Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation Chapter 1662 - 905: The Missing Person (Part 2)

Yet, upon gazing at the dishes Granny Qian prepared, hesitation seized him as past memories flooded back. Several years prior, Granny Qian steamed buns from moldy flour, landing almost everyone from the river dam in the hospital—everyone except those in Xue Yuantong’s home.

Even now, the thought stirs up chills of fear.

Zhang Ruyun eyed the braised pork on the table, his voice shaky as he asked, "Teacher, how many days has this dish been sitting here?"

Mr. Qian’s expression stiffened, remaining silent.

Granny Qian, sitting nearby, chimed in, "Just three days. The longer it ferments, the tastier it becomes. Dig in without worry!"

Zhang Ruyun mentally struck this dish from his options. One should remember, even Xiao Ben sometimes skipped Mr. Qian’s cooking, but sadly, Xiao Ben had fled, leaving no one to sample the food first.

Seeing Ruyun’s wariness, Granny Qian grabbed a chunk of braised pork and plopped it onto Dongdong’s large bun. "This kid’s so thin—eat more meat!"

Dongdong slaved away daily for Boss Yang, getting pampered by the delicious meals there.

He munched a couple bites before spitting it out onto the floor.

Embarrassment flooded Granny Qian’s face. "Your aunt isn’t skilled in the kitchen. My cooking can’t match Boss Yang’s chefs—make do with it!"

Dongdong snapped, "Damn old lady, so you knew? The food sucks, but you can still taste grandpa’s kick!"

...

"Jiang Ning, what’s the dinner plan?" Tongtong asked slyly.

Jiang Ning stayed calm. "No issue, Chuchu will handle it."

"But Chuchu’s never cooked," Xue Yuantong rubbed his hands nervously.

Jiang Ning replied, "Then let’s hit the streets for barbecue tonight—I know a spot with great taste."

"We had hot pot just the other day, won’t that waste money?" One barbecue session, factoring in Jiang Ning and her huge appetite, matched Dongdong and Xingxing’s full day’s earnings.

Jiang Ning simply asked, "You in or not?"

"In!" Tongtong declared firmly.

Jiang Ning rose tall. "Alright, let’s grab Chuchu too."

The pair strolled over to Chuchu’s place, where Xue Yuantong bellowed, "Chuchu, big happy news for you!"

Xue Chuchu pondered briefly before saying, "No school tomorrow?"

Xue Yuantong grinned. "That’s part of it, but even better—we’re heading out for street barbecue tonight!"

Xue Chuchu responded coolly, as usual. "Sounds fine."

Xue Yuantong pressed, "You coming?"

Xue Chuchu paused for a couple seconds without quick yes or no, then said, "I’ll think about it."

Jiang Ning observed her, fully aware Chuchu’s "I’ll think about it" really signaled, "Ask once more, and I’m in."

Surprisingly, Tongtong spun around smugly and urged, "Chuchu, drop the act—let’s go."

Xue Chuchu flushed with awkwardness.

Tongtong muttered, "See, Jiang Ning? She’s always pulling this."

Tongtong skipped her mom’s new cute pink cotton jacket, opting for a tough black stain-proof one instead. Kids hardened by hardship always stash the finest for later.

...

Soon after Jiang Ning and the others departed, Butcher Zhang rolled up on his Dayun motorcycle right to his door.

Oddly, Ba Wang didn’t rush out to welcome him.

Butcher Zhang felt puzzled. "Ba Wang! Ba Wang!"

No bark came back.

Zhang Ruyun, mid-meal at Mr. Qian’s, called out, "Dad, quit yelling—Ba Wang’s gone into hiding."

It took ages of explaining before Butcher Zhang swallowed the shocking truth.

Damn, a dog that flees trouble on its own?

Zhang Ruyun barely talked with his dad. Meal done, he parked himself by the door, scrolling his messages first. His once-clingy girlfriend now ghosted him completely.

Gone quiet, yet very much alive.

No reply from his girlfriend, but she flaunted an upscale dinner on her moments, slyly flashing a gold bracelet.

