Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation Chapter 1712 - 934: You’re Not Weak

Upon returning to school after lunch, Liu Chuandao and Duan Shigang threw themselves into badminton with tremendous vigor.

In the afternoon, five minutes prior to the end of classes, Jiang Ning and Geng Lu headed out for food.

The primary campus walkway lay serene, occupied solely by the pair, yet an air of haste lingered—maybe from the impending surge of students flooding out post-bell, or perhaps because something precious was on the verge of slipping away.

Geng Lu figured that by next week at the latest, the school would set up mini dining areas, slashing her chances to dine solo with Jiang Ning, so she savored every moment now.

Reaching the school entrance, the guard eyed them briefly before swiftly unlocking the gate.

That was it—he was simply proficient at his job.

The guard watched them wistfully; with Fourth Middle School's rising fame, transfer students kept pouring in.

Those switching schools at this juncture usually hailed from elite families, and his own shortcomings as a mere guard grew ever more glaring!

Jiang Ning led Geng Lu to the prime spot at the gate for authentic spicy hotpot, where the owner's daughter Hu Mei recognized him. She'd first heard from her folks about how Jiang Ning boosted their shop, sparking her initial awe for this impressive big bro.

Over time, that awe shifted, and inwardly she mused: 'Bringing yet another girl—not quite as stunning as the last two, but wow, her figure's impressive!'

Jiang Ning called for two servings of classic spicy hotpot, and knowing he'd foot the bill, Hu Mei tossed in two cans of cola.

He took them gladly, while Geng Lu dashed next door for a plate of fried skewers and two bean paste cakes. With everything on the table, they relished a hearty, nostalgic student meal—pure, simple bliss.

"Earlier when I stepped out, I caught Liu Chuandao mentioning he'd practice badminton this afternoon. When do you reckon he'll take on Yun Tingting?" Geng Lu inquired.

Jiang Ning: "This afternoon, probably."

"Ah, that quick?" Geng Lu exclaimed, surprised.

Jiang Ning: "He doesn't strike me as the patient sort."

Geng Lu pondered briefly: "Even if Yun Tingting accepts the badminton match, even if he pulls off a win by some luck, even if the gossip holds water, I doubt she'd go out with him."

"All those 'ifs' would likely rile up Liu Chuandao if he overheard," Jiang Ning remarked.

Geng Lu shrugged it off; her candid nature carried no guilt.

"Yun Tingting's seriously skilled at badminton—never seen a girl so masterful with it." She'd once dismissed Yun Tingting as all talk.

Jiang Ning: "You're just as capable."

Though aware it was a tease, Geng Lu swelled with pride anyway, thrusting her chest forward so the loose shirt strained tight, buttons threatening to pop.

"Our strengths differ; I'm superior at drawing."

Post-meal, Jiang Ning got takeout for Tongtong and aimed to grab her a little cake. Spotting a fruit stall around the bend, he scanned it with his Divine Sense, noted the fine sugarcane, and selected one.

The vendor, quite youthful, wielded his knife with stunning accuracy, peels spiraling away in perfect strips.

Geng Lu told Jiang Ning: "Back when I trained in An City, I sharpened pencils a ton—art kids' brushes don't work with regular sharpeners; you've got to do it by hand."

Jiang Ning: "Hadn't considered that."

Geng Lu added: "The vendor's sugarcane technique reminds me so much of pencil sharpening..."

The owner piped up: "How'd you guess? I was an art student before."

Geng Lu went still.

With sugarcane in hand, heading back, Geng Lu fell quiet.

This made sense; witnessing a former peer from your craft now hawking fruit roadside could stir existential thoughts.

Jiang Ning simply noted: "We all study from the same books—some hit 200 points, others ace into Qinghua. It's all about the individual."

Geng Lu forced a grin: "Thanks."

...

Outside Class 8 in the corridor.

Two days of badminton drills had Liu Chuandao feeling his smashes were dynamite—he'd hammered seven straight against Duan Shigang, priming him for the showdown.

Liu Chuandao knew he wasn't some musclehead, so he consulted the brainy duo Cui Yu and Meng Gui for pointers.

Cui Yu stroked his chin craftily: "Yun Tingting's got an amazing body..."

Liu Chuandao, dead serious: "I want Yun Tingting's badminton weaknesses."

Cui Yu: "Her body's top-notch, particularly when she lifts her arm to ready the racket—that form, that arc, you catch it?"

Liu Chuandao chafed his palms together like eager flies: "Oh my, I saw it, wobbling all around, my goodness!"

Cui Yu: "Yeah, last time, the drool from upstairs was dripping down!"

"Goodness, if she were my girlfriend, wouldn’t others be drooling over her every day?"

The pair bantered lively for a moment before Liu Chuandao dragged himself away reluctantly, at last recalling his reason for visiting—to get advice.

Liu Chuandao inwardly cursed his own distraction.

Clenching his teeth tightly, he bolted downstairs, located Yun Tingting mid-badminton game, and bellowed: "I challenge you!"

Yun Tingting eyed him in astonishment: "Get in line."

Liu Chuandao: "Is there any chance to cut in line?"

"Just queue up honestly," Yun Tingting dismissed him entirely.

No choice left, Liu Chuandao headed back to Class 8 for counsel.

Zhang Chi proposed: "Give her money, no woman doesn’t love money!"

Brimming with assurance, Liu Chuandao went downstairs again, proposing to Yun Tingting that money could let him skip the line.

Quite outrageous—most upright women in society would shun such nonsense, especially a high school girl like Yun Tingting, who took it as a grave offense.

