"Bro, can I get your contact info?"
"If you ever need to vent again, just hit me up, I'm always…"
Before Jiang Tao could finish his sentence, Wang Fei had already turned and walked away briskly.
"…"
Seeing this, Jiang Tao didn't press further.
The money-for-fist transaction was complete, and it was time for him to make his exit.
Though he enjoyed a drink or two, he wasn't really a fan of the bar atmosphere.
It was exactly 1 a.m. when he stepped out of Shanyu Cocktail Bar.
In other words, from the moment Jiang Tao got the tip at midnight, it took him just one hour to make a cool 80,000 yuan!
He hailed a cab at the entrance and headed straight home.
Back at his rental in Xiaosha River, Jiang Tao pulled out his phone to check his Alipay balance.
80,145.66!
The 145.66 was his original savings, and the 80,000 was what he'd just earned!
"If I could land a deal like this every day, that'd be perfect!"
"Forget every day—even once a month would be great! An 80,000 monthly salary isn't bad at all!"
"Rich kids' money sure is easy to make!"
Looking at the balance on his phone, Jiang Tao rubbed the spot where Wang Fei had punched him earlier, his grin stretching ear to ear.
"Time to sleep! Tomorrow morning, I'll clear the family's debts first thing, and then I won't have to worry about it anymore."
The thought of soon paying off the mountain-like debt made Jiang Tao feel like he could breathe easier!
That night, Jiang Tao slept soundly, all the way until just past 7 a.m.
After getting up and washing his face, he got dressed and headed downstairs to the lamb soup shop in the urban village.
He'd already made 80,000 before even starting work today, so treating himself to a bowl of lamb soup was well deserved!
A big bowl of creamy white lamb soup paired with half a flatbread filled his stomach with warmth and satisfaction!
After eating his fill and paying the bill, Jiang Tao headed out toward the village's exit.
Though he'd already made 80,000 today, who would ever complain about earning more?
Until he had enough money, Jiang Tao had no plans to quit his day job.
In the morning, he completed three rides, earning 258 yuan.
At lunch, Jiang Tao found his creditors on WeChat and transferred the owed amounts to each of them.
With that, Jiang Tao had finally cleared his debts, free and unburdened!
In the afternoon, while waiting for more rides, he felt light as a feather, thoroughly enjoying the sensation!
Around 4 p.m., his phone rang.
He pulled it out and saw the caller ID: "Brother Wang."
That morning, Jiang Tao had seen Wang Lianming, but he hadn't seen him all afternoon.
Without thinking much of it, Jiang Tao swiped to answer.
"Hey, Brother Wang, what's up?"
"What? Sister-in-law, she…"
Hearing Wang Lianming on the other end say that He Fang's checkup today confirmed cervical cancer, Jiang Tao felt a heavy weight despite already knowing this information.
Though he'd known about it beforehand, hearing it from Wang Lianming's mouth still felt deeply oppressive.
"No need to thank me, what's there to thank? Which hospital are you at? I'm about to clock off, I'll come by tonight to check in."
"Alright, alright, anything you need me to bring?"
"Okay, got it. Take good care of Sister-in-law. Hanging up now."
After a brief exchange, Jiang Tao ended the call with a tap.
Just moments ago, Wang Lianming had thanked him profusely over the phone, nearly a dozen times.
He was grateful for Jiang Tao's kind reminder yesterday.
If not for Jiang Tao's heads-up, He Fang wouldn't have gone for a checkup today.
And they wouldn't have discovered her cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer is a malignant tumor, often symptomless in its early stages.
By the time symptoms appear, it's usually mid-stage or even late-stage!
Wang Lianming's voice trembled over the phone, revealing just how terrified he was.
At that moment, Jiang Tao suddenly felt that, although the tip about He Fang didn't earn him any money, it was far more valuable than any amount of cash.
After driving back to Xiaosha River, Jiang Tao headed straight to Yu Dongdong's Supermarket.
"Master Jiang, wanna try your luck with another bottle of Qinghua Lang today?"
Yu Dongdong teased with a grin as Jiang Tao walked in.
"Nah, that was pure luck last time. Who stays that lucky forever?"
Jiang Tao laughed it off and strode into the supermarket.
He grabbed a few new stainless steel lunch containers, some new towels, a washbasin, a thermos, and toiletries like toothpaste and toothbrushes.
After a big shopping haul costing over 300 yuan, he left with two bulging bags.
After paying, Jiang Tao didn't even stop for dinner. He called a Didi and headed straight to Jishuitan Hospital.
On the way, he sent a WeChat message to Xu Li, letting her know he had something to do and would be back late.
At the hospital, Jiang Tao carried his pile of daily necessities and took the elevator to the oncology department on the 7th floor.
He quickly found He Fang's room, 718.
"Jiang Tao! My good brother!"
"Bro, bro… I don't even know how to thank you! Bro…"
Wang Lianming, choking up, gave Jiang Tao a big bear hug as soon as he walked in, tears streaming down his face.
A nearly 40-year-old, heavyset man crying like a child.
"Brother Wang, we're like family, no need for such formalities."
"The priority now is getting Sister-in-law's illness treated. Everything else is secondary."
Jiang Tao's gaze shifted to He Fang, half-reclining on the hospital bed in a patient gown.
In just one day, her condition seemed like that of a different person.
Yesterday, she was like a vibrant flower; today, she had wilted.
"Jiang Tao, you came. Sorry to trouble you, and thank you so much."
He Fang's voice lacked the crispness of yesterday, now weak and frail.
Illness strikes like a landslide, especially something like cancer.
Jiang Tao said earnestly, "Sister-in-law, no need to be so polite with me.
We're all out here looking out for each other, that's only natural.
If you need anything, just give me a call. I'm at your service."
"Thank you, Jiang Tao, thank you. If your brother and I hadn't listened to you, then…"
"Our Congcong and Nannan are still so young. I can't bear to leave them."
Thinking of her two children at home, tears instantly flooded He Fang's eyes.
When the doctor told her she might have cancer, her first thought was of her kids.
If she died, what would happen to her two children without their mother?
This kind of mindset is probably only truly understood by parents.
Women are weak by nature, but become strong as mothers; men are strong by nature, but become tender as fathers!
Jiang Tao comforted her, saying, "Sister-in-law, don't overthink it. Didn't the doctor say it's very early-stage? With active treatment, you can fully recover."
Wang Lianming stepped forward, holding He Fang's hand, encouraging her:
"Honey, don't overthink it. You *will* recover! You definitely will!"
Jiang Tao stayed at the hospital until visiting hours ended at 6 p.m.
During that time, he pulled Wang Lianming into the hallway to ask about medical expenses.
If money was tight, he could lend some to Wang Lianming.
Besides the 80,000-plus he'd just used to pay off debts today, Jiang Tao had made a decent haul recently—selling a watch, selling some liquor, and finding nearly 30,000 yuan in "secret savings" from the couch.
He was in a much better financial spot now.
Wang Lianming said it wasn't necessary.
He and He Fang had saved five or six hundred thousand over the years, originally meant for buying a house outright in their hometown next year.
With He Fang's sudden illness, that money would naturally go toward her treatment first.
Money can always be earned again.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear readers, If you happen to notice any errors, typos, or inconsistencies in the text, please don't hesitate to leave a comment. Your feedback is greatly appreciated and will help me improve the story. Together, we can make it as polished and enjoyable as possible!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------