Chapter 131: 100,000 Cash In A Moldy Rice Bag And A Dump Truck With Failing Brakes? This Intelligence Is A Bit Abstract!
Stepping out of Bai Ge Zhuang New Village Residential Area leads directly to a Jingkelong Supermarket.
Although this supermarket is not as large as chain stores like Wumei or Yonghui.
The dishes inside the supermarket are very fresh, and the variety is also very complete.
Xu Li has been living in the residential complex for more than half a month and is already a regular customer of this supermarket.
The two pushed their shopping carts at the supermarket entrance, chatting and laughing as they entered the supermarket to select ingredients for tonight’s reception of Old Lu.
In the meat section, they bought a rack of pork ribs, chicken wings, and chicken legs. They also had beef brought from their hometown, which could be used for another dish.
In the vegetable section, they bought broccoli, lettuce, new garlic shoots, cucumbers, and tomatoes, all common home-style vegetables.
Xu Li also picked up two boxes of okra and a bunch of leeks, saying she wanted to make a special meal for Old Jiang.
They went to the aquatic products section, where they picked out a Qingjiang fish weighing over 4 catties and asked the fishmonger to prepare it.
They also bought over 4 catties of shrimp and a foam box of oysters.
Afterward, they bought some beverages like drinks, as well as desserts and fruits for after the meal.
Finally, they bought a pile of snacks for Xu Li and Jiang Xue.
This mother and daughter, one a big foodie and the other a little foodie, both love snacks.
After a round of shopping, the shopping cart was packed full.
When checking out, the total cost was over 800 yuan.
In the past, spending so much money on a single shopping trip might have made Jiang Tao feel a pang of regret.
Now, 800 yuan is no longer a significant amount of money to him.
Not counting the revenue from his fund investments, he made 180,000 yuan just from selling stones today!
Even after deducting 20% for personal income tax, he would still have over 140,000 yuan in hand!
Jiang Tao and Xu Li made two trips back and forth to move all the items from the shopping cart into the trunk.
After a major shopping spree, it was already past 6 PM when the two returned to the area downstairs of their residential complex.
Old Dad Jiang Wen came downstairs after receiving Jiang Tao’s phone call and helped the two carry the ingredients from the trunk upstairs.
Back home, Xu Li, Old Dad, and Old Mother all went into the kitchen to get busy.
Jiang Tao pushed open the door to Jiang Xue’s small room and saw her lying on the bed, chattering away on a video call.
“Teacher Jiang, will it be very inconvenient for you to walk with your injured foot?”
“My dad is very strong. How about I ask him to carry you downstairs to eat?”
“And then he can carry you back after dinner.”
After Jiang Xue finished speaking, the sound of Jiang Yi’s silvery laughter came from the other end of the phone.
Old Jiang, who was quietly standing at the door, couldn’t help but chuckle upon hearing his precious daughter’s suggestion.
Children’s worlds are truly simple.
If your dad carries your Teacher Jiang downstairs to eat, he’ll probably have to kneel on a washboard when he gets home!
“Thank you for your kind offer, Xiao Xue. You’re such a considerate and good child.”
“However, Teacher is an adult now, weighing 100 catties, which is too heavy. Your dad can’t carry that much.”
“He can! My dad is very strong! Besides, Teacher Jiang, you’re only 100 catties, that’s not very heavy.”
“My aunt weighed herself on our electronic scale during the Spring Festival, she was 120 catties! She even lied to me, saying the scale was broken.”
“Hmph, do you think I’m a three-year-old child?”
Jiang Tao couldn’t help but laugh out loud from the doorway as he listened to his precious daughter and Jiang Yi’s conversation.
So this is how you stab your aunt in the back!
Jiang Tao raised his hand to glance at the Green Water Ghost watch on his wrist.
It was now a little past 6:30 PM.
It had been a little over an hour since he and Xu Li went out to buy groceries.
Or rather, in the clubhouse, Jiang Xue and Jiang Yi had been video chatting for over an hour.
Jiang Tao reached out and pushed open the door, walking to Jiang Xue’s bedside in a few steps, and said gently:
“Xiao Xue, Teacher Jiang is injured and needs to rest. You’ve chatted enough for today. Say goodbye to Teacher Jiang.”
Jiang Xue reluctantly said, “No~ I still have so much to talk about with Teacher.”
Jiang Tao’s gaze swept over the screen of Jiang Xue’s phone, and he saw that Jiang Yi was also lying on the bed, just like Jiang Xue.
