Transmigrating into the Genius Cannon Fodder’s Aunt

Chapter 46.1 – I’m Not a Rebellious Girl (I)

Originally, Xia Mian had been on edge due to her opponent’s imposing demeanor and cruelty. But as soon as those words came out, she couldn’t help but find it amusing. That’s all it was, huh? She thought, laughing inside. This woman was just a show-off.

Or… could the so-called collaboration between the Ning family and Mohe also be part of Ning Shaobai’s plan?

In any case, the woman in front of her suddenly seemed far less intimidating, so Xia Mian chuckled and said, “I appreciate your kindness, but there’s no need. I just haven’t sorted out my school enrollment yet. I’ll be attending school soon anyway, and I certainly don’t need a mobile phone.”

Fan Xiuzhi maintained her smile. “I was wondering why you weren’t in school. Turns out you haven’t contacted a school yet.”

“Indeed, it’s probably difficult for non-residents like you to get into Yan University’s affiliated school.” At this point, she turned to Ning Shaoyun. “Schooling is so important for kids, and it’s not a big deal for our family. If you had told me earlier, she would have started school by now.”

Fan Xiuzhi then addressed Xia Mian, “Have you ever heard of Saint Elite Academy?”

Hearing this name, full of antiquated vibe, Xia Mian nearly burst out laughing. This was an era full of blind idolization of foreign culture. The country had only recently opened up, leading to people chasing after anything Western. Anything remotely tied to the West was instantly elevated to a symbol of sophistication.

Noticing the amusement in Xia Mian’s eyes, Fan Xiuzhi smiled as well. “Saint Elite is one of the most prestigious high schools here in Yan City. The students are either wealthy or exceptionally gifted academically. The school has connections to top international universities, making it easier for students to study abroad.”

Ah, yes, studying abroad was also something many people aspired to in that era. The term “returnee” was synonymous with being elite.

“You’ve met Xiao Wan, haven’t you? She studies there. Why don’t you go there too?” As she spoke, Fan Xiuzhi pulled out a small-sized mobile phone to make a call. “I’ll arrange it right now, and you can start attending tomorrow.”

“Wait! Auntie!” Xia Mian quickly stopped her. “Please don’t harm me!”

Fan Xiuzhi looked puzzled.

Xia Mian grinned mischievously. “You said it yourself—the students at that school are all rich or powerful. Didn’t Miss Fan tell you? She and I are at odds. If I go there, wouldn’t I be walking into the lion’s den and getting bullied to death?”

“Besides, my English is poor, and I have no desire to study abroad. I just want to attend a domestic high school and get into an average university.” She suddenly asked expectantly, “That whatever elite school—can it guarantee admission to Yan University?”

Fan Xiuzhi was choked on the spot.

Inside, Xia Mian laughed gleefully: If she acted clueless enough, there’d be no way to tempt her.

Fan Xiuzhi seemed to realize the futility of arguing with someone so naïve. Indeed, what does a country bumpkin girl know anyway? So she immediately changed the topic. “But what about your second aunt’s family? How long can they sustain themselves by running a food stall?”

“You’re still young. Why not consult your elders? Working at a big company can earn you tens of thousands a year if you do well.”

But Xia Mian, pretending to be naïve, laughed, “You are very kind, auntie, but it’s not necessary. Really. Dr. Ning said that once our stall grows into a brand chain, it can generate hundreds of thousands annually.”

Fan Xiuzhi’s expression turned cold.

Ning Shaoyun immediately dismissed her. “I still have things to do, so I can’t entertain you. Take care.”

Fan Xiuzhi squinted her eyes slightly before breaking into a smile. “Actually, I’m also very busy these days. I heard you’ve had a falling out with the Huo family, so I need to help smooth things over for you. Sigh, you young people are so reckless.”

“Suit yourself.” Ning Shaoyun’s expression didn’t waver as she shot Fan Xiuzhi a glance, perfectly imitating Ning Shaobai’s disdainful attitude.

