Transmigrating into the Genius Cannon Fodder’s Aunt

Chapter 44.2 – The Future Heir to the Ning Family (II)

Moments later, Ning Shaobai swiftly caught a hand reaching toward Xiao Feng. The hand’s owner, startled, looked up and met Ning Shaobai’s fierce gaze.

Without drawing any attention, Ning Shaobai deftly snatched a handkerchief from the man’s grasp and pressed it against his mouth and nose.

The man’s eyes suddenly widened, and then his body went limp. Amidst the bustling crowd, almost no one noticed this brief incident—except for Xia Mian, who sensed something and turned around. She saw Ning Shaobai supporting an ordinary-looking middle-aged man who appeared on the verge of fainting. Ning Shaobai gave her a subtle look, holding up a handkerchief in his hand.

Xia Mian froze as the realization hit her. Just before they left this morning, Xia Wenyue had repeatedly warned them about the methods human traffickers often used to kidnap children or women right in the middle of the bustling crowd—by waving a handkerchief in front of their target, causing them to lose consciousness.

‘The handkerchief’s drugged!’

Xia Mian’s eyes widened. Ning Shaobai, seeing she understood, glanced at Ning Shaoyun, silently signaling her not to reveal the situation.

Xia Mian blinked, quickly catching on to his reasoning. Ning Shaoyun had only recently managed to overcome her fears enough to bring Chenchen outside. If she learned they had run into another trafficker, she might never feel safe going out again.

Quickly nodding, Xia Mian then turned to Ning Shaoyun. “Sister Ning, I’m feeling a bit tired. Let’s go.”

Hearing that Xia Mian was tired, Xiao Feng immediately tried to get down. But Xia Mian held him close. “There are too many people here. Let’s wait until we’re out.”

Xiao Feng obediently wrapped his arms around his aunt’s neck, and although Chenchen looked reluctant to leave, he didn’t argue.

Ning Shaoyun, noticing Ning Shaobai supporting the man, looked puzzled. “What’s going on here?”

“The crowd must have been too much for him—he was struggling to breathe.” Ning Shaobai replied. He then said, “You all go ahead. I’ll stay to help him recover.”

Ning Shaoyun accepted this explanation without question. Her brother was, after all, a doctor; although he looked aloof at times, he’d never ignore someone in need.

There was so much happening at the market, with crowds bustling everywhere, that nobody paid any attention to this small incident.

As Xia Mian followed Ning Shaoyun out, she made a point to ‘accidentally’ stomp down hard on the unconscious kidnapper’s foot.

The man groaned loudly, which startled her.

Ning Shaobai quickly put the handkerchief on his mouth and nose again, giving Xia Mian an exasperated look.

Noticing Ning Shaoyun looking at her puzzledly, Xia Mian hurried along with Xiao Feng. “Come on, let’s go. I’m starving—let’s grab something to eat.”

“Xiao Bai, we’ll be waiting for you at Yixiang Pavilion in the Zhuyu Alley,” Ning Shaoyun called back as they walked away.

…

After the close call, Xia Mian was no longer in the mood to enjoy the sights. She kept a cautious watch over her surroundings, knowing that traffickers often worked in groups. Without Ning Shaobai there, she didn’t let her guard down for a second.

Fortunately, they soon reached Zhuyu Alley.

Zhuyu Alley was a small, quiet side street off the bustling market. Here, there were no stalls or crowds, just a few pedestrians taking shortcuts. At the end of the alley stood Yixiang Pavilion, a quaint, traditional restaurant. Each table was separated with decorative screens featuring plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemums, giving the diners privacy while evoking a charming, seasonal ambiance. When they arrived, the restaurant was nearly empty, allowing Ning Shaoyun and Xia Mian to easily choose a table by the window.

Gazing out at the quaint street filled with vintage charm, Xia Mian noticed a row of shops displaying an eclectic mix of items, “This is an antique street, isn’t it?”

