Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation Chapter 1740 - 953: Reunion (Part 2)

Mr. Qian, annoyed by the old man’s uncultured and pointless complaining, retorted, "Sure, pork was cheap back then, but how often could you actually afford to eat meat in a year?"

Uncle Tang offered no reply.

A sense of relief washed over Mr. Qian, and his mood brightened considerably.

...

The hours slipped by, and the day drew to a close.

Sunday evening, March 15th, marked the beginning of a new school term.

Riding an electric scooter, Jiang Ning transported Tongtong to school. After a quick check-in with the security guard at the entrance, they proceeded directly onto the main campus thoroughfare.

Ahead, a group of students clad in athletic wear, carrying sporting equipment, appeared dejected and listless.

Numerous students lining the sidewalks observed the group, their faces displaying a spectrum of emotions, murmurs exchanged, and occasional sighs heard.

Jiang Yanan and Shen Qing’e approached Wu Xiaoqi, inquiring, "Is that our school’s volleyball team?"

Hearing their voices, Wu Xiaoqi turned and responded, "Yes, Yuzhou recently hosted a middle school volleyball league. That’s the Fourth Middle School’s team, but they were completely defeated by the Third Middle School."

Cao Kun, walking alongside Wu Xiaoqi, added, "Apparently, after the Third Middle School decimated the Fourth Middle School team, their captain boasted, ’Is this the extent of your abilities? Dreaming of becoming Yuzhou’s strongest high school? Keep dreaming!’"

As a student of the Fourth Middle School, Jiang Yanan felt an immediate sense of solidarity against a common foe. "Isn’t that kind of declaration excessively harsh? It’s truly infuriating!"

Cao Kun sighed, explaining, "There’s little choice; within our city’s district, the Second Middle School and the First Middle School consistently hold the top two prestigious positions."

"The third position is rather uncertain, and as everyone knows, intense competition exists among four schools, including Yuzhou’s Fourth Middle School and the Third Middle School, especially since the Third Middle School holds a distinct advantage in sports."

Wu Xiaoqi recollected Zhang Chi mentioning that Qi Tianheng had once paid for students from the Third Middle School to physically assault him.

Cao Kun continued, "Furthermore, there’s Yuzhou High School, affiliated with the Teachers’ University, which is steadily climbing, alongside the privately run Peiwen Experimental School..."

Shen Qing’e interjected, unable to contain her surprise, "So many strong contenders? Our middle school teachers informed us that the Fourth Middle School was ranked among the top three high schools in the district."

Cao Kun scoffed, "That must have been the Fourth Middle School’s allied school, merely exaggerating their standing."

Jiang Yanan remarked, "It’s quite challenging; it truly feels as though schools are rigidly stratified."

Cao Kun responded, "The hierarchy in universities is even more pronounced."

Upon hearing the discussion of hierarchies and limitations, Wu Xiaoqi scoffed, "If their volleyball prowess matched my basketball skills, they could effortlessly dominate everything!"

Wu Xiaoqi possessed a certain renown within the Fourth Middle School; his basketball abilities could easily overpower Wu Yunzhi, who relished showing off, and he was completely immersed in basketball, a pursuit he found profoundly intricate and mysterious.

Jiang Yanan inquired with curiosity, "Wu Xiaoqi, just how skilled are your basketball abilities?"

This question touched a sensitive nerve for Wu Xiaoqi, and he proudly declared, "If you compare it to their volleyball matches – they participate in city-level competitions, then there are provincial competitions, and national school competitions, sounds quite impressive, doesn’t it?"

Jiang Yanan noted, "They were eliminated at the city level."

Wu Xiaoqi retorted, "Even if they clinched the national student league championship, they’d still be routed in the university league!"

"When it comes to basketball, isn't the university league incredibly strong? Yet, it would still be utterly defeated by the CBA, and while the CBA stands as the domestic pinnacle, it’s completely outmatched by American high schoolers! European leagues dominate American high schoolers! American college leagues crush Euro leagues! The NBA utterly annihilates everything!"

By the conclusion of his speech, Wu Xiaoqi was brimming with ambition, his face flushed with fervent excitement.

Jiang Yanan listened intently until the end and suddenly grasped the magnitude of it all. "With your explanation, I finally comprehend the sheer power of the NBA."

Shen Qing’e asked, "And what about your personal level?"

Wu Xiaoqi’s expression turned grave. "The NBA is my ultimate aspiration."

Cao Kun let out a sigh of relief. "Goodness, after all that talk, I truly thought you had already attained NBA-level skill!"

...

Tonight’s dinner was scheduled to take place in the school cafeteria, and the makeshift dining table arrangement officially commenced.

