Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation Chapter 1674 - 911: Class Assignment_2

"Why? Do I seem like an easy target to bully?"

Shang Caiwei explained: "My brother mentioned he’s assisting me in forming an eSports club..."

’Seriously, sis?’ Xue Yuantong paused briefly before declaring: "Jiang Ning, I aspire to be a renowned pro gamer too!"

Jiang Ning stayed utterly composed: "Pass me your phone."

"For what?"

"To secure a loan for launching your club." Jiang Ning lounged with legs crossed.

"Hmph!" Xue Yuantong rolled her eyes, uninterested, "Won’t it just end up with me footing the bill?"

Jiang Ning replied: "After claiming the championship, repaying that debt will be a breeze, won’t it?"

Xue Yuantong fumed: "Isn’t this exactly like Xingxing borrowing cash to lease our cart for profit? Same scheme!"

Jiang Ning admitted openly: "Exactly, and it was your brilliant plan."

"You’re utterly shameless, Jiang Ning!" Xue Yuantong shot back at him.

Overhearing their bickering, Shang Caiwei humbly suggested: "Tongtong, you excel at games. If you fancy playing, I’ll reserve a position for you."

She figured bringing it up now would surely win her brother’s approval.

Xue Yuantong knew Shang Caiwei’s brother, Shang Zhengyu, as an extremely haughty individual.

Prior to Jiang Ning’s arrival, she might have yielded, but with him around, she refused to beg for favors!

Xue Yuantong courteously turned her down: "No thanks, I intend to focus on my studies."

Jiang Ning chimed in skeptically: "You, hitting the books?"

Upon hearing the rejection, Shang Caiwei proposed alternatively: "What if you serve as a substitute? I’ll keep a prime sub spot open for you indefinitely."

Xue Yuantong shrugged indifferently, boasting: "Fine, if you face a tough foe down the line, I might deign to sub in and help you shine."

Discussing her passion, Shang Caiwei brimmed with assurance and vigor:

"Tongtong, my AD carry is incredibly powerful, super strong, and my brother plans to arrange pro sparring partners. Watch out, or you’ll lag way behind!"

’There you go, Weiwei, growing cocky again on your brother’s backing? Hmph, just because Jiang Ning skipped the loan, you assume he’s incapable?’

Xue Yuantong feigned nonchalance: "Weiwei, you’re way too innocent. A real prodigy dominates right from the outset!"

Though timid, Shang Caiwei held firm to her ambitions despite Tongtong’s bragging, staying silent.

Gaming was her true love, her fervent pursuit; only in that virtual realm could she unleash her wild side.

Her dream was to rise as a superstar pro, surpassing even S4’s uzi in prowess!

Tongtong’s Little Fishman shone brightly as a top-tier pick, yet pro scenes were merciless—if banned, what then for Tongtong?

Besides, LOL thrives on teamwork always.

In her game-themed room adorned vibrantly, Shang Caiwei settled into her pink gaming throne, drew a steady breath, and vowed inwardly: ’Tongtong, someday you’ll witness me dominating the S tournament stage!’

That epic platform, adored by millions, renowned across the globe!

Naturally, Tongtong couldn’t spot it yet; instead, she eyed her phone pinned beneath Jiang Ning’s.

Xue Yuantong grumbled: "Why are you squashing my phone with yours?"

Jiang Ning found the stacking amusing and, spotting her pout, joked: "To breed a baby phone."

Xue Yuantong huffed: "As if I’d make a baby phone with you!"

Jiang Ning tested: "Shall I ask Chuchu instead?"

"You wouldn’t dare!"

"Why not?"

Tongtong shot back: "Chuchu’s phone is way too basic."

Good thing Chuchu wasn’t present, or she’d sulk and swap her case.

...

Game over, night had fallen, illuminating the bungalow’s entrance with lights.

Aunt Gu was out; Changqingye Square hosted Lantern Festival events, so she volunteered there, leaving only Tongtong home.

A trace of gloom crossed Xue Yuantong’s delicate features: "School resumes tomorrow evening—I’ll have to drag myself there once more."

Xue Chuchu scoffed: "You? Struggle?"

She pressed her lips together; at times, Tongtong’s effortless hops to school stirred her envy, eyes shut and done.

’If only I attended Fourth Middle School...’ Xue Chuchu swiftly dismissed the notion, knowing self-reliance was key.

Mr. Qian clutched a bowl, perched at the doorway savoring tangyuan.

