Transmigrating into the Genius Cannon Fodder’s Aunt

Chapter 120 Part 1 – Uncover The Truth (I)

Old Master Rong’s seventieth birthday banquet was a week before Xia Mian’s own birthday, and Ning Shaobai planned to take her along.

At first, Xia Mian hadn’t planned on going. Parties like that were meaningful if you knew the people or wanted to network. For someone like her, who hardly knew anyone there, it would just be boring.

But Ning Shaobai was determined to convince her. “This is my chance to make things official. You don’t want people to keep pestering your boyfriend, do you?”

Xia Mian realized he could be quite the reserved tease and couldn’t help but laugh. “Then should I post an announcement online—’On [X month X day of 199X], Ning Shaobai officially became Xia Mian’s boyfriend’?”

Ning Shaobai pulled her into his arms, resting his chin on her shoulder with a grin. “Not a bad idea. I’ll consider it.”

Seeing she was still hesitant, he added, “Don’t you want to see Rong Xin’s misery?”

Xia Mian laughed out loud when Ning Shaobai told her that Rong Xin’s father spent his days watching Calabash Brothers to urge his son to get married and have children.

“According to him, the day I get a girlfriend will be his last day.”

Xia Mian could easily imagine Rong Xin’s horrified expression, but she was curious. “Who’s Miss Tang? The one who scared him that much?”

Ning Shaobai replied, “You’ll see when we get there.”

He sighed. “Funny thing is, he used to believe I learned how to pierce ears and wanted to invent a camera phone just for him.”

“What do you think his face will look like,” Ning Shaobai murmured, brushing his cheek against hers, “when I show up with you?”

Xia Mian tilted her head to bump him lightly. “You’re terrible! How could you set up your friend like that?”

Ning Shaobai laughed. “So, are you going or not?”

Xia Mian burst out laughing. “Going!”

Ning Shaobai took her hand and kissed it.

But when the day actually came, teasing Rong Xin ended up being the least important reason for attending.

In the afternoon, they went to the personal styling studio Ning Shaoyun frequented. When Ning Shaobai came out after changing, he saw Xia Mian still choosing earrings. “This pair looks better, don’t you think?”

“But this one makes me look younger.”

“Too young might not be ideal either.” Ning Shaobai chuckled and took a pair of silver earrings with blue diamond antler designs from the stylist, then walked over. “Come here.”

Xia Mian turned around, tilting her head so he could help her put them on. Watching her look so delicately polished, leaving not a single flaw unchecked, Ning Shaobai couldn’t help but laugh. “Is all this really necessary? I told you, we’ll just scare Rong Xin a bit, give the gift, hang around for a while, and leave.”

“How is it not necessary?” Xia Mian widened her eyes. “It won’t be as simple as you think—Gao Qiongying is sure to give me trouble. In a woman’s battle, beauty is the sharpest weapon!”

Ning Shaobai laughed. “Then you’re already invincible.”

Xia Mian smiled at the compliment, then scolded playfully, “Be serious! I’m trying to psych myself up here, and you’re ruining my momentum.”

A few days ago, when Xia Mian brought Ning Shaobai lunch at noon, she happened to see him coming out of the lab with a few colleagues. Gao Qiongying was among them, dressed in a beige blazer and gray wide-legged trousers, heels clicking as she walked, looking beautiful and confident.

Ever since Ning Shaobai had admitted he liked someone else, she seemed to have changed tactics. She no longer confessed openly but instead started showing quiet, persistent care. Like a slow, simmering pot, she wanted him to gradually get used to her presence.

Xia Mian wasn’t entirely sure, but she could clearly feel Gao Qiongying’s hostility toward her. Even when she walked up carrying a lunch thermos, Gao Qiongying acted as if she didn’t see her and said to the group, “I had my housekeeper make lunch today—let’s all eat together.”

Then she smiled at Ning Shaobai. “And there’s that spiced beef you liked so much last time, Shaobai. I asked her to make it especially for you.”

Someone immediately said cheerfully, “Oh, Qiongying brought food again? Looks like we’re eating well today!”

Another joked, “Qiongying, you’re playing favorites. How come you only made Dr. Ning’s favorite dish?”

Xia Mian narrowed her eyes at Ning Shaobai. Ning Shaobai smiled, waved his hand, and said, “You all go ahead, I’ll pass.” He reached out to take the lunchbox from Xia Mian’s hands, put his arm around her, and said, “My family brought me food.”

Only then did Gao Qiongying look at Xia Mian, as if seeing her for the first time. “Isn’t this your neighbor girl? So diligent, bringing you lunch like this. Dr. Ning, are you treating her like an errand girl?”

Ning Shaobai said coolly, “Miss Gao’s house is full of servants and assistants. No wonder she doesn’t understand the concept of a loved one bringing food.”

Then he turned his head slightly, smiling gently at Xia Mian. “Everyone, let me introduce—this is my girlfriend, Xia Mian.”

Xia Mian smiled graciously. “Hello.”

Gao Qiongying clearly hadn’t expected them to have confirmed their relationship so soon. Her expression changed on the spot.

The others were just as shocked and instinctively turned to look at Gao Qiongying.

It was obvious everyone knew she’d been pursuing Ning Shaobai. It was only because Ning Shaobai always maintained a distant, aloof demeanor at the hospital that people hadn’t tried to actively match them up. Over time, though, they’d naturally assumed the two were a couple.

Gao Qiongying quickly composed herself and said nothing at the time. But after Xia Mian and Ning Shaobai finished lunch and left the hospital, they ran into her.

She seemed to have just come out of the lab too, but her car happened to be parked right where Xia Mian had to pass. Logically, her way home should have been in the opposite direction.

Wearing sunglasses and high heels, Gao Qiongying strode past Xia Mian, opened the door of her Mercedes with sharp efficiency, and sat down without a glance—as if Xia Mian were invisible.

Well, her presence was indeed commanding. If she had just started the car and driven off, the act would’ve been perfect. If Xia Mian really were some naïve girl fresh out of high school, she might’ve easily felt small and insecure.

But Gao Qiongying clearly couldn’t help herself, or maybe she looked down on Xia Mian and never saw her as worth her attention. Before starting the engine, she rolled down her window and said, “Little girl, if you want to climb high, it’s better to take it step by step. Having ambition unworthy of one’s ability only leads to trouble.”

“‘When virtue doesn’t match position, disaster will follow’—Confucius said that,” Xia Mian replied automatically, then turned her head. “Oh, Miss Gao, I didn’t recognize you. I thought you’d already left.”

“Were you talking to me just now?”

Gao Qiongying paused, as though realizing it wasn’t worth her dignity to trade words with someone like Xia Mian. She gave an indifferent smile. “Here’s a bit of advice: if you don’t want to embarrass Shaobai, you’d better stay away from Old Master Rong’s birthday banquet.”

Xia Mian grinned. “Thanks for the reminder. I’ll definitely be there. See you at the banquet, Miss Gao!”

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