Her deep cleavage was clearly visible, and her ample bosom was squeezed into a suggestive shape.
Seeing Jiang Tao suddenly appear on the phone screen.
Jiang Yi on the other end of the phone quickly changed her posture and sat up from the bed, her chest’s allure flashing by.
She slightly awkwardly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, pretending nothing had happened.
“Xiao Xue, children shouldn’t use electronic devices for too long.”
“Listen to your dad. You can call your teacher again anytime another day.”
“Oh, okay then, goodbye Teacher.”
“Goodbye~”
Hearing Jiang Yi’s words from the other side, Jiang Xue reluctantly hung up the phone.
She slipped on a pair of pink fluffy slippers and followed Jiang Tao out.
Ring ring ring—
As soon as Jiang Tao stepped out of Jiang Xue’s room, his phone in his pocket rang.
He took out his phone and saw that the caller ID displayed “Old Lu.”
“Hello Old Lu, you and Aunt Ma are downstairs. I’ll come down to meet you.”
After answering the phone, Jiang Tao briefly said a couple of sentences to Old Lu and hung up.
As he took the elevator downstairs, he happened to run into the cold-faced neighbor from next door who was taking the elevator up.
The other party didn’t greet him, so Jiang Tao wouldn’t offer a warm greeting to someone so cold.
Taking the elevator downstairs, he saw Lu Qian and Ma Dongmei, carrying bags and packages, just arriving at the stairwell entrance.
“Brother Lu, you didn’t have to bring so many things when you came.”
Jiang Tao said with a smile.
As he spoke, he stepped forward and took over several boxes that Lu Qian was carrying.
There were some pastry boxes, milk, as well as tobacco, alcohol, and tea.
Ma Dongmei was carrying several bags of fruit in her hands.
It was the first time for both of them to visit Jiang Tao’s home as guests, so they naturally felt awkward coming empty-handed.
“There’s no harm in giving gifts! Consider it a housewarming gift for you, kid.”
As Lu Qian spoke, Ma Dongmei also looked at Jiang Tao with a smile, making a few gestures with her free hand.
“Xiao Mei says she’s very happy to be a guest at your home and apologizes for disturbing your family.”
“This isn’t disturbing at all. Come on, let’s go upstairs and chat.”
Jiang Tao cheerfully invited the two to take the elevator upstairs together and led them into his home.
After an hour of busy work by Xu Li, Old Dad, and Old Mother.
The dishes prepared to entertain Old Lu and Ma Dongmei tonight were ready and served on the table.
Upon entering, Jiang Tao first introduced everyone to each other.
Then he invited everyone to sit by the large coffee table in the living room.
Ma Dongmei was also a fellow villager from Ping County, and her age was similar to Old Mother Tian Xiaomei.
Although they couldn’t communicate verbally, Ma Dongmei used the iPad she brought to write and communicate with Tian Xiaomei, and the two chatted enthusiastically.
Old Lu also chatted warmly with Jiang Tao, his father, and Old Sun.
Bang bang bang!!!
Suddenly, a sharp and abrupt knocking sound interrupted the lively atmosphere at the dinner table.
Everyone’s gaze snapped towards the door.
Jiang Tao frowned slightly, feeling a bit displeased.
Bang bang bang, bang bang bang!!!
The force of the knocking could no longer be described as knocking; “smashing” the door would be more accurate.
“You all continue eating. I’ll go see what’s going on.”
Jiang Tao said, standing up from his seat. Xu Li, with a worried expression, followed closely behind.
Old Dad, Old Sun, and Old Lu also rose from their seats.
Click!
Jiang Tao walked to the door, yanked it open, and saw a middle-aged man with a somber expression standing at the door. It was the neighbor from next door.
“Do you have any manners?”
“What’s all the noise about while you’re eating? You’re seriously disturbing my rest!”
“If you continue to be so loud, don’t blame me for calling the police!”
The man stared at Jiang Tao with dead fish eyes, and as soon as he opened his mouth, it was as if he had eaten two pounds of gunpowder.
“Are you sick?! Is chatting with guests at home bothering you?”
“Smashing my door, do you think that makes you look like you have manners?!”
Jiang Tao had always avoided trouble, but he wasn’t afraid of it either.
This person was not only smashing his door but also implying his family lacked manners. This was intolerable.
Seeing Jiang Tao start to roll up his sleeves, Xu Li quickly hugged his arm:
“Husband, don’t argue with him. It’s not worth it over such a small matter.”
“We’re all neighbors, and getting along harmoniously is most important.”
“Jiang Tao, don’t be impulsive.”
