Chapter 197: Designated Driver Sacred Body, Courtyard House And Sunglasses With A 1000% Appreciation Rate!
*Ring, ring, ring—*
After Jiang Tao returned home, he slept until around six or seven in the evening when a mobile phone ringtone woke him up.
Blinking his eyes open groggily, he picked up his phone to check it.
The name displayed on the caller ID was “Wife.”
“Hello, wife.”
“I’m… I’m… Oh, I’m at home.”
Jiang Tao was still a bit dazed at this moment.
After looking for a while, he realized he was at his own home.
“Having a barbecue outdoors?”
“Okay, I’ll wash my face and be right there.”
“Oh, right, is Third Sister over there? Have her drive over to pick me up.”
“I had some drinks at noon, so I’m not driving.”
“Mhmm, bye-bye.”
After hanging up the phone, Jiang Tao rubbed his face, then rolled out of bed.
He went to the bathroom to quickly freshen up, and Jiang Tao then went straight out to take the elevator downstairs.
After waiting downstairs for about three minutes, a black Mercedes-Benz GLS pulled up in front of Jiang Tao.
The driver’s side window rolled down, revealing a fair, smiling face wearing a pair of sunglasses with a rather cyberpunk style.
“Second…”
“Third Sister, are you crazy? Wearing sunglasses this late.”
“You idiot! Get in the car quickly! I shouldn’t have come to pick you up!”
Hearing her second brother’s words, the smile on Jiang Bing’s face instantly disappeared, and “Second Brother” that was about to be spoken turned into “idiot.”
Jiang Tao opened the car door and got in, saying, “Were you wearing sunglasses during that rear-end collision last time too?”
“Can we not bring up things that are inconvenient to talk about!”
“I don’t wear them when I drive! I only put them on after I parked!”
“She just bought new sunglasses and wanted you to see how they looked! You have no sense of romance!”
Jiang Bing pouted, her face full of grievance, and huffed. Before Jiang Tao could even fasten his seatbelt, she drove off.
“Let me see. These glasses are indeed quite cool. Hmm, they seem to fit me well.”
Shamelessly, Jiang Tao picked up the glasses from the glasses case on the center console, which Jiang Bing had placed there, and put them on his own face.
He lowered the sun visor on the front passenger seat and, seeing himself in the mirror, couldn’t help but praise himself.
“So handsome!”
“*Ugh~*”
“We’re not young anymore, can you stop being so narcissistic? You call this handsome.”
Jiang Bing, who was driving, rolled her eyes and commented ruthlessly.
“Third Sister, oh Third Sister, I finally understand why you haven’t found a partner. Your standards are too high!”
“If even your brother isn’t handsome in your eyes, then there are very few people on Earth who can catch your eye. You’ll have to find an alien.”
“Who says a person has to find a partner? Two people together is too troublesome, much less being alone and at ease.”
“You’d better not let our old man and old lady know about this idea, or you’ll anger them.”
“…”
The brother and sister chatted intermittently, and soon they drove to the entrance of Jiang’s Food Factory.
At this moment, the gate of the food factory was open, and a group of people in the courtyard were laughing and chatting while working in an orderly fashion.
Father-in-law Xu Wencheng was fanning a barbecue grill with a palm-leaf fan, responsible for grilling skewers.
Jiang Jianjun and his wife were skewering marinated lamb from stainless steel basins onto iron skewers.
Mother-in-law and Xu Li were placing some ready-made cooked food and cold dishes bought from outside onto a large table.
Jiang Jiaqi and Xu Sha were busy setting up stools.
Father and Mother were chatting and laughing with Old Lu and Ma Dongmei.
Jiang Tao also saw He Jing, whom he hadn’t seen in a long time, washing fruit by the sink.
The courtyard was bustling with activity.
“Xiao Tao is here.”
“Uncle Tao is here!”
“Brother-in-law!”
“Husband~”
Upon seeing Jiang Tao, everyone smiled and greeted him one by one.
The reason everyone present was gathered today was all thanks to Jiang Tao.
Everyone present were his relatives, friends, and acquaintances; there were no outsiders.
It was a good idea to have a lively barbecue gathering before the Qingming Festival holiday to go back to his hometown.
Jiang Tao smiled and greeted everyone, then quickly joined in.
“Brother Lu and Sister-in-law are here too. It’s been a few days, and you two look so radiant, in good spirits!”
“Haha, you kid.”
When Lu Qian heard Jiang Tao call Ma Dongmei “Sister-in-law,” the many wrinkles on his face crinkled into a smile.
“Brother Jiang, long time no see. How have you been recently? Have a peach.”
He Jing walked up to Jiang Tao with a basin of washed peaches, smiled, greeted him, and picked out a peach from the basin to offer him.
