Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation

Chapter 1840 - 1011: Competitive Spirit (Part 2)

East Star Spot... An Chan has eaten it before; it’s a rather expensive fish.

"This Mr. Zhuang from a notable background must have a good relationship with Boss Yang, that’s why he’s helping at the shop and knows Xue Yuantong," An Chan inferred.

Xue Yuantong admired the red carp for a moment, then pulled a white plastic bag from her pocket and placed it on the bar counter.

Zhuang Jianhui couldn’t quite figure out her intention: "What are you planning?"

Xue Yuantong responded matter-of-factly: "Help me pack it up, of course."

Zhuang Jianhui thought: ’Seriously, are you treating me like a waiter?’

He looked around, then Mr. Zhang caught the moment, quickly grabbed the plastic bag, slipped it into the box, and packed up the East Star Spot.

"Little girl, take it," Mr. Zhang said with a smile.

Xue Yuantong: "You’re actually quite nice."

She had her servant, Jiang Ning, take the fish, then placed the plastic bag in the servant’s hand in front of Zhuang Jianhui.

Zhuang Jianhui glanced at it and saw a few pieces of tender mushrooms, recalling their taste, which even made him salivate a bit.

He knew Boss Yang’s mushrooms were obtained by Jiang Ning through Evergreen Liquid, and even though Zhuang Jianhui frequented rural tourism spots, he could only eat them occasionally. After all, the mushrooms were a signature dish of Boss Yang’s, used to attract clients, and usually required a long wait to book.

Thinking of this and looking at the bag of mushrooms on the counter, a hint of joy appeared on Zhuang Jianhui’s face, and he said courteously, "It was just a small favor, no need to thank me so much."

Xue Yuantong glanced at him, unsure of what he was babbling about.

"Thank you, could you please give the mushrooms to Boss Yang," she said.

Zhuang Jianhui’s joy froze.

Xue Yuantong and Jiang Ning left the rural tourism spot together.

"Hahaha!" Lin Zida’s laughter was loud, mocking, "Jianhui, you misread the situation, didn’t you?"

Zhuang Jianhui’s expression changed. He always prided himself on his status, and getting him to do a small favor was already rare, yet, Xue Yuantong and her friends didn’t even give it a thought.

Mr. Zhang coughed twice to save face for him: "She’s still a kid, not understanding worldly matters is normal."

At this moment, Mr. Zhang also noticed An Chan’s presence. Not feeling embarrassed at all, he approached her: "Chanchan, why aren’t you sitting in the private room?"

An Chan witnessed everything, feeling quite bemused. Mr. Zhang went out of his way to please Mr. Zhuang, but Xue Yuantong didn’t seem interested. Of course, that’s because Xue Yuantong was a student and didn’t need to exchange benefits.

’Being young is wonderful.’ An Chan sighed inwardly. In youth, there are almost no troubles, but people, inevitably, grow up.

She followed Mr. Zhang to the room where the elders were, ready to continue socializing.

...

Jiang Ning carried the plastic bag home, and Mr. Qian said, "The person who came to buy the dog was here earlier, I’ve already sent them away."

"Well done."

Mr. Qian fanned himself, feeling quite proud: "I spoke so well that they couldn’t argue back!"

Xue Yuantong: "By the way, Mr. Qian, you promised to give me one hundred, where’s the money?"

Mr. Qian stopped fanning, looking distressed: "You’ve earned twenty thousand, and you’re still after my hundred?"

"Are you planning to break your promise? Don’t you want to keep your reputation at the river dam? Should I tell Butcher Zhang, Uncle Tang... have you thought it through?"

Xue Yuantong asked three soul-piercing questions.

Jiang Ning: "Are you a teacher who doesn’t keep his word?"

Mr. Qian pinched his nose and handed over the money. After all, for the years he had been at the river dam, he believed his reputation was quite good.

After giving the one hundred yuan, Mr. Qian noticed the red carp in the plastic bag and praised, "What a big golden fish, are you planning to raise it?"

Xue Yuantong righteously replied, "No, raising fish is too troublesome, and it’s not fair to the fish; I’m planning to release it."

Mr. Qian applauded: "Not bad, I didn’t expect Tongtong to have such a great perspective!"

Xue Yuantong raised her head, "It’s okay, I read a lot from a young age."

Mr. Qian was secretly pondering if he could find an opportunity to catch the fish they released.

He casually inquired, "By the way, where are you planning to release it?"

Xue Yuantong patted the East Star Spot and excitedly said, "Of course, in my home pot!"

Mr. Qian’s expression became exceedingly interesting.

Jiang Ning glanced at him: ’Old guy, you’re still not cunning enough.’

...

