Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation Chapter 1782 - 980: Skill: Men Pay, Women Free_2

Guo Ran inquired, "Gao Heshuai, do you aspire to be a mediocre instructor?"

Gao Heshuai responded with silence. He had initially intended to retort with, 'I am the planter of the nation's future,' but the words caught in his throat, unable to be uttered in front of his colleagues!

...

Within the confines of Class 8's classroom.

Xue Yuantong stirred awake, only to discover the absence of someone beside her. A touch of annoyance colored her voice as she asked, "Where has Jiang Ning gone?"

Chen Siyu tallied on her fingers, reporting, "Guo called him away."

Xue Yuantong scoffed, "Hmph, sneaking off again."

Chen Siyu offered words of comfort, "Don't be upset. Mr. Guo isn't a bad person; he often shares snacks with us, you know."

Still, Tongtong remained displeased with Jiang Ning's impromptu departure.

Chen Siyu then shifted her approach, "Alright, alright. Consider it this way: the other woman is actually quite good; she simply took someone who doesn't love you."

Xue Yuantong's brow furrowed, sensing something amiss! She protested, "Jiang Ning is incredibly good to me!"

Chen Siyu adjusted her perspective, "Then the one with the blonde hair is also a good person because she's with someone who loves you!"

'Oh no, I've put my foot in it! Tongtong is still just a child!' Chen Siyu quickly nudged Bai Yuxia, whispering, "Hey, aren't you eavesdropping?"

Bai Yuxia, who held a bit of leverage over Chen Siyu, ceased her stealthy observation and interjected, "Tongtong, Siyu mentioned she's always wanted to watch you play games."

Xue Yuantong's face lit up with pleasure, "Siyu, come over here."

Chen Siyu promptly relocated to Xue Yuantong's side.

Wang Longlong, with one eye open and the other closed, remained indifferent.

Xue Yuantong retrieved her phone and launched a shooting game, specifically Modern Combat 4 by Gameloft. As Xue Yuantong began guiding her character through the login and onto the beach for combat, Chen Siyu, a budding gaming enthusiast with a penchant for history, remarked,

"This battlefield bears a striking resemblance to the Normandy landings."

Xue Yuantong's eyes widened in surprise. Could even the seemingly dim-witted twins possess such knowledge?

Chen Siyu felt slightly insulted. If the 'silly Fool' could excel in sports, why couldn't she absorb some historical knowledge?

Chen Siyu elaborated, "The Normandy landings marked the crucial starting point for the Allied counteroffensive!"

She further expounded on several pivotal battles, aiming to underscore her intellectual prowess.

Xue Yuantong posed a question, "Then do you happen to know why the Second World War was significantly more brutal than the First?"

Chen Siyu offered an immediate answer, "Because Japan and Germany fought with greater ferocity!"

Bai Yuxia could only offer a silent reaction.

...

As the class period neared its conclusion.

Zhong Huai, drenched in sweat and weary from a half-day of labor carrying goods, finally returned. Wang Longlong orchestrated a grand welcome, a veritable hero's send-off for him.

The exhausted Zhong Huai found solace in this acknowledgement: 'At least everyone recognizes my contribution!'

He resumed his seat, basking in the glow of recognition!

From the back row, Zhang Chi and Liu Chuandao exchanged knowing glances. Liu Chuandao proposed, "Brother, how about we grab some barbecue tonight? It'll be a great way to welcome our new classmates!"

Zhong Huai turned, his eyes blazing with enthusiasm, "Sounds excellent, absolutely!"

Liu Chuandao added with a grin, "Haha, and I hope you can invite some of the other girls too."

Zhong Huai, demonstrating a surprising organizational flair, readily agreed.

"No problem at all!" he affirmed.

His first invitation went to Han Wen Nuan. As soon as the bell signaled the end of evening study, he dashed to the south side of the classroom to extend invitations to Zhang Zhaodi and her companions.

Lu Qiqi was engaged in conversation with Zhang Zhaodi, idly scrolling through her QQ space.

Lu Qiqi remarked with admiration, "Zhang Zhang, your sense of style is impeccable; this dress is truly lovely and gives you a real celebrity aura."

Zhang Zhaodi's spirits soared upon hearing the compliment. She was indeed most pleased with that particular photograph and hadn't anticipated Lu Qiqi noticing it so swiftly.

Furthermore, the fact that Lu Qiqi addressed her as 'Zhang Zhang' instead of her full name, Zhaodi, fostered a genuine sense of gratitude, significantly deepening her positive feelings towards Lu Qiqi.

Lu Qiqi continued, pointing out, "However, observing your social media posts week after week, you seem to acquire new outfits, yet your boyfriend consistently wears the same shoes for two consecutive meetings? It gives the impression that you aren't his top priority."

"I'd advise you to distance yourself," Lu Qiqi concluded persuasively.

Xiao Shaoxiong, taking offense, retorted, "What's the issue if my buddy likes that outfit? It's not like it's unwashed. We guys aren't as particular as you girls."

Lu Qiqi covered her mouth, unfazed by the young boy's interjection, "Are you perhaps one of those guys who wears the same attire on every single date?"

Xiao Shaoxiong defiantly replied, "What if I genuinely enjoy wearing it?"

Ma Shicheng walked past, carrying a broom, and cast a glance at Lu Qiqi.

