Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation Chapter 1803 - 992: Toll Fee

The day was bright and sunny, the asphalt road alongside the river dam offering a smooth path.

Jiang Ning and Tongtong shared a playful moment, her attention drawn to a lengthy procession of vehicles ahead. "They're getting married, they're getting married," she whispered, a hint of excitement coloring her tone.

Jiang Ning considered her words for a few seconds before responding, "Marriage is a destination; arriving there doesn't guarantee happiness."

Tongtong blinked, tilting her head. "So, will you get married when you're older?"

Facing the gentle breeze, Jiang Ning replied, "I wouldn't have before, but now, it's difficult to say."

Peeking from beside his arm, Tongtong asked with curiosity, "Why wouldn't you have before?"

Jiang Ning let out a soft chuckle. "Back then, my academic performance was poor, my family's finances were modest, and I had no prospects. Marriage seemed out of reach."

This was indeed the reality of his past.

"How much did you earn monthly back then?"

"Five thousand yuan."

"Five thousand yuan! Isn't that enough for marriage? My mom made less than three thousand!" Tongtong exclaimed in surprise.

Jiang Ning clarified, "When I say 'before,' I'm referring to an estimate of my salary after a typical graduation. It was 2020 then, and five thousand yuan wasn't a substantial amount."

Xue Yuantong looked at him with a hint of disdain. "Then you truly lacked ambition! Once I graduate, I'm certain I can earn a million a year!"

"Keep dreaming," Jiang Ning dismissed, not inclined to argue.

Yet, upon reflection, he recalled his own high school and college years. He too had envisioned significant earnings after graduation, but fantasies and reality often diverged greatly.

Xue Yuantong protested, "But five thousand yuan is still a lot!"

Jiang Ning countered, "A single hotpot dinner would consume a day's wages."

"How is that possible? I'll have a salary too, and together we'd make a handsome ten thousand! We could also cook at home to save money." Tongtong began calculating. "That would be incredibly thrifty."

Jiang Ning simply shook his head. "You're young and kind-hearted; it's difficult to explain this to you."

"Hmm~" Tongtong seemed pleased by the compliment, basking in the sweetness of his words.

Pedaling her legs on the electric scooter, she declared proudly, "Our family won't be poor. Let's head to the market, buy some fish, and I'll help you make big money. Afterward, we'll feast like kings every day!"

Jiang Ning twisted the throttle, and the electric scooter sped away with a 'zoom'.

Further behind, Yin Yu, who had fallen, did not continue the pursuit. Instead, he turned back towards the rural tourism site along the path he had come.

Jiang Ning rode about a hundred meters further and found the entire convoy had halted. Proceeding to the intersection of the river dam and Nanhong Road, he saw a man dressed in shabby clothing standing before the lead wedding car, obstructing its path.

The wedding car driver attempted to reason with the man. "Brother, could you please step aside?"

The shabby man remained silent, extending only his hand, standing resolutely in front of the vehicle.

It appeared to be a beggar.

The groom exited the car, instructing, "Call the police."

An elder nearby shook his head. "No."

A wedding procession relied on auspicious timing; they couldn't afford delays on the road.

The elder considered for a moment, then produced a pack of Huazi cigarettes. "Little brother, please grant us some face."

The shabby man accepted the cigarettes, but his outstretched hand indicated his demand was not yet met.

The groom's expression darkened with anger.

A groomsman, tasked with clearing the way, rushed over and attempted to pull the shabby man aside. However, the man simply lay down on the ground.

From the roadside, a slender passerby pulled out his phone and advised, "If you persist, and they call the police, you'll be spending your wedding night in jail!"

The groom glanced at the passerby, realizing he might be in league with the beggar.

The situation was absurd; on such a joyous occasion, they couldn't be stuck here, could they?

Ultimately, the groom had no other option but to have someone retrieve an entire carton of Huazi cigarettes.

Upon seeing this, the shabby man moved to seize them.

Xue Yuantong, who had been timid and evasive moments before but now stood tall, shouted, "Jiang Ning, isn't this a roadblock? We've actually encountered a roadblock at the river dam!"

She quickly nudged Jiang Ning. 'This is a fantastic opportunity to make money!'

Jiang Ning thought to himself, 'She's truly meddlesome.'

But, perhaps it was for the best.

After a moment of contemplation, Jiang Ning shouted, "Stop, I'm the roadblock!"

At his words, all eyes present turned towards him.

The skinny passerby by the roadside froze, his expression then shifting to one of displeasure as he coughed twice.

As if receiving a signal, the shabby man moved aside, now positioning himself to block Jiang Ning's electric scooter.

He slowly extended his hand.

Xue Yuantong gasped in shock; they were actually being extorted in their own hometown by the river dam!

The groom extended a carton of Huazi cigarettes, inquiring, "Brother, would you mind shifting aside?"

The disheveled man reached out for the Huazi with one hand, yet his other hand remained extended towards Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning brought his scooter to a halt, lowering the kickstand.

He approached the shabby man, impetuously grabbed the Huazi, and with a sharp, soccer-like kick, sent the man tumbling to the ground.

After resolving the situation, Jiang Ning returned, and Tongtong thoughtfully produced a tissue to wipe down the Huazi box.

Both the lanky bystander and the wedding procession were left utterly astounded.

The groom stood dumbfounded, questioning if his prior understanding of the situation was correct.

The disruption they had anticipated, requiring a monetary settlement, had been effortlessly bypassed.

Jiang Ning addressed the groom, stating, "Your Huazi is quite aged. We'll hold onto it for you, alright?"

The groom, having witnessed the spectacle, quickly and politely agreed, "No problem, absolutely no problem!"

Offering it to someone with a strong sense of righteousness felt significantly more gratifying than handing it to the unkempt man!

The skinny onlooker rushed over, shouting indignantly, "How dare you strike someone!"

Jiang Ning calmly retorted, "I am a minor."

The skinny man, recalling the earlier display of force, stifled his anger. They were indeed troublemakers, but their opponent possessed both combat prowess and legal immunity, leaving him utterly helpless.

He had no recourse!

Jiang Ning remounted his electric scooter and rode back towards the main street.

Tongtong proudly took credit, asking, "Didn't we dispense justice just now?"

Jiang Ning responded with a simple, "Not bad."