Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation Chapter 1746 - 957: False Praise (Part 2)

On Jiang Ning’s right, Xin Youling was chatting with Jiang Yanan: "That little cat had its leg twisted by someone, was later sent to the hospital, underwent surgery to fix it, and is now recovering."

"Wow, I initially thought it was really talented at cracking sunflower seeds, but I didn't expect it had suffered so much. Who did it?" Jiang Yanan had seen the little cat on social media and made a special trip to discuss it.

Xin Youling: "Speaking of which, it was also related to Jiang Ning that day..."

She felt the matter wasn't very pleasant, so she deliberately lowered her voice, confessing with a tone that was half serious, half playful.

Bai Yuxia was originally asking Jiang Ning about math problems, but upon hearing Xin Youling's gossip, her little ears couldn't help but perk up, activating her eavesdropping mode.

As a result, Xin Youling's voice grew softer, prompting Bai Yuxia to unconsciously slide her chair to the right and lean her body that way.

By the time Xin Youling reached the crucial part, her voice had become even fainter.

Bai Yuxia moved even closer. While absent-mindedly listening to Jiang Ning explain the problems, she couldn't get any closer physically but wished she could.

Jiang Ning noticed her and remarked, "Do you want to move your ear into my mouth?"

The sudden remark startled Bai Yuxia, and she abruptly realized she was practically pressing her ear near Jiang Ning’s mouth.

Instantly, as if struck by electricity, she pulled away.

Bai Yuxia apologized, "I got distracted just now, sorry."

Jiang Ning replied, "No problem, I often get distracted during class too."

Bai Yuxia felt even more ashamed, feeling bad for Jiang Ning for taking up his precious break time, only for her to get distracted herself.

She despised her own curiosity.

Before long, Xue Yuantong and Chen Siyu entered the classroom together.

Xue Yuantong walked with a light step, beaming with joy: "I have a major announcement!"

Bai Yuxia inquired, "What is it?"

Xue Yuantong announced, "While Siyu and I were playing badminton, the school's long jump team scouted me and formally invited me to join!"

"Do you know what this signifies?"

Chen Siyu chimed in, "I know!"

Xue Yuantong was quite pleased with her little follower and prompted, "Go on!"

Chen Siyu stated, "It means you've joined the long jump team."

Xue Yuantong was momentarily speechless.

Bai Yuxia teased, "That depends on how they invited you. If it was just a general recruitment, it means you're just there to fill a spot. But if they specifically invited only you, then congratulations..."

Xue Yuantong interjected, "Yeah, they only invited me specifically!"

Bai Yuxia then said, "Then congratulations, and you have my congratulations."

Xue Yuantong pouted, thinking, '... Blast it!'

At that moment, only Jiang Ning applauded for her, genuinely happy: "That's amazing, not even Tang Fu can compare."

Xue Yuantong was deeply touched and vowed to train diligently.

She began imagining the day of the sports meet, where the world's long jump standard would plummet by ten thousandfold. She would perform a gentle leap, instantly soaring ten meters, astounding the entire audience who would marvel at her as a prodigy athlete.

Meanwhile, Tang Fu would be kneeling at her feet, weeping profusely.

She couldn’t help but erupt into silly laughter.

Jiang Ning couldn’t bear to interrupt her reverie, acknowledging that finding pure happiness through one's own imagination was quite remarkable.

From the front desk, Chen Siyu quietly said to Bai Yuxia, "Why would the long jump team invite Tongtong? It doesn't make sense; I doubt her abilities."

Bai Yuxia calmly replied, "Her abilities aren't the main factor, or rather, she isn't the main factor."

Chen Siyu questioned, "Then why invite her?"

Bai Yuxia explained, "What matters is whom she can invite."

Chen Siyu suddenly understood!

'They're outwardly inviting Tongtong, but inwardly, they're aiming for Jiang Ning!'

Chen Siyu realized, "But he's already registered for three events; he can't possibly sign up for more, can he?"

Bai Yuxia stated, "The sports meet is organized by our school, and we set the rules."

Chen Siyu pondered, "You mean, four events would be quite good?"

Bai Yuxia responded, "Of course it's good, the more the merrier."

Furthermore, rapid long jump was a remarkably cool sporting event.

Xue Yuantong giggled for a while before declaring, "Jiang Ning, to celebrate my invitation to the long jump team, I've officially decided I'll take you somewhere fun tonight!"

Jiang Ning asked, "Oh, where?"

"The zoo!"

Jiang Ning looked puzzled, "It's so late; the zoo should be closed by now, shouldn't it?"

