Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation Chapter 2 – Chapter 2 Chapter 2 People and Events from the Past

Chapter 2: Chapter 2 People and Events from the Past Chapter 2: Chapter 2 People and Events from the Past Jiang Ning followed her gaze and saw a milk tea shop on the opposite side of the bus station, with a few people lined up outside.

In 2013, milk tea shops in China hadn't reached the saturation they would in later years, with many such establishments near train stations closing down due to the impact of various popular franchise stores.

At that time, a cup of milk tea cost about four yuan, roughly the same as a Coke, which Jiang Ning could afford with his allowance.

If this had been earlier, he would have definitely bought some for Shen Qing'e, as he was always generous with her.

“I'm thirsty, I'll just drink some water,” Jiang Ning said in a casual tone.

Shen Qing'e: “Jiang Ning, are you in a bad mood?”

The girl, perceptive as she was, noticed the change in him—he'd previously done anything she asked, but after the train ride, he seemed like a different person.

“Yeah,” Jiang Ning responded indifferently, not in the mood to engage further.

Now that he had another chance, he was thinking about how to live this life.

He still needed to continue his education; otherwise, suddenly quitting school would cause a lot of trouble with his parents.

Jiang Ning also wanted to experience a carefree student life again.

Back when he had graduated from college and entered the workforce, immersing himself in busy work and dealing with various pretenses day after day, he often dreamed of his youth.

He wanted to live well this time, to not fail his former self.

In modern society, to live a respectable life, money was essential. With money, he could move out of his uncle's house and have a better life. This time, he would not depend on others or tolerate disdainful looks.

“Qing'e, Qing'e.”

The voice from a distance reached Jiang Ning's ears.

Across the street, a woman in her mid-twenties stood by a sedan, waving at them; she was his cousin's wife.

“Sister,” Shen Qing'e forgot her previous displeasure, a sweet smile appearing on her face as she carried her suitcase across the zebra crossing.

“Ah, if your brother-in-law hadn't been so busy these days, I would have asked him to pick you up from the town,” the cousin-in-law said affectionately, holding Shen Qing'e's hand.

She then turned her gaze and scrutinized Jiang Ning:
“You're Jiang Ning, right?”

“Yes, hello cousin-in-law,” Jiang Ning nodded, still wearing a faint smile.

In his previous life, when he stayed at his uncle's house, his cousin-in-law actually did not welcome him and even disliked him, though at the time, he had not realized it. Now, having come back, he understood it clearly.

“Come on, get in the car.”

After loading the luggage, Jiang Ning took a seat in the back.

The car started and there weren't many vehicles on the road; the traffic congestion in Yuzhou City wasn't as severe as it would be in later years.

His cousin-in-law, who had just got her driving license that year, chatted with Shen Qing'e in the passenger seat as they drove, bursting into laughter from time to time.

Sitting in the back, Jiang Ning silently fastened his seatbelt.

He had once been a cultivator, but that was in the past; now, he was merely mortal. If there were a car accident and he died, it would be a big joke.

Jiang Ning clearly remembered that the next year, his cousin-in-law would cause a car accident, breaking someone's bones and ending up fully liable, costing her 180,000 yuan in compensation.

Even so, Jiang Ning didn't remind his cousin-in-law to be careful driving, as that would only increase resentment.

After about ten minutes, the car entered a mid-to-high-end residential area.

His cousin-in-law parked the car in the underground garage and led them in the elevator straight up to the ninth floor.

His uncle's apartment was a large flat with 180 square meters, five rooms and two living rooms—spacious enough for the whole family.

His uncle owned a restaurant in the urban area. It wasn't large, but having been open for fifteen years, it was a well-known establishment that had a loyal customer base.

In recent years, the business had been good, making about 300,000 to 400,000 yuan a year, so this flat represented just over two years of the restaurant's profits.

The real estate in Yuzhou City wouldn't see a surge until 2017, with prices going from five to eight thousand per square meter within a year, and continuing to rise sharply thereafter.

