Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation Chapter 1769 - 972: Back to the Past

Saturday afternoon arrived.

After bidding farewell to Geng Lu at her residence, Jiang Ning mounted his bicycle and made his way towards Snowflake Lake. As he cycled along the lakeside road, the immense body of water unfolded before him, shimmering like a colossal sapphire.

This lake was designated as the second cultivation site slated for his transformative improvements.

Snowflake Lake was a sprawling expanse, cradled by three surrounding mountains. By sheer area, it ranked among the top ten city lakes nationwide, dwarfing even Lin’an’s renowned West Lake.

In his previous existence, numerous lakeside residential developments sprang up along its perimeter, and right up until Jiang Ning’s transmigration, it remained Yu Zhou’s most prestigious residential enclave.

The undertaking of completely cordoning off the entire vicinity would necessitate an astronomical sum of capital.

Nevertheless, the potent Evergreen Liquid possessed remarkable capabilities; it would gradually assimilate the adjacent land. Any parcel that could be legally procured had already been secured, and any land beyond his reach would be managed through the deployment of Jiang Ning’s Flying Sword.

Yu Zhou’s entire future urban development blueprint was consequently compelled to adjust, initiating its southward expansion sooner than anticipated.

He surveyed his domain, making temporary adjustments to the placement of the array cores encircling the lake, before departing.

Arriving in the bustling heart of the city, he happened upon a Sichuan eatery just as a group of seven or eight teenagers exited. A faint flush colored the faces of several of the young men, suggesting they had indulged in some alcoholic beverages.

Among them, Jiang Ning recognized a familiar face: Shen Qing’e.

The students from Wamiao Middle School had been selected by Fourth Middle School for a collaborative support initiative and had only just arrived in Yu Zhou City today.

As the designated local liaison, Shen Qing’e had naturally become the primary contact for the visiting group.

Shen Qing’e, unlike the often overlooked Jiang Ning, had been quite the social magnet during their middle school years. She even attracted the clandestine admiration of some rather assertive upperclassmen from more prestigious schools, earning her considerable renown.

Consequently, a small celebratory gathering had been arranged.

Shen Qing’e had just stepped out of the restaurant when her gaze fell upon Jiang Ning.

Her thoughts raced. ’Wasn’t he out shopping with Geng Lu this very morning? How is it I’m encountering him here?’

’Could it be… he deliberately waited here for me?’

Shen Qing’e quickly called out, "Jiang Ning!"

At the sound of her voice, Jiang Ning turned his head, and simultaneously, all the teenagers shifted their attention towards him.

’Jiang Ning?’ Initially bewildered, they gradually recalled his features from their past association as memories surfaced.

The young women were taken aback. The bright, clean-cut young man before them bore little resemblance to the scrawny Jiang Ning they remembered from their school days; they appeared to be two entirely different individuals.

"Yo, so it’s Jiang Ning," remarked a young man, his voice carrying a slight slur, neither overweight nor slender, with an air of minor delinquency. He clicked his tongue in surprise.

Observing this interaction, Shen Qing’e was immediately seized by a sense of foreboding.

That slightly roguish young man was known as Xiao Shaoxiong. During middle school, he had been in the adjacent classroom to hers. On one occasion during physical education, one of Xiao Shaoxiong’s companions had intentionally kicked a football in her direction. Jiang Ning had angrily intervened, only to be defeated in the ensuing scuffle.

Xiao Shaoxiong had ostensibly acted to de-escalate the situation, but in truth, he had assisted his friend in restraining Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning had actually been fighting against two opponents. Had it not been for Xiao Shaoxiong's interference, the outcome might have unfolded quite differently.

Shen Qing’e was aware that, in the aftermath, Jiang Ning had harbored resentment towards Xiao Shaoxiong.

Yet, today, she had just shared a meal with Xiao Shaoxiong and his companions. Shen Qing’e suspected that, from Jiang Ning’s perspective, this must surely feel like a form of betrayal!

"You’re Jiang Ning? I suppose living in the city truly does plump people up," Xiao Shaoxiong quipped, his eyes narrowing into a smile.

"It’s alright," Jiang Ning replied, casting a glance his way. He had long since moved past dwelling on past grievances.

Mm, he would simply let Class 8 handle him.

Several familiar classmates from middle school offered greetings to Jiang Ning.

One young woman, possessing a naturally vivacious personality, moved a few steps closer. "So you are Jiang Ning? I’ve heard Wang Xue and the others mention you. You’ve truly become quite handsome. May I add your QQ?"

"Certainly," Jiang Ning responded, retrieving his phone.

The young woman happily added him as a contact.

