The second piece of information shocked Jiang Tao to his core, banishing all traces of sleepiness.
How many days had it been?
A week?
His uncle had already won over Tian Mingrong, and the seeds had already sprouted?
Jiang Tao genuinely hadn't expected his uncle to be so capable!
During the New Year, he and Xu Li had been trying hard as well, but there hadn't been the slightest hint of success.
Of course, the most critical thing was that the task of [continuing the family line] had been completed!
Not only could he receive a massive reward of one million yuan, but the old Tian family would also have a successor. The family line wouldn't end with his uncle, fulfilling one of his mother's long-held wishes.
If his mother found out that his uncle had a partner and that she was pregnant, she'd surely be overjoyed.
Buzz~
The phone on the nightstand vibrated, its screen lighting up.
Jiang Tao picked it up and, as expected, it was a notification of a bank transfer.
[Your ICBC savings card ending in XXXX has received 999,999 yuan. Your current balance is 1,314,520.99 yuan!]
Seeing the long string of numbers in the balance, longer than a password, Jiang Tao felt a secret thrill.
Over the past few days, between investing in the cattle farm and taking over Xu Li's cousin's supermarket, Jiang Tao had spent a considerable amount, leaving his balance critically low.
With this influx of funds, his savings had finally climbed back above a million.
Having tasted success, after reaching one million, he began to think about earning his first ten million—his first small goal.
Once the cattle farm project was completed, it would trigger a fivefold reward, bringing in a few more million.
Then there was the payment for the Feitian Pig Popcorn Bucket project, which would also bring in over a million.
Even after splitting it with Xu Li, he'd still have several hundred thousand.
And with the Mercedes-Benz refund and triple compensation, he'd gain another few million.
His first ten million didn't seem so far off anymore!
Before obtaining the Daily Intelligence System, Jiang Tao's biggest dream was to win the lottery's first prize—five million would've been enough for him to retire comfortably!
Now, the once-distant dream was within arm's reach.
"In the new year, let's aim to earn a small goal…"
"No, let's aim for 30 million, or even 50 million!"
After some thought, Jiang Tao settled on a middle-ground figure.
From the moment he bound himself to the Daily Intelligence System, in just about forty days, his total assets had gone from negative 80,000 to over 5 million.
Moving forward, on one hand, he could make money from the various new intelligence provided by the system.
On the other, he could let money generate more money to expand his gains.
In novels, protagonists who got systems could earn tens of millions or even hundreds of millions in just a few days.
Earning 50 million in a year didn't seem so unattainable.
With 50 million, he could firmly establish himself in the capital, ensuring a good life for his wife and child.
His mind buzzed with thoughts, filled with both longing for the future and a touch of uncertainty.
But Jiang Tao firmly believed that his path forward would be smooth and unobstructed.
No need to worry about anything anymore.
Money could be earned slowly, and life could be lived slowly—the process was more important than the result.
Xu Li's movement as she turned over pulled Jiang Tao back to reality.
He glanced at Xu Li, who had turned her back to him and was fast asleep, then quietly deleted the text message.
A man should pamper his woman, sure, but he still needed a little private stash of his own.
After deleting the message, Jiang Tao put the phone down, slid closer to Xu Li's delicate frame from behind, and went to sleep!
The next morning, Jiang Tao, as usual, slept until he woke naturally.
Opening his eyes, he realized the little wife in his arms had turned into her blanket.
On the headboard, the clothes he'd wear today were already laid out.
As he got dressed, Jiang Tao was still thinking about how to tip off his uncle's family about last night's intelligence.
This news would undoubtedly be a game-changer for his uncle's family, who were currently dealing with their daughter-in-law's divorce.
After much thought, Jiang Tao decided not to contact them directly.
Instead, he drafted a message on WeChat and sent it to his father-in-law, asking him to pass it along.
Whether his uncle's family believed or doubted the information, how they'd verify it, and what the outcome would be—that wasn't Jiang Tao's concern.
Having done his good deed, Jiang Tao got dressed and headed out.
Xu Li had already started setting the breakfast table.
Today's breakfast was shrimp congee and potato-egg pancakes.
Xu Li had been up since before 7 a.m., busy preparing.
Jiang Bing, gobbling down the fragrant potato-egg pancakes, wailed, "Second Sister-in-Law, I'm so used to your breakfasts. How am I supposed to live without you?"
Xu Li smiled gently. "Then come with us to the capital and keep living with us."
"Uh…" Hearing her suggestion, Jiang Bing hesitated.
The food was great with her second brother and sister-in-law, but the sleep wasn't, making the decision tough!
"No way~ Little Aunt makes weird noises at night. I want to sleep alone," Jiang Xue said in her childish voice, instantly turning her aunt's face bright red.
Jiang Bing's face flushed as if it might drip blood.
"Pfft~"
A mouthful of shrimp congee sprayed from Jiang Tao's mouth, thankfully caught by his hand.
Whoosh!
Xu Li and Jiang Bing's eyes turned to Jiang Tao simultaneously.
Xu Li was puzzled about why he laughed.
Jiang Bing, however, suspected her second brother knew something.
"Uh, I just remembered a lame joke I saw last night and couldn't hold it in."
"Sorry, sorry…"
Jiang Tao explained while pulling out a napkin to wipe his hand.
Watching her second brother wipe his hand with the napkin, Jiang Bing suddenly felt a sense of déjà vu, her face reddening further.
Xu Li giggled. "What joke was so funny, honey? I want to hear it!"
"I want to hear it too! Daddy, tell it quick, I love jokes!" Jiang Xue chimed in.
