Chapter 230: 100,000 For Fortune-telling!
Bai Yulan was also among Han Mingrui and his group.
Moreover, anyone with eyes could see that she was the undisputed protagonist of this group.
“Jiang Tao, Lili, Mr. Xu, Mrs. Xu, you’re here.”
“Let me introduce you to the Executive Vice County Governor of our Ping County, Governor Gao Aiguo.”
“And this is…”
Seeing Jiang Tao and his group arrive, Bai Yulan walked forward with a smile and took the initiative to introduce them to each other.
The Xu family of four listened as Bai Yulan introduced various county governors, secretaries, and directors…
They saw how polite everyone was to Jiang Tao.
They immediately felt a strong sense of pride and honor!
They’ve made it!
Their husband and son-in-law have truly made it now!
So many county leaders were being so polite to Jiang Tao, treating him like an honored guest.
Furthermore, Jiang Tao appeared calm and unconstrained when greeting everyone.
Where was the shadow of the truck driver he used to be, given Jiang Tao’s appearance today?
In just a few months, the enormous changes in Jiang Tao were an understatement to call it a transformation!
It was as if he had become a completely different person!
After the introductions, everyone entered a large reception hall in the guesthouse together.
Four large round tables were set up inside, and service staff guided everyone to their seats.
There were no opening remarks or speeches; after everyone sat down, the waitstaff began serving food.
Due to the somewhat special nature of today’s reception, the dishes served were not as extravagant as when Wang Xingguo treated guests at the White Magnolia Hotel yesterday.
However, they were not meager either.
There were still dishes like chicken, duck, fish, beef, lamb, pork hock, and shrimp.
The wine served was a baijiu that Jiang Tao had never heard of before, but the bottle had “Special Supply” written on it.
While this wine was not as good as Moutai, its taste was no inferior to some baijiu sold on the market for one to two hundred yuan.
During the meal, Bai Yulan again brought Jiang Tao to reintroduce himself to the leaders, share a drink, and exchange contact information.
Earlier at the entrance, it was just a brief introduction and not a true acquaintance.
It was only after sharing a drink and exchanging contact information that they were considered truly acquainted.
During the banquet, seeing Bai Yulan’s enthusiastic attitude towards Jiang Tao, everyone speculated about their relationship.
Although they couldn’t figure it out.
However, everyone present was a veteran in the ways of the world and could tell their relationship was unusual.
Therefore, everyone was also very enthusiastic towards Jiang Tao, and their regard for him was not solely based on him winning the championship of today’s event.
To be honest, although today’s Health Run was the first of its kind in Ping County.
If someone else had won the championship, it wouldn’t have warranted the county committee leaders to personally greet him and invite him to dinner.
At most, they would have exchanged polite words and taken some promotional photos, and that would have been it.
The meal lasted from a little past 1 PM until past 3 PM.
The entire event was lively and the atmosphere was extremely harmonious.
In a setting like today’s, everyone present were respectable individuals; no one pressured others to drink or forced them.
However, Jiang Tao drank quite a bit as he toasted so many leaders.
Fortunately, with his increased physique, his body’s metabolic capacity had also greatly improved.
He drank over 3 jin of baijiu at lunch today, yet his face was not flushed, and he was not out of breath, as if he were perfectly fine.
His drinking capacity surprised everyone again.
After eating and drinking their fill, everyone parted ways at the entrance of the guesthouse.
Jiang Tao’s family of three returned to his father-in-law’s home.
Upon returning home, the effects of the alcohol hit Jiang Tao, and he went straight to his room to sleep.
…
Meanwhile.
At the White Magnolia Hotel, in the General Manager’s office.
Bai Yulan’s mood had been quite good today until she received a call from her assistant.
Returning to her office, she looked at the financial reports her assistant had placed on her desk.
Bai Yulan’s beautiful face immediately became clouded with gloom, as cold as frost.
*Thump!*
“Sister, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I know I was wrong.”
“I’m sorry, Sister, please give me another chance. I promise I won’t dare to do it again in the future.”
Seeing the expression on his older female cousin’s face, Bai Jianfeng guessed that his misdeeds had been exposed.
After collapsing to the ground with a thud, he repeatedly kowtowed to Bai Yulan, apologizing.
“Jianfeng, Jianfeng, with that 5 million yuan, what couldn’t you have done better than buying lottery tickets!”
“I know you’re not very smart, but I didn’t expect you to be this foolish!”
“To put it bluntly, it’s like a game of rock-paper-scissors; you always let them go first, how could you win?”
Bai Yulan flung her hand, and with a rustle, the financial report she was holding scattered onto the floor in front of the desk.
5 million yuan was not a significant amount of money for Bai Yulan.