Xue Yuantong asserted, "If I say it's not closed, then it's not closed. Just wait and enjoy yourself."

...

After the evening self-study session concluded.

Ma Shicheng and his group lingered in the classroom for a few more minutes before all heading out together.

Guo Kunnan announced: "Brothers, my sister lavished me with New Year cash, let's go for hotpot!"

Cui Yu and the others chimed in with great enthusiasm.

Hu Jun offered advice: "Brother Nan, your sister toils hard away from home to earn her keep."

Guo Kunnan pointed a finger at him: "You scoundrel, you're not invited!"

It had happened before when his sister visited; Hu Jun had ridden his motorcycle to his house to find her, which had severely angered him.

A group of guys ambled along the main campus road. The streetlights cast a dim glow, far less bright than the high school building's lights illuminated behind them, yet nobody in their group wished to trade places with the high school students at this moment.

"They're truly in a dire situation, facing an extra evening of self-study, not wrapping up until half-past ten!" Dan Kaiquan lamented.

Wang Longlong added: "Principal Yu hammered home the importance of performance repeatedly during yesterday's flag-raising ceremony; senior year is undeniably the most grueling."

Dan Kaiquan rejoiced: "Our sophomore year is fantastic. Next month we have a sports meet and a spring outing, though the destination for the outing remains uncertain."

Cui Yu grumbled: "Last year's trip to a dreadful park left me absolutely drenched!"

Guo Kunnan expressed his hopes: "Our school has come into more funds now, perhaps we'll venture a bit further. I've noticed some schools opt for 'study tours' instead of spring outings, visiting mountains, historical sites, or even traveling abroad."

Wang Longlong mused: "It's hard to say. If the sports meet proves successful, we might go further afield. But if it falters..."

Dan Kaiquan's expression turned serious: "It appears we must prepare diligently."

Wang Longlong speculated: "Regardless, my gut feeling is that a successful sports meet will significantly boost Fourth Middle School's reputation. Then, the spring outing might transform into something more than just a simple outing..."

"Like what, a summer camp? Incorporate some competitions to showcase our school's prowess!" Cui Yu jested, appearing unconcerned.

As Guo Kunnan continued down the street, he spotted, beneath a nearby streetlamp, a fellow in white attempting to engage a girl, who eventually shrugged him off and departed in anger.

"Isn't that Wu Yunzhi?" he inquired.

"No way, it really is him! This guy just got dumped!" Cui Yu exclaimed in disbelief.

Dan Kaiquan, witnessing this scene, felt a surge of satisfaction, especially since Wu Yunzhi had previously targeted him.

Wang Longlong remarked: "Wu Yunzhi always had a penchant for showing off. Everyone secretly hoped to see him falter; it's fortunate he couldn't quite make the grade!"

Guo Kunnan chuckled: "Well done."

A sense of joy washed over him as he approached the school gates, where food stalls lined the area, radiating a vibrant, lively atmosphere.

Guo Kunnan planned to grab a few grilled sausages from Yucai Supermarket. However, just as he stepped onto the entrance stairs, a familiar figure caught his eye, causing his heart to leap!

Without a second thought, Guo Kunnan swiftly retreated and quickly steered his companions away.

This sudden action left Ma Shicheng and the others bewildered.

It wasn't until they reached a less crowded crossroads that Guo Kunnan explained: "Guys, I just saw Manman."

Dan Kaiquan asked: "Your online sweetheart, Manman?"

Guo Kunnan's tone carried a hint of bitterness: "She was with her boyfriend, hand in hand."

Cui Yu quipped: "Nan's heart is shattered."

Wang Longlong added: "Nan is in anguish."

Guo Kunnan questioned: "I didn't get a clear look at her boyfriend, only his back. Did any of you see him properly? Was he handsome?"

Ma Shicheng, sensing his discomfort, responded: "Does it even matter if you saw him clearly? If he's more handsome, you lose. If he's less handsome, you lose even more completely."

Guo Kunnan felt a pang of dejection.

Ma Shicheng advised: "You have an online girlfriend now; focus on her and don't be so indecisive."

Dan Kaiquan mused internally: 'The real issue is that Brother Nan's online girlfriend is the indecisive one!'

...

Nighttime.

Outside a barbecue establishment, Jiang Ning gazed at the flashing neon signs, then cast a glance at Xue Chuchu, who had arrived to mooch a meal.

He inquired: "Tongtong, is this what you refer to as a 'zoo'?"

Xue Yuantong boldly declared: "Isn't it? It's the mature version of a zoo!"