Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation Chapter 1591 - 870: Clearing Out the Old (Part 2)

Jiang Ning remarked, "Someone has come to fetch me."

"Oh, alright." Pei Yujing responded.

"However, I didn't accept." Jiang Ning added, intending to stroll through Linzhou City.

Pei Yujing pondered briefly, "Would you like to join me for a ride?"

Jiang Ning turned down the offer.

Pei Yujing let out a relieved breath, sensing a weight lifted from her mind.

Once they both stepped off the bus, they headed towards the exit. The hour was already late; Pei Yujing hauled a large suitcase, whereas Jiang Ning shouldered just a single bag, appearing rather stylish.

Arriving in a fresh city isn't merely about getting by; it carries a touch of romance.

Jiang Ning's stride remained firm, and within the sharp web of his Divine Sense foresight, he navigated the throng with ease. Soon enough, he began to pull ahead.

Pei Yujing, tugging her suitcase along, scanned for Jiang Ning's form but failed to spot him amid the masses.

She had indeed lost sight of him, yet it was fine...

She trailed the flow of people, advancing without a clear direction.

Pei Yujing stood tall, boasting an elegant build and long hair that danced in the chilly breeze. Even in bustling Linzhou, she stood out as a striking beauty.

Earlier, while hunting for Jiang Ning, her gaze darted about, brimming with an allure of worldly charm.

A girl like her was bound to draw eyes.

As she stood lost in thought, a shadow halted before her, causing Pei Yujing to halt.

A fellow in his mid-twenties eyed the young woman ahead, struck with wonder.

In conservative Chinese culture, casual chats with strangers are uncommon, making such moments scarce, though exceptions always arise.

The man flashed his most charming, laid-back grin, declaring boldly: "Hi, beauty, have you ever been on 'If You Are the One'?"

Pei Yujing looked confused: "No."

The man flicked his hair: "Then how come you resemble my ideal girl so perfectly?"

Pei Yujing caught on and promptly declined: "Sorry, my dowry comes to a million."

The man's expression stiffened; what kind of response was that?

Still, guys bold enough to approach like this typically possess resilient spirits and quick wits.

He grinned: "A million? That's no big deal. My family hails from Linzhou with more than a dozen homes. Care to add me on WeChat?"

In the direst outcome, parting with a million for a stunner like her would be totally worthwhile.

Now Pei Yujing found herself momentarily speechless. She rejected once more: "Sorry, I don't own a phone."

The very next instant, Pei Yujing's phone buzzed to life.

It was likely her grandmother on the line, turning the moment quite embarrassing.

Pei Yujing hesitated, unsure whether to pick up.

While she squirmed in discomfort, Jiang Ning emerged, calling: "Why the daze? Come on, let's move."

Pei Yujing, spotting her rescuer, rushed to join Jiang Ning.

The chatting man remained standing, his features twisting through gloomy shades. Regardless of one's toughness, a failed pickup sparks annoyance, particularly when the lovely lady proves to be with another.

Pei Yujing reached Jiang Ning, breathing a tad heavily: "I figured you had gone ahead."

Jiang Ning had ventured further but decided to loop back upon noticing the scene.

He inquired: "Do you realize why he blocked your path?"

Pei Yujing: "To snag my contact details."

Jiang Ning: "Oh, so you see that clearly, do you?"

Pei Yujing's folks operated a barbecue joint, and she helped out as a server, facing similar advances before, though Sister Ma usually stepped in. Out alone now, she lacked her protector.

Jiang Ning eyed Pei Yujing, cool on the surface yet gifted with remarkable looks and physique. Such incidents were sure to recur, especially in college.

Jiang Ning offered more advice: "Tell me, if another fellow asks for your info, how will you handle it?"

Pei Yujing recalled her mother's tip and upped the ante: "My dowry is three million."

Jiang Ning: "That's somewhat smart, but insufficient."

"And if someone truly has three million to spare?" he pressed.

Pei Yujing: "Ah, then I'd claim ten million..."

