**[Today's Intelligence 01]:**
While you were lingering in the basic farmland allocated to you during yesterday's ancestor worship, you obtained the following intelligence—
Beneath that farmland lies a jar of Yuan Shikai portrait silver coins with Jiahe (golden grain) on the back, buried by the old landlord Jiang Fugui a hundred years ago.
The current market value of this batch of silver coins is approximately 246,000!!
…
"Yuan Shikai portrait with Jiahe silver coins? What the heck is that…"
Seeing the first piece of intelligence pop up with a value of over 240,000, Jiang Tao couldn't help but feel a surge of joy.
Although the Mercedes and property intelligence he'd received before were worth more, cashing them out was a bit of a hassle.
Today's intelligence, with its straightforward execution and high value, felt like money falling from the sky!
However, the name "Yuan Shikai portrait with Jiahe silver coins" mentioned in the intelligence was unfamiliar to Jiang Tao.
He opened his phone browser and searched.
Whoa!
It's the Yuan Datou!
"So you have such a proper name."
"246,000, as expected of Brother System. If I were still hauling cargo like before, I'd have to slave away for two or three years to earn that much!"
"This intelligence isn't too urgent. I'll find time tomorrow to check out the site."
After reviewing the first piece of intelligence, Jiang Tao's mind stirred, and he continued to check the next one.
**[Today's Intelligence 02]:**
While dining with your nephew Jiang Shijie yesterday, you obtained the following intelligence—
Jiang Shijie is currently dating Wang Xiaohong, and their compatibility is 99%.
Moreover, Wang Xiaohong brings prosperity to her husband, significantly boosting Jiang Shijie's financial luck after marriage.
…
"What the…"
Reading the content of the second piece of intelligence, Jiang Tao couldn't help but chuckle and shake his head.
What's going on?
His nephew and Wang Xiaohong are together?
These two…
They only met once at his house for dinner yesterday, right?
Jiang Tao's mind involuntarily conjured up the image of his sister-in-law Xu Sha's "beauty buff."
A height of just over 1.5 meters, a short and chubby figure, dark skin, and a face dotted with plenty of youthful acne.
To be honest, as the elder uncle, Jiang Tao wasn't too thrilled about his nephew's choice of partner.
But their compatibility was a whopping 99%, higher than Old Lü and Ma Dongmei from Beijing!
Calling them a match made in heaven wouldn't be an exaggeration!
And most importantly, Wang Xiaohong brings prosperity to her husband!
"Forget it, it's their love life. As the elder, I won't meddle. Let's see how fate plays out for them."
After reviewing the two pieces of intelligence, Jiang Tao glanced at his phone. It was already past 2 a.m. Time to sleep!
…
The next morning.
When Jiang Tao woke up, he found the spot next to him empty.
Xu Li had already neatly folded his change of clothes and placed them by the bed.
Living a life where his wife took care of his food and clothing was far happier than being a bachelor in Beijing!
Jiang Tao got dressed and walked out of the bedroom, spotting Xu Li in the kitchen, wearing an apron and cooking.
Her graceful back curve reminded Old Jiang of last night's scene of charging into enemy territory.
His calmed fighting spirit almost flared up again.
"Hubby, go wake up Old Three and your daughter. Breakfast is almost ready."
"Oh, okay."
Hearing Xu Li's instructions, Old Jiang snapped out of his battle memories.
He adjusted his clothes and headed to his daughter's room to wake the two sleepyheads.
"Get up, you two lazy bugs!"
After entering, Jiang Tao gave the big and small lazy bugs under the blankets a few playful swats.
"Don't bother, Second Brother. I'm sleepy, let me lie here a bit longer."
Jiang Bing rolled over and continued sleeping. She'd stayed up past 3 a.m. watching movies—how could she not be tired?
"Daddy, get out quick, get out~ This is a girl's room; boys aren't allowed!"
Jiang Xue, wanting to sleep more, issued an eviction notice to her old man.
"Hurry up! Your second sister-in-law is almost done with breakfast, and you two are still lazing around. Is that acceptable?"
"From 11 p.m. last night until now, over eight hours isn't enough sleep for you two? Are you little pigs?"
"Can little pigs sleep an extra half hour? If so, I am one!"
Jiang Bing was determined to keep sleeping.
"I'm a little pig too, I'm a little pig, oink oink oink~~~"
Jiang Xue said, pulling the blanket over her entire head and mimicking pig noises.
Well, this aunt-niece duo was quite the pair!
It seemed completing his wife's wake-up mission was no easy task!
