Rebirth: Slice-of-life Cultivation

On Monday morning, Xue Yuantong lingered in bed. It took several knocks from Jiang Ning before she slowly got up.

The breakfast consisted of rice porridge, large steamed buns, side dishes, and eggs.

They dragged their feet and only reached school just before the morning self-study session began.

Jiang Ning walked up to the entrance of Class 8. The classroom door was shut.

Pushing the door open, they immediately noticed an unusually tense atmosphere. Wu Xiaoqi stood at the podium, his eyes red and his expression furious.

The students of Class 8 looked baffled. What was happening?

Why another meeting during morning self-study? How many times had this happened?

The first time it was the sports committee member Zhang Chi who stood at the podium, the second time was Guo Kunnan, and now Wu Xiaoqi.

"Did any of you see my basketball?" Wu Xiaoqi questioned his classmates.

"I didn't see it."

"I went home right after school yesterday."

"It's useless to yell here, the thief surely won't step forward."

The classmates' remarks echoed, causing Wu Xiaoqi to clench his fists tightly, feeling utterly powerless and frustrated!

His beloved basketball had only been left in the class overnight, and now it was gone, just gone...

"Who took the classroom key?" Wu Xiaoqi asked.

Huang Zhongfei replied, "Dong Qingfeng and I took it."

Wu Xiaoqi looked at the two of them. He knew Huang Zhongfei came from a well-off family; he wore branded clothes and had a nice phone, and Dong Qingfeng was no less affluent. Moreover, both rarely played basketball and were unlikely to be the thief.

A student said, "It's irrelevant who locked the door. The classroom windows weren't closed. Even with the door locked, someone could still climb in through a window."

"Maybe someone from another class stole it. Why not ask the security office?"

With each comment, Wu Xiaoqi's frustration grew. Suddenly, he burst out roaring:

"Ah!"

His fierce expression startled the students. Had he gone mad over the theft?

Especially the students in the first row, who were yelled at directly by Wu Xiaoqi. However, Jiang Ning instantly created a sound-blocking array for Xue Yuantong, reducing the volume.

Wu Xiaoqi cursed loudly, "Which bastard stole my basketball? If they step outside, they're sure to be hit by a car!"

"How desperate must you be to steal my basketball?"

"Did you even come to school to study? You're begging here!"

Dan Xiao, sitting in his seat, listened to the curses and slightly squinted his eyes. Wu Xiaoqi was desperate, so desperate!

It was too satisfying. Every time he performed a good deed, not hearing the owner curse a couple of times felt unfulfilling.

Hearing Wu Xiaoqi's curses and seeing his exasperated face brought a delightful sense of satisfaction.

After having his fill of comfort, Dan Xiao stood up and rebuked:

"This is so disrespectful. Have you never seen a decent basketball before?"

"How infuriating!"

"Wu Xiaoqi loved basketball so much, and yet you steal his basketball. It's just too much!"

Listening to Dan Xiao cheering him on, and seeing his heartbroken look, Wu Xiaoqi felt moved anew. He remembered too well. Last time his basketball had exploded, it was Dan Xiao who had encouraged and supported him.

Now being treated this way by him again, Wu Xiaoqi suddenly felt a warmth in his heart. Although his basketball was stolen, there was still someone firmly supporting him, which significantly lifted his spirits.

"Dan Xiao, thanks," Wu Xiaoqi sincerely expressed his gratitude.

Dan Xiao replied with righteous indignation, "Don't mention it. I couldn't stand by anymore, how could someone steal a basketball?"

"If I catch him, I'll definitely give him a beating!"

"He didn't just steal your basketball, he stole your future!"

"He's trampling on your dreams, it's infuriating!"

Hearing the words 'future' and 'dreams', Wu Xiaoqi was immediately invigorated. Seeing Dan Xiao's angry demeanor, he knew the other was genuinely upset on his behalf, leading Wu Xiaoqi to comfort Dan Xiao instead:

"Let it be stolen, now that I think about it, it's just a basketball."

"I guess I'm just unlucky this time."

"Calm down."

Perhaps bolstered by Dan Xiao's encouragement, Wu Xiaoqi felt much calmer. Breaking protocol, he faced everyone and apologized:

"Sorry for wasting everyone's time."

Having said that, amidst the astonished looks from everyone, Wu Xiaoqi walked down from the podium.

