Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation Chapter 1622 - 886: Dog Bastard

"Tongtong, a dog is barking outside," Xue Chuchu remarked, tilting her head as she flipped the spatula, her brows knitted together.

Xue Yuantong possessed an incredibly acute sense of hearing, capable of identifying individuals just from the hum of an electric bike or the rhythm of footsteps, but she brushed it off casually: "It's just Xiao Ben making noise again, don't worry about it."

"Xiao Ben..." Xue Chuchu murmured, pauses heavy in her voice, remembering how that Black Back Wolf Dog was once a terrifying beast. Under Jiang Ning's absolute dominance, however, it had become so docile it practically wilted, cowering like a creature facing its ultimate apex predator.

The two women returned to their culinary work in the kitchen.

Standing at the entrance of the humble bungalow.

Director Li stared at the fearsome Black Back Wolf Dog, his heart hammering against his ribs, hardly daring to draw a steady breath. There is a primal terror felt when face-to-face with a powerful predator that has nothing to do with social standing or wealth, but rather an instinctive, genetic shudder.

Jiang Ning remained seated calmly on his small stool, slowly sipping his tea. "Are you still looking to get your money back?"

Director Li’s oily complexion cycled through shades of blue and red, leaving him completely unable to form a response.

What could he possibly say with that monstrous beast looming over him? Did he even dare to speak?

"Truly, the most difficult people crawl out of the most barren mountains and treacherous waters!"

He was accustomed to wielding his authority to bend others to his will. People like Yao Haikuo, who needed his favor, were always forced to kowtow to him. Even the boss in charge of today’s rural tourism project had requests to make of him.

But facing Jiang Ning, who held no stake in his affairs, he found himself powerless. After all, he was merely a director, not the supreme ruler of Yuzhou.

Yao Yiyao watched from a distance as Director Li trudged away, sporting a sullen expression and saying absolutely nothing.

In the past, she had only ever seen the man puffing his chest and boasting at dinner parties; she had never witnessed him looking so utterly shamed!

"If my father saw this, he’d surely die of pure joy!" Yao Yiyao whispered to herself.

The task her own father couldn't solve, Jiang Ning had settled with a mere gesture. In that singular moment, Jiang Ning’s significance in her life reached new, towering heights!

With the intruder finally gone, Xiao Ben began licking its muzzle, casting a fawning, flattering gaze toward Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning nudged the dog’s snout with his foot, chuckling, "Not bad at all. I'll make sure to save you some ribs for your dinner!"

Xiao Ben let out two excited yaps, which only served to make Director Li pick up his pace even further.

"Damn it all, what a miserable day!" Director Li growled silently to himself.

...

East of the bungalow, inside the strawberry greenhouse.

Dongdong was laboring away with a work badge pinned to his chest, desperate to earn his keep and not daring to squander even a single second.

Jiang Ning would occasionally drift by to inspect his progress; if he caught the lad slacking, a single kick would send Dongdong flying from one end of the greenhouse to the other.

Beyond Jiang Ning’s scrutiny, other eyes were watching. Among the customers picking strawberries, several childrenlurked in the shadows, casting sharp, vengeful glares at him.

These were the same kids whose remote-controlled cars, dolls, or personal belongings Dongdong had previously snatched—or whose knuckles he had bruised. He had bullied them all.

Now, if he so much as paused, one of them was sure to report his laziness to Jiang Ning, ensuring a prompt round of punishment.

Dongdong lamented, "I just want to go to school! I suddenly love studying so much!"

Even a common laborer could occasionally find a moment to rest, but for him, there was no end to the toil.

Just then, a young man of average build approached, a mocking smirk playing on his lips and a cynical glint in his eyes.

Zhang Chi stood his ground, pulling out his phone to make a call: "Hey, boss, I’ve arrived, I’m here!"

Shortly after, a middle-aged man emerged from the tourist site. He was the same individual who had been shadowing Director Li earlier, tasked with managing invoices and entertaining the wine-loving Director Han.

"Oh, there you are, Xiao Zhang."

Zhang Chi’s grin turned noticeably more sycophantic: "Boss Zhao, I really appreciate you setting me up with this gig!"

His security position at Sunshine Deer Court had been secured through Boss Zhao. Once he started, Zhang Chi realized he could rake in extra cash through extortion, making a small fortune. Now that Boss Zhao was footing the bill for his companionship, he jumped at the opportunity.

Boss Zhao clapped him on the shoulder, "Xiao Zhang, I hear you’ve been doing quite well for yourself lately!"

Zhang Chi replied, "That goes without saying! I’m looking forward to working with you more in the future!"

Boss Zhao let out a booming laugh, "Then why have you been skipping your shifts so often?"

Zhang Chi thought quickly—the substitute guards had caught wind of his extortion schemes and were eager to reclaim their slots, so he had been skipping work on his own accord to scout better security jobs elsewhere.

He tightened his expression, "Who told you that? I’ve been on duty every single day!"

Boss Zhao arched an eyebrow, "You weren't hunting for a new job, then?"

Zhang Chi immediately backpedaled, "Impossible. I know how kindly Brother Zhao has treated me; I would never say anything so heartless!"

Boss Zhao replied, "That’s good, especially since I happen to be the one responsible for the very job you were interviewing for."

Zhang Chi’s face drained of color as the situation turned painfully awkward. At the end of the day, he was a blunt man and simply didn't know how to navigate such a trap.

Boss Zhao watched him closely, seeing that while the young man was clearly ambitious, he was still far too green to be effective.

With the bait cast, it was time to pull in the line. Boss Zhao threw an arm around his shoulder with forced warmth, "Xiao Zhang, I understand. You’re just trying to double your efforts in my service!"

Zhang Chi eagerly seized upon the excuse, nodding vigorously, "Exactly, exactly! Brother Zhao, you are absolutely right—you truly see my hidden intentions!"

After more empty pleasantries, Boss Zhao added, "Xiao Zhang, I see great potential in you. Today, Director Li and Director Han are having a gathering, and they both love a drink. Later, I’ll introduce you as my nephew—you just need to help me smooth things over with a few rounds."

Boss Zhao knew the nature of Director Li; the man demanded subservience at the dinner table. Those who sought favors from him had to show unwavering respect to bolster his ego.

Director Li’s favorite lecture was always: [You’re toasting me? Keep your glass rim lower than mine! Do you think you're my equal?]

Alas, most people lacked the strength to defy such petty tyrants, and for the sake of their own gains, they usually had no choice but to bow their heads.