The reason she was angry was that her cousin Bai Jianfeng had secretly misappropriated public funds behind her back!
If it weren’t for their sisterly bond, that amount would have been enough for Bai Jianfeng to spend seven to eight years in prison!
“I’m sorry, Sister. I was confused for a moment, got carried away. I’m sorry, I’m sorry…”
The incident had already happened and the evidence was conclusive. Bai Jianfeng knew that anything he said now was superfluous. It was better to sincerely admit his mistake and beg for his cousin’s forgiveness.
The Bai family, their generation was not prosperous, with only four siblings.
Therefore, Bai Yulan took good care of her younger siblings, using her connections to make arrangements for them.
“This matter ends here. I will no longer pursue your responsibility.”
“But…”
“Trust those you use, and don’t use those you doubt. Go pack your things and go home. The hotel will provide you with N+2 compensation.”
“Go on.”
Bai Yulan waved her hand, signaling Bai Jianfeng to leave.
The N+2 compensation was the last bit of care she, as an older sister, was giving Bai Jianfeng.
“Sister, I…”
“Go.”
A hint of anger was contained in Bai Yulan’s tone.
“Alright, Sister. I’ll go then.”
Bai Jianfeng also knew his cousin’s temper and obediently shut his mouth and left.
*Click.*
The room door closed softly, leaving Bai Yulan alone in the office.
“Losing money, losing money…”
“Jiang Tao was actually right.”
“If it weren’t for his reminder this time, I don’t know how much more money that fool Jianfeng would have cost me.”
At this moment, Bai Yulan recalled what Jiang Tao had said in her office the day before yesterday, and her belief in his face-reading skills grew even stronger.
She picked up her mobile phone from the desk, opened WeChat, and found Jiang Tao’s contact information.
Bai Yulan thought for a moment, then directly transferred 100,000 yuan to Jiang Tao, with the note “fortune-telling fee.”
After transferring the money to Jiang Tao, Bai Yulan leaned back in her chair, and her mind suddenly drifted back to the scene of Jiang Tao giving her a massage that day.
And the several hours of high-quality sleep she had after the massage.
After some thought, Bai Yulan sent another text message to Jiang Tao on WeChat.
【The sleep aid massage last time was very effective. When you have time, could you come and give Sister another one? 】
After sending the message, Bai Yulan looked at the content she had sent and found it increasingly ambiguous.
She quickly clicked “Recall” to withdraw the message.
“He probably didn’t see it, right…”
Seeing the words “Recall Successful,” Bai Yulan thought with some guilt.
However…
She really, really wanted to experience Jiang Tao’s sleep aid massage again.
But it seemed inappropriate to actively ask Jiang Tao for it, so she was conflicted!
【The sleep aid massage last time was very good. Could you come and teach me sometime? 】
【My mother has sleep problems, and I want to learn so I can try it on her. 】
【If it’s not convenient, then forget it. 】
In the end, Bai Yulan was unwilling to give up the idea of having Jiang Tao give her a sleep aid massage, so she used her mother as an excuse.
Of course, what she said was also true.
The elderly lady at home also often suffered from insomnia and poor sleep.
After waiting for a while without receiving a reply from Jiang Tao, Bai Yulan wasn’t in a hurry.
She also knew that Jiang Tao had drunk quite a lot at lunch today.
“He’s probably taking a nap!”
After considering this possibility, Bai Yulan stopped waiting for Jiang Tao’s reply and started working on her computer.
…
3 PM.
Ping County Industrial Park.
Outside Jinwei Welding Materials Co., Ltd.
A 4.2-meter flatbed truck was stopped by the security guard at the entrance.
“Stop, stop, stop! What are you here for? Where’s your pass?”
The security guard was an old employee who had worked at Jinwei Welding Materials for over twenty years.
He was familiar with the drivers who came and went from the company to deliver goods daily.
Upon seeing the unfamiliar faces of Niu Baoguo and Liu Haiqin, he immediately stopped them.
“Big brother, we’re here to recycle scrap. Have a cigarette, have a cigarette.”
Niu Baoguo rolled down the car window and held out an unopened pack of Yuxi cigarettes to the security guard.
It was his first time here, and he was in unfamiliar territory. Building a good relationship with the gatekeeper was very necessary.
“You’re here to recycle scrap? Isn’t Xiao Su the one who recycles scrap?”
The security guard asked with a confused expression.
Niu Baoguo smiled and said, “From now on, it will be us. We’ve already spoken with your Manager Zhu.”
“You wait a moment…”
After speaking, the security guard turned and returned to the guardhouse, using his feature phone to call a manager in charge of scrap recycling.
“Manager Qi, there’s a new person at the gate who collects scrap…”
“What’s your name?”
“Niu Baoguo.”
