Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation Chapter 1768 - 971: A Magic Trick for You

Wetland Park presents a scene of lush reeds and flying warblers.

After dispatching her message, Geng Lu exuded satisfaction, setting her phone aside.

She puffed out her chest, her gaze fixed on the glistening lake, as if declaring, "Twins? Two combined don’t even measure up to half of me."

Beside her, Jiang Ning blinked. His vision, exceptionally sharp and far surpassing normal human capabilities, required no artificial aid.

"Does it feel much better?" Geng Lu inquired, a hint of concern in her voice.

"Yes," Jiang Ning responded.

Observing his demeanor, Geng Lu felt a pang of guilt. After a brief hesitation, she confessed:

"Actually, Mu Changqing is even more effective and can reverse nearsightedness. Some of our art students use it, but the effect only lasts a month and tends to be addictive, so I opted against it."

Geng Lu added, "Why do the creators of Mu Changqing charge so much? It's simply dreadful!"

Jiang Ning remained silent.

He stated, "It's alright. I'm not nearsighted anyway; regular eye drops suffice."

Geng Lu affirmed, "Uh-huh, many eye drops contain either prescription drugs or preservatives. I spent ages searching for this particular one!"

She made a solemn promise, "When I start earning, I'll buy you Mu Changqing."

Geng Lu’s expression was exceptionally earnest at that moment; even with Jiang Ning’s Divine Sense fully deployed, no trace of insincerity could be detected.

Hearing her words, Jiang Ning found himself smiling unexpectedly. Isn't it typically the young man who makes empty promises to the girl? How is it that today, I'm the recipient of Geng Lu's grand assurances?

"Don't laugh, I'm serious!" Geng Lu insisted.

"I smile when I'm happy," Jiang Ning replied.

He accepted the eye drops from Geng Lu's hand, saying, "You went first, now it's my turn."

"Sure," Geng Lu agreed.

Then, a mischievous glint appeared in her eyes, "This is the second time you've put eye drops in for me, you know."

Jiang Ning recalled, "The last occasion was in the classroom."

Geng Lu teased, "This time, it's outdoors."

Jiang Ning struggled to suppress a smile. Was she genuinely oblivious or merely feigning ignorance?

Geng Lu conveyed her apprehension, admitting to being somewhat nervous, her body trembling slightly.

If it were Chen Siyu in this situation, she would undoubtedly exclaim about waiting to be 'injected.'

At this thought, Jiang Ning's Divine Sense extended outwards. On the ground below, Chen Siyu was engrossed in her phone screen, typing furiously: "Jiang Ning, Jiang Ning, wake up quickly!"

"Jiang Ning, how could you fall so easily?!"

Jiang Ning transmitted with his Divine Sense, "I'm drugging Geng Lu."

Meanwhile, in a city bedroom.

Upon receiving the message, Chen Siyu was initially perplexed. Then, with incredulous eyes, she lifted her head, only to bump foreheads with her older sister, forming a stable '人' shape.

The typically composed and sensible Chen Siqing exhibited a flicker of excitement, clenching her fist as she declared, "That's wonderful, little sister! Jiang Ning is alright!"

It must be Geng Lu playing a prank!

Through their connected foreheads, Chen Siyu could sense her sister's elated state.

However, her own mood plummeted: "It's not good, sister, they're both drugging each other!"

As she spoke, a vivid scene of fervent excitement unfolded simultaneously in their minds, imagining a descent into utter pandemonium.

Chen Siyu frantically typed a warning: "Don't get carried away, don't get carried away!"

"Jiang Ning, you must remain calm!"

But by then, there was no one responding.

Helpless, Chen Siyu clutched her phone and offered a silent plea to the ceiling.

Glancing again at her phone, still, no reply.

The usually lively and playful Chen Siyu suddenly felt a profound sense of melancholy, an inexplicable feeling of absence.

Setting her phone down, she buried her face in the covers, her muffled voice emerging, "Sister, honestly, the scenarios in AVs aren't exciting at all."

Chen Siqing scrutinized her younger sister, thinking, 'This is what happens when you constantly dabble with abstract notions.'

Nevertheless, Chen Siqing, being the elder sister, acted accordingly.