"Hmm, Old Three, your eye bags are a bit big, and you've got dark circles. Didn't sleep well last night?"
Jiang Tao glanced at Old Three's slightly swollen eyes and asked with concern.
"…"
Jiang Bing couldn't be bothered to respond.
Why didn't I sleep well?
How dare you, the culprit, ask the victim such a question?
Jiang Tao's wake-up service ultimately ended in failure.
In the end, it was Xu Li who came in and dragged the two lazy bugs out of bed.
After breakfast, Xu Li went to wash the dishes, while Jiang Bing and Jiang Xue sat on the living room couch, unpacking *Nezha 2* merchandise cards.
With nothing to do, Jiang Tao munched on sunflower seeds and strolled toward his mom's house.
Last night was Old Sun's first night in Jiangjiazhuang, and he wondered if Sun was settling in comfortably at his mom's place.
"Huh, Dad and my master aren't home?"
Upon entering, Jiang Tao saw his mom sweeping firecracker scraps in the yard with a broom and asked curiously.
Tian Xiaomei smiled, "They had breakfast early this morning and went out for a walk. They haven't come back yet."
Jiang Tao grinned, "Is my master causing any trouble for you and Dad?"
Tian Xiaomei laughed heartily, "Trouble? Not at all! Your master is great company!"
"He brought so many fine cigarettes and liquor for your dad this time."
"With your dad's modest ambitions, he was so excited he barely slept, worried about thieves breaking in."
The entire Jiang family warmly welcomed Sun Xiaobao, treating him as Jiang Tao's benefactor.
Moreover, for his first visit, Sun Xiaobao brought gifts worth over 100,000.
This generous gesture truly surprised and delighted the Jiang family.
Jiang Wen and Tian Xiaomei usually worked odd jobs at construction sites, earning a combined 40,000 to 50,000 a year after exhausting work.
Sun Xiaobao's gifts were equivalent to two or three years of their income!
After a brief chat, seeing that Old Sun and his parents were getting along well, Jiang Tao felt reassured.
While mother and son were talking, someone burst through the door.
"Second Uncle! You're here!"
Jiang Shijie, dressed in a black down jacket, entered with a fawning smile and greeted Jiang Tao cheerfully.
"Yeah, where's your dad? Is he visiting your uncle's place for New Year's today?"
As Jiang Tao spoke, he took his first good look at his nephew, who had just started high school.
About 1.75 meters tall, with room to grow past 1.8 meters without much trouble.
After all, both Jiang Tao and his older brother Jiang He were over 1.8 meters, and the family genes were solid.
Even Old Three, Jiang Bing, was 1.68 meters, relatively tall for a girl.
In terms of looks, Jiang Shijie didn't have Jiang Tao's striking handsomeness.
But he was decent, average-looking.
With his qualities, Jiang Shijie was more than a match for Wang Xiaohong.
Jiang Tao couldn't figure out what his nephew saw in her.
But since they hit it off, he, as the uncle, wouldn't interfere and break up the lovebirds.
Besides, Wang Xiaohong brings prosperity—that's a virtue that overshadows many flaws!
Jiang Shijie said hesitantly, "Mom said Dad's covering a shift for a colleague today. He won't be off until this afternoon."
"Oh."
Jiang Tao didn't say much more.
Every New Year, his brother Jiang He would cover shifts for colleagues visiting relatives, earning an extra 300 yuan per shift.
During the seven-day Spring Festival holiday, he could earn over 2,000 yuan by covering shifts.
It was a rare earning opportunity, and Jiang He wouldn't miss it.
Aside from necessary eating and sleeping, he was basically working nonstop.
He worked hard, and Jiang Tao admired his brother's drive.
But… the rewards often didn't match the effort, with meager monthly income.
That's the life of the working class.
Doing the dirtiest, most exhausting jobs for the least pay.
Don't want to do it? Plenty of others will!
Don't want to grind? Plenty of others will grind!
For most at the bottom, their career trajectory is predictable from start to finish.
The chance to climb the social ladder is probably no better than winning the lottery.
Without Brother System's money-making intelligence, Jiang Tao would still be one of the working masses.
Regarding his brother, Jiang Tao had been thinking about it recently.
Based on yesterday's intelligence about Xu Li's cousin Xu Jiantao, in the future, Xu Li's uncle's family would likely transfer the supermarket Xu Jiantao currently runs.
And Jiang Tao was their top candidate.
According to Brother System, the supermarket had been operating for over a decade, in a stable phase, with a steady annual profit of about 300,000.
And that was net profit, after rent and employee wages.