Gong Jin approached school with the somber feeling of visiting a tomb, while Zhang Chi proceeded to dinner with the cautious apprehension of sampling poison.

The expansive cafeteria hall buzzed with a continuous stream of individuals entering and exiting.

Jiang Ning and Tongtong arrived at their designated table earlier than the others. Several young women were already seated there, including the twins, Bai Yuxia, Yang Sheng, and the quietly composed Shang Caiwei.

As Geng Lu was preparing to depart for the An City training camp, she decided against spending money on a reserved dining table.

Xue Yuantong drummed her chopsticks against the mung bean soup container, her gaze fixated on the fried breaded chicken leg on her plate. “Is Tang Fu not here yet? Did she forget about eating because of training?”

Yang Sheng responded, “I saw her on the playground this afternoon; she mentioned feeling dizzy and possibly having a fever.”

Xue Yuantong mused internally, “Humph, being tall certainly causes issues; the healthiest height for girls is precisely 152 cm!”

Bai Yuxia declared, “We can’t wait any longer; if she doesn’t arrive soon, we’ll begin eating.”

Xue Yuantong wholeheartedly concurred with this sentiment.

Just as they were about to commence their meal, Tang Fu made a late entrance, clad in her pink tracksuits, the loose-fitting clothes still accentuating her physique.

“Comrades, it’s been quite a while!” Tang Fu exclaimed, waving her hand with an expression full of sincerity.

Xue Yuantong seized the opportunity to inquire, “Tang Fu, I heard you had a fever; how high was it?”

Tang Fu casually replied, “I am 180 cm tall.”

Xue Yuantong offered no further comment and simply continued eating her chicken leg in silence.

While seated at the dining table, Tang Fu discussed the school’s volleyball team's recent defeat, passionately asserting that had she participated, they would have effortlessly vanquished the Third Middle School.

Yang Sheng, joining the volleyball discourse, commented, “If you were to pursue sports, volleyball presents a viable path; our nation excels in volleyball, unlike football, which is beyond redemption.”

“Basketball is also respectable, though America reigns supreme in that particular domain.”

Chen Siyu, in the midst of sharing chicken legs with Tongtong, suddenly caught the phrase “America is the strongest” and interjected, “America is just like that!”

Yang Sheng clarified, “America is indeed powerful, across numerous fields.”

Chen Siyu gestured dismissively, “I firmly believe our country is the most powerful!”

“That FBI entity has warned me numerous times during the night, yet they've never managed to apprehend me; it's all thanks to the formidable strength of my nation standing behind me!”

Yang Sheng listened, bewildered, uncertain of what she was referring to.

Tang Fu questioned, “Why would they attempt to capture you?”

Only Bai Yuxia displayed a slightly flushed countenance, quietly focused on her meal with her head bowed low.

Jiang Ning playfully inquired, “Bai Yuxia, do you possess any knowledge of this matter?”

Bai Yuxia lowered her head even further, swiftly responding, “No clues whatsoever.”

...

At a nearby table, Guo Kunnan observed Lu Yaya, who remained as ordinary yet uniquely captivating as ever.

Guo Kunnan experienced an inexplicable sensation of déjà vu.

A few months prior, he was without a girlfriend; a few months later, he was not.

Consequently, his perspective upon seeing her had undergone a complete transformation.

Perhaps, he and Lu Yaya had become like parallel lines, destined never to intersect again.

Yet, during those moments of life's complacency, an urge often arises to loudly proclaim one's presence to those who once rejected them, hoping to instill a deep sense of regret.

Guo Kunnan retrieved two specially purchased canned goods—one was Laoganma, the other Douchi and Mackerel—and placed them on the table before everyone.

Dan Kaiquan, in high spirits, exclaimed, “Brother Nan, excellent! I haven’t had these in quite some time!”

Suddenly, they appeared remarkably appealing.

Cui Yu remarked, “Brother Nan is truly generous!”

Guo Kunnan smiled and declared, “All of these were acquired by my girlfriend!”

Having spoken, he cast a glance towards Lu Yaya, anticipating a look of astonishment on her face.

Lu Yaya did indeed exhibit a mild surprise.

Guo Kunnan rejoiced inwardly, “You never thought I was worthy, but someone else does!”

The next moment.

Lu Yaya’s tone remained gentle, brimming with sincere well wishes, “Your girlfriend is incredibly thoughtful; ensure you cherish her.”

She still possessed that inherent, unblemished beauty, untainted by any malicious intent.

Guo Kunnan felt as though he had delivered a punch to a cotton pillow, only for it to rebound and strike his own chest.

Wang Longlong thought to himself, ′Clown Anan.’