“It’s okay, Second Brother.”
The group of people, a mix of persuasion and pulling, managed to guide Jiang Tao back to the living room.
Objectively speaking, the group was only conversing at a normal volume and had not intentionally shouted.
Being smashed at the door and lectured was indeed going too far.
Living upstairs and downstairs, whose house doesn’t entertain relatives and friends?
After persuading Jiang Tao away, Old Lu and Old Sun had a few words with the neighbor outside.
This unpleasant little interlude finally came to an end.
However, the originally pleasant atmosphere was instantly shattered.
Everyone became hesitant to speak and chat, and the atmosphere in the room became somewhat subdued.
Jiang Tao looked at the neighboring apartment and mentally cursed the neighbor’s ancestors for eight generations.
At the same time, he was also thinking to himself.
When he has money in the future, he’ll definitely buy a detached villa.
That way, he won’t have to deal with any obnoxious neighbors.
The meal, which started around 7 PM, ended hastily at 8 PM.
Jiang Tao and Jiang Yi drove together to take Old Lu and Ma Dongmei back to the Xiao Shahe Urban Village.
The Mercedes-Benz GLS did not enter the village and stopped at the village entrance.
After the few of them got out of the car and exchanged a few pleasantries, they said goodbye.
“Goodbye, Xiao Jiang. Drive slowly on your way back, you and Xiao Xu. Be careful.”
“You two also walk slowly and watch your step.”
“Goodbye, Uncle Lu, goodbye, Aunt Ma.”
Xu Li also smiled and waved goodbye to Lu Qian and Ma Dongmei.
Watching the two walk into the village hand in hand, Xu Li said with envy:
“Husband, when we get old, will we be as loving as Uncle Lu and Aunt Ma?”
Jiang Tao smiled, wrapped his arm around Xu Li’s slender waist, and said with certainty: “Of course, absolutely.”
“Will you find me annoying when I become an old lady? Do men always like 18-year-old girls?”
“Who says that? I don’t know about others, but I’m not. I will always love my wife. How old you are is how old I will love you.”
Facing Xu Li’s question, Old Jiang showed maximum survival instinct.
“That’s my good husband~”
Xu Li hugged Jiang Tao’s arm, rested her head on his shoulder, and had the happy expression of a young woman on her face.
After Jiang Tao finished a cigarette, the couple got back into the car, with Xu Li driving.
…
They arrived home safely without any traffic.
Jiang Tao suddenly remembered the matter of the Eight Treasure Pickles sample research.
He took the 9 boxes of Eight Treasure Pickles from the trunk upstairs for Xu Li and his parents to try.
“This one is the best.”
“Mmm, I think this one is the best too.”
“This one!”
“Dad, this one, this one! This one is delicious!”
As expected.
Dad, Mom, Xu Li, and Jiang Xue all made the same choice.
Everyone chose the box of Eight Treasure Pickles made by Jiang Yi.
Although there were only seven or eight sample tests.
Jiang Tao felt it was quite convincing.
The Eight Treasure Pickles secret recipe passed down in Jiang Yi’s family definitely had great potential!
Xu Li asked curiously, “Husband, why did you buy so many pickles for us to try?”
Dad and Mom also looked at Jiang Tao curiously, waiting for him to continue.
“A friend of mine in the food industry feels that this Eight Treasure Pickles has high commercial value.”
“I’m planning to buy the secret recipe from the maker of these Eight Treasure Pickles, then mass-produce and sell them.”
Jiang Tao hadn’t intended to hide it from Xu Li and his parents forever, so he took this opportunity to confess his plan.
“Mom and Dad, this is my plan. After we get the recipe, we’ll start pickling the Eight Treasure Pickles.”
“Then I’ll rent a stall for you two at the vegetable market next to the residential complex.”
“You two can sell Eight Treasure Pickles here in the Capital City from now on. It will definitely earn you much more than doing odd jobs with a vehicle in the village!”
“Moreover, you won’t be exposed to the wind or rain, and it will be much more leisurely.”
“You’re both almost 60. Lili and I are truly worried about you doing such heavy physical labor at home.”
“This…”
Jiang Wen and Tian Xiaomei exchanged a look.
Hearing their son’s arrangement for them, they felt gratified and touched.
They didn’t actually enjoy hard labor just for the sake of it.
The reason they did heavy physical labor in the village was to earn more money for unforeseen circumstances in the future.
Their thoughts were simple: try not to trouble their two sons as much as possible.
While they were still able to work, they wanted to work more, earn more, and support themselves in the future.
