Transmigrating into the Genius Cannon Fodder’s Aunt

Chapter 141 – Worshipping the God of Drawing

On his first day in Yan City, Qiangqiang still didn’t escape his father’s beating.

After lunch, the exhausted guests went to rest. Around four in the afternoon, Qiangqiang, energetic as always, was the first to wake up, so Xia Mian took him along on her bike to pick up Xiao Feng from the academy.

As Xiao Feng grew older, Professor Zhu gradually raised the standards for his training. Last summer, the boy only went every other day and usually for just half a day, but starting this summer, it became full-day sessions.

Professor Zhu lived in a small grey-brick house assigned to the academy faculty. When Xia Mian arrived, he wasn’t home. His wife greeted her with a cheerful smile. “Picking up Xiao Feng? He’s in the studio—his senior took him.”

This was nothing out of the ordinary. Professor Zhu always had a packed schedule and was currently busy designing the new currency notes, so Xiao Feng often tagged along with his seniors instead. He spent much of his time with Sun Shuming, the eldest disciple and an associate professor at the academy, who often took him along to the studio.

Xia Mian and Qiangqiang made their way to the campus. Sun Shuming’s studio was located on the first floor, and through the windows of the old-fashioned building, Xia Mian could clearly see the entire room from the outside.

She spotted Xiao Feng immediately—the boy simply stood out too much not to.

And not just because he was the only child in the class, but because he was sitting on the teacher’s chair at the podium like a little professor, surrounded by a group of students performing some kind of…. what is that?

Xia Mian didn’t rush in. She stayed by the window watching, curious. Qiangqiang grabbed a brick to stand on and peeked in too.

Xiao Feng didn’t notice them. He just sat there with a smile, watching the much older students of his senior brother.

At first, Xia Mian thought he was modeling for them. But then she saw those students put their hands together in a solemn gesture toward him, drop a piece of candy or chocolate into a small box he was holding, then mutter something under their breath before stepping back.

The entire scene was so religiously ritualistic it left Xia Mian bewildered: What kind of weird ceremony is this?

Then one lively guy stepped forward, dramatically performed a series of elaborate bows, and shouted, “Oh great God of Drawing, grant me a pass this time!”

He pulled out a handful of candy and placed it into Xiao Feng’s paper box. “This is my tribute—may the Drawing God accept it! Please bless my assignment!”

Xiao Feng burst into giggles, his little legs swinging back and forth as he laughed.

The guy beamed. “See that? The Drawing God smiled! That means I’m definitely going to pass!”

Someone nearby muttered, “Wei Yuanhang, shut up! You trying to get Professor Sun to come over here?”

Xia Mian: “…” You guys really are performing superstition?

Meanwhile, Qiangqiang stared enviously at the box in Xiao Feng’s hands. “Auntie Mian, does Xiao Feng get that much candy every time he comes to draw?”

“Of course not,” Xia Mian laughed, tugging his hand. “Come on, let’s go get him.”

As they made their way to the studio entrance, they happened to run into Sun Shuming stepping out of the office with a cup of tea. When he saw Xia Mian, he smiled, “I figured you’d be here soon to pick up Xiao Feng.”

Xia Mian was just about to greet the older man when he held up a finger for silence, but it was too late. One of the students on lookout had already noticed.

Through the rear window, Xia Mian watched the tall guy in the front row quickly scoop Xiao Feng down from the podium and place him in front of his child’s easel.

Another student swiftly emptied the candy and chocolates from the paper box into Xiao Feng’s backpack.

The little guy cooperated the entire time. In a flash, he picked up a paintbrush and began sketching with impressive focus. From how smoothly it all went, it was obvious this wasn’t the first time they’d done it.

Watching from outside, Xia Mian was both amused and exasperated. Sun Shuming chuckled, “Seriously—they never put effort in during class, yet all act like it’s some divine ritual.”

He walked into the classroom and looked at the boy, who was pretending to be deep in focus. “Xiao Feng, your aunt’s here to pick you up.”

Xiao Feng’s eyes lit up as he turned to the door.

Xia Mian waved at him, and Qiangqiang jumped and waved excitedly too.

