Transmigrating into the Genius Cannon Fodder’s Aunt

Chapter 120 Part 2 – Uncover The Truth (II)

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

After Gao Qiongying drove off, her face icy, Xia Mian’s expression changed in an instant.

The next day, she dragged Ning Shaobai—who was supposed to be resting—out to buy clothes.

“She’s really good at stirring things up,” Xia Mian muttered, tilting her head the other way. “If I don’t go, I’ll definitely brood over this matter and keep picking fights with you later.”

“If I do go, she’ll find some way to humiliate me, make me feel inferior—and I’ll blame you for this!”

“Tsk, tsk. Either way, she just can’t stand seeing us happy. Then she’ll swoop in, acting all understanding, graceful, and mature.”

“You’ll start thinking, Wow, Miss Gao is so easy to be around—capable, calm, not like that Xia Mian who throws a fit over every little thing. How annoying!”

She mimicked it so vividly that Ning Shaobai’s hand trembled, and the earring he was holding nearly went askew. He laughed, pinched her earlobe lightly, and said, “Can you stop teasing me?”

Xia Mian replied, “Who’s teasing? That’s exactly what she’s thinking.”

“Quite the clever little scheme she’s got,” he said with a smile.

“Too bad,” Xia Mian said with a grin, “she’s got it all wrong. Me, embarrass myself? The only one who could make me lose face is you, Dr. Ning.”

Then, still smiling, she added, “Would you really let me embarrass myself, Dr. Ning?”

After Ning Shaobai fastened the clasp on her earring, he gently cupped her neck, turned her face toward him, and lowered his head to brush a kiss across her lips. “I can’t bear to,” he murmured, “but I suggest you rest now. Save your strength for the main event, okay?”

The stylist beside them looked startled, then quickly lowered her head in embarrassment.

Xia Mian glared at him. “You smudged my lipstick!”

Ning Shaobai: “…”

She turned around in a hurry to touch it up. Since there weren’t any glosses or tints back then, Xia Mian went for a sexy bitten-lip look instead. When she turned back, she threw Ning Shaobai a playful glance. “Pretty, right?”

Ning Shaobai couldn’t help laughing. “Yeah.”

Seeing his gaze fall on her lips, Xia Mian quickly covered her mouth. “No kissing!”

Ning Shaobai sighed. “What did I do to deserve this? Can we go now?”

Xia Mian dropped her hand, straightened her back, and declared proudly, “Let’s go! Time to show Miss Gao just how cruel the world can be!”

Ning Shaobai laughed.

When their car arrived at the Rong family estate, it was still early. Rong Xin was standing at the villa entrance, greeting guests. As soon as they got out, Xia Mian’s eyes gleamed. She hid behind Ning Shaobai, planning to give the young man a big surprise.

Ning Shaobai let her have her fun, his hand reaching behind him to interlace his fingers with hers.

He was dressed in a blue-and-white striped suit with black trousers; fresh, composed, and strikingly handsome. Rong Xin spotted him right away. “Brother Bai!” He came hurrying over. “You really have a girlfriend?”

He still couldn’t quite believe it.

“I just got back from the south two days ago and have been busy with Grandpa’s birthday preparations. I didn’t even have time to find you.”

“Don’t tell me my dad put you up to this! Are you conspiring together just to pressure me into marriage at the banquet?”

Ning Shaobai smiled and brought his hand out from behind him. “What do you think?”

Seeing the delicate fingers interlaced with Ning Shaobai’s, Rong Xin looked utterly defeated. “For real? Since when?”

“Not too long ago,” Ning Shaobai said with a smile. “Want to greet her?”

“Is she shy?” Rong Xin straightened his clothes at once. “Hello, Sister-in-law! I’m Rong Xin, Brother Bai’s best buddy—”

Xia Mian suddenly popped her head out. “Hi there! Dr. Ning’s buddy!”

“X-Xia Mian!” Rong Xin looked completely shell-shocked. “Y-you… you…”

Xia Mian stepped out, holding onto Ning Shaobai’s arm, smiling sweetly. “Nice to meet you. I’m Dr. Ning’s girlfriend.”

She was wearing a blue-and-white lace tulle cocktail dress—perfectly matching Ning Shaobai.

Rong Xin was speechless. He covered his head. “W-wait, hold on, I need to think… when did this happen?”

Xia Mian touched her earrings.

“Ah!” Rong Xin pointed at her earrings, then touched his own ear. “Last year, you—”

“So, Brother Bai, it was all for Xia Mian?!” Rong Xin clutched his chest dramatically. “Was I just your guinea pig?”

Seeing him finally connect the dots, Ning Shaobai held back a laugh. “Call her ‘sister-in-law.'”

Rong Xin: “…” Call her what??

Watching him stunned silly, Xia Mian burst into laughter.

After playing with Rong Xin, Ning Shaobai held her hand and led her through the front yard into the main hall.

Xia Mian carried herself calmly, meeting the curious gazes from all directions. She had expected this. Though Ning Shaobai kept a low profile, everyone had witnessed Mohe Company’s success, and plenty of people kept an eye on him.

A man so handsome, capable, and self-disciplined was the ideal match in many people’s eyes. Yet he had remained single for years, and with Gao Qiongying’s very public pursuit, most had assumed the two would eventually end up together.

Now, with Xia Mian—an unknown name—suddenly appearing at his side, it was impossible for her not to attract attention.

Whether out of curiosity or gossip, her background would soon be dug up completely. That was exactly what Gao Qiongying wanted—she didn’t even have to lift a finger. A girl from a small county showing up at a high-society banquet would be like a wild sparrow wandering into a phoenix’s nest. Feeling out of place, Xia Mian would inevitably grow self-conscious and want to flee.

Add a few snide or nosy young socialites to the mix, and her self-esteem would take a hit, making it hard for her to stay confident around Ning Shaobai. From there, cracks in their relationship would follow.

What a clever scheme! But too bad, Miss Gao—your plan’s doomed to fail.

Just as Xia Mian was mentally preparing for possible encounters ahead, her eyes suddenly landed on a few unexpected faces: He Wei, Lu Nana, and even Qi Kai.

Xia Mian narrowed her eyes. She had a feeling she might uncover the truth behind He Wei’s behavior toward Mao Huimei today.

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