Dan Xiao asked him, "Wu Xiaoqi, will you continue playing basketball?"

Wu Xiaoqi continued down the aisle without stopping, and without turning back, said:

"I won't give up."

Dan Xiao didn't look back either. He stood on his seat while Wu Xiaoqi walked past him, like ancient swordsmen, back to back, both emanating a chilly aura.

"I look forward to the day when you make your comeback."

...

During the morning break, Dan Kaiquan ran to find Jiang Ning.

"Jiang Ning, I have a friend who likes a girl. What method should he use to confess so that the girl might agree?"

"Who is your friend?" Jiang Ning asked with a half-smile.

At that moment, Dan Kaiquan felt a shock in his heart.

'Oh no, has he seen through me?'

He broke out in a cold sweat.

'Impossible, Jiang Ning definitely doesn't know!'

"I'm really asking for a friend. Can you give me some advice?" Dan Kaiquan pleaded.

Currently in the class, Jiang Ning, who was very popular among the girls and close to Xue Yuantong and Geng Lu, was his best bet.

Dan Kaiquan couldn't really chat with girls, as they didn't seem interested in the topics he brought up.

Geng Lu next to him perked up her ears, and Ma Shicheng, who was playing games nearby, leaned in to listen.

Wang Longlong, watching Ma Shicheng play games, was also listening, and so was Hu Jun who was doing the same.

Jiang Ning suggested, "I wouldn't recommend confessing first. Build up the relationship first, and when you feel the timing is right, then confess."

Ma Shicheng added, "Exactly, Brother Ning makes sense. You should first cultivate a relationship."

"There's a saying online, how does it go? Confessing is not the trumpet call to mount a charge, but the horn that signals the victory."

As an intense internet surfer, Ma Shicheng was very satisfied with his steady performance.

Wang Longlong chipped in unexpectedly, "Brother Ma, I'd like to add that most of the time, confessions are like epitaphs."

Dan Kaiquan: ...

"So, assuming I'm about to succeed, how should I confess?"

Hu Jun suggested, "Buy a bouquet of flowers; I see many confessions involve buying flowers."

Wang Longlong said, "Girls like romance. You could buy candles and arrange them in a heart shape on the playground, then call her over and confess with the bouquet in hand."

Ma Shicheng chuckled, "Wow, Brother Long, you're quite knowledgeable, huh?"

Wang Longlong scratched his head.

Dan Kaiquan thought it over, realizing it wouldn't work; a bouquet cost at least a few dozen yuan—if he bought flowers, he'd go hungry this week.

After a lengthy discussion during the break, they still hadn't come to any conclusion.

However, after talking it over with the others, Dan Kaiquan felt somewhat braver.

...

The first class of the afternoon was supposed to be Chinese, but Shan Qingrong suddenly entered the class, and the students looked puzzled.

"Quiet down. The administrative office said that this afternoon, all first-year classes are moving to Building 3; this space needs to be cleared," Shan Qingrong announced.

The students were first stunned, then Huang Zhongfei asked,

"Does that mean we don't have classes this afternoon?"

"Let's talk after the move."

"Everyone, carry your chairs, stools, and other classroom items and follow me."

So, the students began packing up their stuff. Not just Class 8, the neighboring Class 1 started packing up as well.

Jiang Ning took off his large backpack hanging next to his desk, put his books inside, and went to find Xue Yuantong.

"Give me the books."

Seeing that Xue Yuantong was struggling with how to move a pile of books on her desk, and noticing Jiang Ning had brought his backpack, she volunteered,

"Leave the backpack here, I'll pack it, and then bring it to the new classroom."

"Sure." Jiang Ning threw his backpack onto Xue Yuantong's desk, shaking the desk slightly; high school textbooks were quite voluminous.

After Jiang Ning left, Xue Yuantong stuffed the books into the backpack.

Meanwhile, Ma Shicheng had finished packing as well, since Jiang Ning had taken his books in the backpack. Ma Shicheng placed his desk books into Jiang Ning's desk drawer.

Then, he looked around the classroom; many students were carrying a desk between two people. Ma Shicheng snorted,

"Jiang Ning, no need for your help, I'll do it myself."

Ma Shicheng, carrying a desk alone, passed by those students carrying desks in pairs, and couldn't help but lift his head.

Carrying a desk needed two people? Too weak. Look at me, one is enough.

Ma Shicheng felt like he had won a victory as he confidently moved toward Building 3.