Xiao Feng took a moment to react, but once he recognized Qiangqiang, he was overjoyed and immediately started packing up his sketchpad.

The student next to him helped gather his things. Carrying his backpack in one hand and a sketchpad in the other, he trotted out happily. “Auntie! Brother Qiangqiang!”

Xia Mian took the stuff from his hands, smiling. “Did you have fun drawing today?”

Xiao Feng tilted his head up and nodded. “Everyone turned in their homework today.”

No wonder, Xia Mian held back a smile. Turns out that no matter the era, college students always turn to a little superstition before a big assignment or exam.

Sun Shuming ruffled the boy’s hair and said, “When you return, hand all the candy to your aunt to keep. Don’t eat all at once, or you’ll end up with a toothache.”

Xiao Feng instinctively looked back at the students, eyes wide with a “We got caught!” look.

The students were nearly swooning from his cuteness. The so-called “ritual” was really just harmless fun, and everyone knew Professor Sun had been quietly turning a blind eye—otherwise, they would have been scolded the very first time.

But the little guy took it seriously. Xiao Feng glanced at the students, then turned and motioned mysteriously for Sun Shuming to lean down.

When he did, the boy whispered, “If they are in a good mood, they can draw well.”

Sun Shuming paused, then smiled and ruffled his hair. “Alright, I get it. I won’t scold them.”

As Xiao Feng skipped away, Sun Shuming stepped back into the classroom. Wei Yuanhang asked curiously, “Professor, what did Xiao Feng say to you?”

Sun Shuming grinned. “He told me not to scold you all. Said that praying helps your mood, and a good mood leads to good drawing.”

“Don’t you all feel even a little guilty, huh? Having a little kid cheer you up like that?”

Everyone fell silent for a moment. Then Wei Yuanhang clutched his chest dramatically, “I always thought we were humoring him… but he was actually cheering us up? Ugh… I’m gonna cry…”

He was clearly playing it up, but what he said was true, and the students felt genuinely moved.

Sun Shuming shook his head, half laughing, half scolding. “Well? Hand in your work already! After all the heart he put into it, you’re gonna turn in garbage?”

…

Xia Mian hadn’t realized that Xiao Feng wasn’t just painting in the studio—he even took the responsibility of lifting the students’ spirits.

Oh my God!! How come there’s such a lovable boy?! Her heart practically melted.

Qiangqiang, on the other hand, had much simpler priorities: his gaze was fixed on the candy and chocolate in Xiao Feng’s bag. “You get this much every day?” he asked, green with envy.

Xiao Feng opened the bag and rummaged through its contents. “No, only when they have a ton of homework.”

Seeing Qiangqiang’s fixated gaze, he pulled out a chocolate and a milk candy and handed them over. “These are very tasty.”

Then he put the rest away. “Can’t eat too many, or you’ll get a toothache. Two a day.”

Qiangqiang grinned, “But won’t it all go bad if you keep it too long?”

“It won’t,” Xiao Feng said. “Aunt Huizhu and Brother Chenchen don’t eat much, so I give the rest to Ding Sijin. Her grandma can eat more.”

Qiangqiang didn’t know who Ding Sijin was, but he had a new concern. “But will that be enough to share?”

Xiao Feng smiled. “Aunt Huimei’s getting married—there’s tons of candy at home.”

Qiangqiang’s eyes lit up. That’s true!

Xia Mian rode the old bicycle home with one child on the front and one on the back. By the time they got there, Mao Huizhu and Mao Zhishan had already returned.

Huizhu had been on set that day for a cameo. She still had makeup on, usually refusing to remove it until just before going to bed.

When she saw Xia Mian arriving, she ran over with a proud little jog, chin tilted up in a smug display.

Xia Mian laughed. “Wow, looking pretty today. What role did you play?”

Huizhu played aloof as she subtly showed off her makeup to Qiangqiang, whom she was meeting for the first time. “Not bad. I played a rich young lady!”

Sure enough, Qiangqiang was intrigued. He jumped off the bike and looked at Xia Mian with a confused expression.

Although Huizhu and Qiangqiang had heard of each other, they weren’t actually familiar. The last time they met was over four years ago.

