Transmigrating into the Genius Cannon Fodder’s Aunt

Chapter 48.1 – Xiao Feng Pays Homage to Teacher! (I)

Xia Mian and Mao Huilan picked up the kids from kindergarten together. As they reached the entrance of the alley, Mao Huizhu suddenly ran ahead. “Dad! Sis!”

Xia Mian looked up and saw Mao Zhishan and Mao Huimei walking ahead, already nearing home.

Mao Huilan quickened her steps. “Dad is back! I wonder how it went.”

It was obviously good news—one could tell just from the father’s and daughter’s expressions. Mao Huimei was smiling, but the biggest change was in Mao Zhishan. He was actually standing straight, chest lifted, his head held high. Though his expression remained subtle, it was clear he was in a good mood.

That evening, after Xia Wenyue closed her stall, the whole family sat together for dinner, eagerly listening to Mao Huimei talk about the day’s events.

“The director was really excited when he saw Dad,” Mao Huimei beamed. “Then he had the makeup artist do Dad’s makeup and had him try on costumes.”

At this point, even the usually reserved girl couldn’t contain her excitement. “After Dad put on makeup and changed into a costume, he looked absolutely amazing! Even better than Guo Jing!”

That might have been some daughterly bias, but everyone present believed her. Especially Mao Huizhu, whose eyes were practically sparkling as she looked at her father, full of admiration.

“The director said that before seeing Dad, he had almost given up,” Mao Huimei continued. “He was even thinking that if all else failed, he’d just cast an actress to play the role instead.”

At this remark, Xia Wenyue and Mao Huilan frowned slightly, unconsciously glancing at Mao Zhishan.

The family was always sensitive about Mao Zhishan’s appearance and never spoke about it openly. Usually, Mao Huimei was a thoughtful girl—why was she being so blunt today?

Noticing their expressions, Mao Huimei smiled. “Mom, it’s fine. Dad is supposed to play the most beautiful character in the show! Right, Dad?”

Mao Zhishan looked at his concerned wife and daughters, then gave a shy smile.

Earlier that day, when the director and makeup artist were discussing his looks, he had felt uneasy, even regretting coming at all.

But when they began to praise him with admiration when the makeup artist complained how he had committed a crime by not taking better care of himself, he started to wonder—had he really been wrong all these years?

Even that famous TV star, upon seeing him, had been thrilled. “Director Wang, where did you find such a gem? He’s practically a living Long Wutian! Absolutely perfect!”

After that, several main actors came to see him, and when he put on the costume, everyone was elated.

At that moment, for the first time, he clearly felt that his appearance was extraordinary—that his looks were a gift, not a curse. So many people were genuinely happy just to have found him. Their appreciation knocked open a crack in the deep-seated insecurity he had carried for years, allowing a sliver of pride to take root.

Mao Huimei couldn’t hold back her enthusiasm anymore and began explaining the role he was to play. “Long Wutian is a reclusive master—the strongest martial artist in the whole series!”

Mao Huilan and Mao Huizhu immediately got excited. “A big hero!”

“Yes! He’s incredibly handsome but doesn’t talk much, a legendary figure living outside the mortal world, guarding the greatest secret of the martial arts realm.”

“He rescues the protagonist after he’s framed and falls off a cliff, becoming his master and teaching him ultimate martial arts. Later, when the protagonist is about to be killed, he suddenly appears, scaring all the bad guys into kneeling in terror.”

Xia Mian stifled her laughter. Somehow, even with such clumsy storytelling, the key moments of the plots were all captured. Even Xiao Feng was listening with rapt attention.

“You really get it, huh?” She chuckled at the little guy.

Xiao Feng pressed his index and middle fingers together and made a dramatic gesture. “A big hero!”

Mao Huizhu was even more immersed, grabbing a chopstick as if it were a sword. “You wretched scoundrels, consider yourselves lucky I spare your lives!”

“What nonsense,” Mao Huilan laughed. “You guys have been watching TV at Chenchen’s house again, haven’t you?”

Mao Huimei commented, “Once we earn some money, we should get our own TV too. We can’t have Dad appearing on television and not even have a way to watch it!”

Her sisters agreed wholeheartedly, cheering at the idea.

