Chapter 261: New Intelligence: Hail, Spies, And A Nine Fish Painting!
Yuan Family Village is relatively close to the county town.
It’s less than a 5-minute drive.
In recent years, with the county town continuously expanding towards Yuan Family Village.
It has also brought many job opportunities to the villagers.
The vast majority of villagers in Yuan Family Village have found jobs in the city and are working.
In comparison, the overall economic conditions are much better than in backward rural areas like Jiang Family Village, where most villagers are still farming.
At this time, almost every household in the village has a sedan.
The cheap ones are only tens of thousands of yuan, the expensive ones are over a hundred thousand, or two to three hundred thousand.
However, there isn’t a single luxury car like a Mercedes-Benz G-Class worth several million.
When Jiang Tao’s Mercedes-Benz G-Class drove into the village, it was like a big shark swimming into a small puddle.
After he and Yuan Mengqi returned home with bags and packages.
Several villagers stopped from afar, pointing at the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and discussing it.
“When did the Old Yuan family get such a capable relative? Driving a Mercedes-Benz G-Class worth millions, wouldn’t they be worth tens or even hundreds of millions?”
“The person who just went in, he doesn’t look like Old Yuan’s son-in-law, does he? That son-in-law isn’t that tall.”
“Didn’t Old Yuan’s daughter get divorced a while ago, do you know? Could it be a new partner?”
“A second marriage and finding a tycoon who drives a G-Wagen? You must be joking!”
“To be fair, although Old Yuan’s daughter is divorced, her looks and figure are still outstanding, so the chance of a rich person fancying her is quite high!”
“The Old Yuan family has had quite bad luck these past few years. He passed away not long ago, then his wife was diagnosed with cancer, and their daughter got divorced. Is their bad luck finally over and turning around?”
“It’s all fate!”
While the villagers were chatting, Yuan Mengqi led Jiang Tao through the courtyard to the kitchen door of her family’s East Wing Room.
“Mom, Younger Brother, Ran Ran, Jiang Tao is here.”
With Yuan Mengqi’s greeting, Zhao Huilan, Yuan Mengjie, and Lin Ranran stopped what they were doing, picking vegetables, and looked towards the door.
“Jiang Tao is here, welcome, welcome! Come in and have a seat.”
“Brother Jiang, you’re here!”
“Brother Jiang.”
Upon seeing Jiang Tao, they all greeted him warmly.
Jiang Tao was very popular at Yuan Mengqi’s home.
“Hello Aunt Zhao, Mengjie, Ran Ran, you’ve both worked hard too.”
Jiang Tao also greeted the family with a smile.
“Oh my, why did you bring so many things again, you’ve spent too much.”
Zhao Huilan looked at the bags and packages in Jiang Tao and her daughter’s hands, appearing flattered.
Jiang Tao smiled and said, “It’s just a small token of my appreciation, nothing much. It’s my first time visiting, so it’s only right to bring you a gift.”
“Since you’ve already bought them, Auntie won’t say anything more. But don’t do it again in the future. Just treat this like your own home, no need to be so formal.”
“Come, come, Xiao Jiang, let Mengjie and Ran Ran finish their work here, and you go inside to rest.”
Zhao Huilan said, while warmly taking Jiang Tao’s hand and leading him into the large living room of the main house.
“You two, perform well and show off your skills to Brother Jiang.”
Yuan Mengqi instructed her younger brother and future sister-in-law, then followed her mother and Jiang Tao.
“Don’t worry, Sister, we definitely won’t disappoint Brother Jiang!”
Yuan Mengjie replied with a smile, feeling quite confident about tonight’s dinner.
To entertain Jiang Tao, Yuan Mengjie and Lin Ranran had gone to the supermarket to buy a lot of ingredients.
The ten dishes prepared for Jiang Tao tonight were all his signature dishes.
“Sit, sit, Xiao Jiang, please sit anywhere, don’t be formal.”
Upon entering the living room, Zhao Huilan eagerly invited Jiang Tao to sit.
“Okay, Aunt Zhao, I’m not being formal, I feel very relaxed.”
Jiang Tao said with a smile, casually sitting down on the large sofa in the living room.
He casually looked around at the furnishings in the room.
Like many rural homes in Ping County.
A large coffee table, a sofa set, a TV wall, and a television in the living room.
A simple, standard renovation style, nothing particularly eye-catching.
If there was anything that felt a bit special to Jiang Tao.
It was a Nine Fish Painting on the west wall of the living room, depicting four red carp and five black carp.
“Nine” symbolizes longevity, and “fish” represents wealth and prosperity.
The Nine Fish Painting symbolizes abundance year after year and endless vitality.
In Feng Shui, hanging such a painting at home can help with wealth and prosperity, and family prosperity.
“It’s good to be relaxed. Qiqi, go wash some fruit for Jiang Tao.”
“Jiang Tao, you sit, I’ll make you some tea.”
