While Jiang Tao was video chatting with his wife, Xu Li.
Wang Lianming and his wife, He Fang, were having dinner.
Wang Lianming casually mentioned to He Fang about running into Jiang Tao that morning.
And he recounted the news Jiang Tao shared about three of his classmates getting cervical cancer.
"That's so scary!"
Even though they were strangers, as a woman, He Fang felt uneasy hearing about others getting cancer.
While sipping his millet pumpkin porridge, Wang Lianming said:
"Jiang Tao told his wife to take his mom, mother-in-law, and sister-in-law for checkups. With so many people, it's definitely going to cost a lot."
He Fang said, "Look at how filial Jiang Tao is, and how much he cares for his wife. You, on the other hand, are always working with others. You should learn from him."
Wang Lianming replied, "I'm learning, aren't I? Tomorrow's your day off. Go to the hospital for a full checkup. From now on, you should get one every year."
"Forget it. A checkup probably costs at least fourteen or fifteen hundred, right? What a waste of money. I feel perfectly fine, no issues."
He Fang was reluctant to spend that kind of money.
Fifteen hundred yuan was roughly equal to her and Wang Lianming's monthly food expenses.
Wang Lianming tried to persuade her, "Don't brush it off! I think Jiang Tao made a good point: spend when you need to, save when you can.
Go get it done tomorrow! Even cars need maintenance after being driven for a while, let alone people."
"I'll think about it."
"No need to think. I'm making the call this time. You're going for a checkup tomorrow."
That morning, Jiang Tao's words had hung over Wang Lianming's mind like the Sword of Damocles.
If He Fang didn't get this checkup, he wouldn't be able to rest easy.
"Fine, I'll go get checked. But if the money's wasted…"
"I'm hoping it's wasted! You silly woman, are you actually hoping they find something wrong?"
"Well, yeah."
He Fang laughed at her own silly logic.
…
At Jiang Tao's house.
Jiang Tao and Xu Li chatted for over an hour before ending the video call.
After washing the dishes, Jiang Tao slipped into bed to listen to an audiobook.
Time quickly passed, and at exactly midnight, new intelligence was updated.
**[Today's Intelligence]:**
While refueling at a Sinopec gas station, you run into the rich second-generation, Wang Fei.
Obtained related intelligence—
Your appearance is 80% similar to the Korean guy Wang Fei's girlfriend cheated with.
Let him punch you once, and you could get up to 80,000 yuan in compensation!
Wang Fei is currently drowning his sorrows at Shanyu Cocktail Bar near Huilongguan!
The target is expected to stay there for about 45 minutes!
…
"Holy sh*t…"
Seeing the intelligence update, Jiang Tao instantly lost all sleepiness.
What kind of bizarre intelligence was this!
He looked like the guy who Wang Fei's girlfriend cheated with?
But…
That wasn't the point.
Jiang Tao's attention was quickly drawn to the amount of money mentioned in the intelligence!
One punch for 80,000?
If he took that punch, wouldn't it clear his family's debts?
For a tough guy like him, one punch wouldn't do much, right?
This intelligence was incredibly tempting for Jiang Tao, who was desperately short on cash!
There was another crucial piece of information in the intelligence.
The rich second-generation Wang Fei would only be at that bar for about 45 minutes.
Which meant Jiang Tao had only 45 minutes to decide.
No, only 30 minutes now!
From Xiaoshahe to the Shanyu Cocktail Bar in Huilongguan would take at least 20 minutes!
Jiang Tao often made deliveries nearby and knew the bar's location.
"Let's do this!"
Thinking of his family's debts and his wife and kids at home,
Jiang Tao quickly started putting on his clothes and shoes.
When he got hit by a car and broke his leg, he only got a little over 20,000 in compensation.
Now, one punch could get him 80,000, equivalent to a year of backbreaking work!
A rich second-generation, not some boxing champ like Tyson—how hard could he hit?
Jiang Tao had been beaten down by life for a year and survived.
Could this rich kid named Wang Fei hit harder than that?
If he landed a punch, it's hard to say who'd feel more pain!
After getting dressed, Jiang Tao grabbed his phone, opened the door, and headed downstairs.
Since he'd been drinking earlier that evening, he couldn't drive himself.
So, Jiang Tao splurged and booked a ride on Didi.
There were plenty of Didi drivers living in Xiaoshahe village.
Even though it was late, someone quickly accepted the order.
Jiang Tao hopped into a BAIC New Energy EU400 at the village entrance.
For 38 yuan and 13 minutes, Jiang Tao arrived at the Shanyu Cocktail Bar.
