As soon as you step out of Baigezhuang New Village, you're greeted by a Jingkelong supermarket.
Though this supermarket isn't as large as major chains like Wumart or Yonghui, the products inside are fresh, and the variety is quite complete.
Xu Li, who had been living in the neighborhood for just over two weeks, was already a regular at this store.
At the supermarket entrance, the two of them grabbed a shopping cart, chatting and laughing as they entered to start picking out ingredients for tonight's dinner to entertain Old Lü.
In the meat section, they bought a rack of prime ribs, some chicken wings, and chicken thighs. They still had beef brought from their hometown, which could be used to make another dish.
In the vegetable section, they picked up broccoli, lettuce, fresh garlic shoots, cucumbers, and tomatoes—common household vegetables.
Xu Li also grabbed two packs of okra and a bunch of chives, saying she'd make an extra dish just for Old Jiang.
At the seafood section, they selected a 4-pound-plus Qingjiang fish and had the fishmonger clean and prepare it.
They also bought over 4 pounds of large shrimp and a foam box of oysters.
After that, they picked up some drinks, as well as desserts and fruits for after dinner.
Finally, they bought a pile of snacks for Xu Li and Jiang Xue.
This mother-daughter duo—one a big foodie, the other a little foodie—both loved munching on snacks.
By the time they were done, the shopping cart was stuffed to the brim.
At checkout, the total came to over 800 yuan.
In the past, spending so much on a single shopping trip might have made Jiang Tao wince.
But now, 800 yuan was pocket change to him.
Not even counting the profits from his investments, he had earned 180,000 yuan just from selling stones today!
Even after deducting 20% for personal income tax, he still had over 140,000 yuan in hand!
Jiang Tao and Xu Li made two trips back and forth to load all the items from the cart into the trunk.
After the big shopping haul, it was already past 6 p.m. when they returned to the neighborhood.
Jiang Tao's father, Jiang Wen, got a call from his son and came downstairs to help carry the ingredients from the trunk upstairs.
Back home, Xu Li and Jiang Tao's parents all headed to the kitchen to start preparing.
Jiang Tao pushed open the door to Jiang Xue's small room and saw her lying on her bed, chatting away on a video call.
"Teacher Jiang, with your foot injury, isn't it hard to get around?"
"My dad is really strong. How about I ask him to carry you downstairs for dinner?"
"And after dinner, he can carry you back up."
As soon as Jiang Xue finished speaking, a silvery giggle came from Jiang Yi on the other end of the call.
Old Jiang, quietly standing at the door, couldn't help but chuckle at his little girl's suggestion.
Kids' worlds are so innocent.
If your dad carried Teacher Jiang downstairs for dinner, he'd probably be kneeling on a washboard when he got home!
"Thank you for your kindness, Little Xue. You're such a thoughtful kid."
"But Teacher is a grown-up and weighs 100 pounds—too heavy for your dad to carry."
"No way! My dad is super strong! Besides, Teacher Jiang, 100 pounds isn't even that heavy."
"My aunt weighed herself on our electronic scale during the New Year, and she was 120 pounds! She even lied and said the scale was broken."
"Pfft, does she think I'm a three-year-old?"
Hearing his little girl's conversation with Jiang Yi, Jiang Tao couldn't help but laugh out loud at the door.
That's how you throw your aunt under the bus, huh?
Jiang Tao glanced at the green Submariner watch on his wrist.
It was just past 6:30 p.m.
It had been about an hour since he and Xu Li went shopping.
In other words, Jiang Xue had been video chatting with Jiang Yi for over an hour.
Jiang Tao pushed open the door, walked a few steps to Jiang Xue's bedside, and said gently, "Little Xue, Teacher Jiang is injured and needs rest. You've chatted enough for today. Say goodbye to Teacher Jiang."
Jiang Xue pouted, "No way~ I still have so much to talk about with Teacher Jiang."
Jiang Tao glanced at Jiang Xue's phone screen and saw that Jiang Yi was also lying on her bed, just like Jiang Xue.
Her deep cleavage was clearly visible, with her "bears" squeezed into an enticing shape.
