Transmigrating into the Genius Cannon Fodder’s Aunt

Chapter 104 Part 2 – Stay Far Away From Me, Please and Thank You (II)

While the two silently fought over personal space, Xia Chuan’s voice suddenly turned cold from up ahead. “Ma Lili?”

Xia Mian looked up and saw a young woman standing at the corner of the path they had to take to get home.

When she saw them, Ma Lili brushed her hair behind her ear and said, “Hello.” Her tone had her signature aloofness, but if her gaze hadn’t been glued to Ning Shaobai the whole time, maybe it would’ve seemed more sincere.

Xia Chuan also noticed something else: Ma Lili was still wearing the same polka-dot blouse, but now the top two buttons, which had previously been fastened, were undone. With her tall frame, anyone just a bit taller could easily look down and catch a glimpse of the enticing curve and the subtle rise and fall of her chest.

The very first time he had met Ma Lili, it was under similar circumstances. He’d been completely bewitched by the sight. When she noticed him blushing, she had acted flustered, hastily buttoning up with a crimson face.

Back then, he’d immediately decided—this was a beautiful, strong-willed, but slightly clueless girl who needed protecting.

But now it was clear: that “cluelessness” had just been another trick to seduce men.

Xia Chuan couldn’t help glancing at Ning Shaobai—only to see that the man’s full attention was on the playful Xia Mian, completely unaware of what was happening behind him.

Xia Chuan instantly felt vindicated and triumphant. He didn’t bother with with his ex anymore and just led the group forward.

Seeing that they were about to leave, Ma Lili could no longer keep up her aloof act. She blurted out, “Dr. Ning!”

Ning Shaobai reflexively turned to look at her. Ma Lili suddenly seemed to realize how obvious she was being and hurriedly lowered her head to fix her buttons.

Xia Mian nearly burst out laughing. She’s got the schemes, sure—but that acting? Too horrible!

Ning Shaobai only responded because someone called out to him. When he saw it was a stranger, he didn’t even pause—on the contrary, while Xia Mian was distracted, he used the moment to quickly pull Xiao Feng along and pick up the pace.

Xia Mian noticed and hurried to catch up.

So by the time Ma Lili awkwardly finished buttoning up and looked up, the group was nearly at the gate. Only Xia Chuan looked back and shot her a mocking glance.

Ma Lili bit her lip, then lifted her leg and followed. “Dr. Ning!”

Ning Shaobai stopped. Before he could react, Xia Mian darted in and quickly hooked her arm through his. He gave her a helpless sidelong glance, then finally turned to Ma Lili and asked, “What is it?”

Ma Lili bit her lip and said with gratitude, “Thank you for today.”

Xia Mian: “???”

Ning Shaobai was clearly confused too, when Ma Lili, looking on the verge of tears, added, “Thank you for saving me.”

“Hao Xufeng runs wild in Mingxi County, doing as he pleases without regard of the law. I had no way out…”

Oh come on. Is she seriously pulling this stunt?!

Everyone was stunned.

Fortunately, Ning Shaobai reacted quickly. Seeing that Ma Lili was about to say more, he raised a hand and interrupted, “Sorry, I didn’t save you. No need to feel indebted.”

“I know, you did it for Xia Mian,” Ma Lili said with a sorrowful look, like a pitiful nobody no one cared about. “But you still saved me too. I feel I should express my thanks. You don’t know how painful it was, being under Hao Xufeng’s control. He—”

“Alright,” Ning Shaobai cut her off directly. “If you sincerely want to thank me…”

Seeing the glimmer of hope in her eyes, he added blandly, “Please leave immediately. I’m very tired and would like to go home and rest.”

Ma Lili froze.

Xia Mian didn’t hold back and burst out laughing.

Hearing that Ning Shaobai was tired, Xia Chuan jumped in quickly, “Dr. Ning, please come in. Meal’s ready—you can rest right after eating.”

Just then, the uncle came out and opened the door. Xia Mian instantly withdrew her arm from Ning Shaobai’s, standing properly like a well-behaved girl, earning a soft chuckle from him.

Xia Mian scrunched her nose at him.

Ning Shaobai was welcomed inside. Ma Lili tried to follow. “Xia Chuan, I really was forced by Hao Xufeng, you know what kind of person he is…”

But Xia Chuan, having completely seen through her, mocked, “What’s that got to do with me? We have nothing to do with each other anymore.”

“I know you earned that acting job yourself. Don’t worry, I won’t cling to you or drag you down. Go chase your dream of being a big star. Goodbye.” With that, he shut the gate in her face.

