Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation Chapter 1807 - 994: I Arrive, I Declare

The week was drawing to a close, with Qingming Festival fast approaching.

Jiang Ning stood on the corridor just outside the classroom. A light drizzle had graced the morning, but by dusk, the sky erupted in a magnificent sunset.

Silhouettes of birds traversed the horizon, their wings catching the dying sun's golden hues.

Below, in the square, Yun Tingting, known for her love of badminton, was conspicuously absent.

It was understandable, given that classes were in session.

Within the classroom behind Jiang Ning, students were deeply engrossed in their studies, their focus fixed on a single objective—the impending college entrance examinations.

The untamed classical Chinese texts yet to be memorized, the perplexing math formulas that, despite memorization, eluded application, the eternally confusing physics models...

Guo Kunnan ran a hand through his hair, exclaiming in frustration, "I distinctly recall knowing this problem, but presented in a different form, it's completely unrecognizable!"

His deskmate, Dan Kaiquan, pinpointed the core issue: "It's because you don't truly comprehend it."

Guo Kunnan lifted his gaze, first observing his classmates immersed in their studies—some with brows furrowed in intense thought, others fidgeting with anxiety. The shared struggle offered a sliver of comfort.

Then, his eyes drifted upwards, spotting Jiang Ning outside the window, seemingly relishing his liberty.

A wave of melancholy and bewilderment washed over Guo Kunnan. "Tell me, Dan Kaiquan, what is the point of all this hard work? Why do people strive so relentlessly?"

Dan Kaiquan replied, "Because everyone else is working hard, we have no choice but to keep pace."

Cui Yu turned his head, calling out across the room to Brother Ma, "It's because if you fall behind, you'll get beaten!"

Guo Kunnan pondered aloud, "But what if none of us worked hard? Wouldn’t that be perfectly fine?"

Brother Ma, engrossed in his game, chimed in, "That makes sense."

Wang Longlong, observing the game, added, "The logic is sound, but you can't control everyone's actions."

"As long as an individual possesses a sound mind, they will invariably form independent thoughts. Even parents struggle to dictate their children's paths, let alone external influences."

A subtle murmur began to fill the previously quiet classroom.

Yin Yu, diligently studying, found the conversation unexpectedly jarring.

"Sound mind, parents, control..." she murmured, "Isn't anyone enforcing discipline around here?"

Wang Longlong promptly stood, strode to the podium, and resumed his role as class president.

With a clap on the chalkboard eraser, he boomed, "Which one of you dares to question this class president?"

The irony of the situation was too much for Yin Yu; she couldn't suppress a chuckle.

Wang Longlong inquired, turning to her, "Yin Yu, what's so amusing?"

Yin Yu, a smile playing on her lips, replied, "I just saw someone attempting to patch cracks with glue while looking into a mirror."

Though her words were cryptic, Wang Longlong grasped their meaning. He narrowed his eyes, a hint of understanding softening his usually jovial face.

Clearing his throat, Wang Longlong announced, "Strictly speaking, as the class president, I shouldn't indulge this, but to satisfy your curiosity, I can lay out my reasoning."

"Humans are not automatons; occasional moments of relaxation are perfectly acceptable. Speak freely!" Wang Longlong declared with a flourish.

Guo Kunnan, ever the gentleman towards women, expressed his gratitude, "Thank you, Brother Long. Next time, I shall indulge in relaxation privately, without disturbing anyone."

Yin Yu interjected thoughtfully, "Facing the college entrance exams, is there truly a distinction between humans and machines? Society categorizes us: top students serve the nation, joining central committees and leading enterprises, while those from lower tiers find work in factories, on construction sites, or as delivery personnel."

Her declaration was delivered with unwavering conviction.

Wu Xiaoqi suddenly tossed a basketball, calling out, "And what about us, the basketball players?"

Cui Yu responded, "You're still playing basketball."

Wu Xiaoqi nodded, satisfied. "Oh, then it's fine."

Yin Yu scoffed, "Nonsense..."

From the front row, Chen Qian's voice cut in, "Yin Yu is mistaken. Everyone, don't heed her words. The pursuit of knowledge is never about transforming oneself into a data-crunching machine."

Chen Siyu reacted with surprise, "Surely a machine couldn't study as effectively as you, right?"

Yet, one could question if Chen Siyu was in a position to make such a claim.

Chen Qian calmly stated, "My actions are merely a reflection of introspection."

Yin Yu chuckled lightly, "Forget it. The answer is never found solely in words."

By the time the next examination arrived, she had secured the top position, unequivocally eclipsing all those who clung to nominal 'class official' titles; any pretense from a Wang Longlong was mere dross in comparison.

With this realization solidifying in her mind, Yin Yu returned to her studies.

On the western side of the classroom, An Chan, clutching a roster, moved with measured steps along the corridor bathed in the sunset's glow.

Having returned from the vibrant metropolis of Shen City to her comparatively quiet hometown, An Chan harbored significant internal resistance. While many of her peers had ventured to major cities or pursued advanced studies abroad, only a select few, like herself, had opted to remain in their hometowns or the western regions.

She had intended to continue her education, but alas, certain circumstances lay beyond her control.

The recent disarray within Class 8 had truly disheartened her.

She finally grasped that extraordinary situations demand extraordinary actions!

However, just as she was steeling herself for decisive intervention, a colleague from the office presented her with a golden opportunity.

'Give it a shot.'

'Hehe, who could have guessed I possess an inherently kind soul?' An Chan mused playfully to herself.

Approaching him, she observed Jiang Ning standing with his hands clasped behind his back, the descending sun bathing him in a warm radiance.

'This student... carries himself with a touch of affectation,' An Chan inwardly assessed.

Jiang Ning turned, offering a greeting, "Hello, Teacher."

Teacher An, a distinctive educator, unlike the typical recruits from provincial normal universities that populated Fourth Middle School, was an alumna of East China Normal University.

"Hmm, hello to you too," An Chan responded, inwardly commending Jiang Ning's neat appearance and his dedicated pursuit of work-study programs.

Jiang Ning's gaze flickered towards her chest as he inquired, "Teacher An, why are you holding our class teacher’s roster?"

"Your eyesight is that keen?" An Chan expressed her surprise.

Jiang Ning surveyed her knitted sweater and skirt; An Chan's fashion sense, Truthfully, was quite refined.

"Not bad," Jiang Ning acknowledged.

An Chan then instructed, "Return to the classroom; there’s some good news."

As they entered the classroom together, An Chan was taken aback to find the usual clamor completely absent, replaced by the tranquil presence of youthful, spirited faces.

How utterly wonderful...

Once upon a time, An Chan too had been as carefree as they were, but alas, after reaching the age of eighteen, life's tempo dramatically increased, accelerating far beyond her youthful expectations—growing up, she had imagined, meant unfettered freedom, but it had instead become a series of compromises.