Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation Chapter 1678 - 914: The End of Winter Break

"Jiang Ning?" Lin Zida abruptly recalled.

Zhuang Jianhui shot him a knowing look; in past trips to the countryside resort, they'd frequently witnessed Jiang Ning bossing the star pupil around in the kitchen, and true to form, they were flaunting their skills once more today.

"No way, could bamboo rats turn out this aromatic? Have they turned into spirits or something?" Lin Zida teased.

The young master stated firmly, "Not very realistic."

Wang Yong, aiming to bond with the young master, gathered his thoughts and chimed in: "Perhaps some special technique... There was a braised food shop near my place before, the more you ate, the more you wanted, until I learned they added opium..."

Lin Zida glanced at Wang Yong without a word.

Zhuang Jianhui remarked, "They eat it too, so probably no weird additives."

Wang Yong caught his slip-up and hurriedly corrected: "I’m just using it as an example, nothing more."

The other guests at the farmstay waited eagerly, resembling a flock of penguins anticipating their meal.

Boss Yang observed the scene and inwardly urged: ’Jiang Ning, hurry up and tone down those godly cooking powers!’

As his neighbor and business ally, he was aware Jiang Ning sourced rare ingredients, and the Xue family girl’s culinary talents were genuinely outstanding.

Wei Zishan noticed their salivating faces; shaped by American schooling, she was always daring: "Come on, let’s go beg him for a share!"

Right after saying that, Wei Zishan slapped her rear and rose to her feet.

Xingxing, stationed at the gate handling the cart, promptly called out: "Miss, need a lift?"

He used to hail only attractive women, but Dongdong had drilled proper etiquette into him through tough training—’young masters’ for guys, ’Misses’ for ladies—to elevate the crew’s professionalism.

"Oh, and Boss Yang." Wei Zishan hailed him.

Moments later, after paying five yuan for the ride, Wei Zishan hopped onto the four-wheeler, which rattled "clank-clank" all the way to the Jiang household gate; the nearer she approached, the stronger the enticing aroma grew.

At last, she dismounted, spotting the clay pot simmering over the wood fire, billowing steam nonstop, as the scent soothed her very soul.

Wei Zishan sported her natural look this time—no alternative, since it was Lunar New Year visits to elders.

Her hair was dark now, clad in a designer puffer jacket; Hui Province winters bit too fiercely for her to warm up properly.

"Jiang Ning, evening!" Wei Zishan called out cheerfully, plopping down cross-legged on the ground without minding the dirt or the stares from the two girls there.

Her thinking was progressive; so what if girlfriends were around—no engagements yet.

Xue Yuantong anticipated Jiang Ning’s move and lifted the lid, revealing doughy flatbreads ringing the pot’s rim, drenched below in savory broth; deftly, she sprinkled in salt, sugar, and pepper to season it.

"Lower the flame, we’ll eat straight from the pot!" Xue Yuantong proposed.

Yet Xue Chuchu sensed some awkwardness, considering the onlooker nearby.

Xue Yuantong beamed inwardly; she’d shared hotpot with Jiang Ning atop Taishan’s summit, braving grand occasions!

Observing Chuchu’s hesitation, Tongtong schemed to broaden her horizons later, preventing any future loss of face.

Wei Zishan lingered expectantly, yet the trio offered no taste invite; weren’t folks these days supposed to be welcoming?

"Jiang Ning, I tried adding your contact before, but it got flagged and blocked; let me try again..."

Jiang Ning responded evenly, "Scan the code."

Wei Zishan jolted at his words, a flush creeping onto her cheeks; feigning bashfulness, she said: "Everyone’s here, why not just ask outright? I mean, it’s making me so hungry..."

Jiang Ning pivoted his head in confusion, clarifying: "I meant scan for my business card code."

Wei Zishan froze, realizing her blunder, mortified yet thick-skinned enough to roll with it.

She swiftly scanned it, and Jiang Ning pocketed his phone.

Not entirely clueless, Wei Zishan yelled over her shoulder: "Xingzi."

Ultimately, Tongtong ladled her a bowl of bamboo shoot-braised bamboo rat, and Wei Zishan departed delighted.

Jiang Ning noted: "Here’s some longan and water chestnut soup; if she skips paying, Boss Yang will likely deliver ours."

Xue Yuantong huffed: "Quit mooching off people all the time."

"Plus, if I don’t share, that White Bone Demon will haunt us!" she added firmly; without Xiao Ben around, she missed her guard beastie.

"White Bone Demon?" Xue Chuchu murmured softly.

Xue Yuantong: "That’s her real guise—a few months back, check her ghostly getup, doesn’t it scream Jiang Ning?"

"Yeah."

Xue Chuchu: "She’s turned over a new leaf now."

Xue Yuantong fumed inwardly; Chuchu was far too gentle, never scrapping, even milder than the twins who’d dramatically threaten to end it all at hurdles.

...

Perched on the cart, Wei Zishan clutched her bowl, shedding all ladylike poise to devour it by hand, scorching her tongue into frantic hops.

The bamboo shoots hailed from Hu Qi Mountain’s bounty, paired with bamboo rat simmered to perfection—crisp-tender outside, melt-in-mouth within, each bite unleashing a flood of sealed juices.

Wei Zishan wolfed it down voraciously; by the campfire, half her bowl was gone.

Lin Zida eyed the bowl hungrily: "That good, huh?"

Wei Zishan, feral as a street mutt, mumbled through mouthfuls.

Other lasses in the group fidgeted enviously at the sight, but Wei Zishan dismissed them: "Craving some? Hunt it yourselves!"

The girls stayed silent; their refined backgrounds and schooling forbade such boldness.

In this way, Wei Zishan distanced herself from the pack.

"It’s merely wild bamboo rat—let’s snag one ourselves and get the boss to stew it!" A bold youth rallied, firing up the group.

"Yes, count me in!" Cheers erupted as they voted.

"Right, if they can nab one, so can we!"

Soon, a bunch approached Boss Yang for the full kit of gear, then marched off toward the far bamboo thicket; en route, one tossed back: "Little sis, hold on—I’ll bag a bamboo rat and treat you to some!"