Transmigrating into the Genius Cannon Fodder’s Aunt

Chapter 95 – The Taste of Home

Seeing the gleam in Qiangqiang’s eyes, Xia Mian couldn’t help worrying for his uncle’s family. This kid had gone from being a seven-year-old who annoyed everyone to a nine-year-old that even cats and dogs couldn’t stand—his troublemaking skills had probably doubled.

She wasn’t sure if Xiao Feng still feared adults striking children, since in the past two years in Yan City, no one at home had so much as spoken to him harshly. She quickly sat down beside him. Noticing him examining the bowl in front of him with curiosity, she smiled. “Uncle Hai must have made this especially for you.”

Xiao Feng’s big eyes curved into crescents as he looked at Xia Hai. “Thank you, Uncle Hai.”

Xia Hai’s irritation melted instantly, and his voice softened by several degrees. “What a good boy.” Then, turning to look at his own infuriating brat, he really felt like tossing him out.

“Noodles coming through!” A young woman entered carrying a tray, and Xia He quickly ran over to help.

Xia Mian stood to take the tray, smiling. “So this is my second sister-in-law?”

Xia He looked a bit shy as he replied, “Yes, your second sister-in-law.”

He got married last spring. At the time, Xia Mian was too busy with school to come back, and there was no way Xia Wenyue’s family could appear, so none of them had attended his wedding. This time, she had brought along a belated wedding gift.

Hong Juan had a delicate face and a slightly lively personality. Seeing Xia Mian greet her, she didn’t act reserved. “You’re Mianmian, right? Come on, try your second sister-in-law’s cooking today.”

Xia He’s mother clearly approved of her new daughter-in-law, smiling warmly. “Go on, try it. This year’s noodles are all made by Hong Juan.”

Her hands had started hurting badly last year, so she’d basically stopped making the dish herself. As such, the task of preparing the family’s signature dish had been delegated to her second daughter-in-law, who had inherited the recipe well.

Xia Mian was already swallowing hard from the aroma, and Xiao Feng pursed his lips, his face full of anticipation as he eyed the tray.

Xia Chuan laughed. “Xiao Feng must be starving.”

But Xia Mian knew what it really was. “He remembers Aunt’s noodles. We haven’t had anything this delicious since we left.”

“Just talking about it makes my mouth water.”

Aunt-in-law’s face bloomed into a smile, and Hong Juan said eagerly, “Then eat more. I learned from Mom for nearly a year before I got it right.”

The moment the noodles hit her tongue, Xia Mian felt her whole body relax. Though slightly different from Aunt’s, they were amazing—one taste, and she knew these were Xia family noodles.

Xiao Feng clearly loved it too, eating happily, his cheeks puffing out with each bite.

Thinking Xiao Feng was his protective talisman, Qiangqiang decided to be extra nice to him. He stood up to put some meat in Xiao Feng’s bowl.

But his movements were clumsy—he picked up a big chicken leg and practically tossed it into Xiao Feng’s bowl.

The chicken leg not only fell suddenly, but also splashed broth all over Xiao Feng’s face. The boy blinked in confusion and looked at Xia Mian.

She quickly grabbed a handkerchief to wipe his face.

Xia Hai’s face darkened. He tried his best to hold himself as he turned to the culprit, “Didn’t I tell you to set things down gently?”

Then, deciding this naughty brat needed a more physical reminder, he rose, expression blank, and lifted Qiangqiang by the scruff like a kitten. “Come on, step outside with me.”

Sensing danger, Qiangqiang pounced forward and hugged Xiao Feng tightly. “Xiao Feng, save your big brother!”

He was strong enough that the hug dragged Xiao Feng right off his stool—fortunately, Xia Mian was quick enough to catch him.

Seeing Xiao Feng startled, Xia Hai immediately reached out to ruffle the boy’s hair. “Were you scared? It’s alright, it’s alright.”

Then, turning back to his son, he said through gritted teeth, “Let go.”

Huh? Really not hitting?!

Clinging to Xiao Feng, Qiangqiang grinned up at his fuming father. “Dad, I want to play with Xiao Feng.”

Xia Mian caught the signal Xia Hai gave her, so she said, “Xiao Feng hasn’t finished eating yet. Play after you’re both done.”

Qiangqiang himself was not full either, so he agreed at once. “Okay, Xiao Feng and I will eat together.”

Xia Hai let go, and Qiangqiang also released Xiao Feng, ready to return to his seat.

But the moment he loosened his grip, he was lifted up and swiftly carried outside.

Qiangqiang looked like a bewildered kitten, watching his ‘protective talisman’ get farther and farther away from him.