Among the group was another attractive girl who simply stood with the others, observing Jiang Ning quietly without uttering a word.

Jiang Ning did not recognize her. He surmised she was likely a student from another township who had enrolled in Wa Miao High School.

Shen Qing’e’s mind was in a state of disarray. Fearing that Jiang Ning might misinterpret the situation, she quickly interjected, "Jiang Ning, I have something I need to discuss with you. Could you give me a ride on your bicycle later?"

Jiang Ning considered her request for a moment, his tone even. "Okay."

An old classmate playfully teased, "Back when you two were heading to the city for high school, we even wagered that Jiang Ning would never quite measure up to you. I never imagined you two would still be this close!"

Xiao Shaoxiong interjected from beside them, "Ha, Qing E, I was just about to hail a cab to give you a ride."

A subtle hint of superiority tinged his tone as he spoke, as if he were somehow more prominent!

Jiang Ning nearly chuckled.

Yet, he also felt a touch of pity.

The smaller towns in Hui Province were truly underdeveloped, vastly inferior to the coastal cities. Wamiao Town didn't even have actual registered taxis running—only privately owned vehicles operating as unofficial taxis heading towards Guyang County.

Thus, suddenly arriving in an urban area where one could freely take a taxi around likely felt incredibly high-tech, remarkably impressive...

Shen Qing’e politely declined, "I'm sorry, I get motion sickness in vehicles."

Xiao Shaoxiong lit a cigarette, appearing unperturbed by the refusal. He made a gesture with one hand. "Okay, okay."

Shen Qing’e settled gracefully onto the back seat of the electric bike, exuding a ladylike elegance. With a lively wave, she bid farewell. "Then I'll see you all tomorrow!"

The electric bike then sped off.

The girl who had just inquired about Jiang Ning's contact details voiced her thoughts aloud, "Do you think those two are a couple or not?"

Xiao Shaoxiong scoffed. "No chance."

A male classmate added, with a hint of wistfulness, "Shen Qing’e is really beautiful. It’s like she grew up in the city. When we were eating earlier, she even helped scald my chopsticks for me."

Taking a drag from his cigarette, Xiao Shaoxiong put on a display. "This restaurant is just so-so. When I dine at those high-end establishments with my relatives, the waitstaff automatically unwrap the cutlery and help scald our chopsticks."

The boy who had just spoken immediately felt a sense of inadequacy. Even his gaze towards Xiao Shaoxiong now held a measure of enhanced admiration.

Only the prettiest girl’s eyes flickered with a subtle disdain, though she refrained from confronting him.

Noticing the absence of awe in the prettiest girl's gaze, Xiao Shaoxiong sensed something amiss:

"Zhang Zhaodi, before you arrived today, your boyfriend asked me to look after you. He and I are like brothers—we've gone through fights together. Would you like a ride with me?"

Zhang Zhaodi replied, "No need, I’m planning on taking a stroll around the city."

...

Shen Qing’e was seated on the e-bike, her mind a complete jumble.

How long had it truly been since she had been this close to Jiang Ning?

Time and again, she could only observe other girls riding pillion on Jiang Ning’s e-bike—what exactly was she feeling in those moments?

Of all of them, she alone possessed no such right.

Through the entire journey, Jiang Ning remained silent.

Shen Qing’e presumed he was displeased, so she offered an explanation, "Jiang Ning, today marked the first reunion of our old classmates from home here in Yuzhou City, naturally we had to get together, so I went. Besides, Xiao Shaoxiong has changed."

Jiang Ning found it somewhat amusing. What kind of twisted logic was that—"He once championed justice, only for the victim and the aggressor to become friends in the end."

Statements like those were likely more nauseating than the charity lunch Chai Wei had partaken in.

Shen Qing’e continued, "And it’s been such a long time already. What’s in the past should just remain there, shouldn't it?"

Jiang Ning responded: "Mm."

His voice was as clear and bright as ever; upon reaching Shen Qing’e’s heart, it even carried a hint of sweetness.

It had been an excessively long interval since she had genuinely conversed with Jiang Ning. Believing he had taken her words to heart, her mood brightened considerably.

Shen Qing’e softly murmured, "The past cannot be reclaimed, but what lies ahead can still be cherished."

She was directing these words towards Jiang Ning, yet also speaking them to herself.

"Jiang Ning, do you still recall? Back in junior high, you absolutely loved giving me rides on your bicycle. Later, when I got my own bike, you would still cycle behind me. Every evening after study hall, you’d always escort me to the village entrance before heading home yourself. I have never forgotten that." Her expression lit up significantly.

Jiang Ning’s tone was even. "Oh? So you haven't forgotten?"

