Read Novel Full Chapter 114 Part 1 – Lively (I)
Chapter 114 Part 1 – Lively (I)
Happy New Year! Extra chapter (1/2) from us, AerialRain! Thank you for your support!
Xia Mian dashed back home and helped her cousins pack. Mao Huimei asked, puzzled, “Weren’t you going to Dr. Ning?”
“No rush. He had a guest over, so I guess I’ll talk to him later.”
Just as she finished speaking, Ning Shaobai strolled in casually, holding a few design blueprints. Xia Mian was about to say they could discuss renovations after she finished packing, but he simply smiled at her without a word and headed straight to Xiao Feng’s art studio.
This summer, Xiao Feng had been going to Professor Zhu’s every other day for half-day lessons. Afterward, he’d have assignments to complete and would spend an hour or two each day in the studio.
Before long, Xiao Feng came running out to find Xia Mian. “Auntie, how should we do my room?”
“Go take a look first.” Mao Huimei said. “We don’t have much left to pack, so just take your time.”
Xiao Feng dragged Xia Mian into the studio. Ning Shaobai was sitting at her desk, carefully looking over a few blueprints. When he saw Xia Mian come in, he stood up and gestured for her to sit. “You can hold Xiao Feng in your lap—otherwise he won’t be able to see.”
He left her no room to decline. Xia Mian had no choice but to carefully sit down with Xiao Feng in her arms.
Ning Shaobai looked at how tense she was and couldn’t help but want to laugh. He leaned on the desk with one arm and slowly leaned in…
Sure enough, Xia Mian immediately shifted to the side, holding Xiao Feng protectively.
Ning Shaobai pulled the blueprints over and, suppressing his amusement, said seriously, “What’s wrong?”
Only then did Xia Mian realize he was just reaching for the blueprints. As she caught on to the fact that he was teasing her on purpose, she warned, “Dr. Ning, don’t go too far!”
“What were you even thinking?” Ning Shaobai reached over and ruffled her hair, looking innocent. “Focus on the blueprints. We’re talking about serious business. What kind of nonsense is going through your head?”
Damn this guy! Flipping the blame onto me!
Fuming, Xia Mian stomped on his foot and growled through gritted teeth, “I want a combat training room.” One day, she was going to beat him up!
“No need,” Ning Shaobai didn’t dodge—in fact, he leaned in close and chuckled softly by her ear, “We already have one, remember? More than that would just be wasteful.”
“Who’s ‘we’?” Xia Mian glared at him.
“Xiao Feng and I. Right, Xiao Feng?” Ning Shaobai said, ruffling the boy’s head. “Instead of a combat room, why not build him a gallery? We can move all your antique vases over too.”
Xiao Feng looked up at Xia Mian. He did have quite a few paintings now, including ones gifted by his senior brothers and sisters. The collection was getting sizable.
Xia Mian: “…”
She patted Xiao Feng’s head with a smile. “Okay. We’ll build two for our baby.”
Xiao Feng grinned and stretched his neck up to nudge her chin with his head. His soft, fluffy hair tickled her and made her laugh.
When she looked at Ning Shaobai again, her eyes were practically shooting daggers. Since this guy had cunningly won over Xiao Feng, Xia Mian realized she couldn’t win, so she gave up any resistance and slumped into the chair.
May as well see what other tricks he has up his sleeve!
She braced herself for more teasing, but to her surprise, Ning Shaobai didn’t do anything inappropriate. He seriously discussed the blueprint designs with her. Occasionally, he’d say something a bit suggestive, but all the way until he left, he behaved himself… almost. When he was leaving, he gave her a smile that was positively wicked!
Now that was too much!
It was like hanging a Damocles’ sword over her head—keeping her in a constant state of dread. Couldn’t he just give her a quick death?
She stomped her foot in frustration—why on earth did I have to fall for such a damn guy?!
Running into her brother at the gate, Ning Shaoyun chuckled upon seeing the smirk Ning Shaobai couldn’t suppress. “Teasing her again? Be careful you don’t really piss her off.”
Ning Shaobai’s eyes gleamed as he smiled even wider. “I’ll try to hold back from now on.”
She was just too cute; he simply couldn’t help himself whenever he saw her.
Ning Shaoyun was momentarily stunned, then burst out laughing. “Why do I feel like that’s not going to happen?”
She didn’t even know her brother could say something like that.
Ning Shaobai’s eyes curved into a smile, saying nothing more.
Xia Mian still didn’t know that Ning Shaobai couldn’t even control himself. As someone who always faced things head-on, the next morning she marched confidently over to his place—ready to settle things once and for all.
But when she arrived, she saw her target of revenge busy packing a suitcase.
“Going somewhere?”
Ning Shaobai closed the case. “Got a notice yesterday. I need to go to Shen City with Professor Liu, but I’ll be back in about five or six days.”
Xia Mian suddenly narrowed her eyes, thinking of Gao Qiongying from the day before. “Is the professor from the lab? Is Miss Gao going too?”
Ning Shaobai laughed. “This trip’s due to an emergency. There’s a newborn patient over there in critical condition—pretty complex case.”
The moment she heard it was to treat a child, Xia Mian scratched her head, suddenly embarrassed. “Oh… sorry.”
Ning Shaobai reached out and pulled her to his side, stroking her tuft hair as he said with a smile, “Why are you saying sorry? I was going to tell you about it anyway.”
“Gao Qiongying is going too, that’s true. But we don’t overlap at all in work. As for anything else…”
Seeing her staring at him intently, Ning Shaobai let out a soft laugh. “I’ve already made things clear to her.”
Xia Mian pouted. “If talking it out actually worked, she wouldn’t still be chasing you, would she? It’s been over two years now, hasn’t it?”
Seeing him still smiling like that, Xia Mian wrinkled her nose and snorted. “What? Did I say something wrong?”
Ning Shaobai rubbed her head with a quiet chuckle. “You’re not wrong. But this whole thing is going to be resolved soon.”
Xia Mian perked up. “What kind of method works that fast?”
Ning Shaobai smiled warmly at her, his eyes full of tenderness. “My life is about to be handed over to someone else. What reason does she have to keep clinging?”
“What did you say?” Xia Mian mumbled, her cheeks flushing red.
Then Ning Shaobai added, “You’ll protect me, right? Benefactor?”
Xia Mian: “…”
So not only do you get your goal, now you want me to deal with my love rival too?
What a calculating bastard!
“You wish! Who wants your life?!” She smacked him angrily.
Ning Shaobai narrowed his eyes dangerously. “Benefactor, do you want me to remind you how you’ve been ruthlessly taking half my life over the past six months?”
Xia Mian immediately sensed danger. Seeing him reach out, she turned and bolted—so fast Ning Shaobai couldn’t even catch her!
Once she was at a safe distance, she turned back to look at him standing in the doorway, frowning and gritting his teeth. “Safe travels, Dr. Ning!” She placed her hands on her hips and laughed triumphantly. “Good luck with your job!”
And just as he started to move to chase her, she turned and ran off again.
Xia Mian was feeling smug at first. But as she ran through the courtyard gate, something didn’t sit right. It took her a moment to realize—wait, wasn’t I supposed to come over and soften up to resolve the issue?
Why the hell did I end up fanning the flames again?!
Oh my god!!!
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Translator’s Note:
Happy New Year! There is one more chapter, since we are releasing two extra chapters each for all our titles today. Enjoy~
