Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation Chapter 1624 - 887: The Hero Is Invincible

Within a rural tourism lodge, the private room was cooled by an air conditioner, casting a faint, warm current through the space.

Dark brown braised beef sauce, thick with broth and spices, splattered across Zhang Chi’s expression, trickling down his features to soak his cotton coat, trousers, and the chair before splattering onto the floor in a chaotic mess.

The fresh splash was pungent and fragrant—beef stew, after all, carries a richer aroma than simple oil-splashed noodles. Had Xiao Ben been present, he surely would have acted like a famished beast.

However, Director Han, presiding over the main seat, shielded his face with his hand while knitting his brows in visible disdain; he simply could not tolerate the heavy scent of meat.

"Vile! The sort of swill peasants consume!"

Zhang Chi, his face coated in sauce and his eyes stinging, blinked rapidly, his mind still struggling to process the sudden turn of events.

Having lived in poverty for so long, his ingrained reaction was one of dismay at the waste; that was prime beef stew, and he had barely tasted it! Moreover, he worried frantically about ruining his brand-new clothing.

Suddenly, the scorching heat of the stew registered on his skin, and he recoiled instinctively, springing backward with such velocity that the chair behind him toppled over.

Director Li, showing no scrap of empathy and sensing Director Han's mounting irritation, forced a grin. He gestured mockingly at Zhang Chi’s disheveled state and joked, "Director Han, you know the expression 'chickens fly and dogs jump'? If that bowl had been chicken, we'd be witnessing it firsthand!"

Director Han chuckled heartily: "Xiao Li, you really are a character! It is no wonder why so many superiors remark on your wit!"

The two continued their banter, oblivious to others, laughing with the casual ease of men at the top.

To Zhang Chi, however, their laughter sounded like grinding metal. His face twisted in a mask of pure fury, a murderous impulse surging through him toward Director Li.

Director Li met the gaze of Boss Zhao, offering a silent signal.

Understanding the instruction, Boss Zhao hurriedly gripped Zhang Chi and dragged him toward the exit, whispering urgently, "Xiao Zhang, maintain your composure! Don't do this!"

He fished a roll of cash from his pocket and pressed it into Zhang Chi’s hand.

It was at least a thousand yuan. Zhang Chi’s expression wavered, his anger softening just slightly.

Boss Zhao pressed on with his counsel: "Do you realize why this happened today? It is because you lack status! That is precisely why he feels emboldened to treat you this way. If you possessed authority, would he ever dare act so? You must endure. Tolerate this until you have earned your place..."

Status. The word echoed in Zhang Chi's mind, bringing back memories of his past work experiences. He had encountered many powerful figures who looked right through him, never once treating him as a fellow human being.

Why were they allowed to act with such impunity? Was there not a promise of achieving common prosperity? Zhang Chi’s features shifted rapidly.

From inside the private room, Director Li shouted, "Xiao Zhao, once you're done, have the staff clean this up. This beef reeks! No wonder Director Han doesn't fancy it!"

Eager to curry further favor, Director Li degraded the meal even more, adding, "I wouldn't even feed this to my dog!"

At those words, Boss Zhao suddenly realized he could no longer restrain the young man.

Zhang Chi spun around, his eyes burning with a primal, raging fire: "Say that again?"

Director Li glanced up and sneered, his greasy face twisted into a mocking grin: "What, you don't like what you hear, brat?"

Zhang Chi tore himself from Boss Zhao’s grasp, roaring, "Damn you!"

He lunged, moving with the ferocity of a wild animal, covering the distance to Director Li in a heartbeat. He delivered a punch fueled by deep-seated hatred, aiming squarely for that oily, loathsome face.

Director Li had never imagined the youth would dare strike. Having occupied a position of privilege for years and mastering the art of the dinner table, he felt untouchable. He was so stunned that he forgot to retreat, and the next moment, the crushing impact of Zhang Chi’s fist connected with his face, the intensity of the pain momentarily robbing him of the ability to scream.

Zhang Chi grabbed him by the hair and yanked him brutally from the chair.

"You bastard, lick this floor clean!" Zhang Chi slammed his foot onto the man's shoulder, pinning the bloated, liquor-soaked official to the ground.

"I’m serious—eat! If you don't clean this up, I will finish you!" Driven by a frenzy of rage, Zhang Chi stomped repeatedly, unleashing all the pent-up fury within his soul.

The agony was immense. Director Li shrieked, desperate to wriggle away, but Zhang Chi kept him pinned underfoot.

Watching the man who had been so arrogant and dismissive just moments ago now whimpering like a cur on the floor, Zhang Chi’s expression grew cold and detached.

So, these people were no different than the ones he’d fought before? They bled, they felt pain, and they crawled when backed against a wall.

The commotion finally broke the composure of Director Han at the main table, who stood up and bellowed, "You wretched brute!"

Zhang Chi snapped his head toward him: "You scum, I haven't forgotten about you!"

He grabbed a handful of stewed beef and lunged toward Director Han. Seeing this, Boss Zhao scrambled to intercept him, his voice trembling with terror: "Xiao Zhang, you mustn't go further!"

...

"Jiang Ning, pour me another drink!"

"Splendid, consider it a reward!" Xue Yuantong raised her glass of juice and drained it in a single gulp.

Xue Chuchu offered a quiet warning, "It’s chilled."

Yao Yiyao scanned the banquet feast with hungry eyes. The table was laden with fried fish, steamed crab, beef stewed with clear noodles, beer-braised duck, spicy ribs, and a fragrant tomato-mushroom soup. Her mouth watered involuntarily, her stomach growling at the sight.

If only she could feast on food like this every day, she would gladly quit school forever!

Recently, Xue Yuantong had picked up a tiresome habit: before every meal, she insisted on playing with her phone—not to snap photos, but to share clips with Chen Siyu, just to tease them.