Zhao Huilan said, while pressing the water intake button on the kettle on the coffee table and starting to fill it with water.
Soon, Yuan Mengqi placed a large fruit platter on the table.
The fruit platter contained the apricots Jiang Tao had brought.
There were also bananas, apples, oranges, grapes, and dragon fruit that they had specially bought to entertain Jiang Tao.
After bringing the fruit platter, Yuan Mengqi brought another nut plate.
The fruit platter contained nuts such as sunflower seeds, peanuts, pistachios, and pecans.
“Wow, it’s only April, but it feels like Spring Festival.”
Jiang Tao said with a smile, looking at the fruit platter and nut plate on the coffee table.
In Ping County, guests are only entertained so grandly during Spring Festival.
“Hehe, you are a distinguished guest in our family, so the reception should naturally be top-tier.”
Yuan Mengqi said with a smile, then sat down on the sofa next to Jiang Tao.
“Take whatever you want to eat, don’t be shy.”
Jiang Tao said with a smile:
“Don’t worry, I won’t be polite. How about you shell some more sunflower seeds for me?”
“Hehe, you’re really not being polite at all!”
Yuan Mengqi gave Jiang Tao a playful glare, but the smile on her face was sweeter than ever.
“Alas! Qiqi, this girl has had bad luck. If only she had met Jiang Tao earlier…”
Zhao Huilan looked at her daughter chatting and laughing with Jiang Tao, and many emotions welled up in her heart.
A mother knows her daughter best, and she understood her own daughter very well.
She could tell that her daughter had most likely fallen for Jiang Tao.
These days, whenever Yuan Mengqi chatted with her, no matter what topic they discussed, it always ended up with Jiang Tao.
Moreover, Zhao Huilan also noticed that her daughter smiled more and was happier every time she was with Jiang Tao.
Zhao Huilan was also grateful to Jiang Tao, who had selflessly helped her as a “savior.”
When she looked at Jiang Tao, she subconsciously saw him through a “filter,” finding him good in every way.
And thinking about her previous son-in-law…
There was no comparison!
Zhao Huilan also wished for a son-in-law as outstanding and with such good character as Jiang Tao!
Jiang Tao chatted with Yuan Mengqi and her mother for about half an hour.
Yuan Mengjie and Lin Ranran began to bring dishes to the coffee table one after another.
Steamed Qingjiang Fish, Braised Pork Ribs, Boiled Sliced Pork in Hot Chili Oil, Braised Pork, Stewed Beef Brisket with Tomatoes, Braised Prawns, Braised Lion’s Head, Boiled Meatballs.
There was also Stewed Chicken with Mushrooms and Pickled Cabbage with Pork, all simmered in a hot pot.
The ten dishes were common home-style dishes found in small restaurants, but they were all carefully prepared by Yuan Mengqi’s family.
Since he had driven, Jiang Tao wasn’t planning to drink alcohol tonight, so he bought fruit juice at the supermarket.
After all the dishes were served, they sat around the coffee table.
For the first toast, Yuan Mengqi suggested they all clink glasses together to welcome Jiang Tao.
The family naturally had no objections, and they all raised their fruit juice glasses and clinked them with Jiang Tao.
After the first toast, the banquet officially began.
“This Braised Pork Ribs is fragrant but not greasy, tender but not mushy, skillful work.”
“The Stewed Beef Brisket with Tomatoes also tastes great, it’s chewy but not tough.”
“The Lion’s Head is also good…”
“Brother Jiang, try this Stewed Chicken with Mushrooms.”
“Jiang Tao, eat fish.”
“Xiao Jiang…”
Yuan Mengqi’s family of four eagerly urged Jiang Tao to try different dishes.
Jiang Tao also transformed into a food critic tonight, commenting on each of the ten dishes made by Yuan Mengjie.
It has to be said, Yuan Mengjie really has some talent in culinary skills.
All ten dishes were perfectly prepared in appearance, aroma, and taste, no less than the chefs in star-rated hotels!
Yuan Mengjie’s culinary skills, combined with his 【Delicious Clay Pot】.
A powerful combination, it’s hard not to become popular!
Jiang Tao could already imagine the scene of his restaurant making a fortune in the near future.
Then, with a gentle toss of the 【Monopoly Dice】!
Earning a few hundred million a year would be effortless!
The meal, which started around 7 PM, lasted until after 8 PM.
After eating and drinking their fill, Yuan Mengqi’s family of four accompanied Jiang Tao, chatting for a while and snacking on sunflower seeds.
When Yuan Mengqi handed Jiang Tao a large handful of shelled sunflower seeds, Old Jiang felt both amused and helpless.
He had only said it casually, making a joke with her, and she took it seriously!
At 9 PM, Jiang Tao felt it was about time and decided to take his leave and head home.
Yuan Mengqi’s family of four all came out to see him off.
They watched until the taillights of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class disappeared into the night before returning home.
