Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation

Qi Tianheng had visited Class 8 numerous times just to make his presence felt.

Wang Yong was quite cooperative. Coming from a well-off family with parents who had wide connections in Yuzhou, he had learned the value of networking and was eager to make friends with those from similar backgrounds, like Lin Zida from Class 1.

Later, when Qi Tianheng approached him to be friends, Wang Yong didn't refuse but was actually very willing.

Wang Yong knew full well what Qi Tianheng was after—he wanted to pursue Yang Sheng, obviously.

He patted the seat beside him, "Brother Tian, no need to talk outside, let's talk here!"

Qi Tianheng was very pleased as this spot was close to Yang Sheng, perfect for chatting and boasting.

He was like an actor, in control of his speech and demeanor.

He talked about everything from finance to war, then peace; from the present to the future, and back to the past.

Astronomy, geography, philosophy—he knew it all.

Wang Yong played along with his performance.

It was a flawless show, a solo by Qi Tianheng himself.

Yet, the girl he had his heart set on, Yang Sheng, seemed oblivious to his display.

Qi Tianheng raised his voice, making a grand oration.

Finally, Yang Sheng turned around.

'She's finally awed by my talent, isn't she?' Qi Tianheng thrilled inwardly.

But he heard Yang Sheng say, "What, do you want me to get you a megaphone from the market?"

...

Gao Heshuai came to class with a scowl.

He was in a foul mood today; Gao Heshuai usually drank Red Bull to stay alert while grading papers.

So, he kept a whole carton in the office and would have a bottle now and then.

But this morning, he found that half the carton of newly purchased Red Bulls was missing!

Thinking his colleagues had helped themselves, Gao Heshuai asked around, but none of them had taken any. Being teachers, they could afford their own Red Bulls and certainly wouldn't stoop to theft.

Gao Heshuai was baffled, unable to pinpoint the thief.

In class, Gao Heshuai lamented:

"The moral fabric of society is deteriorating, there's even a thief among us at school."

The students knew Gao Heshuai liked to lecture on morals and tell them stories. Apart from his love of mocking students and looking unsightly with his dark complexion, he was, in other aspects, not too bad.

Since Gao Heshuai held some authority as a teacher, his words spurred the students' interest to speak up.

Wu Xiaoqi eagerly contributed:

"Teacher, my basketball was stolen, and it cost more than 800 yuan!"

Guo Kunnan said, "My power bank was stolen too."

Dan Kaiquan added, "My charging cable is gone!"

Hearing so many students speak up, Gao Heshuai was shocked; he hadn't realized so many had their belongings stolen.

This thief was utterly lawless!

Gao Heshuai darkly stated, "To dare steal at Fourth Middle School, the audacity."

"Do they think they can't be traced?"

"Foolish! They surely don't know that fingerprints can be lifted from a stolen Red Bull carton."

At those words, Song Sheng, who had also been a victim of milk theft, twitched at the corner of his mouth.

'Teacher Gao Heshuai is just too naive...'

That's what Song Sheng thought.

He rarely spoke up, and now, he certainly didn't bother to enlighten Teacher Gao Heshuai.

...

Evening self-study ended.

The moon shone bright, stars sparse, crows flying southward.

Riding a mountain bike along the river dam, Xue Yuantong was seated on the back.

"Jiang Ning, we have a test tomorrow. I'll cook some sweet corn for you," Xue Yuantong said.

"Sure."

"So you need to do well on the test, so if we switch seats, we can still sit together."

Even though Jiang Ning had wronged her today under the pretense of fortune-telling, Xue Yuantong still wanted to sit with him. School was only fun when she was with Jiang Ning.

She wished to share a desk with Jiang Ning until graduation and even in college.

Forever like this.

Xue Yuantong dreamt of her time with Jiang Ning, her heart filled with joy as she playfully tugged on the hem of his shirt, slightly stretching out.

Then, she leaned to the right, looking ahead, the river dam illuminated by bright streetlights.

The way home would no longer be shrouded in darkness.

Xue Yuantong curiously said, "Jiang Ning, I remember the lights would be out after evening self-study before, why have they been on lately?"

Jiang Ning replied, "I asked for them to stay on."

He had previously informed Shao Shuangshuang to arrange for the streetlights to remain lit until 11 p.m.

Shao Shuangshuang organized it, and it was settled the next day.

Hearing Jiang Ning's words, Xue Yuantong was impressed, believing he wouldn't lie to her.

So it must have been his doing.

As they chatted, suddenly, a wild dog burst from below the dam, aiming straight for the bike's path.

Jiang Ning had countless ways to drive off the dog, but he chose to hit the brakes.

The bike jerked to a halt.

Due to inertia, Xue Yuantong couldn't help but wrap her arms around Jiang Ning's waist, her soft body pressed firmly against his back.

Coincidentally, the dog that darted out halfway also stuttered, managing to come to an abrupt stop just before hitting the bike.

Holding onto Jiang Ning, Xue Yuantong saw the comical scene and laughed happily:

"Look, look, even dogs know how to brake."

"It's so funny!"

Jiang Ning's slightly upturned mouth settled back down.

A minute later.

Jiang Ning was cycling ahead.

Xue Yuantong, with her short legs, followed behind wailing:

"Woo, woo, woo, Jiang Ning, I said something wrong~"