Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation Chapter 1680 - 915: Back-to-School Day

March 6, 2015, Jingzhe.

With the Lantern Festival concluded, the bonfire from rural tourism had crumbled into scattered debris, its lingering heat vanished, leaving behind faint wisps of blue smoke and ashes that seemed to recount the echoes of the day before.

Yuzhou's winter brought piercing cold, freezing the ground solid under the night's frost, while wheat fields glittered with ice under the early morning glow, intensifying the chill.

Bamboo forest, north of the bungalow.

Zhuang Jianhui and his crew, bundled in thick down jackets, gathered around a large pit, still shoveling away. Astonishingly, they had spent the whole night excavating in the bitter freeze.

Three average guys make one Zhuge Liang. They first tracked bamboo rat signs to the burrow and then dug with wild abandon.

Wang Yong shuddered from the cold, feeling deeply resentful inside!

To stick with these spoiled rich heirs, he toughed out the entire night—thank goodness his down jacket was top-brand, stuffed with 250g of filling for superior warmth. Still, he felt like a total idiot right now.

"Brother Zhuang, this bamboo rat's way too sly; we nearly quit each time, but it pokes its head out just then." Wang Yong was baffled—they kept announcing they'd stop, but somehow pressed on.

"We're close, so close." A voice encouraged them as they gripped shovels tighter, digging without mercy to nab that bamboo rat.

Inside the bungalow, Jiang Ning rose early, whistling casually as he strolled over to Chuchu's place.

He was startled to spot Xue Chuchu huddled on a tiny wooden stool beside the stove, clad in a black cotton jacket.

She looked just like their first encounter.

"Hey, nice outfit." Jiang Ning smirked, his gaze carrying a teasing glint.

Xue Chuchu clarified, "The old clothes dirtied quick while cooking, so for now..."

Jiang Ning: "I understand."

Xue Chuchu fell silent, feeding more wood to the fire and stirring the porridge.

Jiang Ning resumed his whistling nearby, acting every bit the rascal.

Xue Chuchu finally asked, "You seem in high spirits today?"

Jiang Ning: "Doing alright."

"Hmm?"

Jiang Ning swept his Divine Sense over the diggers in the bamboo grove, chuckling, "It's fun having dogs to mess with."

"Hmm? Did Xiao Ben return?" Xue Chuchu wondered.

Jiang Ning: "Something like that, once the fuss dies down."

Xue Chuchu went quiet for a beat; since when do dogs strut around?

...

Waking up at the rural tourism site, Lin Zida realized Zhuang Jianhui's bunch hadn't come back.

He shouted, "Gong Jin, come on, let's check it out."

The young master tossed aside his quilt, set to join him.

Meanwhile, Wei Zishan and two girls lingered at the entrance, sipping lamb soup from bowls. Spotting them, they promptly questioned, "Who are you guys?"

Lin Zida: "Searching for Jianhui."

Wei Zishan gulped down her soup: "Alright, we'll search too."

Thus, five of them marched off impressively toward the northern bamboo forest.

Before long, they found Zhuang Jianhui's team, shaking from the cold. Lin Zida was shocked, "You guys still digging?"

"Ah Hui, frost's all over your hat." The young master teased.

Zhuang Jianhui brushed off his hat casually, "No big deal."

The lead guy, drained of his early enthusiasm, let out a sigh, "Little sister, sorry to let you down. Next time, I'll get someone to buy you bamboo rats."

Regret dripped from his tone.

"I appreciate what you're trying to do, but stop digging. The boss cooked lamb soup—smells amazing. Head back and warm up with some." The lovely girl urged gently.

Guilt hit the lead guy harder; he almost wished he could turn into a bamboo rat for her to devour.

Lin Zida, no stranger to such scenes, mused, "Damn, after a night of digging, now you're feeling bad?"

Wei Zishan, another girl there, eyed the pretty one and thought: "You're the true exhausted one here."

Thanks to the little sister's words, they at last agreed to retreat.

Out of sight, the young master spoke with Wang Yong, grasped the full story, positioned himself by the messy bamboo rat den, and watched intently for moments.

He seized the iron cone, plunged it down hard, and startlingly, a squeal erupted from the hole as a gray bamboo rat bolted from the passage.

Effortlessly, the young master grabbed the nearby iron pliers from the dirt and pinched the bamboo rat with expert precision, like crafting a masterpiece.

Even the young master stood amazed at his own feat.

Wang Yong gaped, "Holy crap, Brother Jin, you got it!"

At his exclamation, Zhuang Jianhui and the rest rushed over excitedly, staring at the captured bamboo rat in the pliers.

Lin Zida was floored, "What sort of trick was that?"

They were all set to abandon it, but he snagged it so simply—the skill difference was staggering.

Meeting their astonished stares, the young master stayed cool, inhaled deeply.

Gripping the pliers in one hand, he shrugged, "Nothing special, just standard stuff."

Wang Yong, witnessing the finesse, thought to himself: "That poise matches Jiang Ning's; Class Eight's bound for glory!"

...

Post-Lantern Festival, the parting mood hung heavier.

Jiang Ning and Tongtong had eaten and now batted a badminton shuttle at the entrance.

Zhang Ruyun showed up at the gate, lugging a suitcase.

Aunt Zhang hustled out from the courtyard with a bag, calling, "Ruyun, remember your charger, Bluetooth earphones, phone, and ID card!"

Zhang Ruyun pulled the suitcase along, "Yes, yes, all packed up!"

Butcher Zhang waited silently nearby, eyes on his son.

Ever since college started, his boy only came home twice yearly, for summer and winter breaks.

No more daily meals together like old times.

Lacking fancy words like Mr. Qian, Butcher Zhang simply clapped his son's shoulder firmly with his large palm: "Excel in school, avoid trouble, but stand tall if it comes!"

"Ruyun, take these sausages too—your dad had them specially made. Your dorm has that little electric rice cooker, right? When cafeteria food bores you, slice some sausages, steam with rice, top with green onions—pure delight!" Aunt Zhang passed over the hefty red bag.