Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation

Xue Yuantong felt a pang in her heart; she was getting old and useless, destined to be replaced by Chuchu.

Turning her sorrow into appetite, she ate heartily.

In reality, Jiang Ning knew that the reason today's braised mixed fish was so delicious was because he infused them with spiritual power, keeping them lively and making their flesh tender and flavorful with a unique freshness.

He said, "Looks like the fish feed I got is quite good; it actually improved the texture of the fish."

Hearing this, Xue Yuantong calmed down. After all, she was a very skilled little chef with knowledge about ingredients. She took another fish, tasted it carefully, and indeed realized it was because of the fish.

She breathed a sigh of relief, realizing it wasn't her fault but Jiang Ning's secretive trick.

Chuchu felt a little disappointed inside, thinking she had improved her cooking skills.

After regaining her mood, Xue Yuantong looked down at the steaming fish pot, then glanced up at the lush green fields outside:

"How nice it would be if it were winter now, with heavy snow falling outside, and us inside eating fish hotpot, feeling all warm."

Chuchu agreed, it was indeed quite an enjoyable experience.

Jiang Ning gazed into the distance, seeing the sunlight heavily obscured by clouds, the sky gloomy.

If he still had his former life's Nascent Soul cultivation, he could cast a divine skill and make snow fall in Yuzhou in September.

Unfortunately, now he was just a small cultivator in the Qi Refinement Realm, unable to do it.

"Still, my cultivation isn't enough," Jiang Ning thought to himself.

In the path of cultivation, even for someone as gifted as him with a Heavenly Spirit Root, a small realm could obstruct his progress for years.

Xue Yuantong envisioned a beautiful future and chatted with Chuchu, while Jiang Ning's phone beeped. He took a look and saw Zhang Chi, using Huang Zhongfei's hand, @everyone, and posted a picture of a large table full of dishes,

Zhang Chi: "Whose lunch is better than mine?"

Wang Longlong commented: "The first lunch competition of Class Eight is officially open, are you ready?"

Lu Qiqi shared her Japanese cuisine, presented so exquisitely it looked like art.

Dong Qingfeng shared dishes with exotic flavors, prompting Jiang Yanan to inquire. He said it was Thai cuisine.

Xin Youling shared crabs, and upon seeing this, Guo Kunnan couldn't resist showing off. He snapped a photo of the roadside rural tourism sign and said:

"Today, I'm eating authentic farmhouse dishes!"

The well-informed Wang Yong commented: "Rural tourism is indeed nice. Last time, I went to a suburban restaurant and had a whole roast lamb, it was particularly fragrant."

As he spoke, he posted a picture of the roasted lamb, which looked quite nice, exhibiting a golden shiny color.

After inquiring, Guo Kunnan learned it cost nearly four figures, and he immediately gave up.

Although he had earned money during the summer by playing games for others, he couldn't bring himself to spend thousands on a meal, being accustomed to frugality.

In the suburbs of Yuzhou City, by the county road, Dan Kaiquan pointed to a roadside restaurant: "Brother Nan, Brother Ma, Longlong, that farmhouse over there looks good. Should we eat here?"

This week, they only had a day and a half of holiday, so they didn't go home. They had agreed to hang out in Yuzhou, wandered a bit too far, and ended up in the suburbs.

The area was a bit desolate, but the four young lads had no fear. They had been wandering for most of the day and were getting hungry, so it was perfect timing to find a place to settle lunch.

The entrance of the restaurant wasn't small, and the sign advertised free-range farmhouse chicken.

Based on his experience, Guo Kunnan said: "I'm from the countryside, not to brag, but free-range farmhouse chicken is indeed delicious. Although the chicken is lean, it's not tough at all, and it's particularly fragrant—not from oil or seasoning, but the chicken itself."

Coming from a rural background, Dan Kaiquan agreed: "Exactly, whenever I went to my grandma's place, I'd have farmhouse chicken cooked with mushrooms, it was amazing."

Ma Shicheng and Wang Longlong, being from the city, had little experience with authentic farmhouse chicken, and hearing this description, they were tempted.

"Alright, let's try the farmhouse chicken today."

The four of them entered the rural restaurant, finding the hall quite empty, devoid of customers at meal time.

The owner, a warm-hearted uncle, arranged seats for them and served them tea, turning on the fan, showing great hospitality.

Ma Shicheng, exercising caution, asked: "Boss, what's the price for the chicken?"

The owner replied: "480 for one."

Wang Longlong exclaimed: "Damn!"

480 yuan! That's an extremely high price. He had never heard of farmhouse chicken being sold so expensively.

Ma Shicheng asked: "How heavy is the chicken?"

The owner said: "Three to four jin."

He emphasized: "This is farmhouse chicken, free-range, the taste is guaranteed good."

