Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation Chapter 1653 - 901: Dog Owner (2)

Mrs. Chen scolded: "Business folks these days have lost their souls to greed, pocketing every bit of profit—how much is left for the farmers tending the fields? Running a business means keeping some conscience!"

Yang Fei gazed at Mrs. Chen, clad in her lavish mink coat, brimming with righteous fervor.

He mused inwardly: You invoke farmers when it fits your narrative, but would you spare a glance if one actually stood before you?

Yang Fei paused briefly before replying: "Hey, you get it—low grain prices really harm the farmers."

Mrs. Chen's retort got choked back in her throat.

Once Yang Fei grabbed the menu and departed, Mrs. Chen summoned: "Doudou!"

The large white dog bounded over, pawing at Mrs. Chen's mink coat with its front legs, playfully cavorting. Director Han beside her flashed a flicker of irritation, swiftly masking it with practiced ease.

Director Han's rise to his present status owed much to Mrs. Chen's family backing, yet publicly he was Director Han— at home, his command held little sway.

...

By the bungalow entrance.

Xue Yuantong observed the big white dog entering the rural tourism spot, confused: "Jiang Ning, didn't Boss Yang ban pets?"

She recalled how, during her and Xue Chuchu's two-day stint helping out, they'd been strictly told to bar dogs from the premises.

Mr. Qian, overhearing, piped up loudly: "How absurd—rules are rigid, people are flexible."

Jiang Ning: "Hmm."

With no pushback from the neighboring young pair, Mr. Qian continued: "Years back, I was lent to the education bureau for support..."

Recounting those times fired up Mr. Qian, as the education bureau had been his stage for pursuing dreams.

"Back then, the office banned pets—I recall it vividly. A new girl had a dog; once found out, she got forced to rehome it, haha." Mr. Qian let out a sardonic laugh.

"Then our leader's family got a dog too, a massive one. It wandered the grounds daily, even hit the cafeteria to eat at the tables, and folks fawned over it, calling it adorable! No one breathed a word about the no-pet rule!"

Here, Mr. Qian cast off his elder's restraint, glowing with fervor, his face alive with energy.

Xue Yuantong pondered then remarked: "Looks like just one dog, but actually their office was full of them."

Mr. Qian's face stiffened instantly, his look toward Tongtong laced with profound, unspoken layers.

'Is this girl truly as naive as she appears?' Mr. Qian pondered.

Right after, Xue Yuantong queried: "Mr. Qian, did you call the dog cute?"

Hearing that, Mr. Qian leaped from the Taishi chair like he'd been slighted, snarling: "That mutt was hideous and reeked—I'd never compliment that beast, I challenged it outright!"

Jiang Ning observed him, grasping why Mr. Qian, a refined educator from bygone eras with bright prospects, remained merely a regular teacher.

Certain traits endure through years, growing only more entrenched.

Yet time alters plenty besides.

Zhang Ruyun neared the Porsche Cayenne, eyeing its frog-like emblem appreciatively—the longer he stared, the classier it seemed.

'If I drove a Cayenne, would Ah Yue have ditched me?' The daring idea flashed in Zhang Ruyun's head.

No chance, since Ah Yue's current beau piloted a plain Volkswagen.

Digging deeper, the Trendy Brother at the class meet only had a Toyota Avalon—toy with a Cayenne, and he'd dominate the crowd effortlessly.

In essence, owning a Cayenne... Zhang Ruyun's pulse raced; he glanced back at the bungalow, regretting Xue Chuchu's absence.

Zhang Ruyun kept savoring the Cayenne's sleek lines, and from that instant, the Zhang Ruyun who'd sworn six months prior to pave roads and erect towers along the river dam—banishing poverty's shadows for joyful lives—vanished.

Replaced by a Zhang Ruyun craving a Porsche Cayenne.

Mr. Qian observed the scene with icy detachment.

...

