“I figured as much. Because of his grandfather, Xiao Yang has grown too naively, trying to please those two,” Fan Xiuzhi said with a helpless sigh. “Where did you run into them?”
“On Zhuyu Lane.”
Fan Xiuzhi raised an eyebrow. “Were they also out buying birthday gifts for their grandfather?”
“I don’t think so.” Fan Xiaowan frowned as she thought back. “It seemed like they were at the market, there was a big fair happening there.”
Fan Xiuzhi paused for a moment before suddenly letting out a laugh. “Looks like they’ve adapted well. Ning Shaobai has always hated crowds.”
“And then? What happened? Did Ning Shaobai say something to you?”
“Say? More like insults. He said some awful things,” Fan Xiaowan’s eyes reddened again. “He even said I’m just like you—a demon in angel’s clothing, utterly disgusting.”
“You haven’t interacted with him much, so you don’t know,” Fan Xiuzhi said with a smile, though her eyes gleamed coldly. “That mouth of his has always been sharp. Back in the day, it was precisely because of his sharp tongue that Xiao Yang’s grandfather refused to let him into the company.”
Fan Xiaowan asked curiously, “Sister Shaoyun also mentioned something about you and Chenchen, and then Ning Shaobai said something like ‘The net of justice is vast and nothing can escape it—the more she runs, the worse her fate will be.’ Aunt, what did he mean?”
Fan Xiuzhi burst into laughter. “Them? What a joke.”
“He has neither the connection nor the money—what, does he think he can rely on his oh-so-superb medical skills to come after me?” Fan Xiuzhi laughed heartily. “They’re all bark and no bite. Even their grandfather can’t do anything to me.”
Fan Xiaowan added, “But I thought Ning Shaobai looked very confident.”
Fan Xiuzhi sneered. “It’s all just an act.”
“Back then, when he first joined the company, he made a major mistake within days. I told the old master that he wasn’t suited for business, and as soon as the old master decided to give up on him, Ning Shaobai still acted calm. And then? Didn’t he obediently study medicine, even going abroad? Now he’s a skilled doctor, but so what?”
“I’m the one managing the Ning family’s business now. In recent years, it’s thrived under my leadership.” Fan Xiuzhi waved the project documents in her hand proudly. “And soon, there will be even bigger and better projects coming in.”
“Do you think the old master would ever dare give the inheritance rights to Ning Shaobai?” She sneered.
Fan Xiaowan clung to Fan Xiuzhi’s arm, grinning, “Aunt, you really are brilliant!”
Fan Xiuzhi advised her, “That’s why you need to have real ability and seize opportunities when they come. Don’t imitate those who pretend to be high and mighty—if you can’t grasp the chance, you won’t even get to start, and in the end, you’ll just be at the mercy of others.”
“It’s laughable that they think they’re so impressive,” Fan Xiaowan said, nodding. “You wouldn’t believe it, there’s this girl named Xia Mian who supposedly saved Chenchen’s life. She’s gotten close to Ning Shaobai and acts so arrogant. She even had the audacity to call Brother Shaoyang stupid and hypocrite right to his face.”
Fan Xiuzhi’s expression darkened. “She really said that?”
“Of course.” Fan Xiaowan said, “Why else would Brother Shaoyang be so upset? It’s because Brother Shaobai and that bumpkin girl ganged up on him and insulted him together.”
Fan Xiuzhi narrowed her eyes. “So, they’ve been back for days now, and I still haven’t gone to say hello.”
She glanced toward the staircase and continued, “With Shaoyang tattling like that, the old master is bound to start worrying about his grandson again. Well, I am their mother, after all—it’s only right that I pay them a visit.”
Fan Xiaowan’s eyes darted around slightly, “That Xia Mian girl, don’t you think she might help knock some sense into them?”
“Xiaowan,” Fan Xiuzhi said earnestly, “if you want to accomplish great things, the first rule is to stay composed. No matter who you’re dealing with, a mix of kindness and authority is the way to earn respect.”
“Why bother arguing with those ignorant country folks? When they finally crawl out of their well and see the vast sky above, you won’t even have to do anything. Those same country folks who fawn on them now will be the first to trample on them. Wouldn’t that be far more satisfying?”
