When Jiang Tao was having a video call with his wife, Xu Li.
Wang Lianming and He Fang were also having a meal.
Wang Lianming casually mentioned running into Jiang Tao this morning.
And told He Fang about the news Jiang Tao shared, that three of his classmates were diagnosed with cervical cancer.
"That's so scary!"
Even though they were people she didn't know, as a woman, He Fang felt bad hearing about others having cancer.
Wang Lianming sipped on his millet pumpkin porridge and said:
"Jiang Tao asked his wife to take his mom, mother-in-law, and sister-in-law for a checkup. That many people, it must cost a lot."
He Fang said, "Look at how filial Jiang Tao is, and how well he takes care of his wife. You should learn from him when you work with people every day."
Wang Lianming said, "I'm learning now! Tomorrow you happen to have a day off, go get a full health checkup. You should do it once a year from now on."
"Forget it, I guess a checkup costs at least fourteen or fifteen hundred, right? It's a waste of money. I feel pretty good; nothing's wrong with me."
He Fang was still reluctant to spend that money.
Fifteen hundred yuan is roughly their monthly food expenses.
Wang Lianming advised, "Don't say that! I think Jiang Tao was right, spend when you should, save when you can.
Go get it tomorrow! A car needs maintenance after running for a long time, let alone a person."
"I'll think about it."
"Don't think about it, I'm deciding for you this time, you're going for a checkup tomorrow."
This morning, Jiang Tao's words were like the Sword of Damocles hanging over Wang Lianming's heart.
If He Fang didn't have this checkup, he wouldn't be at ease.
"Alright then! I'll go get checked, but if the money is wasted..."
"I hope it's wasted! You silly woman, hoping to find something wrong!"
"You're right."
He Fang laughed at her own flawed logic.
...
At Jiang Tao's home.
Jiang Tao and Xu Li chatted for over an hour before ending their video call.
After washing the pots and pans, Jiang Tao snuggled back into bed to listen to an audiobook.
Time quickly reached midnight, and new intelligence was refreshed.
[Today's Intelligence]:
You ran into the rich heir Wang Fei at a Sinopec gas station.
Acquired related intelligence—
Your appearance is 80% similar to the South Korean guy Wang Fei's girlfriend was cheating with.
If he punches you, you could receive up to 80,000 yuan in compensation!
Wang Fei is currently drowning his sorrows at Shanyu Cocktail Bar near Huilongguan!
The target person is expected to stay there for about 45 more minutes!
...
"What the hell..."
Seeing today's refreshed intelligence, Jiang Tao instantly felt wide awake.
What the hell kind of intelligence is this?
I look like the guy the rich heir's girlfriend cheated with?
But...
That's not the main point.
Jiang Tao was quickly drawn to the amount of money mentioned in the intelligence!
Getting punched for 80,000? Taking such a punch could wipe out his family's debts.
He's a tough guy with thick skin; taking one punch shouldn't be a big deal, right?
This intelligence was quite tempting for Jiang Tao, who was very short on cash now!
There was another critical piece of information in the intelligence.
The rich heir Wang Fei would only stay at that bar for around 45 minutes more.
Which means Jiang Tao only had 45 minutes to consider.
No, it's only 25 minutes now!
From Xiaoshanhe to Shanyu Cocktail Bar in Huilongguan would take at least 20 minutes!
Jiang Tao often transported goods nearby and knew where that bar was.
"Let's do it!"
Thinking of the family's debt and his wife and kids at home.
Jiang Tao quickly started putting on his clothes and shoes.
He only got a little over 20,000 yuan for getting hit and breaking a leg before.
Now taking a punch can earn him 80,000, equal to working his butt off for a year!
A rich heir, not some boxer like Tyson, how strong can he be?
This year, life had already beaten Jiang Tao hard.
Could that rich heir Wang Fei be more brutal?
If he punched me, who knows who'd hurt more!
Jiang Tao dressed up, pocketed his phone, and went downstairs.
Since he had drunk earlier, he couldn't drive himself.
So Jiang Tao splurged a little and hailed a car on Didi.
Many drifters living in Xiaoshanhe Village also drive for Didi.
Even though it was late, someone quickly took the order.
Jiang Tao got into a BAIC New Energy EU400 at the village entrance.
It cost 38 yuan and took 13 minutes for Jiang Tao to arrive downstairs at Shanyu Cocktail Bar.
Although Jiang Tao usually enjoys a drink or two, he had actually never been to a bar like this before.
Today was his first time.
