Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation Chapter 1623 - 886: Son of a Bitch (Part 2)

Yao Haikuo once resorted to heavy drinking to win over Director Li, just as Boss Zhao is now attempting to do. Perhaps the drinking culture might fade away in time, but the subtle art of the obedience test is a ritual that refuses to be extinguished.

"I will personally handle the details of your future assignments," Boss Zhao promised.

Zhang Chi jumped at the offer, quickly responding, "Leave it to me, brother. I’m not just blowing smoke—I’ve got a head for liquor like no other!"

Boss Zhao’s satisfaction was evident; he slapped Zhang Chi on the shoulder and instructed, "I’m going inside to talk shop. Stay out here and keep watch."

As he departed, he pressed a small wad of bills into Zhang Chi’s palm with a smirk, adding, "You’ve got a bright road ahead of you, kid."

Once alone, Zhang Chi counted the money and realized he had been given six hundred yuan. He knew then that he had stumbled upon a true patron.

...

With time on his hands, Zhang Chi wandered over to the heated strawberry greenhouse. True to his reputation, Dongdong was busy as a bee, wearing a sycophantic grin as he handed out baskets, instructed customers on the finer points of picking fruit, lugged heavy loads to the scale, and even handed out warm milk to passing children. His service was nothing short of exemplary.

Yang Fei had mentioned recently that Dongdong’s reliability had led to a surge in positive word-of-mouth reviews, significantly raising satisfaction rates. He had even tried giving Dongdong a two-hundred-yuan bonus, though Jiang Ning promptly siphoned off one hundred and ninety-eight of it.

Watching Dongdong weave through the crowd, sweat beads glistening on his forehead, Zhang Chi felt a reflection of his own bleak existence spark within his chest. A father addicted to gambling, a mother who abandoned him, an elderly relative acting out, and a grandmother constantly taken for a fool—he had faced it all. Life at construction sites, handing out leaflets, gig work, security detail—the hardships of existence had tempered his spirit.

Yet, the harder fate tried to crush him, the fiercer his defiance grew. Now, at the break of dawn, he had met his savior in the form of Boss Zhao. A profound wave of empathy washed over him for the young boy, whom he assumed shared his own tragic destiny.

Driven by this thought, Zhang Chi approached Dongdong, gripped his shoulder firmly, and declared, "Whatever life denies you, you must fight to claim for yourself! The eagle of the storm embraces the shadows before the light of dawn arrives!"

With a deep breath, he transferred a piece of his own resolve onto the boy and turned away. He couldn't help but wonder if, years from now, the youth would remember the stranger who offered him a flicker of hope during his darkest hour.

Feeling empowered by his own speech, Zhang Chi strode toward the rural tourism compound, ready to embrace the feast that awaited him, oblivious to the fact that Dongdong was inwardly shouting, 'Who the hell is this lunatic?'

Why would he need to fight for his destiny when Jiang Ning was capable of shattering bricks with a single palm? The last thing Dongdong wanted was to be smashed into pieces!

...

After finishing his tea, Jiang Ning strolled back into the kitchen where a thick haze of smoke hung in the air. The moment he crossed the threshold, the smoke seemed to scatter in deference, as if retreating before a king.

Yao Yiyao filled the other girls in on Jiang Ning’s four-thousand-yuan windfall. Xue Chuchu looked as if she had misheard; four thousand yuan was a fortune. Years back, her mother would have struggled to scrape together that much even with back-to-back shifts at the factory.

Jiang Ning held up his phone as proof, showing the transaction alongside a parting message from Director Li: "Young man, the world is vast and the mountains are high. Don't let me catch you again!"

Jiang Ning simply sent back a fierce photo of Xiao Ben snarling, leading to a sudden silence from Director Li, who had likely blocked him immediately.

Xue Yuantong, Jiang Ning’s most loyal advocate, saw no fault in his actions. "What is wrong with that man? He tried to scam Jiang Ning, so natuurlijk Jiang Ning defended himself!"

Jiang Ning ruffled Tongtong’s hair, his skillful touch sending a wave of blissful numbness through her, leaving her face glowing with pure contentment.

"Mmm, have some fried fish," she murmured, gesturing toward the platter of freshly crisp fillets.

