Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation Chapter 1635 - 892: The Observer_2

The grade-schooler departed in tears.

Guo Kunnan stood there, utterly befuddled by the turn of events.

The cartoon reached its conclusion, yet no magical girl materialized from the ether. Guo Kunnan crunched on a spicy snack, retrieved his handheld, and readied himself to message local girls. Suddenly, he noticed a post by Mr. Guo appearing on his feed. Typically, students lack their teacher's WeChat handle.

However, Guo Ran was so radiantly beautiful and widely admired that everyone had clamored to add her.

Guo Kunnan felt a jolt of shock: "Goodness, she's absolutely stunning—and those earrings were a present from Jiang Ning?"

Nearby, Cui Yu was engrossed in his game, barely glancing up: "Big deal, isn't it? They say the 'Barbecue Princess' is expecting, and rumors link it back to Jiang Ning."

Guo Kunnan retorted: "That pregnancy is nothing but a hoax!"

Cui Yu shook his head: "Whether it's fabricated or authentic, why worry? Does truth even hold any currency these days?"

Guo Kunnan slapped his knee: "Blast, we really must address this. If these whispers persist, Pei Yujing's reputation will be utterly ruined!"

Having witnessed the sting of online bullying firsthand with Manman, Guo Kunnan understood the torment intimately and couldn't help but sympathize. He was a guy; if he were a woman, such malicious gossip could shatter his entire world.

Cui Yu kept his focus on the mouse: "Longlong will handle it, but it’s a steep climb!"

...

Guo Ran’s immense popularity was evident; her post garnered an avalanche of interactions, dwarfing those of Jiang Ning.

In a past existence, Jiang Ning was once pulled over for failing to wear a helmet, and he’d spent ages scraping together a mere 30 likes. For Guo Ran, such a count would be reached in mere minutes.

Contending with a barrage of prying messages, Guo Ran crafted a reply on her post: "Zero cost involved—it was a lucky draw prize for snagging a gold brick at a jewelry shop. Everyone should try their luck!"

Le Qin remarked bitingly: "That caption practically drips with vanity."

She could easily envision her friends attempting the gold grab, only to find themselves utterly incapable.

Guo Ran beamed with delight: "It has absolutely nothing to do with my skill!"

Just as she was ready to stow her phone and treat Jiang Ning to a feast, a WeChat notification chimed.

"Did someone bestow a gold necklace upon you?" the message read, sent by a man whose avatar was a cringe-worthy close-up selfie.

Guo Ran cast a glance and recognized him instantly: he was a blind-date prospect her relatives had arranged the previous year.

Le Qin’s eyes brightened: "Good heavens, isn't that... him?"

She recalled clearly how he had pestered her for information because she was Guo Ran’s companion, sending bribes in hopes that she’d sing his praises. Le Qin had found his desperation surprisingly sincere at the time.

Upon opening his gift at the time, she discovered only a few packets of budget-brand crisps, leaving her speechless. She’d hurriedly transferred 100 yuan to him.

She regretted it instantly—those snacks weren’t even worth five yuan!

Naturally, that particular suitor failed to capture Guo Ran’s interest.

The man had bragged to anyone willing to listen about the small fortune and time he’d squandered pursuing her, which left Le Qin baffled.

"Why haven't you blocked him yet?" Le Qin questioned.

Guo Ran answered: "I rarely delete anyone from my contacts."

Another ping followed shortly: "Those are just gold earrings, trivial at best. To celebrate the New Year, I went and purchased myself an automobile; that car now holds special meaning as my tribute to you."

Le Qin was momentarily stunned: "He's gifting you a vehicle?"

Guo Ran sighed: "Are you some sort of fake lawyer?"

Le Qin peered closer, finally grasping that the fool had simply purchased a car for his own use.

He sent a barrage of photos of the car from every conceivable angle.

Then he typed: "Miss, might I interest you in a joyride inside my 1.8T DSG elegant Passat?"

Guo Ran replied: "Apologies, I am currently preoccupied."

Man: "What exactly are you doing?"

Guo Ran’s digit hovered over the display, pondering the response.

Jiang Ning looked over: "Hmm?"

Noticing his stare, Guo Ran hesitated and whispered: "Don't you dare laugh!"

She presented the screen to Jiang Ning, who read it and suggested: "I'll assist you with the reply; simply tell him you're busy kissing your boyfriend."

