Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation Chapter 1647 - 898: Top-Tier Early Childhood Education (Part 2)

Tang Jing found herself completely speechless with him.

Abruptly, Huang Yuzhu's phone started ringing. He pulled it out and realized it was a call from his grandmother.

Upon picking up, his typically sincere face instantly shifted to one of utter shock.

Tang Jing had never witnessed him in such a state before, so she inquired, "What happened?"

Huang Yuzhu replied in a fluster, "My brother got caught surfing the internet in an internet cafe; the police are summoning my family to come get him!"

He muttered, "But that doesn't add up—my brother was meant to be studying over at a classmate's place. He even convinced my grandmother that his classmate was tutoring him, and she handed him some pocket money..."

Tang Jing: "That's typical; he just fooled your grandma."

…

Over at Hu Qi Mountain Villa in the meantime.

Jiang Ning stepped into the brilliantly lit hall, where a six-inch strawberry cake sat stacked on the table. He'd requested the Evergreen Liquid chef to whip it up with strawberries, wheat flour, and milk from the small cows raised at Hu Qi Mountain.

In addition, the table featured warm duck braised treats, duck wings, duck feet, duck hearts, and a pack of cola.

Jiang Ning pulled out his phone once more to scroll through his chat logs with Tongtong.

Previously, Jiang Ning had brushed off Tongtong coldly. He might have wounded her pride, and now she was the one giving him the silent treatment.

All the messages were coming solely from his side:

"Tongtong, are you asleep?"

"Why no reply?"

"Are you upset?"

"..."

"Still holding a grudge?"

Tongtong hadn't responded to even one.

River Dam Bungalow, inside Jiang Ning’s bedroom.

Xue Yuantong declared firmly, "Chuchu, I'm done paying any attention to Jiang Ning—he's gone too far!"

The level-headed Xue Chuchu responded, "Yeah, from a social dynamics angle, I recommend not starting chats if he doesn't, to keep an air of mystery and unpredictability."

Xue Yuantong's eyes went wide as she gawked at Chuchu, "You know so much about this?"

Xue Chuchu's expression stayed cool and detached, "Pestering nonstop just breeds annoyance from the other side anyway."

Xue Yuantong bobbed her head eagerly like a little bird pecking grains, "Mmm, mm, just watch—I won't give him the time of day."

Jiang Ning fired off more messages, "I'm back home now; won't you chat?"

Xue Yuantong flashed the screen to Chuchu, "See how strong-willed I am?"

Xue Chuchu: "You're definitely very resolute."

Xue Chuchu figured Jiang Ning had truly overstepped today; based on Tongtong's recounting, he'd been out enjoying himself yet still dared to message her.

Tongtong held her ground firmly.

Right then, Jiang Ning shared a photo of the food, "I got your beloved strawberry cake, your fave braised duck, and your go-to cola—let's catch a movie and snack tonight."

The resolute Tongtong fired back without delay, "Hmph, about time you showed some smarts!"

Jiang Ning: "Gonna notice me again?"

Xue Yuantong: "Hmph, noticing you is your lucky break—tons of folks chase after me, and I ignore them; they wait in line."

Jiang Ning: "Impressive—do I need to line up too?"

Xue Yuantong pouted furiously as she typed, "Fine, you can cut the line!"

Straight-laced Xue Chuchu: "...With WeChat blowing up, was all my advice wasted?"

Xue Yuantong picked up on Xue Chuchu's exasperation, like she was baffled that a cake had won her over so easily.

She explained, "Chuchu, he apologized for real this time!"

Xue Chuchu sighed to herself—how could she even assess their bond?

Having devoured countless books, she possessed her own outlook on life, but struggled to put it into words.

As she mulled it over, Xue Yuantong abruptly peered out the window, where moonlight gleamed as brilliantly as before, mirroring in her gaze, "Chuchu, you wouldn't get it."

"That pesky Jiang Ning always pulls this. Back when he first moved in, he'd roam everywhere, leaving me anxious. Truth is, as long as he makes it home safe, that's all that matters."

…

Xue Yuantong uploaded a strawberry cake snapshot to the group chat, tagging everyone in the pic.