Shen Qing’e’s lovely face bloomed into a radiant smile. "Of course, I haven't forgotten. I shall never forget it for the remainder of my life!"

The breeze playfully lifted strands of hair from the girl’s forehead. Initially somewhat reserved, she gradually relaxed, her recounting becoming more fluid as she began reminiscing about the past: "I remember one Saturday afternoon after school was dismissed, my bike’s chain slipped off, and I simply couldn't fix it. I called you then, and you arrived to find me almost immediately—you appeared so swiftly!"

Subsequently, Jiang Ning had flipped her bicycle upright and reattached the chain, much like a divine warrior descending from the heavens.

Jiang Ning emitted a short chuckle. "So you even remember that. I had assumed you’d forgotten."

"And that day during the long break when I was starving..."

"And the homework problems you assisted me with..."

"There was that particularly delicious oden stall just outside the school gate, though it was perpetually crowded..."

She relentlessly recounted the faint echoes of their shared past, attempting to reignite his buried emotions.

These words struck Jiang Ning in a profoundly unexpected way. In his former existence, Shen Qing’e had departed with such unwavering finality that he had long presumed she had forgotten him completely. To discover she had, in fact, never forgotten—yet subsequently chose to unleash such venomous accusations upon him—was a bitter irony.

Ingrate and traitor; nothing more than that.

Throughout their journey, the conversation flowed almost entirely from Shen Qing’e, with Jiang Ning interjecting only a word or two on rare occasions.

A wave of sheer delight washed over Shen Qing’e. This was the first time she had savored the exquisite feeling of reclaiming something precious that had been lost.

She was acutely aware that Jiang Ning was a man who cherished their shared history. By demonstrating the depth of her devotion, she was confident she could once again hold sway over him, bringing him back entirely under her control.

At that point, Geng Lu, Chen Siyu, and Bai Yuxia would be forced to maintain a respectful distance from Jiang Ning.

Indeed, Xue Yuantong as well!

Presently, Jiang Ning was held in high regard by her uncle and aunt. Once she had him back within her own sphere of influence, stripped of the advantage of being the 'local girl,' Xue Yuantong would cease to be a concern!

She would be reunited with Jiang Ning. Following that, the newly affluent Yu Wen, the calculating and avaricious Lu Qiqi... they would all regard her with newfound admiration...

Everything would undergo a complete transformation!

The electric bicycle ascended onto the overpass, continuing its forward momentum, much like the days when Shen Qing’e had happily nestled on the back seat of Jiang Ning’s own bicycle.

Back then, her gaze had swept over the verdant wheat fields of the countryside.

Now, her eyes registered the towering skyscrapers.

A gentle breeze caressed the young woman’s form, invigorating and pleasant. Shen Qing’e couldn't help but let out a soft sigh, murmuring, "If only it could remain this way forever."

Catching her words, Jiang Ning’s lips curved slightly as he echoed, "If only it could remain this way forever."

Shen Qing’e’s heart leaped with such exhilaration that she briefly wondered if she was experiencing a delusion.

But this was no phantom sensation—it was the tangible reality of the moment.

Eagerly, Shen Qing’e pressed further, her voice trembling with anticipation, "Don't you wish to return to how things were? To the past?"

Jiang Ning’s response was simple: "No."

Shen Qing’e interpreted his answer as a sign of bashful reluctance. Very well, she decided, this time she would take the lead!

Her voice, shedding its recent melancholy, now resonated with unbounded joy. "Jiang Ning, don't you dare try to evade me. I heard what you said just now!"

Her face was alight with radiant smiles. It had been a full year and a half since Shen Qing’e had last beamed with such genuine happiness.

And now, she was smiling.

She smiled as she inquired, "Since you have no desire to return to the past, why did you utter those words just now?"

Maintaining a level tone, Jiang Ning replied, "Ah, we were going downhill a moment ago; there was no need for me to grip the handle."

Shen Qing’e’s smile vanished in an instant, stiffening as if she were a portrait enshrined on a memorial tablet.

Her mind was plunged into a sudden, buzzing void of absolute silence.

Swiftly navigating through two sets of traffic lights, Jiang Ning then applied the brakes at the entrance to the compound.

With a cool dismissal, he stated, "We’re here. You can dismount now."

Shen Qing’e numbly slid from the seat. Just as Jiang Ning prepared to depart, a desperate plea escaped her lips, "Jiang Ning, can we please talk?"

Jiang Ning’s refusal was swift and absolute. "No. Someone is bringing me fish this afternoon; I must hurry back to receive it."

Shen Qing’e felt as though a bolt of lightning had struck her directly.