Transmigrating into the Genius Cannon Fodder’s Aunt

Chapter 51.3 – Birthday Banquet: Third Part (III)

Under the crowd’s gaze, Ning Shaobai smiled and said, “My sister’s gift has already been delivered, but I haven’t given mine yet.”

Old Master Ning frowned and sighed, but still responded, “What gift?”

“A set of foreign-made speakers.” Ning Shaobai replied. “I know Grandpa loves listening to opera. Once the speaker’s hooked up to a tape recorder or CD player, the whole hall can hear it. It’s just like being at a live performance. The effect is amazing.”

“And it just so happens it’ll be useful today,” Ning Shaobai glanced at the small stage and the microphone connected to it. “Later, when you and Aunt Fan deliver your speeches, you won’t have to raise your voices—everyone will be able to hear clearly.”

With that, he pulled out his phone and made a call. “Bring everything in.”

Soon, four large speakers were carried in. Ning Shaobai said to the steward, “Have them set up the wiring. Should take about half an hour. Let everyone try out this surround sound system—it’s really something.”

Fan Xiuzhi watched the speakers with a guarded expression. She now understood that Ning Shaobai never did anything pointless. But no matter how she racked her brain, she couldn’t figure out what he could possibly do with a sound system…

Ning Shaobai smiled. “Aunt Fan, why so tense? Relax, there’s no bomb inside.”

Ning Shaoyang frowned. “Big brother…”

But Ning Shaobai ignored him. Old Master Ning let out a long sigh, patted Ning Shaobai’s hand, and said, “Since the speakers will take a while, come upstairs and accompany Grandpa for a bit.”

…

In the study, the old man looked weary as he said, “Xiao Bai… I know you’re holding a grudge, but don’t act out of anger! The culprits behind Chenchen’s kidnapping have already been found…”

“Grandpa,” Ning Shaobai chuckled coldly, “you can stop playing dumb now, can’t you? Do I look like an idiot to you?”

The old man sighed, then spoke solemnly, “Xiao Bai, whatever is rightfully yours, Grandpa will make sure you get every bit. That I can promise. But you also know—Xiao Yang is a good child, and the two of you are brothers…”

“So what? Just because I had the misfortune of being born his brother, his mother gets to harm us and we’re supposed to put up with it?”

“Let me finish!” Old Master Ning snapped. “You’re both my grandsons. I would never harm either of you!”

“You’ve met Qiongying—her grandfather was my old business partner. She’s beautiful and capable, and she’s going to inherit Gaokang Pharmaceuticals in the future. Get along with her. Even Fan Xiuzhi, no matter how domineering she is, would have to tread carefully with the Gao family.”

“Come on now,” Ning Shaobai said, “Grandpa, are you going to use that same old trick on me too?”

“Fan Xiuzhi is beautiful and capable, Huo Xuewen is handsome and capable… Grandpa, my dad ran away from home and hasn’t been seen since. My sister’s life has been ruined, and Chenchen nearly lost his life because of all this.”

“Grandpa’s judgment is so sharp that everyone you’ve chosen has been a rare ‘gem.’ I wouldn’t dare take the risk.”

“I prefer a simple life. I don’t want to spend my days cleaning up after dirty beasts.”

Old Master Ning snapped, “Am I not doing all this for you?! What choice do I have?!”

“I’m already old. The only reason I can still hold the company together is because of those old comrades who helped build this business with me!”

“If Fan Xiuzhi’s investment in Hainan succeeds, and she signs a deal with Mohe Corporation, I’ll be retiring soon. When I’m gone, the tea cools with the guest—you think you’ll still have it as easy as you do now?”

Old Master Ning looked sorrowful. “Xiao Bai, Grandpa won’t last much longer. I’m just trying to carve out a backup path for you.”

Ning Shaobai suddenly smiled. “Grandpa, do you think you’ve been wise all your life? That you’ve balanced everything in the family, protected every grandchild, and brought the Ning family to new heights—that you’ve done a great job?”

