Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation Chapter 1784 - 981: Bizarre Car Accident (Part 2)

"Just like when I did part-time work at the funeral home—whether a person is breathing or not, the second I cremate them, I know for sure!"

Zhang Zhaodi mused inwardly: "If I were to burn them, I’d know too..."

Duan Shigang boasted: "Back in my street-fighting days, I could tell if a guy was all talk or not—one kick and I’d have my answer!"

Liu Chuandao chimed in, unwilling to be outdone: "When I used to follow my uncle to fix power lines, whether there was electricity flowing or not, one touch and I could tell!"

It was hard to offer a comment on their boasts.

Zhang Chi devoured a large number of lamb skewers, yet a sense of incompleteness lingered—he craved fruit. Casting his gaze around, he noticed an unassuming female classmate, Jianxi.

After a moment’s thought, Zhang Chi initiated conversation: "Jianxi, why are you eating so little? Look at Han Wen Nuan over there, she’s eating like a glutton!"

Han Wen Nuan felt a surge of irritation, but tonight, the men were covering the expenses and the women were dining for free; she lacked the standing to retort.

Jianxi quickly waved her hands in denial: "I truly don’t eat much."

Zhang Chi showed his displeasure: "That’s simply not acceptable. Waiter!"

Pei Yujing approached their table.

"Bring us two cans of canned peaches!"

The cans were delivered promptly.

Zhang Chi seized a lid and applied significant force. As is commonly known, canned goods can be surprisingly stubborn—no matter one’s strength, they sometimes stubbornly refuse to open.

He twisted twice without success and was about to search for tools.

Noticing this, Jianxi hastily intervened: "It’s alright, if it won’t open, then forget it. I don’t really need to eat it."

"Damn it!" Zhang Chi abandoned the idea of tools, staking his pride on the challenge, and resolved to wrestle with the can until the very end.

Ultimately, he succeeded in opening it—after all, he possessed the capabilities of a "quasi-sports student."

Zhang Chi and the others shared the canned peaches, then proceeded to consume several more skewers of kidney. The atmosphere at their table was exceptionally jovial.

Seizing an opportune moment, while the new classmates were distracted, Liu Duan Zhang exchanged a knowing glance with the other two.

Zhang Chi initiated the plan: "Her family’s barbecue is great and all, but they don’t have my preferred drink. I’m going to grab a bottle. I’ll be back shortly!"

Zhong Huai, not suspecting anything, readily agreed: "Sure, go ahead."

Duan Shigang called out: "Get one for me too. I’ll pay you back later."

Liars’ smiles concealed Zhang Chi’s true intention as he quickly responded: "Pay me back? It’s my treat!"

Duan Shigang frowned, emphasizing: "Even true brothers should maintain clear boundaries."

Zhang Chi insisted: "I’m buying! You are not permitted to pay!"

Liu Chuandao, growing impatient, interjected righteously: "What’s with you two arguing over who’s treating? I’LL treat!"

Subsequently, the trio actually engaged in a vociferous argument over who would pay for the drinks, their voices escalating with each passing moment. Zhong Huai was on the verge of intervening to quell the commotion.

Abruptly, Zhang Chi declared: "Forget it! Whoever runs the fastest pays!"

With that pronouncement, Zhang Chi took off like a shot.

Duan Shigang retorted: "As if I’d let you win that easily!"

Liu Chuandao reacted with indignation: "What’s that supposed to mean, are you looking down on me?"

Thus, the three of them took off in hot pursuit of one another, their figures receding into the night until they were completely out of sight.

Zhong Huai could no longer contain himself and burst into hearty laughter: "These bros really are something else, their loyalty is unmatched."

Xiao Shaoxiong agreed: "Yeah, these are the kinds of guys you can definitely count on!"

The sole individual whose expression faltered was Pei Yujing, who was in the midst of serving dishes. Observing the group dash away, she found the scene to be eerily familiar.

However, the fleeting thought vanished as quickly as it appeared, and Pei Yujing returned to her duties, immersed in her work.

Zhong Huai waited patiently at the table. More than half an hour elapsed, yet the three had still not returned.

"You don’t suppose something happened to them, do you?" Zhong Huai voiced his concern. "Does anyone have their contact information? Should we call them and check?"

Xiao Shaoxiong replied: "I’m in the class group chat, I’ll take a look."

He retrieved his phone, began tapping and swiping, and soon, a smile spread across his face.

They waited an additional five minutes. Zhang Zhaodi inquired: "Did you find them?"

Xiao Shaoxiong, momentarily lost in thought, remembered his initial purpose. He felt a pang of embarrassment: "These memes are just too hilarious, I got completely sidetracked. My apologies!"

Only then did Xiao Shaoxiong finally access the class group chat.

Zhong Huai was unimpressed by this display of inefficiency. If this were a situation requiring emergency services, the victim might be long gone by the time he finished scrolling through social media.

Zhong Huai sighed: "This isn’t working. No one is responding, and they aren’t accepting friend requests either."

Han Wen Nuan contemplated the situation for a moment before standing up: "I’ll go look for them. I know the location of that shop."

Zhong Huai nodded: "Alright."

...

Han Wen Nuan traversed the street, searching diligently. She checked two convenience stores consecutively—but there was no sign of the missing trio.

Eventually, she located Zhang Chi and Duan Shigang loitering outside a pool hall.

Han Wen Nuan responded in surprise, "Weren’t you going to buy drinks?"

Zhang Chi was also taken aback, asking, "How did you find us?"

