Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation Chapter 1609 - 879: Sweeping Away the Invisible Threats (2)

Xue Chuchu understands Tongtong perfectly. She motivated her: "Tongtong, don't feel down. You leaped up to 1.8 meters!"

...

On this day, Xue Chuchu and Jiang Ning worked together, leaving Tongtong as the one who got hurt.

Xue Yuantong felt a touch sad, savoring the dishes that Jiang Ning had stir-fried with care.

Xue Chuchu talked with Jiang Ning about the events from the previous night; after he got the money from those young thugs, he refused Lu Qiqi’s invitation for dinner, and Zhuang Jianhui along with the others promised to deal with the follow-up issues.

"Last night was way too risky," Xue Chuchu remarked. A group of more than ten hoodlums—she had witnessed a similar sight only a few years back outside the neighborhood middle school.

As she spoke, she grabbed a bite of green beans, which were not just crunchy and flavorful but also infused with the distinctive taste of smoked meat, turning out to be surprisingly scrumptious.

’His culinary abilities are impressive, aren't they?’ Xue Chuchu pondered inwardly.

Earlier, she had come across a post on a forum where someone shared that their spouse couldn't cook, so the wife handled all the home cooking; astonishingly, after a decade of marriage, the wife stumbled upon her husband's expert chef qualification.

This thought made Xue Chuchu's lips curve slightly. Had Jiang Ning not mentioned before that he knew how to cook, he might have reminded her a little of that skilled husband.

’What?’ Xue Chuchu's mind snapped back suddenly. Why on earth was she considering such matters?

Xue Yuantong paid no heed to Chuchu's facial expressions; she remained in a pouty mood, having slept soundly at first, only to be woken by Chuchu pretending it was for Jiang Ning, and then facing bias from Jiang Ning over her stature.

What a string of bad luck!

Xue Yuantong complained: "Those hoodlums got what they deserved last night—we didn't start anything with them, but they still ridiculed us."

Jiang Ning replied: "True, no matter where I head, if they don't greet me with a smile and show impudence instead, they're challenging the Emperor."

Xue Yuantong straightened up seriously: "When the emperor flies into a rage, blood flows for miles!"

Jiang Ning applauded: "Clap, clap!"

Xue Yuantong grinned happily, her frustration fading away mostly.

Xue Chuchu struggled to join in on their bizarre banter, yet she couldn't allow them to spiral into total madness unchecked.

Xue Chuchu offered a sensible breakdown: "They're merely a pack of clueless delinquents, and our lives are far superior to theirs. We shouldn't let their taunts drag us into peril and leave us feeling down in the end."

However, Xue Yuantong disagreed; ever since she was little, she had yielded many times, but these days she had toughened up. So why back off now?

She huffed: "Just because I'm content, why should I have to step back!"

Jiang Ning, beyond everyday worries, commented: "By making them even more miserable, doesn't that boost my own joy?"

He added up the gains: "From those punks yesterday, I pocketed one thousand yuan. Soon, I'll whisk you out for some fun!"

"Hehe, Jiang Ning, you're the best!" Xue Yuantong lit up with a smile, ever the loyal fan of Jiang Ning.

Xue Chuchu reflected inwardly with concern: ’Tongtong, you're getting more clueless by the day...’

Right at that moment, Tongtong's phone buzzed unexpectedly. She picked up the video call, revealing two adorable, mischievous faces on the display; yes, the twins were there.

Chen Siyu called out: "Tongtong, you having lunch? Want to team up for games once you're done?"

’Game with your robot army...’ Xue Yuantong sneered to herself.

The twins wouldn't even touch real matches, sticking to AI fights, where they got crushed twice over by the machines.

Xue Yuantong had zero interest in gaming with fools, seeing no point in it.

So Xue Yuantong turned her down: "Sorry, I'm off to shop."

Chen Siyu sounded let down: "Okay then."

Xue Yuantong teased: "Watch out, don't catch flak from your squad mates."

At those words, Chen Siyu swore: "If they try yelling at me and I get super upset..."

Xue Yuantong: "Yeah?"

Chen Siyu declared boldly: "I'll turn into a total fuzzball!"

Jiang Ning: "That's the spirit."

Chen Siyu kept fantasizing: "Ah, imagine waking up to everyone's League skills worldwide dropping by ten thousand levels—I'd jump in, farming creeps as always, earning worldwide awe! Pundits would dissect my genius plays around the clock!"

Xue Yuantong observed Si Yu deep in his daydreams, her lips pursed...

Jiang Ning grabbed Tongtong's phone and displayed the spread: "What do you think of my stir-fried dishes?"

