Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation Chapter 1682 - 916: Prelude

In Class 8's long corridor, overlooking the girls’ platform.

"My watch, nice right?" A smug smile tugged at the rich kid’s lips. Indeed, everyone who spotted him always praised his watch, though it had become quite tiresome.

Surprisingly, this person’s compliment actually delighted him.

Dan Xiao’s outfit was plain: an oversized, threadbare school jacket layered over a cotton one below, making him look a tad bulky, yet his grin burst with vigor, spreading a warm, sunny energy.

Even hearts harboring darkness found themselves swayed by his presence.

That’s exactly why Wu Xiaoqi treats him like a true friend, and even Zhang Chi can’t bring himself to hurt him.

The rich kid chuckled, "You’ve got a good eye."

Dan Xiao bashfully rubbed his head and replied smoothly, "Because your down jacket is from Moncler, known as the Hermes of down jackets, and the one you’re wearing should be priced over 20,000, so your watch must be something else."

Duan Shigang caught these words and couldn’t resist glancing again at the newcomer, amazed by his sharp perception.

Wang Yong stared at Dan Xiao in astonishment, reevaluating him entirely—he hadn’t even noticed Brother Jin’s jacket brand himself.

The rich kid lightly caressed his watch, poised to respond, when a voice rang out from behind, "Gong Jin, come on."

He whirled around to see Lin Zida there.

The rich kid replied offhandedly, "Alright, let’s chat later, I need to deal with something."

…

Dusk settled in, filling the classroom with lively warmth.

Jiang Ning and Tongtong stepped into the room. Most classmates had gathered, each showing noticeable changes from the holiday break—some plumper, others slimmer, a few heavier with prominent dark circles.

"Hey, Xue Yuantong, did you get taller?" Jiang Yanan blurted in surprise. She wore a subdued beige down jacket, seeming even more reserved and reliable than before.

Xue Yuantong lit up with joy at the words and asked eagerly, "Did you really notice me getting taller? How many centimeters did I grow?"

Jiang Yanan stood tall at over 167 centimeters, but she couldn’t pinpoint Tongtong’s exact growth; after a moment’s thought, she offered, "At least two centimeters."

"Oh… okay then." Xue Yuantong’s excitement faded. Even adding two centimeters, she still fell short of 155, remaining petite.

She headed back to her seat and spotted silly Chen Siyu sprawled across the desk, which gleamed spotless alongside Jiang Ning’s.

Xue Yuantong cheered, "Siyu, I knew I wasn’t mistaken about you, you proactive woman!"

Chen Siyu looked baffled, "How was I proactive?"

"About my seat."

Chen Siyu clarified, "Oh, it wasn’t me."

Right then, Yang Sheng from the front row rose and pointed backward, owning up to the deed.

Chen Siyu went on, "Yu Wen arrived early today and was showing off her fake bracelet in front of Yang Sheng…"

Yu Wen had been bragging wildly then, but Yang Sheng drew a debt tally from her desk drawer, listing every instance Yu Wen owed her, and ordered a full cleanup of desks and chairs.

Yu Wen tried paying to skip it, yet Yang Sheng refused, leaving her no option but to clean properly.

No way around it—Class 8 operated like a tiny society where reputation ruled all.

Yu Wen, worn out from the chore, now heard Chen Siyu’s off-the-cuff remark.

She spun around sharply, proclaiming loudly, "Really, mine is genuine gold."

"Really?"

Chen Siyu lifted her hand, flaunting her dainty pink-and-white wrist decked with an absurdly oversized, dazzling gold bracelet—bigger and brighter than Yu Wen’s.

She cocked her head, "Yours is gold, then what’s mine?"

Yu Wen stood stunned, ’Is this such a massive gold bracelet? Big enough to loop around a neck like a collar?’

’Who on earth buys a gold bracelet that huge?’

Chen Siyu asked smugly, "How about it?"

Yu Wen’s face twisted. Before striking the 300,000 lottery jackpot, she’d stayed ultra-low-key in Class 8, bullied without mercy! Now flush with 300,000, must she keep swallowing shame?

Painful past moments raced through her mind: once parading a gold bracelet, only for Cui Yu to slap a magnet on it while Lu Qiqi ridiculed endlessly nearby.

