Transmigrating into the Genius Cannon Fodder’s Aunt

Chapter 107 Part 1 – A Thrilling Romance (I)

Even though Ning Shaobai teased her the whole way, Xia Mian couldn’t deny that having him around made the journey feel safe. Whether it was fetching water, meals, or sleeping arrangements, he took care of everything with thoughtful attention to detail. She and Xiao Feng were practically treated the same.

The reason it was “practically” was because Xia Mian had to endure an extra dose of psychological torment from him, something Xiao Feng was blissfully spared. She now fully understood Ning Shaobai’s earlier wish for her to “stay away.”

Every time he got close, it tested her willpower. Yet when he wasn’t near, her eyes couldn’t help but follow him. And almost every time, Ning Shaobai would catch her staring, and then a new round of teasing would begin…

Xia Mian came to the painful conclusion: liking someone was pure torture.

And yet, this “torture” made the long hours on this old slow train pass in a flash. She was still racking her brain, trying to plan a comeback when they had already arrived at their destination.

Once off the train, Ning Shaobai quickly returned to the serious, dependable Dr. Ning.

Because their checked luggage wouldn’t arrive until the day after next, they went straight home in a cab. Xia Wenyue and Mao Huimei were already waiting. No one else was home—Mao Zhishan was off filming, and Mao Huilan and Mao Huizhu had joined him on set for the summer break. Apparently, Mao Huizhu even landed a small role as a child character and wouldn’t be back until the break was over.

After helping them unload their carry-on, Ning Shaobai returned to his place next door. Xia Wenyue could tell at a glance from his tired expression and Xia Mian and Xiao Feng’s cheerful demeanor that he had taken on most of the burden during the trip. She didn’t say much and urged him to go get some rest.

Xia Mian and Xiao Feng took their lunch while chatting about their time in their hometown. She gave a brief summary of the Ma family’s situation but focused on the Mao family’s downfall.

“Uncle’s family’s doing okay. Brother Chuan will need to find a new wife, though.”

Xia Wenyue and her daughter felt a wave of satisfaction hearing about the Maos’ downfall. But when they heard about Mao Huihe’s experience, they were both sympathetic and deeply shaken.

“Thank goodness we got out when we did.” Xia Wenyue sighed. “Otherwise, your uncle and I might’ve had to risk our lives.”

Some things were like that. Hao Xufeng, who wouldn’t even make waves in a place like Yan City, was a near-untouchable figure in his own town. To the second branch of the Mao family, he was a mountain they couldn’t move, no matter how hard they tried.

Mao Huimei said with anger, “That family will get what’s coming to them sooner or later.”

Xia Mian agreed. With the way Hao Xufeng operated, it was only a matter of time before he caused a huge disaster.

After Xiao Feng finished eating, he took the beautiful wooden bowl Xia Hai had made and ran off to find Chenchen. That gave Xia Wenyue a chance to ask about the unit in the Huagang Family Compound. “The factory called home again. Did you get the call?”

“I did. They said they wanted to offer some money on behalf of the factory. I turned it down.”

Back then, the factory had said that if Zhang Qiming was confirmed to be a murderer, they’d transfer the unit to Xiao Feng’s name. But after the verdict came out, it was ruled that Zhang Qiming had committed insurance fraud as well, and all his assets were confiscated. The unit was gone too.

Honestly, Xia Mian felt that wasn’t a bad thing. That apartment was bought with Xia Chun’s blood. They wouldn’t have felt good accepting it.

Then the factory reached out again, offering money on the factory’s behalf for Xiao Feng, but Xia Mian declined once more.

“Then let’s consider this whole thing finally closed,” Xia Wenyue said.

Xia Mian nodded. All of Xiao Feng’s darkest memories had finally been severed.

…

A few days later, Xia Mian sneaked out of the house like a thief, running through the blazing summer heat to find Sun Yuexin and the others, sighing internally: Being in a relationship with Ning Shaobai is just too damn thrilling!

At the start of summer break, it was Ning Shaobai who couldn’t wait to get away from her, counting the days until school resumed. Now it was the opposite—she couldn’t wait for classes to start, just to escape this man who seemed intent on taking her life every waking second.

Especially after what happened yesterday at the Yuejun Hotel…

Just remembering it made her cheeks burn even hotter, prompting her to run faster.

Yesterday, Ning Shaobai had taken them to the Yuejun Hotel as promised, to play on the water slides.

Xia Mian had been hesitant at first. Ever since that rooftop bet, she couldn’t stop looking at Ning Shaobai differently, and the thought of him in nothing but a pair of swim trunks, his toned abs gleaming in the water… that was too damn stimulating!

And so, in order to preserve her pure high school girl mindset, Xia Mian decided that she should keep her distance from such a corrupting influence.

But Ning Shaobai was indeed Ning Shaobai. As if he could see through her mind, he smirked, “What, afraid of me now?”

Then, with a pitying look, he sighed, “Didn’t realize I had that much charm. If it’s that hard for you to resist, then forget it. I won’t make it harder for you.”

Needless to say, Xia Mian’s rebellious streak flared instantly, and she ended up going.

Since Chenchen and Xiao Feng had gone with Ning Shaobai into the men’s changing room, Xia Mian, relieved of childcare duties, finished changing into her swimsuit much more quickly.

After changing, she sat on a nearby bench; her gaze flicking frequently toward the exit.

Truth be told, although Ning Shaobai often teased her with his ridiculously attractive figure, she’d never actually gotten a direct look at his muscles. She was kind of looking forward to it, hehehe…

When she saw Xiao Feng and Chenchen come out holding hands, both wearing matching Donald Duck swim trunks, Xia Mian sat up straighter, eyes in full focus.

But the moment Ning Shaobai emerged behind them, her excitement turned into utter disbelief.

He caught her expression instantly, eyes twinkling with amusement as he leaned down beside her and murmured with a laugh, “Benefactor, what exactly were you expecting?”