Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation Chapter 1597 - 873: Are You Satisfied With This Answer? (Part 2)

Wang Longlong pondered deeply, wondering just what sort of scheme this was?

Zhang Chi chuckled, "I simply hand it over to them, and they'll assume it's a free Coke. But come bill time, they won't have sufficient funds, so I'll warn them, 'Trying to skip out on the tab? I'll summon the cops to haul you away!'

Zhang Chi continued with fervor, "They'll be scared out of their wits, being only children after all. They'll plead with me desperately, and I'll respond, 'Forget the police then. Labor for me a week to cover the food expenses.' See? Instant free workers! I'll push them relentlessly that week, and if their performance slips, I'll cook up a reason to extend their stint a bit longer! In the end, I've pocketed thousands effortlessly!"

Ma Shicheng fell quiet upon hearing it, then remarked, "Chi Zi, you're every bit the King Yan."

Dan Kaiquan eyed him, his face a mask of mixed emotions; this plan was downright audacious.

Wang Longlong cast a quick look around and jolted in surprise—the children at the adjacent table were eavesdropping, their backs slick with nervous sweat.

A short while later, Pei Yujing arrived with a platter of barbecued items to deliver to the youngsters nearby.

In her grasp was a large Coke bottle. Sister Ma had spotted that the kids skipped ordering any, so she opted to provide one. Approaching their table, Pei Yujing said, "Hi, this Coke bottle is yours."

The children recoiled instinctively, waving their hands in panic, "No thanks, we don't want any Coke!"

Pei Yujing felt confused.

…

Three rounds of Coke had already been downed.

Before them sat a grill on the table, coals burning brightly red, fierce flames crackling under the lamb skewers, where melting fat intensified the blaze even more.

Guo Kunnan snatched up a glistening, popping lamb skewer dusted with cumin and chili, chomped into it, savoring the juicy blend of fat and meat—crunchy on the outside, succulent within; the flavor exploded delightfully. Paired with a Coke shared among close pals, this was life's supreme joy.

Guo Kunnan let out a heavy sigh, "I'm so anxious! Is her affection for me real or not?"

Dan Kaiquan and Cui Yu gazed at the television, a massive screen mounted on the barbecue joint's wall. The distinctive features of Shao Shuangshuang from Evergreen Liquid flashed across it.

During the broadcasted interview, Shao Shuangshuang announced that Evergreen Liquid pledged to generate no fewer than 10,000 positions over the next three years…

Her declaration prompted hearty claps from the officials below, a few so thrilled their expressions contorted wildly.

He found himself inquiring, "Brother Ma, does generating these jobs hold such significance?"

Wang Longlong replied on his behalf, "Absolutely vital! With all those positions and fantastic perks, it'll undoubtedly propel Yuzhou's economy forward, curb folks from leaving the area, and deliver countless other advantages."

Dan Kaiquan struggled to grasp it fully.

Wang Longlong added, "Over in the adjacent Su Yu province, their call center lured away nearly every local fluent in proper Mandarin to handle customer service. Nowadays, when bigwigs visit, top brass greets them in person—Evergreen Liquid carries even greater weight."

Ma Shicheng chimed in, "Naturally, Evergreen Liquid stands unmatched, exporting over fifty percent of its output."

Guo Kunnan deemed such matters distant from his world; he'd glimpsed President Shao briefly at the school event and noted her youthful allure, far from the typical executive image.

Guo Kunnan refocused on the moment, lifting his phone to check the display—no reply yet.

Frustration gripped Guo Kunnan as he vented, "Brother Ma, I messaged an old girl classmate from primary school thirty minutes back, saying I'm grilling meats in town with my bros—why no response? Is she tied up?"

Ma Shicheng, absorbed in the screen, caught the words and motioned for Guo Kunnan to turn toward the TV.

Tracing his line of sight, Guo Kunnan eyed the television; the session persisted, with reporters thrusting mics forward, peppering Shao Shuangshuang relentlessly.