Seeing Jiang Tao suddenly appear on the screen, Jiang Yi hurriedly changed her posture, sitting up on the bed, the view at her chest disappearing in a flash.
She brushed her hair with a slightly embarrassed expression, pretending nothing had happened.
"Little Xue, kids shouldn't use electronic devices for too long."
"Listen to your dad. You can call Teacher again anytime."
"Okay, fine. Bye, Teacher Jiang."
"Bye~"
Hearing Jiang Yi's words, Jiang Xue reluctantly hung up the phone.
She slipped on a pair of fluffy pink slippers and followed Jiang Tao out of the room.
*Ring ring ring—*
Just as Jiang Tao stepped out of Jiang Xue's room, his phone rang.
He pulled it out and saw the caller ID: "Old Lü."
"Hey, Old Lü, you and Aunt Ma are downstairs? I'll come down to meet you."
After a brief exchange with Old Lü, Jiang Tao hung up.
As he took the elevator downstairs, he ran into the cold-faced guy from next door riding the elevator up.
The guy didn't acknowledge him, and Jiang Tao wasn't about to make nice with someone who gave him the cold shoulder.
When he reached the ground floor, he saw Lü Qian and Ma Dongmei, carrying bags of gifts, just arriving at the building entrance.
"Old Lü, you didn't have to bring so much stuff."
Jiang Tao said with a grin, stepping forward to take some of the boxes from Lü Qian's hands.
There were boxes of pastries, milk, cigarettes, alcohol, sugar, and tea.
Ma Dongmei was carrying several bags of fruit.
It was their first time visiting Jiang Tao's home, so naturally, they didn't want to come empty-handed.
"Gifts never hurt, right? Consider it a housewarming gift for you," Lü Qian said.
As he spoke, Ma Dongmei smiled at Jiang Tao, making a few gestures with her free hand.
"Little Mei says she's happy to visit your home and hopes we're not intruding," Lü Qian translated.
"Intruding? Not at all. Come on, let's head upstairs and talk."
Jiang Tao cheerfully ushered them into the elevator and led them into the apartment.
After about an hour of bustling in the kitchen by Xu Li and Jiang Tao's parents, the dishes for entertaining Lü Qian and Ma Dongmei were ready and served.
Once inside, Jiang Tao introduced everyone.
Then he invited them to sit around the large tea table in the living room.
Ma Dongmei was from the same hometown in Ping County, and she was about the same age as Jiang Tao's mom, Tian Xiaomei.
Though they couldn't communicate verbally, Ma Dongmei used her iPad to write messages, and the two women chatted enthusiastically.
Lü Qian hit it off with Jiang Tao, his father, and Old Sun, chatting lively.
*Bang bang bang!!!*
Suddenly, a loud, jarring knock on the door interrupted the lively atmosphere at the table.
Everyone's eyes turned toward the door.
Jiang Tao frowned, feeling a bit annoyed.
*Bang bang bang, bang bang bang!!!*
The force of the knocking could hardly be called knocking—it was more like pounding.
"You guys keep eating. I'll check what's going on," Jiang Tao said, standing up from his seat. Xu Li followed closely behind, looking worried.
Jiang Tao's dad, Old Sun, and Lü Qian also got up.
*Click!*
Jiang Tao yanked open the door and saw a middle-aged man with a grim expression standing there—the neighbor from next door.
"Do you people have any manners?"
"You're making so much noise just eating dinner. It's seriously disturbing my rest!"
"If you keep this up, don't blame me for calling the police!"
The man's dead-fish eyes glared at Jiang Tao, his tone as if he'd swallowed two pounds of dynamite.
"Are you out of your mind? We're just having guests over and chatting. How's that bothering you?"
"You're the one pounding on my door, and you're calling *us* classless?"
Jiang Tao wasn't one to start trouble, but he wasn't afraid of it either.
This guy not only pounded on their door but also implied his family lacked manners. That was intolerable.
Seeing Jiang Tao start to roll up his sleeves, Xu Li quickly grabbed his arm.
"Honey, don't argue with him. It's a small matter, not worth it."
"We're neighbors; getting along peacefully is what matters."
