Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation Chapter 1615 - 882: I’ll Catch It for You Now (Part 2)

Duan Shigang seized the moment to mention Jiang Ning and asked on purpose, 'Does your family do the same, with guys handling the shopping and ladies preparing the meals?'

Guo Kunnan: 'Gangzi, isn't that a no-brainer? Naturally, it's like that (with a mix of tears and laughter).'

Jiang Ning: 'Xue Yuantong handles the grocery expenses, while Xue Chuchu takes care of the cooking.'

Well then, Guo Kunnan started to lose his cool as well.

…

Around 11 in the morning, Yao Haikuo pulled up in his Land Rover right at the front of the bungalow.

The noise caught Xue Yuantong's ear, so she led Jiang Ning and Xue Chuchu out to welcome him, only to freeze in place the moment she emerged, totally taken aback.

She quietly took in the sight and got a huge surprise—there was an entire crate of milk, packs of cookies, assortments of nut gifts, chocolates with English labels, a container of venison, treats from Daoyang Village, packaged navel oranges, kiwis, a tea set, and incredibly, a crate of crabs…

Noticing her dumbfounded look, Jiang Ning felt a touch of contempt. He moved ahead: 'Uncle, with the New Year here and you visiting, why bother with gifts? Do you believe we actually require those items from you?'

As he spoke, Jiang Ning grabbed the gift box from Yao Yiyao's grasp.

Yao Haikuo laughed heartily: 'These trivial presents mean little; I feel like they fall short!'

Following a bit of small talk, Yao Haikuo mentioned offhandedly: 'I've got other matters today; you youngsters ought to spend time together, so I'll head out!'

Jiang Ning made the usual attempt to convince him to remain, yet Yao Haikuo refused, dropping off his daughter Yao Yiyao for the meal by the river dam.

The Land Rover sped off quickly.

With just Yao Yiyao remaining now, and considering the generous presents they'd gotten, Xue Yuantong believed she had to praise her: 'Yao Yao, you're looking absolutely stunning today!'

On this day, Yao Yiyao donned a pristine white wool coat, exquisitely crafted featuring fox fur edging, a pearl-fringed cape, and a dark bow at the neckline, giving her the air of an elegant young princess.

Unlike earlier times, Yao Yiyao's haughtiness had largely faded; she beamed kindly: 'The coat itself is the beautiful part.'

This particular coat had been purchased in Nan City for more than seven thousand yuan.

Xue Yuantong shot a suggestive glance at Chuchu, alluding to the bounty of gifts and prompting her to offer additional compliments!

Xue Chuchu offered a gentle grin and chimed in at the perfect moment: 'The coat isn't what's beautiful—it's you.'

Yao Yiyao: 'Ah!'

She carefully examined Xue Chuchu. Even in just a pale blue down jacket, Xue Chuchu came across as vibrantly attractive. Receiving praise from a girl so lovely lifted Yao Yiyao's spirits high, quickly strengthening their bond.

Once the gifts were brought indoors, Yao Yiyao made a point to warn: 'Those hairy crabs won't last much longer.'

Xue Yuantong caught on right away: 'Let's steam them up for midday meal!'

At first, Xue Yuantong figured that three substantial dishes would be plenty for lunch, but with all the offerings from Yao Yiyao in view, she decided to elevate the hospitality level.

Xue Yuantong intentionally remarked: 'Hmm, I meant to get some fish, but it slipped my mind—what now?'

Jiang Ning: 'Easy, we'll stroll over to the river.'

Seizing the opportunity, Xue Yuantong directed: 'Chuchu, handle the prep in the kitchen for the moment. For the crabs, remember to include pepper, beer, and ginger in the steaming water. That removes the odor and boosts the taste!'

With that sorted, Xue Yuantong and Jiang Ning headed out to fish.

'Fishing?' Yao Yiyao heard this in astonishment, doubting if it could truly happen.

As confusion lingered, Xue Yuantong invited her along, and Yao Yiyao nodded along in bewilderment.

Next, Xue Yuantong shouldered a basic fishing pole, adorned with a cute little yellow duck attachment on it. Jiang Ning kept it even more basic, just lugging a pail.

Moreover, en route to the riverbank, Jiang Ning simply snatched up a branch.

People in the know would realize they're off to fish; outsiders might peg them as panhandlers…

They traversed the farmland, ascended the dam. The sun shone brilliantly that day, offering hints of cozy warmth, as seniors ambled on the paved path atop the dam, children dashed about, and faint outlines of far-off anglers dotted the waterway.