She crawled closer, enveloped her sister in a hug, and whispered devilishly in her ear, "That's because you're not perverted enough."

...

As Chen Siyu's spirits waned.

Jiang Ning retrieved the eye drops, and Geng Lu sat serenely on a bench, tilting her head back, her eyes brimming with a gentle, shimmering moisture.

It is widely known that administering eye drops requires a certain skill, primarily because recipients instinctively blink.

Jiang Ning emulated Geng Lu's previous application technique, his clear voice guiding, "Ah."

Geng Lu instinctively parted her lips, and Jiang Ning’s 'slip' resulted in the eye drops landing in her mouth.

Jiang Ning chuckled, "I was signaling not to blink, indicating I was about to apply the drops, so you could be prepared."

Geng Lu shyly protested, "I thought you were telling me to open my mouth!"

With that, she swallowed.

Jiang Ning inquired, "Why did you swallow it?"

After all, eye drops are medication, meant for the eyes.

Geng Lu blinked and stated, "That’s okay, it’s not dirty."

Besides, it belongs to him.

Jiang Ning held the rubber bottle: "Let’s do it again."

"Okay."

This time the application was precise, not a single drop spilled.

With the eye drops applied, the two continued preparing skewers under the clear spring sun. The wetland park provided a picturesque backdrop, with children flying kites, couples posing for wedding photos, and middle-aged individuals casting fishing lines.

Geng Lu savored a lamb skewer, its exterior perfectly crisp while the interior remained tender. Gazing out at the scenery, each bite seemed to carry the essence of the refreshing breeze.

To her surprise, it was exceptionally delicious. Geng Lu subtly observed Jiang Ning, finding his posture while grilling the lamb skewers remarkably handsome.

In a moment of leisure, she responded to Chen Siyu’s message via her phone: "Just messing around, I was only putting in eye drops."

Afterward, she disconnected from the internet.

Nearby, couples engaged in wedding photoshoots were in motion, with the groom kneeling, presenting a diamond ring to his bride.

The photographer offered directions from the periphery.

Geng Lu watched them, her eyes reflecting a tinge of longing.

Jiang Ning looked at Geng Lu, and for reasons unknown, the scene felt inexplicably familiar to him.

Yet, he couldn't pinpoint why.

Enough, Jiang Ning activated his Spiritual Sense, pushing it to its absolute limit, intending to unearth any lingering memories within his mind. His thoughts began to rewind.

In his previous existence, during March of 2015, a gentle rain fell, soft as butter.

The drizzle did little to dampen the excitement of the temple fair; Dong Qingfeng had brought five girls to Temple Street for amusement, Ma Shicheng and Guo Kunnan arranged to play online games, while Jiang Ning wandered the streets by himself, hoping for a chance encounter with Shen Qing’e.

That day was indeed full of activity. A light rain sprinkled down, yet Jiang Ning navigated the streets with an unusual urgency, as if sensing something was about to be lost.

He worried something had happened to Shen Qing’e, prompting him to search everywhere, but she remained elusive.

As he hurried past a street corner, the sound of drums suddenly reached his ears. Ahead, he saw drummers clad in traditional wedding attire, rhythmically beating drums and cymbals. The groom, mounted on a tall horse, followed closely. The bride, seated within an ornate eight-bearer palanquin, added to the vibrant spectacle.

With the resounding drumbeats, someone from the procession tossed candies into the crowd.

Jiang Ning retrieved a candy that had landed near his feet. Its packaging was remarkably delicate, adorned with a golden binding rope, resembling a ring.

He consumed the candy; it was a soft fruit confection, incredibly flavorful, surpassing any wedding candy he had previously tasted.

Onlookers remarked that this traditional Chinese wedding ceremony surpassed the extravagance of hiring a Rolls-Royce.

Turning to depart, he caught sight of Geng Lu standing at the intersection not far away, her gaze fixed intently on the distant wedding procession.

Jiang Ning hastened his steps toward her. Midway, he was met by Geng Lu’s smile.

Jiang Ning inquired, "Great, Geng Lu, have you seen Shen Qing’e?"

Geng Lu’s smile vanished: "No, I haven't."

