Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation Chapter 1747 - 957: The Loner

It was a Wednesday afternoon on Nanhong Road.

A black Mercedes, distinguished by its prominent emblem, was gliding along the street. A white Toyota Prado attempted to merge from the left, but Shang Zhengyu accelerated, effectively blocking the space.

The Toyota Prado’s maneuver to cut in was thwarted. It sped up once more, catching up to the Mercedes and drawing parallel. The window rolled down, revealing a face etched with harsh lines.

Shang Zhengyu turned his head, directly confronting the aggressive expression.

Shang Zhengyu’s intense gaze was formidable. Given his martial arts prowess, nearing a professional level, he could have easily incapacitated the burly man in just a few strikes if not for legal repercussions.

The driver of the Toyota Prado, noticing the man’s fearless demeanor and the expensive Mercedes S-Class, decided against further confrontation and drove away smoothly.

"Brother, sometimes you can just let things slide," Sang Caiwei whispered from the back seat.

Upon hearing his sister’s voice, Shang Zhengyu’s expression softened. "When the time is right to let go, I will."

Sang Caiwei remained silent. Her father had once remarked that her brother’s assertive nature was precisely what allowed him to build such a substantial company and amass considerable wealth.

Sang Caiwei added, "There’s no need to rush. We're already running late."

"Are you still blaming me?" Shang Zhengyu chuckled. His sister had been training at the club today, and the session had run over. He had intentionally waited until she finished before reminding her about school.

Sang Caiwei replied, "No."

"Really not?" Seeing his sister’s lack of response, Shang Zhengyu continued driving. As they approached the turn onto Nanhong Road, he activated the turn signal, initiating the distinctive 'tick-tock' sound.

However, even after Shang Zhengyu deactivated the signal, the 'tick-tock' continued unabated.

Puzzled, Shang Zhengyu looked left and right, unable to identify the source of the malfunction.

With a frown, he voiced his displeasure, "What a shoddy Mercedes! The brakes are noisy, the gearbox is noisy, and now even the turn signal won't stop making noise? This is the quality they sold me."

"In the future, the company will exclusively procure vehicles from other manufacturers!" Shang Zhengyu declared with a mixture of anger and helplessness.

"Furthermore, this noise specifically happens every time I pick you up, utterly disrespecting me," he stated, turning his head.

At that precise moment, his gaze fell upon his sister. Sang Caiwei was mimicking the 'tick-tock' sound with her mouth. Clearly caught off guard by her brother's sudden turn, she froze instantly.

She clamped her mouth shut, and the noise ceased.

Shang Zhengyu’s expression turned to one of utter bewilderment.

...

At the school entrance, the security guard stood his ground, presenting a stern facade. Yet, his resolve wasn't as unyielding as he appeared; moments of wavering were not uncommon.

For instance, just moments ago, he had accepted a pack of Zhonghua cigarettes and allowed the Mercedes driver's sister to enter the campus grounds.

Now, however, he had managed to regain his imposing stance!

A meticulously dressed young girl rushed towards the entrance. The guard immediately boomed, "What time is it now? Why are you late? What’s your homeroom teacher’s name?"

His authority was palpable, truly intimidating.

An ordinary student facing him would likely be petrified, trembling like a frightened bird.

However, Shang Wanqing skipped lightly towards the guard. She gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and said sweetly, "Brother, you look so handsome in your uniform today!"

The security guard's sternness softened considerably. "Why are you late?"

Shang Wanqing tilted her head up, her eyes gentle. "I was working part-time at a restaurant this noon, carrying plates. The boss insisted I couldn't leave early and demanded a meeting... Brother, could you please not mention this to my homeroom teacher?"

The guard, recalling his own frustrations with his superiors, felt an immediate sense of empathy. Furthermore, the young lady appeared so genuinely pitiful. He sighed!

"Although I may only be a security guard, I'm willing to do my part for this unfair world!"

"Alright, don't be late again next time. You can go in now!" The guard opened the small gate.

Shang Wanqing quickly expressed her gratitude, "You’re the most handsome security guard I’ve ever seen!"

The guard couldn't suppress a wide grin. For a man, what could be more gratifying than being complimented on his looks by a young lady?

After seeing off the girl with impeccable taste, the guard resumed his post at the school gate.