“Qing E and Jiang Ning are here, come on in,” said the aunt, standing at the door and handing over two pairs of slippers.

Jiang Ning changed his shoes and stepped onto the wooden floor as he entered.

The interior was decorated in a Chinese style. His uncle, who had never attended school, liked a mix of Eastern and Western styles and used an old decorating scheme. The ceiling even featured an extremely fancy Sino-European chandelier, showcasing a unique aesthetic.

“Put your luggage here, I'll show you the rooms,” the aunt led the two of them. “Let me know if you need anything, and I'll take you to buy it.”

Then, Jiang Ning spoke up, “Auntie, no need to trouble yourself. I plan to rent a place nearby for convenience when studying.”

This statement caught his aunt off guard. Initially, her husband had given the approval to let Jiang Ning move in without consulting her, and she was quite unhappy about it.

It was alright to help out impoverished relatives from the countryside, but letting someone move into the house for three years? How could that be reasonable?

Yet since her husband had agreed, she was annoyed but also mindful of saving face and could not go back on it.

Now that Jiang Ning had voluntarily decided not to stay, she was taken aback.

“For studying, you can do it at my house!” she cajoled.

Still, Jiang Ning insisted, “No need. I'll call my parents in a bit to finalize this. It's only a few days before school starts, and I can use this time to find a place.”

Jiang Ning made his case clearly, and his aunt did not persuade him further. She feared that if she did, and Jiang Ning changed his mind, she would be the one inconvenienced.

“Alright then, discuss it first with your parents, and remember, our home is always open for you.”

“Okay,” Jiang Ning nodded.

After this incident, the aunt's attitude warmed considerably. She sliced fruit and fussed over him diligently, which Jiang Ning found somewhat overwhelming.

Seizing a moment, Jiang Ning stepped outside.

He pulled out his mobile phone to check the time. The 3.5-inch screen showed it was five in the afternoon.

The home screen displayed several game icons: Temple Run, Fruit Ninja, Where's My Water?, and Inotia 3.

Touching the smartphone, a wave of nostalgia flashed in Jiang Ning's eyes.

This was a knockoff phone, bought by his father at a service center for 300 yuan when he was in ninth grade. Though cheap, it carried many of his memories.

Even after he started working and grudgingly bought the latest iPhone, the novelty only lasted a week.

He dialed his mother's number.

The first thing Jiang Ning said was crucial, “Mom, I want to rent a place near Fourth Middle School.”

A moment of silence followed on the other end, then a gentle voice replied:
“What's the matter, son? Are you not used to living at your uncle's?”

Hearing his mother's voice after centuries, Jiang Ning's heart flooded with mixed emotions.

He took a couple of deep breaths to calm himself before speaking:
“Mom, everyone at Uncle's house is nice, but living together when families are apart feels a bit awkward. The difference in living habits might cause conflicts later, which would make things difficult for uncle.

So, I thought of renting a place myself. I would just visit Uncle's house occasionally—relatives do that, right? Some of my classmates who started high school are also renting places. I'll eat at the school cafeteria on weekdays, and cook for myself on weekends.”

In Jiang Ning's heart, his mother, Dong Yun, was always gentle. She had never hit him growing up and always listened carefully to him.

“Son, you're grown up and have your own ideas; that's fine, and I trust you.”

“I'll talk to your dad about it. Take care of your health, eat well, and don't overexert yourself. I'll call your uncle about the rental later.”

His mother repeatedly reminded him with loving care, and rather than feeling annoyed, Jiang Ning found comfort in talking with her and only hung up several minutes later.

Soon, a text message arrived: Dear Jiang Ning, your account ending in XXXX has received a deposit of 2000 yuan, leaving a balance of 2200 yuan.

“Son, take your time to look for a good place, and if you need more money, I'll send it to you.”

“Got it,” Jiang Ning turned off the screen with a smile on his lips.

How wonderful it was—his parents were healthy, and he was in the prime of youth.

Everything was still not too late.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated on N𝘰vgo.co

Chapter end