Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation Chapter 1574 - 862: The Grown-Ups’ Table

Previously on Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation...
The family gathers to resolve the issue of renovating the old parents' house, with Aunt Gu offering thirty thousand yuan to fund the project after the New Year, bringing relief and agreement among siblings. Discussions turn to Aunt Gu's successful job at Changqing Liquid Company and concerns over a relative's unsuccessful matchmaking due to the potential bride's disability, while she exchanges lighthearted messages with her daughter Tongtong, who ventures out shopping in the city despite her health issues and secretly buys a coat for her mother. Accompanied by friends including Jiang Ning, Tongtong and Xue Chuchu demonstrate sharp bargaining at the vegetable market to prepare lunch, as social media buzzes with Jiang Ning's New Year shopping post. Back at River Dam Bungalow, Dongdong vents frustration through aggressive ping pong practice, only to be startled when Jiang Ning returns on his electric bike and flattens one of his balls.

The warmth of today's sun feels especially soothing, banishing the cold from the breeze.

By the river embankment, at the small house, near the doorway.

With a downward glance, Jiang Ning pressed: 'Oh, it’s not your ping pong ball?'

Confronting the formidable bully, Dongdong yearned to morph into a beast and shatter the embankment with a single blow, or turn into a Sword Immortal and carve a deep ravine across the land.

Countless times before, amid life's unfair cruelties, he had dreamed of such feats.

Yet, regardless of his wild imaginings, the harsh truth always struck back via Jiang Ning's kick.

The aspirations buried in his soul proved no match for the agony of his flesh. As the tormentor Jiang Ning loomed once more, memories of past thrashings flooded Dongdong's mind.

Terror etched across Dongdong's features. He lifted his hand in a rush and blurted: 'Zhang Ruyun can vouch for it; it’s not mine—it really isn’t my ball!'

Zhang Ruyun stood frozen: 'Hadn’t Dongdong just boasted about wrecking the river dam?'

Dongdong pleaded in haste: 'Come on, back me up already, okay?'

After a brief pause, Zhang Ruyun replied: 'It’s definitely not Dongdong’s.'

In a way, that rang true. The ball was one Dongdong had grabbed from some other child.

Stepping closer to Dongdong, Jiang Ning delivered a firm pat on his shoulder.

Dongdong's knees buckled, his frame shaking uncontrollably. Forcing a grin more twisted than tears:

'This is the end!'

That errant ping pong ball had obstructed Jiang Ning's path by chance; surely the thug would stir up chaos now!

It’s finished—utterly ruined!

Dongdong had braced himself inwardly for a brutal pounding.

But then, in the very next instant.

Jiang Ning broke into a grin: 'Fine, I’d meant to make amends at first, but with no owner in sight, we’ll let it go.'

With those words, he smirked, hoisted the hefty dark sack, and headed into his home.

Dongdong balled his hands into fists, enduring the sting of shame so early in life.

Xue Yuantong shot a look at Dongdong before hurrying after Jiang Ning.

Xue Chuchu felt the shift more sharply. Over the last couple of days without Jiang Ning around, Dongdong had strutted like a peacock; she was all too familiar with his occasional brags.

The difference before and after hit hard.

In that moment, it dawned on her why her mother often remarked: 'The household truly requires a strong man.'

A bold and fearless man; that’s how it ought to be.

Once Jiang Ning stepped indoors, he tossed his knapsack onto the couch and dropped the dark bag beside it on the ground. Tongtong eyed the dark bag curiously, eager to peek inside, yet its contents stayed hidden no matter how she tried.

Jiang Ning: 'What’s got your attention?'

Xue Yuantong puffed her tiny lips: 'None of your business!'

She set her own carry bag near the couch too, then plopped down in the sofa's center. Jiang Ning at once felt the cozy presence of his little warm jacket right beside him.

Xue Yuantong nestled deeper into the cushions, brimming with joy, her small feet kicking lightly. Her awkward little padded boots slid from her toes, hitting the floor with a gentle 'thud.'

A set of tiny white socks came into Jiang Ning’s view, and through their fabric, one could almost make out the delicate ankle beneath.

Jiang Ning pulled open his knapsack, drew out a bag of nuts, and set it on the low round table.

He grabbed a single nut, popped it in his mouth, and savored its rich flavor.

Xue Yuantong wriggled her small white socks in delight: 'Pistachios!'

She snatched one as well, noting its dull shell, violet hue, and vivid green kernel; crunching it down, it proved fresh and tasty.

Curling up against Jiang Ning, she munched on the pistachios, her mouth forming a delighted arc, temporarily overlooking the serious issue of Jiang Ning earlier tricking Chuchu into fooling her that morning.

'Jiang Ning, Jiang Ning, explain why pistachios get that name,' she prodded eagerly with her tiny mouth.

Jiang Ning replied: 'Don’t they seem like they’re grinning with joy?'

Xue Yuantong examined it nearer: 'They sure do.'

Still, her keen gaze spotted a sealed pistachio: 'How come this one’s not cheerful?'

Jiang Ning: 'Hand it over.'

He seized the pistachio, squeezed it between his fingers, and with a 'snap,' it split open: 'There, now it’s happy.'

Xue Yuantong burst into chuckles: 'Hehehe.'

Her innocent joy prompted Jiang Ning to smile too; it felt right.

He reclined against the well-known sofa, with vibrant sunlight streaming through the pane, the girl's clear laughter ringing in his ears, and he nibbled slowly on pistachios, enveloped in rare ease.

'Let me tell you, Jiang Ning, my mom first refused to let me get those clothes, but suddenly she texted, inquiring about their style, the sizing, and if they’re not nice, can we send them back.'

'She questions my fashion sense!' Xue Yuantong rummaged in the bag and slipped on the pale gray jacket meant for her mom.

During these serene winter moments, abundant sunlight cascaded via the clear windows, filling the space with a golden glow.

'See, does it suit her, Jiang Ning!'

In the slightly loose jacket, she rose on her toes and twirled softly, sunlight weaving through the air as if pirouetting in her locks, radiant and enchanting.

Her bright giggles echoed with such vitality.

Jiang Ning found himself briefly entranced.

Finishing her spin, she shed the jacket and returned to her simple padded coat: 'Is it nice?'

'It looks good.'

She posed elegantly before Jiang Ning, inquiring: 'Which is better, now or before?'

Jiang Ning paused briefly and answered: 'You keep getting prettier every moment.'

Xue Yuantong giggled first, then sulked: 'Hmph, you’re just sweet-talking me!'

Jiang Ning: 'Hmm?'

'Plus, when you got home, you ignored my texts!' Xue Yuantong grumbled. For those two days, she had snuggled under her covers with her phone, firing off plenty of messages to Jiang Ning, yet responses came late if at all.

Jiang Ning offered no words; instead, he extended a hand to ruffle Tongtong’s silky hair.

'You’ve wounded me and now seek to soothe it; too late!' Tongtong huffed: 'Unless you share...'

Her eyes wandered to the dark plastic bag by the sofa, certain it held something wonderful.