Transmigrating into the Genius Cannon Fodder’s Aunt

Chapter 60.2 – Taste of the New Year (II)

The days that followed were calm and enjoyable. Each day, Xia Mian attended tutoring classes with Sun Yuexin and Li Lizhen. Whether they’d genuinely developed a passion for studying or were simply trying to impress others, the two were growing increasingly focused.

By the time the class ended for the New Year holiday, the two hadn’t even realized how fast time had flown.

“Wait, it’s the break already?” Sun Yuexin blinked. “Time went by so fast.”

Not for Xia Mian. As she looked at the streets lit in festive red, she was already brimming with excitement. “The New Year’s almost here!”

In her previous life, the New Year had lost its spirit. People didn’t really look forward to the celebration itself, just to the break. But in this era, looking at the red lanterns hanging everywhere, people shopping with full hands and wide smiles, kids playing with firecrackers—it truly made the New Year feel joyful and worth celebrating.

Xia Wenyue, who was supposed to have returned home yesterday, called to say something urgent had come up, and she’d be delayed a few days. She asked Mao Huimei to take Xia Mian and Mao Huilan to prepare for the holiday together with Aunt Wei.

Actually, Mao Huimei had already been preparing for days with Aunt Wei. Peanuts, sunflower seeds, candy, and sweets—Aunt Wei would always buy enough for all houses.

Sometimes after work, Mao Huimei would go to the mall with her colleagues. Xiao Feng and Huizhu had already gone along once and gotten their new clothes.

But for meat and vegetables, you had to shop early in the morning—after work, all the good stuff would be picked over and no longer fresh.

Now that Xia Mian and Mao Huilan were on break, the job fell on them. Having been cooped up for days, Xia Mian patted her chest confidently. “Don’t worry, Sister Huimei! You go to work, leave the rest to us.”

Mao Huimei handed her a list. “It’s all written down—just follow this. Aunt Wei will go with you; let her help pick things out.”

Xia Mian gave her an enthusiastic OK sign.

The next day, after handing off Xiao Feng and Huizhu to Ning Shaoyun for babysitting, Xia Mian and Mao Huilan headed to the market with Aunt Wei. Just as they were leaving, Ning Shaobai pulled up in his car.

“I called him over.” Ning Shaoyun smiled. “He has to eat too, right? Can’t just sit and enjoy the results—he can carry bags for you girls today.”

Xia Mian imagined Ning Shaobai trailing behind them with arms full of plastic bags, eyebrows furrowed, and immediately burst into laughter.

“What are you laughing at?” Seeing her mischievous grin, Ning Shaobai knew she wasn’t thinking anything good.

Xia Mian gave him an encouraging smile. “Dr. Ning, we’ll be counting on you today!”

Ning Shaobai let out a dry laugh and said nothing.

Xia Mian realized her naivety soon enough.

Once they got to the market, the group split up. Aunt Wei went for the biggest haul: pork, while the girls went to pick out fish. The fish stall was super crowded. Xia Mian and Mao Huilan squeezed in with great effort but hadn’t even started picking when Aunt Wei returned—Ning Shaobai trailing behind her, hands completely empty.

“What happened?” Xia Mian asked in confusion. “You didn’t buy anything?”

Aunt Wei replied, “It’s already done. Xiao Bai bought half a pig—lard and skin included. The shop’s carrying it straight to our car.”

In a packed market, that was a big deal. Who needs muscle when you’ve got money?

Seeing Xia Mian’s wide-eyed look, Ning Shaobai gave a chuckle.

Xia Mian crouched down angrily to pick out fish.

Then she heard Ning ‘Rich-Guy’ Shaobai say something from beyond the crowd. It was too noisy to catch, so she stood up and looked over. “What did you say?”

Ning Shaobai came a bit closer, leaned toward her, and whispered in her ear, “Do you know how to cook beef?”

Xia Mian lifted her chin proudly. “Chicken, duck, fish, beef, lamb—there’s nothing I can’t cook!”

Ning Shaobai smiled slightly and gave her a thumbs-up.

Xia Mian didn’t think much of it—until they got back to the car parked outside the market. Looking at the steady stream of fresh meat being delivered, her eyes widened. “Dr. Ning, don’t tell me you expect me to cook all this? Are you trying to work me to death?!”

Ning Shaobai smiled gently. “Xiao Feng said there’s a lot of meat he’s never tried.”

“Besides, this is your first New Year in Yan City. It should be a little more festive.”

Xia Mian: “…”

Revenge, this is definitely the revenge of this petty-minded man!