“His name is Niu Baoguo. Oh, okay, okay, I understand.”
After confirming Niu Baoguo and his wife’s information with the manager, the security guard opened the electronic gate without further ado and let the couple through.
*Rumble, rumble, rumble—*
The truck, emitting blue smoke, drove into the factory area and directly to the area downstairs the office building.
After parking the truck, Niu Baoguo did not immediately go to find the manager in charge of scrap recycling to pick up the scrap.
He instructed Liu Haiqin to stay in the car and, after getting out, entered the office building.
He took the stairs to the 5th floor and looked for the General Manager’s office, arriving at the door.
*Knock, knock, knock—*
Niu Baoguo took a deep breath, calmed his nervous heart, and then reached out and knocked on the door.
“Come in.”
Hearing the voice from inside, Niu Baoguo pushed the door open and entered.
“Huh, you are?”
Zhu Haibin looked up and saw Niu Baoguo entering, his face showing a confused expression.
“Hello, Manager Zhu. My name is Niu Baoguo. Jiang Tao asked me to find you.”
Niu Baoguo took a few steps forward, looked at Zhu Haibin with a sincere gaze, introduced himself first.
“Oh, it’s you. You’re here.”
“You can directly contact our Production Department Manager Qi.”
“Manager Qi is in charge of scrap recycling.”
Zhu Haibin nodded and said in a very calm tone.
He valued Jiang Tao highly, but he was not as enthusiastic about Niu Baoguo, whom Jiang Tao had introduced.
“Alright, Manager Zhu.”
“Besides introducing myself, I have one thing I’d like to report to you today.”
Niu Baoguo looked at Zhu Haibin and said earnestly.
“Oh? What is it?”
Zhu Haibin looked at Niu Baoguo with some confusion.
Niu Baoguo suddenly stepped forward, stopping only when he reached Zhu Haibin’s desk, which surprised Zhu Haibin again, making him wonder what he was going to do.
“Manager Zhu, please take a look at this. Is this your company’s property?”
Niu Baoguo took out his phone from his pocket, found a few pictures, and showed them to Zhu Haibin.
These photos were “evidence” that Jiang Tao had purchased for 1,000 yuan from the intelligence system.
He did not contact Zhu Haibin directly but chose to inform him indirectly through Niu Baoguo.
This way, he could help Niu Baoguo gain some goodwill with Zhu Haibin.
Jiang Tao already had the identity of a shareholder in Jinwei Welding Materials and the relationship with Sister Bai Yulan, so he didn’t need to curry favor with Zhu Haibin anymore.
“This is…”
When Zhu Haibin saw the photos on Niu Baoguo’s phone, his brows furrowed instantly.
The background of the photos was a warehouse at a scrap recycling station.
A wooden pallet was placed on the warehouse floor.
On the pallet were several stainless steel barrels labeled “Jinwei Welding Materials Special Grade Nickel Powder.”
How could his company’s nickel powder barrels be in a scrap recycling station!
Nickel powder is a primary raw material for welding materials and is very expensive.
The price of one ton of nickel powder was as high as 130,000 yuan per ton!
The nickel powder barrels in the pictures contained 100KG each, and the purchase price was 13,000 yuan per barrel.
“When I was drinking with a colleague, he told me that Su Zhiyong, along with a team leader from your company’s powder blending team, has been stealing the company’s nickel powder for profit for a long time.”
“These photos were secretly taken by him at Su Zhiyong’s scrap recycling station.”
“Although I don’t know if this is true or not, I felt I should inform you.”
“If it’s false, you can strengthen your management in this area to prevent any future issues.”
“If it’s true, you can discover it early and stop the losses in time.”
“You haven’t told anyone else about this yet, have you?”
Zhu Haibin looked at Niu Baoguo and said with a very grave expression.
Niu Baoguo nodded and said, “No, you’re the first to know.”
“Good. Don’t make a fuss about this matter for now, to avoid alerting the enemy.”
“We will thoroughly investigate and collect evidence on this matter.”
Zhu Haibin took a deep breath; he had already realized the seriousness of the issue.
“Alright, Manager Zhu. Don’t worry, I will keep my lips sealed.”
Niu Baoguo nodded, indicating that he was not one to speak carelessly.
Zhu Haibin gave one last instruction:
“Send me the photos on your phone. Do what you need to do, and pretend this conversation never happened.”
“Alright, Manager Zhu.”
Niu Baoguo and Zhu Haibin added each other on WeChat and sent him all 10 photos from his phone.
After sending the photos, Niu Baoguo bid farewell to Zhu Haibin and then turned to leave.
Zhu Haibin looked at the photos on his phone, showing dozens of nickel powder barrels labeled with his company’s name, his expression shifting between serious and thoughtful.
