Chapter 153: Old Sun’s Condition Worsens, Little Time Left
Around 7 PM.
A sumptuous dinner was served on the dining table.
A steamed perch and a plate of braised prawns.
Plus a large plate of Big Plate Chicken that looked delicious and a dish of garlic broccoli.
The soups were vermicelli, spinach, and meatball soup, and tomato and egg soup.
With three people in the family who can cook, it’s hard not to gain weight.
Jiang Tao’s weight has soared from 145 jin before the Spring Festival to 165 jin now, an increase of a full 20 jin!
His previously skinny physique has now gained some weight, it’s time to strengthen his exercise!
That body-strengthening treadmill bought from He Jing is indeed a necessity for him.
“Dad, Mom, Sister-in-law, your cooking skills are wasted if you don’t open a restaurant!”
“Let my second brother invest in opening a restaurant for you another day, and I’ll be a customer every day!”
Jiang Bing, while devouring the chicken meat from the Big Plate Chicken, happily gave the three a thumbs-up with a grin.
The previous argument and anger with Jiang Tao seemed to have vanished.
“Dad, the Big Plate Chicken is even better than before, I think you can really open a restaurant.”
Jiang Tao also picked up a piece of chicken, which was springy and tender, not dry, fragrant, and endlessly delicious.
“Hehe, if you like it, eat more.”
Jiang Wen was amused by the siblings’ praise.
Honestly, he was very confident in his signature dish.
When he was young, he also thought about opening a restaurant, but firstly, he had three children to support, so he didn’t have the capital.
Secondly, he had no risk tolerance at all and was afraid of losing money and incurring huge debts.
Therefore, he could only do some manual labor that didn’t require much capital to earn money and support the family.
Now, with his son arranging the task of pickling Eight Treasure Pickles, his desire to open a restaurant has faded even further.
The reason he stayed in the Capital City this time was to be a “brick” for his son.
Wherever he was needed, he went.
“Mom’s braised prawns are also delicious~ Mom, eat a prawn.”
Jiang Xue said, placing the first peeled prawn into Xu Li’s bowl.
The little one could be mischievous, but when she cared for others, she was always very touching.
“You are truly my good daughter.”
Xu Li didn’t stand on ceremony, patting Jiang Xue’s head and putting the shrimp meat from her bowl into her mouth.
These were the best shrimp she had ever eaten.
Three generations under one roof, enjoying family bliss, the atmosphere at the dining table was harmonious and pleasant.
After dinner, Xu Li and her mother went to the kitchen to wash dishes.
Jiang Bing and Jiang Xue, aunt and niece, returned to Jiang Xue’s room to play house with a bunch of dolls.
Jiang Tao and his father went to the balcony, opened a gap in the window, and each lit a cigarette after dinner.
While smoking, they chatted about the progress of work at the factory.
Jiang Tao had been busy with the blueberry potted plants for the past two days and hadn’t gone to the factory.
But his father would tell him everything that happened there in detail.
The Jiang Family Eight Treasures Pickles had not officially gone on sale yet and were being stocked.
More than 1500 jin had been stockpiled.
The processing plant’s operation room would be ready in about three to four days.
The renovation of the vegetable market would also take about a week.
Jiang Tao was now full of confidence and was not in a hurry to cash out the product.
He told his father not to worry either and to focus on stocking up.
With the taste of Jiang Family Eight Treasures Pickles, there would definitely be no shortage of buyers in the future.
After Mom and Xu Li finished washing dishes, she went downstairs with Dad to play with Old Sun from the same residential area.
“Husband, why don’t I call Teacher Jiang now to ask her?”
Xu Li wiped her hands, came out of the kitchen, and sat down next to Jiang Tao.
Jiang Tao nodded in agreement:
“Go ahead and ask. The sooner, the better. We’ve had more than half a month off after the Spring Festival, so it’s time to get serious.”
“What about the salary? How much should we offer?”
Xu Li looked at Jiang Tao for his opinion.
She had just arrived in the Capital City this year and had no idea about the tutoring fees here.
“Why don’t you ask Li Ziyue’s mother?”
Jiang Tao shrugged; he also had no idea about these things.
“Okay, then I’ll ask Ziyue’s mom first.”
After speaking, Xu Li bent down, picked up her mobile phone from the coffee table, found Li Jiali’s number, and dialed.
“Hello, Ziyue’s mom…”
“I want to ask you about tutoring matters…”
“Oh, okay, alright, yes, I understand.”
“Thank you, Ziyue’s mom, okay, goodbye.”
