Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation Chapter 1792 - 986: Expulsion

It was early self-study on Friday.

Zhang Chi and Duan Shigang made their entrance into Class 8, their faces sporting an array of bruises.

Cui Yu exclaimed in surprise, "Good heavens, are we nurturing two pandas in our class now?"

The gazes of the Class 8 students fell upon the duo with considerable curiosity.

Zhong Huai inquired, "What on earth happened to you two?"

Zhang Chi, his expression a mask of displeasure, responded, "A business war."

As he spoke, he cast a sidelong glance at Liu Chuandao.

If Liu Chuandao hadn't been the first to flee last night, Zhang Chi knew he wouldn't be in this predicament. He had faced off against three opponents, while Duan Shigang took on four; each of them was a formidable fighter.

Liu Chuandao chimed in, "I was also involved in the business war last night. I had too much to drink and then… slipped away."

Zhang Chi averted his eyes, choosing not to press the issue. He was, after all, a fundamentally self-serving individual.

Han Wen Nuan turned, her voice laced with concern, "Are you alright?"

Zhong Huai mused inwardly, *'He certainly doesn't look alright, does he?'*

Zhang Chi declared, "I'm perfectly fine. We'll proceed with the tutoring sessions as usual."

A wave of relief washed over Han Wen Nuan, her features softening as she praised, "Mr. Zhang, your ambition is truly admirable."

Zhang Chi’s fist tightened as he affirmed, "Everything I do is for the sake of our future!"

The morning self-study session concluded.

Director Wang, making his rounds, appeared at the doorway of Class 8. His gaze fixed on Zhang Chi, he demanded, "What happened to you?"

Director Wang held the position of head of security at the Fourth Middle School and also oversaw certain training regimens for the athletic students. The security office was commonly referred to as the 'small black room.'

Zhang Chi, unwilling to provoke him directly, quickly concocted a new story: "I had a bit too much to drink last night, then I slipped and fell."

Director Wang's expression turned icy. "You managed to fall on your face quite spectacularly, didn't you?"

Zhang Chi replied with a practiced air, "I fall quite often. No one is better at it than me."

Director Wang insisted that he confess the truth, but Zhang Chi continued to weave excuses, steadfastly refusing to divulge what really transpired.

Finally, after issuing a stern warning, Director Wang departed from Class 8.

Upon entering the classroom and learning of Director Wang's interrogation of Zhang Chi, Duan Shigang immediately cautioned him, "Chi Zi, if Director Wang manages to extract the real story from you, you must accept the consequences without trying any shortcuts!"

Zhang Chi waved dismissively. "No one is better at keeping a secret than I am!"

...

After breakfast, Chen Siyu arrived with her younger sister, seeking to spend time in Class 8. The two young girls nestled together on a single bench.

Chen Siyu observed the vacant seats belonging to Jiang Ning and Tongtong; the pair had once again ventured out on a walk by themselves.

This seemed to be a recurring occurrence.

Suddenly, memories of past events flooded Chen Siyu's mind, and she had an epiphany: these two had known Jiang Ning long before anyone else, even predating Xue Yuantong's acquaintance with him.

A wistful thought escaped her lips, "I often find myself wishing I could go back to that day."

Bai Yuxia inquired, "Which day are you referring to?"

"I'm not entirely sure of the specific day, but it doesn't matter since I can't go back anyway," Chen Siyu said, gently pinching her sister's fingers.

Bai Yuxia responded with a lighthearted scoff, "That's ridiculous."

Her sister's comment amused her.

"Yin Yu!" a voice called out from the back entrance of the classroom.

Heads turned, and there stood Zhao Xiaofeng, a notorious lackey within their grade, widely hailed as the pinnacle of sycophancy.

Yin Yu rose from her seat and, with a graceful nod to Shen Qing’e, made her way towards the entrance.

Zhao Xiaofeng beamed, "Come on, I'll introduce you to some important people!"

He felt compelled to comply, a sense of dread washing over him. Yin Yu had uncovered his scheme of surrounding himself with dimwitted followers to make himself appear more astute in the eyes of Brother Tian.

Should he defy Yin Yu’s wishes, and Qi Tianheng were to find out, the repercussions would be unthinkable!

At that moment, everything he possessed – his clothes, shoes, watches, phones, tablets, gaming consoles, even his house and car – would vanish!

Zhao Xiaofeng gritted his teeth, tormented by the thought, "No!"

Yin Yu offered a sweet smile. "Very well, thank you."

Observing the girl's seemingly innocent smile, Zhao Xiaofeng sensed a profound and calculating cunning beneath the surface.

He led Yin Yu towards the small garden area. There, Deng Xiang, Ge Hao, and several other notorious troublemakers from their grade were gathered, lounging on benches and smoking.

Couples who had been courting in the garden prudently kept their distance, eager to avoid any potential trouble.

Zhao Xiaofeng announced, "These are my key subordinates within the school!"

He had barely finished speaking when he noticed Deng Xiang and the others sporting battered faces. This revelation left Zhao Xiaofeng utterly dumbfounded – what a collection of incompetent underlings.

Yin Yu’s expression shifted to one of greater puzzlement.

"Xiang Zi, Hao Zi, what happened to you lot?" Zhao Xiaofeng queried, unable to comprehend the situation.

Deng Xiang's face was grim as he explained, "Last night, we engaged in a decisive battle and successfully conquered the market territory of Fourth Middle School."

