Chapter 200: No Place Like Home!
Jiang Tao and his group departed early.
Although the traffic jams along the way were not severe, there were still some minor ones.
It is already the norm for traffic jams to be everywhere in the Capital City during holidays.
It took about two hours for the group to successfully leave the Capital City and get onto the Jingkun Expressway towards Ping County.
When they were near the B Prefecture Service Area, Jiang Xue needed to relieve herself.
Xu Li made a call to her father-in-law, who was following behind them.
The group entered the B Prefecture Service Area together for a break.
Based on past experience, once you leave the Capital City, the Jingkun Expressway is usually smooth sailing.
It can indeed be considered a “mid-point” break.
After the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon and Mercedes-Benz GLS drove into the service area one after another.
Everyone got out of their cars to use the restroom, grab a drink, or whatever else they needed.
Those who were hungry ate snacks, and those who wanted to smoke lit up.
Xu Sha also took Jiang Xue and Wang Cai to run around and have some fun in the service area.
“Hey, Old Jiang, do you think this is a hairy walnut?”
While smoking, Xu Wencheng pointed to a lush walnut tree in the northwest corner of the service area and asked curiously.
“It does look a bit different from the ordinary walnut tree back in our hometown.”
Jiang Wen didn’t know much about hairy walnuts either, he just felt there was a slight difference from the one in his own courtyard.
“I saw online that these are like gambling on stones. If you’re lucky, the walnuts you open could sell for thousands or tens of thousands!”
“Our General Manager loves playing this. He’s been polishing a pair of walnuts for four or five years, and they’ve become incredibly beautiful.”
“And guess what happened?”
Xu Wencheng, while smoking, chatted idly about the General Manager’s gossip.
“What happened?”
Jiang Tao’s interest was piqued by his father-in-law’s gossip, and he asked cooperatively.
Jiang Wen, standing nearby, also exhaled a smoke ring, adopting a listening posture.
Xu Wencheng couldn’t help but laugh and said:
“Well, one day he accidentally dropped them on the ground, and it turned out they were fake ones made of plastic.”
“Hahaha…”
“Fake? He didn’t realize after polishing them for so many years!”
Jiang Tao and Jiang Wen, father and son, chuckled unreservedly upon hearing Xu Wencheng’s gossip about their General Manager.
“The craftsmanship of that pair of fake walnuts was so good that even our General Manager, a seasoned collector, was fooled. He hasn’t played with walnuts since.”
Xu Wencheng said with a smile, while smoking, “That incident became the General Manager’s dark history. He’d get angry with anyone who brought it up.”
“Hahaha, the hunter who hunts all day gets pecked by a goose, that’s truly embarrassing.”
Jiang Tao could perfectly imagine the General Manager’s embarrassment.
Jiang Wen looked at the hairy walnut tree, clicked his tongue, and said:
“What’s so fun about these? Only people with nothing better to do play with them.”
“Literary walnuts are for playing with balls, the rich carry gourds in their arms, Lords have three treasures in their hands: thumb rings, walnuts, and caged birds.”
Xu Wencheng laughed, “Those Beijing Masters play with these a lot. The manager at my unit is also a native of the Capital City.
It’s said that his family lives in a villa, and besides eating and drinking, he just plays around all the time.”
Hearing Xu Wencheng talk about his former unit, Jiang Tao followed up on the topic:
“By the way, Dad, speaking of your old unit, I saw a post from a friend on Moments a couple of days ago saying your unit is preparing for financing?”
Xu Wencheng nodded, “Yes, there is news about that. It’s said they want to buy more land to expand the factory area and add a few more production lines to increase output.”
“You worked there for decades, you should know it well. What do you think about the investment risk? And the returns?”
Although Jiang Tao knew this investment would be incredibly profitable, he still pretended to be humble and asked his father-in-law for advice.
“Although our unit’s strength isn’t particularly outstanding, it still has a certain reputation within its domestic circle.”
“Over the years, we’ve also developed quite a few loyal clients.”
“Furthermore, since I joined the company until now, nearly 30 years have passed.”
“Except for the two special years a couple of years ago when performance stagnated slightly.”
“Under normal circumstances, the company’s sales volume has increased every year, making it absolutely a quality asset.”
Facing his son-in-law’s humble inquiry, Xu Wencheng naturally spoke truthfully.
Jiang Tao didn’t beat around the bush with his father-in-law and said directly:
“Dad, to be honest, I happen to have some spare money and was wondering if I could invest in this project.”
“If possible, please act as a go-between for me and your General Manager.”
“You want to invest in our… invest in Huaying Glass Handicraft Factory?”
Xu Wencheng wasn’t quite used to his current identity yet and almost slipped back into his role as an employee of his former company.
Jiang Tao smiled, “Yes, just as Dad said, I’m quite interested in your former company and would like to invest.”
“If you’ve really decided to invest, arranging a meeting is no problem. I’ll just tell the General Manager, and he’ll definitely be willing to meet you.”