After hanging up the phone with Li Jiali, Xu Li couldn’t help but exclaim in amazement:
“Rich people are really willing to spend money on their children’s education!”
“What do you mean?”
Jiang Tao had been browsing Moments and hadn’t paid attention to Xu Li and Li Jiali’s conversation.
“Ziyue’s mom said that their family’s tutor is a graduate student majoring in early childhood education from Tsinghua University, and she charges 2000 yuan for 2 hours a day.”
“…”
Jiang Tao was equally surprised by the price.
A tutor earning 1000 yuan per hour.
In a month, the expenditure on tutoring alone would be 60,000 yuan!
Li Ziyue’s parents are indeed willing to spend!
“Husband, how much should we offer Teacher Jiang?”
Xu Li looked at Jiang Tao, now unsure.
Hearing that her daughter’s classmate had a tutor earning 1000 yuan per hour after school.
Xu Li was not scared away by the price; instead, she felt more urgency!
Jiang Tao said, “Around 20,000 yuan a month is acceptable. Like Li Ziyue’s family, that’s a bit exaggerated.”
“Indeed… Moreover, I feel that 20,000 is not low either.”
Xu Li clicked her tongue, feeling the intensity of involution in the big city for the first time!
But since she chose to send her daughter to an aristocratic school like Eddy, this money couldn’t be saved.
After a brief discussion, Xu Li found Jiang Yi’s number and dialed it. The call was quickly connected.
After some polite greetings, Xu Li got straight to the point, proposing to hire her as Jiang Xue’s tutor.
Jiang Yi also happened to be looking for part-time tutoring, so they hit it off immediately.
The salary negotiation was also smooth, with Jiang Yi only asking for 300 yuan per hour.
Two lessons a day for 600 yuan.
This salary was affordable for Jiang Tao and Xu Li, and it felt very reasonable.
Both parties were very satisfied with each other, and the tutoring matter was settled over the phone.
The specific contract could be discussed in detail when they meet tomorrow.
“Mom! Did I just hear Teacher Jiang’s voice?”
As Xu Li and Jiang Yi were finishing their conversation about tutoring and preparing to hang up, Jiang Xue came out of her room hugging a cactus-shaped doll, and asked with surprise.
“Has Xiao Xue had dinner yet?”
On the other end of the phone, Jiang Yi heard Jiang Xue’s voice and greeted her with a smile.
“Teacher Jiang! It really is Teacher Jiang!”
“Mom, can I have a video call with Teacher Jiang for a little while? Just a little while, please.”
Upon hearing Jiang Yi’s voice, Jiang Xue ran to Xu Li with her short legs, holding up a finger and pleading.
“Teacher Jiang, are you busy?”
Xu Li asked Jiang Yi on the phone; she felt a bit embarrassed to disturb her.
“I’m fine, Xiao Xue’s mom, I’m not busy. Let’s chat with Xiao Xue for a bit.”
“Alright, thank you, Teacher Jiang. Xiao Xue, you can’t disturb Teacher Jiang for too long, okay?”
After receiving Jiang Yi’s consent, Xu Li handed the mobile phone to Jiang Xue.
“Thanks, Mom~ It won’t be too long~”
After taking the phone, Jiang Xue ran back to her bedroom, hung up Jiang Yi’s call, and switched to a video call.
“Xiao Xue really likes her Teacher Jiang.”
Seeing how much her daughter liked Jiang Yi, Xu Li, as a mother, suddenly felt a pang of sadness, even a little jealous.
Jiang Tao laughed, “Teacher Jiang also takes good care of her. Having such a good teacher in her life is also a kind of luck for her.”
“Mhmm, my teachers when I was young either hit or scolded me.”
“All the classmates were afraid of her, and we lived in fear every day in class, afraid of getting beaten.”
Xu Li thought of her own childhood experiences and didn’t want her daughter to go through the same thing.
After just finishing discussing hiring a tutor, Jiang Bing was “kicked out” of the room by Jiang Xue.
The aunt and niece hit it off and went downstairs together to the community activity square to watch square dancing.
The house, which had been lively moments ago, was now left with only Jiang Tao and Jiang Xue, who was video calling Jiang Yi in her room.
“Let’s try the treadmill!”
With nothing else to do, Jiang Tao’s gaze fell on the body-strengthening treadmill on the balcony.
The treadmill’s powerful attributes should definitely be utilized properly, not left as a decoration and clothes hanger like with He Jing.
It had been more than half an hour since dinner, and his stomach had digested enough, so it was time for exercise.
Jiang Tao went to the door to change into his usual sports shoes, turned on the treadmill, and started adjusting the speed.