Yun Tingting shot him down instantly: "Even if you offer me money, I won’t play with you!"

The balcony on the second floor.

Chen Siyu griped, "So awkward, it’s really hard to negotiate prices with strangers. Every time I see such a scene, I feel like it’s hard to stand on the street because you have to negotiate a price with strangers every time before opening for business."

"You’re not right?" Yang Sheng gaped at her in utter disbelief, completely baffled.

Bai Yuxia offered, "You can write down the price and hang the sign on your chest, just like selling vegetables."

The moment Bai Yuxia spoke, realization hit her—why on earth was she debating this topic with her?

'After hearing her talk, shouldn’t my reaction be to spit lightly and then mock her from a moral high ground?'

Yang Sheng’s gaze moved to Bai Yuxia’s face: 'You’re not right either.'

Bai Yuxia’s pale cheeks tinted pink: "I’m just making a suggestion."

Lu Qiqi slipped out the classroom’s back door; school bell rang, Gong Jin vanished instantly, souring her mood.

During seat assignments, her scores trailed Wang Yong’s by miles, blocking a spot next to Gong Jin. Empty chairs lingered before and after him back then, yet as a Class Eight veteran, Lu Qiqi shunned the Four Golden Flowers’ cluster too...

Lu Qiqi lingered on the balcony, eyeing the disorderly chaos below.

Yun Tingting demanded, "What do you take me for? What do you think I am? Are you giving me money?"

Lu Qiqi cringed at the humiliated beauty, linking it straight to seedy underworld deals, worsened by Cui Yu and crew’s sleazy gazes.

Lu Qiqi sneered contemptuously, "I’m really curious why you guys like this kind of thing, like liking to find prostitutes, don’t feel it’s dirty, don’t you think you’ll get sick?"

Cui Yu spun around, snapping at her, "No matter what, you can’t just say that a girl who is a stranger to you is dirty. No matter what job she does, you can’t say that about a girl."

Meng Gui: "Respect other people’s professions!"

...

By the time Jiang Ning descended the stairs, Liu Chuandao was already shooed off.

Tough-spirited Yun Tingting reclaimed her dazzling poise, eyes gleaming at the sight of Jiang Ning.

She might not truly like Jiang Ning, yet his endless rebuffs to her teasing bids stirred a defiant spark.

Some girls crave it more the tougher it is to obtain.

Yun Tingting waved her racket: "Jiang Ning, come play a round, one round! One round!"

Nearby, Jiang Yanan—fresh from lunch—grinned and queried, "Jiang Ning, do you agree?"

Geng Lu lingered at the edge.

"Alright, you help me take the meal to Xue Yuantong, I’ll play a round."

Jiang Yanan lit up with sheer delight.

"Wait for me." Jiang Ning.

Geng Lu: "Come on!"

He strode onto the badminton court, net dividing him from Yun Tingting.

Yun Tingting buzzed with excitement; she knew Jiang Ning ranked as a star athlete, record-breaker from Fourth Middle School’s sports fest.

On top of that, a itch burned to humble Jiang Ning—how dare he turn me down!

This round, Yun Tingting dipped low, center of gravity sunk in perfect form. Her subtle curve rendered her hips irresistibly seductive.

Liu Chuandao still simmered with anger toward her moments ago, yet now rubbed his heated nose uncontrollably.

Jiang Ning smashed a routine serve; Yun Tingting lunged sharply. Though fierce-looking, it faked out—the shuttlecock wafted gently over.

Yang Sheng, second-floor onlooker with arms crossed: "She always likes doing this."

Jiang Ning surged forward to the net, backhand lifting the shuttlecock with precision.

Yun Tingting grabbed the opening instantly, powering a rapid straight drive. This tactic crushed 99% of the students effortlessly.

Jiang Ning retreated just a couple steps before unleashing a diagonal slice that skimmed the shuttlecock over the net.

Yun Tingting whirled around swiftly, smashing the return shot back.

This round, Jiang Ning skipped fancy skills for a basic straight smash. "Bang!" The shuttlecock rocketed across at horrifying speed, while Yun Tingting's arm lingered only halfway raised.

The shuttlecock slammed down—Jiang Ning claimed victory.

Chaos exploded from the teaching building; despite Yun Tingting's full focus, she'd been beaten.

A voice bellowed: "Brother, awesome!"

Jiang Ning glanced at the unconvinced Yun Tingting and remarked, "Thanks for the match."

He then walked off, leaving Geng Lu waiting patiently for him.

Jiang Ning: "Want to play a round?"

Geng Lu: "Huh?"

She rarely played badminton, as the wide swings felt too revealing.

Thankfully, the weather stayed mild, and her outfit concealed everything nicely.

"Okay." She agreed hesitantly, adding, "But don't mind if I'm not good, I'm much worse than Yun Tingting..."

They snatched a pair of spare rackets from the ground, assumed positions, and dove into the game.

Jiang Ning delivered a perfectly measured serve, which felt to Geng Lu like it flew straight into her racket. She swung softly, sending the shuttlecock spinning across.

Jiang Ning countered with a diagonal slash, hurling the shuttlecock at blazing speed.

Geng Lu sensed the ideal angle and backhanded the shuttlecock soaring once more.

Jiang Ning swung his racket high—but completely missed.

The upstairs crowd roared, "He lost, he lost!"

As stunned Geng Lu processed it, Jiang Ning's clear voice rang softly by her ear: "See, you're not worse than her."

The teaching building buzzed with noise behind them; meeting Jiang Ning's gaze, a tiny red flower bloomed warmly in Geng Lu's heart.