Transmigrating into the Genius Cannon Fodder’s Aunt

Chapter 62.1 – My Dream Is to Become a Teacher (I)

The temple fair was bustling with activity. Stalls selling snacks, street performances, and games dazzled the crowd. Of course, there were also so many people that it was hard to move around.

Xia Wenyue carried a large bag and was getting ready to leave with Mao Huimei. “You all enjoy yourselves and head back on your own later, no need to worry about us.” She then reminded Mao Huizhu, “Stay close to your dad, alright? Be careful of kidnappers.”

Just as Mao Huizhu nodded, someone passing by bumped into her. Mao Zhishan saw this, and without hesitation, picked her up. With practiced ease, he bent his head slightly and hoisted her onto his shoulders.

“There, all good now. Don’t worry,” he said to Xia Wenyue with a smile. “It’s fine.”

Xia Wenyue smiled indulgently at her youngest daughter and left with Mao Huimei.

Up high, Mao Huizhu hugged her father’s head and exclaimed excitedly, “Haha! Dad, there are so many people!”

Mao Zhishan chuckled as he carried her forward.

Chenchen watched the scene in amazement. He had never experienced that kind of treatment. Instinctively, he looked at Huo Xuewen, then finally stretched out his hand and said, “Dad, carry me.”

It was as if he already knew his father wouldn’t carry him up like that.

Huo Xuewen had been watching his son’s expression all along. He felt a pang in his heart—for the child, and himself. Mimicking Mao Zhishan, he awkwardly lifted Chenchen onto his shoulders. “Our Chenchen can ride on Daddy’s shoulders too.”

Chenchen was surprised at first but soon lit up with joy. “Dad, so tall!”

Huo Xuewen held onto his little feet with a smile. “Sit tight, be careful.”

So Chenchen, just like Mao Huizhu, wrapped his arms around his dad’s head.

Xiao Feng looked up at them, then turned to glance at the stylishly dressed Xia Mian. He didn’t say anything, just quietly tightened his grip on his aunt’s hand.

But Xia Mian wasn’t having it. In her book, if other kids had it, her baby had to have it too! “Come on!” She reached under Xiao Feng’s arms to lift him onto her shoulders—but clearly, she wasn’t very practiced at this.

Just as she was about to call Mao Huilan for help, a pair of large hands suddenly grabbed Xiao Feng by the waist and whisked him away. Xia Mian turned around to see Ning Shaobai, also not very practiced, placing the little boy on his shoulders. He then nodded toward the two kids hugging their dads’ heads in front and said, “I was worried if he got too excited, he’d rip your wig off.”

Xia Mian: “…”

The mental image was way too vivid—so much so that even Ning Shaoyun nearby had to cover her mouth to stifle a laugh.

Mao Huilan burst out laughing outright. When Xia Mian glared at her, she waved her hand, still giggling. “Sorry, sis—but just thinking about it… haha!”

They were in a crowd, and Ning Shaobai’s comment hadn’t gone unnoticed by others. Feeling the surrounding eyes on her, Xia Mian felt like her head was about to catch fire. She gritted her teeth and turned away.

Sensing danger, Ning Shaobai quickly took off with Xiao Feng on his shoulders.

From up high, Xiao Feng beamed and laughed. “Xiao Feng!” Chenchen shouted when he saw him, equally thrilled.

“Dad, wait for them!” Mao Huizhu tugged on Mao Zhishan’s ear like a brake handle.

Now the inseparable trio were on the same level again, giggling and playing as they looked around.

Noticing Huo Xuewen sneaking glances at him, Ning Shaobai asked, “What is it?”

Huo Xuewen looked at Xiao Feng, hesitated, and said, “Nothing. Just feels like I don’t truly know you.”

Ning Shaobai steadied the boy on his shoulders and replied flatly, “You don’t even know my sister and Chenchen.”

Huo Xuewen was struck speechless. He had thought maybe Ning Shaobai’s attitude toward him had softened after New Year’s Eve. Turns out, it was the same as ever.

He turned back to look at Ning Shaoyun, walking ahead with Xia Mian. In fact, she was also the same. If it weren’t for Chenchen missing his dad, Huo Xuewen doubted he’d even be allowed through their gates.