“Today, you’ll witness its collapse.”

The old man’s expression changed as Ning Shaobai continued, “Because it’s all built on illusion. You know why?”

“You raised us to consider the overall situation, to prioritize the Ning family above all. But that only works if there’s fairness.”

“What you’ve really done is just smooth things over.”

“Because Fan Xiuzhi is domineering and we’re rational and tolerant, you always expected us to give in.”

“Is that valuing the big picture? No—you just thought we were the ones who could give in, the ones who could keep up this fragile illusion of peace in the Ning family.”

“And your so-called protection? Ridiculous. Is it truly heartfelt? Or just a way to ease your own guilt?”

“But everything must be built on fairness and justice. Human nature is greedy—if there are no restraints and only concessions, those people will grow worse and worse until they lose all their bottom line.”

“You’re the one who indulged Fan Xiuzhi into becoming what she is now.”

“If you aren’t going to correct the mistake you’ve made, then I will.”

“We’ve already backed down as far as we can. But if she crosses the line again—if she dares to so much as offend me—I’ll make sure she pays double!”

“Xiao Bai!” For a moment, Old Master Ning felt that this grandson was a stranger. That aura—it even made him feel afraid…

He couldn’t help but wonder—had he chosen the wrong successor all those years ago? Was this child even more…

He shook the thought away. At this point, all he could do was preserve what peace remained.

“What exactly are you planning to do?” the old man asked calmly.

Ning Shaobai replied evenly, “Don’t worry. I know you genuinely care for me and my sister within your capacity. Besides, there’s still my father, and like you said, Ning Shaoyang may be a bit dumb, but he’s a decent kid overall. I won’t destroy the Ning family.”

“At most, I’ll cut away its cancer,” Ning Shaobai said. “Believe me—once it’s gone, the Ning family will be healthier than ever.”

Old Master Ning gave in, his voice turned weak. “Xiao Bai, no matter what, can you wait until after the birthday banquet? This time, I truly won’t favor her. What’s yours, I won’t withhold even a fraction!”

Ning Shaobai chuckled. “Grandpa, do you believe your own words? I believe you could do it—but will Fan Xiuzhi agree?”

“You’ve indulged her until she’s become a greedy demon,” he said as he gently helped adjust his grandfather’s clothes. “Relax. I won’t let anything disastrous happen to the Ning family. Let Ning Shaoyang guard it—he’s the heir you’ve raised with such care, after all.”

Old Master Ning: “…”

He knew now that there was no peace of mind to be had today.

…

As Ning Shaobai left the study, he saw Fan Xiuzhi standing outside—her face was no longer composed, and her eyes were filled with suspicion and vigilance.

Ning Shaobai smiled. “What’s wrong? Worried Grandpa might secretly give me a stash of private assets?”

“Relax. I said I wouldn’t take anything, and I won’t—be it company shares or his personal assets, not a cent.”

“But…” Ning Shaobai glanced around, “What brings you up here? Isn’t today supposed to be your moment, surrounded by praise and admiration? Or maybe they’ve caught a glimpse of your true colors and don’t quite trust you anymore?”

“Feeling pretty smug after taking down the Huo family?” Fan Xiuzhi suddenly laughed. “Let me tell you something—Ning family doesn’t have those filthy scandals. Even if it did, no matter how they curse and gossip behind my back, they’ll still be polite to my face.”

“You know why?” Fan Xiuzhi said. “Because in this world, there’s no right or wrong—only interests.”

“Unless you have more power and money than I do, I suggest you stay quiet.”

Ning Shaobai nodded. “I agree. Let’s wait and see, shall we?”

“Oh right,” he added just before heading downstairs, “One piece of advice—don’t try to pin all those so-called accomplishments on Ning Shaoyang. If you do, you’ll ruin your darling son completely.”