Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation

Chapter 1681 - 915: Return to School Day (Part 2)

Zhang Ruyun looked at the very rustic big red bag, in the past during high school, he might have felt embarrassed.

But now his thoughts have changed, he took the bag and joked: "Mom, when I get back to the dorm, they’ll all call me godfather."

As he spoke, Zhang Ruyun fell silent, his eyes slightly warm. Before the vacation, he had told Ah Yue that once school started, he would cook sausage rice for her in the dormitory.

Unfortunately, after just one winter break, the old friend is no longer here, and he has to set off alone again.

To disguise his sadness, Zhang Ruyun turned his head, his voice changed: "It’s a pity Ba Wang is not here, I wonder if it’s doing well outside."

Now that he’s leaving, he still hasn’t seen Ba Wang.

At these words, Butcher Zhang’s melancholy increased, he had scrubbed Ba Wang’s dog bowl several times, now it was shining bright, even the dent made by Tongtong’s Triangular Bomb next door was fixed by him.

But where’s the dog?

Butcher Zhang put on his leather gloves, pushed out the Dayun motorcycle, and prepared to take his son to the train station.

Suddenly, a black shadow appeared in the wheat field to the west, it was extremely fast, and in a flash, it was close.

"Woof woof woof!"

Zhang Ruyun blurted out: "Ba Wang!"

A big black, shiny-furred German Shepherd barked and pounced on Zhang Ruyun’s leg.

Butcher Zhang was overjoyed: "Good dog, you finally came back!"

He quickly gave the dog a good rub, the joy of recovering what was lost was indeed pleasing.

Xue Yuantong glanced next door and said: "Jiang Ning, Xiao Ben is back! How rude not to greet us!"

Jiang Ning: "It’s fine, it’s more convenient to have someone else’s dog to use, right?"

Xue Yuantong thought for a while, indeed, having the right to use without the responsibility, it was perfect.

Zhang Ruyun’s mood improved somewhat as his beloved dog returned home before he left: "Dad, I have to go, or I’ll miss the train."

Butcher Zhang: "Alright, go then!"

Zhang Ruyun tried to take a step, but the big German Shepherd embraced his leg with its front paws. Admittedly, when Zhang Ruyun was home, he treated Ba Wang quite well, not only giving it good food but also respect, unlike the uncouth Butcher Zhang, who often scolded Ba Wang harshly.

Zhang Ruyun couldn’t help but laugh: "It can’t bear to see me leave!"

Aunt Zhang clicked her tongue in wonder: "Once you leave, it’s the only dog left at home."

Zhang Ruyun felt something was off: "Mom, am I another dog?"

Butcher Zhang and Aunt Zhang both burst into laughter.

Aunt Zhang said: "Yunyun, if you become a dog, make sure to bark a few more times when you see Mom on the road, she’ll raise you!"

Xue Yuantong couldn’t help but laugh: "It sounds like motherly love, but not entirely."

Zhang Ruyun was dumbfounded too, hoping I’d become a dog?

Butcher Zhang: "What nonsense are you talking about!"

After a bit of laughter, it was time to leave.

Zhang Ruyun took one last look at the river dam where he grew up, so familiar with everything here, even the grass and trees.

But with the passage of time, much has changed, kind Aunt Pan sold her house, the grandfather who often jogged in the morning passed away, Old Man Bi went to prison... even Mr. Qian who just stepped out has grown quite a few gray hairs...

Not to mention the newly opened rural tourism spots, strawberry garden, Hua Fengmei and her daughter, Jiang Ning... everything’s changing.

’And me?’ Once a top student at a prestigious university, yet my girlfriend was snatched away by someone with just a junior college degree but backed by family connections, landing a job at a state-owned enterprise.

Zhang Ruyun secretly vowed, ’When I return, everything will be different!’

"Dad, let’s go." Zhang Ruyun withdrew his gaze.

"Go!" Butcher Zhang rode off with his son, the roar of the motorcycle engine echoing, marching grandly toward the northern river dam, with Ba Wang sprinting madly behind the bike.