Ning Shaoyun nodded. “Yes, don’t let the small size fool you. It’s one of the most reputable antique markets in Yan City. Many people come here looking for hidden gems.”

Hearing the word antiques, Xiao Feng, who was playing with sugar sculptures with Chenchen, looked up with keen interest.

Ning Shaoyun was a bit taken aback by his sudden enthusiasm, but Xia Mian quickly caught on, laughing as she pulled the little guy into her arms and ruffled his hair. “Listen, buying antiques is like winning the lottery—it’s all luck. You’re more likely to get scammed rather than find a hidden gem.”

Realizing what was going on, Ning Shaoyun chuckled. “Xiao Feng really remembers everything, doesn’t he?”

Chenchen suddenly chimed in, “Mom, I know too! Finding antiques, buying winning stocks, demolishing old houses!”

Xia Mian looked at Xiao Feng in surprise.

Xiao Feng pressed his lips together, smiling innocently.

Xia Mian wanted to bury her face. ‘Oh dear, not only did this little guy remember everything, but he’s also teaching it to his friends!’

Ning Shaoyun laughed along, unable to hold back her amusement.

“Hah! Only the poorest dream the hardest.”

‘This annoying voice…’

Xia Mian turned around and, sure enough, it was Zhou Qianqian. She trailed behind a pair of young man and young woman, strutting toward a table with an air of smug entitlement.

“Second Young Master Ning, this is Xia Mian, the one I told you about,” Zhou Qianqian said eagerly, introducing her to the young man leading the group. “She saved Chenchen’s life once and now thinks she can latch onto the Ning family, acting all high and mighty.”

“She goes on about ‘doing good without expecting a reward’ and ‘never forgetting a kindness,’ but then immediately demanded five hundred thousand from the Huo family. Aunt despised her audacity for putting a price on Chenchen’s life and didn’t give in, so she had Ning Shaobai pressure Aunt into selling her the Huo family’s courtyard house.”

She sighed, adding, “This whole matter has strained relations between the Ning and Huo families, and now Brother Xuewen is caught in the middle.”

Xia Mian clapped her hands in mock applause. “When it comes to twisting the truth and shifting blame, no one is better than Miss Zhou. You are truly amazing.” Since Chenchen was also here, listening with wide eyes, she stopped herself from mentioning Huo Xuewen and Ning Shaoyun’s impending divorce.

The young man Zhou Qianqian called ‘Second Young Master Ning’ appeared to be in his early twenties, with sharp, refined features and an air of arrogance. He wore a well-tailored shirt and slacks, exuding an air of superiority as he looked down on those around him.

This must be Ning Shaobai’s younger half-brother, Ning Shaoyang.

Listening to their conversation, Ning Shaoyang frowned slightly and looked at Ning Shaoyun. “Sister Yun, is what she said true? What happened between you and Brother Xuewen? Why are you here? Since you returned from Ming City, why haven’t you gone back to visit Grandpa?”

“Ning Shaoyang,” Ning Shaoyun’s expression turned cold. “Don’t play the hypocrite here. Not only are you not yet the head of the Ning family, but even if you were, our matters are none of your concern.”

“As for why I haven’t returned, are you truly clueless? Or should I remind you of the good things your mother, Fan Xiuzhi, has done?” Her gaze turned sharp as she spoke.

Ning Shaoyang’s face froze slightly. “Sister Yun, please don’t say such things. My mother had nothing to do with what happened to Chenchen. Grandpa has already investigated.”

Hearing his name, Chenchen looked up curiously. “Uncle Xiaoyang?”

Under the child’s innocent gaze, Ning Shaoyang lowered his eyes, mumbling, “Anyway, that incident had nothing to do with my mother. It was all just a misunderstanding.”

Not wanting to argue in front of Chenchen, Ning Shaoyun held her silence. Whether Ning Shaoyang knew the truth or not didn’t matter; she was determined not to let the real culprits off the hook.