Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation Chapter 1630 - 890: Nothing Out of the Ordinary

It was morning, and as the sun began to climb, Jiang Ning arrived at the Yu Zhou South Station square.

After securing his titanium-gray electric scooter, he pulled out the key and strolled toward the entrance. During the break, Teacher Guo Ran had mentioned wanting him to visit her home to sample some of her cooking. That invitation was finally coming to fruition today. Dressed in a sleek black trench coat with a bag slung over his shoulder, Jiang Ning traveled light.

Eighth day of the Lunar New Year meant the station was bustling with travelers heading back, yet Jiang Ning moved with a relaxed, steady pace.

Suddenly, a voice called out: "Jiang Ning!"

Turning around, he spotted a girl whose skin was pale enough to catch the light. She was accompanied by Lou Keke, who seemed to carry a chilly, distant aura.

"Oh, what a coincidence," Jiang Ning remarked. He noticed her appearance was healthy, confirming that his past electrotherapy treatments had been quite effective.

"Keke, do you know this guy?" a boy standing beside Lou Keke asked.

Another girl stood with them, eyeing Jiang Ning with curiosity. These two were Lou Keke’s classmates and friends, residents of Yuzhou and students at Nan Shi Fuzhong. Both radiated an air of privilege that felt completely foreign to the down-to-earth vibe of individuals like Zhang Chi.

They were puzzled; normally, Lou Keke ignored acquaintances at school, предпочитая to stay in her own bubble. But this was different.

The boy, in particular, watched Jiang Ning with visible unease.

Lou Keke hesitated for a moment before introducing him: "We once had a meal together."

She still vividly remembered the grilled fish on ice they had shared.

"Jiang Ning, where are you headed?" Lou Keke asked, visibly delighted to see him after more than half a month apart.

"Zhongwu City," Jiang Ning replied.

Lou Keke gave a slight nod, adding, "What a pity, I'm going to Nan City."

As they walked toward the ticket hall, a classmate nudged her. Lou Keke looked apologetic, saying, "I'm sorry, I have to go that way."

She gestured toward the entrance for the business class lounge, which was separate from the general boarding area. Jiang Ning remained unfazed. "Alright, have a safe trip."

He departed without looking back. Caught off guard, Lou Keke paused; she had intended to ask for contact information, but he had slipped away too fast.

"He’s pretty handsome," the friend beside her whispered. "It’s a shame; I thought we might have talked longer."

The boy smirked, his tone dripping with superiority. "Can't be helped. We’re in business class, after all." He turned his gaze away, dismissing Jiang Ning as someone from a completely different world.

...

Upon arriving in Zhongwu City, Jiang Ning stepped out of the station with his bag, instantly spotting a graceful figure waiting in the distance. He waved, and Guo Ran walked toward him with dainty, composed steps.

Jiang Ning smiled. It was winter, and while her thick layers hid her waist, her elegant legs in high-waisted jeans looked sharp. "Jiang Ning, you must be tired," she said, handing him a warm milk tea with the tender concern one might show a younger brother.

Jiang Ning looked at her; a year of teaching had matured her, replacing her youthful shyness with a more refined beauty. It was a wonderful sight—a version of Guo Ran he had never known in his past life.

"Why are you looking at me like that? Is something on my face?" she asked, bewildered.

Jiang Ning looked toward the greenery by the road. The snow in Zhongwu had not yet fully thawed, and plum blossoms were beginning to peek through the frost. "The plum blossoms have bloomed," he commented.

"I think..." Guo Ran started, then stopped, confused. "Huh? What are you talking about?"

Jiang Ning chuckled. "Nothing at all."

"Fine then, let's keep moving," she urged.

As she trailed a step behind, her cheeks flushed with a fleeting thought: 'You brat, don't think I don't know what you're implying!'

At 9:30 a.m., it was too early for a meal, and the cinema was packed. Guo Ran opted for a taxi, navigating through the city to reach a cozy, quiet coffee shop.

Once they found a seat, Guo Ran ordered drinks and cake, then pulled a pen and notebook from her bag. Jiang Ning arched an eyebrow. "You aren't planning to tutor me here, are you?"

"Do you even need tutoring?" she teased. "I just wanted to try bringing you to a cafe, where we could sit and chat while I finish my lesson plans. Does that sound okay?"

Jiang Ning watched her. They had spent many hours like this in the office, but being outside in a cafe felt different. "That sounds perfect," he agreed.

As soft music filled the shop, Jiang Ning stirred his coffee, watching the way she worked. "When did you get your ears pierced?" he asked.

Guo Ran touched her ear, look of nostalgia crossing her face. "When I turned eighteen. I wanted to do something new since I was finally an adult." Her expression turned playful yet self-deprecating. "But the very first night, I felt like I had betrayed my parents' expectations. I really regretted it!"

Nearby, a group on a blind date tested each other with guarded questions, only to part ways in frustration minutes later. Despite her polished professional image, Guo Ran often joked about such people with Jiang Ning.

"His hair was greasy, and her makeup was overdone," she whisped. "They looked perfect for each other, but there wasn't a hint of sincerity between them."