Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation Chapter 1771 - 974: Isolation

Living room.

Upon witnessing her mother's actions, a mischievous thought flashed through Chen Siyu's mind, which she swiftly dismissed. "Mom, let us handle it!" Chen Siyu remained steadfast in her principles.

Meanwhile, as darkness enveloped the land, the streetlights along He Ba Road cast a bright glow, with snack stalls still humming with lively activity.

Jiang Ning had already shut down his stall. He was navigating a country path on his tricycle at a leisurely pace, accompanied by Tongtong and Chuchu, who walked beside him under the night sky.

Tongtong was diligently calculating: "We sold 62 large portions from 100 pounds of grass carp. Considering losses and some deliberate underserving, the total revenue is 1860 yuan. Subtracting the 300 yuan cost for the fish and 280 yuan for five barrels of oil, along with packaging expenses, the total profit comes to 1230 yuan!"

"Wow! Jiang Ning, we're rich!" Xue Yuantong exclaimed, thrilled by the prospect of over a thousand yuan!

Beside her, Xue Chuchu quietly mentioned, "And I gave a pound of fried fish to my old classmates."

Jiang Ning responded casually, "No problem."

Xue Chuchu insisted, "That's not okay."

Jiang Ning quirked an eyebrow. "Oh? If you insist on being so serious, let's just consider it a debt for now."

Xue Chuchu mused internally, her debt to him continued to grow. However, debts must ultimately be settled.

Lost in a reverie of accumulating wealth, Xue Yuantong envisioned the future: "Earning a thousand yuan a day! Who will be in charge at home in the future is uncertain!"

Jiang Ning cast a glance at her.

Noticing his gaze, Xue Yuantong retorted defiantly, "What are you looking at?"

Jiang Ning offered no reply.

Xue Chuchu observed, feeling that Tongtong's ambitious dreams were surfacing a bit too soon, which she sensed wasn't entirely good.

Jiang Ning continued his ride, spotting a message notification. He expertly navigated with one hand while using his phone.

"Oh no, my sister and I went out and forgot the key!" Chen Siyu typed with urgency.

Jiang Ning replied, "Where are your parents?"

Chen Siyu received the message, glanced at her mother standing right before her, and typed back, "They're not home."

Mrs. Chen thought to herself, 'Then who am I?'

Sister Chen Siqing tightened her grip on her palm. 'Sister, your mother is gone,' she thought.

Jiang Ning suggested, "You could call a locksmith."

Chen Siyu responded, "It's too late, and the lock on my house is quite difficult to open."

Chen Siyu then made a request: "Jiang Ning, can I spend the night at your place?"

A hint of mystery piqued Jiang Ning's senses. Spend the night? Could she be scheming something? He replied, "Sure, you're welcome."

Chen Siyu's excitement bubbled over: "Yay! Sis, Mom, am I clever?"

Mrs. Chen stated drily, "Not particularly."

After sending his reply, Jiang Ning informed Tongtong, "Chen Siyu and her sister were locked out. They plan to stay at your place tonight, is that alright?"

Xue Yuantong was overjoyed. "Sure, sure!" She was eager to show off to the 'foolish' twins after her profitable day!

Jiang Ning responded, "Alright."

He then messaged Chen Siyu, "Tongtong's pajamas are a bit small, remember to bring your own."

Chen Siyu replied instantly, "Okay, I'll go grab them with my sister." She then asked, "By the way, do you have many chargers at your place?"

Jiang Ning answered, "Quite a few."

Chen Siyu declared, "Then I won't bring mine."

"Okay."

Chen Siyu put down her phone, letting out a triumphant laugh. "Haha, look, Jiang Ning is quite considerate!"

Sister Chen Siqing whispered, "Mom, my sister really believes that."

Mrs. Chen took a deep breath and instructed, "Keep an eye on your sister in the future."

"I've always been watching her," Chen Siqing replied, her gaze dark.

...

Later, in the kitchen. Jiang Ning was starting the fire, Tongtong was cooking, and Chuchu was assisting.

Aunt Gu was away inspecting garment factories in Wu City and wouldn't be returning that night. Meanwhile, Hua Fengmei was at Changqing Liquid Company, diligently learning to ensure her future security within the company. Her dedication was no less than Xue Chuchu's.

Tongtong, busy with her culinary tasks, praised, "Chuchu, perhaps you'll make your mom proud today!"

Xue Chuchu was expertly preparing ingredients. Today, Boss Yang had generously provided them with two pounds of prawns and jellyfish slices. Butcher Zhang had exchanged a pound of his finest ribs and pork tenderloin for their pound of fried fish. Uncle Tang, the 'Shennong,' had given them some alfalfa and cauliflower he had grown, thanks to Tongtong's praise. As for Mr. Qian, he had shamelessly asked Jiang Ning if he could have a taste of the fried fish. Xue Yuantong had decided to revoke his neighborly status.

As they cooked, a voice called from outside: "Jiang Ning, we're here!"

The identical twins appeared at the kitchen doorway.

Tongtong looked at them and proudly announced, "Sit down, I'm still cooking. Wait to enjoy."

Chen Siyu presented the items she was holding. "We brought this!"

Chen Siqing introduced them: "Snow pear and kiwi juice, made by our mom. Drinking it not only enhances beauty but also aids in growth. It's Tang Fu's favorite drink!"