Now, with their son arranging a more leisurely and profitable job for them, they were naturally very tempted.
Xu Li, with her telepathic connection to Jiang Tao, also chimed in:
“Yes, Mom and Dad, I support my husband’s proposal. You two have worked hard for most of your lives, and it’s time to ease your burden.”
Jiang Tao reached out and held his parents’ rough hands, smiling sincerely:
“Mom and Dad, I need you. Stay and help me.”
“Hey! Okay!”
“Good!”
Jiang Wen and Tian Xiaomei immediately agreed cheerfully upon hearing their youngest son say “I need you.”
They could help their son and see their precious granddaughter every day, so they had no objections.
“Then it’s settled! I will get the secret recipe for these Eight Treasure Pickles as soon as possible.”
“Mom and Dad, take some time to check if there are suitable stalls at the vegetable market.”
“Okay!”
The elders, hearing that they finally had something important to do, became full of energy.
The family chatted in the living room for a while longer.
Around 10 PM, they took turns washing up and then retired to their respective rooms to rest.
Xu Li fell asleep soon after lying down.
Jiang Tao, as usual, stayed up until midnight, waiting for the daily intelligence update.
【 Today’s Intelligence 01】:
You had contact with your neighbor Qi Jin Xiong yesterday and obtained related intelligence—
Qi Jin Xiong colluded with overseas forces to steal confidential company data worth 30 million yuan.
Report to their company’s security department, and you will receive a cash reward of 300,000 yuan!
Security Department Head Reporting Phone: 139XXXX8876.
【 Note: 】 11 hours and 39 minutes remain until the data is leaked.
…
“Qi Jin Xiong? The neighbor…”
Seeing the first piece of intelligence refreshed for the day.
The neighbor with the dead fish face instantly popped into Jiang Tao’s mind.
“Damn it, this is truly karma!”
After reading the intelligence, Jiang Tao chuckled.
They had just had a conflict yesterday, and today Qi Jin Xiong had handed him a handle!
Serves him right for being unlucky!
Not to mention the conflict they had yesterday.
Even if there had been no conflict, Jiang Tao wouldn’t turn down money.
Reporting Qi Jin Xiong would earn him a bonus of 300,000 yuan; what reason did he have to cover for him?
According to the information provided.
Qi Jin Xiong’s act of colluding with overseas forces to steal confidential domestic company data clearly showed he wasn’t a good person.
Jiang Tao felt no psychological burden in reporting such a scoundrel; he only felt immense satisfaction!
“There are still more than 11 hours left until the leak time. This intelligence isn’t very urgent, so I can deal with it tomorrow morning.”
After analyzing the first piece of intelligence with a cheerful mood, Jiang Tao had a thought and moved on to the next one.
【 Today’s Intelligence 02】:
You and Xu Li passed the intersection of Ding Si Road and Qi Li Qu Road by car yesterday and obtained related intelligence—
A dump truck with brake failure will reach this intersection in 10 minutes.
Drive there immediately to receive 1.18 million in personal compensation and painlessly traverse to another world to start a new life.
…
“What the hell…”
Seeing the System Brother’s second piece of intelligence for the day, Jiang Tao’s face turned dark.
A dump truck? Transmigrating to another world?
“System Brother, you’re a bit abstract today!”
If he didn’t have parents, a wife, and children, Jiang Tao might have considered living in another world.
He looked down at his beautiful and delicate wife in his arms.
Then he thought of his living parents and his adorable daughter.
His current life was harmonious and his family happy; why would he be so foolish as to crash into a dump truck!
This chance to transmigrate, whoever wants it, take it. He certainly wasn’t going!
He directly passed on the second piece of intelligence and moved on to the next!
【 Today’s Intelligence 03】:
You had contact with your neighbor Qi Jin Xiong yesterday and obtained related intelligence—
In the half-bag of moldy rice that Qi Jin Xiong threw into the trash can downstairs last night at 11 PM, there was 100,000 yuan in cash stored by his deceased wife!
【 Note 】: 10 hours and 22 minutes remain until the 100,000 yuan cash is cleared.
“More intelligence about that good neighbor!”
Seeing that the third piece of intelligence was also related to Qi Jin Xiong.
And it involved 100,000 yuan in cash, Jiang Tao immediately chuckled.
He glanced down at Xu Li in his arms, then tiptoed out of the bedroom, kicked on his slippers, and left.
Although the intelligence indicated that there were still over 10 hours until the rice bag was cleared.
Jiang Tao decided not to wait.