"Jiang Tao, don't be impulsive."
"It's fine, Old Two."
"After a chorus of coaxing and pulling, the group finally dragged Jiang Tao back to the living room."
Objectively speaking, they had only been talking at a normal volume, not shouting deliberately.
Being lectured after someone pounded on their door was a bit over the line.
Everyone has guests over sometimes, don't they?
After persuading Jiang Tao to sit, Lü Qian and Old Sun exchanged a few words with the neighbor at the door.
The unpleasant incident finally came to an end.
But the previously cheerful atmosphere was ruined.
Everyone became more reserved in their conversations, and the mood grew somewhat subdued.
Jiang Tao glared at the neighbor's apartment, mentally cursing their ancestors eight generations back.
At the same time, he vowed to himself that once he had enough money, he'd buy a standalone villa to avoid dealing with such annoying neighbors.
Dinner, which started around 7 p.m., ended abruptly by 8 p.m.
Jiang Tao and Xu Li drove Lü Qian and Ma Dongmei back to Xiaoshahe Village.
The Mercedes GLS didn't enter the village, stopping at the entrance.
They got out of the car, exchanged a few pleasantries, and said their goodbyes.
"Take care, Little Jiang. Drive safely on your way back with Little Xu," Lü Qian said.
"You guys take care too. Watch your step."
"Bye, Uncle Lü! Bye, Aunt Ma!"
Xu Li also smiled and waved goodbye to Lü Qian and Ma Dongmei.
Watching the couple walk hand-in-hand into the village, Xu Li said enviously, "Honey, when we're old, will we be as loving as Uncle Lü and Aunt Ma?"
Jiang Tao hugged Xu Li's slender waist, grinning confidently. "Of course we will. Absolutely."
"Will you think I'm an old hag then? Don't men always prefer 18-year-old girls?"
"Who said that? I don't know about other guys, but not me. I'll always love my wife, no matter how old you are."
Faced with Xu Li's question, Old Jiang's survival instincts kicked into high gear.
"That's my good husband~"
Xu Li hugged Jiang Tao's arm, resting her head on his shoulder, her face radiating the happiness of a young woman.
After Jiang Tao finished smoking a cigarette, the couple got back in the car, with Xu Li driving.
…
The drive home was smooth and safe.
Jiang Tao suddenly remembered the Babao pickled vegetable sample survey.
He brought the nine boxes of Babao pickled vegetables from the trunk upstairs for Xu Li and his parents to try.
"This one's the best."
"Yeah, I think this one's the best too."
"This one!"
"Dad, this one! This one's delicious!"
As expected.
His parents, Xu Li, and Jiang Xue all unanimously chose the same one.
They all picked the Babao pickled vegetables made by Jiang Yi.
Though it was only a small sample of seven or eight testers, Jiang Tao felt it was quite convincing.
Jiang Yi's family recipe for Babao pickled vegetables definitely had great potential!
Curious, Xu Li asked, "Honey, why did you buy so many pickled vegetables for us to try? What's the plan?"
His parents also looked at Jiang Tao curiously, waiting for his explanation.
"A friend in the food industry thinks this Babao pickled vegetable has high commercial value."
"I'm planning to buy the recipe from its creator, mass-produce it, and sell it."
Jiang Tao hadn't intended to keep it a secret from Xu Li and his parents, so he took the chance to share his plan.
"Mom, Dad, here's my plan: once we get the recipe, we'll start making Babao pickled vegetables."
"Then I'll rent a stall for you two at the vegetable market near the neighborhood."
"You can sell Babao pickled vegetables here in Beijing. It'll definitely earn way more than doing odd jobs back in the village!"
"Plus, you won't be exposed to the elements, and it'll be much more relaxed."
"You're both almost 60. Lily and I really don't feel comfortable with you doing heavy physical labor back home."
"This…"
Jiang Wen and Tian Xiaomei exchanged a glance.
Hearing their son's arrangements, they felt both comforted and deeply moved.
It wasn't that they loved backbreaking work or enjoyed physical labor.
They did heavy labor in the village to earn extra money for future needs.