Swish swish swish—
Swish swish swish—
The treadmill belt started to turn. Jiang Tao seized the moment to step on it, starting from a slow walk, gradually transitioning to a jog, and then a run.
“Hoo hoo hoo—”
Jiang Tao had overestimated his own strength.
He originally thought he could run for five to six minutes without any problem, easily conquering it.
But in reality, he was gasping for breath after less than 3 minutes, feeling like he couldn’t breathe!
“Damn it, running is really tiring. Are those marathon runners monsters!”
Thinking of those marathon runners who ran for hours, he felt he wasn’t even as good as a weakling!
When he could no longer run, he would walk for a while, and then run again when he had strength, repeating this cycle.
After a difficult hour of running, Jiang Tao was drenched in sweat, and his legs were already sore.
He felt like he had lost half his life on the treadmill!
【Ding! Congratulations on completing 1 hour of running and earning 1 point of Physique reward!】
Shua!
A sapphire blue virtual panel appeared in the empty space in front of Jiang Tao, displaying a prompt message.
“Hoo~”
The moment he saw the prompt message, the last bit of strength Jiang Tao was holding onto dissipated.
Hard work paid off, he finally completed it and luckily received a Physique reward!
Jiang Tao didn’t want to run another second, so he immediately turned off the treadmill and sat on the nearby sofa, gasping for breath.
At the same time, he was also carefully feeling the tingly, warm sensation on his body.
This feeling was more comfortable than soaking in a hot spring or going to a sauna.
It felt as if his body had become tens of pounds lighter, giving him a sense of floating bliss.
【Your Physique has increased by 1 point, your current Physique is 50 points.（Weakness）】
Looking at the prompt information floating on his retina, Jiang Tao felt that the suffering he had endured was not in vain.
He got up from the sofa, stretched his body, and felt the difference brought by 1 point of Physique.
There didn’t seem to be any obvious changes.
“I wonder what it feels like when my Physique reaches 100 points?”
“What about the Physique of those fitness enthusiasts?”
As Jiang Tao’s thoughts wandered, the room door opened, and Xu Li and Jiang Bing returned.
“Yo! Second Brother, you actually ran? Are you starting to be disciplined.”
Jiang Bing looked at her second brother, who was covered in sweat, with surprise.
She thought her second brother saying he would run at home was just an excuse to stay home and browse his phone.
Jiang Tao laughed, “Of course. Running is healthier. You two should come up and run too.”
“I wouldn’t suffer that. Isn’t that unnecessary hardship! I’m not fat, I don’t need it.”
Jiang Bing said, walking to the freezer, opening it, and taking out a can of cola, opening it with a bang, and chugging several gulps.
Jiang Tao said with disdain, “At 1.63 meters and over 120 jin, how dare you say you’re not fat.”
“Hey, hey, hey, who is 1.63 meters? I’m 1.65 meters!”
“And which eye of yours saw me at 120? I just weighed myself last night, and I’m only 119!”
Jiang Bing, holding a can of cola, strongly refuted.
“I don’t believe you. Come here and get on the scale, and I’ll get a ruler to measure you.”
“I just finished eating and drinking cola, so my weight isn’t accurate. Also, don’t you know people shrink at night! It’s not accurate!”
“Okay, Xiao Bing, your second brother is just teasing you. You’re not fat at all, your figure is just right.”
Xu Li, seeing the siblings about to bicker again, quickly stepped in as a peacemaker, constantly giving Jiang Tao meaningful glances.
Jiang Tao was just habitually teasing his third sibling. Of course, he also genuinely wanted his whole family to start exercising and enjoy the benefits of increased Physique.
But looking at his third sibling’s reaction, she wouldn’t be interested in running anytime soon.
While they were talking, the room door opened again, and their parents came up from downstairs.
“Huh? What’s wrong, Mom and Dad? You both look a bit unhappy?”
Xu Li saw the worried expressions on her in-laws’ faces as they entered and asked with concern.
Hearing Xu Li’s words, Jiang Tao looked at his parents and also noticed that their expressions were different from usual today.
“Could it be Old Sun…”
Jiang Tao’s heart skipped a beat, remembering the intelligence about Old Sun he had seen during the Spring Festival.
The intelligence indicated that Old Sun had late-stage liver cancer and only 38 days left to live.
Nearly a month had passed since that intelligence.
It seemed like the King of Hell was coming to collect Old Sun.
“Your Uncle Sun… has been diagnosed with liver cancer.”
After Jiang Wen finished speaking, he sighed solemnly, his face filled with grief.
“What! Liver cancer!”