Although Xu Wencheng wasn’t a high-ranking leader, he had worked diligently at the company for decades and reached a middle management position.
He could indeed speak with the General Manager.
Jiang Tao smiled, “Then please, Dad, help me schedule a meeting with that manager when you have time! I’d like to talk to him in person.”
“I estimate he’s probably already on his way back to the Capital City right now. If we’re going to meet, it’ll have to be after the holiday.”
“I’ll call him right now and ask.”
After speaking, Xu Wencheng took his phone out of his pocket.
He searched his contacts for a while, found a number saved as “Manager Zhu,” and dialed it.
Ring, ring, ring…
After a few rings, the call was answered, and a deep male voice spoke on the other end.
“Hello, Old Xu, have you regretted resigning?”
“It’s not too late to regret it. Your resignation letter is still locked in my office drawer.”
“Hahaha, thank you for the kind offer, Manager Zhu, but this time I’ve truly decided to resign and start a new life. It’s about this, Manager Zhu…”
Xu Wencheng didn’t waste Manager Zhu’s time with pleasantries.
He directly explained Jiang Tao’s desire to invest in the company to Manager Zhu.
Upon hearing that someone wanted to invest money in his company, Manager Zhu was naturally very interested.
The company did indeed need some financial support.
However, just as Xu Wencheng had predicted, Manager Zhu was also on his way back to the Capital City at that moment.
Furthermore, with the Qingming Festival holiday starting tomorrow, various departments in the company had already closed for the break.
After agreeing on the phone to meet at the company after the holiday for a detailed discussion, they hung up.
Xu Wencheng looked at Jiang Tao and said truthfully:
“Jiang Tao, Manager Zhu asked me to bring you to the company after the holiday to meet and discuss further.”
“No problem, thank you, Dad.”
Jiang Tao nodded with a smile. He wasn’t in a hurry and could wait.
“What are you talking about, bothering? There’s no need to be so formal between us.”
Xu Wencheng smiled, very pleased to be able to offer Jiang Tao some small assistance.
The three of them chatted a bit more under the hairy walnut tree and each smoked two cigarettes.
After satisfying their nicotine cravings, they each returned to their cars and continued on their way towards Ping County.
They didn’t stop to rest again during this stretch and drove unimpeded all the way.
Around 7 PM.
The Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon and Mercedes-Benz GLS exited the highway at the Ping County exit one after another.
After driving through a highway connection, both cars entered the city.
Upon entering the city, they headed straight for the White Magnolia Hotel, the largest hotel in Ping County.
Before departing from the Capital City, Jiang Tao had called his uncle to book dinner there.
By the time the two cars arrived at the White Magnolia Hotel, it was already 7:30 PM.
Seeing the few people getting out of the cars, Tian Xiaoguang and Tian Mingrong smiled and walked forward to greet them.
“Sister, Brother-in-law! Xiao Tao, Xiao Bing, you must have had a tiring journey!”
“Yes, everyone has had a tiring journey.”
Tian Xiaoguang and Tian Mingrong greeted Jiang Tao’s family with smiles, their faces full of warmth.
“Thank you for the trouble, Uncle and Auntie.”
“No trouble at all, no trouble at all! What are you saying!”
“Mingrong, how is your health?”
“I’m doing very well, thank you for your concern, Elder Sister.”
“Of course, of course! Xiao Guang, you must take good care of Mingrong, don’t let anything happen.”
“Absolutely, Elder Sister, don’t worry!”
“Uncle, when can we have your and Auntie’s wedding banquet?”
“Hahaha, soon, soon~”
After not seeing each other for over a month, the family was reunited, exchanging pleasantries and feeling very close.
It felt like they had endless things to talk about and endless stories to share.
After chatting for a while in the parking lot outside.
The group majestically entered the private room in the White Magnolia Hotel that Tian Xiaoguang had booked.
Inside the private room, a large round table could comfortably seat over ten people without feeling crowded.
With over ten people having different tastes and preferences, they ordered dishes one by one.
They ordered a total of over twenty dishes.
Less than ten minutes after ordering, the dishes began to be served, and soon they were all out.
The women sat together, chatting and laughing about family matters.
The mother-in-law, who was newly pregnant, and the soon-to-be aunt-in-law Tian Mingrong, who was also recently pregnant, got along very well.
Jiang Tao accompanied his father, father-in-law, and uncle, and the men drank and chatted about everything under the sun.
The conversation ranged from work and life in the Capital City to development prospects in Ping County.
When Jiang Tao and his family returned to the Capital City after the Qingming Festival holiday, they would bring Uncle Tian Xiaoguang and Tian Mingrong with them.
Once Tian Xiaoguang arrived, Jiang Tao would arrange for him to work at the Jiang’s Food Factory, where he would be responsible for the secret recipe of Eight Treasure Pickles.
Jiang Tao naturally had great confidence in his uncle and would ensure he received fair salary and treatment.
Before returning to his hometown, Jiang Tao had already asked a tenant to vacate the house he had rented out.
His uncle and aunt could move directly into that house.