Their thinking was simple: avoid troubling their two sons as much as possible.
While they could still work, they wanted to earn more to support themselves later.
Now, their son was arranging easier, more profitable work for them, and they were naturally very tempted.
Xu Li, in sync with Jiang Tao, added, "Yeah, Mom, Dad, I agree with my husband. You've worked hard for most of your lives. It's time to lighten the load."
Jiang Tao took his parents' rough hands and said sincerely, "Mom, Dad, I need you. Stay and help me."
"Alright! Deal!"
"Good!"
Hearing their youngest son say he "needed them," Jiang Wen and Tian Xiaomei agreed readily.
Helping their son and seeing their precious granddaughter every day—what could they object to?
"Then it's settled! I'll work on getting the Babao pickled vegetable recipe as soon as possible."
"Mom, Dad, in the meantime, check out the vegetable market nearby for any suitable stalls."
"Okay, sounds good!"
With a real task at hand, the two elders were suddenly full of energy.
The family chatted in the living room for a bit longer.
Around 10 p.m., they took turns washing up and went to their rooms to rest.
Xu Li fell asleep soon after lying down.
As usual, Jiang Tao stayed up until midnight, waiting for today's intelligence update.
**[Daily Intelligence 01]:**
You had contact with your neighbor Qi Jinxiong yesterday, obtaining related intelligence—
Qi Jinxiong has colluded with foreign forces to steal classified company data worth 30 million yuan.
Report to the company's security department to receive a 300,000 yuan cash reward!
Security Department Head's reporting number: 139XXXX8876.
**[Note]:** 11 hours and 39 minutes remain until the data is leaked.
…
"Qi Jinxiong? The neighbor…"
Seeing the first piece of intelligence, Jiang Tao instantly pictured that dead-fish-faced annoying neighbor.
"Hah, talk about instant karma!"
After reading the intelligence, Jiang Tao couldn't help but laugh.
They'd just had a run-in yesterday, and today, Qi Jinxiong's dirty secret was in his hands!
Serves him right!
Even without yesterday's conflict, Jiang Tao wouldn't pass up a chance to make money.
Reporting Qi Jinxiong would earn him a 300,000 yuan reward. Why would he cover for him?
According to the intelligence, Qi Jinxiong was colluding with foreign forces to steal confidential company data—clearly not a good guy.
Reporting someone like that gave Jiang Tao no moral qualms, only satisfaction!
"There's still over 11 hours until the leak. This intelligence isn't urgent. I can deal with it tomorrow morning."
Pleased with the first piece of intelligence, Jiang Tao moved on to the next.
**[Daily Intelligence 02]:**
You and Xu Li drove past the intersection of Dingsi Road and Qili Canal Road yesterday, obtaining related intelligence—
A dump truck with failed brakes will arrive at that intersection in 10 minutes.
Head there immediately by car to receive 1.18 million yuan in compensation and painlessly transmigrate to another world to start a new life.
…
"What the hell…"
Seeing the second piece of intelligence, Jiang Tao's face darkened.
A dump truck? Transmigrate to another world?
"System bro, you're getting a bit abstract today!"
If he didn't have parents, a wife, and a daughter, Jiang Tao might've considered switching worlds.
But looking at his lovely wife in his arms, thinking of his healthy parents and adorable daughter, his life was happy and fulfilling. Who in their right mind would go crash into a dump truck?
This transmigration opportunity could go to someone else—he wasn't interested!
Skipping the second piece, he moved to the next.
**[Daily Intelligence 03]:**
You had contact with your neighbor Qi Jinxiong yesterday, obtaining related intelligence—
At 11 p.m. last night, Qi Jinxiong threw half a bag of moldy rice into the downstairs garbage bin, containing 100,000 yuan in cash stashed by his late wife!
**[Note]:** 10 hours and 22 minutes remain until the 100,000 yuan is cleared.
"Another piece about that great neighbor!"
Seeing the third piece of intelligence was also about Qi Jinxiong—and involved 100,000 yuan in cash—Jiang Tao was thrilled.
Glancing at Xu Li in his arms, he carefully got out of bed, slipped on his slippers, and left the bedroom.