“Just you wait!”

When the car stopped at the door, Xia Mian looked at the three children who had rushed out like a swarm of hungry animals and said, “Dr. Ning bought all this meat. He said he would make delicious food for you. Are you happy?”

The three little ones bounced up and down. “Happy! Happy!”

“Uncle, I want soy-braised beef! And fish!” Shouted Chenchen.

“I want soy-braised pig trotters! And meatballs!” Came Huizhu’s demand.

“Uncle Ning, I want roast chicken and red-braised pork.” Even Xiao Feng shyly made a request.

Ning Shaobai: “…”

Xia Mian burst out laughing.

Once all the ingredients were bought, the next step was non-stop prep to turn them into semi-finished dishes. Luckily, three families worked together, with Uncle Li and Aunt Li lending a hand, so it didn’t feel too hectic.

Of course, the petty-minded Xia Mian did not forget a grudge. Determined to work Ning Shaobai to the bone, she swiftly assigned him all the gutting and butchering jobs. Let him experience the tiredness of real kitchen work!

After dicing carrots, Xia Mian came out and immediately burst into laughter upon seeing a certain doctor struggling with a cleaver and some poultry.

“Dr. Ning, there are still dozens of little creatures in line waiting for surgery. You can’t be this clumsy with your technique!”

Ning Shaobai snorted and ignored her.

By the time she came out with the ground meat, he had somehow switched to a scalpel.

The kids watched his movements with amazement. In Ning Shaobai’s hands, the scalpel moved like an extension of his arm. Every chicken and duck he opened was cut with surgical—level preciseness. The pork Aunt Wei had just delivered was quickly being sliced into uniform chunks.

It was the epitome of perfectness.

Ning Shaobai gave Xia Mian a smug look.

Xia Mian wasn’t stingy with compliments. “As expected of Dr. Ning—impressive skills.” Then she turned and brought over the beef and fish. “Good luck! With your brilliant surgical technique, I believe you can finish all this before the end of the day.”

Ning Shaobai suddenly let out a hiss and put down the scalpel.

Chenchen asked worriedly, “Uncle, what’s wrong?”

Ning Shaobai rubbed his wrist. “Cut too much—my wrist hurts.”

“I’ll help you rub it!” Chenchen offered, earnestly kneading his wrist with his little hands.

Huizhu saw Chenchen rubbing Ning Shaobai’s wrist and started massaging his arm. Xiao Feng helped with his fingers, then looked up at Xia Mian. “Auntie, Aunt Wei said the rest can be cooked tomorrow. There’s too much to fry today.”

Xia Mian: “…”

Ning Shaobai used his free hand to gently pat each of the kids on the head. “You kids are the only ones who understand me.”

Xia Mian rolled her eyes.

The harder the adults worked, the happier the kids were. Once all the meat had been marinated and prepped, a big pot was set up in the Xia family courtyard to deep-fry various foods. The air was filled all day with rich, fragrant smells.

Fried tofu, meatballs, crunchy fritters, stuffed lotus root, sweet potatoes, sesame balls….

Pork, ribs, chicken, duck…

Every time finished products leave the pot, the three children would come darting in like little swallows, mouths open and waiting to be fed.

Mao Huimei would give each of them a bite after letting it cool slightly, then hand them another piece to carry off. The three little ones would skip off happily.

As soon as they smelled something new, the cycle repeated. And there was still more to braise and smoke. For three whole days, the three little mouths barely rested.

When everything was finally done, Xia Mian’s energy was completely zero. She collapsed on the sofa in the main hall, watching the three kids gnawing on chunks of soy-braised beef with pure joy on their faces. At that moment, she finally understood what made the New Year in this era so special.

There weren’t so many pre-made foods. Instead, relatives and friends would come together, put in effort, and make dishes with their family flavor.

Every step was laborious, but every step held its own fun and memories.

And in the end, looking at the children’s satisfied smiles, no amount of fatigue could outweigh the sense of fulfillment and happiness inside.

Xia Mian turned to look at Ning Shaobai, who was just as collapsed beside her, and grinned wickedly. “So, Dr. Ning, how does it feel to suffer the consequences of your own actions?”

Ning Shaobai glanced over but had no energy to reply.

Xia Mian thought about those neatly cut chunks of meat and couldn’t help but laugh again. If she hadn’t caught him, he would’ve deboned even the pig trotters!

“After the New Year, when you go back to work, the other doctors in your department will be amazed at how much your surgical precision has improved.”

Ning Shaobai reached over and pinched her arm—right at the sorest spot from all her chopping.