Xia Mian noticed the cracks forming in Fan Xiuzhi’s smile and couldn’t help but marvel at the killing power of Dr. Ning’s signature condescension!

Without another word, Ning Shaoyun turned and walked back into the house. Fan Xiuzhi, not one to overstay her welcome, left with a cold smile.

After exiting the courtyard gate, she ran into Ning Shaobai, who was entering from the main gate.

Fan Xiuzhi chuckled and said mockingly, “Oh my, rushing over like this—are you worried your sister will suffer?”

Ning Shaobai didn’t bother being polite. “This is the first time I’ve seen you so eager to court death.”

Fan Xiuzhi dropped her pretense, her face full of smugness. “Xiao Bai, all you’re good for is talking tough. What can you possibly do to me?”

She spoke in a patronizing tone, “I’m your mom anyway, so let me teach you a lesson today: when living under someone else’s roof, learn to compromise and bow your head. Being overly rigid will only lead to breaking. By then, forget about avenging Chenchen—you might not even be able to protect yourself.”

Ning Shaobai narrowed his eyes. “So, you’re admitting to conspiring with the Huo family to kidnap Chenchen?”

Fan Xiuzhi laughed. “And what if I did? Right now, even the old master has to protect me for the sake of the Ning family. You’re just a powerless doctor. What can you do to me?”

She then sighed, as if pitying him. “You could’ve relied on the Huo family, but you just had to offend Huo Pengyi out of spite. I’ve heard that now even Huo Pengyi is pressuring Huo Xuewen to divorce Xiao Yun.”

Fan Xiuzhi hadn’t expected things to go so smoothly—she had originally intended to sow discord between the Huo family and Ning Shaobai, but he had done that on his own! While Chenchen’s kidnapping had failed, the Ning siblings had fallen out with the Huo family, which was exactly her original goal. How could she not feel pleased? “Ning Shaobai, oh Ning Shaobai, you siblings are so naïve. Just because you have a bit of dirt on the Huo family, you dare tear things apart? How laughable.”

“Huo Pengyi already dealt with the old lady and Zhou Qianqian, yet you still won’t let it go.”

Ning Shaobai said coldly, “So you admit you colluded with Hu Cuihua and Zhou Qianqian in Chenchen’s kidnapping, and that Huo Pengyi was aware.”

“Whether he knew or not, I can’t say,” Fan Xiuzhi said with a giggle. “But he definitely prefers that illegitimate son of his. You lot are so amusing—holding onto that tiny bit of leverage, thinking you can strike back at the Huo family by trading it for a few properties. Hilarious.”

“Let me tell you something.” Fan Xiuzhi smiled. “Huo Pengyi might even want that secret exposed so he can bring the boy into the family openly. You think his silence is a compromise? He simply doesn’t care about your antics, even if you get the properties you wanted.”

“Once the partnership between the two families is finalized, all Huo Pengyi has to do is complain to the old master. Do you think your grandfather, for the sake of the Ning family’s business, wouldn’t force you to return everything?” Fan Xiuzhi seemed to relish the thought of their future misery. “Tsk, tsk. By then, you’ll have lost all face.”

Seeing Ning Shaobai’s expressionless face, Fan Xiuzhi felt unsatisfied. Her eyes narrowed as she continued, “And if the Huo family still isn’t satisfied, they might demand more. For the sake of the Ning family and Xiao Yang, your grandfather might even hand a good-for-nothing like you over as a scapegoat.”

“Still dream of avenging Chenchen? Ha! You and your sister will have to live under his enemies’ thumb!”

Ning Shaobai squinted. “I’ve yielded from a young age—leaving the company when you didn’t want me there, pursuing medicine when you didn’t want me inheriting the family business. Now the Ning family’s company is in your hands, and even Grandfather can’t do anything about it. You have gotten it all. Why must you go to such lengths to destroy Chenchen and us?”