Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation Chapter 1681 - 915: Return to School Day (Part 2)

Zhang Ruyun gazed at the rustic big red bag. Back in his high school days, he probably would have felt ashamed.

His mindset had shifted now, so he picked up the bag and teased: "Mom, when I return to the dorm, everyone will call me godfather."

While speaking, Zhang Ruyun went quiet, a slight warmth rising in his eyes. Before the break, he had promised Ah Yue to cook sausage rice for her in the dorm once school resumed.

Regrettably, after merely one winter vacation, his old friend was gone, leaving him to head out alone once more.

To mask his sorrow, Zhang Ruyun turned away, altering his tone: "Too bad Ba Wang isn’t around. Wonder how it’s faring out there."

He was departing now, yet still no sign of Ba Wang.

These words deepened Butcher Zhang’s melancholy. He had scrubbed Ba Wang’s dog bowl repeatedly until it gleamed, even repairing the dent from Tongtong’s Triangular Bomb next door.

But where had the dog vanished to?

Slipping on his leather gloves, Butcher Zhang wheeled out the Dayun motorcycle, ready to ferry his son to the train station.

All of a sudden, a dark shadow flashed from the western wheat field, moving at blazing speed and closing in instantly.

"Woof woof woof!"

Zhang Ruyun exclaimed instinctively: "Ba Wang!"

A massive black German Shepherd with glossy fur barked fiercely and lunged at Zhang Ruyun’s leg.

Butcher Zhang beamed with delight: "Good pup, you’ve finally returned!"

He hurriedly gave the dog a thorough pat, the thrill of reunion filling him with joy.

Xue Yuantong peeked next door and called out: "Jiang Ning, Xiao Ben is back! So rude not to come say hi!"

Jiang Ning replied: "No problem, it’s handy to borrow someone else’s dog, isn’t it?"

Xue Yuantong pondered briefly—yes, enjoying the benefits without the duties was ideal.

With his cherished dog back home just before departure, Zhang Ruyun’s spirits lifted a bit: "Dad, time to head out, or we’ll miss the train."

Butcher Zhang nodded: "Okay, let’s go!"

Zhang Ruyun attempted a step forward, but the large German Shepherd wrapped its front paws around his leg. Truth be told, while home, Zhang Ruyun spoiled Ba Wang with fine meals and respect, unlike the rough Butcher Zhang who frequently berated the dog harshly.

Zhang Ruyun chuckled helplessly: "It hates to see me go!"

Aunt Zhang marveled aloud: "With you gone, it’ll be the only dog left in the house."

Zhang Ruyun sensed something amiss: "Mom, does that make me a dog too?"

Both Butcher Zhang and Aunt Zhang erupted in laughter.

Aunt Zhang added: "Yunyun, if you turn into a dog, bark extra loud when you spot Mom on the road—she’ll take good care of you!"

Xue Yuantong giggled: "Sounds like motherly affection, but kinda off."

Zhang Ruyun stood stunned—hoping he’d become a dog?

Butcher Zhang scolded: "Enough with the silly talk!"

After the laughter subsided, departure time arrived.

Zhang Ruyun cast a final glance at the river dam of his childhood, every inch here so intimately familiar, from grass to trees.

Yet time marched on, bringing changes: kind Aunt Pan sold her home, the morning-jogging grandfather had passed, Old Man Bi landed in prison... even Mr. Qian who just emerged sported more gray hairs...

Not to mention new rural tourism sites, the strawberry garden, Hua Fengmei and her daughter, Jiang Ning... all transforming.

'And what about me?' A star pupil from a top university, but his girlfriend got stolen by a junior college guy with family ties, who snagged a state-owned enterprise job.

Zhang Ruyun swore inwardly, 'Upon my return, everything will change!'

"Dad, let’s roll." Zhang Ruyun pulled back his gaze.

"Go!" Butcher Zhang sped off with his son, the motorcycle’s roar resounding as they grandly headed toward the northern river dam, Ba Wang racing wildly behind.

