Transmigrating into the Genius Cannon Fodder’s Aunt

Chapter 60.1 – Taste of the New Year (I)

Without Hao ‘Bargain’ Jian’s harassment, Xia Mian listened to the class with great interest. This tutoring center had excellent teaching staff who delivered in-depth, engaging lessons.

Even Sun Yuexin and Li Lizhen paid good attention to the classes for once. Since both had managed to get into Yan University Affiliated High School, their base intelligence clearly wasn’t an issue. These tutoring lessons focused on basics, and once they started paying attention, they were barely able to keep up.

Their main motivation was actually Xia Mian, who had shown them how to confess like a top student:

“Here, check out how to confess using chemistry. We’ll use just the periodic table: Os (Osmium), At (Astatine), Nb (Niobium)—‘wo ai ni (I love you).’ See? Isn’t that more interesting than some cheesy love poem?”

1

“Next is physics—of course physics works too. Just look at all the letters in the formulas. Now, go write out a set of formulas that spell out ‘I LOVE YOU’ with the variables. Don’t tell me it’s impossible—it’s all there. If you can’t do it, that means you’re not studying hard enough!”

“…”

“…”

Before they knew it, the whole morning had flown by. When the teacher finally adjourned the class, Sun Yuexin and Li Lizhen were still unsatisfied.

“Learning is actually kinda fun. No wonder Gu Zhou’s always glued on his problem books,” Li Lizhen said as she packed her bag.

“Right?” Xia Mian beamed. “Every problem has a hidden code. Solving it gives you a real sense of achievement.”

The two nodded enthusiastically.

As the three walked out of the classroom, Sun Yuexin suddenly realized, “Wait a second, Xia Mian, since you already knew everything the teacher taught, why are you even here?”

‘Because my aunt’s worried I’ll stir up trouble at home’—Xia Mian thought to herself. But for the sake of her image, the truth had to stay buried. “I’ve got a transfer exam right after the New Year,” she said, putting on a slight frown. “I’m coming in from the countryside and not too familiar with the local curriculum, so I wanted to catch up a little.”

“What? You’re transferring?” Li Lizhen blinked. “I thought you went to No. 5 High. So you’re transferring? Which school are you aiming for?”

Before Xia Mian could answer, Sun Yuexin clapped her hands excitedly. “Come to our Affiliated High! It’s got the best teachers. You’ll totally get in.”

Li Lizhen chimed in too, “Yeah, come to us! We might even end up in the same class.”

An idea suddenly struck her, and she clapped her hands again. “You’re this good-looking and smart too—just imagine how mad that fake-goody Tian Xueya will be!”

“Of course!” Sun Yuexin agreed wholeheartedly.

Xia Mian shook her head, laughing. “Seriously, what did she ever do to you?”

“She didn’t do anything. She’s just annoying. You’ll get it once you see her,” Sun Yuexin had just said this when she nudged Xia Mian’s arm. “Hey hey, speak of the devil—look over there, that’s Tian Xueya.”

They didn’t even need to point anyone out. Xia Mian immediately knew who she was. The girl stood out completely—an innocent, next-door, first-love kind of face, wearing a white turtleneck under a camel-colored wool coat. She looked slender and graceful, carrying a notebook as she stepped out of the piano tutoring class, and the head-turn rate around her was 100%.

To be honest, Xia Mian had to admit—she was really beautiful.

“She’s wearing so little. Not afraid of freezing?” Sun Yuexin scoffed.

Xia Mian turned to glance at her leather jacket, then at the tip of her nose—already red from the cold after leaving the classroom—and commented: “I don’t think you’re in any position to comment.”

Sun Yuexin covered her nose and let out a small snort.

As they watched, Tian Xueya accidentally bumped into a girl at the corner. The girl immediately apologized. Xia Mian couldn’t hear what Tian Xueya said, but her brows were furrowed, and she looked clearly upset.

“Ah! Gu Zhou’s out too!” Li Lizhen squealed in delight.

Before Xia Mian could take a proper look at this ‘most handsome guy at Yan Affiliate,’ her attention was caught by Tian Xueya’s sudden shift in expression. The moment she noticed Gu Zhou’s appearance, her annoyed look instantly turned to a delicate, pitiful one. Even her attitude toward the girl who bumped into her softened into something gentle and understanding.

By the time Gu Zhou reached her, her face already worn a sweet smile.

Well, that’s explain it.

This kind of two-faced behavior depending on gender wasn’t uncommon. Xia Mian herself had seen it plenty in her last life—both from girls and boys.

“I can’t stand how fake she is—one face for boys, another for girls.” Sun Yuexin scoffed in annoyance. “Look, isn’t she supposed to be an innocent flower? Now she’s acting all coy around Gu Zhou, like a clingy puppy.”

Xia Mian finally had the chance to observe the famous Gu Zhou. The guy was properly tall, dressed in a blue down jacket and sweatpants, making him stand out among all the kids bundled up in military coats. As for his looks, needless to say, even that old-fashioned (still quite trendy nowadays) flap-style hat couldn’t hide his refined features.

Right now, he was slightly turned toward the girl walking beside him, giving her a gentle smile.

Sun Yuexin glanced at Li Lizhen and suddenly declared, “Zhenzhen, let’s study hard this winter break. When school starts again, we’re gonna crush them to dust.”

Teacher Xia Mian encouraged, “Now that’s the right mindset. A girl who’s already pretty might surprise people when she dresses up, but they’ll just think, ‘Oh, this is how she should’ve looked all along.ʼ”

“But if an ugly girl suddenly becomes gorgeous, people won’t just be surprised—they’ll be curious, maybe even regretful. Like, ‘Wow, how did I never notice this hidden gem right next to me before?ʼ”

“Don’t you agree?”