"Oh, alright then." Jiang Ning, feeling a sense of disappointment, prepared to leave.

At that time, his relationship with Geng Lu was not particularly close.

Geng Lu stopped him: "Jiang Ning, did you get a candy?"

"Uh, just one, and I’ve already eaten it."

"Okay, then." Geng Lu appeared somewhat disheartened.

Noticing her dampened spirits, Jiang Ning paused to consider before saying, "But, I still have this."

He then produced the candy’s golden binding rope.

"Wow, it’s beautiful! Is that a ring?"

Jiang Ning chuckled, "Don't mind it, I'll give it to you."

"Really?"

As Jiang Ning extended the golden rope ring towards Geng Lu, several fair-skinned young men rushed from behind, inadvertently jostling his shoulder. This caused the golden rope ring to scatter into the crowded thoroughfare.

Geng Lu frantically searched everywhere but could not locate the golden rope ring.

Her expression was one of distinct anxiety, a look Jiang Ning had never witnessed from her before.

Jiang Ning attempted to console her, "It's okay, next time I'll..."

Geng Lu interjected, "No way!"

At that precise moment, Shen Qing’e's voice carried from a distance: "Jiang Ning, why are you just standing there spacing out! Come help me with the ring toss!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning offered an apology, "Sorry, I need to go now."

Without further delay, he hurried towards the distant voice.

At the conclusion of the memory, all that remained was the humiliation of his failed attempt at the ring toss and Shen Qing’e’s sharp reprimand.

Much like the entirety of his miserable existence.

...

The return of his consciousness left Jiang Ning momentarily disoriented, but his vision soon began to sharpen.

He saw Geng Lu gently tapping his forehead with her finger: "Jiang Ning, you're lost in thought again; they said you were meditating?"

Jiang Ning’s gaze settled upon her.

Initially, Geng Lu met his gaze, but gradually, feeling the warmth in his eyes, she didn't avert hers. Instead, she smiled and inquired, "What's on your mind?"

"You're departing tomorrow, aren't you?"

"...Yes."

Jiang Ning posed the question, "Would you like to witness a bit of my magic?"

"Oh, I absolutely would!" Geng Lu responded instantly, her enthusiasm evident.

"Very well then."

With a decisive movement, Jiang Ning stood. He opened the compartment beneath the electric bicycle, retrieving a collapsible fishing rod accompanied by its line.

"Follow me," he instructed, leading the way to the water's edge. He skillfully cast out a lure and hook.

As Geng Lu watched, a flicker of curiosity in her eyes, the float gave a sudden tremble. Jiang Ning expertly reeled in his rod, and a magnificent bluefish, shimmering and thrashing, was pulled from the water.

Securing the fish, Jiang Ning gently removed the hook and then, with careful hands, opened its mouth.

Geng Lu's eyes widened in astonishment, her disbelief palpable as she exclaimed, "Ah!"

She cautiously extended a finger, delicately extracting a golden ring from the fish's maw. The artifact emanated a soft, gentle luster.

"No way, what an incredible coincidence..."

"This..."

But it was no mere coincidence!

Jiang Ning casually returned the bluefish to its watery home.

A knowing smile played on his lips as he asked, "Do you find yourself pleased with it?"

Geng Lu nodded with conviction, "Yes! I truly do!"

Observing the pure delight on the young woman's face, Jiang Ning felt a warmth spread through him. The light in her eyes, softer than the shimmering gold of the ring, seemed to possess the power to smooth away the rough edges of his past.

A tranquil breeze whispered across the lake's surface, calming the gentle ripples. Even the distant cacophony of the world seemed to fade into a hushed silence.

The golden rope ring, lost in a forgotten lifetime, a memory long buried, prompted Jiang Ning to inquire, "Geng Lu, if this very ring were to vanish unexpectedly, would you interpret such an event as destiny?"

Initially taken aback by the peculiar nature of his question, Geng Lu's expression softened. Then, without a moment's hesitation, she met his gaze, her voice imbued with a tenderness as gentle as flowing water, her eyes radiating the purest affection.

"How could such a thing be? Jiang Ning, it is already etched within my heart."