Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation Chapter 1602 - 876: Night Patrol

Clinic.

Lately, Lu Qiqi's fortune has taken a turn for the worse. The recent fellow she got involved with already has a girlfriend elsewhere. Pulling Yu Wen along to challenge the homewrecker, it was Yu Wen who received a resounding slap that sent her whirling like a gyroscope.

While Lu Qiqi excels at charming those shady guys, leaving them spellbound, her circle of connections remains weak. In a messy situation like this one, impossible to sort out clearly and with no desire to involve the authorities, she had no choice but to seek Yan Tianpeng's aid.

She commanded haughtily, "Yan Tianpeng, no need for chit-chat. I took a hit today, and I expect you to strike back on my behalf. Tell me straight, are you man enough or what?"

Yan Tianpeng replied in a hesitant voice, "You might think my frame looks tough, but in reality, I'm not up to the task!"

Lu Qiqi fumed at his audacity. Among all the men she knew, Yan Tianpeng stood the tallest and burliest. He had even clinched the shot put title at the school's annual sports event this year, outshining even the upperclassmen. Yet, to dodge helping her, he dared to say he's not capable!

Lu Qiqi held a grudge against Yan Tianpeng, yet she loathed that homewrecker even more for delivering the slap that made Yu Wen spin!

She unleashed her final ploy: "Five hundred!"

At once, Yan Tianpeng's voice grew solemn and brimming with valor, "How bold of anyone to strike my cherished princess? Send the cash over, then share the location. Your gallant protector is heading out!"

Reluctantly, Lu Qiqi sent the payment.

Meanwhile, inside the public bathhouse.

Zhang Chi remained glued to the slot machine, down 30 yuan and muttering curses nonstop.

The bath session was originally on Guo Kunnan's tab, so he'd already scored a free ride. But losing this much made him feel unrecognizable even to his own mom.

Beside him, a fellow fresh from his bath eyed the slot machine as well. Noticing Zhang Chi's sullen expression and sturdy physique, the man stayed silent.

Swarming with annoyance from the losses, his phone rang. He grabbed it to respond.

Yan Tianpeng: "Chi Zi, we've snagged a job for our stand-in brawling outfit, though the reward's pretty meager, just thirty yuan..."

He didn't even complete the thought when Zhang Chi cut in firmly, "Grab it, swing by and get me at the entrance to Old Yuzhou bathhouse!"

Yan Tianpeng stood stunned; he'd figured Zhang Chi would negotiate. Little did he expect such swift agreement!

He quickly added, "Alright, I'll pedal over on my bike immediately!"

...

Simultaneously, along the river embankment, darkness had enveloped the landscape.

Soft yellow glows from the front of the cottage bathed the surroundings in cozy tones,

Jiang Ning volleyed badminton with Tongtong, each exchange punctuated by a sharp "bang".

Though Xue Yuantong lacks height, he's nimble and springy, holding his own against Jiang Ning's skilled plays surprisingly well.

Xue Chuchu lingered at the entrance, clutching a steaming mug of tea, taking occasional sips while silently observing the badminton match between the pair.

In the neighboring home, Mr. Qian conversed with Zhang Ruyun about the joys of campus existence, as Butcher Zhang absorbed every word eagerly, yearning for that scholarly path despite his modest schooling.

"University life is fantastic. If only I'd managed to attend..." Butcher Zhang lamented.

Truth be told, after two decades of butchering pigs, Butcher Zhang had built a solid nest egg, sported a robust build without any hair loss woes, and enjoyed fair standing in the neighborhood. His boy was even studying at a top-notch college, a real feather in the cap for folks like him. Still, he couldn't shake the sorrow of missing out on higher learning.

That's how everyday folks are: whichever path they pick, regrets always linger.

Mr. Qian eyed him and said, "Hasn't your boy stepped in to attend college for you?"

With that, Butcher Zhang's spirits lifted. He clapped Zhang Ruyun on the back, "Fine lad, learn diligently for your dad's sake, and I'll bump up your monthly allowance by 500 this year!"

Thrilled, Zhang Ruyun hadn't anticipated such a perk from mere conversation.

Following a short break, Mr. Qian turned his gaze toward the badminton duo.

"Ruyun, you mentioned your school has a badminton group. What do you make of Jiang Ning and their playing style?" Mr. Qian inquired.

As a proper elite university scholar, Zhang Ruyun kept his cool, observing, "It's decent, more like leisurely fitness badminton."

Then his voice gained enthusiasm: "But personally, I favor the intense approach. True badminton thrives on victory, and our team captures that unyielding drive as the shuttle soars!"

Butcher Zhang: "Excellent, excellent! Spot on!"

"Ruyun, join Jiang Ning for some badminton and school him a bit. I'll tack on another five hundred to your allowance!"

Ecstatic, Zhang Ruyun had just begun a romance, stretching his budget thin. Gaining a thousand extra would ease things greatly, sparing him odd jobs and freeing time for pondering business ideas.

Thus, Zhang Ruyun retrieved his racket from the house, shouting, "Jiang Ning, fancy a few games?"

As he spoke, his sidelong glance casually brushed by Xue Chuchu at the doorway, prompting him to puff out his chest like a commander on review.

Jiang Ning glanced at Tongtong.

Tongtong: "Go ahead, General Jiang Ning reporting for duty, victory assured!"

And so, Jiang Ning and Zhang Ruyun took to the court in friendly rivalry.

Zhang Ruyun gripped his Taobao-purchased racket, costing a mere hundred yuan. In this era, Taobao delivers unbeatable value; he was convinced his online buy rivaled any three-hundred-yuan model from a store.

Fixating on the racket, the breeze died down, and the evening grew even stiller. In his mind, he murmured, ’Faithful companion, one last battle together!’

Zhang Ruyun served first, with Jiang Ning firing back effortlessly.

Spotting the approaching shuttle, Zhang Ruyun detected a vulnerability right away, ’Far too many flaws!’

He leaped high, surging strength from his shoulder, rippling through sinew and limb, culminating in the racket for a thunderous "bang!" smash.

Pouring everything into securing the point!

’Xue Chuchu, catch that? That's the fierce passion of our badminton squad!’ Zhang Ruyun's ego soared.

Yet, the apparently perfect strike got neatly returned by Jiang Ning.