“How could this happen…”
Xu Li and Jiang Bing exclaimed upon hearing their father’s words, their faces full of disbelief.
“How could this happen, Uncle Sun is such a good person…”
Xu Li, being kind-hearted and emotional, burst into tears after saying this.
“Sigh, who would have thought.”
Mother’s eyes also welled up, feeling great sympathy for Old Sun.
Jiang Wen looked at Jiang Tao and said,
“Xiao Tao, you and your master were like master and disciple. In the next few days, if you have time, go visit him more often.”
“It was indeed my oversight. Mom and Dad, you watch Xiao Xue; she’s on the phone in her room. Lili and I will go to Master’s place.”
“Yes, I’ll go with you.”
Jiang Tao, without even bothering to change his sweat-soaked clothes, walked to the door, changed his shoes, put on a down jacket, and went downstairs with Xu Li.
Old Sun’s house was in Building 79, a considerable distance from Jiang Tao’s Building 28, taking more than ten minutes to walk.
Jiang Tao and Xu Li were anxious and drove instead, reaching the bottom of Building 79 in less than three minutes.
The two got out of the car, entered the unit’s main door, turned right, and arrived at the door of Unit 101.
Knock knock knock—
“Master, it’s Jiang Tao. Lili and I are here to see you.”
Jiang Tao knocked on the door and called out to the inside.
After waiting for about three minutes, the door opened with a click.
Sun Xiao Bao, wearing a light gray thermal underwear set, appeared at the door.
“Eldest disciple, Lili, why are you here so late? I was already in bed, and you knocked me out again.”
“Come in, come in and sit down.”
Although his rest was disturbed, Sun Xiao Bao showed no displeasure. A warm smile bloomed on his dark face as he eagerly invited them in.
Jiang Tao had given Sun Xiao Bao the title of “Master” when he invited him to his hometown for the Spring Festival.
Their master-disciple relationship, which was “named but not formal,” had continued to this day.
Jiang Tao and Xu Li entered the room and sat on a sofa in the living room that Sun Xiao Bao had picked up from somewhere.
“I’ll get some fruit for you. Your parents bring me fruit every day, and I can’t eat any more.”
After inviting them to sit down, Sun Xiao Bao turned to get some fruit but was stopped by Jiang Tao.
“Master, don’t bother. Lili and I don’t eat fruit.”
“If you two don’t eat it, I won’t either. Wouldn’t the fruit be wasted!”
Sun Xiao Bao didn’t listen to Jiang Tao’s persuasion, turned around, and picked up several bags of fruit from a shelf nearby, placing them in front of Jiang Tao and Xu Li.
The fruit bags contained bananas, satsuma mandarins, pomelos, apples, and melons; there was quite a variety.
“Take whatever you want to eat.”
Sun Xiao Bao chuckled and gestured to them, then sat down on a chair with a backrest opposite them.
“Master, I just heard from my parents, you… I think we should go to the hospital for another thorough check-up. What if it’s a misdiagnosis?”
Jiang Tao looked at Sun Xiao Bao, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
With the intelligence provided by System Brother, he knew the possibility of a misdiagnosis was very, very low, but he was unwilling to accept this reality.
“Sigh, I knew your dad’s big mouth would spill everything and tell you and Lili.”
“It’s not that Master intentionally hid it from you. I just felt you were all so busy, and there was no need to waste time on me, a dying man.”
Sun Xiao Bao smiled, his face showing an incredibly open-minded expression.
He had known his condition for over a month and had been mentally preparing himself for that long.
Now, when discussing “death,” he could smile slightly and face it calmly.
“Master Sun, let’s get another thorough check-up, what if…”
Xu Li didn’t finish her sentence, burst into tears, covered her mouth, and sobbed.
“I was actually diagnosed with this illness before the Spring Festival.”
“At first, I didn’t believe it either. I thought those doctors were trying to trick this old man.”
“Later, I went to several other hospitals and got checked several times. There’s no mistake.”
“Lili, you are a good girl and a good wife.”
“Jiang Tao, you are fortunate to have married such a good wife as Lili. You two must take good care of each other.”
As the saying goes, the words of a dying person are good. Sun Xiao Bao looked at Jiang Tao meaningfully, giving him one last reminder.
Sun Xiao Bao always felt that his “fake disciple” had an extraordinary destiny and would surely achieve great things in the future.
At that time, he would certainly not be short of female companions, so he shouldn’t be blinded by them and lose sight of what’s important.
“Oh, right, disciple, are you free tomorrow afternoon?”
