Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation Chapter 1625 - 887: Hero Unmatched (2)

Being a guest, Yao Yiyao could only set down her chopsticks in frustration. She smoothed out her black pantyhose, highlighting the delicate, slender curves of her legs, which were quite the sight to behold.

"Look, I'm eating, I'm really eating!" Chen Siyu chimed in, mimicking a gluttonous Taotie on the screen.

Xue Yuantong asked, "Does the food look appetizing?"

She tilted her camera over the dinner spread, narrating, "Look at this beef—it is incredibly tender, and those noodles are absolutely soaked in the rich broth!"

As she panned the camera, she lingered on the crab. Even though it wasn't the star of the table, having grown up in poverty, Tongtong naturally assumed it was a premium luxury item and felt obligated to give it plenty of exposure.

Chen Siyu immediately gushed, "Wow, crabs! I didn't even get to have any this New Year!"

Xue Yuantong replied, "Big, delicious crabs!"

Chen Siyu added, "Is that the type that crawls sideways? I heard they start off green when alive, then turn red once cooked—and they have such tough shells!"

Xue Yuantong boasted, "Who cares about the shells? I get to enjoy all the soft meat!"

Chen Siyu chuckled, "Wow, Tongtong, you’re quite the expert!"

Xue Yuantong ended the call with a satisfied grin and announced, "Time to dig in!"

Yao Yiyao lifted her chopsticks to snag a piece of beer duck. As she bit into the tender meat, the flavors exploded in her mouth, lighting up her eyes as if she were experiencing the duck's own joy.

"This is divine! This duck must have been a very happy little wild creature when it was roaming about!" Yao Yiyao raved.

Jiang Ning smiled, "It was certainly a contented one."

Xue Yuantong added, "I'll make sure to bring back more next time."

She let out a small sigh, "It’s a shame Siyu isn't here to eat this, or I can only imagine the kind of praise she’d rain down on my cooking!"

Jiang Ning teased, "If you want compliments, just have Yu Wen do it instead."

Knowing full well that Yu Wen had a habit of quacking like a duck, Xue Yuantong pouted, "Jiang Ning, you are so mean. If Yu Wen were here, she would definitely squawk in frustration."

Realizing what she said, Xue Yuantong quickly clamped a hand over her mouth. Oh no, she was becoming as mischievous as him.

Jiang Ning didn't think much of it. In his previous life, Yu Wen and Shen Qing’e were very close, often teasing him with their dry humor.

"Still, chatting with Siyu always feels the most natural," Xue Yuantong mused.

Yao Yiyao, privy to her own little secret regarding mealtimes—that bringing up topics others excelled at meant she could eat more—chimed in, "Fun fact: if talking to someone feels effortless, it’s usually because their emotional intelligence is far superior to your own."

Xue Yuantong looked scandalized by the suggestion. "Nonsense! That's completely false!"

Xue Chuchu fell into deep thought, mulling over the state of Tongtong’s emotional intelligence.

Xue Yuantong countered, "If someone feels uncomfortable talking to me, does that mean they have a lower status than me? What do you think, Jiang Ning?"

Yao Yiyao, distracted by their debate, stealthily reached for a piece of food. Her chopsticks collided with someone else's—Xue Chuchu’s.

...

The weather was beautiful, though a scuffle had broken out at the nearby tourist spot, with Yang Fei left to mediate. On Jiang Ning’s end, the meal remained peaceful and delightful.

Xue Yuantong praised Jiang Ning for his recent earnings, and he promised to take her to the large supermarket later that evening.

Exhilarated, Xue Yuantong felt life was truly looking up. Just like the broadcasts mentioned, the best days were yet to come!

Jiang Ning said, "I'll get you all the snacks you want tonight, but what am I supposed to do about my freezing hands right now?"

As she focused on her crab, Xue Yuantong giggled, "Let me warm them up for you, then."

"No need," Jiang Ning replied. In one swift motion, he slid his hand into the warmth of Xue Yuantong’s pocket. Tongtong froze like a statue, completely unsure of how to react.

Xue Chuchu watched with skeptical eyes. They were still at the dinner table—could it be that Jiang Ning was... oh goodness, it was only broad daylight!