Lu Qiqi challenged, "What are you staring at?"

Ma Shicheng countered, "Considering what you're implying, when you go home and see your dad every day, does that mean your mom..."

He stopped himself, ultimately demonstrating significant maturity by not finishing the provocative sentence.

Lu Qiqi's expression turned visibly displeased.

Hu Jun rushed over, broom in hand, shouting, "I won't allow you to speak ill of her mother!"

Lu Qiqi, catching the familiar father-related undertone in Hu Jun's outburst, felt her temper flare. She angrily demanded, "What exactly do you mean by that, Hu Jun?"

Hu Jun questioned, "What is my meaning? Isn't it already crystal clear to you?"

Guo Kunnan promptly pulled them aside, urging, "Calm down, everyone, please calm down!"

Lu Qiqi stormed off in her anger.

Over in a quiet corner, Guo Kunnan looked perplexed and asked, "Brother Jun, there's something on my mind... should I voice it? It's about the age difference, you know..."

Hu Jun stated with absolute seriousness, "They are not old; they've simply experienced more years than I have. I regret missing their youth, and now I wish to spend my own youth with them."

Ma Shicheng exclaimed, "Damn, bro, you absolutely cannot afford to make a single mistake!"

In the outer corridor, Meng Gui idly played with his Buddhist beads as he spoke to Yu Wen, "Did that person offer their apology to you? And did they return the 18 yuan, correct?"

Yu Wen praised him, "Meng Gui, you truly are remarkable!"

Jiang Yanan's gaze towards him was tinged with a notable surprise.

Meng Gui smiled, commanding, "Please address me as Master."

"Master!" Yu Wen responded with genuine respect, recognizing that he had resolved a troubling issue for her.

Meng Gui then extended an invitation to Jiang Yanan, asking, "Would you care to have dinner with my brother, Cui Yu?"

Though he had moved past his feelings, he never forgot that Jiang Yanan was once the love of his life.

Jiang Yanan simply shook her head, replying, "It's too late."

Meng Gui persisted, "How about breakfast with Cui Yu tomorrow, then?"

Jiang Yanan remained silent, her expression unreadable.

Chen Siyu encountered her sister near the entrance of Class 8. The twins harbored a distinct dislike for anything involving masters, as they had recently uncovered a fraud claiming mastery.

Chen Siyu then turned to Meng Gui and said, "Since you're a master, Meng Gui, could you perhaps perform a divination for me?"

Meng Gui readily agreed, "Certainly."

Chen Siyu provided the details: "April 31st, 1999."

Fiddling with his Buddhist beads and gazing towards the dark, star-filled sky, Meng Gui solemnly warned, "Be cautious of those near you."

Her sister, Chen Siqing, interjected, "Cautious of what? There's no April 31st!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yanan and the others present visibly changed their expressions.

Meng Gui, unfazed, maintained his eerie tone, stating, "Sometimes, those around us might not truly be human."

With those words, he turned and departed.

The twin sisters exchanged a nervous look, suddenly feeling as if the night itself had become a monstrous entity.

...

Outside the school gates, at Sister Ma’s Barbecue stall.

A lively group of teenage boys and girls occupied the open-air tables and chairs.

Zhang Chi and Liu Chuandao were tasked with ordering the food, while Duan Shigang and Zhong Huai were engrossed in their boasts. Han Wen Nuan was contentedly munching on beans, Zhang Zhaodi and Xiao Shaoxiong, along with another female student, were deep in conversation. The bespectacled girl, Jianxi, appeared noticeably restless.

"Brother Zhong, is there anything else you'd like to order?"

Zhong Huai, without even glancing at the menu, replied, "No need to worry, if we run out, we can simply add more later."

Noticing the girls present, he proposed, "Since it's rare for us all to gather, I suggest the guys cover the cost, and the girls eat for free. What do you say?"

Zhang Chi, Liu Chuandao, and Duan Shigang enthusiastically agreed, echoing, "Excellent, excellent, excellent! You're so generous!"

"Brother Zhong is truly magnanimous!"

"The guys pay, the girls eat for free – wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!"

Xiao Shaoxiong felt a twinge of reluctance, as there were four girls present, which would have significantly reduced his share of the cost. However, seeing the other guys’ agreement, he understood that opposing it would make him look rather unappealing.

Furthermore, he relished opportunities to show off.

Suppressing the sting of potential expense, Xiao Shaoxiong smiled and declared, "It's just a small barbecue, we can easily manage the expenses!"

Zhong Huai made the final decision, "Then it's settled!"

As one of those footing the bill, Xiao Shaoxiong's confidence grew. "It's a shame Yin Yu couldn't make it; she's also a new classmate."

He lamented the absence of Yin Yu, a girl whose beauty rivaled Zhang Zhaodi's and another prominent girl in their class, though he couldn't recall the latter's name.

Zhang Zhaodi offered, "She transferred from An City."

Zhong Huai expressed surprise, "How did you know that?"

"You don't know?" Zhang Zhaodi suddenly recalled that Zhong Huai had been acting the hero during the night self-study session...

Zhong Huai also realized his lapse and dismissed it without much concern.

His past heroic act was to earn favor, and this current gathering was all about solidifying connections. He scanned Zhang Chi and the others, confident that after this meal, their relationships would undoubtedly reach a new level!