Though the intelligence said there were over 10 hours until the rice bag was cleared, Jiang Tao wasn't waiting.
It was dark and windy—perfect for retrieving the rice bag unnoticed.
During the day, with people around the neighborhood, it'd be less convenient.
"Going through a garbage bin in the middle of the night… damn it, do I really need this 100,000 yuan?"
As he changed clothes, Jiang Tao grumbled to himself.
Though his net worth was in the millions, he couldn't just watch 100,000 yuan get hauled away by a garbage truck.
"If Shijie and Shaojie were here, I could've sent them to pick it up."
As he took the elevator downstairs, Jiang Tao thought of his two nephews back home.
Those two were fiercely loyal to their second uncle.
Working with them made Jiang Tao feel at ease.
During the New Year back home, he'd taken the brothers to dig up a jar of silver coins and found a lost Bichon Frise worth a 60,000 yuan reward.
Having helpers versus going solo made a big difference!
*Ding!*
The elevator doors opened on the first floor. Jiang Tao stepped out and headed straight for the garbage bins by the building entrance.
Though Baigezhuang was a resettlement neighborhood, its facilities were decent.
The garbage bins weren't left out in the open; they were in designated bins with proper waste sorting.
Standing at the building entrance, Jiang Tao's eyes caught a faint golden glow coming from the recyclable waste bin.
Clearly, Qi Jinxiong had tossed the moldy rice into the recyclable bin.
"My daughter knows moldy rice is kitchen waste. What a guy."
After last night's incident, Jiang Tao now saw Qi Jinxiong through a biased lens.
Everything about the guy annoyed him.
He couldn't wait to see him locked up.
Muttering under his breath, Jiang Tao scanned the area to ensure no one was around.
Seeing the coast was clear, he strode toward the recyclable waste bin.
Thankfully, it was still early in the year, and the cold weather kept the bin's odor mild.
Soon, Jiang Tao pulled out a half-full red rice bag labeled "Wuchang Rice."
In his vision, the bag glowed with a faint golden light, confirming the target item was inside.
Without lingering, Jiang Tao carried the bag to his Mercedes GLS parked downstairs.
He opened the trunk and tossed the bag inside.
Reaching into the bag, his fingers brushed against something unusual.
*Rustle~*
With a flip of his hand, he pulled out a thick stack of red banknotes wrapped in a plastic bag.
Without checking their authenticity, he tossed the money into the trunk, then carried the rice bag back to the bins and threw it into the kitchen waste bin.
"Done!"
Clapping his hands, Jiang Tao returned to the building and took the elevator back up.
*Ding!*
The elevator opened on the 16th floor.
As Jiang Tao passed apartment 1602, his eyes instinctively glanced at Qi Jinxiong's door.
He felt no guilt or sympathy for Qi Jinxiong, who was colluding with foreign forces to steal company secrets.
The one who should feel guilty was Qi Jinxiong.
To access such critical company data, he must hold a high position or be trusted by his boss.
His actions were the epitome of betrayal.
Of course, Jiang Tao wasn't some justice warrior acting for the company's benefit.
His motive was simple: the 300,000 yuan reward mentioned in the intelligence.
*Click~*
He quietly opened the apartment door and headed straight to the bathroom.
He changed out of his clothes, gave himself a quick rinse, and slipped back into the bedroom.
Xu Li was still in the same position as when he left, her breathing steady, still fast asleep.
Jiang Tao's mind wandered.
Since binding to the daily intelligence system, he'd noticed that whenever he slept with Xu Li, she slept deeply.
Even when he left in the middle of the night, she never noticed.
Could the system be hypnotizing those around him?
It was just a guess, with no evidence to back it up.
Unable to figure it out, he stopped dwelling on it.
Jiang Tao carefully climbed into bed, slipped under the covers, and wrapped his arm around Xu Li's waist. Within three minutes, he was asleep.
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Dear readers,
If you happen to notice any errors, typos, or inconsistencies in the text, please don't hesitate to leave a comment. Your feedback is greatly appreciated and will help me improve the story. Together, we can make it as polished and enjoyable as possible!
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