Suddenly, Shao Shuangshuang lifted her hand to halt them, then astonishingly pulled out her mobile, pressed a few buttons, stowed it, and resumed speaking.

Ma Shicheng shot him a look, "Bro Nan, President Shao squeezes in phone time mid-interview—yet you claim your classmate lacks a second to answer?"

…

Guo Kunnan gulped down multiple Cokes, his mood darkening further with every swallow.

Guo Kunnan spotted the neighboring kids nearing the end of their meal.

Indeed, in moments of sorrow and irritation, folks often splurge in vengeance. Guo Kunnan called out, "Owner, bring twenty lamb skewers, ten beef tendons, ten chicken feet—charge it to me!"

The revelation left the kids dumbfounded; they'd stuck to budget picks like grilled tofu, starchy sausages, baby cabbage—never dreaming of splurging on premium meats.

Guo Kunnan smacked two bills down firmly, "Relax, it's on me!"

Tears welled in the kids' eyes as they thanked him profusely, viewing him as their elder sibling, and upon delivery, they raised Cokes in his honor.

A rare grin crossed Guo Kunnan's face.

The barbecue session stretched on, midway Pei Yujing refilled the coals before departing, her features stoic, locks swaying gently behind her.

Sister Ma, observing Jingjing's daily assistance at the eatery, felt a twinge of guilt, preferring her girl immerse in orderly books at home instead of shop duties—yet her child proved unyielding, beyond convincing.

Sister Ma instructed, "Wrap up by 10:30 this evening and head home. I'll get your aunt to cover—burning the midnight oil harms your well-being."

Pei Yujing glanced at her, "Alright."

Sister Ma stood puzzled; such swift compliance today felt off, unfamiliar even.

With that, Sister Ma beamed and tended the grill with heightened expertise.

Moments passed steadily; the children departed ahead of Guo Kunnan, showering him with 'Big Brother' and 'handsome Big Brother' shouts, restoring his shaken esteem via the young ones' admiration.

Cui Yu observed the joyful departing youths, earnestly noting, "Inviting them to the store or frolicking in Meng Gui's spacious home—they'd likely jump at the chance."

Guo Kunnan replied, "Drop it; no corrupting the little ones."

As they chatted, his eyes settled on Pei Yujing, about to summon her for checkout.

Meanwhile, Pei Yujing tallied the tab for nearby patrons— a group of youths, including one early-twenties lad radiating campus energy.

The short-haired undergrad fixed his gaze on Pei Yujing; despite her icy demeanor, her beauty shone through, evoking a tale of a stunning waitress in a humble BBQ spot.

The student mustered a suave grin, "Hi, mind if I scan your WeChat?"

At those words, Guo Kunnan elbowed his buddies urgently; an actual suitor targeting Pei Yujing!

Sister Ma, mid-grill, caught wind of it too, skewering while slyly monitoring from afar.

Pei Yujing had faced such advances repeatedly; she stayed courteous, "Hello, might I inquire as to your reason for adding me?"

Gathering nerve once more, the student professed earnestly, "You're stunning in my eyes, so I'd love to…"

Pei Yujing got the gist; she nearly blurted her dowry totaled a hundred grand, but her mind pivoted, oddly recalling Jiang Ning's counsel.

Effortlessly, Pei Yujing declared, "Apologies, but I'm expecting!"

Her statement landed like a bomb, plunging the area into hush.

Throughout the BBQ venue, only the faint whir of the exhaust lingered.

The WeChat-seeking guy froze, mind reeling, rehearsed lines lodged unspoken, stammering, "Y-you, y-you…"

Guo Kunnan, riveted by the spectacle, gaped wide, "What?"

Ma Shicheng refused to believe it, "Impossible?"

Every diner who'd overheard Pei Yujing's remark reeled in astonishment.

Sister Ma froze in shock—her precious girl, pregnant all of a sudden!?