Chen Siyu shot back a spoon emoji.

Bai Yuxia added her own spoon.

The group chat filled up neatly in orderly lines.

Even Lu Qiqi skipped the snark; it just stirred up bad recollections. She recalled craving cake once and mentioning it to Yan Tianpeng, who quipped about plucking a hair and told her to grab a spoon...

Cake wasn't just a girl thing—guys craved it too.

With no place to crash, Zhang Chi sprawled in the gloomy, grimy dorm at Yu Zhou Fourth Middle School, simply lounging there.

He felt defeated and famished. Spotting that strawberry cake in the group made Zhang Chi's stomach growl louder.

He was a practical guy at heart; why else would he grind so hard for cash?

Deep into the night, Zhang Chi climbed down from bed, roamed the streets, and located a dessert spot still open.

Zhang Chi scanned around and picked out a tempting little cake.

He jabbed at the display case and queried, "What's the price?"

The clerk responded, "Regularly 15 yuan, but it's late—special deal, yours for 12 yuan."

Zhang Chi got it; the shop was clearing out daily leftovers at a steep cut.

And a measly 12 yuan? Nowhere near rock bottom!

"Time for a bold haggle!" His daring side ignited!

"Nah." Zhang Chi waved it off, dashed out, and braced to keep lingering.

The chill outdoors had Zhang Chi trembling.

He hung around endlessly. The clerk poked her head out, "Sir, still want that cake?"

Zhang Chi: "How much for the one from before?"

The clerk offered, "10 yuan it is."

Zhang Chi shook his head, "Pass!"

He loitered by the entrance for another twenty-plus minutes. At last, he shoved the door wide and demanded, "5 yuan for that cake?"

That's when he caught the clerk munching cake—the exact slice he'd coveted.

Zhang Chi's thoughts exploded: ’X*&@#￥!’

…

Down at the police station.

"Didn't you claim you were studying at a classmate's? What were you doing online in a net cafe?" Huang Yuzhu’s dad, Huang Guan, grilled the young boy.

Huang Yuzhu’s folks and grandma were all there, sitting in judgment.

Tang Jing lounged by the doorway, face impassive.

The kid kept his head bowed low.

Grandma's voice quavered with grief: "You told me you were heading to a classmate's for study sessions, said it was cozier. I slipped you cash to bond with him, but instead you..."

The little boy stayed mute, head down.

Huang Yuzhu lectured sincerely, "Little bro, I've warned you—hit the books hard for a shot at a real future. Don't fault me for being tough, but skipping study for net time means tech school post-exams, no turning back. Who'd put in a good word then?"

The normally frank Huang Guan jabbed a finger at his boy and raged, "Net surfing's bad enough, but deceiving your grandma? You treating her right? Scared of looking poor to classmates, she gave you money—what do you do?"

Huang Mother rasped out, "You letting down this family? We're not like the rest!"

Huang Yuzhu eyed his letdown sibling, but ultimately went soft: "Say sorry to grandma, turn over a new leaf, and buckle down on studies from here on."

The silent boy finally spoke, "I’m sorry, my mistake."

Huang Mother pressed sharply, "What mistake?"

The boy snapped his head up, face twisted in defiance and bitterness, voice thick with injustice, "Being born in your family!"

Those words left not just Huang Yuzhu’s kin dumbfounded, but the cops nearby stunned too.

…

Late into the night, Tang Jing rode home in her father's Accord.

Reflecting on Huang Yuzhu’s troublesome little brother, Tang Jing could scarcely credit it.

As an only kid from a decently comfortable home—not filthy rich, but owning multiple properties—she lacked such troubles. Still, after ages in Class 8, she knew there were stars and flops alike.

Thus, she posted in the group: "Anyone got tips for dealing with rebellious brats?"

Dong Qingfeng: "Parents gotta lead by example, I'd say."

Xin Youling: "Kids mirror their parents best."

Irked and dismissive of the bland replies, Zhang Chi shot back: "Pointless—leave it to me. Give me days, and he'll be a new kid."

Xue Yuantong, mid-bite of strawberry cake, tossed in offhand: "Head to our river dam—surefire reform, plus pocket money on top!"