During the meal, everyone conversed and chatted, creating a lively and harmonious atmosphere.
The welcoming banquet lasted from around 8 PM until 9:30 PM.
Jiang Tao was the first to go out to settle the bill. The meal, including drinks, cost over 6,000 yuan.
For Jiang Tao, whose passive income was now tens of thousands a day, this was not much at all.
After eating and drinking their fill, everyone bid farewell at the hotel entrance.
Tian Mingrong drove the electric scooter-style commuter car, taking her and her uncle away.
She owned a small apartment of over 70 square meters in Ping County, which had now become their love nest.
Xu Sha drove the Mercedes-Benz GLS, taking her father-in-law and mother-in-law towards their home.
Jiang Bing drove the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon, taking Jiang Tao’s family in the direction of Jiang Family Village.
A couple of days prior, Jiang Tao had asked his uncle to hire a professional cleaning company to thoroughly clean the house.
Tian Mingrong had also helped by taking down the bed sheets and bedding from both houses and sending them to the dry cleaners in the county town.
Otherwise, a house left empty for a month would certainly be uninhabitable.
The Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon entered Jiang Family Village around 10 PM.
After getting out, everyone went to their respective homes.
“Finally home~”
“No place like home, even a dog’s kennel is better than others’. It feels different coming into a house you built yourself.”
Upon entering their own courtyard, even before going inside, Xu Li felt an inexplicable joy.
Although the rural area here couldn’t compare to the apartment buildings in the Capital City.
She still felt like she had truly arrived home here.
No matter how nice the house in the Capital City was, it was still just a house.
Woof woof woof~
Wang Cai seemed to like the new home very much too.
As soon as Jiang Xue put him down, he started running around the courtyard.
“Come here, Wang Cai, I’ll show you my room~”
Jiang Xue called out to Wang Cai and then ran inside.
Hearing his young mistress’s call, Wang Cai happily followed her inside.
The moment Jiang Tao stepped through the door, he also felt an immense sense of familiarity.
Even though he had bought a house and established himself in the Capital City.
He ultimately had no sense of belonging there.
Although Jiang Family Village was just an obscure small village in the country.
It was the place where he was born and raised.
He grew up drinking the water from here and playing in the mud from here.
His attachment to his homeland was deeply ingrained in his bones.
No matter where he went, this was where his roots lay.
People often say “falling leaves return to their roots,” “falling leaves return to their roots.”
This saying is truly more than just a casual remark.
In recent years, more and more villagers who had developed well elsewhere in the past have returned to the village to build houses.
They build houses not necessarily to live in them.
Mostly, it’s to have a memorial hall and a place to hold funerals after their death.
After burial, being interred in their own free ancestral graves is better than the mausoleums outside that cost hundreds of thousands.
“Wife, I feel like our home can still be spruced up a bit more.”
Jiang Tao looked around the courtyard, put his arm around Xu Li’s waist, and said with a smile.
“How else can we spruce it up?”
Xu Li turned to look at Jiang Tao, her beautiful eyes full of tenderness.
These days, the couple had been together every day, inseparable.
Xu Li’s sense of happiness had increased manifold, and she was extremely content with her current life.
“Let Elder Brother find someone to install tempered glass all over our courtyard and convert it into a sunroom.”
“We can also change our main gate to one made of pure copper.”
“And lay marble tiles all over the courtyard.”
“We can install an electric sunshade on the balcony…”
Jiang Tao chattered on about his renovation plans for their courtyard.
In the past, when he didn’t have much money, he had to cut corners wherever possible when building the house.
As a result, there were many unsatisfactory aspects to the house he built.
Now that he had money, Jiang Tao naturally wanted to make their home as beautiful as possible.
Even if he bought more houses elsewhere in the future, he couldn’t give up this “base” in his hometown.
Xu Li naturally supported Jiang Tao’s renovation plans with both hands.
She cherished this home even more than Jiang Tao did.
The couple chatted in the courtyard for a while before going inside.
They chatted a bit more in the living room, and then Xu Li took Jiang Xue to take a bath.
While waiting for his turn to shower, Jiang Tao browsed his Moments feed on his phone.
He also read some of today’s top news.
After that, he scrolled through Kuaidou for some running tutorials posted by several running streamers.
Although Jiang Tao’s physique had already reached over 90 points and was about to break the 100-point limit.
This did not mean he could definitely outrun professional athletes with inferior physiques.
In running, physique is very important, but not everything.
Technical aspects are also a crucial factor.
Jiang Tao still had a lot to learn in the future.
After 11 PM, once Xu Li and Jiang Xue had finished, Jiang Tao went to shower.
Xu Li had declared a truce during her menstrual period.
While Jiang Tao showered, he activated 『Sleep Mode』 for his wife and daughter.
When he returned to the bedroom after his shower, Xu Li was already asleep under the quilt.
Jiang Tao didn’t disturb her.
He lay on the bed and scrolled on his phone for a while longer, waiting for the intelligence to refresh at midnight.