They all fell silent, realizing they were being overcharged, but the owner continued to pour tea for them attentively.

The owner pointed to the menu: "You should order some other dishes. For four young men, just the chicken won't be enough."

Seeing the owner's enthusiasm, Guo Kunnan found it hard to refuse. If he clenched his teeth, he could still afford it.

Just feeling a bit uncomfortable inside.

Want to leave, but feel too embarrassed, young people have thin skin.

He was about to order, when Ma Shicheng suddenly stood up and said: "Let's go."

Wang Longlong promptly stood up and walked out, and Dan Kaiquan and Guo Kunnan naturally didn't linger. Soon, they were all outside the shop.

Guo Kunnan breathed in the fresh air outside, thinking about the restaurant owner's attitude, sighed shamefully: "I was just considering whether to leave."

Dan Kaiquan: "Me too, it's too expensive, but the owner's attitude made me feel too embarrassed to refuse."

Ma Shicheng said casually: "There's no need to fret over it. They were clearly trying to scam you, so just refuse directly."

After hearing this, Guo Kunnan's slight guilt disappeared in an instant, and he came to a realization:

"Damn, thinking about it this way makes sense, if he wanted to scam me, why should I worry?!"

Wang Longlong: "Still, Brother Ma is the clear-headed one!"

Ma Shicheng opened the map, glanced at the address, and @Wang Yong in the group:

"Brother Yong, I'm over here at Ren Taizi Village, recommend a cost-effective rural tourism spot."

Wang Yong is currently the guide for Lin Zida and Zhuang Jianhui, showing them around Yuzhou for fun, and knows many restaurants well. He replied:

"I'll send you an address, guaranteed to be affordable and delicious."

...

Afternoon, one o'clock.

Xue Yuantong was taking a nap at home, and Jiang Ning received information about the Rui Fang Li Family from Shao Shuangshuang.

'Just the right time, I'll handle it today.' He made up his mind.

Since Tongtong was asleep, he went to Chuchu's house: "I'm going out for a while. If Tongtong wakes up, remember to tell her I'll be back before evening study and to have my dinner ready."

Xue Chuchu: "Okay, you go ahead."

Jiang Ning turned and left.

Xue Chuchu paused for two seconds, reminding: "Take care on the road... or else Tongtong will worry."

"Got it." Jiang Ning didn't look back.

After returning home, he got on the Spirit Boat and soared into the sky.

At three-thirty, Xue Yuantong woke up from slumber, having slept too long, she was a bit dazed.

Slipping on her slippers to the door, Xue Yuantong found her mom surprisingly back home.

She exclaimed happily: "Mom, home so early today?"

"Nothing much at the company." Aunt Gu tidied up clothes, "Chuchu said Jiang Ning went out."

Xue Yuantong pouted: "Hmph, out again, I don't know what he's always busy with!"

Without Jiang Ning, but with her mom, Xue Yuantong picked up a tablet to play games, occasionally glancing at her mom. Her mom got home early today and, after finishing with clothes, had nothing to do and seemed quite idle.

Xue Yuantong suddenly had an idea, "Mom, do you want to play on the tablet?"

"No."

"Mom, I'll teach you to play games, it's super fun, Chuchu likes it too." Xue Yuantong enthusiastically recommended.

Having nothing to do, Aunt Gu, unable to resist her daughter's persistence, took the tablet, considering it playing with her daughter.

The game Xue Yuantong taught her was 'Monument Valley', visually stunning, musically exceptional, and incredibly fun. Aunt Gu played a couple of levels and found it surprisingly enjoyable.

Seeing her mom getting absorbed, Xue Yuantong felt a sense of accomplishment for successfully recommending it. After a few more levels, Xue Yuantong led her to Jiang Ning's room.

Thus, while her mom was engrossed in the game on the sofa, she embarked on her LOL journey.

Time flew by quickly; Aunt Gu was stuck on a level, checked her phone, and saw it was nearly five, time for dinner since Tongtong had evening study session.

She glanced at her daughter, who was still immersed in the game, oblivious to the outside world, appearing like a typical internet-addicted girl.

Aunt Gu didn't call her; instead, just like before, she sent her daughter a WeChat message: "Tongtong, it's time to come home."

Previously, when Tongtong was at Jiang Ning's place, Aunt Gu just needed to send her a WeChat message at meal times.

Tongtong, disturbed by the WeChat notification, picked up her phone and glanced at it, being so involved in the game she had completely forgotten about the outside world.

Xue Yuantong habitually replied: "Mom, I'm still studying in Jiang Ning's room, I'll be out in a bit."

Having replied, she continued her gaming battle.

Behind her, Aunt Gu was initially stunned, then looked at her daughter's face, which gradually fell.