Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation Chapter 1770 - 973: Vengeance, Vengeance

After Jiang Ning had sent Shen Qing’e on her way, he arrived at his doorstep only to find Tongtong specially waiting for him.

Clad in a baby-blue hoodie that barely covered her small behind, Tongtong appeared even more endearing, though her little mouth continued its usual chatter: "Jiang Ning, if you decide not to come home for lunch again, you absolutely must inform me beforehand! Don’t always leave me guessing and have me inquire about you daily!"

"I won't be having meals at home tomorrow," Jiang Ning replied curtly.

Tongtong retorted, "I refuse to believe that!"

"Haha," Jiang Ning chuckled, retrieving the fruit from his electric scooter's hook.

Tongtong promptly beckoned Chuchu to join their little gathering.

Seated on a miniature stool, munching on cherry tomatoes, Tongtong indicated the scattered parts on the ground. "Jiang Ning," she announced, "I'm planning to outfit a remote-controlled car for a journey from our home straight to school. I'll be able to view the surroundings through its eyes on my phone!"

Jiang Ning pondered for a moment before responding, "Isn't that exceptionally challenging?"

He elaborated, "Consider the camera, the battery, the communication module, the drive system... you'd also need to develop a completely separate mobile application."

Tongtong declared with unwavering resolve, "Where there is a will, there is a way!"

Jiang Ning queried, "Even so, given the network latency and the state of the roads, wouldn't operating a remote-controlled car prove quite difficult?"

Tongtong confidently countered, "Must my driving prowess be doubted?"

Indeed, Jiang Ning had full trust in her fine motor control skills.

Immediately, Tongtong adopted her most charming expression and pleaded, "However, there's another hurdle: I lack funds. Jiang Ning, could you possibly assist me?"

Jiang Ning was quite supportive of her passions; it was undeniably preferable to her spending all day asleep.

He laughed, "Funding is not an obstacle. All the proceeds from selling fried fish these past couple of days, I shall entrust to you."

Tongtong squealed with delight, practically leaping with joy. "Wonderful! Jiang Ning, I knew I chose the right person!"

Jiang Ning interjected, "By the way, once the remote-controlled car is operational, what are your intentions for its use?"

He envisioned Tongtong driving it around for amusement, perhaps even using it to walk the dogs.

Tongtong cast a glance at him and retorted sharply, "The next time you dash out the door, I'll have it tail you."

Jiang Ning responded with a perplexed, "??"

A thought flashed through his mind: 'Shen Qing'e, there's no need for you to send any more fish; I fear Tongtong might be heading down a mischievous path.'

Chuchu quietly continued to savor her cherry tomatoes nearby.

Jiang Ning then shot her a look of disdain, causing her to freeze mid-chew.

"Chuchu, would you care to lend me your assistance?" Tongtong inquired.

With her financial resources firmly in Jiang Ning's control, she was acutely aware of just how cunning he could be.

Xue Chuchu, sharing a common adversary, declared, "I am prepared to offer my full support."

Jiang Ning cunningly considered his next move: he absolutely must find a way to confiscate Chuchu's funds as well.

Suddenly, his phone rang. Jiang Ning answered, and shortly thereafter, an electric tricycle arrived at the doorstep.

Jiang Ning accepted a hundred pounds of large bluefish from the affluent Shen Qing’e, a reward at half the market price.

He clapped his hands together, instructing, "Once you've eaten, come and help me prepare the fish."

The processes of slaughtering, chopping, and marinating consumed their time until it was already four in the afternoon.

The sun had begun its descent towards the western horizon.

Jiang Ning steered the modified tricycle, accompanied by Tongtong and Chuchu, to establish their vending stall by the river dam.

As it was Saturday, the dam buzzed with activity; even the stall renowned for its delectable chicken soup tofu pudding was present.

However, due to Jiang Ning's late arrival, he was relegated to a corner location.

Adjacent to him was the familiar oyster vendor. The previous day, having been positioned closest, he succumbed to temptation and purchased two generous portions of fried fish, only to discover upon returning home that his own stall had incurred a financial loss! Today, he expressed deep regret and vowed never to indulge again.

No sooner had Jiang Ning's stall been set up than it was immediately swarmed by a throng of eager customers.

Tongtong proficiently fried five pounds of fish pieces without delay.

...

Meanwhile, also at the river dam.

A group of young boys and girls were taking a leisurely stroll. Zhong Huai exclaimed, "To think such a remote locale would be this bustling!"

