Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation Chapter 1724 - 942: She Doesn’t Like It

The evening study session was already past its midpoint when the final class commenced.

Carrying a large bag brimming with fresh barbecue, Jiang Ning entered Class 8. Ding Shuyan had treated everyone that night, and he had indulged so much that he incurred expenses of several hundred on her behalf.

Xue Yuantong, who had been brimming with enthusiasm to reprimand Jiang Ning, found her intent swiftly subdued.

Not only was there barbecue, but also cola.

"You actually have some sense!" Xue Yuantong grudgingly accepted his offering, yet a pang of distress struck her regarding Jiang Ning's expenditure.

Such a substantial amount of barbecue!

She resolved to impress upon Jiang Ning next time the importance of avoiding waste, especially since those were their jointly pooled funds!

While Chen Siyu and Bai Yuxia were busy sharing the barbecue, Jiang Ning retrieved a warm cup of milk tea and offered it to Xue Yuantong with a gentle gesture: "Drink this."

"Wow!" In Xue Yuantong's eyes, he was suddenly the most exceptional person in existence!

Jiang Ning had procured barbecue solely for himself, yet the surrounding classmates all managed to snag a bite, transforming the studious evening into an atmosphere scented with grilled meat.

Wang Longlong, perched at the podium, happily consumed barbecue, harboring the thought that no matter what transpired, Xue Yuantong would ultimately shoulder the blame!

Meanwhile, in the back rows of the classroom, Gong Jin was enjoying duck necks, a portion of Zhang Chi's giveaway from class as he had failed to sell them.

A collective gasp rippled through the room; nobody had anticipated Zhang Chi would actually distribute free items.

Jiang Ning had procured a generous quantity of barbecue, and Gong Jin managed to secure three skewers, one of which was a gift from Wang Yong, and another from Lu Qiqi.

With superior fare now available, Gong Jin unceremoniously deposited the duck necks into the trash bin, finding their taste rather unappealing.

Witnessing this, Zhang Chi promptly approached to settle the transaction: "Excuse me, Gong Jin, you owe me four yuan."

Gong Jin looked bewildered: "Didn't you just say the duck necks were free?"

Zhang Chi confidently retorted: "Indeed, I announced free duck necks, but what I provided you were chicken necks, correct? Kindly examine the packaging."

He held up a package identical to the one previously seen, and upon closer inspection, Gong Jin realized they were indeed chicken necks.

Zhang Chi extended his hand: "Four yuan."

Although Gong Jin possessed the means to pay the four yuan, he disdained being deceived. He contemplated lodging a loud protest but refrained, concerned that such an altercation might draw the attention of Lin Zida and his cohort from Class 1.

'Gong Jin engaging in a dispute with a classmate over a mere four yuan...' The mere thought of it caused Gong Jin to inwardly cringe.

Reluctantly, he retrieved his wallet and handed Zhang Chi five yuan.

Zhang Chi claimed an inability to provide change, stating he couldn't break the bill, and suggested he would forget the debt by the following day, offering Gong Jin a lollipop worth one yuan instead.

Gong Jin felt an urge to loudly argue that the lollipop's value was only fifty cents, but he reconsidered, deeming a dispute over such a paltry sum truly...

Gong Jin conceded.

After Zhang Chi departed, Gong Jin muttered indignantly: "What's the meaning of 'forget the debt tomorrow'?"

Wang Yong pondered for a moment before remarking: "It's true. I lent him ten yuan previously, and he genuinely forgot for an entire year."

"He's utterly forgetful." Wang Yong expressed his frustration, questioning whether his own reputation could withstand a confrontation with Zhang Chi over ten yuan.

Gong Jin felt a sliver of solace upon hearing that Wang Yong had also been swindled out of ten yuan.

"Does he never recall things accurately?" Gong Jin inquired, puzzled.

Wang Yong replied: "On occasion, he does."

"Previously, he borrowed ten yuan from Jiang Ning and remembered to repay it after a fortnight."

Out of the entire class, only two individuals who lent Zhang Chi money could attest to receiving repayment.

Gong Jin took a bite of barbecue, contemplating: "Jiang Ning?"

He felt a sense of contentment, having partaken in some of Jiang Ning's barbecue; this represented one of the rare instances of personal gain since his inclusion in Class 8.

