ning Shaobai suddenly smiled—a genuine smile that reached both the corners of his mouth and his eyes.

“Oh, my god!” Xia Mian was momentarily dazzled. “No, no, don’t seduce me. Did you forget we’re the same gender?”

Ning Shaobai gritted his teeth and pressed down the brim of her cap.

Xia Mian stubbornly finished her sentence, “…but as your good sister, I must insist you protect me.”

Ning Shaoyun tilted her head, confused. “What do you mean, same gender?”

Xia Mian quickly said, “Just kidding, we’re just messing around. I think he’s so good-looking, he could pass for a girl.”

Ning Shaobai shot her a glare, while Ning Shaoyun covered her mouth and laughed.

“Uncle, we’re home! Second Great-Aunt and the others are back too!”

Xiao Feng spotted Mao Huizhu carrying a pile of things and ran over with his sugar figure. “Aunt Huizhu!”

Xia Mian and the Ning siblings stopped talking. Once inside the yard, they saw a pile of supplies, with the entire family busy moving about. Mao Zhishan was organizing shovels and brooms, while Mao Huimei and Mao Huilan were scrubbing two large iron pots and some bowls and basins. Aunt Wei and Xia Wenyue were in the house, looking at curtain and quilt fabrics and discussing what to make.

The kids ran around the yard with excitement, busying themselves and having a great time.

When Ning Shaoyun went to talk to Xia Wenyue, Ning Shaobai said to Xia Mian, “If I’m not mistaken, after that fool Ning Shaoyang reports back to Grandpa today, Fan Xiuzhi will likely come looking for my sister soon. Please keep an eye on her for me.”

Xia Mian saw how seriously he said this and asked, “Is this Fan Xiuzhi really that dangerous?”

“Correct,” Ning Shaobai replied, then added, “But I believe that for you, nothing is really a problem.”

Xia Mian paused, then yelled angrily, “What do you mean by that? Are you saying I’m more dangerous than her?”

Ning Shaobai calmly said, “No, of course not. We all know you are a righteous angel, and justice will always prevail.” But his eyes clearly said something else.

Xia Mian, irritated, gave him a slap on the arm. Then she asked, “She won’t target my aunt and cousins, will she?”

“Don’t worry,” Ning Shaobai said. “She’s very arrogant. As long as she hasn’t declared war on me directly, she won’t involve your family for now.”

Xia Mian didn’t ask further. Ever since she saved Chenchen and got involved with the Ning siblings, she had been unwittingly drawn into the murky waters of their family’s affairs, especially now that she had moved to Yan City with them.

Life is unpredictable, and no one can choose who they’ll encounter. Just like Xiao Feng, who ended up with a father like Zhang Qiming, or Ning Shaobai, who got stuck with a stepmother like Fan Xiuzhi.

But one could choose what actions to take. Xia Mian chose to save Xiao Feng, to save Chenchen, and to befriend the Ning siblings. As a result, she inevitably had to face terrifying people like Zhang Qiming and confront venomous individuals like Fan Xiuzhi.

She believed that all she needed to do was to push forward bravely, clear all obstacles, protect those she wanted to protect and live the life she wanted.

Lost in thought, Xia Mian’s gaze drifted to Chenchen, who was busy frolicking with Xiao Feng, their arms intertwined. She couldn’t help but muse: ‘No wonder he’s the protagonist—any plot involving him instantly escalated to hard mode!’

Ning Shaobai suddenly reached out and ruffled Xia Mian’s hair. “Don’t worry. Leave everything to me.”

…

Ning Shaoyang and Fan Xiaowan returned to the Ning family’s house.

Fan Xiuzhi was in the living room reviewing project documents. When she saw her son enter, she smiled and asked, “So, did you pick out a suitable gift for your grandfather?”

Ning Shaoyang shook his head and asked, “Where is Grandpa? Is he busy?”

Fan Xiuzhi chuckled, “Where else would he be besides the study? Your grandfather is the kind of person who loves to worry about everything. He’ll probably never truly retire.”

It was hard to say if Ning Shaoyang caught the deeper meaning in her words. He simply nodded and headed straight upstairs to find his grandfather.

Fan Xiuzhi turned back to the visibly upset Fan Xiaowan, her eyes red from crying. “What happened? I can tell Xiao Yang isn’t in a good mood either.”

Fan Xiaowan was full of grievance, “We ran into Brother Shaobai and Sister Shaoyun just now.”

“I figured as much. Because of his grandfather, Xiao Yang has grown too naively, trying to please those two,” Fan Xiuzhi said with a helpless sigh. “Where did you run into them?”

“On Zhuyu Lane.”

Fan Xiuzhi raised an eyebrow. “Were they also out buying birthday gifts for their grandfather?”