Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation-Chapter 650 - 404 Wedding Banquet

Monday morning.

Outside the window, the sky was blue and the clouds white, drifting elegantly.

The morning sunlight was bright and clear, casting delicate beams across the desks, not as fiercely hot as at noon, making the students feel comfortable.

At the podium, the Chinese language teacher, Dai Yongquan, held a book and recited classical poetry in an elegant tone.

Such a scene was highly conducive to sleeping.

Xue Yuantong listened for half the class, covering her mouth lazily and yawning several times, feeling sleepy.

The study time was over, and it was time to sleep.

She rested her arm on the desk and leaned forward, sneakily peaking at Jiang Ning.

The soft and fragmented sunlight not only fell on the desk but also on Jiang Ning, the bright light illuminating his profile and outlining his three-dimensional features.

Xue Yuantong was suddenly stunned, staring openly at him.

Jiang Ning didn’t pay her any attention, as he was considering his plans for the summer vacation, intending to go out and stroll around after the holiday.

In the past, when Jiang Ning was a student, he never thought about vacationing. As a child from a typical rural family, traveling was a luxury. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com

Back then, in his town’s school, only a few well-off students could afford to travel and they would come back to class at the beginning of the school term, sharing all sorts of fun stories about their trips.

During those summer vacations, Jiang Ning only looked forward to the outdoor movies shown in the town, making sure to arrive early to get a good spot.

After graduating, he hadn’t traveled much due to work, and whenever others talked about visiting various scenic spots, he could only listen as an outsider.

But this time, Jiang Ning planned to take advantage of the carefree summer vacation of his student days to travel properly.

He didn’t plan on driving a Spirit Boat, opting to take trains at a slower pace.

Thus, he could bring Tongtong along.

However, the challenge was how to get Xue Yuantong to join him.

After a year of being together daily, he knew her quite well, and if he mentioned that he’d cover the travel expenses, Tongtong would likely feel embarrassed.

She wasn’t foolish and knew that traveling cost money. It was one thing to share Jiang Ning’s snacks and play with his tablet, but accepting a large sum of money was something she wouldn’t feel comfortable with.

With Xue Yuantong’s character, she’d definitely prefer to stay home during the summer vacation. Despite her recent chatter about going out to gain more experience, she’d actually be terrified of truly stepping out.

Finally, Jiang Ning decided, "I need to force the issue."

After watching him for a while, Xue Yuantong stopped looking, thinking she’d see him every day henceforth.

She fell asleep.

Jiang Ning, in front of the Chinese teacher, took out his phone and edited a WeChat message to Shao Shuangshuang, proposing to hold a mid-year meeting where one of the raffle prizes was to be a "solo travel reimbursement."

He added, "The prize cannot be converted into cash, and there will be no salary during the trip."

...

At the back of the classroom, another world.

In the four adjacent seats, Ma Shicheng, shielded by a stack of books, was playing Clash of Clans, attacking others.

Wang Longlong, while watching him play, helped him keep an eye on the teacher Dai Yongquan and potential threats from the corridor, like Director Yan, security personnel, and the principal.

Ever since the last incident in the cafeteria, where Guo Kunnan used consecutive login bonuses on his phone to expose Lu Yaya’s lies, their relationship had cooled to an icy point.

Guo Kunnan was melancholy and heartbroken, and the kind-hearted Lu Qiqi pointed out that he didn’t know how to date.

So, to learn about romance, Guo Kunnan searched online for love stories, immersing himself in the thrilling tales of others and couldn’t help but smile like an elderly father.

Hu Jun glanced at his screen, frowning and shaking his head, utterly perplexed about what was so appealing about romance.

Hu Jun longed for more mature charms that moved with a delicacy and trembling.

Is a crisp peach tastier, or is a soft peach better?

No, Hu Jun only went for fully ripe peaches.

At the window seat in the back row, Wu Xiaoqi sat quietly, cradling a basketball, his eyes sparkling.

Dai Yongquan glanced at him twice and then ignored him; Wu Xiaoqi’s family handled the book procurement for Fourth Middle School, turning a blind eye to some matters.