The dark and windy night would be a perfect time to acquire that bag of rice stealthily.
If he waited until daylight, the residential complex would be crowded and full of prying eyes, making the operation inconvenient.
“I have to rummage through the trash can in the middle of the night. Damn it, do we really have to earn this 100,000 yuan!”
While changing clothes, Jiang Tao continuously grumbled in his heart.
Although his net worth was now in the millions.
He couldn’t bring himself to just watch 100,000 yuan be taken away by the garbage truck.
“If only my nephews, Shijie and Shaojie, were here, I could have them go pick it up for me.”
As he changed into his clothes and took the elevator downstairs, Jiang Tao thought of his two nephews back in their hometown.
Those two boys were absolutely loyal to him, their second uncle.
He felt very confident working with them.
During the Spring Festival in their hometown, he had them dig up a jar of Yuan Datou silver dollars in the fields and find a stray Bichon Frise with a 60,000 yuan reward.
Having helpers and not having helpers made a real difference!
Ding!
The elevator doors opened on the first floor. Jiang Tao stepped out and walked straight towards the trash bins in front of the stairwell door.
Although Bai Ge Zhuang Residential Area was a resettlement community, its various amenities were quite good.
The trash cans were not placed outdoors randomly; there were dedicated bins, and waste sorting was implemented.
Standing at the entrance of the stairwell, Jiang Tao looked towards the trash bins, and in his field of vision, a faint golden light emanated from the recyclable waste bin.
Clearly, the bag of moldy rice must have been thrown into the recyclable waste bin by Qi Jin Xiong.
“Even my daughter knows that moldy rice is kitchen waste. What kind of person is he.”
Because of last night’s incident, Jiang Tao now viewed Qi Jin Xiong through biased eyes.
He found fault with everything about him.
He wished he could send him to jail right then and there.
Muttering softly, Jiang Tao first surveyed the surroundings to observe the situation.
Finding no one nearby, he strode towards the recyclable waste bin.
Fortunately, the temperature in the first lunar month was still low, and the odor in the trash bin was not too strong.
Soon, Jiang Tao pulled out a red rice bag labeled “Wuchang Rice,” with more than half a bag of rice, from the recyclable trash bin.
In Jiang Tao’s vision, the rice bag emitted a dark golden glow, indicating that the target item was inside!
Jiang Tao no longer lingered; he strode directly towards the Mercedes-Benz GLS parked downstairs of the residential complex, carrying the rice bag.
He opened the trunk and tossed the rice bag directly into it.
Jiang Tao reached into the rice bag and scooped downwards with force, his fingers instantly touching something foreign.
Swish~
Flipping his palm, a thick stack of bright red banknotes, bundled together in plastic bags, was pulled out of the rice bag by Jiang Tao.
Without bothering to verify their authenticity, he first placed the money in the trunk, then Jiang Tao took the rice bag back to the trash can and discarded it in the kitchen waste.
“Done!”
Clapping his hands, Jiang Tao then turned and entered the stairwell, taking the elevator upstairs.
Ding!
The elevator opened on the 16th floor.
As Jiang Tao walked out of the elevator and passed 1602, his gaze involuntarily glanced at his own front door.
Jiang Tao felt no guilt or sympathy towards Qi Jin Xiong, who colluded with overseas forces to steal company secrets.
Qi Jin Xiong should be the one feeling guilty.
The fact that he could obtain such important company documents indicated that his position in the company was not low, or that he was highly valued by the boss.
His current actions were a classic case of betrayal from within.
Of course, Jiang Tao was not a vigilante, and he was not considering the company’s interests.
His motive was pure and simple: the 300,000 yuan reward mentioned in the System’s intelligence.
Click~
He tiptoed to open the door, and upon entering, walked directly into the bathroom.
He changed all his clothes and took a quick shower.
Jiang Tao then tiptoed back to the bedroom.
He saw Xu Li in the same position as when he left, breathing evenly in her sleep, still sound asleep.
Jiang Tao’s mind was deep in thought.
Since binding with the Daily Intelligence System, he had noticed that whenever he slept with Xu Li, she slept very soundly.
Even if he went out in the middle of the night, she wouldn’t notice.
Could the System be applying a hypnosis effect on people around him?
Of course, this was just a guess by Jiang Tao, with no evidence at all.
If he couldn’t figure it out, he wouldn’t overthink it.
Jiang Tao quietly went to the bedside, lifted the quilt, and got in.
He put his arm around Xu Li’s waist, closed his eyes, and fell asleep within three minutes.
