Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation Chapter 1823 - 1001: Bounty Notice (Part 3)

Next to them, Bai Yuxia was engaged in a game of cards with Yang Sheng and the others, her demeanor as serene as a leisurely spring promenade.

Cui Yu hastened his pace, and upon witnessing their picnic-like gathering, he paused in astonishment before calling out, "Still indulging in food! Zhang Chi has tracked a red panda; hurry and capture it!"

Jiang Ning remained unperturbed: "I wish you all the best."

Cui Yu inwardly shook his head, thinking, ’Women, they only serve to cloud the mind and sap one’s strength. Jiang Ning, your downfall is inevitable!’

He cast a final glance towards Jiang Yanan in the distance, then, without further pause, dashed away!

The lamb skewers were ready, and assistant chef Tongtong added another dash of spices. Chen Siyu could hardly wait, grabbing a skewer and taking a bite despite the heat, exclaiming, "Delicious, absolutely delicious!"

While dining by the stream, Jiang Yanan found her cold noodles suddenly unappealing.

Lu Qiqi, too, discovered her sandwich lacked flavor.

Jiang Yanan voiced her curiosity: "Where did they procure the equipment? One can’t simply buy such things, can they? And what about the beef and lamb meat?"

Lu Qiqi responded with a hint of envy, "Xue Yuantong is the pride of Fourth Middle School; the school must have made arrangements."

Shen Qing’e was also enjoying her noodle sheets. The noodle sheets from Xiao County possessed an excellent texture, and the zoo’s pricing wasn't excessive; adding a crispy grilled sausage brought the total to a mere 9 yuan.

However, this simple meal paled in comparison to the lavish outdoor feast enjoyed by Jiang Ning and her companions.

Shen Qing’e’s gaze drifted to Bai Yuxia’s fair and smooth legs, her thoughts embarking on a profound contemplation.

It was the first time she had seen Bai Yuxia wearing shorts, an attire that evoked a sense of casual elegance she felt incapable of replicating.

Returning to the present, Shen Qing’e commented, "It must be the meat intended for feeding the zoo’s tigers and lions."

Upon hearing this, Lu Qiqi quipped teasingly, "Intended for animals, you say? Could the quality be less than ideal, perhaps filled with additives?"

Shen Qing’e, however, shook her head and stated matter-of-factly, "No, for common farmed products like chicken, pork, beef, and lamb, the stricter the state's inspections, the more severe the penalties for exceeding standards. Conversely, less common varieties, targeting the middle-class market, such as bullfrogs and softshell turtles, are more susceptible to regulatory loopholes."

A brief silence followed her explanation among the group of friends.

Jiang Yanan looked at her, dumbfounded: "Qing’e, how do you possess such extensive knowledge?"

Lu Qiqi was also taken aback; such insights were not typically expected from girls perceived as delicate.

Shen Qing’e, in turn, was surprised by her own knowledge, pondering the source of these details.

Apparently, during her excursions to procure old hens and green carp and her investigations into the market, she had gleaned certain industry secrets from farming proprietors, which she had retained.

Chen Siyu, while savoring a lamb skewer, remarked, "The staff mentioned it was freshly slaughtered sheep intended for tigers. Does this imply we are snatching food from a tiger’s jaws?"

Bai Yuxia responded, "In a manner of speaking, yes."

Chen Siyu exclaimed, "We are truly remarkable."

Her elder sister, Chen Siqing, voiced her concern: "If we consume the tigers' sustenance, will they not go hungry?"

"Precisely! I've heard that many zoos cut corners on the feed for carnivores, leaving the tigers underfed and bloated with hunger—how truly pitiful!" Chen Siyu expressed her sympathy.

She let out a sigh, proclaiming, "I almost wish to offer myself as food for the tigers!"

Bai Yuxia, biting into a chicken wing, maintained her refined composure even while partaking in such fare.

After taking a sip of orange juice, she stated, "It would be best not to; if a tiger were to consume you, it might fall ill."

Chen Siyu inquired, "Am I considered junk food?"

Chen Siqing mused, "Though somewhat absurd, it does hold a certain logic."

...

Approximately a few hundred meters away, within a small wooded area.

Zhang Chi, employing his knack for orchestrating city-wide deliveries, bellowed loudly: "To the south, head south! Two thousand yuan has fled south! Charge!"

Liu Chuandao, Shen Xu, Deng Xiang, and a considerable contingent of others surged southward.

Observing the conspicuous classmates retreating, Zhang Chi let out a cunning smile: "A pack of fools!"

Yan Tianpeng materialized behind him: "Zhang Chi!"

Zhang Chi jumped in surprise!

Yan Tianpeng extended his hand, a bright smile on his face: "One thousand."

Zhang Chi’s expression shifted erratically. The bounty for the red panda had been displayed on numerous park LCD screens, prompting many classmates to subconsciously search as they walked, motivated not only by the two-thousand-yuan reward but also by the prestige of capturing the red panda.

He genuinely required an assistant, and thus, he eventually conceded: "I’ll share five hundred with you."

The pair proceeded northward, scanning the undergrowth and meticulously examining the trees.

As their net gradually tightened, an unexpected turn of events occurred. A swift, brown form darted from the base of a tree, bolting away like a small canine—it was the red panda.

Zhang Chi shouted: "Chase!"

He broke into a run, with Yan Tianpeng close at his heels.

What speed that little creature possessed, darting through the dense woods so swiftly that pursuit proved utterly futile.

Zhang Chi, lagging behind, gasped for air and voiced his bewilderment: "Can red pandas truly move this rapidly?"

Yan Tianpeng shared his astonishment; he had only known adult pandas to be swift, but this was a mere red panda!

Their relentless chase ultimately guided them toward a babbling creek, where Zhang Chi, spotting Jiang Ning leisurely enjoying a barbecue, finally halted his pursuit.

This aroma was incredibly enticing! Zhang Chi, having foregone lunch, found his stomach rumbling.

"Jiang Ning, did you happen to see a red panda go by?" he inquired, panting.

Xue Yuantong replied, "No, I didn't."

Zhang Chi responded with a simple, "Oh."

He recommenced his pursuit of the red panda, feeling a twinge of fortune mixed with a hint of disdain for Jiang Ning – indulging in such delights without claiming the bounty! What a fool!

Despite their earnest efforts, Zhang Chi and Yan Tianpeng searched high and low, but the elusive creature remained out of sight.

"It appears we've lost its trail; such terrible luck!" Zhang Chi grumbled as they resignedly turned back.

Once more passing by Jiang Ning’s encampment, Zhang Chi cast a careless glance and was suddenly struck by the sight of a reddish-brown figure.

He hurried over, only to discover the red panda with both paws firmly planted on a slice of watermelon, feasting with joyous abandon, its face smeared with sweet juice.

Zhang Chi stared in disbelief: "Why is the red panda here with you?"

Xue Yuantong clarified with a firm tone: "What red panda? This is my dog! Its name is Little Nine."