Compared to Wu Xiaoqi, Miao Zhe was the opposite, attentively listening to Dai Yongquan’s lecture, noting down key points in his book.

Wu Xiaoqi, seeing his serious demeanor, tried to listen as well but found it as incomprehensible as a celestial script.

He wondered, "Miao, what’s he babbling about? Can you actually understand him?"

Miao Zhe casually replied, "Yeah, it’s not that hard."

Wu Xiaoqi, not understanding himself, scoffed at the idea that Miao Zhe could, "You understand? You’re kidding me."

Miao Zhe didn’t argue but simply acknowledged with, "Hmm."

...

At noon, school was over.

Guo Kunnan ran toward the cafeteria empty-handed to save time, having left his bowl there to avoid fetching it back and forth.

He was leading Dan Kaiquan, all excited because he had read many romance stories in the morning and felt he had gained new insights, ready to test his knowledge on Lu Yaya in the cafeteria.

Seeing their retreating figures, Wang Longlong wondered, "Did Brother Nan stumble upon some great luck?"

Hu Jun explained, "Brother Nan found enlightenment."

Cui Yu laughed, "What enlightenment? You think he’s Meng Gui?"

"During the last class, Brother Nan told me he’s not the old him anymore; he’s a new version of himself," Hu Jun recounted the scene.

As the others found it confusing, Hu Jun shared Guo Kunnan’s efforts in learning about romance.

Upon hearing this, Wang Longlong urged, "Hurry up, I’ll narrate for you!"

Cui Yu burst into laughter.

The straightforward and honest Dan Xiao commented, "It’s good; at least he learned a skill and even has a chance to apply it on the spot."

Just as they were about to head out, Yan Tianpeng appeared at the entrance of class 8, excitedly calling out:

"Chi Zi, let’s go!"

With that, they left the classroom and rushed toward the school gate.

Cui Yu, looking in the direction opposite to the cafeteria, puzzled, "What’s up with Zhang Chi lately? He’s got a spot open in the cafeteria, why doesn’t he go there anymore?"

Wang Longlong explained, "He sold his small lunch table spot to someone else."

"Sold how many? The quota for noon meals was about 8 yuan, right?" Cui Yu recalled.

Beside him, Duan Shigang said, "Sold for 6 yuan."

Cui Yu immediately denied, "Impossible, it absolutely can’t be that cheap. I heard that a normal cafeteria seat costs an extra yuan, 9 yuan, or even 10 yuan to secure."

The small dining table project was well managed; many students didn’t want to participate but were curious to try it, so they bought a quota once or twice from other students.

Currently, this behavior indeed existed, and the school authorities hadn’t intervened.

Duan Shigang’s face darkened as he recalled Wang Yanyan’s stunning pair of jet-black silk legs and the foot odor that nearly ruined the cafeteria’s reputation.

Along with another, a square-faced tough guy Zhang Yifei.

Duan Shigang cursed, "With them around, selling for 6 yuan is pretty good."

Cui Yu, "Hmm, that makes some sense."

If he had to share a table with Pang Jiao, he might not go even if they paid him.

Wang Longlong mused, "I’ve heard something. Do you know which cafeteria seat sells for a higher price?"

Cui Yu and Duan Shigang didn’t understand.

Wang Longlong smacked his lips, "Jiang Ning’s dining table seat, last time Zhao Xiaofeng offered 200 yuan for a day, but Jiang Ning flat-out refused to sell."

Duan Shigang was shocked, "Damn, selling for that high?"

He worked himself to death in the steel plant for a day and didn’t make 200 yuan, yet people just change a seat and easily grab 200 yuan.

"It’s just a place to eat, how can a daily meal cost of 16 yuan skyrocket to ten times that?"

Walking along the road and playing with his phone, Ma Shicheng suddenly looked up, "Why are rural houses cheap, while city houses are expensive?"

Cui Yu said, "Actually, the environment in the countryside is better than in the city."

