Jiang Tao treated himself to a bit of luxury at noon today.
He ordered a portion of chicken stewed with mushrooms and a portion of pork stewed with vermicelli.
Paired with two servings of rice.
The meal was several notches above his usual fare.
The total came to 58 yuan, and his stomach was practically bulging.
After eating and drinking his fill, Jiang Tao picked his teeth with a toothpick while transferring 30,000 yuan to Xu Li via his phone.
The extra 10,000 was a reward for Xu Li's relentless flattery earlier, calling him handsome.
Xu Li rarely bought cosmetics or shopped online.
Even when given money, she couldn't bear to spend it and would save it all.
Having drunk some alcohol at noon, Jiang Tao didn't go looking for odd jobs.
After eating, he went straight home for a nap.
He slept until past 3 p.m. before waking up.
After waking, Jiang Tao went downstairs to Yu Dongdong's supermarket to buy some milk, bread, and other convenience foods.
After shopping, he took a few bus transfers and arrived at Jishuitan Hospital.
Visiting hours at the hospital were from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
As a non-family visitor, Jiang Tao could only come during this time.
Wang Lianming and He Fang were deeply touched and warmed by Jiang Tao's visit, feeling immense gratitude toward him.
He Fang's early detection of her illness was entirely thanks to Jiang Tao's reminder.
The three already had a good relationship, and this experience made it even stronger.
Jiang Tao stayed at the hospital until the visiting hours ended at 6 p.m. before leaving.
Back home, he had another video call with his wife, Xu Li, and their daughter for over an hour.
Today, Xu Li had taken Jiang Tao's mom, mother-in-law, and sister-in-law, Xu Sha, to the county hospital for a full checkup.
Each checkup cost 1,500 yuan, totaling 6,000 yuan, and Xu Li was still feeling the pinch.
This was the biggest expense she'd made all year.
After the video call, it was only around 9 p.m.
Living alone in Beijing as a migrant worker, with no one by his side and getting older, Jiang Tao had little interest in going out to party.
After washing up, he slipped into bed to listen to a novel to pass the time.
Immersed in the world of the novel, time flew by.
It felt like he hadn't listened to many chapters when the clock struck midnight.
Jiang Tao turned off his phone and eagerly opened the daily intelligence system to check today's update.
**[Today's Intelligence]:** While chatting with Xu Li yesterday, you mentioned your sister-in-law, Xu Sha, and obtained related intelligence—
Xu Sha is currently singing at Chun'ge Party KTV in Ping County with a few classmates.
Two male classmates are plotting to get her drunk and take her to a hotel.
…
"F*ck!"
Seeing the freshly updated intelligence, Jiang Tao's anger surged, and he couldn't help but curse out loud!
Without a second thought, Jiang Tao quickly found Xu Sha's number on his phone and dialed it!
*Beep beep beep, beep beep beep—*
The phone rang for a while with no answer.
Jiang Tao's fists clenched so tightly they cracked, and he wished he could grab a weapon and rush to the KTV where Xu Sha was!
Just as Jiang Tao was about to hang up and call 110 to report it, the call finally connected.
"Xu Sha, where are you! What are you doing out so late instead of going home!"
The moment the call connected, Jiang Tao unleashed his pent-up anger on Xu Sha.
Although this sister-in-law usually treated her poor brother-in-law with indifference,
when she was truly in trouble, Jiang Tao, as her brother-in-law, couldn't just stand by.
She was, after all, Xu Li's biological sister.
If it weren't for the intelligence system's alert, Jiang Tao wouldn't have known about this.
What would happen to Xu Sha tonight?
She was only 21, just a third-year university student, with a long future ahead. If something happened…
"Huh? Jiang, what are you talking about? I-I'm at home, already asleep."
On the other end, Xu Sha's voice was halting, and even a deaf person could tell she was lying!
Jiang Tao snapped, "Don't bullshit me! Get home right now, immediately! Or I'll tell your sister and see how she deals with you!"