He Googled gold bracelet prices, then quietly closed the tab.

'How did sweet, simple Ah Yue turn so materialistic?' Zhang Ruyun sulked, bitterness rising unfairly. He was only a college kid—how could he match the rich guys her family shoved her toward?

Life stays unfair. Some start with it all handed over.

Zhang Ruyun recalled Director Han’s Porsche Cayenne, quietly searching, 'What’s owning a Porsche Cayenne like?'

Responders’ vibrant tales and breezy attitudes drew him deeper in.

Without noticing, Mr. Qian sidled up and barked, "Enough of that!"

Zhang Ruyun jolted alert.

Mr. Qian lectured, "Luxury rides are no big deal—just markers splitting social ranks!"

Zhang Ruyun rejected the teacher’s take, sighing gloomily, "A Cayenne would change my world. It’s elite luxury!"

Mr. Qian shook his head gently. "Ruyun, tell me—does a fancy car let you live your dream life? No, you’d keep chasing more to compare."

Zhang Ruyun trusted only his eyes. "It’d beat my current mess for sure."

Mr. Qian clapped his shoulder, concluding, "If you’ve set your views, chase that dream boldly."

With that, Mr. Qian walked off.

Heading home, Mr. Qian recalled long ago when young Zhang Ruyun tagged along to the river dam for spicy soup. Light rain fell that day as an old beggar begged for scraps.

Mr. Qian gestured at the beggar, quizzing Zhang Ruyun. "What dreams do you hold for tomorrow?"

Zhang Ruyun boomed he’d study fiercely, ensuring beggars owned homes someday.

Mr. Qian beamed with joy, praising him heartily.

Afterward, Zhang Ruyun sporadically voiced big ambitions.

Alas...

Deep down, Mr. Qian mused: 'Those quick to preach morals often fold at key moments.'

...

In the city, at Wealth Roast Meat Restaurant.

Jiang Ning ushered Tongtong and Chuchu inside, claiming a second-floor spot by the window.

Tongtong behaved perfectly out in public, leaving all to Jiang Ning.

Once the charcoal blazed, Jiang Ning waved off the staff’s grilling help—he had Tongtong and Chuchu ready to serve.

Pre-meal, Xue Yuantong snapped pics of the sizzling meat with Jiang Ning’s phone, uploading to QQ Space.

Jiang Ning’s vast friend list sparked tons of comments.

Class group chat buzzed as Liu Chuandao posted his dinner: hotpot with family. "Feels amazing—sis keeps piling food on me, picking the best bits. I’m spoiled; bro-in-law must be jealous!"

Lu Qiqi slammed him publicly: "You and your bro-in-law—peak trash of today, just leeching off women, turning them into servants!"

Liu Chuandao bristled. "She loves it—what’s it to you?"

Lu Qiqi fired back: "Gross! Your toxic home warped her, killed her fight-back spirit—you’re all the culprits!"

Liu Chuandao couldn’t outtalk Lu Qiqi, spitting one frustrated line: "Hope you curse guys helping gals at hotpot the same way someday!"

Lu Qiqi: "That’s women rising up—why attack my sisters?"

Fuming, Liu Chuandao checked QQ Space, spotting Jiang Ning’s post. He commented: "Jiang Ning, you grill your own BBQ?"

Jiang Ning shot back: "Xue Yuantong grills for me."

Liu Chuandao lit up, scheming to stir drama by @-ing Lu Qiqi.

But Lu Qiqi told Jiang Ning: "Her grilling for you means you’re decent."

Ridiculous—Lu Qiqi owed Jiang Ning a save just days back; her standards bent easy.

Liu Chuandao raged, nearly hurling his phone. She only hits the powerless, huh?

...

Jiang Ning savored the meat grilled by Tongtong and Chuchu.

Chuchu shone especially—spotting his napkin reach, she instantly freed a hand with the napkin pack.

Jiang Ning grabbed one when his phone buzzed: Kuaishou APP message.

'AAA Native Chicken Farming' had messaged.

Jiang Ning fixated on it—why did it ring so familiar?