Transmigrating into the Genius Cannon Fodder’s Aunt

Chapter 154 – Together We Can Make Miracle

By the time Xia Mian brought the kids home, it was already completely dark.

Chenchen listlessly went to look for his mom, and Xiao Feng, his eyes still red, stayed glued to Xia Mian.

Even after finishing his bath and seeing Xia Mian sitting on the sofa, the little boy ran over and burrowed into her arms, wrapping his arms around her neck as he asked sadly, “Auntie, will Brother Ye be okay?”

Xia Mian gently stroked his back and said softly, “Do you remember what Auntie told you before? There are many things in this world that are simply beyond our control.”

“At times like this, as long as we do everything we can and fulfill what we’re supposed to do, your Brother Ye will gain a little more strength.”

“If he gathers enough strength, maybe a miracle will happen.”

Xiao Feng nodded. After hugging her for a while, he went back to his bedroom. Xia Mian vaguely heard him making a phone call.

Early the next morning, the boy perked up and carried his piggy bank to Chenchen’s place.

Xia Mian was curious, “What are you going to do?”

Xiao Feng replied, “Brother Chenchen said he’s going to invest in that painting Pure “White Angel”. I want to invest too.”

Xia Mian couldn’t help but laugh. Little kids, already talking about investing?

The phone rang. Xiao Feng hurried over to answer it. Mao Huizhu’s voice rang out brightly, “Xiao Feng, go to my room and get my piggy bank too. I want to invest!”

Xiao Feng asked, “Are you taking all of it too?”

Mao Huizhu curled her lips. “Chenchen took all of his. Of course I’m taking all of mine! You think I’d lose to him?”

“Then you won’t have any pocket money,” Xiao Feng reminded her.

Compared to the disciplined Xiao Feng and Chenchen, Mao Huizhu loved buying all kinds of trinkets and hadn’t saved as much money. Having no spending money would be hard for her.

“It’s fine,” Mao Huizhu said. “I’ll get paid for filming soon. Dad promised to give it all to me. Just hand my piggy bank over to him!”

So Xiao Feng grabbed the key and ran next door again.

After Mao Huimei got married, the courtyard house owned by Xia Mian and Xiao Feng had also been renovated, so they had moved back and lived separately from the Mao family.

At the moment, no one from the Mao family was home, and the main gate was locked.

The two children spent the entire morning counting money and keeping accounts. After breakfast, Chenchen went to the gallery to order the painting, and Xiao Feng went to the studio to pick up a new box of paints. He then got on his bike, ready to head out.

Xia Mian helped him put on his backpack. “Be careful on the way. Auntie will pick you up at noon.”

Xiao Feng nodded. “Bye, Auntie.”

After he left, Xia Mian made a phone order to replenish all his art supplies. She also prepared an extra candy jar and filled them all to the brim.

然后骑车去了星星孤儿院。她见到了叶妈妈，因为过度操劳的缘故，这个据说只有四十多岁的女人看起来要比实际年龄老的多：

Then she rode her bicycle to Star Orphanage, where she met Mother Ye. Perhaps due to overwork, this woman who was said to be only in her forties looked much older than her actual age.

White hair she couldn’t hide, deep wrinkles at the corners of her eyes. Even her pair of eyes seemed to have weathered countless hardships, like those of someone in advanced old age—calm and tolerant.

Xia Mian’s heart gradually settled.

She explained her purpose to Mother Ye. “I’d like to understand the children’s illnesses and take a look at their medical records.”

Mother Ye said, “We accept donations here, but we don’t accept interviews or media coverage.”

Xia Mian smiled. “I know. Qianfa already told me.”

“To be honest, I don’t really have a clear idea yet about how to help you, so I came first to learn more.”

Mother Ye said, “Wait here,” and went to the archives room to retrieve the medical files.

A row of little heads appeared in the window of the room. When Xia Mian looked over, they quickly ducked out of sight.

Only one clueless little fellow lifted the curtain and ran out, his round eyes wide as he looked at her curiously.

Mother Ye came out holding the medical records. When she saw him, she called out, “Anxin, go find your sister Anbai. It’s time for your medicine.”

The three-year-old frowned in distress, his tiny brows knitting together. After struggling inwardly for a moment, he reluctantly turned around and trudged back inside.