The Dogo emerged from the rural tourism yard, savoring the river dam's fresh breeze.

Xiao Ben was absent, and no other dogs roamed the dam.

A dominant breed, the Dogo brimmed with territorial instincts, eager to mark new turf.

Dogs claim territory simply: by scent-marking.

The Dogo dashed to the bungalow's west wall corner, reared up on one leg in classic pose...

Jiang Ning: "Scram."

Terrified, the Dogo froze mid-act. Seconds later, its blocky snout locked on Jiang Ning, growling deeply like a wild predator.

Jiang Ning murmured softly, "Xiao Ben."

Zhang Ruyun caught it and commented, "Ba Wang's off playing—who knows where."

No way it'd heed such a faint call!

Scarce had Zhang Ruyun spoken when a dark blur streaked from the north, hurtling their way before skidding to a halt.

Even bulkier now, Xiao Ben dwarfed the Dogo, its savage mug terrifying, jaws agape with slobber, like a hellish beast.

The Dogo quailed, yelping as it tucked tail and fled clumsily.

Fearless Xiao Ben pursued, barking threats.

Whining ceaselessly, the Dogo bolted back into the tourism site, leaping into Mrs. Chen's arms.

Mrs. Chen scooped up her furry baby at once, soothing: "Sweetie, it's fine, no fears, no fears!"

Director Han's temples pulsed, though Han Chen took it in stride.

Heartbroken and enraged, Mrs. Chen demanded: "Who terrified you so!"

Clutching the Dogo, she charged outside to confront the offender.

Stepping out, she spotted a hulking dog heading west; the Dogo whimpered anew.

Mrs. Chen bellowed furiously: "Ah, it's you, filthy cur!"

She hollered back to her husband and son in the room: "Come out, deal with this!"

Director Han scowled: "Soup's not served yet?"

Mrs. Chen shot a icy glare: "Stay then, slurp your soup!"

Helpless, Director Han trailed his wife to resolve the issue.

Yang Fei noted their aggressive approach and alerted the chef hastily: "Hold off on the mushrooms, chef."

...

Jiang Ning and Tongtong lounged in the sunlight at the doorway, enveloped in serene bliss.

A raging woman burst in, demanding: "Who owns this dog? Everyone knows big dogs must be leashed—who answers if it bites someone?"

Mr. Qian smirked; this woman irked him, evoking the bureau harpy who'd torpedoed his career.

He fired first: "Your dog's off-leash too—what's with the shouting?"

Stumped briefly, Mrs. Chen pressed on undeterred: "Does your stray match our Doudou? Ours is fully vaccinated—look properly!"

Mr. Qian brushed her off: "Shove off, you harpy!"

Mr. Qian quoted poetry: "You, Zhongshan Wolf, wax bold on triumphs!"

Outraged, Mrs. Chen—who'd lived cushioned in elite circles—couldn't tolerate a peasant's bark.

She jabbed a finger: "You're done for, mark my words!"

Mr. Qian scoffed: "I'm rabies-shot—scared of you?"

Mrs. Chen's visage twisted; she thrust at the Dogo: "Bite him! Bite!"

Emboldened by its owner, the Dogo snarled, eyes flashing menace, breed savagery unleashed.

As Mr. Qian poised to evade, a shadowy form lunged from the flank amid a foul gust, slamming the Dogo down and chomping ferociously.

Agony wracked the Dogo, prompting frenzied howls and thrashing.

Mr. Qian, half-evaded on one foot in guard stance, cheered as Xiao Ben mauled: "Excellent, Xiao Ben!"

He never dreamed Xiao Ben would defend him!

Jiang Ning eyed Xiao Ben; he'd skipped any Spiritual Technique. The dog charged instinctively upon seeing Mr. Qian endangered.

'This pup's got character...' Jiang Ning's eyes widened slightly—purely Xiao Ben's instinct.

Thus, even sans his presence, Xiao Ben would safeguard the river dam's folk.