Zhao Xiaofeng, preoccupied with presenting his own image of strength to Yin Yu, paid little heed to such trivial matters. His own subordinates were proving to be a profound disappointment!

"Damn it, if all my underlings possessed the wisdom of mine, wouldn’t the world be prosperous beyond measure?"

Zhao Xiaofeng was filled with resentment towards everything.

Before he could utter a word, Ge Hao’s contorted face broke into a wide grin, exposing his prominent teeth: "Brother Feng, where did you find this young lady? She’s truly a beauty!"

The other rowdy students erupted in laughter: "She must owe Brother Zhao money!"

"Haha, and what if she can’t repay it?"

"We’ll definitely have to teach her a lesson."

"What sort of lesson?"

Ge Hao chimed in: "Naturally, a good thrashing with a stick!"

"Hahaha!" A wave of laughter swept through the group.

Yin Yu maintained her smile, mentally categorizing their moral standing.

Zhao Xiaofeng bellowed in anger: "Silence! She’s my newly acknowledged sister!"

The group of delinquents promptly fell silent, fearful of incurring his wrath!

"I wasn’t referring to you, Brother Feng!" Ge Hao, thinking fast, pointed towards a young couple in the distance and shouted: "Come here, you two, come over to me!"

"Did you hear me? I’m talking to you folks!"

The couple exchanged a brief glance.

Back in 2015, the number of delinquents was considerably lower compared to the preceding two decades, and their conduct was markedly more subdued. However, the habit of smoking in restrooms persisted, remaining unchanged even after ten years.

The young man in the couple had observed Deng Xiang and his entourage frequenting the restroom for smoke breaks on multiple occasions, their conversations laced with arrogance, projecting an air of exaggerated power.

To avoid becoming their target, he decided to approach them.

Deng Xiang finally spoke, his tone attempting to be soothing: "Big sis, don’t take offense, my companions have a bit of a wandering eye; they were merely discussing someone else."

Deng Xiang jangled his cigarette pack, extending an offer to the young man: "Care for one?"

The boy hesitated for a moment before accepting the cigarette.

Deng Xiang posed a few straightforward questions, all of which the boy answered with complete honesty.

Finally, Deng Xiang flicked the ash from his cigarette: "Alright, you may leave now."

The young man departed obediently.

This display of summoning and dismissing individuals subtly underscored his dominant demeanor.

Yin Yu commented, her voice laced with approval: "You fellows are quite reasonable."

She found the situation rather amusing as well.

Deng Xiang, exhibiting a degree of caution, rubbed his swollen face: "Sis, should you ever encounter difficulties in the future, perhaps concerning your duties or any other issues, we can certainly lend our support."

Yin Yu ended up being assigned duty as a consequence.

She replied with a smile: "Thank you ever so much."

...

Jiang Ning and Xue Yuantong ambled through the campus grounds. It was the closing stages of March, the season when spring flowers burst into vibrant bloom.

He strolled across the quaint wooden bridge spanning the pond, Xue Yuantong trailing behind him. Her footsteps produced a rhythmic 'clang clang' as she held her phone aloft, showcasing images of cherry blossoms to Jiang Ning before forwarding them to Chuchu.

"Jiang Ning, aren’t they beautiful?"

"Yes, quite lovely."

"Then would you be grateful to me and perhaps offer some remuneration?" she inquired, clasping her small hands.

Jiang Ning responded: "Not a chance. Money is my lifeblood."

Xue Yuantong chided him: "Jiang Ning, your perspective is far too limited!"

She pouted and elaborated: "You focus on the trivial coins scattered on the ground because you’re grounded on the first floor. If you were to ascend to the tenth floor, those small coins would be imperceptible. Only by rising higher can one perceive the distant golden hills; you need a broader outlook!"

Jiang Ning retorted: "No wonder you greeted Tang Fu earlier. She didn’t hear you because she was positioned too high to notice you."

Xue Yuantong nearly lunged at him, wanting to bite him.

’I refuse to remain short forever; one day, I shall stand at the pinnacle!’

The pair meandered from the eastern garden, traversing the main campus thoroughfare, and proceeded towards the school’s western garden.

As they walked along the cobblestone path, Xue Yuantong exchanged messages with Chuchu, maintaining a comfortable pace alongside Jiang Ning. Both were cherished friends, and she was beaming with delight.

They passed a circular flowerbed adorned with elegant magnolia trees, their dazzling white blossoms releasing an intense fragrance.

The only drawback was that the air was marred by an unpleasant smoky haze, which significantly dampened Jiang Ning’s spirits.

Seated on a bench near the flowerbed, Deng Xiang and Ge Hao were conversing with Yin Yu in an overbearing manner, discussing notable figures associated with the Fourth Middle School. Occasionally, they would summon an ordinary male student to demonstrate their perceived influence.

Reveling in the sheer ecstasy of dominating their small territory!

"Haha, that fellow’s girlfriend visibly altered her expression upon witnessing her boyfriend’s reaction," Ge Hao gloated.

A delinquent youth flicked cigarette ash, offering his observations: "It’s perfectly normal. Back in middle school, if any of us fancied a pretty girl, we’d bring others to intimidate the boy she was interested in."

"After a few confrontations, the girl would conclude that the boy she favored was excessively timid, far weaker than us. Subsequently, she’d be easily won over, haha."

"Well put. This small garden is practically half our territory, especially after dark," Deng Xiang declared, exhaling smoke and rambling without reservation.