Transmigrating into the Genius Cannon Fodder’s Aunt

Chapter 47.3 – Family Support (III)

As Ning Shaoyun watched Huo Xuewen’s figure walking toward Zhou Qianqian, she turned to her younger brother and asked, “What are you two hiding from me?”

Ning Shaobai smiled faintly.

It was at this time the auction manager arrived, approaching them with a cheerful smile. “Mr. Ning, here is your painting. Please confirm the delivery.”

“As for the stamp’s valuation, it has been appraised. Would you like to auction it in the next session here?”

Ning Shaobai took the painting and stamps back and replied, “The owner of the stamps just told me they want to use them to exchange for some courtyard houses, so we’ll hold off on the auction for now.”

The manager’s disappointment was evident as they left the hotel.

Ning Shaoyun looked at Ning Shaobai and asked again, “What exactly are you planning?”

Ning Shaobai chuckled. “It’s okay, Sister. Just sit back and enjoy the show. Everything is ready; we’re only waiting for a good wind to sail.”

That ‘good wind’ likely referred to Grandfather Ning’s upcoming birthday banquet—a perfect opportunity to take down both the Huo and Ning families in one fell swoop.

However, these schemes had little to do with the Xia family’s daily life. They had their own happy news: Mao Huimei was set to interview for an assistant position at Rong Xin’s company.

Recently, Mao Huimei inquired about night school and learned the exams were scheduled for next year. After much deliberation, she decided to try working first. It would lighten the family’s financial burden and, as Xia Mian suggested, the workplace could serve as a valuable learning experience. Take their recent move to Yan City, for instance. Everything was different from their hometown. In the process of adapting, they gained a lot of experience.

Since Mao Huimei planned to become an assistant, Mao Zhishan was also encouraged to visit the film crew—just to take a look.

As Xia Mian had predicted, while Mao Zhishan remained indecisive, Mao Huilan and Mao Huizhu were fully convinced their father was destined to become a big movie star. Their constant chatter and anticipation left Mao Zhishan with no way to refuse.

Mao Huimei also felt it would be great to work alongside her father. Even Xia Wenyue was now fully in support, as Mao Zhishan had barely left the house since their arrival in Yan City. While he diligently did the prep work for Xia Wenyue’s stall, he never stepped outside to help sell the goods. It wasn’t laziness—he was afraid of embarrassing his wife and daughters. Even when he considered finding work before, he only looked into jobs far from home, like construction or heavy lifting.

“This has been his self-perception since childhood. Changing it by himself is very difficult,” Xia Mian explained to Xia Wenyue. “He was a treasure, but he grew up among ignorant people who constantly called him worthless. Over time, he believed it.”

“But if we place him among people who recognize his worth, he’ll one day realize he’s a precious gem capable of shining brightly.”

Recalling Rong Xin’s genuine praise that day, Xia Wenyue nodded. She knew Mao Zhishan’s values and wanted him to hold his head high and face the world confidently.

The day before visiting the film crew, Xia Wenyue splurged and cracked an egg to make a face mask using egg whites and honey for Mao Zhishan.

Mao Huizhu, watching curiously, asked, “Mom, are you going to hit Second Sister and Sister Mian after this?”

Mao Huilan quickly covered her mouth in exasperation. “If you don’t speak, no one will mistake you for a mute.”

Xiao Feng grew nervous and immediately tugged Xia Mian away from the scene.

Xia Wenyue playfully gestured at Xiao Feng before shaking her head with a laugh.

That happened a few days ago.

Ever since Mao Zhishan’s arrival, Xia Wenyue had been meticulously nourishing him, and he had regained some weight. The handsome features that had worn away over years of backbreaking work were starting to reappear.

On top of that, Xia Mian’s suggestion of using cucumber slices for skincare had been eagerly adopted by Mao Huilan and Mao Huizhu, who were determined to turn their father into a star. Every few days, they would insist on giving him a ‘beauty treatment.’

Perhaps because his skin had been through so much, the treatments showed remarkable results.

One day, Xia Wenyue came home with a bottle of honey she had bought from a vendor, saying it was for the family’s nourishment. Xia Mian had a sudden idea—egg white and honey face masks were much more effective than cucumber slices. She couldn’t help but wonder what kind of results it would produce on Mao Zhishan.

Unlike cucumbers, eggs and honey were rare treats and not cheap, so Xia Mian knew Xia Wenyue would never allow such wasteful nonsense. She roped in Mao Huilan, and while Xia Wenyue was bathing, they stealthily ‘borrowed’ an egg and some honey to create the mask.

