Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation Chapter 1812 - 997: Framing (Part 2)

An arrangement between Jiang Ning and Pei Yujing for a Saturday meeting ended up being canceled when Pei Yujing was called into work unexpectedly. Despite able to refuse the overtime, she still went, leaving their plans unfulfilled.

Later, seeking better opportunities, Jiang Ning departed Yuzhou. While passing through Yun City, he recalled their prior unaccomplished plans and decided to visit the zoo alone, purchasing a ticket for the excursion.

So much time has elapsed that Jiang Ning couldn't precisely recall his feelings during that visit.

A thought surfaced in Jiang Ning's mind: "Is revisiting a past location akin to carving a mark on a boat, expecting it to remain unchanged?"

His Divine Sense spread out, detecting Pei Yujing blending into the surrounding crowd.

Shortly after, his gaze fell upon Tongtong, standing beside him, small in stature but resolute with crossed arms.

"Even so, what truly matters? The next strike of the sword will only be more precise."

"Hey, Jiang Ning, have you ever been to the zoo before?" Xue Yuantong inquired.

"Yes, I have."

"And who did you go with?"

"I nearly went with someone else."

Bai Yuxia, who had been listening in, interjected directly, "What do you mean by 'nearly'?"

Jiang Ning responded, "There was a slight misunderstanding."

Reflecting now, he acknowledged that indeed, some misunderstandings had existed between him and Pei Yujing.

Chen Siyu remarked, "Misunderstandings are easily cleared up, it's quite simple! It drives me mad every time I see people dragging things out and being unclear about their issues!"

Jiang Ning stated simply, "I just couldn't be bothered to explain."

Xue Yuantong cast a sideways glance at Jiang Ning, teasing, "You aren't that old, yet you seem to have accumulated quite a bit of past experience?"

Jiang Ning offered no reply.

With the day's high temperature reaching 27°, the sun blazed overhead. Chen Siyu fanned herself, and her sister, Chen Siqing, having joined them, completed the pair of twins.

The bothersome Principal Yu, instead of arranging early park entry, had the students congregate at the zoo's main entrance. He insisted on a photo session to capture the grand scale of their school excursion before allowing the students to enter in an orderly fashion.

Observing the lengthy queue at the entrance, Chen Siyu expressed her frustration, "It's taking so long to get in! Tongtong, as the top student in our grade, don't you have a special faster entrance?"

Xue Yuantong, possessing a principled nature, declared, "I would never utilize special privileges!"

Jiang Ning chimed in with praise, "What a noble character!"

"Hehehe."

At this moment, their homeroom teacher, Shan Qingrong, navigated through the outer queue and approached Class 8's formation. "Xue Yuantong, the four of you, come over here!"

Xue Yuantong, taking Jiang Ning by the arm, gestured for the others to follow. "Hurry up and follow us!"

Chen Siyu glanced at Bai Yuxia, who remained stationary.

So, she gently nudged her sister, "Yuxia, let's go!"

Bai Yuxia responded with a soft, "Mm."

Chen Siyu took a few steps forward, then looked back, noticing Bai Yuxia still hadn't moved.

Chen Siyu inwardly thought, "Yuxia, you won't get anywhere with this attitude!"

She compared Bai Yuxia's hesitancy to her own and her sister's freedom in visiting Jiang Ning at the river dam; Bai Yuxia rarely had such opportunities, being too reserved, almost like a lady awaiting a trance.

"How foolish, even though the homeroom teacher only mentioned four people, what tier is Tongtong?"

With no other choice, Chen Siyu, along with her sister, hurried to catch up with Tongtong.

As Xue Yuantong proceeded through the VIP entrance, she couldn't help but remark, "Entering the park this way is indeed quite quick."

Shan Qingrong explained while walking, "The Yun City Zoo is newly established, covering over a thousand acres. Walking the entire area would be quite exhausting; I'll take you to the bike rental section first."

"Thank you, Homeroom Teacher."

Reaching the bicycle shelter, Shan Qingrong gestured towards a distinctive four-person sightseeing bike adorned with flowers. "You can use this one."

Xue Yuantong surveyed the other available bicycles, all of which appeared quite standard. She then looked at the floral bike, finding it quite appealing. "This decorated bike is really lovely."

Shan Qingrong indicated a backpack attached to the bike. "Inside, you'll find purified water, beverages, snacks, and other necessities. A park map is placed on the seat. Don't hesitate to call me if you need anything at all, regardless of the time."

Xue Yuantong, being the highest-achieving student from the second year preparing for the college entrance exam, had received direct instructions from the principal for her care, underscoring the need to prevent any mishaps!

After issuing these instructions, Shan Qingrong departed, as he was part of the event's logistics team and had other duties to attend to.

While four-person bikes are uncommon, the group had experience with even more rudimentary modes of transport like wooden carts, making this a minor concern.

Jiang Ning and Tongtong occupied the front seats, with the twin sisters seated behind them. The four began pedaling the sightseeing bike towards a shaded spot, awaiting Bai Yuxia and Yang Sheng.

An increasing number of students began to fill the park, some opting for sightseeing bikes. Upon noticing Xue Yuantong's vibrant floral bike, they expressed their amazement.

From the school-provided backpack, Xue Yuantong retrieved a bottle of Hai Zhi Yan drink. "This beverage tastes quite satisfactory," she commented.

Observing Xue Yuantong's somewhat disheveled state, Chen Siyu remarked, "Tongtong, you definitely ought not to pursue a career in politics in the future."

To this, Xue Yuantong retorted, "Is this not the outcome I deserve?"

This was the newly awakened version of Tongtong speaking.

Xue Yuantong generously announced, "Fear not, for in the times ahead, I shall be your reliable support."

The twins regarded her statement with skepticism.

"Hmph, it seems my influence is steadily waning! From this moment forth, I must ascend once more!" Xue Yuantong resolved inwardly.

After a prolonged wait, Bai Yuxia and Yang Sheng finally made their late arrival. The park's central square teemed with students, making it a considerable challenge to reunite.

"Is that your bicycle?" Bai Yuxia inquired, her words trailing off as if hesitant to continue.

"You two should get one as well. We can all journey together later," Xue Yuantong suggested.

"The crowd is overwhelming over there; you all should proceed and enjoy yourselves without us," Bai Yuxia stated, not wishing to impede their progress.

"Very well, then."

The duo of Jiang Ning and Tongtong set off. Along the park's expansive pathways, a multitude of sightseeing bikes engaged in a spirited race. Such is the nature of high school students; any mode of transport can be transformed into a competitive game.

Cui Yu and Meng Gui were pedaling their tandem bicycle with such ferocious speed that their pedals seemed on the verge of detachment. They were in a competition with students from the first year, moving at a breathtaking pace.

Jiang Ning, however, did not partake in the race. He navigated a turn, entering a new area of the park, and at that moment, Tongtong and Siyu exclaimed in unison, "Wow!"

As far as the eye could survey, the landscape was alive with herds of antelopes and mouflons, grazing peacefully and without a care in the world.