This time, Yu Wen boldly fished out a magnet and pressed it against Chen Siyu’s gold bracelet!

Her eyes bulged wide—it was miracle time!

Xue Yuantong commented, "Didn’t stick?"

Yu Wen refused to believe it, "How is that possible?"

Chen Siyu smoothly pulled back her hand, exuding an air of superiority.

Yu Wen reeled in disbelief, twisting back around.

Xue Yuantong’s eyes went wide, "Siyu, did you get rich?"

Chen Siyu answered cryptically, "Hard plastic."

Xue Yuantong grew more confused, "Why did you buy it, not clearly wearable, your hands are so small."

Chen Siyu flashed a sinister grin, "Who says you can’t wear it?"

Xue Yuantong stood there, utterly perplexed.

...

It was the first day back at school, with classmates full of excitement, dying to recount their winter break tales, their voices merging into a chaotic "buzzing" din.

Amid all the clamor, Lu Qiqi strode into Class 8, her expression stern and unyielding.

She clutched three cups of milk tea, fuming at the rascal Yan Tianpeng who had promised to buy them for her, only to vanish after ordering and stick her with the bill. She itched to hurl the drinks onto the ground but held back, knowing it was her own cash down the drain.

Arriving at her desk, Lu Qiqi spotted Yu Wen slumped over it. Irritated, she quickly handed out the milk tea to Shen Qing’e and Jiang Yanan, splitting the three cups evenly.

Alerted by the noise, Yu Wen sat up straight and noticed Lu Qiqi had gotten milk tea without including her, which soured her mood even further.

Jiang Ning passed some sunflower seeds to Tongtong and Chen Siyu.

Spotting Yu Wen’s sour look, Lu Qiqi apologized, "Sorry Wenwen, I forgot to get one for you."

Playing peacemaker, Jiang Yanan pushed her milk tea toward Yu Wen. "Wenwen, I’ve drunk plenty of water today—here, have this."

Yu Wen shoved the milk tea aside, jumped to her feet, and declared loudly, "Good thing you forgot; I nearly figured you were snubbing me on purpose and not sharing any!"

Lu Qiqi was already grumpy herself, and stung by the jab, she shot back, "Why do you care who I choose to buy milk tea for?"

Yu Wen sneered mockingly, "I figured you must be jealous of me!"

Lu Qiqi’s secret had been nailed spot-on; she mumbled defensively, "Jealous of what? Your pretty face?"

Jiang Ning observed the spat with amusement, marveling at how high school girls could clash so intensely over something so petty.

The rear seats erupted in heated bickering, but up front, Song Sheng was glued to videos, brushing up on boxing moves.

Ever since healing from his wounds, his fighter’s fire had reignited. Hidden from view, a savage tiger prowled within his soul.

Next to him, Pang Jiao had bulked up further; she grumbled, "Damn Yanyan, I pigged out over New Year by mistake, packing on weight from 210 to 219.7 pounds."

Wang Yan Yan replied, "Jiaojiao, stop putting yourself down—winter gear adds a few pounds, plus you likely stuffed yourself at lunch, so averaging it out, you’ve slimmed down for real."

Pang Jiao gaped wide, her face shadowed with stubble, and wailed dramatically, "Damn, I’ve been fretting over this forever!"

Wang Yan Yan added, "See, Yu Wen and the rest are sipping milk tea today, but not you—by energy conservation laws, that makes you slimmer than them all."

Song Sheng finally lost his patience; the winter break away from Pang Jiao had worn down his tolerance sharply.

He couldn’t resist sniping, "Thin or fat, you pretending to be clueless?"

Pang Jiao’s expression turned stormy.

Wang Yan Yan jumped in to smooth things over, "Jiaojiao, haven’t you shed pounds from your old self? Ignore him—your real rival is yesterday’s you."

Pang Jiao gritted her teeth, wagging her head, "I’ve set foot on the weight-loss road; I won’t be feeble anymore!"

As Song Sheng pondered the new seat assignments at school’s start, he eagerly awaited freedom from this hellhole, much like a convict counting down to release, his anticipation surging.

Song Sheng wasted no time in ribbing her, "You’re that plump—weak where exactly!"