"Indeed, our hometown has a dam, but it's entirely deserted."

As they conversed, one girl, dressed in worn clothing and possessing a delicate frame, scanned her surroundings.

They were students participating in a fixed-point aid program, hailing from Hu Temple Middle School. They had settled into their dormitory at Fourth Middle School that day and ventured out together to acquaint themselves with the new environment.

"It's a pity we haven't encountered Xue Yuantong," Zhong Huai lamented.

In that distant town's middle school, Xue Yuantong remained an idealized figure in the hearts of countless students, an unforgettable presence.

Someone remarked, "I observed students from other schools meeting up with their old acquaintances from the city for meals; we unfortunately lack such opportunities."

"Earlier when we met up this morning, there was even a student named Dong Qingfeng who offered free tours to fellow classmates!"

"Compared to that, the students from our school who arrived in the city before..."

Zhong Huai offered with a smile, "No issue, how about we have grilled fish tonight? Guys pay, girls eat for free!"

These days, lads typically yield to ladies, and with adolescence being the period of most rampant hormones, everyone readily agreed, with no objections raised.

This was all part of Zhong Huai’s strategy.

Han Wen Nuan’s eyes brightened, "Really?"

Zhong Huai stated, "Of course, if Xue Yuantong isn’t keen on organizing it, then I will step up!"

He spoke with considerable pride, yet clearly conveyed dissatisfaction with Xue Yuantong’s lack of initiative.

Someone candidly remarked, "She’s likely already become a city person, living in a different world from us now."

"How quickly affections can shift!"

At this juncture, Zhong Huai interjected, "Alright, perhaps she has something else occupying her time."

"What could possibly be more important than this?" someone grumbled.

Zhong Huai observed the brewing sentiments among his classmates, feeling secretly pleased. He seemed naturally gifted at influencing people's emotions.

As an individual from the countryside who had come to the city for schooling, Zhong Huai was not fazed; Hu Temple Middle School was simply too confined, too small to hold him.

He had already laid out his plans for this time around. Once integrated into the new class, his primary objective would be to secure the position of class president!

Will it be difficult? Absolutely not. With his inherent talents, it would be child’s play.

By grabbing the class president role, establishing himself as a leader, the path ahead would be wide open for him to truly shine!

Merely contemplating this, Zhong Huai couldn’t help but anticipate a brilliant future.

A few individuals ambled along and halted, someone inhaling deeply, "That aroma is delightful! Which street food vendor is that?"

Positioned before the food cart.

An individual was brandishing a digital scale, engaged in a dispute: "Your large portion should weigh one jin, why did you only give me nine liang?"

Xue Yuantong overheard and cast a glance his way. She had accurately measured exactly one jin by feel moments earlier, yet the digital scale indicated a mere nine liang. It was unequivocally a faulty scale!

How utterly deceitful!

With that thought, she picked up the tongs and extracted two pieces of fish from the container: "Now it’s only seven liang."

Jiang Ning nudged Chuchu, seeking her endorsement.

Chuchu was unable to play the part of an accomplice, remaining silent.

It fell upon Tongtong to continue the exchange: "I can give whatever amount I please. Are you purchasing or not?"

The line of customers behind started to grow impatient: "You’re not buying then? This portion is mine!"

The customer arguing about the inaccurate scale was incensed, but the imposing gray-backed hound standing guard beside them seemed to quell his anger, prompting him to depart without further ado.

The entire batch of fish was swiftly sold out.

Han Wen Nuan managed to push his way through just in time, expressing surprise: "You’re Xue Yuantong, and Xue Chuchu!"

Xue Yuantong paused briefly before instantly recognizing her former classmate: "You’re Han Wen Nuan, still as lanky as ever."

"You too, still as petite as ever," Han Wen Nuan responded with a cheerful greeting.

This time, Xue Yuantong felt a flicker of annoyance.

Xue Chuchu maintained her usual cool demeanor: "Hello."

Concurrently with her greeting, several other classmates from Hu Miao Town also identified her.

Zhong Huai was taken aback, never having anticipated seeing the girl he once held in high regard now operating a humble stall.

There was an almost surreal quality to the scene.

It evoked a sentiment akin to a former idolized goddess riding a public bus while visibly pregnant, stirring a whirlwind of emotions within his heart.

While labor itself holds no inherent hierarchy, a segment of the classmates still observed the situation with a degree of condescension.