If it weren't for the 80,000 yuan waiting for him inside, he wouldn't have come here.
"Damn it!"
Muttering under his breath, Jiang Tao took a deep breath and strode into the bar.
It was already past midnight.
The bar still had quite a few young men and women drinking and chatting.
Jiang Tao's rustic appearance was a world apart from the fashionable crowd in the bar.
If not for the intelligence that popped up tonight, Jiang Tao probably would never have crossed paths with these people.
"Good evening, sir. Welcome to Shanyu Cocktail Bar. How can I assist you?"
While Jiang Tao stood dazed at the entrance, a uniformed waiter approached to ask.
"I'm here to find a friend. You don't need to bother with me."
Jiang Tao waved off the waiter and quickly locked eyes on a particular area in the northeast corner of the bar.
In that area, there was a beam of light distinctly different from the bar's color lights.
The beam shone on a young man wearing a white shirt and black trousers, holding a cocktail glass.
"Right, get me one of your special cocktails."
After spotting his target, Jiang Tao didn't rush to confront him but turned to the waiter to order a drink first.
Entering without buying anything might look too suspicious.
For the sake of 80,000 yuan, spending a hundred or so to have a drink and look the part was necessary.
"Sure, sir! I'll take you to your seat first, and then I'll bring it over."
The waiter, unfazed by Jiang Tao's unpolished attire, maintained a professional attitude.
"Alright, I'll head over there; it looks like there are empty seats."
Jiang Tao pointed towards the area where Wang Fei was, striding over there.
...
"I've been providing for her, giving her 80,000 yuan a month in pocket money, and she had the nerve to cheat on me!"
Wang Fei had drunk quite a bit tonight, repeating the same words over and over.
He had been in a relationship with his girlfriend Li Hui for over three years at university.
But within half a year of Li Hui going abroad, she had gotten involved with an artsy senior from the same school!
"Don't be upset, Young Master Wang; Li Hui is just a damn bitch!"
"Exactly, passing up on such a fine young master like you to be with an old, balding jerk. She'll definitely regret it in the future!"
"Yeah, Young Master Wang, Li Hui must have been kicked in the head by a donkey!"
"Out with the old, in with the new. Don't let a bimbo ruin your mood!"
Several friends around Wang Fei offered words of consolation, feeling it was beneath him.
To be fair, with Wang Fei's family assets in the billions, he was considered among the top-tier rich kids even in Beijing.
It was rare for him to play the role of the earnest boyfriend.
And yet, he was cheated on by a woman whose background was far inferior to his own!
Anyone in his shoes would find it hard to let go of such injustice!
"You guys take your time drinking. I'm going to the restroom real quick, and when I get back, we'll head to Sanlitun to get some girls for fun."
Wang Fei said as he got up and made his way towards the bar's restroom.
After sitting near Wang Fei, Jiang Tao had been observing his actions.
At the same time, he was keeping an eye on the remaining time shown on the Intelligence System.
At the moment, there were only 4 minutes left until Wang Fei would leave the bar!
Jiang Tao had been unable to find an opportunity to act and was just anxiously waiting in the booth.
He couldn't just go up and provoke him without reason, now could he?
Seeing Wang Fei coming out of the booth, Jiang Tao realized this could be his last chance to catch Wang Fei's attention!
Noticing Wang Fei heading towards the restroom, Jiang Tao quickly got up and followed him.
They arrived at the restroom one after the other, standing side by side at two urinals.
"Ahem, ahem..."
Jiang Tao coughed a couple of times intentionally, trying to get Wang Fei's attention, but to no avail.
Suddenly, a thought flashed in Jiang Tao's mind; he remembered a crucial detail.
The intelligence mentioned that Wang Fei's girlfriend had cheated with a South Korean guy.
So...
"Aish! Geugeo!"
Jiang Tao knew only a few words of Korean and just blurted them out.
Sure enough!
Jiang Tao's broken Korean immediately caught Wang Fei's attention next door!
The person he hated the most right now was a South Korean!
Whoosh!
Wang Fei instantly turned his head towards Jiang Tao!
The two were less than thirty centimeters apart, and they were about the same height.
So, when Wang Fei turned his head, he saw Jiang Tao's face and was momentarily stunned.
He didn't even realize he'd peed on his shoes.
For a moment, Wang Fei thought he was seeing things.
Isn't this guy the damn South Korean who Li Hui cheated with!
How dare he show up in the country!
How dare he come to Beijing!
How dare he appear right in front of him!