“Jiang Tao is truly a good person, and he has been a great help to our family.”
“Qiqi, Xiao Jie, Ran Ran, you three should get along well with him in the future.”
“Although I haven’t been very capable in this life, I’ve never misjudged anyone. If you follow him, he will definitely not treat you unfairly.”
Back home, Zhao Huilan looked at her children and future daughter-in-law and said earnestly.
Yuan Mengjie smiled and said, “Mom! You don’t need to say that. I will never forget Brother Jiang’s great kindness to our family. As long as Brother Jiang doesn’t fire me, I’ll work for him my whole life!”
“Me too, I’ve decided on Jiang Tao for this life.”
Yuan Mengqi said concisely, expressing her true feelings.
In her heart, Jiang Tao was not only their family’s savior but also her Bole.
“Yes, yes, Auntie, don’t worry, I will definitely work hard!”
“The treatment Brother Jiang gives us is too good. Where else can we find such good jobs after leaving Brother Jiang!”
Lin Ranran also replied with a smile; in all her time working, she had never earned such a high salary.
…
Jiang Tao drove back to his home in Xicheng Huafu Residential Area around 9:30 PM.
He had a video call with Xu Li for over an hour, then browsed his mobile phone for over an hour before taking a shower.
By the time he finished showering, it was exactly midnight.
He sat on the sofa in the living room and lit a cigarette.
Jiang Tao lightly rubbed the Heluo Stone bracelet on his left wrist with his right hand.
“Brother Stone, give it your all today, we haven’t refreshed any valuable intelligence for a week.”
“Come on, you can do it!”
After entrusting “Heluo Stone,” Jiang Tao’s thoughts moved, and he opened the Daily Intelligence System to check the intelligence refreshed for today.
【Today’s Intelligence 01】:
You had contact with Yu Shuai, the boss of Old Soldier Farm, yesterday, and obtained related intelligence—
A localized hailstorm tomorrow afternoon at 3 PM will cause severe losses to the farm.
Timely reminders can allow for early harvesting of fruits from the trees, reducing disaster.
Afterward, you can gain Yu Shuai’s gratitude and his sincere friendship.
…
“Localized hailstorm?”
Seeing the first piece of intelligence refreshed today, Jiang Tao thought with a mix of amusement and helplessness.
Is heaven targeting Yu Shuai precisely?
If I remind him, will I be incurring heaven’s wrath?
“Forget it, I’ll still remind Old Yu. Whether he believes it or not is up to him.”
After reading the first piece of intelligence, Jiang Tao quickly made up his mind and continued to the second piece.
【Today’s Intelligence 02】:
You had contact with Jiang Shuisheng yesterday and obtained related intelligence—
Jiang Shuisheng’s ex-wife and daughter have been developed as spies by his current husband, and the three are colluding to steal national intelligence.
Reporting the spies can earn a cash reward of 1.5 million!
…
“A family of three spies? A reward of 1.5 million!”
Seeing the second piece of intelligence for today, Jiang Tao was both pleasantly surprised and somewhat amused.
When it comes to reporting spies, Jiang Tao would naturally not be soft-hearted just because they were people he knew.
“It’s been over a week, and finally another piece of high-value intelligence has been refreshed.”
“Tomorrow, I’ll first inquire with Uncle Shuisheng about where his ex-wife and daughter are now and what they are doing.”
“It’s 1.5 million that’s delivered to my doorstep, why wouldn’t I take it!”
After making up his mind, Jiang Tao’s thoughts moved, and he continued to the last piece of intelligence for today.
【Today’s Intelligence 03】:
You visited Yuan Mengqi’s home yesterday and obtained related intelligence—
The Nine Fish Painting hanging on the west wall of Yuan Mengqi’s living room is a special item.
After obtaining its ownership, it can be bound and activated!
…
“Nine Fish Painting, special item?”
Seeing the last piece of intelligence, Jiang Tao’s eyes lit up again.
He immediately thought of the Nine Fish Painting hanging on the wall of Yuan Mengqi’s home.
“This painting shouldn’t be too difficult to obtain.”
That Nine Fish Painting was just a painting on Yuan Mengqi’s wall, only for appreciation.
But in Jiang Tao’s hands, it could activate special attributes and become a special item.
Therefore, Jiang Tao was determined to get that painting.
“I just don’t know what attributes a painting can activate?”
The painting wasn’t in his possession yet, and Jiang Tao was already looking forward to what special attributes the Nine Fish Painting would have.
Of course, he was more concerned about whether the Nine Fish Painting could bring him an increase in revenue.
After refreshing the three pieces of intelligence, Jiang Tao’s thoughts moved, and he closed the system panel, then got up and walked towards the bedroom.
Since he got the 【Insomnia Terminator】, he no longer needed to activate 『Sleep Mode』.
Based on Jiang Tao’s personal experience during this period, the effects of the two were almost indistinguishable.
Both could provide him with a full night of high-quality sleep.
