Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation Chapter 1693 - 923: Morning Dew

Night by the river dam.

Facing the duo's interrogation, Xue Chuchu felt isolated like a delicate bloom trembling in the breeze.

As she considered ways to push back against them, Jiang Ning suddenly flashed a grin: "Alright, I won’t tease you anymore, you don’t have to make breakfast for me tomorrow morning."

Xue Chuchu felt off-balance seeing Jiang Ning yield so abruptly. Throughout the holidays, she had always indulged his outrageous requests. Had he finally grown a conscience?

Xue Yuantong glanced at Jiang Ning and asked sharply: "What are you up to?"

Without responding, Jiang Ning directed her: "Chuchu, after breakfast tomorrow, kindly escort Tongtong to the school entrance."

"And you?" Xue Chuchu inquired, puzzled.

Jiang Ning clarified: "I need to head out early tomorrow to take care of some business."

Xue Yuantong probed: "What business are you keeping from me? You must be plotting something shady!"

Her little face beamed with a triumphant 'caught you red-handed' look, as though she had exposed Jiang Ning's secret scheme.

Jiang Ning confessed straightforwardly: "Yes, I’m keeping it from you."

Xue Yuantong exploded in anger: "You actually admit to hiding things from me? Have you considered the consequences?"

Jiang Ning replied: "Exactly because I want things to go well with you, I’m keeping it secret."

Xue Chuchu initially thought it made sense, but soon sensed something amiss.

Yet as the family head, Jiang Ning's decisions carried absolute weight. He settled the next day's arrangements.

...

In March, warmth begins to spread, and days grow longer with more light.

At first light, Jiang Ning wheels his titanium gray e-bike out of the house.

With Divine Sense, he checks the neighboring home. Though Tongtong vowed last night to rise early and block him, she lay cozily bundled in her blankets, lost in deep slumber.

A soft chuckle escaped him as he hopped on the e-bike and twisted the throttle.

The morning air felt refreshing, with vibrant green wheat sprouts in the fields and the damp aroma of earth and wild blooms filling the breeze. He cruised leisurely on his e-bike toward the city.

City district, beside the residential area, near roadside stores.

A slender girl's figure waited motionless, clad in a sleek black puffer jacket. Even in its fitted cut, her bust still protruded noticeably.

Concerned about appearing too puffy, she inspected herself in the store's large glass window, now and then rising on tiptoes, angling her posture slightly, and curving her lips into a charming grin.

From a distance, Jiang Ning spotted the girl's careful maneuvers.

Her straightforward high ponytail radiated energy, free of heavy cosmetics or lenses, just a cute bear clip adorning it, giving her an air of crisp freshness.

As if embodying the essence of youthful innocence.

Jiang Ning parked his e-bike and approached Geng Lu unhurriedly.

Geng Lu caught sight of the towering shadow entering her window reflection and turned, her eyes widening in delight.

Avoiding her gaze, Jiang Ning studied the girl's image in the glass and remarked at the perfect moment: "Very beautiful."

Geng Lu's eyes lingered, then her face bloomed pink like spring peaches: "Thank you."

Jiang Ning jangled the bike keys: "Hop on, I’ll treat you to breakfast. I know a great spot."

He climbed aboard but paused before starting when a soft warmth pressed against his back.

Jiang Ning sighed to himself.

Grinning, he commented: "You’re bundled up nicely."

Geng Lu inhaled his clean scent, her smile lingering: "It’s still winter, after all—gets chilly."

This sensation had eluded her for ages.

Jiang Ning: "Yeah, layering up is smart."

Unlike other girls who might go quiet at his plain response, Geng Lu's boldness shone through; she chuckled shyly yet playfully: "Guess how many layers I’ve got on?"

Jiang Ning paid it no mind—as a Cultivator, why bother guessing?

Still, mystery adds charm, so he played along: "Three, perhaps."

Geng Lu: "Nope, four layers. Nine if you count the full ensemble!"

With those words, she pressed nearer, perhaps from the chill, and Jiang Ning sensed the quickened thuds of her heart.

Jiang Ning complimented: "You’re like an onion, full of layers."

Geng Lu let out a delighted giggle.

"So, where are we eating?" Geng Lu wondered.

Jiang Ning: "No questions—just come and enjoy."

Geng Lu: "Anything you pick works for me; I don’t eat a lot anyway."

"Keeps things simple to manage." Jiang Ning shot back.

"Exactly, you could even look after me." Geng Lu teased with a grin.

Jiang Ning: "Not likely—I struggle just keeping a pothos alive."

Geng Lu: "It’s fine, I can get my own food, and my drawing abilities have gotten much better—I’ve even picked up some art gigs!"

"Impressive."

While talking, Jiang Ning stopped the electric bike along the curb, with the ’Huang Family Pancakes’ sign appearing right ahead.

A middle-aged lady, wearing an apron, hustled busily before the round pancake stove.

Not until Jiang Ning drew near did she spot him, offering a tired smile: "Young man, you’re back again."

Jiang Ning: "Six pancakes, two bowls of Chicken Egg Soup."

As she spoke, a young woman in her early twenties stepped out from the store, about 1.7 meters tall, slim, with a faintly pale complexion.

She knew Jiang Ning as well. It had been roughly half a year since his last visit, and now they met once more by chance.

He looked just as striking as during their first encounter—tall and lean, clad in a black trench coat. Yet this time, a girl around his age stood beside him.

"Come in and take a seat, I’ll bring the soup out for you."

Jiang Ning peered into the shop; business appeared livelier than before, with nearly half the seats filled.

"No thanks, keep going with what you’re doing—we’ll handle the eggs ourselves and see how it goes."

"Okay then."

With that, Jiang Ning picked up an egg, knocked it against the table, and split it open into a bowl.

Geng Lu, new to this, copied his actions by tapping an egg, which shockingly displayed two yolks—a precious double-yolk egg.