Unconventional [Rebirth] - Chapter 59

Having completely shattered his heart devils and successfully advanced, Jiang Rui felt a level of comfort that words could not describe. Within the spiritual realm, the environment was infinitely more pleasant than the outside world, a sensation that became even more pronounced after his breakthrough. He almost felt a reluctance to leave.

Suppressing this budding dependency, Jiang Rui looked over the beautiful scenery of the realm and smiled faintly.

“Master, if you do not wish to leave, it matters not if you stay here. This environment is far more conducive to your cultivation,” Miao Xuan said. Having gained Jiang Rui’s full trust, he had become much more talkative and livelier than before.

Jiang Rui laughed but shook his head. “Cultivation is not a matter to be rushed. What day is it outside?”

“Fifteen days have passed,” Miao Xuan replied.

Jiang Rui took a slow, deep breath and rose from the ground. Calculating the time, it was nearly time for Jiang Xi and Jiang Min to start middle school.

He had already planned Jiang Min’s path. The boy’s talent for computers was undeniable. Therefore, Jiang Rui had selected several schools known for their elite computer science programs. In an era where one’s livelihood still largely depended on a “thin sheet of paper” (a diploma), Jiang Rui had to consider the future of these two children, even if he himself didn’t care for such formalities.

In his past life, Jiang Xi never finished her education. She married early, met a man who treated her poorly, and eventually lost her life alongside her child for his sake. That past version of her was beyond saving, but in this life, he would act as her guardian.

Hmm… perhaps because I’ve just advanced, I can almost calculate marriage lines now, he thought. However, because Jiang Xi was a blood relative, his judgment might be clouded.

Jiang Xi was clever, but she was at the mercy of a mother as domineering as hers. Jiang Rui made his decision and first called his mother to let her know he was safe.

On the other end, Jiang Mother was nearly in tears. Jiang Rui had vanished for fifteen days without a trace. Many people had come to the shop looking for him, but even his own parents had no idea where he was! This had thrown them into a panic. Unknown danger is always the most terrifying, and when it concerns their children, parents always fear the worst.

Jiang Rui comforted her repeatedly, drawing curious looks from passersby. Seeing such a jade-like youth, their expressions turned into warm or sentimental smiles, all full of goodwill.

With his change in mindset, Jiang Rui viewed his surroundings with much more detachment. When the phone was handed to his father, Jiang Rui’s throat suddenly tightened. He thought of the visions he had seen during his breakthrough.

Blood is thicker than water. Thinking back to how he had harbored resentment when his father used his tuition money to pay off Jiang Jianlin’s debts, Jiang Rui felt like a scoundrel. No father doesn’t love his child. His father had helped his brother out of a sense of duty, but had the debt exceeded what was needed for Jiang Rui’s survival, Jiang Jianjun likely would have refused.

Understanding this now, Jiang Rui spoke into the phone to the deep, resonant voice on the other end: “Hey, Dad. I’m fine… It’s Uncle’s birthday in a few days? I’ll come along. Okay, sure…”

At the end of the call, Jiang Rui’s lips moved a few times before he finally said, with a smile he didn’t even notice: “Dad, take care of yourself… I love you and Mom.”

After hanging up, Jiang Rui stuck out his tongue sheepishly. His ethereal, scholarly aura vanished instantly, replaced by the look of a young master who had just snuck a piece of fish from the kitchen.

There was a second of silence on the other end followed by his father’s flustered voice. To Jiang Rui, it sounded adorable and warm. As he hung up, a sense of satisfaction filled his chest, causing a faint red aura to shimmer around him.

Suddenly, Jiang Rui’s ears caught a tiny click. He snapped his eyes open, formed a hand seal, and instantly teleported to the side of the person who had just secretly photographed him.

The man was terrified; the youth who had been dozens of meters away was suddenly standing right beside him. He was too shocked to speak.

Jiang Rui gave a toothy grin and snatched the camera to scroll through the photos. Unluckily, the first thing he saw was the shot of himself sticking his tongue out.

The “idiotic” Jiang Rui: “…”

His lip twitched. He tapped the man’s forehead, and the man immediately dazed out, confessing everything he was asked. Jiang Rui watched expressionlessly as the man walked away with the camera. Then, he pulled out his phone and made a call.

