Transmigrating into the Genius Cannon Fodder’s Aunt

Chapter 97.2 – You Are Too Obvious! (II)

“And besides, it’s only been three days, Dr. Ning.”

With a light, casual tone, Ning Shaobai said something that was anything but casual: “Really? Feels to me like it’s been many years.”

Xia Mian covered her face—Dr. Ning sure knows how to slip in a bit of flirting at every opportunity! Determined not to be defeated, she said in mock surprise, “Is life in Yan City so unbearable? I was actually planning to come back early, but in that case, maybe I’ll stay a bit longer—say, until the end of summer vacation.”

Ning Shaobai paused briefly, then quickly found a new excuse. “When summer vacation ends, tickets back to Yan City are hard to get. You’d have to take hard seats back.”

Xia Mian wanted to laugh, but kept up the banter. “No problem—we’ll go back whenever we can get sleeper tickets. Being a few days late is fine; I can just ask my homeroom teacher for leave. I keep up with my studies, anyway.”

“Our summers here are nice, and the days go by quickly, right, Xiao Feng?”

Xiao Feng nodded and started counting on his fingers. “Catching cicadas, catching loaches, swimming…” At that point, he looked at Xia Mian and said, “Auntie, I want to swim.”

Xia Mian grinned. “Sure, Auntie will teach you.”

Ning Shaobai asked, “You have a swimming pool there?”

“Where would we get a swimming pool?” Xia Mian laughed. “We have a big stream. Mingxi County’s (Clear Stream) name comes from it. There’s a spot where the water’s not too deep—perfect for kids to swim. We can go back after Xiao Feng learns.”

“Hold on a moment.” Ning Shaobai seemed to step away for a bit, and when he returned to the phone, his voice was full of regret. “Looks like you won’t be able to buy that house this time.”

“What house?” Xia Mian asked.

“The one you wanted that might get demolished,” Ning Shaobai said. “A friend just called—there’s a family in Xianghe Village wanting to sell. A land parcel with ten farmhouses.”

Next to her, Xiao Feng’s ears perked up immediately.

“They said the sons all want to buy apartments in the city, so they’re selling the village house to split the inheritance. My friend says the courtyard is pretty nice,” Ning Shaobai explained. “If Yan City’s going to have demolitions, that area should be pretty quick.”

Of course it’s quick—the location just snuggles neatly between the third and fourth ring roads, a prime location! The value’s more than guaranteed!

She still didn’t know if Dr. Ning was serious or just teasing, but while she was hesitating, Xiao Feng was already anxious. “Uncle Ning, buy it, buy it!”

“You can only buy it when you come back,” Ning Shaobai said. “Didn’t you want to learn to swim, Xiao Feng?”

Xiao Feng looked at Xia Mian and said, “Learn at home.”

Xia Mian laughed helplessly—now she was almost certain Ning Shaobai was teasing her. Dr. Ning really pulled out all the tricks to lure her back, using even the child.

She then said. “Dr. Ning, just buy it for me. My money’s all with you anyway.”

“The money’s with me indeed,” Ning Shaobai drawled, “but your household registration book isn’t.”

Xia Mian didn’t know if she was overthinking, but that sounded suspiciously like a double meaning.

He went on, “You need the registration book to transfer ownership. Without yours, I can’t buy it in your name—unless I use your money and put it under mine.”

Then he chuckled softly. “And then, who would it belong to?”

Xiao Feng chirped, “It’ll belong to Auntie.”

Xia Mian: “…”

My house, on Dr. Ning’s registration book, but it still will be mine? Oh, Baby, you just sold your auntie out.

Ning Shaobai burst out laughing, and Xia Mian, both exasperated and amused, said to the boy, “We should buy it ourselves, and it needs to go on our household registration book.”

Xiao Feng didn’t quite understand, but whatever Xia Mian said was fine with him.

On the other end, Ning Shaobai said calmly, “No problem. I imagine there are plenty of people interested in that house, so it’ll probably sell quickly. Since you want to buy it yourselves, it’s probably too late. I’ll have my friend look into other options for you.”

“Maybe when you come back, you’ll find something even better.”

Xia Mian: “…”

Sure enough, Xiao Feng became anxious, “Auntie, go back and buy it.”

Ning Shaobai shamelessly instigated the child, “If you take the train back now, there’s still time. I can handle money transactions first, and the actual transfer can wait a few days.”

Xia Mian huffed, “So you mean if I go back tomorrow, I can still make it in time?”

With a perfectly serious tone, Ning Shaobai replied, “Mm,” and smoothly added, “Want me to help you buy tickets?”

Xia Mian raised her phone. “Dr. Ning, can you see my expression right now?”

Ning Shaobai could picture perfectly well how she must be glaring at the phone and suppressed a laugh. “Well, I know you’re dying to come back. But I’ll have to check for tickets—not sure if I can get any.”

Xia Mian: “…”

“I’d love to see your expression right now!” she snapped, annoyed at how smug he sounded after getting his way.

“Brother Bai, you’re still on the phone?” Rong Xin’s voice came from the background. He seemed to check the time. “It’s been almost an hour, hasn’t it?”

Xia Mian was puzzled. “Why is Brother Rong with you there?”

“Got kicked out of the house,” Ning Shaobai said.

“Huh? Why?” Xia Mian thought for a moment. “Let me guess—it’s about a girlfriend, isn’t it?”

“Correct,” Ning Shaobai replied. “His father thought he was going to get married this time, but as soon as he came back, he said they’d broken up.”

“Again?” Xia Mian was speechless. Rong Xin was the very image of a playboy. Thanks to the convenience of running an entertainment company, he met plenty of stars. Anyone he took a fancy to, he would pursue passionately, but this “passion” would last at most three or four months, sometimes only one or two.

This one had been his longest relationship—nearly half a year—so his father must have thought he was serious about marriage. But no, they broke up again.

“Reason?” Xia Mian asked, though she already had a guess.

“He likes another actress now.”

Sure enough.

“Let me guess—it’s the female lead of that drama currently airing?”

“Yes,” Ning Shaobai said. “From a Hong Kong drama. Seems to be a newcomer.”

Xia Mian: “…”

In her opinion, Rong Xin’s behavior was less like romance and more like fanboying celebrities—always switching idols.

Since Rong Xin was there, she and Ning Shaobai chatted for only a bit longer before hanging up.

Ning Shaobai looked at his phone thoughtfully—being able to take pictures, record videos, and see the other person in real time…

Rong Xin walked over, toweling his hair. “Brother Bai, when did you start talking on the phone? You look all mushy, totally unlike you. If I didn’t know it was Xia Mian, I’d think you were calling your girlfriend.”

Ning Shaobai: “…”

Then Rong Xin sighed, unaware of the impending danger. “But you’d better not date anyone. If even you start dating, I’ll have no way to survive.”

Expressionless, Ning Shaobai said, “You already have no way to survive.”

Author’s Note:

Xia Mian: “I remember someone saying they hoped summer vacation would be over soon so they wouldn’t have to see me.”

Ning Shaobai: “I still hope summer vacation will be over soon…”