Zhong Huai had previously considered Xue Chuchu to be beyond his reach.

As for young men, when confronted with attractive young ladies, they invariably tend to feel a sense of inadequacy.

However, witnessing Xue Chuchu now diligently working to earn a living, Zhong Huai’s confidence surged, and he teased: "We invited you for lunch earlier, why did you refuse?"

Xue Chuchu replied: "Apologies, I was rather occupied."

Zhong Huai smiled and inquired casually, "Is selling at a stall highly lucrative?"

He inwardly presumed it yielded minimal profit.

Tongtong responded: "Nettings exceed a thousand daily."

Zhong Huai's mind registered an internal exclamation mark of surprise.

Han Wen Nuan, initially astonished, quickly seized the opportunity: "Are you in need of any part-time help? I believe I could lend a hand."

Tongtong shook her head: "No apprentices are accepted."

Han Wen Nuan experienced a pang of disappointment.

Xue Chuchu, unfazed by their remarks, subtly gestured to Tongtong and Jiang Ning. After receiving their assent, she softly offered: "Allow me to treat you to some fried fish. It’s truly delicious."

She then prepared a container of sweet and sour fried fish, presenting it to Han Wen Nuan.

Han Wen Nuan proceeded to divide it amongst his companions.

Before long, the area in front of the cart was once again thronged with customers, leaving no space for the old classmates from Hu Miao Town.

Walking a short distance further, Han Wen Nuan bit into a crisp fish bone: "Exquisite! Small wonder their business is thriving so magnificently."

Zhong Huai and the others also gave it a try, and they were similarly astonished.

One of them exclaimed, "We saw their sign earlier! They were selling one portion for thirty bucks. No wonder they're making a killing."

After savoring a few bites of the fried fish, Zhong Huai commented, "Even if they're earning over a thousand, it's still just a street stall. Besides, there are three of them, and when you factor in the rainy days, the actual income isn't that substantial."

"Studying diligently is the proper path. There's no need to chase after small profits and lose sight of the bigger picture." His voice resonated with authority.

His classmates readily concurred; what young student would look favorably upon selling goods at a street stall?

Only Han Wen Nuan's eyes held a flicker of yearning: 'If only I could earn that much money.'

Were it not for Fourth Middle School's initiative involving small dining tables, she would have abstained from participating in such targeted support programs, recognizing that urban living expenses far exceed those in the countryside.

'Money, oh money!' Han Wen Nuan thought to herself.

A hint of bitterness welled up: 'Surely the classmates in the new class wouldn't be in the same predicament as I am?'

...

Evening arrived.

In the bustling urban district, the living room was bathed in bright light.

Chen Siyu addressed her sister, "Sis, do you desire retribution?"

Sister Chen Siqing remained silent.

Chen Siyu's tone grew somber, "After being repeatedly subjected to Geng Lu's humiliation, how could I possibly not yearn for revenge?"

Her voice then took on a resentful edge, "Sis, let's exact our revenge tonight!"

Chen Siyu, embodying two roles simultaneously, shifted her tone once more, adopting a resolute deep voice, "Sis, let's do this!"

Chen Siqing regarded her peculiar sister, frequently contemplating whether to contact the authorities.

The still-alluring Mrs. Chen emerged from the kitchen, a look of bewilderment on her face, "Siyu, what has gotten into you?"

Chen Siyu declared with firm conviction, "Mom, I am currently facing an unprecedented crisis."

Mrs. Chen appeared perplexed, "I must be getting old; I can no longer comprehend the slang of the younger generation."

The pragmatic Chen Siqing clarified, "Mom, my sister intends to spend the evening with our class's top student, Xue Yuantong, and the second-highest, Jiang Ning."

Chen Siyu internally cringed: 'That wasn't supposed to be revealed!'

The prior occasion of staying over at Jiang Ning's was attributed to the esteemed Bai Yuxia; this time, no such benefactor was present.

Unexpectedly, Mrs. Chen's face lit up with a radiant smile, more brilliant than the wedding photograph on the bedside table, and she urged them, "Then hurry along, go!"

"Mom will help you strategize!"

Chen Siyu was taken aback, "Is this even remotely sensible?"

Sister Chen Siqing interjected, "Mom, we haven't even approached Jiang Ning yet, and we're still debating how to even broach the subject..."

"Useless creatures!" Mrs. Chen's expression turned stern as she extended her hand, "Quickly hand over your phone to me!"