Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation Chapter 1726 - 944: High Emotional Intelligence

Playground.

On the playground, Yun Tingting initiated a badminton rotation, with Duan Shigang and Liu Chuandao eagerly awaiting their turn.

Nearby, the ping pong table adjacent to the podium was adorned with a green carpet. This prime spot was initially claimed by Gu Changyan and his peers from Class 3.

Gong Jin approached, paddle in hand, engaged in a brief chat, and then initiated the dealer system for play.

Gong Jin's prowess was undeniable, swiftly transforming the joyful expressions of Class 3 students into somber ones.

These matches had now become a matter of class honor.

The students of Class 3 typically harbored a sense of superiority, especially when the famously renowned Yun Tingting was brought up; the boys of Class 3 couldn't resist puffing out their chests and casually remarking:

"Oh, she's from our class. Well, once you get used to seeing her, she's just like anyone else!"

"You guys just haven't seen much of the world."

Such blatant showboating.

At this very moment, despite their best efforts at the ping pong table and their continuous search for stronger classmates to compete against, Class 3 remained unable to secure a victory!

Cui Yu sneered, "Your Class 3’s honor is all dependent on Yun Tingting’s backside."

Class 3 was seething with anger but left feeling helpless and resentful.

Jiang Yanan exclaimed, "Gong Jin is truly skilled!"

Gong Jin offered a slight smile.

"But he can't beat Yang Sheng."

Gong Jin's smile vanished.

This dealer system began attracting students from the first-year grade level.

"Next," Gong Jin stated calmly.

Just then, a girl appeared with the agility of a young deer, her eyes sparkling with a hint of surprise. "Brother, you're amazing!"

Hearing the enchanting melody of her voice, Gong Jin turned to behold an exquisitely beautiful girl. Her delicate features and expressive eyes seemed to hold unspoken conversations. The girl shyly tucked her hands behind her back, her legs pressed tightly together beneath her simple white dress, exuding an aura of adorable innocence.

The only drawback was the entourage of seven or eight boys who accompanied her, their faces alight with admiration and affection.

'What is this? A puppeteer?'

Gong Jin held the paddle with one hand, stating calmly, "It's not that I'm particularly strong; it's just that I'm in excellent form today."

"Then, could brother play a couple of rounds with me?"

Gong Jin, naturally, was willing. "Please, grant me the honor!"

Gong Jin then displayed his remarkable skills, thoroughly defeating Shang Wanqing.

Shang Wanqing thought to herself, 'Huh?'

She had expected him to show some pity.

The smitten admirers behind her eagerly stepped forward to challenge Gong Jin, only to be effortlessly defeated one after another.

Feeling dejected, Shang Wanqing retreated to another section of the playground to find Wu Yunzhi.

Recently, Wu Yunzhi had been experiencing a difficult period. His living allowance had been reduced, and his reputation had been tarnished by past events, rendering him quite unpopular.

Nevertheless, Shang Wanqing remained steadfastly loyal, which brought Wu Yunzhi considerable comfort. He often spent his limited funds on small tokens of appreciation for her.

"What's the matter?"

Shang Wanqing explained her purpose.

Wu Yunzhi put down his basketball, donned a pristine white jacket, and declared, "I will help you."

Upon observing the young lady introducing a new challenger, Gong Jin discreetly assessed the situation and recognized Wu Yunzhi's identity.

'Isn't that Zhuang Jianhui's former rival?'

'How interesting.'

Shang Wanqing cheered enthusiastically, "Go for it, brother!"

Wu Yunzhi fixed his gaze on Gong Jin and loudly proclaimed, "Do you find bullying girls so amusing?"

Gong Jin became increasingly cautious, aware that anyone capable of rivaling Zhuang Jianhui must possess considerable strength!

"Please, teach me!" Gong Jin replied politely, harboring a wary suspicion that this might be someone on par with Yang Sheng.

Merely three minutes later, Wu Yunzhi found himself thoroughly defeated.

Gong Jin remarked, "You gave me quite a scare; I genuinely thought you were formidable!"

'Is this truly the caliber of Zhuang Jianhui's rival? Seriously?'

Simultaneously, across the playground.

Pei Yujing, her long tresses cascading down to her waist, stood in solitude beneath the gentle shade of a tree, gazing pensively into the distance.

Naturally reclusive, she possessed few friends, and her prolonged silence had led to a noticeable decline in her communication abilities.

While kicking a ball towards the goal, Jiang Ning subtly employed his Divine Sense to observe Pei Yujing.

Today, she carried a pleasant aroma, reminiscent of barbecue; she mused that Tongtong might appreciate that scent.

Unfortunately, Tongtong was currently occupied in the office, engrossed in games.

'It appears she consistently seeks a secluded spot during every PE class.'

Jiang Ning hadn't paid much attention before, as the previous PE teacher had been rather frail.

"Jiang Ning, pass to me!" Chen Siyu called out.

Jiang Ning courteously kicked the ball over. However, Chen Siyu, in a moment of clumsiness, allowed Yang Sheng to intercept it.

Even a solitary and beautiful maiden, merely standing still, possesses the innate ability to effortlessly capture the attention of onlookers.

The students of Class 3 within Grade 2 were aware of Pei Yujing's reserved nature and therefore did not approach her. However, students from Class 8 couldn't help but cast occasional glances her way.

Liu Chuandao, brimming with restless energy, announced to his nearby companions, "I'm observing something intriguing!"

Duan Shigang inquired, "What captivating sight has caught your attention?"

Liu Chuandao replied, "A riddle. There's a girl standing to my left; what might her name be?"