Watching his small figure, Xia Mian couldn’t help but smile. “Was his surgery successful?”

“Very successful,” Mother Ye replied. “As long as he’s carefully cared for over the next couple of years, he’ll grow up to be a healthy child.”

As she said this, a genuine smile spread across her face.

When Xia Mian asked about Ye Anran, sadness flickered in Mother Ye’s eyes. “His condition is more complicated. If he wants treatment, it will require a very large sum of money…”

“Have you met him?”

Xia Mian gave a small nod, leaving the details unsaid.

Mother Ye caught on anyway. “Is he rather awkward?”

She sighed. “He’s actually a very kind child. When he was little, he was sensible and adorable. When he was eight, a wealthy couple wanted to adopt him.”

“I thought that if he went with them, at least his illness could be treated, so I let him go.”

“I didn’t expect that just three years later, he would be sent back. He learned to paint while living with that wealthy family.”

“But he never said a word about what grievances he suffered there. Anyway, after he came back, he became that awkward child.”

“He disciplines the children here very strictly. Sometimes he really does go a bit too far.”

Mother Ye sighed again. “Children in an orphanage have no one to shield them. If they’re thick-skinned and learn to fight for themselves, they can live a little better, I suppose.”

Xia Mian smiled. “Then they’re living so well because they have your protection.”

Mother Ye smiled faintly, sorrow lingering in her eyes. “I’m just afraid I won’t be able to protect them for much longer…”

Xia Mian frowned and suddenly asked, “Is your medical record in here too?”

…

Xia Mian took photos of all the children’s medical files and brought them home to examine carefully. But as she read, her eyes began to sting uncontrollably.

Even a single sick child could drag an entire family down, let alone so many…

Even Mother Ye had fallen ill…

Just as Qianfa had said, the occasional kindness of the public was nothing more than a drop in the bucket for this orphanage. Temporary donations could not solve the fundamental problem.

Even if they receive help this time, what about the next?

And Ye Anran… he had less than two years left to live.

Xia Mian looked at his medical records but couldn’t really understand them, so she took photos and sent them to Ning Shaobai.

After a while, Ning Shaobai called back. “Who is Ye Anran?”

For some reason, Xia Mian suddenly felt like crying. “Dr. Ning…”

“What’s wrong?” Ning Shaobai said gently. “Take your time.”

Xia Mian told him about the orphanage. When she spoke about Ye Anran, she choked up several times. In the end, she couldn’t go on and simply burst into tears.

“Even though… even though I know this world has never been fair… it still hurts so much…”

“W-why does he have to go through something like this? He’s only sixteen… and he’s sick… and he still has to find a way to support the whole orphanage…”

“Mianmian.” Ning Shaobai coaxed her softly. “Their birth may have been unfortunate, but there are many people like you and me who are willing to share our good fortune with them.”

He continued gently, “As long as we do our best, there will always be a way.”

After crying, Xia Mian gradually calmed down. She couldn’t help but mutter, “Did you eavesdrop on what I told Xiao Feng? Why does it sound exactly like what I said to comfort him?”

Ning Shaobai chuckled. “I bet Xiao Feng didn’t cry as loudly as you.”

Before Xia Mian could flare up, he quickly added, “I know Ye Anran’s attending physician.”

“I just called to ask. Although Ye Anran’s condition is complicated, if he starts treatment as soon as possible, there’s still hope. It’s just that the cost is higher.”

Xia Mian muttered, “But even with anonymous donations, he doesn’t cooperate much with treatment. Any money he gets, he spends on the other children.”

Ning Shaobai replied, “Temporary donations are unstable. He’s probably worried that if the other children miss their chance at treatment, no one will know when the next opportunity will come.”

“We can just establish a charitable foundation.”

“Don’t worry. When I get back, I’ll help you take a look at it.”

Hearing him once again take the matter upon himself, Xia Mian felt warmth bloom in her heart, and her mood suddenly steadied. “Dr. Ning, thank you.”

“But let me handle this. I happen to have more free time.”

Ning Shaobai’s lab was already very busy, and Mohe’s smartphone launching was at a critical stage. At the same time, he had been taking care of her and Xiao Feng.

