Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation Chapter 1592 - 871: New Year

Xue Chuchu approached the entrance of Tongtong’s home and noticed a set of couplets featuring vigorous, graceful handwriting on the doorframe: [Piano, chess, books, paintings, poetry, wine, and flowers; firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, and tea].

The lintel scroll proclaimed: Growing Richer Every Day.

The cultured neighbor Mr. Qian had inscribed this as a present for the Xue family.

Originally, it had been a different, more refined couplet. Tongtong found it jarring, so she instructed Mr. Qian to rewrite it.

Mr. Qian had reluctantly crafted this straightforward version at the time, and it finally met Tongtong’s approval.

Zhang Ruyun emerged from his residence, clutching a chain of firecrackers. Spotting Xue Chuchu, he called out cheerfully, “Xue Chuchu, have you had breakfast yet?”

Xue Chuchu responded, “Not yet.”

With that, she entered Tongtong’s house.

Zhang Ruyun felt a touch disappointed; he advanced a few steps and placed the firecrackers down.

It was New Year’s Eve today, and in Yuzhou, folks had the tradition of igniting firecrackers prior to the morning meal.

Zhang Ruyun backed away one or two meters, then crouched halfway, stretching his arm out rigidly while flicking the lighter.

As the spark ignited, he yanked his hand back in alarm.

Typically, firecracker fuses blaze rapidly, prompting Zhang Ruyun’s swift retreat, but his haste prevented the fuse from catching.

In the early morning, Mr. Qian stepped out from his entrance, glancing back at his own spring couplets: [Peach and plum blossoms fill the garden, spring like a brocade; orchids around the steps, fragrant seating.]

The lintel scroll stated: Elegant and Upright.

Mr. Qian grew increasingly pleased with each look. After all, as a teacher, his lifelong goal revolved around study and instruction.

Mr. Qian eyed Zhang Ruyun attempting to light the firecrackers, muttering, “What an inept fellow, fumbling over a simple firecracker—how laughable!”

He cleared his throat with a “cough, cough.”

Zhang Ruyun’s gaze snapped toward him immediately.

Mr. Qian grabbed a lighter, ignited the firecracker he held, and flung it casually. It soared upward, detonating with a “bang” prior to landing.

Zhang Ruyun watched in astonishment, realizing that at his youthful peak, he couldn’t even rival an old man like Mr. Qian.

Having set off the firecracker, Mr. Qian clasped his hands behind his back and chanted a poem with rhythmic flair: “Fireworks scare away ghosts, children gather!”

With that, he chuckled robustly and retreated indoors, embodying the essence of a true poet.

As the echoes of the explosion died down, Zhang Ruyun sensed motion nearby and turned to behold the pristine, lovely, frost-like Xue Chuchu!

Thinking of Mr. Qian’s suave poise in his later years contrasted with his own hesitant clumsiness, Zhang Ruyun inwardly groaned, “Zhang Ruyun, you fool! How can you be so inadequate!”

A surge of irritation welled up in Zhang Ruyun’s heart; he firmly retrieved the firecracker from the ground, vowing to mimic Mr. Qian’s flair before Xue Chuchu and Xue Yuantong.

He had planned merely to ignite it in his grasp and discard it with elegant toss, following Mr. Qian’s example.

Yet the impetuous nature of youth often breeds bold notions.

Zhang Ruyun pivoted and headed into his sitting room, biding his time until Xue Chuchu and the rest passed by, then struck the lighter.

He hurled it forcefully, though the lengthy firecracker failed to fully launch, trailing near his feet.

In the instant that followed, the space erupted in a barrage of “bang” blasts.

Butcher Zhang within jumped in shock and rushed to investigate, discovering the chaos right in their midst.

Xue Yuantong peeked out from outside, drawn by the spectacle.

Through the haze of smoke, Zhang Ruyun’s soot-streaked visage appeared, justifying with his distinctive, raspy tone from the fumes, “Dad, hear me out—it’s those faulty firecrackers you got!”

…

Having witnessed the neighbor’s mishap, Xue Yuantong took extra care with her own firecrackers. Once sparked, she bolted away on her tiny legs, fleeing with utmost speed.

With the crackling bursts came scattering fragments that rained down, ultimately carpeting the earth in crimson remnants, evoking festivity and reverence.

Tongtong raised her small leg and stepped toward the scattered debris, calling, “Chuchu, check this out!”

Xue Chuchu looked confused, “What am I looking at?”

Tongtong positioned herself amid the debris, twirled lightly on the spot encircled by scarlet pieces, and proclaimed gravely, “I bloom in a bloodbath, like the flower of heaven and earth!”

Then she inquired earnestly, “Chuchu, isn’t that awesome?”

Xue Chuchu pressed her lips together, “It’s super awesome!”

Xue Yuantong ignored Chuchu’s tone; after all, Chuchu was still a kid and hadn’t grasped life’s nuances yet. No issue—she’d guide her.

“Chuchu, snap a few pics of me and forward them to Jiang Ning, including those epic lines I just said!” She commanded from afar.

Indeed, flaunting one’s coolness gains extra panache when handled by another.

Xue Chuchu dutifully grabbed the phone.

In a neighboring city.

Jiang Ning got Chuchu’s message and nearly burst into laughter, replying, “A flower blooming between heaven and earth—more like a tiny spud sprouting from the soil.”

Xue Chuchu struggled to suppress her giggles reading it.

Xue Yuantong sensed the oddity and hurried over to peek, leaving Chuchu no time to erase the text.

Upon reading Jiang Ning’s retort, Xue Yuantong fumed and fired off a flurry of rage icons.

Jiang Ning teased back, “Who made Chuchu shoot such a low-angle pic of you.”

Xue Chuchu quickly defended, “It wasn’t me taking it low!”

As the words left her mouth, she realized her blunder—it suggested Tongtong was the short one?

Jiang Ning grinned and pocketed his device contentedly.

…

Jiang Ning’s taunts fell flat; the unbreakable tie between Tongtong and Chuchu proved immune to his meddling.

Post-breakfast, the pair of young girls headed to the clearing by the entrance for a game of badminton.