Sun Yuexin clapped her hands. “You’re totally right!”

She suddenly paused. “Wait—were you just saying we’re ugly?”

Xia Mian cleared her throat and responded confidently, “I was talking about your grades, grades! Aren’t your grades ugly enough? If they were good, would you even be here right now?”

Sun Yuexin & Li Lizhen: …

Damn this undeniable truth!

“So, study hard.” She encouraged them. “Work quietly behind the scenes and aim to amaze everyone when school starts.”

“Just imagine, at the opening exam, jumping from the bottom of the class straight to the top—those shocked looks from the teachers and classmates, Gu Zhou staring at you in disbelief… wouldn’t that feel awesome?”

Sun Yuexin clapped, “Super awesome!”

“But we’re not at the bottom,” she corrected stubbornly. “At worst, we’re just below average.”

“Right! And even if we can’t rise to the top—there’s still you!”

Li Lizhen’s previously dull eyes suddenly lit up. “Xia Mian, you have to come to our school. Then you can crush Gu Zhou! After that, I’ll drag you right in front of him and say, ‘The one who crushed you? She’s my girl!ʼ”

Xia Mian: “…”

‘Girl, if you do that, the only one he’ll remember forever is me, not you.’

“Shit—Hao Jian, that scumbag, is waiting there,” Sun Yuexin suddenly frowned.

Xia Mian followed her gaze and spotted the tall boy leaning against a utility pole not far away. He was talking to a girl, his expression sleazy, occasionally glancing toward the classroom.

When he looked over again, his eyes locked with Xia Mian’s—and he immediately gave her a smirk he probably thought was devilishly charming.

Xia Mian shivered and turned to ask Sun Yuexin, “What’s that guy’s deal?”

“You don’t know?” Sun Yuexin was surprised. “I saw you smiling earlier and thought you recognized him and didn’t want to mess with him.”

“No, I was just laughing at the name ‘Hao Jian.’ Who gives their kid a name ‘bargain’?!”

Li Lizhen said with disgust, “Well, it’s not like he could help his last name’s Hao. But honestly, it suits him.”

“He’s super gross and totally shameless, especially notorious for harassing girls—a sleazy little thug.”

‘Yeah, that’s quite obvious.’ Xia Mian frowned. “The school doesn’t do anything?”

“He just gets handsy. The teachers can’t really do much. And even when they call his parents, it’s useless.”

“He probably takes after his dad.” Sun Yuexin looked just as annoyed. “His dad used to be a textile worker, then a few years ago went south to start a business. Last year, they opened a clothing factory and made a ton of money. Now they act like they own the world—like they want everyone in Longcheng District to know they’re rich.”

“Hao Jian’s dad bought his way into our affiliated high. He’s always fighting and causing trouble. When teachers call his parents, they don’t show—just send a housekeeper with hush money.”

“The school’s never caught him doing anything major, so the teachers are helpless. Since the school can’t do anything to him, most people just stay out of his way.”

Xia Mian understood instantly. “So it’s a classic case of an overeating goldfish who thinks its puffed-up belly has made it a whale.”

Li Lizhen burst out laughing. “Exactly—that’s the perfect description.”

“He thinks money makes him powerful! Perhaps he’s seeing himself an emperor now, like the whole world’s women are just there for him to pick as concubines.”

Sun Yuexin sneered, “Aside from people like Wang Yanyan who’d sell their dignity for money, no decent girl would give him the time of day.”

Xia Mian knew this case well: Guys like this only get a reality check when society kicks them in the teeth. Otherwise, there’s no saving them.

“Are you two okay?” She then asked, a little worried about Sun Yuexin and Li Lizhen. “That guy doesn’t seem like someone who treats girls respectfully.”

“Don’t worry,” Li Lizhen snorted coldly. “No matter how cocky he is, he wouldn’t dare touch us.”

“Our government compound isn’t easy to mess with,” Sun Yuexin said proudly, puffing out her chest. “Last year, he was stupid enough and harassed Zhenzhen once—our boss cracked his head open the next day.”

“His dad didn’t even dare say a word. He had to bring money and apologize in person to our boss and Zhenzhen’s families.”

‘So they were kids from the government compound nearby.’ Xia Mian immediately felt at ease. ‘No wonder; money may win many battles, but it still can’t beat authority.’

“Do you live far?” Sun Yuexin asked. “We can walk you home.”

“It’s fine,” Xia Mian shook her head. “What’s he gonna do, stop me in broad daylight?”

“Who knows? That guy’s no good. We’ll walk you, just once,” said Sun Yuexin. “That way, the bastard knows to back off.”

And she didn’t stop there—Sun Yuexin even threw her arm around Xia Mian’s shoulder and marched up to Hao Jian, pointing at his nose. “Listen up, scumbag. Xia Mian is under the protection of our government compound. If you dare lay a single finger on her, we’ll send you right back to the hospital!”

Hao Jian’s face stiffened. He forced a sneer and tried to sound tough. “Sun Yuexin, aren’t you just hiding behind Zhao Cheng? You just wait!”

Classic posturing—obviously afraid to lose face in front of Xia Mian and the other girl.

Xia Mian relaxed. With Sun Yuexin and Li Lizhen backing her, she could keep enjoying her little angel life in peace!

The pun “Os（锇）、At（砹）、Nb（铌）” is a clever chemistry-based wordplay, in which the Chinese symbols for each element have similar pronunciation to the ones that form the Mandarin phrase “我爱你” (wǒ ài nǐ), meaning “I love you”.