It was answered after a single ring. A familiar voice sounded, making Jiang Rui’s teeth itch with irritation. “Rong Jingtang, do you really enjoy this game of stalking?”

Rong Jingtang paused, then explained seriously: “Yang Feng asked me to do it.” (Meaning: He asked, so I eagerly sent my best scouts.)

Jiang Rui ground his teeth. “And why did Yang Feng want to follow me?”

Rong Jingtang replied righteously, “Your parents said you had been missing for a long time.”

Jiang Rui went silent. His lip twitched; he didn’t have the energy to argue. “Just leave it at that.”

Just as he was about to hang up, Rong Jingtang suddenly said: “You looked very good like that. Yes, very good.”

Jiang Rui’s hand shook, and his phone slipped, landing on the grass.

On the other end, Rong Jingtang listened to the dial tone with a look of immense satisfaction. He turned his head, his complexion glowing.

“Uncle Cheng.”

Uncle Cheng bowed his head slightly. “Yes, Young Master.”

Rong Jingtang’s face was slightly flushed. One hand held the phone while the other tapped incessantly on the screen. “Xiao Rui is very good.”

Uncle Cheng raised an eyebrow, looking at his master’s “first bloom of love” expression. He cleared his throat. “Yes, Young Master.”

Having tapped to his heart’s content, “Lord Rong” tucked the phone in his pocket, then reconsidered. He walked to a high-speed printer and printed out Jiang Rui’s photo. He looked at Uncle Cheng—who was trying his best to be invisible—and said seriously: “Uncle Cheng, it is time. I should take my medicine.”

Uncle Cheng: “…” Yes, you definitely need your medicine, Young Master!

Uncle Cheng walked toward the door with heavy steps. Suddenly, he felt a complex emotion—the feeling of a “mother” realizing her son is grown and out of her control.

Once the door was closed, Rong Jingtang paced the room a few times before going to a hidden compartment. He tapped the wall, pressed a seamless spot, and a hidden drawer slid out. With a bright-eyed expression, he opened the box and solemnly placed Jiang Rui’s photo inside. Beside it were items like a rattle and a small hair clip—things a child would play with.

Jiang Rui didn’t linger. He teleported back home. Although his mother had heard he was safe on the phone, her emotions exploded once she saw him in person.

Because Jianghai Supermarket had good stock and fair prices, it had a high volume of customers. Seeing the proprietress dragging a youth upstairs with red-rimmed eyes, everyone knew the boss’s son was finally home.

Once upstairs, Jiang Mother began her lecture. Seeing Jiang Rui’s “I know I’m wrong, scold me as you wish” attitude only made her angrier.

“Xiao Rui, where on earth did you go? Not a single word! You… you worried me to death!” She began to tear up again. Jiang Rui quickly pulled out a tissue and began the delicate task of coaxing her.

Ultimately, he lied and said he went hiking in the mountains, lost his phone, and couldn’t find a store to buy a new one. Jiang Mother was skeptical but didn’t press him. she tapped his head affectionately. “In ten days, it’s your Uncle’s birthday. I wonder what we should give him.”

Since Jiang Jianlin’s divorce from Li Xiuzhi, he had become a different person. He had paid off his debts, bought Jiang Min a computer, and enrolled him in classes. He had found a proper job, and the family saw his transformation.

There are no grudges among kin that last forever, especially since their main issue with him had been his lack of ambition. Now that Li Xiuzhi was gone, Jiang Jianlin was working hard, and they were happy to see it. Besides, Li Xiuzhi’s infidelity was something everyone looked down upon.

Jiang Rui smiled. “Mom, don’t worry about that. Leave it to me.”

Jiang Mother shot him a look. Jiang Rui quickly smiled and compensated, and she finally went back downstairs.

Jiang Rui shook his head with a chuckle. His mother had become more “childish” in recent years… but he was happy to see it. Someone who can afford to be childish and has no malice must be someone who is being pampered. In his past life, she died early. Now, Jiang Rui was happy to be the one pampering her.

Well… Dad can join in too.