Guo Ran fought back a fit of giggles.

Le Qin cried out in delight: "Brilliant, absolutely perfect!"

She seized the phone and sent the message herself. The man on the other end was clearly outraged, as he promptly deleted Guo Ran from his list.

Le Qin savored the aftermath: "These types are truly insufferable. Not particularly dashing, stingy with money, and unwilling to invest any genuine effort—yet they harbor such delusions of grandeur."

She then pivoted: "Ranran, speaking of which, what if someone actually did gift you a car?"

Guo Ran’s countenance remained unmoved. Many attractive women encounter wealthy suitors, and she was no exception—even encountering high-level executives—but what of it?

Wealth might procure luxury, but affection cannot be purchased.

Guo Ran remarked simply: "Being with a man you despise brings no joy regardless of his wealth, whereas enduring hardship with someone you cherish is a true blessing."

Le Qin observed her friend’s understated grace with a flicker of melancholy. From youth, her best friend had never chased hollow material gains nor exhibited lofty ambitions; she simply yearned to be an educator and raise others with kindness.

She vaguely recalled that this perspective might have stemmed from a traumatic encounter with a wretched teacher during her childhood.

Le Qin didn't dwell on it, smiling as she challenged: "I disagree. I believe wealth outweighs love."

Guo Ran checked: "Oh?"

Le Qin pressed: "If you fall out of love with someone, you'd depart, wouldn't you?"

Guo Ran nodded: "Indeed."

Le Qin smiled brightly: "Yet you grind away at a job you find repetitive every single day. Doesn't that prove you can't endure the struggle of life without financial security? Money is sufficient."

Guo Ran declared firmly: "Not at all. I truly adore my occupation."

At midday, Guo Ran ushered Jiang Ning to Tianmu Lake, the 'Pearl of Jiangnan,' where they savored fish head tofu soup. The fish was tender, the tofu savory, and mixed over rice, it was sublime.

Later, they visited Tianning Temple to listen to the resonant bells, trekking to the pagoda's peak to gaze over the sunset bathing Zhongwu.

Finally, Le Qin drove Jiang Ning to the bullet train terminal.

"Should you return to the river dam, I shall be your host," Jiang Ning vowed with a grin.

Guo Ran offered a rhythmic nod, her butterfly earrings dancing in the light.

He remained visible until his frame vanished into the terminal.

Le Qin nudged her companion: "Lost in thought? Let’s head out!"

"Right, of course," Guo Ran murmured.

Observing her friend’s distracted state, Le Qin sighed internally; she longed to shout for her to wake up, reminding her that he was still a child.

However, once the words arrived, she pivoted: "A seven-year gap is vast between sixteen and twenty-three, but later, say twenty-six and thirty-three, it matters not at all."

Jiang Ning had passed a blissful day in Zhongwu, his time spent with Guo Ran providing a fulfillment he had never tasted in his former life.

The destinations he had pined for as a youth were unreachable due to poverty, and by the time money was no object later, the spirit of travel had long since faded.

The console he craved as a boy felt hollow when bought as a man.

On the return train, he felt elevated, watching the landscape blur. Jiang Ning mused silently: 'Do not lament the twilight, for the dusk remains magnificent.'

He reconsidered; that sentiment didn't fit, for he was still in the dawn of this life.

He resolved: 'Let a roc catch the gale and ascend ninety thousand miles.'

...

After dwelling on this, Jiang Ning pulled out his device to pass the time.

He opened a software and discovered Tongtong playing her game. Ever since she flaunted her gaming prowess to the twins, her obsession with streaming had bloomed.

She’d configured a recording tool to broadcast her gameplay, and Jiang Ning often checked in to peek at her solo matches.

He logged on: Tongtong was deep into a match with 'Little Fishman'.

Whether he was present or not, she remained utterly dedicated to the game... or, well, she was equally diligent when he watched.

He observed her return to the base.

Jiang Ning messaged her: "I'm watching your stream—did Aunt Gu dish out another punishment today?"

Tongtong, sitting in the river dam bungalow, appeared shocked: "She wouldn't dare!"

Jiang Ning suppressed a laugh: "Then tell me, why didn't you perform your celebratory spin at the spring today? You never fail to do your little dance!"

Tongtong answered: "Don't be daft, I was busy snacking on pistachios!"