Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation Chapter 1736 - 951: Light of Conscience

"Jianhui, I’ve got both good and bad news for you," Lin Zida announced, his hands empty.

Zhuang Jianhui, still immersed in a two-meter-deep pond, was locked in a strategic duel with several catfish. He looked up at the sound, the scene on the bank unclear to him.

"Bad news? What could possibly be bad news today?" Zhuang Jianhui called back loudly. He had caught a multitude of fish and was returning with a triumphant haul, certain of victory and acclaim!

Yin Yu offered a smile, "There is."

Zhuang Jianhui found himself disliking this girl; he perceived a false sincerity beneath her smile that made him uneasy. He chose to ignore Yin Yu, instead addressing Lin Zida, "Xiao Pang, tell me the good news first."

Lin Zida replied, "I’ve transferred the fish from the bucket and basin into the net, so we can catch even more!"

Wang Yong cheered, "Brother Lin is the clever one, as always."

Gong Jin chimed in, "That’s wonderful! I was worried they might suffocate. I definitely don’t want to eat dead fish." The immense effort he had put into catching so many fish meant they were destined to be delicious!

Gong Jin couldn’t resist imagining sharing the feast on his QQ Space, anticipating the envious glances it would garner.

Zhuang Jianhui chuckled, "Not bad. So, what’s the bad news?"

Lin Zida sheepishly admitted, "Haha, the bad news is the net tore, and all the fish escaped..."

Zhuang Jianhui stood frozen, the world seeming to tilt around him.

...

Lin Zida also made his escape. He ran from the wild pond back towards the dam, the time approaching one in the afternoon. Having skipped lunch and toiled all morning, his energy reserves were depleted.

Descending the river dam, Lin Zida set his course eastward towards the rural tourism area, intending to find some food. As he passed Jiang Ning’s residence, the sight of a steaming hot grill on the dining table caught his eye, its spicy and fresh aroma of grilled fish instantly assaulting his senses.

Lin Zida halted in his tracks.

Xue Yuantong, observing a mud-caked figure, mistook him for a beggar. She quickly instructed, "Si Yu, serve this gentleman a bowl of rice!"

Lin Zida rubbed his face, inadvertently smearing more mud but revealing his identity. "Jiang Ning, it’s me, Lin Zida!"

Chen Siyu expressed surprise, asking, "You’re the one who pumps water, right? How many fish did you manage to catch?"

Hitting a sore spot for Lin Zida, he awkwardly wiped his face again. "Ah, quite a lot."

"Where are the fish?" Chen Siyu inquired, her gaze searching behind Lin Zida, finding no fish accompanying him.

Lin Zida explained with a sigh, "The net broke, and they all got away."

Jiang Ning, who had not been involved in any sabotage, asked, "So, you guys had a falling out?"

Lin Zida remained silent.

Chen Siyu suggested, "If the fish escaped, it doesn’t really matter. If you catch them all again, maybe you can make amends?"

"You’re quite right..." Lin Zida murmured, though he silently wished she wouldn’t voice such things next time.

Parched and weary, Lin Zida couldn’t help but cast longing glances at the table laden with food. He had to admit, the aroma was incredibly enticing, and the roasted pigeon looked so succulent, it made his mouth water.

"Woof!" Xiao Ben barked from the yard.

Lin Zida’s gaze shifted. There sat the dog, appearing unnervingly lifelike, clutching a bone with its front paws and watching him with palpable wariness.

Good heavens, he could swear he detected an expression of disdain, transcending species, on the canine’s face.

"A tiger reduced to the scorn of dogs!" Lin Zida could no longer contain his outcry.

Xue Chuchu, noticing the man’s reluctance to leave and his generally pathetic appearance, nudged Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning politely instructed, "Si Yu, please serve him a bowl of rice and some dishes."

Jiang Ning then added, with a touch of geniality, "Don’t mind if it’s just leftovers; you arrived late."

Lin Zida hastily shook his head, "I don’t mind at all!" When hunger strikes, one’s standards tend to lower. Jiang Ning’s courtesy moved Lin Zida; he hadn’t expected to find such genuine kindness in his current predicament!

Chen Siyu exclaimed, "Did you forget? We have not only leftovers but also my steamed crab!"

Chen Siqing concurred, "Yes, add some crab." She then offered a caveat, "However, my sister’s cooking is quite average. When she prepares meals at home, even our parents won’t eat them, so please bear with it if it’s not to your taste."

Lin Zida pondered how difficult it could possibly be to steam crabs. He offered, "There are no children who can’t cook, only parents with picky palates."

Chen Siyu responded, "You certainly know how to say pleasant things."

Lin Zida declared with magnanimity, "Just give it to me!"

Chen Siyu promptly went to the kitchen, retrieved a spare stainless steel bowl, and scooped a half-bowl of rice. She then brought out her small pot. Using spare chopsticks, she added some leftovers for Lin Zida, carefully selecting untouched portions of fish, cucumber strips, and lotus root slices. She even added a piece of pigeon breast meat, haphazardly covering the rice. Naturally, she didn’t forget her steamed crab, generously plating two for Lin Zida.

Lin Zida accepted the bowl, his heart overflowing with emotion.

As he reached for the crab with his chopsticks, the creature unexpectedly extended its claws, fending off the utensil.

Lin Zida’s mind went blank for a moment: "?"

...

It was two-thirty in the afternoon. Xue Chuchu had already departed for school, leaving the kitchen pristine and spotless.

Tongtong, along with the twins, were engrossed in a game of chess and snacking by the entrance.

Xue Yuantong inquired, "Jiang Ning, today marks the twenty-fourth day of the lunar month. Tomorrow, a small temple fair is scheduled in the city. Should we head out to the streets and explore?"

Chen Siyu chimed in, "Ring toss?"

Xue Yuantong clarified, "No, it’s about going to the street to win prizes!"

Chen Siqing offered a dissenting opinion: "Many of the ring toss stall owners have rather poor conduct..."

Chen Siyu vehemently concurred, "Indeed, the last time Yuxia and I played ring toss, Yuxia had incredible luck and won a prize of significant value. However, the owner insisted she toss again, and his words were quite unpleasant."

"They were truly aggressive, so we ended up leaving."

However, Chen Siyu, being naturally timid, was accustomed to such interactions.

Xue Yuantong, incensed, exclaimed, "Outrageous, utterly excessive!"

Jiang Ning nodded in agreement, "That's usually how it is; the more you play, the more they tend to curse."