The formerly bustling river dam swiftly quieted down again. Aunt Zhang remained standing, her husband and son’s figures now out of sight.

Mr. Qian observed it all, bowl of soup in hand, remarking:

"For us elders, Chinese New Year feels this way—a few days of a bustling dream."

He chuckled strangely: "Then enduring the rest of the hundreds of days until the next dream arrives."

...

Around five in the afternoon, Fourth Middle School welcomed students back.

Jiang Ning mounted his sleek electric scooter, taking Tongtong to Yu Zhou Fourth Middle School.

Tongtong wanted to fit in local style today. After passing the gate, she strolled casually beside Jiang Ning instead of pedaling straight to the bike rack.

Though the air remained crisp and cold, the campus main path’s flowerbeds burst with life, white plum blossoms blooming vibrantly amid clusters of chatting students.

Xue Yuantong listened in on their talks, eager for juicy gossip, but caught only gripes about the principal’s folly in not delaying school until Monday.

"Qiqi, Qiqi!" Yan Tianpeng pursued her.

Lu Qiqi sported a lengthy down jacket, looking fashionable, but spotting bear-like Yan Tianpeng made her scowl in annoyance—why was this fool always lurking?

She snapped irritably: "What’re you shouting for?"

Yan Tianpeng inquired caringly: "Qiqi, fancy some hot milk tea? It’s freezing—warm yourself up."

Lu Qiqi shot back: "Whether I drink it or not is my business!"

Yan Tianpeng rubbed his palms: "I’ll buy it for you!"

Lu Qiqi perked up: "For real?"

Yan Tianpeng swore earnestly: "If I don’t get you milk tea, may a car hit me while crossing the street!"

Past letdowns warned Lu Qiqi against believing him.

Still, her sugar cravings nudged her to perhaps take the chance.

So they turned back together to grab the milk tea.

Xue Yuantong elbowed Jiang Ning: "Thirsty?"

Jiang Ning: "Someone’s treating us today."

"Who?"

"You’ll see in class."

At that, Xue Yuantong’s stubby legs quickened their pace.

...

On the second floor housing Class 8.

Cui Yu, Meng Gui, and Liu Chuandao lounged against the balcony railing, gazing downward.

Yun Tingting played badminton in the plaza below. Her down jacket barely reached her hips, paired with vibrant exercise tights under thick black yoga pants. Her jumps and swings mesmerized classmates into dazed stares.

They inwardly condemned her immodesty, yet their gazes lingered stubbornly.

Right then, Wang Yong and the wealthy kid climbed to the second floor, Wang Yong boasting: "Brother Jin, here’s our classroom spot. Pretty nice, right?"

Wang Yong guided him along, gesturing to Cui Yu’s corridor: "Prime viewing area. Peek below."

The rich kid glanced down and spotted Yun Tingting’s alluring form.

He nodded faintly: "Intriguing."

Duan Shigang, close by, caught their exchange—seemed like a new Class 8 transfer.

New faces were promising; they hadn’t tangled in the existing mess, signaling potential shake-ups.

Duan Shigang eyed the newcomer and ventured: "Bro, you’ve got connections, huh?"

The rich kid heard but ignored him, facing Wang Yong instead.

He despised loose-lipped types.

Wang Yong wondered: "Gangzi, how’d you guess?"

Duan Shigang smirked—he’d entered Class 8 via pull, so he knew.

"Yongzi, we say: ask less, live longer."

"But today, I’ll spill a little—no biggie."

Duan Shigang pivoted toward the sunset, his expression etched with worldly scars: "No pull, no entry to Class 8."

His words oozed big-shot aura.

The rich kid, unused to such characters, pulled out his watch to check the time, as if scheming next moves.

Wang Yong noted: "Brother Jin, your watch is fogging up again."

The rich kid opened his mouth to reply.

A uniformed student pushed through, appearing earnest and straightforward, saying sincerely: "Bro, cool watch."