“Thanks, He Jing. I’ve been doing well recently. How are things at school?”
Jiang Tao didn’t stand on ceremony with He Jing. After greeting her with a smile, he reached out and took the peach from her hand.
【Ding! He Jing is very pleased to see you. Your friendship value has increased by 2 points, currently at 71 points （ Close Friend ）! 】
While Jiang Tao was talking to He Jing, a notification suddenly floated across his retina.
The message indicated that his friendship value with He Jing had increased.
And it had increased by 2 points at once!
Jiang Tao was happy, surprised, and a little bewildered by this increase of 2 friendship points.
He hadn’t done anything, just met and greeted her, and the friendship value increased?
And it was a one-time increase of 2 points!
Not bad, not bad!
Although he didn’t know why it increased.
Jiang Tao was very satisfied with the result!
“Mhmm, things are also going well for me at school.”
As He Jing spoke to Jiang Tao, her gaze involuntarily strayed to Xu Li beside him.
She felt an inexplicable sense of guilt, as if she had done something wrong.
She knew that liking a married man was very improper.
But she couldn’t suppress the feelings of liking Jiang Tao within her heart at all.
Just seeing him made her mood become very, very good.
When she encountered troubles in life, just sending him a few simple greeting messages on WeChat would improve her mood.
After a brief chat, He Jing reluctantly took the fruit platter to serve the others and then went to wash more fruit.
“Something’s not right. The way He Jing looks at Second Brother is a little off.”
“And Teacher Jiang isn’t quite right either. Coupled with He Jing, Second Brother’s romantic luck is quite strong this year!”
Jiang Bing, sitting on a small stool and devouring a lamb skewer, looked at He Jing with a sharp glint in her eyes.
She seemed to have discovered a key point.
Around 7 o’clock, Jiang Yi also took a taxi with Jiang Xue to join the merry barbecue.
The barbecue lasted until about 9 o’clock in the evening before concluding.
After everyone pitched in to clean up, they parted ways at the entrance of the food factory and went back to their respective homes.
Upon returning home, everyone was tired. After washing up, they went to their rooms to sleep.
Xu Li’s period arrived unexpectedly today, so she took a rare break for a few days and went to bed early.
Jiang Tao still insisted on waiting until after midnight for the intelligence system to refresh.
【Today’s Intelligence 01】:
You had contact with the designated driver Jia Guilin yesterday, and obtained relevant intelligence—
Jia Guilin is a naturally gifted designated driver. Recruiting him will ensure lasting peace.
…
“Naturally gifted designated driver…”
Seeing the System Brother’s evaluation of Jia Guilin, Jiang Tao laughed unreservedly.
Although it was a bit odd, it was indeed something worth considering.
In the future, when the company is established and things get busy, he would truly need to recruit a few full-time drivers for transportation.
This Master Jia Guilin is indeed a good choice.
With a thought, he continued to browse the second piece of intelligence.
【Today’s Intelligence 02:】
You had contact with Lu Qian yesterday, and obtained relevant intelligence—
Lu Qian’s niece-in-law, Sun Xiangxiang, who has been a widow for many years, is preparing to sell a courtyard house in Xiao Shahe Village and return to her maternal hometown.
This courtyard house is expected to appreciate by as much as 1000% within the next ten years, making it worth purchasing.
【Note:】 Sun Xiangxiang’s target price is 2.1 million yuan!
…
“A courtyard house in Xiao Shahe, a 1000% appreciation rate??”
“Could it be that Xiao Shahe will undergo demolition in the next ten years?”
Seeing the first piece of intelligence refreshed today, Jiang Tao’s eyes lit up.
Although the System Brother didn’t explicitly state it, he thought of a possibility based on this intelligence.
Generally speaking, old Beijingers would never be willing to sell their own courtyard houses.
They were all waiting and hoping for demolition.
It was rare for someone like Old Lu’s niece-in-law to be willing to sell an old house and return to her hometown.
However…
Since 30 years ago, there have been occasional rumors about demolition in Xiao Shahe.
But year after year, no demolition activity materialized.
With the recent years’ efforts to regulate non-capital functions showing initial results.
Coupled with the slowing down of urban village demolition plans in the Capital City.
Demolition in urban villages outside the Sixth Ring Road has become increasingly unlikely.
If there were to be demolition or relocation, it would surely prioritize the inner city areas.
There are hundreds and thousands of urban villages like Xiao Shahe outside the Sixth Ring Road.
Waiting for demolition could be considered a “once in a lifetime” event!
“Buying a house for 2.1 million yuan with a 1000% appreciation rate in ten years, this rate of return is not bad.”
“It’s also worth considering holding it for the long term.”