Before binding to the daily intelligence system, that income would have been incredibly tempting for Jiang Tao and Xu Li.
In Beijing, hauling cargo, Jiang Tao earned about 50,000 to 60,000 a year after expenses.
The supermarket's 300,000 profit was equivalent to five or six years of his work!
Now, though…
On a lucky day like today, Jiang Tao could earn nearly 300,000 in one day!
He had no need to slave away at the supermarket like Xu Li's cousin for that hard-earned money.
But after securing the supermarket's operating rights, he could let his brother and sister-in-law run it.
It would ease their financial burden and boost their income.
After all, he's family—blood is thicker than water.
If Jiang Tao didn't help his brother when he could, who would?
"Ahem, um, Second Uncle…"
Jiang Shijie looked at Jiang Tao, hemming and hawing.
Jiang Tao laughed, "Speak up, man. Don't be shy—what's with the hesitation?"
"Um, Second Uncle, could you give me two of those Flying Pig popcorn buckets from your yard?"
"My… not my girlfriend, my friend really likes them."
"But our Yuxian movie theater doesn't sell them, so…"
Jiang Shijie almost slipped up, his face flushing red.
Jiang Tao, having been young once, understood his nephew's intentions. But…
Who's pursuing who here, him or Wang Xiaohong?
It's only been a day or two, and they're already boyfriend and girlfriend?
"Go get them. Your second aunt is home. Oh, and I have a few movie tickets left—ask her to give you two."
Thinking of his nephew's high compatibility with Wang Xiaohong, Jiang Tao offered his support.
Don't judge by appearances.
Though Wang Xiaohong's looks were average, she brings prosperity!
And with such high compatibility, they clearly clicked and cherished each other.
"Thanks, Second Uncle! Thanks! I'm off!!"
With his uncle's approval, Jiang Shijie happily prepared to leave.
"Wait, don't go yet."
Jiang Tao suddenly called out to his nephew.
"What's up, Second Uncle?"
Jiang Shijie stopped, looking nervously at his uncle. Was he having second thoughts?
He'd promised Xiaohong he'd get her a Flying Pig popcorn bucket.
Jiang Tao smiled, "Relax, it's nothing big. Come back before 7 p.m. to help me with something."
"Got it, Second Uncle! I'll be back, no worries! Anything else?"
"Nope, go on. Look at you, all eager to meet your 'friend'?"
"Ahem, no way, just meeting a friend."
Jiang Shijie thought to himself, a girlfriend is a friend too—I'm not lying to Second Uncle!
"Get going!"
Jiang Tao stopped teasing and waved him off.
"Bye, Second Uncle! Bye, Grandma~"
"Wait!"
"Take this. When you're hanging out with your friend, buy some snacks or milk tea. Don't be stingy."
Jiang Tao stopped Jiang Shijie again, pulling 200 yuan from his pocket and handing it to him as a "dating fund."
"Second Uncle, I—I have money."
Jiang Shijie looked at the 200 yuan. It wasn't a fortune, but the gesture touched him deeply, almost bringing tears to his eyes.
His parents had never given him that much pocket money.
"Take it. Stop fussing like a girl and go already."
Jiang Tao stuffed the money into Jiang Shijie's jacket pocket, patted his shoulder with a smile, and shooed him off.
As Jiang Shijie turned and jogged away, tears fell uncontrollably.
He vowed to repay his Second Uncle's kindness in the future.
After his grandson left, Tian Xiaomei turned to Jiang Tao and said, "Old Two, your brother's working, so don't worry about him. Take Old Three to your uncle's place for a visit."
"It's the New Year. Even if you don't eat there, at least pay a visit, right?"
Tian Xiaomei's tone was suggestive, her eyes hopeful.
Her younger brother, Jiang Tao's uncle Tian Xiaoguang, true to his name, was a lifelong bachelor.
Tian Xiaoguang worked odd jobs at a cattle farm in their village, feeding cows.
He lived and ate at the farm, not even returning home for the New Year.
His old house, uninhabited for years, had deteriorated into a hazardous state, completely unlivable.
When Jiang Tao and his siblings visited Tian Xiaoguang for New Year's, they went to the cattle farm.
The sour stench of the cows, the ammonia smell from cow dung and urine, and the fermented feed created a unique odor.
Most people couldn't stomach eating in that environment.
In previous years, Jiang Tao and his siblings would bring gifts, sit briefly, and leave, never eating at the farm.
"Alright, I'll take Old Three."
Seeing his mom's hopeful gaze, Jiang Tao nodded in agreement.
After all, it was his mom's brother, his own uncle. Paying a New Year's visit was only right.