Xia Mian helped Xiao Feng down and said to Qiangqiang, “This is your Aunt Huizhu.”

“And Huizhu, this is Qiangqiang. He is our guest, so be a good hostess, alright?”

Huizhu probably hadn’t fully shaken off her “young lady” role—she stood up straight and nodded with a refined air. “Of course.”

Xia Mian nearly laughed out loud watching her. As the three ran off together, she suddenly remembered something and quickly stepped into the living room.

Just as she expected, the eldest uncle and his family all had stunned expressions, like they were in a dream.

Xia Chuan spotted Xia Mian and widened his eyes in disbelief. “Xia Mian, you really kept this from us! Long Wentian is really Uncle Zhishan?!”

“I asked you before, and you told me no!”

“Don’t you pin that on me,” Xia Mian replied. “I didn’t say no—I said maybe. You guys just didn’t believe me.”

Xia Chuan thought back and realized she was right.

Xia He still looked like he couldn’t believe it. “So Uncle really is a big star?”

Xia Hai also seemed dazed. “We see Uncle on TV all the time now…”

Thanks to Mao Zhishan’s looks, his acting career had been relatively smooth. Given his age, he often played supporting middle-aged or older roles in dramas.

Those roles didn’t have as much competition, and with his distinctive looks, he stood out easily. Once his shows aired, he started getting a steady stream of offers.

He wasn’t super famous, but he’d taken enough roles to become a familiar face to the public.

While everyone was still baffled, Mao Zhishan entered the living room with a tray of lychees. The whole family instinctively straightened at his arrival.

Well, in the eyes of regular folks, celebrities—even your own family members—still held a certain allure.

“Zhishan, don’t be so formal,” Uncle said politely.

Mao Zhishan smiled warmly. “It’s nothing, Eldest Brother. Try these lychees—they’re air-shipped from the south. I especially got them from a colleague. Very sweet.”

Huizhu came running in and clung to his leg. “Dad, I want lychees too!”

Mao Zhishan chuckled. “I saved some for you. Go ask your second sister.”

Mao Huilan called from outside, “Dad, do we need to soak this pineapple in salt water?”

“Yes,” Mao Zhishan replied. “Wait a bit, I’ll take care of it.” And with that, he stepped out.

The eldest uncle’s whole family collectively let out a sigh of relief. Xia Hai muttered, “Only when he’s around the kids I see he really is our third uncle.”

“The change is incredible,” Xia Chuan whispered to Xia Mian with a sly grin. “When Uncle first walked in, we didn’t recognize him and actually thought Second Aunt had struck it rich with her factory and ended up with a handsome guy.”

Which was understandable. After all, today’s Mao Zhishan was a far cry from the worn, timid, self-conscious man he used to be.

Xia Mian burst out laughing. The eldest uncle glared at his youngest son. “What nonsense are you spouting?”

Xia Chuan, unrepentant, retorted, “I’m not wrong! Dad, your eyes were also bulging—you were totally about to scold Aunt!”

Just then, Xia Wenyue walked in carrying a plate of sliced pineapple and smiled. “Scold me for what?”

Naturally, Xia Chuan refused to answer, but Huizhu poked her head in from outside and said, “They thought you swapped out Dad and were going to yell at you.”

Xia Wenyue burst into laughter. “I should be the one worried he’ll swap me out.”

Huizhu added, “Don’t worry, Mom. Dad definitely wouldn’t. That girl Little Xuehua kept trying to talk to him today on the set, and he didn’t even look at her.”

“Who’s Little Xuehua now?” Xia Wenyue asked, puzzled.

That “now” really said it all.

Mao Zhishan walked in just then and gave his gossipy daughter a helpless look. “She’s a newcomer. Since I’m a more experienced actor, she came to ask me some questions.”

“But I’m just a supporting actor. I don’t know that much, so I pointed her to the female lead. They should communicate better.”

Xia Mian burst out laughing. She knew what was going on: even if you introduced her to the male lead, she’d still come back to flirt with you!

But Mao Zhishan not only didn’t fall for it—turns out, he was a natural expert at handling these types of girls!

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Translator’s Note:

Late update this week…

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