With a pleased surprise, Xue Yuantong gracefully suppressed her smile. "You journeyed all this way and even brought gifts?"

"Quickly, quickly!" she urged, gesturing for Chuchu to promptly bring them over.

As the dishes were soon arranged, Xue Chuchu then departed to retrieve the steamed buns prepared by Hua Fengmei.

The evening feast boasted five distinct flavors: crisp salt and pepper prawns, zesty jellyfish slices in a spicy marinade, tender sweet and sour ribs, dry pot cauliflower accompanied by savory meat slices, and refreshing cold marinated alfalfa. For the five of them, it was an exceptionally lavish spread.

Chen Siyu seized the moment, snapping a photograph and sending a private message: "Bai Yu, take a guess where I am?"

Meanwhile, Bai Yuxia was anticipating a bowl of instant noodles. Her father was attending a lecture that day, her mother was on duty at the hospital, and it had been a while since she last indulged in instant noodles, a craving she keenly felt.

Upon seeing the elaborate spread of dishes, her desire for instant noodles instantly waned.

"Your mother isn't cooking... Hmm? This spread, are you at Tongtong's place?" Bai Yuxia swiftly inquired.

Chen Siyu responded with a smug flourish, "Haha, feeling envious, aren't you?"

Having sent her reply, she immediately put away her phone, dedicating her full attention to savoring the meal.

Bai Yuxia gazed at the now silent chat window, her mind’s eye conjuring the lively atmosphere by the river dam.

In the quiet, cool expanse of the living room, Bai Yuxia's attention suddenly shifted to the elegant green jade ring adorning her finger, her eyes reflecting a calm like a tranquil lake. "It doesn't matter, some secrets are meant only for two."

Within the cozy confines of the small kitchen by the river dam.

"These buns are incredibly delicious, so wonderfully sweet," Chen Siyu exclaimed in delight.

Xue Chuchu offered an explanation, "These are wine-fermented buns. They're made using wheat and a wine-based fermentation process, which gives them their characteristic sweetness."

Xue Yuantong, partaking for the first time, mused with curiosity, "Is there such a thing? If one eats too many wine-fermented buns and Jiang Ning were to drive, would the police pull him over?"

Chen Siyu quipped, "It would depend entirely on the type of vehicle he was driving."

Xue Yuantong confidently declared, "The kind of small car I drove with him."

Chen Siyu considered this for a moment before stating, "In that case, Jiang Ning would certainly be caught."

Tongtong and Chuchu looked on, bewildered, "Why is that?"

Only Jiang Ning continued his quiet task, peeling prawns.

Observing the exchange, Sister Chen Siqing subtly nudged her sister, a silent reprimand: "You're being utterly outrageous, getting so caught up in this 'prelude to disaster'!"

She dared not contemplate the potential future actions of her younger sister.

Chen Siqing then offered a justification for her sister's comment, "Because Jiang Ning is still a minor, he's not legally permitted to drive a small car!"

Xue Chuchu chimed in with a further point, "Even adults shouldn't, because wine-fermented buns contain alcohol."

Chen Siyu voiced her realization, "Intoxication leads to misfortune~"

Xue Yuantong vigorously nodded in agreement, her expression serious. "Last time, Uncle Zhang got quite drunk, he started chasing Xiao Ben, and in the end, he was holding Xiao Ben, tearfully insisting the dog wasn't his biological child."

A ripple of suppressed laughter went through the group at the table.

Xue Chuchu then offered a different perspective, "In truth, alcohol can also have its benefits. The ancient physician Bian Que once stated, 'Within the skin's veins; where decoction and moxibustion find effect, within the blood vessels, reached by needle and stone; within the bowels, acted upon by wine.'"

Chen Siyu looked puzzled, "What exactly does that mean?"

Jiang Ning helpfully clarified, "It means that ailments deep within the internal organs can be effectively treated with medicinal wine decoctions."

Chen Siyu enlightened, "No wonder the saying goes, 'Wine and meat pass through the intestines'!"

Xue Chuchu tilted her head slightly, a flicker of confusion crossing her features as she wondered why Chen Siyu's words didn't quite align with her understanding.

Sister Chen Siqing added another historical anecdote, "There's also the tale of Hua Tuo scraping poison from Guan Yu's bones. Guan Yu was drinking wine during the procedure, so alcohol likely served as an anesthetic, wouldn't you agree?"

Xue Yuantong inquired with keen interest, "Who possessed superior medical skills, Hua Tuo or Bian Que?"

Regarding such historical comparisons, Xue Chuchu pursed her lips before replying, "Bian Que excelled in internal medicine, while Hua Tuo was renowned for his surgical prowess; it's difficult to directly compare. If we're speaking of traditional Chinese medicine..."

Chen Siyu interjected with characteristic directness, "Tongtong, don't you worry. When I pass away, I'll ask them both for you."

Xue Yuantong's eyes widened in surprise, "But how will I receive the answer?"

Chen Siyu took another bite of her food, casually remarking, "I'll visit you in your dreams!"

Jiang Ning smoothly interjected, "Logically speaking, there shouldn't be any major issues."

Her train of thought momentarily disrupted, Xue Chuchu found herself silently pondering if perhaps she was overly ordinary.