Xue Yuantong eyed him curiously: "Mr. Qian, got any Lantern Festival customs to share?"

Mr. Qian set his bowl down excitedly: "You’ve hit the jackpot asking me! On Lantern Festival, with the full moon overhead, families reunite, lanterns glow brilliantly, moonlight enchants, we devour tangyuan, hold lantern fairs, solve riddles, dance lions, and chase rats... Old Qian adores riddle-guessing most..."

Xue Yuantong queried: "Rat chasing?"

Mr. Qian, ever knowledgeable, elaborated: "Long ago, homes bred silkworms. Night-raiding mice stole them, so on the fifteenth lunar day, folks offered rice porridge to sate mice, sparing silkworms for a year."

"Hey, skip that bit. For me, Old Qian, lantern riddles reign supreme..." He fondled his beard, poised to verse.

Xue Yuantong cut him off furiously: "Why feed porridge to silkworm-thieving mice? I’d exterminate every rodent for miles!"

"Xiao Ben!" she called out.

Xue Chuchu noted: "Xiao Ben’s still hiding out."

Xue Yuantong rallied: "Jiang Ning, let’s hunt some mice!"

"Nah."

"Pretty please~"

"Nope, mice are dull. Let’s hunt bamboo rats instead." Jiang Ning proposed.

Xue Yuantong’s eyes sparkled: "The plump, dumb ones perfect for stir-frying?"

Jiang Ning confirmed: "Yep."

Xue Yuantong drooled: "Sounds delectable!"

Xue Chuchu clarified: "Bamboo rats munch bamboo. Farmed ones get fatty and oily, but wild varieties are pure lean meat, bursting with flavor and a bamboo aroma."

Xue Yuantong itched to go, snatching a twig and ragged bag, hustling: "Hurry, let’s move!"

Jiang Ning chuckled: "Strangers might mistake you for a beggar!"

Sensible Chuchu fetched a flashlight.

"Okay, onward." Jiang Ning led eastward, passing Dongdong’s place where the kid had crafted a lantern.

Naughty as he was, Dongdong qualified as a pint-sized prodigy, crafting slingshots, bows, arrows, whips, wooden swords solo, acing practicals.

Citing a loan favor, Jiang Ning smoothly borrowed Dongdong’s lantern.

Lantern hoisted high, he advanced; Xue Yuantong trailed, chirping: "Dry weather—fire hazard alert."

Mimicking a vigilant night patrol.

Lantern Festival night, east of the rural resort’s open lot blazed twin bonfires, snapping lively, drawing crowds of guests.

Zhuang Jianhui and his youthful crew played cards, Landlord feverishly; noises drew their glances.

Tongtong zipped her lips instantly.

Lin Zida called out: "Hey, Jiang Ning, off to hunt?"

Jiang Ning: "Yep, snagging some wild critters for a taste."

Innocent-faced Wei Zishan spotted Jiang Ning, batting eyes flirtatiously: "Hey cutie, I’m an exotic wild one, plenty spicy!"

"Naughty pest." Jiang Ning brushed her off.

Xue Yuantong asserted: "We’re after edible wild game."

Wei Zishan doubled over laughing: "Implying I’m inedible?"

The trio skirted them, pressing ahead.

...

Once Jiang Ning’s group vanished, a Zhuang Jianhui pal finally looked away, hesitated, then exclaimed: "Whoa, that girl earlier was stunning—rivals Shuyan?"

Lin Zida grinned: "Her? That’s Xue Chuchu, unique vibe."

"You know her? Deal me in."

"Not really." Lin Zida focused solely on gaming, shunning girl chats.

"You then? Jianhui."

"Nope." Stylish Zhuang Jianhui never chased contacts.

"Fine." The guy sighed disappointedly, probing: "Fourth Middle?"

"Nah, Yuzhou Second Middle." Lin Zida answered.

"Tempted to switch to Second Middle."

Wei Zishan swigged Coke: "Doesn’t it just take your say-so?"

Provincial elites, city-top high schools? To them, mere whims for entry—not just highs, province-wide unis too.

"Pass, Dad insists on Fourth Middle."

Evergreen Liquid’s surge reshaped provincial urban dynamics lately. Yuzhou aimed for regional hub status, brimming with prospects.

Yet booming sectors enriched select few mostly.

"Picked your transfer class?" Lin Zida inquired.

The fellow pressed: "Yongzi, which class boasts the hottest girls?"

Wang Yong instantly replied: "Class 8, hands down."