Proceeding another couple hundred meters or so, Jiang Ning and Xue Yuantong halted at the water's edge, where the current glided quietly, shimmering brightly, making the prior freeze seem like a mere trick of the mind.

Xue Yuantong sported fingerless knit gloves handmade by her mother; Jiang Ning owned a matching set.

She peeked at Jiang Ning, and indeed, he had them on, complete with a tiny tiger stitched onto the hand's back, matching his zodiac.

Xue Yuantong pulled out her cell phone, captured a shot of her special fishing setup and the Huishui River stretching ahead, then forwarded it to the completely clueless Chen Siyu.

Chen Siyu shot back without delay: 'What's got you down by the river?'

Xue Yuantong: 'About to dive into the river for a swim.'

Chen Siyu freaked out: 'No way! You'll freeze!'

Xue Yuantong didn't feel like replying; no big deal. Her rod would prove the point. She flung it out effortlessly, the bait and line plunging into the depths, settling firmly.

She declared with assurance: 'Yiyao, get set for some fish!'

'Fishing???' Yao Yiyao stood baffled for a few moments—was she imagining things? Or was Xue Yuantong lost in fantasy?

She spun to see Jiang Ning select a large, leafless poplar tree, resting against its bark, lids shut, as if soaking in the serene surroundings.

'…Am I really going to taste fish?' Yao Yiyao wondered, 'Using a child's pole?'

Yao Yiyao surveyed the area; few fishers were close by. Roughly ten meters to the right sat a man in his forties or fifties on a stool, angling away. From his equipment to his posture, everything screamed expertise—that's how proper fishing appeared.

'Good thing only one's around, or it'd be humiliating…' Yao Yiyao cringed at Xue Yuantong's childish yellow duck rod.

She hailed from a family blending government and business ties, solidly middle-class—now edging into upper-middle—where appearances and prestige mattered immensely.

Yet, life has a way of working like that; the harder you fear an outcome, the surer it arrives.

Along the surfaced road beside the dam, a bunch of youths with fishing tackle, chatting and chuckling, slowly drew near.

Yao Yiyao's shoulders jerked despite herself, her mind begging: 'Please, stay away!'

The unfortunate part was the youths edged nearer still, and the even worse part was recognizing one among them.

'Li Qingyang?' Yao Yiyao's face showed disbelief; in the bunch, a girl sported a cropped down jacket, form-fitting pants, and winter boots, her grin radiating calm poise.

Yao Yiyao understood her all too well—Li Qingyang projected softness yet harbored pride, serving as the leading 'big sis' in Yuzhou's State Grid social scene.

'This is finished.' Yao Yiyao inhaled deeply, puffing up like a feisty young fowl, braced for confrontation.

Jiang Ning lifted his eyelids, eyed her: 'Something wrong?'

Yao Yiyao: 'No time to waste, quick—spot that girl?'

Jiang Ning: 'Sure.'

Rather than the girl drawing his focus, it was a lad in the crew who kept yapping away.

Long-buried recollections stirred, and Jiang Ning mused: 'Li Han.'

This stemmed from his couple of years employed in Yuzhou post-college, at a major private firm where he encountered a coworker. Back then, Li Han was just past twenty, yet already managing a department—typical private enterprise setup.

Next to him, Yao Yiyao clenched her jaw: 'Li Qingyang's a downright spiteful type, always building factions in social groups, ended up with loads of guys, strutting about…'

She depicted Li Qingyang as wholly villainous, positioning herself as the pure, blameless bloom, steering clear of any underhanded clashes!

Jiang Ning gave a faint nod.

Before long, Li Qingyang's crew neared, with Li Han continuing his endless chatter: 'In winter mornings, fish barely stir before daybreak; past 10 a.m., as temps climb and water warms, they'll shift from depths to shallows, thus…'

Li Qingyang drew close, surprise flickering in her gaze alongside a spark of cheer: 'Yiyao, what brings you here? You're looking gorgeous!'

Her words done, Li Han and his companions turned their eyes toward them.

Yao Yiyao: 'Oh, shampoo, fancy seeing you here too?'

Li Qingyang's face tightened, her stride pausing briefly.

Jiang Ning eyed Yao Yiyao, pondering why she struck him as the spiteful one right then.