Unconventional [Rebirth] - Chapter 96

In this world, how many things truly go according to one’s wishes?

Jiang Rui smiled at the thought. Seeing the confusion on Huai Qing’s face, he chose not to say much. It was a feeling everyone experienced at some point. No one is born evil; everyone eventually asks themselves who they are when they start becoming someone they no longer recognize.

Jiang Rui let out a silent sigh, walked up to Huai Qing, and asked, “I don’t deal much with the casino business myself. Since you truly enjoy it, do you have a suitable place in mind?”

Jiang Rui wasn’t entirely sure of the full extent of Rong Jingtang’s power. However, knowing the man’s character, he was certain Rong Jingtang wouldn’t touch vice industries like gambling or drugs—especially not when they provided such an easy target for enemies.

Huai Qing shook his head. “Even the position I have now relies on connections I made back when I was with Wang Chenghui. At least some people are still willing to help me…”

Jiang Rui frowned. “Which family runs the casino you’re at now?”

Huai Qing thought in silence for a moment before answering hesitantly, “When I first joined, I heard a friend mention it. The owner is a foreigner. I don’t know his full name, but his surname seems to be Bonanno…”

Bonanno?

Jiang Rui blinked. He didn’t know whether to marvel at how small the world was or conclude that his life simply moved in very narrow circles. But it made sense; if the Bonanno family wanted to develop their interests domestically, their primary base would be the capital. And in the capital, it was no secret—at least not to Jiang Rui—that Rong Jingtang was on good terms with them.

“You don’t need to worry about that anymore,” Jiang Rui said. “From now on, just focus on your own duties.”

It seemed he really did need to pay a visit to that eccentric young master of the Bonanno family again. Jiang Rui rubbed his temples, a headache forming as he recalled his previous, rather unpleasant encounters with him.

The matter wasn’t urgent. The “medicine scandal” was a ticking time bomb that would go off sooner or later. He planned to use the next few quiet days to return to the Rong residence and ask Rong Jingtang if he was willing to begin cultivation.

Jiang Rui still couldn’t quite fathom the depths of his relationship with Rong Jingtang. He had doubted it many times, but whenever he remembered the Peach Blossom Spirit saying they were destined life partners, he felt a sense of relief.

At the Rong residence, Jiang Rui found Uncle Cheng waiting outside the side parlor. As Jiang Rui approached, the old butler gave him a knowing wink. A flashy red Ferrari sat parked outside—it was an eyesore. Jiang Rui twitched his lip; he had just been thinking of seeking out Mr. Bonanno, and the man had delivered himself to the doorstep.

Not wanting to interrupt, Jiang Rui went to wait in Rong Jingtang’s room. He changed into comfortable clothes and took a moment to relax. After a bit of thought, he retrieved a Foundation Establishment Pill from his Spirit Realm—a treasure beyond price to any cultivator.

The creation of this pill had been a complete accident. He had originally intended to refine a cold-attribute medicine to strengthen Rong Jingtang’s spiritual roots, but due to a slight error in timing and the intensity of the spiritual fire, he had somehow produced a top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill instead.

Jiang Rui had long since passed that stage. Miao Xuan had said he was nearing the Nascent Soul stage, which meant the gap between him and Rong Jingtang was only widening.

As he took the pill out, its radiance illuminated the room. He quickly stored it in a jade porcelain vial to mask its fragrance and glow. He didn’t have to wait long before he “saw” Bonanno excitedly greeting Uncle Cheng and skipping out of the house.

After a brief word with the butler, Rong Jingtang headed toward the bedroom. Uncle Cheng followed, thoughtfully closing the door behind him.

Upon entering, the first thing Rong Jingtang saw was Jiang Rui sitting upright at the table, looking incredibly solemn. This was a side of Jiang Rui he rarely saw, and he found it fascinating.

Rong Jingtang leaned his chin on his hand and studied him. “Is something wrong?”

“Ah,” Jiang Rui started, mentally scolding himself for being so nervous. He pushed the vial across the table. “I just wanted to ask… are you willing to cultivate?”

Rong Jingtang let out a muffled laugh. Seeing Jiang Rui’s tense expression, he teased, “I thought it was something serious.”

Jiang Rui felt a flash of annoyance. “I should have told you sooner…”

“I’m willing,” Rong Jingtang interrupted. He leaned across the table, his face inches from Jiang Rui’s. “You’re not going to ask why?”

Jiang Rui went quiet, looking at the man’s smiling face.

Rong Jingtang shook his head and leaned back comfortably in his chair. “There’s nothing to ask.” He smiled warmly. “I don’t seek much in this life. Only you.”

Jiang Rui bit his lip, his mouth curving into a shy smile as he lowered his head to hide his joy.

Rong Jingtang watched him, noticing how Jiang Rui was acting more and more like a “normal” person. His expression turned serious for a moment before he said softly, “Follow me.”

Jiang Rui followed him into the inner suite. Rong Jingtang reached into a secret compartment and pulled out an antique-looking box as if it were the most precious thing in the world.

Jiang Rui expected to see jewelry or family heirlooms. Instead, as the box opened, he saw: a stick from a candied hawthorn, a small handkerchief, a baby’s bib… and a rather large tiger-head shoe.

“What are these?” Jiang Rui asked, bewildered. He wondered if they were relics of a younger brother or tokens from some childhood betrothal.

Rong Jingtang stopped stroking the tiger-head shoe and looked at him blankly. “You don’t remember?”

The weight of Rong Jingtang’s stare was intense. Jiang Rui felt that saying “no” right now would be a mistake. He stammered, “I…”

“Miao Xuan said that to facilitate my rebirth, the cost was all my memories before the age of ten…” This wasn’t a lie; Jiang Rui’s childhood was indeed a blank slate. “So…”

“So, you really don’t remember.” Rong Jingtang lowered his head, looking utterly dejected.

Jiang Rui panicked, not knowing how to comfort him. “Don’t worry! I can’t restore the memories myself, but you can.”

He finally realized: these were his things. They had known each other when they were children. If he had said something to the young Rong Jingtang years ago that had kept the man waiting all this time… he felt a wave of guilt.

Before Jiang Rui could even react, Rong Jingtang grabbed the jade vial and swallowed the pill in one gulp.

Jiang Rui: “…”

Rong Jingtang looked the same after swallowing it, but knowing the medicine would take time to work, Jiang Rui immediately transported them both into the Spirit Realm for better absorption.

Miao Xuan and the Spirit-Essence sensed the newcomer immediately. They appeared before the couple, one holding the white tiger and the other a peach branch.

Miao Xuan sniffed the air and grumbled, “Giving him the pill so soon? Master, you are far too impatient.” He tossed a bottle to Jiang Rui. “These are for conditioning. Have him take one every three days.”

The Spirit-Essence watched them, then plucked a strand of its own hair and handed it to Jiang Rui. In his hand, the hair transformed into a delicate white jade chain glowing with a soft light. Jiang Rui took it and fastened it to the anklet he had previously made for Rong Jingtang.

As the two spirits walked away, Jiang Rui felt a strange sense of déjà vu, like a scene from a drama where a prince brings his consort home and the household staff line up to offer gifts.

He stood there, holding the items and feeling conflicted, completely unaware that the red thread of fate connecting him to Rong Jingtang had grown thicker, wrapping around their fingers until they were inseparable.