After the fish had been expertly guided through the cooking process, Tongtong had dropped them into the searing oil, finishing them as a signature crispy dish. Jiang Ning sampled a bite; it was perfectly crunchy on the skin and succulent within, even the bones were tender enough to eat. It was surprisingly masterful.

"This is genuinely good," Jiang Ning noted with slight surprise.

Xue Yuantong crossed her arms, her head held high. "Hmph. With me around, you shall live in luxury." She proceeded to pile more fish onto his plate.

Yao Yiyao watched from the sidelines like a dormant amusement ride, wondering if, as a guest, she might eventually get a turn to eat.

...

At the rural tourism center, Director Li had prepared a vegetarian spread to cater to Han Ju’s lifelong preference. Steamed tofu, earthy mushroom bamboo shoots, sweet-and-sour eggplant, and poached okra sat on the table—tasty, yet incredibly dull to the palate.

Zhang Chi found the lack of substance unbearable. Director Li, his face gleaming with oily satisfaction, chortled, "Han Ju, the specialty mushroom soup is still on the way. Just wait until you taste that excellence!"

"In the meantime, let’s have a drink!" he proposed.

Boss Zhao acted instantly, pulling out a bottle of Maotai. As he poured, he signaled to Zhang Chi. Zhang Chi hoisted his glass with both hands, keeping it low in a gesture of extreme deference. "Director Li, let’s go!"

Director Li cast an indifferent glance his way. "Xiao Zhao, who is this exactly?"

Boss Zhao responded quickly, "He’s my nephew—bright as they come, and he never loses a drinking contest!"

"Is that so?" Director Li muttered, his eyelids drooping. "Then finish it!"

Though slighted, Zhang Chi clung to the thought of his six hundred yuan and future career. He downed the glass of fiery baijiu in one go. Boss Zhao offered him a nod of approval.

Only then did Director Li look up. "Not bad, kid. Sigh, it's funny how people of the same generation can be so different." He was thinking of the youth who had swindled him out of four thousand yuan; a humiliation he hadn't experienced in years. Struggling to hide his irritation, he took a bite of food. "Haha, not bad at all. At your age, you’ve earned a seat at this table."

In his younger days, he had despised these rituals, but as he rose to power, he grew fond of the control they offered. Disdain was merely a symptom of being the weaker party; strength often turned one into the very thing they once resented.

Boss Zhao buttered him up, "Xiao Zhang is a gem. He’s bound to be someone important someday."

Hearing these accolades from men of such influence, Zhang Chi felt as if he were floating on air.

Director Li signaled to Boss Zhao, who immediately refilled the glass. Director Li took a sip and commanded, "Slow down, now!"

Boss Zhao gave Zhang Chi a hidden jab under the table, forcing him to grit his teeth and drain the glass once more. Director Li watched, his face twisted in a smug, mocking smile. "Not bad!"

At the head of the table, Han Ju watched this charade with the detached curiosity of someone observing a troupe of monkeys.

After two glasses, the stinging in Zhang Chi’s stomach was growing, so Boss Zhao commanded, "Xiao Zhang, go check if that mushroom soup is ready."

Zhang Chi stumbled toward the kitchen. The alcohol burned, but as he spotted a plate of braised beef on the counter, he forgot his discomfort. "Boss, can I grab a piece to try?"

Yang Fei, uncharacteristically generous, chuckled, "Go ahead, consider it a treat on the house."

Delighted, Zhang Chi grabbed the entire plate, skipping back to the private room like a child with a trophy. He set it down with a grin, "Brother Zhao, Director Li, the boss gave me this braised beef as a gift—try some!"

Han Ju immediately covered his mouth, his brow furrowing in irritation. Boss Zhao’s heart sank; he had completely forgotten that Han Ju was a strict vegetarian.

Director Li, who had been focused entirely on currying favor with Han Ju, saw the reaction and felt a sudden, volcanic surge of rage. Without a word, he grabbed the plate and heaved it, splattering the braised beef and sauce all over Zhang Chi’s face.

Caught completely unawares, Zhang Chi stood there drenched and humiliated. Director Li roared, "You blind fool! Did I ever tell you to bring that here?"