After reading the second piece of intelligence, Jiang Tao pondered secretly, planning to contact Sun Xiangxiang tomorrow.
2.1 million yuan was not an exorbitant amount for Jiang Tao at this time.
If they could come to an agreement, it could be considered a transaction.
“Next!”
After analyzing the second piece of intelligence, Jiang Tao’s mind stirred, and he continued to look at the next one.
【Today’s Intelligence 03】:
You had contact with Jiang Bing yesterday, and obtained relevant intelligence—
The Oakley sports sunglasses worth 1888 yuan that Jiang Bing bought yesterday are a special item.
Upon obtaining ownership, it can be activated to gain a random attribute.
…
“Huh, a pair of sunglasses is also a special item!”
“My luck has been amazing these past few days!”
“Third Sister really did us a great favor this time!”
Seeing that the last piece of intelligence today was also related to a special item, Jiang Tao couldn’t stop smiling.
Items recognized as special items by the System Brother are extraordinary, and their attributes are powerful.
“I wonder what kind of attribute I’ll activate this time.”
“I’ll get Third Sister’s sunglasses from her tomorrow first.”
Jiang Tao was very confident about obtaining “ownership” of Third Sister’s sunglasses.
This matter was almost effortless.
As long as he asked, Third Sister would definitely not refuse.
“Sleep, sleep, I’ll sleep first. Tomorrow will be another busy day.”
After reading the three pieces of intelligence, Jiang Tao closed the system interface with a thought.
He turned around and hugged Xu Li’s waist from behind.
He activated 『Sleep Mode』 for himself and began to sleep.
…
The next morning.
Jiang Tao was woken up by his little cotton jacket pinching his nose.
“Lazy old dad, wake up! The sun is shining on your butt~”
“Hehe, Daddy is even drooling!”
“Did you secretly eat something delicious in your dream!”
Seeing the trace of drool at the corner of her dad’s mouth, Jiang Xue giggled, poked Jiang Tao’s face with her finger.
After sleeping for more than six hours in 『Sleep Mode』, Jiang Tao felt clear-headed and refreshed after being woken up.
But he didn’t open his eyes immediately. He called out to his little cotton jacket for help:
“Oh no, I’ve been sealed by a witch’s magic and can’t move. Xiao Xue, quickly save Daddy.”
“Hehehe, Daddy is lying, do you think I’m a three-year-old kid!”
Jiang Xue stood with her hands on her hips, laughing. She wasn’t going to fall for it.
“How could Daddy lie to our clever, brave, and smart Xiao Xue!”
“I know, all schemes and tricks are exposed before our Princess Xiao Xue!”
“Mhmm! You’re right! This princess isn’t easily fooled.”
Under the old man’s constant praise, Jiang Xue gradually lost herself.
“So, I’m definitely not lying. I’ve really been sealed by a witch in my dream.”
“So, how should this princess help you?”
Jiang Xue giggled, looking at the “deeply invested” old man.
She suddenly wanted to try acting, just like Jiang An’an.
“You just need to kiss me once on each side of my face, and the witch’s magic will be dispelled. Please, Princess Xue.”
The old Jiang didn’t even blush as he lied to his little cotton jacket.
“Unlocking your seal will consume a lot of this princess’s magic power. What benefit will I get for helping you?”
Jiang Xue crossed her arms, her bright, watery eyes rolling around as she began to ask the old Jiang for benefits.
“…”
The old Jiang was speechless upon hearing his little cotton jacket’s words.
This little one is truly “driven by profit” now!
From the time Jiang Tao “borrowed money” from her last time, and she went to her aunt for “financing,” he had seen some signs.
Jiang Tao cooperated and asked, “Then what benefit does Princess Xiao Xue want?”
“I want a sister! Daddy, can you and Mommy have another sister for me? My godmother’s little sister is so cute!”
Jiang Xue stepped forward, grabbed Jiang Tao’s arm, and began to shake it, her tone full of her fondness for a sister.
“Hahaha, so that’s what you want. No problem, arrangement accepted~”
Hearing his little cotton jacket’s words, the old Jiang felt a sense of relief.
He thought the little one would really ask for some tangible benefits from him.
Although he would give her whatever she asked for, he still wanted the little one to retain more of her innocence.
“Pinky promise, no backing out! This princess will now break your seal~”
“Mwah~ Mwah~”
Jiang Xue took the old man’s finger and hooked it, giggling as she kissed each side of his face.
“I’m finally saved. Thank you, our Princess Xiao Xue.”
After his seal was broken, Jiang Tao opened his eyes, smiled, and hugged his little cotton jacket by the bed, feeling a sense of happiness envelop him.
Jiang Xue pressed, “When will I have a sister? I can’t wait to see her.”
The old Jiang laughed heartily, “Soon, soon.”