After Mao Zhishan had finished washing up, Mao Huilan dragged him to the courtyard, sat him down on a stool, and started applying the mask to his face.

By now, Mao Zhishan was used to his daughters’ ‘treatments’ and didn’t resist. However, as the mask was applied, he couldn’t help but ask, “What is this? Why is it so sticky?”

Feeling guilty, Mao Huilan glanced at Xia Mian and replied, “Don’t worry about it, Dad! This will make you look even better.”

So Mao Zhishan stopped questioning. When Xia Wenyue passed by after her shower, she didn’t notice much due to the dim lighting. Curious but not overly concerned, she asked casually, “What are you using? Why does it smell sweet?”

Mao Huilan let out a nervous giggle and quickly brushed off the question.

Just as the girls thought they had successfully pulled off their little plan, they were betrayed by one hyperactive little one: Mao Huizhu.

At some point, the little girl had seen them making the mask. Later, when Xia Wenyue was looking for her youngest daughter to help her wash up, she stumbled upon Mao Huizhu in the kitchen cracking eggs and mixing honey.

Furious, Xia Wenyue put everything back in place, dragged Mao Huizhu out of the west wing, and stormed into the courtyard, pointing at Xia Mian and Mao Huilan. “Xia Mian! Mao Huilan!”

“Are you two asking for a beating? How dare you waste food! Things we’re reluctant to even eat, and you’re smearing them on faces? Get over here!”

Xia Mian and Mao Huilan exchanged glances and quickly hunched their shoulders, scurrying back to their rooms as fast as they could.

Xiao Feng nervously ran after Xia Mian, following her into the room. He even turned around to close the door, leaning against it and peering out cautiously. “Auntie, Second Great Aunt is really mad!”

Xia Mian chuckled amusedly. She walked over, scooped the boy up, and tucked him into bed. “Then we’d better hurry up and sleep. If we’re asleep, she won’t scold me anymore.”

Because of this, Xiao Feng overslept the next day. Even after waking up, he stayed in bed. When he saw Xia Mian awake, he pressed her blanket down with his small hands, tilted his head to listen carefully to the sounds outside, and whispered like a little spy, “Second Great Aunt is still here.”

Xia Mian was overwhelmed by his cuteness. “Oh my god! How are you so adorable, baby?” She pulled him into her arms and cuddled him.

The boy didn’t quite understand her reaction, but even after leaving the room, he remained vigilant. When he spotted Xia Wenyue, he quickly ran to Xia Mian’s side and grabbed her hand. He had a vague understanding that adults wouldn’t scold others in front of him.

Xia Wenyue noticed his behavior and playfully poked his forehead. “You clever little rascal.”

She then turned to Xia Mian and Mao Huilan, wagging her finger at them. “If there’s a next time, I really will give you two a beating!”

The two stuck out their tongues, and Xia Mian grinned. “There won’t be a next time. We could get an aloe plant to grow at home. Aloe is great for skincare.”

Xia Wenyue raised an eyebrow. “You know a lot.” But she clearly took note of the suggestion.

In the end, the results of Mao Zhishan’s face mask were indeed pretty impressive. Being a practical person, Xia Wenyue believed in making the most out of what was already used. Following Xia Mian’s instructions carefully, she completed the mask routine and then generously applied a thick layer of mask to her husband’s clean face.

The next day, Mao Zhishan’s skin looked noticeably smoother and fairer, with his handsome features becoming even more defined.

So, before sending him off to the film crew, Xia Wenyue indulgently gave him another face mask treatment, using the leftover mixture on Mao Huimei as well.

After watching the two of them get picked up by the driver sent by Rong Xin, Xia Wenyue brushed off her clothes and hurried back. “Oh, it’s so late! Hurry, hurry, or I’ll be late setting up the stall.”

She didn’t forget to shout instructions to Xia Mian and Mao Huilan on her way out. “After dropping off Xiao Feng and Huizhu at kindergarten, you two better get back home to study! No running around, got it?”

Xia Mian couldn’t help but laugh. “Your mom doesn’t seem worried about Sister Mei at all.”

Mao Huilan shrugged. “What’s there to worry about? Worst case, she’ll just come back home.”

Xia Mian tilted her head and nodded. “True.”

With such a warm and supportive family, there really wasn’t much to be afraid of.