Transmigrating into the Genius Cannon Fodder’s Aunt

Chapter 63 – Transfer Exam

After the seventh day of the Lunar New Year, the adults each returned to their own busy lives—those who needed to shoot films went back to filming, those with jobs resumed work, and those running businesses returned to their ventures. Xia Wenyue had placed orders for the necessary equipment before the holiday. As soon as the celebrations concluded, a phone call and a deposit transfer set the shipment in motion. Transported by train, the equipment was expected to arrive in about seven or eight days.

While waiting, Xia Wenyue re-opened her stall with baked sesame cakes and busied herself with trademark registrations and certification procedures. This was when the advantage of Mao Huimei’s job became apparent. Although she wasn’t in the same industry, the departments and procedures involved were similar. After consulting her colleagues, she helped her mother avoid many detours.

Meanwhile, Xia Mian and Mao Huilan became the focus of everyone’s attention, as they would soon be taking the transfer exam.

No one knew exactly what Xia Wenyue had said to Xiao Feng, but somehow the little guy took it upon himself to personally oversee Xia Mian’s studies. He even gave up his playtime. Each morning after breakfast, he would march Xia Mian into his art studio, where a regular-sized desk had been added so an adult could supervise him while he painted. That desk had now become Xia Mian’s new study spot, with Xiao Feng ‘supervising’ diligently by her side.

Although it looked like a normal routine, in reality, the little guy was scribbling on his easel while keeping her company in her studies. The moment Xia Mian so much as coughed, he’d immediately run out and soon return, carefully carrying half a glass of water to hand to her. “Auntie, have some water.”

Upon hearing Mao Huizhu and Mao Huilan asking for apples outside, he’d jump up and run out, but not before reminding his aunt, “Auntie, study hard.”

“Alright, alright.” Watching the boy leave, Xia Mian quickly put down her book and let out a long sigh of relief. He was keeping such a strict watch! This tactic of Second Aunt’s was brilliant—it made her feel too guilty to slack off.

Thinking Mao Huizhu would keep Xiao Feng occupied for a while, Xia Mian was about to enjoy a proper break when she heard the patter of little footsteps rushing back. She quickly picked up her book again, suddenly reminded of the pressure she used to feel when her parents monitored her studies.

Sure enough, Xiao Feng soon pushed the door open and came in, holding a plate with neatly cut apple slices. “Auntie.” He placed the plate on her desk. “Take a break, have some apple.”

It was an exact copy of her tone when she usually cared for him. Xia Mian, both amused and touched, couldn’t resist pulling the little guy into a big hug and giving him a good squeeze to decompress.

When the equipment Xia Wenyue had ordered arrived, Yan University Affiliated High School had ushered in the new semester. Xia Mian was finally freed from her sweet torment and went to take the transfer exam with Mao Huilan.

First, Xia Wenyue and Xia Mian escorted Mao Huilan to the junior high division. After handing her daughter over to the teacher, Xia Wenyue immediately rushed Xia Mian to the senior high division. Although Xia Mian repeatedly insisted she could go by herself, her aunt wouldn’t hear of it. “No matter how old you are, you’re still a child. A child going to school needs to be accompanied by a parent. Besides, I absolutely have to meet the teacher.”

Xia Mian was helpless, but inwardly she felt very warm.

First-year students hadn’t yet been divided into liberal arts and sciences tracks. There were a total of nine subjects: Chinese, Math, English, Politics, History, Geography, Biology, Chemistry, and Ideology. Four exams in the morning, five in the afternoon.

Including Xia Mian, six students were taking the transfer exam, all arranged in a small conference room to complete their tests. Most of the questions were foundational, with one or two higher-level ones added. After months of review—and high-pressure training under Xiao Feng’s supervision—she found the test quite manageable.

After finishing the last subject in the morning, Xia Mian walked out and immediately saw Sun Yuexin and Li Lizhen waiting at the door. “What are you two doing here?” she asked, pleasantly surprised.

Sun Yuexin smiled. “It’s the first day of school, so there are no classes yet—just getting new textbooks, cleaning up, and the like. We finished everything pretty quickly. Heard the transfer exam was being held here, so we came to check on you.”

Li Lizhen asked, “How did it go?”

Xia Mian smiled. “I finished all the questions I can.”

Sun Yuexin raised her eyebrows. “There were ones you didn’t know how to do? Were the questions that hard?”

Xia Mian tilted her head. “Nope, I answered all of them.”

Sun Yuexin paused for a second, then burst out laughing with Li Lizhen. “You almost got me there!”

Linking arms with them, Xia Mian said, “Come on, let’s go home.”

As the trio walked down the stairs, they passed groups of students. After a few dozen meters, Sun Yuexin couldn’t help but sigh, “This is the first time I’ve enjoyed this kind of attention.”

Xia Mian brushed her hair back and said shamelessly, “Better get used to it sooner than later, since you are my chums now.”

Sun Yuexin rolled her eyes, and Li Lizhen laughed heartily.

Determined to make her high school debut as a little angel, Xia Mian naturally dressed herself beautifully for the occasion. She was already pretty to begin with, and her outfit wasn’t over-the-top either—just featured a few small details that hadn’t yet become popular in this era, like a slim belt or a simple handmade woolen pendant. Combined with her unique temperament, she easily became the center of attention.