Just stepping into Tongtong’s courtyard, a titanium gray electric scooter drove up to the door, Xue Chuchu was home.

"Chuchu, is Jiang Ning’s scooter a good ride?" Xue Yuantong boasted.

Xue Chuchu drove the scooter into the courtyard, speaking little: "Yes, it’s a good ride."

It indeed is a good ride, whether it’s the seat, the throttle control, or the suspension and turning, there’s almost nothing to criticize, to the point that you’d want to ride it again.

Moreover, there was a sense of excitement, usually calm Xue Chuchu couldn’t resist overtaking cars twice, feeling a bit guilty.

"Hmph, you ride Jiang Ning’s stuff, it’s guaranteed to be thrilling." Xue Yuantong was quite satisfied.

Jiang Ning’s was hers, gaining recognition made her happy too.

Xue Yuantong checked Chuchu’s shopping bag and found not only the vegetables she had advised, but also some live shrimp, as well as some sweets, fruits, and drinks.

’Life is getting better!’ Tongtong was relieved.

She was in charge of handling the fish, Chuchu was dealing with other ingredients, while Jiang Ning sat around like a grandpa, roles clearly defined.

"You just sit there and watch me show off my skills today!"

After idling for a while, Jiang Ning grabbed his phone to see if there were any quarrels in the class chat group.

Cui Yu posted a recruitment message in the group: "Audi four-seater, going hiking tomorrow morning, already have 3 people, still one short to depart!"

Zhong Huai, who wasn’t going back to his hometown for Qingming, saw it and instantly messaged: "Really, can I join?"

Cui Yu: "Do you have an Audi?"

Zhong Huai: "?"

Meng Gui: "The fourth person must have an Audi, otherwise we can’t go."

Zhong Huai thought: ’Damn, you guys are ridiculous.’

They’re only high school students, where would they get an Audi?

The new transfer student Gong Jin went back to An City for Qingming, attending a relative’s banquet, with sea cucumber, red snapper, king crab, and cordyceps soup on the table, but he didn’t have much appetite, just picked at the fried noodles.

Feeling bored, he fiddled with his phone and casually replied in the class group: "I don’t have an Audi, but I have a Maybach, can I join?"

Cui Yu: "Hahaha."

Zhong Huai mused: ’You really know how to brag!’

Zhong Huai signed up: "I also don’t have an Audi, but I have a spaceship."

Gong Jin chuckled lightly, without explaining.

Suddenly, a friend request popped up on his status bar, sent by Zhong Huai.

Gong Jin clicked accept, and Zhong Huai messaged: "Bro, your emotional intelligence is high, thinking of using a more upscale car to ease the awkwardness, gotta learn from you!"

Gong Jin: "Not too bad, it’s basically my routine."

Zhong Huai: "Got it, next time I’ll say I have a Range Rover."

Gong Jin: "Range Rover? It’s well-built, but I prefer the big G."

"You are truly impressive, so smooth!" Zhong Huai praised, wondering when he’d be able to brag as effortlessly as Gong Jin.

He started exchanging tips with Gong Jin.

...

Jiang Ning still wanted to check the group, but Chen Siyu called via WeChat.

He answered and put it on speaker.

"Jiang Ning, what did you two do today?" Chen Siyu’s not-so-smart voice sounded.

Xue Yuantong was plating the East Star Spot she had finished preparing, heard this and proudly said: "I went flower viewing with Jiang Ning!"

Then she rattled off all the knowledge Jiang Ning had shared with her today, leaving Chen Siyu deeply impressed.

Busy with deveining shrimp, Chuchu glanced over, she hadn’t expected that the usually ’shameless’ Jiang Ning was actually quite talented...

Sadly, she wasn’t there in person.

Xue Yuantong also mentioned picking up the East Star Spot at a rural tourism spot and meeting Teacher An Chan.

Chen Siyu: "I know Teacher An Chan, heard her alma mater is really good, even better than Fatty Gao’s!"

Xue Yuantong was indifferent: "It’s okay, I think all universities are pretty similar."

Chen Siyu was impressed by Tongtong’s showoff, darn it! Is being smart really such a big deal?

Instead of feeling defeated, Chen Siyu felt more motivated!

Chen Siyu changed the topic: "Jiang Ning, do you know much about Teacher An Chan?"

Jiang Ning: "It’s alright."

Chen Siyu: "Did you investigate her educational background today?"

Jiang Ning was first puzzled and then got the pun, he was impressed: ’You’re unbelievable, Chen Siyu.’

Xue Yuantong thought Siyu’s question was pointless, she didn’t get it: "She’s just our teacher, does investigating this have any meaning?"

On the other end, Chen Siyu held her phone, smirking: ’Tongtong is truly naive.’