Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation Chapter 1763 - 969: The Final Invitation

A fried fish stand was set up by the riverbank.

Yin Yu stood there, holding two bills with a smile.

Xu Wenyi discreetly moved a few steps away, wanting no part in any potential trouble.

Xue Yuantong was in the process of bagging fried fish when she noticed the two 50 yuan bills in Yin Yu’s hand. "However, you don't have enough money," she stated.

Yin Yu was momentarily taken aback. Had roadside snacks become this pricey?

A voice from behind called out, "If you don't have enough money, what are you pretending for?"

"Little girl, you're truly heartless. Can you even sleep at night?"

Yin Yu remained composed, her fake smile unwavering. "It's alright, I have more money."

She acted as if she were pulling more cash from her wallet.

Jiang Ning looked at her and declared, "One item per customer limit."

Yin Yu responded with a blank, "Huh?"

Her eyes widened as she earnestly proposed, "Wouldn't it be more efficient if I bought all of it at once? Once you've sold everything, you won't have to stay out here, and you can relax a lot more, can't you?"

Xue Yuantong blinked innocently. "Really? If I didn't suspect you'd resell it at a higher price, I'd definitely sell it to you."

Yin Yu's gaze faltered; her scheme had been uncovered.

In truth, she had already devised a plan: purchase this batch of fried fish and then immediately sell it at a markup right there. She wondered what Jiang Ning and the others would do. Couldn't they resist the allure of inflated prices?

And how would the customers react?

She mused that the unfolding situation would surely be quite amusing.

Alas, her plan had been thwarted at the very first hurdle.

Yin Yu, with a slight pout, replied, "How could I be such a profiteer? Never mind, forget it."

Ultimately, she spent only 30 yuan, purchasing a generous portion of fish.

The people queuing behind her breathed a sigh of relief. They quickly paid for their orders, bought fish, and savored it with effusive praise, declaring it incredibly delicious!

With the growing customer approval, many who had initially hesitated due to the price could no longer resist the enticing aroma and joined the queue.

While preparing the fish, Xue Yuantong explained, "We acquire the grass carp fresh, prepare them, marinate, and fry them right here, which is why the taste is so exceptional!"

These words earned applause from the diners.

A woman dressed in opulent clothing, clutching a teddy bear, spoke with a tone of reproach, "The grass carp live so peacefully in the water; why did you kill them?"

Ah, so she was an animal rights advocate, adopting a morally superior stance.

Jiang Ning inquired, "Then why are you in line?"

The affluent woman retorted, "I'm purchasing it for my dog to consume."

The moment she uttered this, the surrounding diners, who were already enjoying their fried fish, all shot her glares.

Xue Yuantong adopted a stern expression. "I won't sell it to you."

The wealthy woman became indignant and accused, "You've already killed the fish; why refuse to sell it to me?"

"Are you intending to refuse business?"

Tongtong, displeased, retorted sharply, "Just because of you, I'm going to impale ten more fish when I get home tonight. You now carry the weight of ten fish lives on your conscience; prepare for them to haunt your dreams!"

The wealthy woman's expression shifted, and she was poised to engage in a verbal contest.

Jiang Ning reached for a large ladle, scooped some of the boiling oil from the pot, and slowly lifted it.

Observing his unfeigned expression, the wealthy woman grew fearful and hastily fled with her teddy bear.

Fortunately, her retreat was swift; otherwise, Jiang Ning might have summoned Xiao Ben and demonstrated to the world the true form of an indomitable, fierce canine.

Batches upon batches of fried fish were sold out.

As dusk settled, streetlights flickered to life, their dim illumination blending with the sky's fading sunset hues. Fried noodles, fried rice, and various snack vendors began to flourish.

Another group of patrons joined the queue, and eventually, an elderly woman with her grandson reached the front.

She exclaimed, "Why is mine less than everyone else's? Are you skimping?"

The fried fish stand was operating at a frantic pace, and they lacked electronic scales, relying solely on Tongtong's practiced estimation when scooping.

Actually, for this particular portion, Xue Yuantong had intentionally added an extra piece, considering the customer was an elderly lady.

Upon hearing the complaint, Tongtong removed two pieces. "This is all there is."

The old lady trembled with anger.

Jiang Ning intervened aptly, "Are you purchasing it or not? If not, someone else will."

The old woman glanced at her crying grandson, gritted her teeth, and completed the purchase.

Tongtong felt a surge of delight. "It turns out selling is so much fun; no wonder so many people enjoy doing it."

Passersby who overheard this remark grew somewhat weary.

Nevertheless, the crispy and fragrant fried fish from this particular stall remained utterly irresistible.

A stylish young woman in the queue observed Tongtong and inquired softly, "Kid, could you perhaps give me a bit more fried fish?"

Tongtong's mood immediately soured, and she deliberately dispensed a smaller portion. "Is this sufficient?"

The young woman clenched her teeth and paid the amount.

Meanwhile.

Cruising along the riverbank of Nanhong Road, a sleek white Mercedes C made its way through the evening.

At the wheel, a young woman beamed, 'Qing’e, aren't these ambient lights simply stunning?'

The interior of a Mercedes is always a symbol of luxury, and with the purple ambient lighting casting a glow, it was enough to capture any girl's admiration. Shen Qing’e sighed in agreement, 'Hmm, truly beautiful.'

Shen Hongdie’s smile widened, clearly pleased by her sister's reaction.

Back in 2015, possessing a Mercedes C in a smaller, third or fourth-tier city was indeed a notable achievement.

Shen Hongdie declared, 'I’ll be sure to drive you home for the New Year in this Benz.'

She could already picture the astonished expressions of her former village friends, acquaintances, and classmates upon spotting the prestigious Benz emblem.

Shen Qing’e cast a glance at her sister, a flicker of memory crossing her mind as she recalled how they came to possess the vehicle.

Not long ago, Uncle Yao, involved in construction, had visited Uncle Jiang's residence. He mentioned that a debtor, unable to repay construction funds, had left a Benz as security. However, with numerous vehicles already at his disposal, he couldn't possibly drive them all and thus 'lent' it to Uncle Jiang.

After a show of polite insistence, Uncle Jiang eventually accepted. It was only upon inspecting the garage that he discovered it was a brand-new 2015 Mercedes C model.

Even Shen Qing’e could surmise that Uncle Yao had experienced considerable financial success that year. As a token of his profound gratitude, he had specifically gifted the car to Uncle Jiang, a gesture of thanks for the crucial job referrals provided.