Xia Wenyue laughed at her daughters’ enthusiasm, “Landing this role was pure luck. There’s no guarantee there’ll be a next time. Do you think being a star is that easy?”

“That’s not necessarily true!” Today’s experience greatly opened Mao Huimei’s eyes. “The director said that while Dad’s acting range might not be wide, his looks are highly recognizable. If he finds the right roles and performs well, he could really stand out!”

“Even the famous TV star we met today said that if Dad does well, his rare and distinctive appearance could make him a big hit among the directors.”

“Right, Dad?” She grew even prouder as she spoke. “Mom, you wouldn’t believe it—today, I even overheard someone speaking bitterly about Dad, saying that he only got such an outstanding role because of his looks.”

Mao Huimei turned to look at Mao Zhishan. “Dad, you heard it too, right? That tall, dark-skinned guy who plays the villain.”

Mao Zhishan nodded.

Xia Wenyue was briefly surprised by her husband’s response, then felt delighted. She picked up a piece of meat and placed it in his bowl. “Alright. When your dad’s show appears on TV, we’ll buy one!”

Mao Huizhu immediately asked, “When will it appear?”

Mao Huimei took out her notebook. “Dad hasn’t even started filming yet! The director said he has to train for a while first. Then, after they finish shooting, there’s editing, review, and approval before it gets to the TV station. The fastest would be about half a year.”

Mao Huizhu immediately showed a disappointed expression.

Mao Huimei continued, “For now, we need to correct Dad’s posture!”

Seeing her cousin’s enthusiasm, Xia Mian thought to herself, ‘No wonder Second Uncle has been keeping such a straight posture today.’ She had been wondering about the sudden change—turns out he was instructed to correct it.

“Dad always hunches and lowers his head. That’s a big no-no. The director said he must stand tall with his chest lifted; only then will he look good on camera. Also, the martial arts instructor told him to stretch his muscles since he’ll need to perform fight scenes later.”

Mao Huimei added, “Starting tomorrow, Dad will be training at the company every day. But at home, we also have to supervise him! The instructor taught him a few moves to help improve his posture—I noted them all!”

Mao Huilan and Mao Huizhu responded eagerly, “Got it! We’ll make sure to supervise!”

And so, from that day on, every time Mao Zhishan so much as lowered his head or hunched his back, his daughters would immediately correct him. When he felt uncomfortable, Mao Huilan would gently massage his back.

Every morning, he would head to work with Mao Huimei. While she gradually learned the tasks of an assistant, he received training in acting, movement, and posture.

Perhaps because there was no social media hype in this era, the internal atmosphere of the entertainment industry remained relatively peaceful. Mao Zhishan’s transformation was evident day after day—he was clearly enjoying himself. The man, who used to silently follow Mao Huimei to work, now always gets ready early, reciting lines to himself as he waits for his daughter.

Mao Huimei laughed as she revealed the reason. Apparently, during training, the actors sometimes chatted about salaries, which sparked Mao Zhishan’s motivation.

Xia Mian couldn’t help but chuckle. “Uncle never even dared to dream of acting before. Now he’s so confident he’s already setting income goals!”

Mao Huimei, having witnessed her father’s gradual transformation, was equally happy. “Dad said that if he could land two or three good roles, our family could buy a courtyard house in Yan City!”

Mao Huizhu said innocently, “Then let’s buy the empty one next door! We can still live close together!”

Having considered buying a house for some time now, Xia Wenyue had already made some inquiries. “There aren’t many good options around here,” she sighed. “Aside from this row, the rest are all large communal courtyards. We can only buy one unit.”

“Then forget it,” Mao Huilan said. “We should get an entire courtyard. Communal courtyards are too much trouble. The one at the alley entrance has people arguing every day—just listening to it gives me a headache.”

Xia Wenyue seemed to agree, laughing as she teased her husband, “No rush. Your dad will need at least a year or two to earn enough money. By then, maybe something will be available.”

‘Well, that sounds about right,’ Xia Mian thought silently. Speaking of which, it had already been more than half a month since the auction. The Ning family’s patriarch’s birthday banquet should be coming up soon, right?

Some things just come to mind at the right time. No sooner had Xia Mian thought about it than, the next day, they received an invitation from the Ning family.