Duan Shigang, who had been to big cities to work and had some experience, spoke right away, "There’s more to do in the city, big supermarkets, large parks, and when it comes to medical needs, don’t everyone go to big hospitals? That’s why housing is expensive there!"

...

Outside the school.

A mid-range hotel, its entrance decorated with many fireworks, a huge LED display showing:

"Congratulations: Li Xx and Guan Xx on your wedding, wishing you a lifetime of happiness."

At the same time, smiling guests stepped into the hotel lobby hand in hand.

The bride and groom’s friends and relatives gathered together, creating a festive atmosphere!

Yan Tianpeng fixed his appearance a bit and said to Zhang Chi next to him:

"Chi Zi, just like before, let’s find a quiet table."

Zhang Chi, with a broad smile, following Tianpeng, would eat 18 dishes a day.

Those tough days were all in the past, and from now on, he, Zhang Chi, would lead a happy life.

Together, they entered the hall where Yan Tianpeng, with his experience, targeted a table, and they both took their seats.

At the large round table, many strangers were seated, with groups of acquaintances gathering together for chats.

The dishes were still a while away, but Yan Tianpeng, unfazed by the crowd, chatted freely with Zhang Chi:

"My Brother Li has finally made it through, found such a wonderful wife!"

To not appear out of place and aiming to blend in, Zhang Chi blurted out:

"Brother Li is really lucky. I will also look for a wife of Sister Guan’s caliber in the future!"

Yan Tianpeng: "Hahaha!"

Zhang Chi: "Hahaha!"

An old lady dressed in bright clothes glanced sideways at them, not intimidated by Yan Tianpeng’s imposing figure:

"Strange, I see people looking to marry a divorced woman with kids."

Yan Tianpeng was a bit embarrassed, only then realizing the bride was married before.

’Damn, almost blew our cover.’ He thought to himself.

But Zhang Chi said, "What’s wrong with a second marriage? Some people actually prefer it!"

Yan Tianpeng supported him, "No way, after we finish eating, I need to find my Brother Li and have a couple of drinks with him, get some advice."

Zhang Chi, "Hey, let’s go together later."

Both were laughing and chatting as if they were very familiar with the bride and groom.

Soon, the banquet started, first with two packs of cigarettes brought to the table. They had agreed earlier that smoking was okay, but no alcohol since it could reveal them.

But today’s cigarettes were special, costing over a hundred yuan per pack, which could fetch a good price at tobacco shops outside.

Zhang Chi and Yan Tianpeng exchanged glances, all communication unspoken.

As the cigarettes were served, the old lady next to them directed her grandson to snatch the cigarettes, and her grandchild reached out taking two packs at once.

Zhang Chi could not let that pass, slapped the child’s hand away, and snatched the two packs of expensive cigarettes himself.

Yan Tianpeng hurriedly said, "Chi Zi, quickly share the cigarettes with everyone!"

Zhang Chi generously opened one pack and handed out cigarettes to the others at the table, which mainly consisted of children and elderly who smoked less.

He only managed to give out three cigarettes, then brazenly shoved the unopened pack into his pocket.

’I’ve struck it rich.’ He ecstatically thought to himself, making money while eating for free!

The brightly dressed old lady could not stand it, saying, "Where’s that pack of cigarettes, hand it over."

Zhang Chi: "Do you even smoke?"

The old lady gave her grandson a look.

Her grandson was tough, rushing over from his seat trying to snatch Zhang Chi’s cigarettes.

The child was usually spoiled, reckless and rough, directly reaching into Zhang Chi’s pocket.

Once inside Zhang Chi’s fanny pack, there was no way it was going back, he clutched his pocket tightly, but got scratched, feeling a sharp pain.

Zhang Chi’s anger instantly surged, he kicked out, sending the child flying with a kick that rolled him along the carpet.

The old lady let out a ghostly scream!

The entire hall, with dozens of tables, all heard her.

Yan Tianpeng knew trouble had ensued, couldn’t even stick around for food, he urgently grabbed Zhang Chi, "Let’s split, fast!"