Xue Chuchu’s mind raced. Jiang Ning had claimed his hands were cold, but they clearly weren't. He was just making excuses to get close to her—he was up to something.

Then, she saw Jiang Ning pull his hand out of Tongtong’s pocket along with a fifty-yuan bill.

Tongtong’s expression turned to one of awkward confusion.

Even Yao Yiyao, who had been laser-focused on her meal, sensed that something bizarre had just occurred.

Jiang Ning said calmly, "I’m not really short on cash, obviously. You see, people who offer me money aren't necessarily good to me, but those who hoard it away are definitely the bad ones..."

Caught red-handed, Xue Yuantong pouted, "I was just planning to buy some snacks and clear your tab, that’s all!"

Yao Yiyao stared in bewilderment. What was going on? Why did the atmosphere feel so strange?

Just as Jiang Ning was about to continue badgering Tongtong, a loud commotion erupted from the west side of the bungalow.

Xue Chuchu sipped her tomato soup calmly and said, "Company is coming. Let's put this aside." Settling family affairs in front of strangers would only create an unnecessary scene.

Soon, Li Han and Li Qingyang wandered past the entrance. Full of curiosity, the pair glanced around until their eyes landed on Jiang Ning and the others.

Jiang Ning used a touch of Spiritual Power to drift the scent of their meal toward the duo.

Li Qingyang and Li Han couldn't help but stop—it smelled heavenly. Damn it!

With iron willpower, Li Han diverted his gaze from the food and caught sight of Yao Yiyao. Even with stray grains of rice on the corner of her mouth, she looked breathtakingly beautiful in his eyes.

Li Han’s throat tightened. The girl he admired was hanging out with Jiang Ning—and, damn, she was even more attractive than he remembered!

He stood there, completely dumbstruck.

Beside him, Li Qingyang, who normally took pride in her appearance, suddenly felt insecure, like a tiny sparrow in comparison.

Still, she did her best to regain her composure.

As for Li Han, his gaze was glued to Xue Chuchu, unable to look away. Desperate to assert his worth, he stood up tall. "Yao Yao, I’ve always had a question for you!"

Jiang Ning recognized the tone immediately. In his previous life, the young leader Li Han always played that card. Whenever the department beauty faced attention from colleagues, Li Han would sarcastically chime in, "I have a question: is everyone here so free?"

Presently, the young Li Han asked, "Yao Yao, do you think there’s a massive gap between our families?"

Yao Yiyao glanced at him, genuinely impressed by his audacity. "Well, yes. I suppose so."

Li Han’s father was quite well-connected, after all.

A faint, confident smile touched Li Han’s lips. "I told you before, our families are about the same. My friends keep telling me you’re just too scared to visit my place!"

Having delivered what he perceived to be a cool, carefree line, he remained silent, waiting for his cool departure to leave an impression.

He was sure that beautiful girl would remember his profundity forever.

Li Qingyang had wanted to strike up a conversation or get a taste of the food, but they were quickly shooed away by the sound of a rocking horse.

Xue Yuantong asked curiously, "Is his dad actually that powerful?"

Yao Yiyao replied, "Powerful, sure, but he got swindled for 4,000 yuan by Jiang Ning."

Xue Yuantong gasped, "Such a generous person!"

...

Li Qingyang was seething inside. She hadn't managed to catch any fish, her rivals were feasting, and her friends kept looking back at the bungalow.

Li Han took charge with a wave of his hand. "My dad’s at the tourist spot, and he’s booked us a table. Let's go!"

His friends cheered, relieved that they didn't have to wait for food. "Fantastic! Uncle Li is the best, we’re saved!"

However, just as Li Han reached the entrance, a figure flew out of the door. Thanks to his quick reflexes, he barely managed to dodge the projectile.

"Damn it! Almost took me out!" Li Han cursed, relieved to be unharmed.

Director Li scrambled up from the ground, looking disheveled, until he caught sight of Li Han. "Han Han!" he shouted.

Li Han was stunned. "Dad!"

Suddenly, a haughty voice echoed from the courtyard: "Beat the old one, and here comes the young one!"