The once lively river dam quickly returned to its usual quiet, Aunt Zhang stood where she was, unable to see her husband and son’s figures anymore.

Mr. Qian witnessed everything, holding a bowl of soup, he said:

"For those of us getting on in years, Chinese New Year is like this, spending a few days making a lively big dream."

He chuckled, his tone odd: "Then waiting the remaining hundreds of days for the next dream."

...

At five in the afternoon, Fourth Middle School opened.

Jiang Ning hopped on his cool electric scooter, bringing Tongtong to Yu Zhou Fourth Middle School.

Today Tongtong felt like blending in with the local ways. After entering the school gate, instead of biking all the way to the bike shed, she walked leisurely beside Jiang Ning.

Despite the weather still being chilly, the flowerbeds along the main path on campus were full of vitality, with white plum blossoms in full bloom, as students gathered in small groups.

Xue Yuantong eavesdropped on their conversations, hoping to catch some gossip, but all he heard were curses about the principal being an idiot for not waiting until Monday to start school.

"Qiqi, Qiqi!" Yan Tianpeng chased after her.

Lu Qiqi wore a long down jacket, looking quite stylish, but when she turned around to see Yan Tianpeng resembling a bear, she grew exceptionally impatient, wondering why this silly dog was everywhere.

She responded irritably: "What are you yelling about?"

Yan Tianpeng asked concernedly: "Qiqi, do you want some hot milk tea? It’s so cold, have some to warm up."

Lu Qiqi: "Whether I drink or not, is none of your business!"

Yan Tianpeng rubbed his hands: "I’ll treat you!"

Lu Qiqi: "Really?"

Yan Tianpeng made a solemn vow: "If I don’t get you milk tea, may I get hit by a car while walking!"

Experience told Lu Qiqi not to trust him.

But her brain’s craving for sugar tempted her to maybe give it a try.

Then the two walked back together, ready to buy the milk tea.

Xue Yuantong nudged Jiang Ning: "Are you thirsty?"

Jiang Ning: "Someone will buy us some today."

"Who?"

"You’ll find out in class."

Upon hearing this, Xue Yuantong’s short legs naturally hurried faster.

...

The second floor where Class 8 was located.

Cui Yu, Meng Gui, and Liu Chuandao were leaning on the balcony, peering below.

Yun Tingting was downstairs in the plaza playing badminton. She wore a down jacket just covering her rear, with colorful winter tights suitable for exercise, covered by thick black yoga pants. She bounced and swung, captivating classmates who stared blankly.

In their hearts, they criticized her for not adhering to proper behavior, yet their eyes refused to look away.

Just then, Wang Yong and the rich kid arrived on the second floor, with Wang Yong introducing: "Brother Jin, this is where our class is located. Look, not bad, huh."

Wang Yong led him forward, pointing at the corridor where Cui Yu was: "This is the VIP spot. Check downstairs."

The rich kid heard and glanced downwards, then saw Yun Tingting’s enticing figure.

He nodded slightly: "Interesting."

Duan Shigang, nearby, overheard their conversation, seemingly a new student in Class 8.

New students are good, new students mean they haven’t been caught in the whirlpool yet, mean reshuffling.

Duan Shigang scanned the new boy, speaking: "Buddy, you must have some backing, right?"

The rich kid listened but didn’t look at him, rather turned to Wang Yong.

He didn’t like people who couldn’t keep secrets.

Wang Yong puzzled: "Gangzi, how did you know?"

Duan Shigang chuckled, having accessed Class 8 through connections, naturally aware.

"Yongzi, among us, there’s a saying: don’t pry too much; the less you know, the longer you live."

"But today, I’ll tell you a bit, no harm in it."

Duan Shigang turned, addressing the sunset, his face seemingly showing scars of experience: "In our Class 8, without backing, you can’t get in."

These words instantly portrayed the vibe of a big-shot.

The rich kid had never encountered such people before, he took out his watch, checked the time as if planning something.

Wang Yong remarked: "Brother Jin, your watch fogged up again."

The rich kid was about to speak.

A student in uniform squeezed over, looking honest and simple, with a sincere tone: "Bro, nice watch."