Cao Kun: "Girl."

Liu Chuandao snapped his fingers and uttered a laugh: "Precisely!"

Cao Kun interrogated: "Bro, you realize you're not exactly a looker, right?"

Does that person, Cui Yu, mocking you, truly ignite your anger?

"During the last gym period, my attention was captured by her; she's incredibly pretty!" Liu Chuandao declared enthusiastically.

Chai Wei, standing beside him, voiced strong accord, stating she was far more attractive than any previous girlfriend he'd had.

Cao Kun interjected: "Let it go, wasn't there chatter on the forum about her being pregnant, with whispers claiming it was Jiang Ning's child? And later, it all turned out to be false. Utterly ridiculous."

As Chai Wei was busy socializing, Cao Kun mused: "She likely knows Jiang Ning."

Liu Chuandao retorted: "So what if she knows him? Doesn't he spend his days with Geng Lu?"

Duan Shigang prodded: "Then why don't you make a move?"

Liu Chuandao fell into silence.

Some tidbits, even if mere rumors, possess the power to serve as a form of shield.

...

Friday afternoon, during the initial class period, a break occurred.

Wang Longlong approached the podium; consistently, he shouldered responsibility for the majority of class-related tasks.

"The seating arrangements for the lunch tables are slated for release today. I shall post them in the class communication channel, so kindly check for yourselves!"

Zhang Chi, engrossed in awaiting the results from One Dollar Treasure, casually responded: "Oh."

His desk companion, Liu Chuandao, nervously implored: "Aren't you even a little concerned?"

Zhang Chi remained unperturbed: "Whatever the outcome, I truly don't harbor any particular feelings about it!"

"My intention is simple: I will consume my meal, and then I shall depart."

Liu Chuandao offered an approving thumbs-up, expressing admiration: "Your outlook is truly admirable!"

Zhang Chi calmly stated: "With unwavering faith, one need not fear anything!"

Liu Chuandao found himself incapable of such a mindset.

Wang Yong also lacked that conviction; a residual nervousness lingered within him.

Gong Jin commented: "Perhaps we should have opted out of signing up, shouldn't we have?"

Wang Yong countered: "However, the quality of the meals is exceptionally high."

Despite his family's employment in an office setting, daily commutes for meals were impractical; the school cafeteria held significant value for him.

Gong Jin stated plainly: "Let me enlighten you; when the moment arises, simply select a seat you fancy and be prepared to pay a premium for it."

Ever since he became aware of this particular system, his perspective had undergone a significant shift.

After speaking, Gong Jin paused momentarily: "Indeed, if cafeteria seats are amenable to purchase, then I too could offer a substantial sum to alter my class seat!"

The more he contemplated this possibility, the more his excitement surged, feeling on the cusp of escaping his current predicament!

No longer would he need to dread being singled out by Zhuang Jianhui and his associates!

Furthermore, he had already bested Zhuang Jianhui's most formidable adversary.

Wang Yong shook his head, remarking: "Wu Xiaoqi had also attempted to exchange seats by paying a considerable sum to Zhang Chi. Zhang Chi consented to the arrangement, yet shortly after a class session, a group, including Cui Yu, lodged a protest with the instructor, arguing that exchanges should be strictly performance-based and private swaps were inappropriate. Ultimately, the deal fell through."

Gong Jin was rendered speechless: "Aren't your classmates exhibiting a rather malevolent disposition?"

During the second class.

Wang Longlong disseminated the lunch table seating chart through the class messaging group.

Liu Chuandao cautiously accessed it and, upon observing his relatively favorable placement, finally let out a sigh of relief.

"Zhang Chi, the seating chart has been posted."

Zhang Chi responded: "Read it out."

Liu Chuandao began listing: "Pang Jiao, Wang Yan Yan, Zhang Yifei, Li Shengnan, Niu Ying..."

Niu Ying hails from class 9, her standing comparable to Zhang Yifei's, possessing a notably 'adorable' pout.

"Zhao Qianqian, Hong Yuanyuan..."

Hong Yuanyuan originates from class 7, a rotund combatant, rumored to have once tumbled down a flight of stairs without sustaining injury.

Zhang Chi, having heard these anecdotes, inquired impatiently: "Brother Dao, are you attempting to provoke me? Why are you dwelling on these details? What relevance do they hold for me?"

Liu Chuandao insisted: "They are relevant."

He continued reading: "Hong Yuanyuan, Zhang Chi, behold, the final entry is yours!"

Zhang Chi slowly turned his head, a look of utter disbelief on his face: "What?"

Two minutes elapsed.

Liu Chuandao observed Zhang Chi's countenance contort with rising anger, finding a measure of amusement in his friend's predicament: "Weren't you proclaiming indifference just moments ago, Chi Zi?"

Following the conclusion of classes, the school day ended.

Moving like an automaton, Zhang Chi exited the classroom. From the adjacent room, Yan Tianpeng called out: "Zhang Chi, let's go generate some income!"

Zhang Chi appeared to gain a sliver of vigor: 'Indeed, financial gain, with wealth I can transcend all of this!'

Perceiving Zhang Chi's somber demeanor, Yan Tianpeng offered a consoling remark delivered with considerable emotional intelligence:

"Chi Zi, allow me to share some amusing news; the lunch table assignments today, haha, some unfortunate soul has been grouped with our class's Niu Ying, class 7's Hong Yuanyuan, and your classmate Pang Jiao. It's absolutely hilarious, haha!"

"Hey, Chi Zi, why aren't you joining in the laughter?"