He let out a long sigh, the unwillingness in his chest finally released. He felt so much lighter. Looking back at the last few months—what the hell had he been thinking?

Inside the main room, the Xia family followed their usual routine for hosting guests. Xia Mian had told them in advance that Ning Shaobai would be coming, so her uncle and aunt had prepared their best food. Seeing him eat so happily, they couldn’t stop smiling.

“Sorry to trouble you to come all this way, Dr. Ning,” Eldest Uncle Xia said. “It’s really too much trouble for you.”

“I was on vacation and came back to visit my grandparents anyway,” Ning Shaobai said calmly. “I heard there’ve been a lot of thefts and child abductions lately. Xia Mian and Xiao Feng are still young—I just didn’t feel comfortable leaving them alone. So I figured I’d bring them back myself. It’s better to have someone looking after them.”。

Because they’d heard Ning Shaobai was tired, no one lingered for a small talk after meal. The aunt-in-law immediately began arranging for him to rest.

“Mianmian, take Dr. Ning to the east guest room. It’s the same one he stayed in last time.”

Xia Mian replied, “No need, Auntie. Our guest room at home is cleaned up now. Dr. Ning can stay at our place.”

Her aunt laughed and patted her on the back. “What are you talking about? Go get the bamboo mat—it’s been sun-dried all day and will be perfect now.” Then, she looked at Ning Shaobai with an apologetic smile. “Sorry, Dr. Ning, she’s still just a kid. Silly thing.”

Ning Shaobai smiled without saying a word.

Xia Mian was stunned for a second before realizing—she was now a grown girl, and since she lived alone without adults, it wasn’t appropriate for a grown man like Ning Shaobai to stay at her place.

Which meant… she wouldn’t even get a moment alone with Dr. Ning today?!

Ning Shaobai was amused by her expression and quietly teased while no one was watching, “Little girl, show some restraint.”

Xia Mian scrunched her nose in frustration and turned to get the mat.

The bamboo mat had been specially washed and sun-dried that morning by her sister-in-law Li Fang, and it still held the warm scent of sunlight. After Xia Mian finished laying it out, she flopped onto the bed. “It’s only five o’clock—how long are you planning to sleep? If you wake up early, we can still chat.”

Ning Shaobai looked down at her from above. “I haven’t had a proper night’s sleep in over a day. I might just sleep straight through till morning.”

Then he reached out and tugged at her. “Get up. Don’t mess with my bed!”

Xia Mian abruptly sat up and glared at him. But then, something occurred to her, and she laid back down again. “I am your family’s benefactor, you know. I can use your bed with full confidence—your words, not mine.”

Ning Shaobai pulled her up again. “Since you’re my benefactor, I’ll ask you to do one more thing: for the sake of my lifelong happiness, please keep your distance from me starting now.”

He even gave her a shove. Outrageous.

Xia Mian stared at him wide-eyed. “So… you came all the way from Yan City just to tell me to stay away from you?”

“I came all the way to pick up my family’s benefactor and protect her safety,” Ning Shaobai said leisurely, reclining against the headboard. “Oh, and to safeguard her lifelong happiness, too. Can’t let my dear nephew’s life-saver end up unable to get married, can we?”

He then looked at her warily. “If we’re not dating, and you’re still climbing into my bed… isn’t that just being a pervert? That’s not okay, totally not okay.”

“No dating before graduating high school, otherwise you won’t get married for life.” Ning Shaobai sighed sorrowfully. “You swore it yourself, remember? And now it’s also my lifelong happiness on the line…”

Xia Mian was so annoyed she burst out laughing. “What do you mean, your lifelong happiness? How does that oath of mine affect you?”

Ning Shaobai suddenly gave her an intense, scrutinizing look. After a long moment, he smiled tenderly. “What do you think?”

Xia Mian’s face instantly flushed. Another sneak attack confession! That’s cheating!

She bit her lip, struggling to keep from grinning too widely, but just then Ning Shaobai added, “So, until you properly graduate, stay far away from me. Please and thank you.”

Xia Mian: “…”

The smile vanished from her face. Rebellion surged.

Stay away? Not a chance!

No dating? Fine.

But I am stealing your bed!

Just wait—tonight we’ll share a bed and pillow!

Author’s Note:

Xia Mian: “No dating before graduating high school—or I’ll never get married!”

Ning Shaobai: “Xia Mian must absolutely not date before graduation—or I’ll never get to marry her!”

Other people in love: “Darling, come closer, closer…”

Ning Shaobai in love: “Stay far away from me. Please and thank you.”