Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation Chapter 1670 - 909: Lost and Found

The lottery shop's lights blazed brilliantly, rivaling full daylight.

Despite her stumble, Yu Wen's cheeks burned with thrill: "Qiqi, lend me your bag!"

A tangled look crossed Lu Qiqi's face, emotions churning inside; her best friend's jackpot was hitting her hard.

She plastered on a smile: "Careful, it's an LV bag."

Normally, Yu Wen would freak at just a brush, terrified of ruining it.

But stuffed with 300,000 in scratch tickets, her purse now fueled bold confidence—money empowers women!

Yu Wen tossed out casually, "If it breaks, I'll buy you a new one!"

Lu Qiqi's heart ached sharply once more; this stung too deep.

Yu Wen's fidgety antics drew stares from fellow customers, her prior 'winning' yell sparking constant peeks.

Treating everyone like crooks, Yu Wen clutched her scratch tickets tight before stuffing them in the bag.

Unregistered scratch tickets meant pure cash—anyone could redeem them, so caution was key.

A down-jacketed man in his early thirties burst out laughing suddenly, "Watch out, I've scratched for years. Someone once mistook an 8 for a 6 and hyped up over nothing."

Yu Wen shot back, "I've double-checked plenty, no mistake here."

The down-jacket man pressed, "Did you scratch every one? Doubt it!"

Her earlier hype had erased memory of full scratches; his nudge clawed at her curiosity, doubt etching her features.

"Let the owner verify first," urged the down-jacket man, "Wait, did you even pay?"

Folks often scratch before paying.

Jiang Yanan jumped in, "She paid upfront, paid right away."

Unease persisting, Yu Wen recalled the shop's banner touting a 6 million winner, its double-frontage size finally easing her mind.

Bag in hand, she approached the counter for the boss lady's inspection.

The down-jacket man trailed close behind.

Stretching his neck for a peek, he bellowed, "Totally wrong, numbers mismatch, girl—you botched it!"

"Hey, your card's worthless!" the down-jacket man lamented with regret.

His shout rippled out, twisting Yu Wen's face in shock.

At her side, Lu Qiqi's expression flipped, choking back laughter in sweet relief: ’Scared me silly, phew—not 300,000 after all!’

’So thrilled for her!’ Lu Qiqi gulped air repeatedly.

Yu Wen stretched her neck, challenging, "Where's the error? Numbers match spot on!"

The down-jacket man sidled nearer, skepticism firm: "Where's the prize? Nowhere in sight!"

"Your card’s trash!" The down-jacket man wagged his head, fingers lunging swift for the ticket.

Instincts sharp, Yu Wen snatched it back: "What do you think you're doing? Heads up, HD cameras everywhere here!"

She fixed a venomous glare on the black down-jacket man.

Huang Zhongfei, wise to temptation's trials on human nature, flanked Yu Wen in solid support.

The black down-jacket man scanned the crew, yanked back his hand grudgingly with a scowl: "I say no win, then no win!"

Dismissive wave, and he stormed from the shop.

"Psycho!" Yu Wen spat, thrusting the scratch tickets at the boss lady.

The boss lady pored over them diligently; legit business meant no scams.

Grinning, she passed them back: "Congrats! Hit the city lottery center tomorrow for your claim."

Those words spun Lu Qiqi's world: ’No way, legit win? 300,000!’

…

Ecstatic Yu Wen departed the shop, steady Huang Zhongfei at one side, hyped Jiang Yanan at the other, jealous Lu Qiqi trailing.

Xue Yuantong's eyes bulged, fixed on their backs, bubbling joyfully, "She truly won!"

Jiang Ning responded coolly, "Happens sometimes, pure luck."

Xue Chuchu nodded, "Yep, people bag hundreds, even millions."

One doubt stayed unsaid: ’Can regular folks cling to such vast riches?’

Xue Yuantong's envy stirred lightly; flaunting her ticket, "My turn for 300,000 soon!"

Scratch revealed no 300k, but 300 yuan scored—meals covered.

Jiang Ning tsked in praise; no Divine Sense deployed, yet Tongtong's card selection shone brilliantly.

Minor prize redeemed on-site, pocketing 240 yuan post-ticket deduction.

Stepping out, frigid gusts and snowflakes slapped their faces; Xue Yuantong instinctively straightened Jiang Ning's scarf.

Xue Chuchu quietly fixed her own, musing on Tongtong's past habit of tending her first.

Yet friendship now faded into the background.

"E-scooter’s across the street—straight there."

From distance, Xue Yuantong eyed the bus stop, spotting lingering Yu Wen group, baffled: "Why still waiting post-jackpot?"

Jiang Ning noted, "Likely hailing a taxi; snow makes it tough."

Xue Yuantong: "Whoa, you know that?"

Taxi-novice, she'd blanked on this daily reality.

Silent, Jiang Ning tousled her hair, guiding across the crosswalk.

Over at the bus stop, Jiang Yanan queried, "Wenwen, plans for the cash? Handing to parents?"

Yu Wen grimaced ridiculously: "As if!"

"Mom would just stash it 'for me.' Nah, my spending, my buys from now on!"

"Post-cashout tomorrow, meeting four key folks." Yu Wen turned utterly grave.

Jiang Yanan probed eagerly: "Who?"

Yu Wen listed solemnly: "Great-grandpa, cherished grandma, my ragged past self, and... the handsomest, gentlest him."