Sun Xiao Bao suddenly changed the subject and said,
“If you are free, bring Lili, your parents, and come here tomorrow afternoon.”
“I’m free.”
Jiang Tao nodded, vaguely guessing what Old Sun wanted him, Xu Li, and his parents to come for.
The intelligence back then indicated that Old Sun owned 530 square meters of real estate and had over 2 million yuan in deposits.
If his guess was correct, it was definitely about inheritance.
But Jiang Tao’s mood was heavy at the moment, and he wasn’t excited at all.
Even…
If possible, he would rather not have this inheritance and exchange it for Old Sun’s health.
But…
These were things he couldn’t control.
What had already happened would not change because of his will.
In the grand scheme of things, everything was predetermined.
“Hiss…”
A sharp pain struck, and Sun Xiao Bao grimaced in pain, but he still tried to act as if it didn’t matter.
Seeing Old Sun’s pained expression, Jiang Tao and Xu Li felt a pang of discomfort themselves.
“Master, isn’t that a pain relief stick you’re wearing? Use it when you’re in pain, don’t save it.”
Jiang Tao’s gaze flickered, and he saw a rod-like object in the sleeve of Sun Xiao Bao’s underwear, recognizing it as a pain relief stick.
He had used one after his leg ligament injury surgery last year.
“It’s nothing, this little pain is nothing. Your master has a strong constitution.”
Old Sun smiled and waved his hand, his emaciated face showing an indifferent expression.
Jiang Tao and Xu Li chatted with Old Sun for another half hour. Seeing that he was getting sleepy, they took their leave.
By the time they left the house, it was past 10 PM, almost 11 PM.
Under the dim lights of the residential area, only a few stray cats were still meowing and chasing each other.
Affected by Old Sun’s sudden illness, Xu Li was in a heavy mood and sat in the front passenger seat without saying a word.
When they returned home, the third sibling had already taken a taxi home.
Mom and Dad were still sitting opposite each other on the sofa in the living room, speechless.
Although they hadn’t known Old Sun for long.
In the time they had spent together, the three had formed a deep bond and become the best of friends.
Now, their good friend had been diagnosed with cancer, late-stage, and they were about to face separation and death.
They were also feeling down.
“Mom and Dad, don’t go to the factory for work these days. Spend more time with my master.”
Jiang Tao sat opposite the elders and gave them a short leave.
Old Sun probably didn’t have many days left to live.
It would be good to have a close friend to talk to during his final moments.
Money can always be earned.
The Eight Treasure Pickles could be made anytime, and the quantity didn’t matter.
Once a person is gone, nothing else matters.
Mom and Dad exchanged glances after hearing Jiang Tao’s words and nodded solemnly.
After a few more casual remarks, everyone took turns washing up and went to their respective rooms to rest.
Jiang Tao activated the sleep mode for his parents, Xu Li, and Jiang Xue, and they soon fell asleep.
Only he was left staring at the ceiling, quietly waiting for tomorrow.
While waiting for the intelligence to refresh, Jiang Tao recalled the process of how he met Old Sun.
Speaking of which, they were fated to meet.
Both times Old Sun was pinned by a large rock, Jiang Tao was the one who rescued him.
Without Jiang Tao, or rather, without the intelligence provided by the Daily Intelligence System to Jiang Tao.
Old Sun would have already passed his “49th day” memorial.
From strangers to acquaintances, then Jiang Tao invited him to his hometown as a guest, and Old Sun took his parents on a tour of the Capital City…
People who were originally worlds apart became good friends.
Sometimes, fate is truly wondrous.
“Sigh, it’s all destiny…”
“From now on, I must practice every day, and run!”
With a long sigh, Jiang Tao suddenly attached great importance to health.
To live longer, in addition to a healthy routine, one also needs a strong physique.
Time quickly came to midnight, and new intelligence refreshed.
【Today’s Intelligence 01】:
You had contact with Sun Xiao Bao yesterday and obtained related intelligence—
Sun Xiao Bao is in severe pain because he refuses to use the pain medication in the pain relief stick to save money.
『Sleep Mode』 can effectively relieve Sun Xiao Bao’s pain.
…
“Old Sun…”
“You’re almost gone, why are you still so stingy!”
Seeing the first piece of intelligence refreshed for the day, Jiang Tao clenched his fist and sat up from the bed with a jerk.
The intelligence mentioned that 『Sleep Mode』 could effectively relieve Old Sun’s pain.
Jiang Tao didn’t hesitate at all; he kicked on his slippers and left the bedroom.
He didn’t bother to change clothes, just threw on a down jacket over his pajamas and left the house with his keys.
