"Bro, can I have your contact information?"
"If you ever need to vent again, you can find me, anytime..."
Before Jiang Tao could finish his sentence, Wang Fei had already turned and walked away briskly.
"..."
Seeing this, Jiang Tao did not insist.
The deal—a trade of money for fists—was completed, and now it was time for him to make a graceful exit.
Although he enjoyed a drink now and then, he wasn't really accustomed to the bar scene.
When he walked out of the Shanyu Cocktail Bar, it was just 1:00 AM.
In other words, from the time Jiang Tao got the tip-off at midnight, it took him just an hour to earn 80,000 yuan in anger!
He hailed a cab outside and went straight home.
Returning to his rental in Xiaoshanhe, Jiang Tao took out his phone and glanced at the balance on a certain payment app.
80,145.66!
The 145.66 was his original asset, and the 80,000 was earned just from stepping out!
"If only I could get a deal like this every day!"
"No need for every day, even once a month would be good! A monthly salary of 80,000 is pretty nice!"
"It's indeed easy to earn money from rich kids!"
Looking at the balance on his phone, Jiang Tao rubbed the spot Wang Fei had punched earlier, grinning from ear to ear.
"Sleep, sleep! Tomorrow morning, I'll take some time to pay off the family's debts, and I won't have to worry about it anymore."
Thinking about being able to pay off the mountain-like debt soon, Jiang Tao felt he could breathe much easier!
That night, Jiang Tao slept exceptionally well and didn't wake up until after 7 AM.
After getting up and washing his face, he got dressed and headed downstairs straight to the mutton soup shop in the urban village.
He had already earned 80,000 before work started today; treating himself to a hearty mutton soup meal sounded fitting!
Finishing a big bowl of creamy mutton soup with half a large pancake, his stomach felt warm and full!
After eating his fill, Jiang Tao paid the bill and walked toward the village outskirts.
Even though he had already earned 80,000 yuan today, no one would mind making more money!
Until he had accumulated enough money, Jiang Tao didn't plan on quitting his day job.
In a morning's work, he picked up three gigs and made 258 yuan.
During lunch, Jiang Tao sent money to a few creditors via WeChat, settling his debts.
At last, Jiang Tao was finally debt-free, feeling light as a feather!
While hustling for more work in the afternoon, he felt completely at ease and greatly enjoyed this state!
Around 4 PM, Jiang Tao's phone rang in his pocket.
Pulling it out, he saw the caller ID read "Brother Wang".
That morning, Jiang Tao had seen Wang Lianming, but he hadn't seen him all afternoon.
Not thinking much, Jiang Tao swiped to answer the call.
"Hey, Brother Wang, what's up?"
"What? Sister-in-law, she..."
Hearing from the other end that Wang Lianming said He Fang's checkup today really found cervical cancer.
Though Jiang Tao had known this ahead of time, it was still oppressive hearing it from Wang Lianming.
"No need to thank me, what are you thanking me for; which hospital are you in? I'm just about to get off work, I'll come see you tonight."
"Alright, alright, is there anything you need me to bring?"
"Okay, for now, take good care of sister-in-law, and hang up."
After a brief conversation over the phone, Jiang Tao hung up.
Just now, over a dozen thank-yous came from Wang Lianming over the phone.
Thanking him for the kind reminder the day before.
If not for Jiang Tao's reminder, He Fang wouldn't have gone for a checkup today.
They wouldn't have discovered that she already had cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer is a malignant tumor, with no obvious symptoms in its early stages.
By the time there are symptoms, it's already mid or even late-stage!
Over the phone, Wang Lianming's voice trembled, showing how frightened he was.
At that moment, Jiang Tao suddenly realized that yesterday's tip about He Fang, though it didn't earn him money, was indeed more valuable than any amount of money.
Driving back to Xiaoshanhe, Jiang Tao headed straight to Pang Dongdong Supermarket.
"Master Jiang, do you want to try your luck with another bottle of Qinghua Lang today?"
Seeing Jiang Tao enter, Yu Dongdong joked warmly.
"No, that day was sheer luck; who can always be lucky?"
Jiang Tao declined with a smile and strode into the supermarket.
He picked up some new stainless steel meal containers, a few new towels, washbasins, kettles, and toiletries like toothpaste and toothbrushes.
A big shopping spree costing over 300 yuan and filling two big bags to the brim.
After paying, Jiang Tao didn't bother with dinner and took a rideshare straight to Jishuitan Hospital.
On the way to the hospital, Jiang Tao messaged Xu Li on WeChat to let her know he had something to do tonight and would be back late.
Arriving at the hospital, Jiang Tao carried a load of daily necessities and took the elevator to the 7th floor of the oncology department.
He soon found Room 718, where He Fang was staying.
"Jiang Tao! My good brother!"
"Bro, bro... I really don't know how to thank you! Bro..."
Choking up, Wang Lianming, gave Jiang Tao who had just entered, a big bear hug, tears overflowing from his eye sockets.
A nearly 40-year-old big man crying like a child.
"Brother Wang, we're family; don't say these estranged words."
"The priority right now is to get sister-in-law's illness treated; everything else is small stuff."
Jiang Tao's gaze turned to He Fang, half-lying on the hospital bed in her patient gown.
In just a day's time, her mental state seemed to have changed dramatically.
Yesterday, she was like a delicate flower, but today she seemed to have withered suddenly.
"Jiang Tao, you came, it's too much trouble for you, thank you."
He Fang's voice was no longer as clear as yesterday; it had turned weak and feeble.
Illness strikes like a hill crumbling, even more so with something like cancer.
Jiang Tao sincerely said, "Sister-in-law, no need to treat me like an outsider.
We should all look out for each other when abroad.
If you need me for anything, feel free to call, I'm at your disposal."
"Thank you, Jiang Tao, thank you; luckily my brother and I took your advice, otherwise..."
"Our Congcong and Nannan are still so young, I really can't leave them."
At the thought of her two kids, He Fang's tears started flowing uncontrollably.
When the doctor informed her she might have cancer, He Fang's first thought was of her two children.
If she died, what would happen to her kids without a mom in the future?
It's a sentiment that only parents can truly empathize with.
A woman is naturally frail, but becomes strong as a mother; a man is naturally strong but becomes soft as a father!
Jiang Tao comforted her, "Sister-in-law, don't overthink; didn't the doctor say it's at a very early stage? As long as you actively treat it, it can be fully cured."
Wang Lianming stepped forward, holding He Fang's hand, encouraging her:
"Honey, don't overthink it; you can definitely recover! You definitely can!"
Jiang Tao stayed at the hospital until 6 PM when visiting hours ended before leaving.
During that time, he took Wang Lianming to ask about medical expenses in the hallway.
If money was tight, he offered to lend some to Wang Lianming.
Besides the over 80,000 paid off for debts today,
Jiang Tao had done quite well recently, selling watches, selling alcohol, and even finding nearly 30,000 yuan of hidden money in a couch.
So, he had quite a bit more cash on hand.
Wang Lianming said there was no need.
He and He Fang had saved about 500,000 to 600,000 yuan over the years, originally planning to buy a house in full in the county next year.
With He Fang suddenly falling ill, the money was naturally prioritized for treatment.
Money can be earned again.