Fan Xiaowan’s eyes lit up. “As expected, Aunt, you’re brilliant.” With a tone of mock pity, she added, “It’s true, though. In their eyes, Ning Shaobai must be very rich and awesome. They have no idea that there’s always a bigger fish in the pond.”
While the aunt and niece were conspiring together, Xia Mian was busy celebrating!
After the market trip, the household’s supplies were fully stocked. The family gathered together in lively spirits, and the courtyard was filled with joyful warmth. Over the past two days, Ning Shaoyun, Ning Shaobai, Rong Xin, and Aunt Wei had all helped out significantly. To show her gratitude, Xia Wenyue bought a load of fresh ingredients, and Xia Mian personally took charge in the kitchen, cooking over a dozen dishes for a small feast.
Rong Xin took a bite of Xia Mian style three-cup chicken and gave her a big thumbs-up. “Not bad, Xia Mian! You’re young, but you’ve got some serious skills.”
Ning Shaoyun chuckled. “Her cooking is excellent. She makes all kinds of delicious desserts, too.”
Chenchen immediately piped up, “Double-skin milk! Banana pie!”
Xiao Feng, his mouth full of braised pork, was too busy chewing to speak but nodded eagerly like a pecking chick, showing his full agreement.
Xia Mian lovingly ruffled his tuft and smiled. “Auntie will make more later.”
Mao Huizhu was the first to applaud. “Sister Mian, can you teach me? Once I learn, I can help you cook!”
Xia Mian handed the little girl a meatball. “Of course! I know how to make so many dishes, and I’ll teach you all of them.”
The Mao sisters hadn’t had many chances to eat such good food before. While Xia Wenyue and Mao Zhishan were hardworking, they had to deal with the oppressive Old Lady Mao and support their daughters through school, so the family had to live very frugally. Today’s feast, with plenty of meat dishes, was a rare indulgence.
Xia Wenyue noticed that Mao Zhishan was quietly eating only the vegetables in front of him as if trying not to draw attention. She sighed and placed a few pieces of meat into his bowl. “Eat more. The doctor said you need to nourish yourself properly. Nothing is more important than your health.”
“Yeah, and Dad needs to rest properly too,” Mao Huizhu chimed in, tattling. “Mom, I saw Dad talk with a clothing seller at the market, asking if there are openings for day laborers to carry the load!”
Mao Huilan added, “Yeah, Dad! You also asked the same question to a bricklayer!”
Mao Huimei immediately joined in. “Dad, the doctor said you can’t do heavy labor anymore. Take a few months to rest. Or you could help Mom at the stall—that’s not very tiring. The stall’s income is enough to cover us for now.”
“Once I start the night school and find a job, our family will be better off than when we were back in the countryside.” As she spoke, she added more meat to Mao Zhishan’s bowl.
Mao Huilan and Mao Huizhu didn’t want to be left out, each adding a helping of vegetables to their father’s bowl.
Everyone exchanged knowing smiles at the heartwarming scene.
Rong Xin sighed with admiration. “I suddenly feel like getting married. If I had children as caring as this, I’d be the happiest person alive.”
He added with emotion, “This is the kind of happiness money can’t buy.”
Hearing this, Mao Zhishan glanced at Xia Wenyue and his three daughters. A smile broke across his weathered face, and in that moment, it shone with a rare brilliance, as though the years of hardship had momentarily melted away.
However, the brilliance of the moment was fleeting. Xia Mian briefly thought, ‘Second Uncle must have been super handsome when he was young,’ when Rong Xin suddenly became excited, “Uncle!”
His abrupt exclamation startled everyone. Ning Shaobai frowned with disdain. “What’s gotten into you now?”
Rong Xin realized his outburst and laughed, “I’m just too excited. Uncle, since everyone else calls you that, I’ll call you the same!”
Mao Zhishan looked flustered. “Young Master Rong, please, I don’t deserve that.” His embarrassment only deepened as he spoke.
But Rong Xin, as if discovering some hidden treasure, became even more animated. “Uncle, have you ever considered acting?”
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Translator’s Note:
We had a small emergency, so sorry for the missing update last week >_<
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No worries.. Thank you for the chapter anyway 🤗❣️
I love them! Ooh I’m excited to see all members of the family potentially get the chance to bloom and develop and pursue dreams life had almost crushed out of them ❤
Also no worries at all! I hope everyone is all right and the emergency wasn’t too disruptive/distressing for your lives! Sending well wishes