Jiang Ning: "Fine, but next time this happens, simply state you're pregnant, understand?"

Pei Yujing agreed with a nod.

Jiang Ning: "Good enough."

...

New Year's Eve.

That morning, Xue Yuantong rose early around seven, skipping her usual lie-in.

As she brushed her teeth, thoughts of her smart trick backfiring last night, costing her New Year's cash, brought a pang of regret.

'Hmph, blame it all on Jiang Ning. Had he been around, I couldn't have tricked him, and Mom wouldn't have held back my money!'

Upon reflection, everything traced back to Jiang Ning.

She had texted him the night before, but his replies were scarce.

Finishing her teeth-brushing in irritation, Xue Yuantong dashed to her mother's room, shelved her grudge, and plastered on a grin: "Mom, got my New Year's money ready?"

Aunt Gu shot her a look: "I'll hold onto it for you until you're grown and wed."

Xue Yuantong sulked and whined: "I'm nowhere near marriage age!"

Aunt Gu halted.

A parade of familiar moments raced through her mind.

In the past, whenever she mentioned saving the money for her daughter's wedding, the girl would shout she'd never marry and stay by her side forever.

Aunt Gu would then scold her firmly, insisting no one skips marriage for life.

Yet this time, her daughter declared, 'I'm a long way from getting married...'

Did that signal she now embraced the idea of marriage?

Aunt Gu gazed at her child, eyes swirling with varied feelings; girls do mature eventually...

Tongtong probed warily: "Mom, if you won't give it, fine. But why the stare? You aren't about to smack me, right?"

She braced herself inwardly for a swift escape.

Just then, Uncle Zhang's loud call echoed from outside: "Xiao Gu, here's the two pounds of pork ribs you asked for, fresh from this morning's kill!"

Aunt Gu rose and stepped out to the courtyard, where Butcher Zhang loomed in his army-green jacket, sturdy and commanding. Beside him lurked the sly Mr. Qian and a deceitful Overlord Dog.

Aunt Gu accepted the bag, hefted it, and her face shifted slightly; this exceeded two pounds, nearing four, so she owed for extras.

Aunt Gu noted: "Did you misweigh? Seems like four pounds; I'll fetch the cash."

She dipped into her pocket.

Butcher Zhang chuckled deeply: "No payment on New Year's Eve; it's on me, Old Zhang's gifting your household some ribs!"

With that, Butcher Zhang, trailed by the cunning hound, strutted back to his place.

Aunt Gu stood puzzled; when had the rival neighbor turned so amiable?

Who could imagine a time when kindness from the river dam neighbor would touch her?

Aunt Gu entered the house, carrying an odd wave of reminiscence.

...

Breakfast that day came courtesy of Chuchu's folks.

After Hua Fengmei wrapped up simmering the mutton broth, Xue Chuchu headed to fetch Tongtong's family, skirting past Jiang Ning's home. She nearly called out on habit but recalled his absence.

Xue Chuchu paused, then continued; she understood: 'Jiang Ning possesses his own life...'

His roots lay in a town beneath Guyang County. Currently, he merely leased a spot at the river dam for studies. Post-high school, university in a metropolis awaited, and returns to the dam would dwindle...

In college, he'd likely secure a job in some grand city; rumors held his parents as Evergreen Liquid leaders, bound to procure urban lodging for him.

In a haze, tomorrow felt nearer.

On New Year's, Xue Chuchu sensed unease. She had trusted that diligence would brighten the path ahead.

Yet without Jiang Ning's returns to the dam, how would tomorrow unfold?

No more river angling, no shared games, no tandem scooter rides, no... all current warmth would crumble like a dream.

Xue Chuchu shied from deeper musings. She banished the frightening ideas, dwelling on his shortcomings instead, as memories flooded. Internally, she grumbled: 'What's so special about him? He constantly... always stirs up chaos...'

Xue Chuchu's composed visage held a hint of sourness: 'Then he feigns solemnity... and, and swindles Tongtong's cash...'