“Dad?” Chenchen sensed something and asked, “Are you tired?”

“No,” Huo Xuewen replied, gripping his son’s feet and cheering himself on. “Dad’s going to try harder.”

The child had no clue what he meant, just happily bounced on his shoulders. “Try harder! Try harder!”

Xia Mian, Ning Shaoyun, and Mao Huilan walked arm-in-arm behind them, strolling and chatting. Before long, they witnessed what could only be described as a “staged ambush” of a matchmaking attempt.

Ning Shaoyun mused as she saw her brother being stopped. “He’s twenty-five now, but there are no signs of girlfriends. Who even knows what kind of girl he likes?”

Xia Mian thought to herself: Probably boys. But that didn’t stop her from hurrying up to watch the live drama.

Over on the other side, Ning Shaobai looked very much like he wanted to walk away, but the crowd was too thick. Meanwhile, the girl in front of him, though looking sweet and demure, was surprisingly bold. “What a coincidence!” She stood directly in his path, eyes sparkling. “I didn’t expect to run into you at the temple fair, Dr. Ning!”

And it wasn’t just her being bold—there was also a middle-aged woman beside her, clearly playing the wingman. She looked Ning Shaobai up and down with the eyes of a prospective mother-in-law sizing up her future son-in-law, radiating satisfaction. “So you’re Dr. Ning. I heard you studied abroad?”

“Doctors at your hospital must earn a pretty decent salary, right? Yan University Hospital treats its staff well. At your level, do they assign housing after marriage…”

“Mom! What are you saying?” The girl blushed and said shyly, but the look she gave Ning Shaobai was full of affection as if they were already a couple.

Her mother gave her a playful tap. “What’s there to be shy about? Men marry, women wed—it’s natural. You go on and on about Dr. Ning at home…”

If Xia Mian didn’t know Ning Shaobai personally, just hearing this would have convinced her the two were already planning to get married.

Even Ning Shaoyun frowned. She had been eager to watch the fun, but she wasn’t about to stand by and watch her younger brother get cornered.

Just as she was about to step in and break it up, they heard Ning Shaobai say, “Miss, could you move? You’re blocking my way.”

The girl froze, and her eyes immediately welled up with tears, looking like she’d just been dumped. “You… what did you say?”

“I said you’re blocking my way,” Ning Shaobai repeated, clearly annoyed.

“Hey, hey, what’s wrong with you?” the girl’s mother snapped. “Our Rourou likes you…”

Ning Shaobai cut her off. “Sorry, but my kid’s in a hurry to go play. Please move aside.”

The mother and daughter were both stunned. Rourou recovered first, asking in disbelief, “Isn’t that just a relative’s child?”

The mother followed up quickly, “You’re married?”

Ning Shaobai shot them a sharp glance and countered, “Why? Do I look so unpopular?”

“…” Xia Mian watched the scene unfold, nodding to herself in silence. Right, she’d nearly forgotten. This guy’s sarcasm was in a league of its own. Turns out, he really had been going easy on her!

The girl, who had been so pushy just now, flushed scarlet and dragged her mother away.

Ning Shaobai turned back to Xia Mian and the others. “Enjoy the show?”

Xia Mian clapped enthusiastically. “You were so great! Especially that last line—low physical damage, but emotionally devastating. 100 points!”

Ning Shaoyun agreed, “Xia Mian summed it up perfectly.”

Mao Huilan, carefully gauging Ning Shaobai’s expression, followed along with a cautious clap. “Um, it’s great.”

Xiao Feng, catching the mood, clapped his little hands and chirped, “100 points!”

Ning Shaobai nudged his little belly with his chin, grumbling, “Ungrateful little thing.”

Xiao Feng giggled and held his tummy.

“Xiao Feng, come on!” Chenchen called from ahead. “There are stilts over here!”

Ning Shaobai hurried off with Xiao Feng in tow.

Soon afterward, Xia Mian also ran into acquaintances.

“What a coincidence!” Sun Yuexin waved at her excitedly.

“Yeah, come hang out with us!” Li Lizhen flashed a grin.

“Maybe next time,” Xia Mian gestured toward Ning Shaoyun and the others, who stopped not far away. “I’m out with family today.”