Truth be told, the food Jiang Ning whipped up looked quite appetizing. Chen Siyu's eyes widened dramatically, pulling an over-the-top face: "Whoa, stir-fried eggplant, it seems delicious. I'd love this even for morning eats!"

"Hey? Smoked meat stir-fried green beans too!"

"Amazing, green beans! Green beans!"

"Jiang Ning, you handle green beans in stir-fry!"

"I know sword beans can be poisonous if not cooked right. Folks usually avoid making them!"

"Heavens! Jiang Ning, your cooking is incredible!"

Xue Chuchu overheard their gushing praise, chopsticks paused with a bit of cured meat, forgetting to take the bite.

’What sort of folks are these, overflowing with flattery...’ Xue Chuchu believed she could never voice such hype.

A grin tugged at Jiang Ning's mouth; though it seemed put-on, it charmed, particularly with the matching twins.

Inside, Xue Yuantong seethed: ’Bootlickers, bootlickers!’

If Jiang Ning's circle filled with types like these, wouldn't he swell with pride, ignoring everyone and turning unbearably cocky!

Just like ancient rulers, swayed by sycophantic advisors, leading the realm into turmoil!

Peril! Peril! Peril!

She needed to expose their real colors to Jiang Ning somehow.

Xue Yuantong's smarts were, of course, well-known.

Her eyes gleamed as she promptly queried, "Si Yu, got a puzzle for you!"

Chen Siyu's expression brightened; the class whiz, even city's best, Xue Yuantong was turning to her for input. Spreading that around would surely boost her family's rep?

She might list on her job apps later that she'd mentored the top city scholar.

Even as the advisor, Chen Siyu stayed politely formal: "Go ahead, what's the question!"

Xue Yuantong put on a troubled look: "Something odd's going on at home. I set out hot water in a tub last night for morning use. But lo and behold, it got swapped to cold water overnight!"

"Si Yu, help me figure out the culprit who swapped my water?" Xue Yuantong begged.

Xue Chuchu: "?"

Wasn't it simply cooling off on its own?

Correct, exactly that, but Chen Siyu dove into earnest deduction, uncovering her clever side fully.

Xue Yuantong twisted her face aside, smirking covertly. See that, Jiang Ning?

Your yes-men and suck-ups are nothing but dimwits!

What you require isn't validation from the feeble, but endorsement from powerhouses like myself!

...

Post-meal, around 9 in the morning, sunlight beamed vibrantly at the entrance.

Uncle Tang, typically composed, lounged by the doorway bragging about his agricultural prowess, as Mr. Qian nodded approvingly, munching on his fava bean paste with delight.

Zhang Ruyun polished his e-scooter, gearing up for a meetup with his girl, though lacking his usual thrill since she mentioned her folks setting her up with some car-owning dude.

Zhang Ruyun kept it from his parents; he aimed to shoulder it solo and reclaim his cherished schoolmate!

In the farthest east spot of the countryside attraction, Dongdong wore his staff tag, directing close-by visitors to harvest strawberries, plastering on his widest welcoming grin.

Each person busied with their own tasks.

After scrubbing the plates, Xue Yuantong suggested to Jiang Ning, "For midday, let's prepare stewed beef belly alongside cabbage, noodles, and bean curd. I browsed the forum this morning—there's an antique lane hosting a flower-bird bazaar today. We'll grab the beef and check it out!"

Xue Yuantong had yet to experience a flower and bird market, hearing it brimmed with exciting sights like miniature trees, gems, blooms, and critters!

Jiang Ning agreed: "Fine by me, we'll ride my bike."

That morning, Yao Yiyao texted about dropping by, meaning they'd whip up some substantial eats back home.

Xue Yuantong glanced stealthily at Chuchu's place, seeing no stir. "Jiang Ning, Chuchu's buried in her books, so we'll slip out without a word."

After the adventure, she'd surely boast to Chuchu about every detail.

Jiang Ning mulled it over. He intended to crash by the river bank that evening, and next day Mr. Guo had called him to her town for fine dining, leaving Tongtong sidelined once more.

Thus, they ditched Chuchu, hopped on the e-scooter, and zoomed away.

...

Quarter hour later, Xue Chuchu stepped out, all set to go.

Over breakfast, she'd caught Tongtong mentioning plans for a shopping trip.

Xue Chuchu hurried over to Jiang Ning's, finding the entrance firmly shut.

She halted briefly, considering, ’He might be over at Tongtong's sometimes.’

Xue Chuchu advanced a bit, stunned to see Tongtong's door locked tight too.

Xue Chuchu lingered by Tongtong's entrance for some time, then quietly pivoted and returned to her dwelling.