Xiao Feng, seeing his expression, secretly pressed his lips together in a smile.

Xia Chuan chuckled. “Xiao Feng’s tired of that naughty brat too, huh? Forget about him—hurry and eat. You’ve only had half your noodles.”

Xia Mian put Xiao Feng back on his chair. Outside, there was one cry of “Help!” from Qiangqiang, and then silence.

Everyone else looked perfectly accustomed to it, clearly knowing what was going on. It seemed Xia Hai had his own way of dealing with his troublemaking son.

Within minutes, Xia Hai returned, looking thoroughly satisfied. He grinned and urged them, “Eat up—don’t let that brat mess up your meal.”

At first, Xiao Feng kept glancing toward the door, but the noodles were so fragrant that he soon forgot about it.

It wasn’t until after the meal that he remembered his cousin had been gone for a long while. While Xia Mian was chatting with her aunt, he darted to the doorway, lifted the curtain, and peeked outside.

Seeing this, Xia Hai stepped out, and Xia He remarked, “If only he could always be this quiet.”

That made Xia Mian curious too. She took Xiao Feng by the hand and went into the yard.

The moment she saw Qiangqiang, she burst out laughing. “What kind of pose is this?”

The child was wedged inside a narrow-mouthed vat, his butt stuck inside. He seemed to have exhausted himself struggling, his limbs draped limply over the rim. A towel had been stuffed in his mouth and tied with rope—his father must have used some knot he couldn’t untie.

When Qiangqiang saw them, he began flailing furiously.

Xia Chuan teased, “This was actually his own idea.”

Xia He added with a grin, “One time he got himself stuck in there while fooling around, and we enjoyed a quiet half-day, though he was a bit noisy.”

So you stuffed his mouth to keep him quiet?

Well, that’s sure one creative idea.

Xiao Feng, hugging Xia Mian’s leg, looked on curiously and couldn’t help laughing.

Seeing he wasn’t frightened, Xia Hai brightened. “Funny, isn’t it? If your brother misbehaves again, Uncle will punish him like this.”

Qiangqiang, hearing every bit of their conversation, thrashed wildly. Xia He stepped forward to untie the towel, and Qiangqiang wailed, “Dad, you might as well just hit me!”

Xia Hai said cheerfully, “No, Dad’s never going to hit you again.”

Qiangqiang’s face was pure despair.

Still, he was obviously the type to forget a lesson quickly. After Xia Hai let him out, and while Xia Mian was distributing gifts, he was already dragging Xiao Feng outside.

Xiao Feng still remembered Qiangqiang from his last visit, and after two years of running all over the alley with Chenchen and Mao Huizhu, he’d grown much bolder. When he heard they were going to catch cicada larvae, he followed along.

But not even ten minutes later, Qiangqiang came rushing back with news. “Hurry, hurry, Second Great Uncle’s back from the fields!”

He hurried to start closing the main gate. Seeing this, Xiao Feng joined in.

Xia Mian laughed at the sight. “How did Second Uncle scare Qiangqiang?”

Hong Juan, who had been rushing out to stash things away, chuckled. “It’s the opposite, actually. With Qiangqiang here, Second Uncle won’t dare to get through the door.”

Xia Hai smirked. “This brat’s only useful at times like this.”

The eldest uncle acted like he hadn’t heard a thing.

Xia He then said, “But Mianmian, you should be prepared. Now that your second uncle knows you’re back, your grandma will definitely show up.”

“Let her come,” Xia Mian smirked. “I’ll do what I’m obligated to do, that’s all.”

“No, she wants to go to Yan City with you,” Xia He explained. “She’s been asking us about your whereabouts these past two years. Once she knows your address, I bet she’s planning to go looking for you.”

“She still hasn’t given up?” Xia Mian was surprised. “She’s seventy-five now, right? People always say it’s hard to leave your hometown. Is she living badly here?”

“Not at all, but she surely thinks Yan City will be better.”

Xia Mian gave a dry laugh. “Isn’t Xia Li also in Yan City now? She can just go with her.”

Not long after Xia Mian left for Yan City, Xia Li had finally married Wang Tao, and last year, they’d moved to Yan City for a construction project. Xia Li was already heavily pregnant, but she insisted on trailing Wang Tao around the construction site.

Xia Chuan grinned. “She’s living at a construction site—how could your grandma be willing to go there?”

Xia Mian’s lips curved into a mischievous smile. “Then let her come. You see, I was very eager to take her to Yan City. I’m just afraid she won’t want to go with us.”

Xia Chuan froze, then caught on. The two of them exchanged a look and smiled, almost looking forward to the old lady’s arrival.

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