Especially Xiao Feng—after the Mao family became busy, Ning Shaobai had practically taken over every aspect of Xiao Feng’s daily life and studies, more conscientious than her, his own aunt.

This was something she herself wanted to do; she didn’t want to add to his burden.

Ning Shaobai seemed to know what she was thinking and laughed softly. “Mianmian, I’m not as good as you and Xiao Feng at discovering the beauty in this world.”

“So I’m grateful to you both for letting me experience these different views of life. Being able to do this for you makes me very happy.”

Xia Mian’s heart felt sweet and warm. “Since we’re experiencing the scenery together, there’s no reason for you to spin around like a top all by yourself.”

She added coquettishly, “Besides, if you’re that busy, you won’t have time to keep me company.”

“If I do a little more, you can spend a little more time with me. How about it? Don’t you think I am smart?”

Ning Shaobai didn’t speak for a moment. Xia Mian glanced at her phone in confusion. “Hello? Hello? What’s wrong?”

Ning Shaobai laughed softly. “I just suddenly miss you very much. I want to hold you.”

Xia Mian pouted. “I miss you too. Dr. Ning, when are you coming back?”

Ning Shaobai suddenly let out a long sigh. “Probably in more than ten years…”

Xia Mian jumped in fright, only to hear him continue, “One day apart feels like three autumns.”

Xia Mian burst into laughter.

After finishing the call with Ning Shaobai, Xia Mian felt much better. She checked the time, washed her face, and headed to the academy to pick up Xiao Feng.

As she approached the building, she could already hear that the studio on the first floor was unusually lively.

After parking her bike, she glanced in through the window and saw Xiao Feng once again sitting on the platform, receiving “offerings.”

Xia Mian was a little puzzled. Usually they only played around like this occasionally; it wasn’t something that happened so often.

Then she noticed the bag by the child’s feet.

Today, his classmates had prepared an exceptionally generous offering. The milk candies and chocolates came in whole bags, and even the cookies were large packages.

By the time the “ceremony” ended, the plastic bags piled at Xiao Feng’s feet were half his height. The child couldn’t lift them at all.

Wei Yuanhang carried them over for him and set them down beside Ye Anran’s easel. As he turned and glanced at Ye Anran’s painting, he suddenly said, “Hey, kid, you don’t have to take the midterm assessment. How about helping me make up an assignment?”

“I’ve already done the linework. You just need to add the color. I’ll tell you all the requirements.”

“You won’t be doing it for nothing. I’ll pay you with a box of paints. How about it?”

Ye Anran looked up at him. After a long moment, he gave an almost imperceptible nod.

Wei Yuanhang released the fist he’d been unconsciously clenching and let out a quiet sigh of relief, breaking into a smile. “Wait here, I’ll go get the painting.”

A girl nearby seemed suddenly inspired. “Oh! Why didn’t I think of that? So this is how you do it!”

“Hey, kid, I’ve got a few pieces I really can’t finish either,” she said. “The linework’s all done. I’ll provide the paints and brushes. As for payment, how about some drawing paper?”

Seeing that Ye Anran didn’t respond, she clasped her hands together and pleaded, rubbing them as if praying. “Help me out, please? I’m in an emergency here! Please, please!”

Ye Anran pressed his lips together and gave a small nod.

“Yay!” The girl waved her hand happily. “Thank you, thank you!”

Xia Mian smiled. There were many unfortunate people in this world, but there were also those who did their utmost to warm them. And it was precisely because of this that the world was so beautiful, wasn’t it?

Xiao Feng turned and saw Xia Mian. “Auntie!” he called happily.

Usually, Wei Yuanhang would help Xiao Feng pack up his easel and drawing board, but this time he kept his head down, painting. “Xiao Feng, you’ll have to pack up yourself today. Brother Wei is too busy!”

So the child fumbled about in a flurry. In the end, Ye Anran couldn’t bear to watch and reached out to help him fold up the easel.

Xiao Feng bent down and picked a few snacks from the “offerings” pile, stuffing them into his backpack. Then he pushed the rest toward Ye Anran. “Brother Ye, I can’t carry these. Help me eat them, okay? Thank you.”

With that, he ran out.

His face was glowing with a brilliant smile. If one person’s strength was just a drop in the bucket, then many people’s strength together would become a stream, a river, even the sea—until finally, it turned into a miracle.

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