Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation

After the meal, Jiang Ning took the initiative to wash the dishes and pots.

While washing, Jiang Ning felt as if he was repaying Tongtong's debt to Chuchu from the past.

Thinking about it, Jiang Ning extended his Divine Sense to Tongtong's house, overseeing Tongtong who had drifted into dreamland.

He wanted to pinch her little nose, but after thinking it over, he decided against it. It wouldn't be good if he accidentally woke her, and using Spiritual Power to pinch wouldn't feel as intimate as using his own hand.

Due to the conversation at the dinner table, the awkward atmosphere between Jiang Ning and Xue Chuchu dissipated considerably, and Chuchu wasn't as reserved as before.

However, most of their chat still revolved around Tongtong, focusing more on past events rather than the present and future.

Jiang Ning dried his hands and said: "When Tongtong wakes up, tell her for me that I won't be home for lunch."

Xue Chuchu: "Alright."

Jiang Ning took a step outside, and after walking seven or eight steps, he heard Xue Chuchu's reminder from behind: "Be safe."

Jiang Ning smiled, "It's fine."

Having said that, he returned to his own home, where Jiang Ning first looked at the titanium gray electric scooter, and then at the mountain bike that had been sitting idle for some time.

With a wave of his hand, a gust of wind blew away the dust from the bike's frame.

Then, Jiang Ning hopped on the mountain bike and headed to Yuzhou West Suburb.

It was still morning; the river dam was sparsely populated, serene and quiet. Jiang Ning pedaled lightly, and the bike moved forward smoothly, with the wind brushing past his ears, lifting his hair.

In the distance, by the Huishui River, reeds swayed as a few birds perched on them, chirping melodiously. The morning light shimmered on the river, and several crucian carps flicked their tails as they swam.

All this was vividly captured within Jiang Ning's Divine Sense.

Jiang Ning took a deep breath, and the fresh scent of earth filled his nostrils, a mix of coolness and moisture, both refreshing and vibrant.

Jiang Ning intentionally slowed his cycling speed; occasionally being alone is a rare and relaxing experience.

Soon, he had traversed the river dam road and entered the concrete urban area.

Once there, Jiang Ning picked up speed. The Yishan Scenic Spot is nearly 15 kilometers from the river dam, and if cycling slowly, it would take over an hour.

Jiang Ning pushed the speed to around 50. Compared to his electric scooter that could go over 60, this speed wasn't fast, but because the mountain bike was very lightweight and had a high center of gravity, it was easy to feel off balance.

Looking at the high-rises on both sides, Jiang Ning let his thoughts wander. Although he had lived in Yuzhou for a few years in a past life, he had never climbed Yishan.

Even though the mountain wasn't far from him.

Compared to his childhood curiosity about the world, as he grew older, he gradually lost that urge to explore.

When faced with the choice between going out to experience new things and staying in bed, he opted to stay in bed without hesitation.

The closest he ever got to Yishan was after graduating and meeting Pei Yujing, during the time they tried to get to know each other. He had once invited Pei Yujing to go climbing during a meal.

Pei Yujing neither refused nor accepted, only fiddled with her nails.

Jiang Ning couldn't understand her intentions, so he voluntarily gave up on that invitation.

Thinking back now... maybe she meant... well, Jiang Ning still couldn't figure out what she meant.

Perhaps the answer will only come when asked directly in person.

...

Half an hour later.

At the plaza entrance of the Yishan Scenic Spot, people were coming and going, vendors selling pancakes, grilled cold noodles, and soy milk and fried dough sticks gathered there.

Yang Sheng stood at the edge of the steps, with a rectangular black bag propped up beside her, its contents unknown.

She held a carton of milk in her left hand, sipping leisurely, while her right hand gripped a pancake, occasionally taking a bite.

Not wanting to queue, she got her pancake from an auntie's warmer box, for three yuan a piece.

Before paying, the auntie assured her that the pancake was freshly made, containing shredded potato, kelp, carrots, and a grilled sausage.

Sounded quite substantial, so Yang Sheng paid for it, only to discover that the sausage had been split in half, so though they claimed it was one sausage, it was actually just a slice.

'How could they be so sneaky?' Yang Sheng was impressed by the vendor's cunning.

Yang Sheng's spot was somewhat secluded, but her beautiful face caught the attention of many.

Many men have a fascination with short-haired girls, but unfortunately, there are not many girls who can pull off short hair and exude a unique charm in real life.

Yang Sheng, with her upright posture, confident, free demeanor, and well-defined features, possessed a beauty different from ordinary girls.

A group of college students gathered for a hike whispered from afar, prompting someone to tease:

"Brother Rui, don't you always boast that you can get any girl's number once you strike up a conversation? Why not give it a shot?"

The boy called 'Brother Rui', looking in his early twenties, had a fashionable style and hairstyle, standing at 1.8 meters tall, and wore a gold ring, with a trendy internet celebrity vibe.

Different from others, he radiated an exuberant aura rarely found in peers, standing out among the other boys beside him.

'Brother Rui' had been handsome since childhood, experiencing a world of interpersonal relationships unknown to ordinary boys.

Chasing girls? Out of the question. Handsome guys never lack girls' affection. Even when he accompanied family members at a hospital, a Little Nurse handed him a note with a phone number.

He turned his head, his handsome face showing a carefree, unrestrained expression: "Her?"

His roommates egged him on: "Yeah, you dare to try? If you succeed, you won't have to pay for the hotpot lunch."

College students tend to compete with each other, whether as a joke or a bit of sincerity, but such a move could easily offend others. But young people, if they aren't bold, are they still young?