Though Jiang Tao enjoyed a drink now and then, he had never set foot in a bar.
This was his first time, like a bride on her wedding day.
If it weren't for the 80,000 yuan waiting for him, he wouldn't have come here.
"Let's f*cking do this!"
Muttering under his breath, Jiang Tao took a deep breath and strode into the bar.
It was past midnight.
The bar was still bustling with young men and women drinking and chatting.
Jiang Tao, in his rough, down-to-earth outfit, was completely out of place among the stylish crowd.
If it weren't for tonight's intelligence, he probably would've never crossed paths with these people in his lifetime.
"Good evening, sir. Welcome to Shanyu Cocktail Bar. How can I assist you?"
As Jiang Tao stood dazed at the entrance, a uniformed waiter approached and asked politely.
"I'm here to meet a friend. Don't worry about me."
Jiang Tao waved off the waiter, his gaze quickly locking onto an area in the northeast corner of the bar.
That area had a distinct beam of light, different from the colorful lights elsewhere in the bar.
The light shone on a young man in a white shirt and black dress pants, holding a cocktail glass.
"Oh, right, get me one of your signature cocktails."
After spotting his target, Jiang Tao didn't rush over to "get punched" right away. He turned to the waiter and ordered a drink.
Coming in without ordering anything would look too suspicious.
For the sake of 80,000 yuan, spending a hundred or so on a drink to blend in was necessary.
"Of course, sir! Let me take you to a seat, and I'll bring it over shortly."
The waiter didn't treat Jiang Tao differently because of his plain clothes and maintained a professional attitude.
"Alright, I'll head over there. Looks like there's an open seat."
Jiang Tao pointed to the area where Wang Fei was and strode over confidently.
…
"I f*cking paid for her food, her clothes, gave her 80,000 yuan a month for pocket money, and she f*cking cheated on me!"
Wang Fei had drunk a lot tonight, repeating the same line over a dozen times.
He and his girlfriend, Li Hui, had been together for over three years in college.
But within half a year of her studying abroad, she hooked up with an art student senior from her school!
"Don't dwell on it, Young Master Wang. Li Hui's a total b*tch!"
"Exactly. She ditched a catch like you for some bald Korean guy. She'll be the one regretting it!"
"Yeah, Wang, Li Hui's brain must've been kicked by a donkey!"
"Out with the old, in with the new. Don't let a b*tch ruin your mood!"
Wang Fei's friends chimed in one after another, consoling him and expressing their indignation on his behalf.
To be fair, Wang Fei's family had assets worth tens of billions. Even in a place like Beijing, he was a top-tier rich second-generation.
He finally played the pure, devoted lover card once.
And ended up getting cuckolded by a woman from a far less wealthy background!
No one would feel okay about that!
"You guys keep drinking. I'm hitting the restroom. When I'm back, let's head to Sanlitun and call up some girls to party."
As Wang Fei spoke, he got up from the booth and headed toward the bar's restroom.
Jiang Tao, who had been watching Wang Fei's movements since sitting nearby,
was also keeping an eye on the remaining time displayed on the intelligence system.
At this moment, only 10 minutes remained before Wang Fei was expected to leave the bar!
Jiang Tao hadn't found an opportunity to act and was getting anxious in his booth.
He couldn't just walk up and ask to get punched, could he?
Seeing Wang Fei leave the booth, Jiang Tao realized this might be his last chance to catch his attention!
As Wang Fei headed toward the restroom, Jiang Tao hurriedly got up and followed him.
The two arrived at the restroom one after the other, standing shoulder-to-shoulder at two urinals.
"Cough, cough…"
Jiang Tao deliberately coughed twice, trying to get Wang Fei's attention, but it didn't work.
Suddenly, a spark of inspiration hit Jiang Tao as he recalled a key detail.
The intelligence mentioned that Wang Fei's girlfriend cheated with a Korean guy.
So…
"Gae-sae-kki !! Ssi-Bal!!"
Jiang Tao didn't know much Korean, so he threw out a couple of random phrases.
And it worked!
Jiang Tao's broken Korean instantly caught Wang Fei's attention!
Right now, Wang Fei hated Koreans the most!
*Swish!*
Wang Fei snapped his head toward Jiang Tao!
They were less than thirty centimeters apart, and their heights were similar.
So when Wang Fei turned, he saw Jiang Tao's face and froze.
He didn't even notice he'd pissed on his own shoes.
For a moment, Wang Fei thought he was seeing things.
This guy—wasn't he the Korean dude Li Hui cheated with?!
How dare he come to China!
How dare he come to Beijing!
How dare he show up right in front of him!