"Hey! Jiang, it's the middle of the night! Have you lost it? What did I do to you? What's your problem!"
On the other end, Xu Sha's voice grew impatient as well.
"Just tell me if you're going home or not. No need for excuses. If I can't convince you, I'll let your sister try."
"Jiang, if you dare snitch to my sister, see if I ever talk to you again!"
Xu Sha wasn't afraid of her parents, but she was terrified of her sister, Xu Li, when she got mad.
Jiang Tao's trump card—bringing up Xu Li—worked like a charm.
"You're at Chun'ge Party, right? With two male classmates!"
"What? Jiang, how—how do you know! Are you spying on me?"
"…"
Jiang Tao's face darkened at Xu Sha's words.
It wasn't surprising that Xu Sha suspected he was spying on her.
The information he had was just too detailed, too precise!
Jiang Tao thought for a moment and said, "Spying on you? Do I have that much free time?
A friend of mine called and said he saw you guys.
He also said your two male classmates were plotting in the restroom about how to get you and another female classmate drunk.
Those two guys are bad news. Stay away from them in the future! That's my advice as your brother-in-law!"
*Beep beep beep…*
A dial tone came through.
Jiang Tao hung up after saying his piece.
"What? Tian Feng and them…"
Hearing Jiang Tao's words, Xu Sha thought back to how Tian Feng and Huang Hao had been trying every trick to get her and her best friend to drink, and it did seem highly suspicious!
Xu Sha hesitated for half a minute before finally turning and leaving the KTV.
…
At Chun'ge Party KTV, Room 108.
Two young guys in short-sleeved shirts were smoking, laughing, and drinking boisterously.
On the sofa nearby,
a chubby girl with a face full of acne was holding a microphone, singing.
She gazed affectionately at one of the guys, a dude with dyed yellow hair, singing David Tao's *I Just Love You* in a voice like a drake.
"I just love you, love you, never abandoning, never leaving, no matter how stormy the road.
I just love you, love you, giving you all the radiant happiness in your hands~
I just love you, love you, I'm willing to do anything~
I just love you, love you~ let's be together!"
"…"
"Hey, Wang Xiaohong, where's Xu Sha? Why isn't she back yet?"
Tian Feng, suppressing his discomfort under Wang Xiaohong's lovesick gaze, asked about Xu Sha's whereabouts.
He had mainly invited Xu Sha out tonight; Wang Xiaohong was just a bonus.
"Oh, Brother Feng, I suddenly feel a bit dizzy… It's all your fault for making me drink…"
Wang Xiaohong, who had been singing enthusiastically, suddenly clutched her forehead and collapsed toward Tian Feng.
"Hey! Wang Xiaohong, get up! If Xu Sha sees this, I won't be able to clear my name even if I jump into the Yellow River!"
Tian Feng shivered in disgust as Wang Xiaohong clung to him.
He had been trying to get Xu Sha to drink earlier.
But Wang Xiaohong had heroically drunk on Xu Sha's behalf, and now she was clinging to him!
*Ring ring ring, ring ring ring—*
Wang Xiaohong's phone on the coffee table rang. Tian Feng's sharp eyes saw it was Xu Sha calling and quickly swiped to answer.
"Hey, Xu Sha…"
"What? You went home?"
Hearing Xu Sha's voice through the receiver, Tian Feng was dumbfounded, as if struck by lightning.
Wang Xiaohong overheard the entire conversation between Xu Sha and Tian Feng, secretly delighted!
Sha Sha was indeed her true sister!
Creating such an opportunity for her and her crush!
Wang Xiaohong seized the moment and pressed on:
"Brother Feng, I'm so dizzy. Let's find a quieter place to rest for a bit."
"Go home to your mom! I'm out! What a buzzkill!"
Tian Feng, visibly annoyed, shook off Wang Xiaohong and stormed out without looking back.