Boys and girls alike kept turning back to look at her. Xia Mian sighed in satisfaction—‘In this lifetime, I’ll definitely have a wonderful high school experience befitting an angel. The grumpy witch from before? She’s gone for good!’

Just as they were about to leave the high school section, they ran into Gu Zhou and Tian Xueya. The two seemed to have made some progress—the air between them had a faint trace of flirtation. When Tian Xueya saw Xia Mian, she paused, then quietly tugged on Gu Zhou’s sleeve.

When Gu Zhou looked over, his eyes met Xia Mian’s. She immediately beamed and greeted them warmly, “Oh, hello Gu Zhou, Tian Xueya!”

Gu Zhou paused, his cheeks slightly flushed. “Hello.”

“Hello.” Tian Xueya’s voice was especially soft as if she were afraid of Xia Mian, and she instinctively clung closely to Gu Zhou’s side. That movement reminded Gu Zhou of Xia Mian’s previous remark—that she had to transfer after getting involved in some criminal case. His smile faltered, and after a quick, polite greeting, he led Tian Xueya away in a hurry.

Sun Yuexin fumed, “What the hell is that fake modesty supposed to mean? She totally did that on purpose!”

Li Lizhen’s expression dimmed for a moment, and then she frowned. “She’s definitely going to badmouth Xia Mian after this.”

Xia Mian shrugged, unfazed. “Let her. It’s not like we can zip her mouth. She can say whatever she wants.”

“Hurry up, I still need to pick up my sister.”

…

Li Lizhen did know Tian Xueya well. When Xia Mian finished her afternoon exam, the attention she received wasn’t just admiring or curious anymore—it was mixed with unease and odd looks.

“Did she really do time? That has to be fake.”

“But she’s so pretty. I don’t think it’s her. Aren’t there several transfer students? Must be someone else.”

“Yeah, I don’t think it’s her either.”

“But everyone says she knows Sun Yuexin and Li Lizhen. Besides her, who else could it be?”

“Hey, what are you guys talking about?”

“You see, apparently, one of the new first-year transfer students has been in juvie before…”

These days, public restrooms were separate buildings made of blue bricks, with just a wall dividing the boys’ and girls’ sides—no soundproofing at all. So both sides could hear each other loud and clear.

As they walked out of the restroom, Sun Yuexin cursed angrily, “F***, Tian Xueya is so damn disgusting.”

Li Lizhen frowned, “We agreed earlier today not to mention anything about you, just in case Tian Xueya tried to twist it.”

“But then a bunch of people saw you at lunch, right? The boys in our class went nuts, saying there’s a super pretty new transfer student in the first year. They’re all hoping she ends up in our class.”

“I knew it was bad news,” Li Lizhen said angrily. “And sure enough—Tian Xueya, who usually tries to pawn off all the cleaning to the boys, was suddenly super helpful today. Handing out brooms and rags, whispering with them all afternoon. She definitely said something then.”

“Really?” Xia Mian beamed and cupped her face, “Everyone said I’m pretty?”

Sun Yuexin groaned and shook her by the shoulders. “Girl, get a grip! We’re talking about something serious here!”

“Okay, okay!” Xia Mian quickly tried to soothe her. “What’s there to be mad about with such a ridiculous rumor? Once they meet this real little angel in person, the lie will collapse on its own.”

“She’s daring to spread baseless rumors now, but once the truth’s out, she’ll be the one embarrassed.”

Li Lizhen wasn’t so optimistic. “Rumors don’t go away that easily. Once time passes, who knows how they’ll twist it.”

Sun Yuexin added, “We heard about a girl at Longcheng Junior High. The doctor found a bump on her stomach during a physical exam, and somehow the rumor turned into ‘she’s pregnant.ʼ”

“It never got cleared up. Some thugs started bullying her over it, and once they went too far and sent her to the hospital. Her parents found out and immediately transferred her out.”

Xia Mian frowned as she listened.

“Exactly,” Li Lizhen said. “And those boys—once they’re around Tian Xueya, it’s like they lose their brains. They believe whatever she says.”

“Those shallow guys only judge people by looks!”

Xia Mian reassured them, “Don’t worry. I’m not that girl. I’m right here in person, and it’s not like she’s the only one with a mouth.”

“Besides…” She grinned again, cupping her face, “If we’re talking about judging by looks, I’m not losing to her either!”

Sun Yuexin muttered, “You’re hopeless. How did I never realize you were this narcissistic before?”

Li Lizhen scoffed, “Then hurry up and use that face to crush the rumors.”

“Let’s go, let’s do it now.” Xia Mian pulled their hands.

Sun Yuexin and Li Lizhen were dubious, thinking she was joking, but she hushed them and led them to three animatedly chatting boys.

“Really? She was actually in juvie? For what?”

“Not sure. She’s a girl—can’t be for fighting, right?”

“Then what? Stealing? Fraud?”

“Is what you’re saying true?” Xia Mian suddenly cut in with a shocked voice. “Someone from our transfer group has been a criminal?”

The three boys turned around and saw her. Their faces instantly flushed—whether from being caught gossiping or being suddenly approached by a pretty girl, it was hard to tell.

Xia Mian looked all curious as she pressed, “Who is it?”

It’s you!