Otherwise, his usual activities involved selling items, cleaning, or being ensnared in trouble.

Wang Yong interjected from the side: "Brother Jin, the school is expected to finalize the small dining table plan this week; are you planning to participate?"

Gong Jin, hearing about the small dining table for the first time, asked: "What is that?"

"It's a meal subsidy provided by President Shao of Evergreen Liquid for alma mater students. It comprises an 8-person small table, with daily meal expenses around twenty yuan, and it's quite advantageous," Wang Yong explained.

"An 8-person table..." Unexpectedly, Gong Jin envisioned himself seated alongside Pang Jiao, Zhang Yifei, and Li Shengnan... The prospect was exceedingly appealing!

No, he was almost experiencing withdrawal symptoms.

Furthermore, the cafeteria was an open venue; if he were assigned to an unfavorable table, his reputation would be irrevocably damaged!

Gong Jin immediately shook his head: "No, absolutely not."

His initial optimism rapidly dissolved into pessimism.

Wang Yong expressed a sense of regret.

In the front row.

Chen Qian, engrossed in study, received barbecue from Chen Siyu's charitable offering: "This is for the most diligent student in our class!"

"There's no need, I must focus on my studies!" Chen Qian gestured to decline.

Chen Siyu remarked: "How can you possibly study effectively if you're not well-fed? Tongtong only excels in exams because she eats heartily!"

Persuaded by this logic, Chen Qian accepted a lamb skewer.

Yet, his gaze fell upon Xue Yuantong, who was enjoying herself at the back, and a thought crossed his mind: ’You’re practically siding with the enemy!’

Despite this, he continued to eat and read with gusto.

Lu Qiqi, seated behind him, reached out and took a lamb skewer. “This barbecue vendor really knows how to cook,” she remarked.

“During New Year’s, I barbecued some skewers at home, and my mom took a bite before putting it down, without saying why.”

Chen Siyu, always considerate, chimed in, “Perhaps it just didn’t suit her taste.”

Chen Qian turned his head. “Because it tasted terrible!”

Lu Qiqi’s expression faltered, and she pretended not to have heard.

Assuming she hadn’t caught his words, Chen Qian repeated, louder this time, “Did your mom say it tasted bad? Was it that awful?”

Lu Qiqi remained silent.

Chen Qian’s voice boomed, “It tasted bad! Your grilling is abysmal, which is why your mom didn’t eat it! The real reason is it was just awful!”

Unable to contain herself any longer, Lu Qiqi retorted, “What’s the point of studying so hard if you can’t even beat Xue Yuantong in grades? It’s pointless! Just quit studying!”

Chen Qian remained unfazed. “If you don’t have talent, then just keep trying!”

“But about you, I told you it tasted bad, so why are you getting angry?”

“Untruths cause no harm, but the truth cuts like a sharp knife.”

Chen Qian pressed his verbal assault, and Lu Qiqi abruptly got up and left.

Hu Jun, having overheard their argument, sent a message to Lu Qiqi: “Auntie has a more delicate palate; perhaps be more mindful next time.”

Lu Qiqi then passed a couple of lamb skewers to Gong Jin.

Gong Jin promptly took out his phone and snapped a picture to send to Zhuang Jianhui. “Look at this delicious barbecue I got today; it’s seriously good.”

As evening descended, these high schoolers were undoubtedly feeling the pangs of hunger, which made Zhuang Jianhui’s response even more enthusiastic: “Brother Jin, you’re living the dream!”

Zhuang Jianhui’s compliment fed Gong Jin’s vanity perfectly, hitting the right spot!

He resolved to capture more moments of his life moving forward.

Zhuang Jianhui saved the photo and forwarded it to Ding Shuyan. “This barbecue looks amazing; care to join me for some tonight?”

Meanwhile, Ding Shuyan was back at Hu Qi Mountain Villa, quite surprised that she didn’t smell of barbecue after her meal.

It was then that she received Zhuang Jianhui’s message.

Ding Shuyan replied, “No thanks, I’m not really hungry tonight.”

Her plan was to study the Jade Pendant Jiang Ning had gifted her that evening, leaving her with no free time.

Zhuang Jianhui expressed his regret. “Understood. How about inviting Xiao Pang and Gong Jin for barbecue tonight instead?”

He surmised that Ding Shuyan likely didn’t have a fondness for such rich, greasy foods.