Han Wen Nuan reminded them, "Zhong Huai and the others are still waiting for you to return and split the bill evenly!"

Duan Shigang, adopting a big-brother demeanor, held his pool cue and extended an invitation, "Want to play a few rounds?"

Han Wen Nuan, being perceptive, quickly deduced from their hesitation that they were simply trying to avoid paying their share.

She glanced at the pool table, a hint of interest flickering within her, before considering the offer and asking, "If I play pool, will you guys cover the cost?"

Duan Shigang chuckled, "I can afford at least this much."

And so, Han Wen Nuan joined them for a game of pool.

Meanwhile, back at the barbecue stall, Zhong Huai could no longer contain his impatience and signaled the waiter to bring the bill.

"The total comes to 324, but 320 is fine," the waiter stated.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Shaoxiong’s heart sank. With five people splitting the cost, that meant 64 per person!

Despite the girls being present, he begrudgingly paid his portion.

Zhong Huai, however, personally contributed a substantial sum of 256!

Recalling his father toiling away at a construction site, he felt an urge to belt out the song "Father."

But it was all worth it. He had gained friendship and honor. Even his father laboring on the construction site would feel a surge of pride!

Besides, there were still three guys who owed him their share!

...In the end, Duan Shigang footed the bill for the pool game. Having received 38,000 in compensation from Shang Zhengyu, he now had a comfortable sum of money.

The three of them headed back to the dorm together; Liu Chuandao had already departed earlier.

As they strolled down the street beneath the streetlights, Zhang Chi inquired, "Xiao Han, why are you so driven to make money?"

Han Wen Nuan, clad in worn-out clothes and appearing as slender as a street-fashion enthusiast, her eyes, however, sparkled with intensity. "I have no other choice. If I don't earn money, I'll soon be starving."

Hearing this, Zhang Chi fell silent for a moment before remarking, "Yeah. Some people don't have to lift a finger to earn a dime; their families can just wire them a few thousand. Unlike us."

Han Wen Nuan affirmed, "Exactly."

Even the usually aloof Zhang Chi, encountering someone as financially strained as himself in this ordinary world, felt a pang of sympathy. "It feels like you can't see any path forward at all."

Han Wen Nuan countered, "I don't see it that way. I feel this is just a temporary phase. Once I get into a top university, everything will change."

Zhang Chi was taken aback. He suddenly recalled that this group of scholarship students were reportedly all quite academically gifted.

Duan Shigang added sagely, "Everyone walks their own path."

Simultaneously, on the opposite side of the street, a BMW 3 Series glided towards them, An Chan’s hand resting delicately on the steering wheel.

In the passenger seat, a young woman gazed at the passing night scenery before suddenly speaking, "Chanchan, have you truly decided to stay in Yuzhou and become a teacher?"

The two women were former roommates from East China Normal University, one of the nation's premier institutions. They could have remained in Shen City, China's most affluent metropolis, but An Chan had opted to forgo that opportunity, accepting a talent recruitment offer from Yuzhou Fourth Middle School.

Upon hearing the question, An Chan’s gaze drifted out the window. Compared to the vibrant energy of Shen City, Yuzhou seemed minuscule.

Her spirits dipped slightly. "My parents aren't in the best of health, and they prefer me to remain close to home."

"Sigh~" the young woman exhaled, then lightened the mood with a jest, "But now that Yuzhou has Evergreen Liquid, it’s developing remarkably fast. Perhaps in a few years, it’ll rival Nan City."

"Who knows, maybe you'll end up marrying some wealthy local and enjoy the life of a rich wife!" she added with a laugh.

An Chan offered a faint smile. "I don't really dare to dream that big. Being able to live an ordinary life is, in its own way, a form of success."

Yet, a subtle hint of disappointment tinged her smile. Who wouldn't yearn to witness the grandeur of the glittering metropolises?

Perhaps lost in thought, as she navigated a turn, her car's front bumper inadvertently scraped against an electric scooter parked along the roadside.

An Chan slammed on the brakes and hastily exited the vehicle to assess the damage.

Zhang Chi was in the midst of passionately advising the others, "If you want to make money, you have to seize every opportunity available!"

Bang! A jarring sound echoed.

Zhang Chi paused mid-sentence and noticed a commotion unfolding up ahead.

A female driver, a BMW, and an overturned electric scooter. The scene was unmistakable.

Zhang Chi broke into a run, shouting indignantly, "What kind of driving is that? You hit my scooter, didn't you even see it?"

An Chan replied with a sincere apology, "I'm truly sorry."

Zhang Chi's eyes widened in disbelief. "What good is 'sorry'? You need to pay up!"

An Chan, still young and inexperienced, inquired, "How much is it?"

"This is a brand-new scooter my mom just bought me. Look how badly it's damaged! Eight hundred!"

The young woman beside An Chan interjected, protesting, "Are you trying to scam us? Eight hundred?"

Zhang Chi remained utterly unfazed. "Oh? You refuse to pay? Very well, I shall summon the authorities!"

"Let's just forget it," An Chan uttered, unwilling to be drawn into further complications. She retrieved her wallet and presented him with eight banknotes.

Afterward, she inspected the vehicle for any damage before finally driving away.

Once they had departed, Duan Shigang inquired with a puzzled expression, "Chi Zi, since when did you acquire a scooter?"

Han Wen Nuan commented, "The exterior casing is fractured."

Zhang Chi, pocketing the money with considerable self-satisfaction, declared, "This scooter does not belong to me."