This entire exchange had been observed by Pang Jiao and Li Shengnan. Both were also late today and were anxious about being reprimanded. Suddenly, they had discovered a clever tactic.

Pang Jiao surged forward like a small battering ram, stopping directly in front of the guard. She exclaimed in a cute, coquettish tone:

"Giegie! You truly look…

The guard took two steps back, startled, and repeatedly warned, "Don’t come any closer!"

"Who is your homeroom teacher? Tell me right now!"

Five minutes later, Shan Qingrong arrived at the school gates, ready to escort the students from Class 8 away.

...

The playground, now a hub of activity, presented a structured scene after the earlier disarray. Students engaged in various activities: gym classes, sports team practices, preparations for the upcoming sports meet, and rehearsals for a performance, each group occupying its designated space.

Jiang Ning maintained his casual posture, leaning against the podium. He was calmly sipping juice, enjoying seeds, and observing the diverse activities unfolding across the playground.

Tang Fu, part of the sports team, was enthusiastically practicing long jumps on the sand, displaying the agility of a young leopard. In stark contrast, Pei Yujing was situated at the opposite end of the spectrum.

Within the girls' short-distance running team for the second-year cohort.

"Tingting, perhaps we should go and socialize with her?" the bespectacled girl from Class 3 inquired.

Yun Tingting glanced towards Pei Yujing, who was somewhat isolated in a far corner. After a brief hesitation, she responded, "Let's not. She isn't particularly adept at... conversations."

Despite being classmates since their first year, Yun Tingting and Pei Yujing had not engaged in much dialogue. Pei Yujing possessed a notably solitary disposition.

"All right, then." The glasses-wearing girl offered a shrug. "Is it because her family operates a barbecue stand right outside the school, leading her to feel embarrassed?"

Yun Tingting countered, "Not really; owning a barbecue shop and eating barbecue every day sounds rather enjoyable. What's there to be ashamed of?"

She quickly shook her head, adding, "Who can say?"

Yun Tingting felt no particular concern. She believed that individuals led different lives, and her own chosen path was considerably more vibrant than Pei Yujing's.

"Well, I suppose so then." The glasses girl let out a sigh.

She recalled that Pei Yujing's participation in the previous year's sports meet was a result of her name being entered without her explicit consent. This year, upon hearing about the sports meet, Pei Yujing's name had been submitted once more, under the assumption that she would not object.

Xu Yan from Class 11 approached, taking Yun Tingting's hand. Her smile radiated genuine friendliness. "Tingting, what a pleasant coincidence. We've both signed up for the 1500 meters again this year."

Yun Tingting playfully teased, "Try not to end up in last place this time."

Xu Yan confidently declared, "I certainly won't!"

Her previous year's last-place finish was attributed to her menstrual cycle coinciding with the event. This time, she was determined not to falter. She had undertaken numerous training sessions for the 1500 meters, and she was convinced that Class 11's reputation would echo across the campus.

Yun Tingting proposed, "Fancy a practice lap together?"

Xu Yan suggested, "Let's race during our training sessions."

The two girls engaged in cheerful banter, and soon, other female students joined their conversation.

Both girls were quite well-known within their school year. Xu Yan had registered for the 1500 meters representing Class 11, while Yun Tingting's motivation was simply to showcase her physique through long-distance running.

The glasses girl observed the lively exchange nearby. She then looked towards the solitary figure of Pei Yujing in the distance, a sense of regret washing over her. She privately thought Pei Yujing was more attractive than either of them, but unfortunately, she was far too reserved.

The hundred-meter sprint training commenced. Hu Mengqing, a member of the third-year sports team, took charge of the instructions. She called out, "Find your positions! We'll complete three more practice runs before you're dismissed. You cannot leave until the session is concluded!"

Upon hearing this, Pei Yujing promptly moved to the track's edge, preparing for the race. Two giggling first-year girls were nearby; one positioned herself on the adjacent lane, while the other shared the same lane as Pei Yujing.

Noticing this, Hu Mengqing's voice cut through the air. "Why are two individuals on the same lane? That is not permitted!"

As she spoke, all eyes on the track turned towards them, their gazes lingering persistently.

The first-year girl remained unfazed, continuing to stand in her chosen spot.

The other girl, speaking on behalf of her companion, stated, "We were here first!"

Pei Yujing silently retreated a couple of steps, preparing to return to her secluded corner.