"Uh…"
Facing the eager mother and daughter, Jiang Tao's mind raced, and he actually came up with one.
"One morning, a little earthworm didn't see his dad at breakfast and asked his mom."
"'Mom, Mom, where's my dad?'"
Xu Li, Jiang Xue, and Jiang Bing all fixed their eyes on Jiang Tao, waiting eagerly for the punchline.
"Earthworm Mom said, 'Your dad went fishing with someone,' haha~~~"
Jiang Tao burst out laughing first.
"Pfft~"
Xu Li, who had a low laugh threshold, instantly lost it, covering her mouth as she shook with laughter.
Jiang Bing laughed even louder. "Hahaha… Little earthworm's dad went fishing with someone! Hahaha…"
"…"
Only Jiang Xue, with her big, watery eyes, stared blankly at the three adults, wondering what was so funny.
A simple joke instantly livened up the atmosphere at the table.
After breakfast, Xu Li went to the kitchen to clean up.
Jiang Bing took Jiang Xue back to their parents' side to help their mom and dad, who were going on their first long trip, pack their luggage.
With nothing to do, Jiang Tao drove toward the Tianjiazhuang cattle farm to say goodbye to his uncle.
Unwittingly, his uncle had helped him earn a million yuan, and Jiang Tao couldn't act like nothing had happened without showing some gratitude.
He happened to have two packs of Huazi cigarettes and a case of Maotai at home, perfect to bring as a reward for his uncle.
At 9 a.m., Jiang Tao drove to the Tianjiazhuang cattle farm and rang the doorbell at the gate.
A worker at the farm, spotting the Mercedes outside through the gate's crack, hurried over to open it for him.
"Good morning, boss!"
"Morning. Is my uncle at the farm?"
"He's here! The manager's in the office!"
After a brief chat with the worker, Jiang Tao drove into the yard and parked in an open space.
Getting out, he opened the trunk and waved the worker over to help carry the liquor.
The worker, seeing the prominent Maotai logo and two packs of Huazi, was filled with envy!
Why didn't he have such a capable nephew?
Led by the worker, Jiang Tao arrived at his uncle's office.
Seeing his uncle again, Jiang Tao's eyes lit up!
In the past, every time he saw him, his uncle wore dirty work clothes, his hair greasy enough to cook with.
But in just a few days, his uncle had a new short buzz cut, giving him a sharp, energetic look.
He seemed to have aged backward by a decade.
He wore a dark green down jacket over a black two-piece wool sweater, paired with dress pants and leather shoes.
Compared to the old image of loose, worn-out clothes and indistinguishable work boots, this was a world of difference.
"Wow, Uncle, you look sharp in that outfit! You should've dressed like this ages ago!"
Jiang Tao gave a thumbs-up and a smile.
"Haha, don't tease your old uncle, kid. I'm in my fifties—sharp, my foot! You're the sharp one, Tao!"
"Everyone always said you were good-looking as a kid, that you'd grow up to marry a beautiful wife."
"And you sure didn't disappoint—married such a pretty one."
"Haha, well, I can't argue with that," Jiang Tao laughed, admitting it. Xu Li had chased him back then, drawn to his handsome looks, hadn't she?
After some playful banter, they chatted for another half-hour.
Jiang Tao subtly inquired if his uncle had any life difficulties, all of which were brushed off.
He stopped short of directly asking if the dowry, wedding banquet, or house for Tian Mingrong were ready.
If her demands weren't too outrageous, Jiang Tao wouldn't mind pitching in a hundred or two hundred thousand to help with their wedding.
After all, his uncle had earned him a million—consider it a reward for the task.
Jiang Tao stayed at the farm until after 10 a.m.
During that time, Liu Zhiyuan and Shan Yifei, who'd gone out to buy cattle, returned with two more.
The two were now both shareholders in the farm, enjoying dividends, and employees with high salaries, working with great enthusiasm.
In just a few days, the farm's cattle had grown from 106 to over 180, nearing Jiang Tao's target of 300.
With the market trend mentioned by the intelligence system approaching, hitting 300 head was no pressure.
After leaving the farm, Jiang Tao drove to the Jiantao Supermarket in Lijiazhen.
Parking on the road in front of the store, he sat in the car, watching a dozen customers shop inside while his brother and sister-in-law busied themselves serving.
Jiang Tao didn't get out. After smoking a cigarette, he hit the gas and headed toward Jiangjiazhuang.
"When you're at your peak, I want to sing a song for you~"
"My good brother, if you've got something on your mind, tell me."
"Life has its ups and downs, but we've got to live strong. What's a little hardship or fatigue?"
"The bond between brothers is higher than the sky, wider than the earth, and we'll always remember those days~"
Jiang Tao hummed along to the car's music.
His mind flashed through memories like a slideshow—scenes of growing up with his big brother, Jiang He.
As kids, their family of five squeezed onto one big earthen bed.
He and his brother shared a blanket, playfully tugging at each other.
In elementary school, when Jiang Tao was bullied by some fifth-graders, his brother took a stick and fought them alone, ending up bruised and battered.
Because their family was poor and couldn't afford college for three kids, his brother refused to study past junior high, giving the chance to his younger siblings.
When his brother started working, his first month's salary was just over 300 yuan.
With that, he bought Jiang Tao a brand-new geared bicycle so he wouldn't have to ride the old, creaky one—where everything rattled except the bell—to school.
No more strange looks from classmates or teasing from naughty kids.
Like a father, his brother's care for him was something Jiang Tao never forgot.
Now, with the Daily Intelligence System, in just over a month, his life had turned around.
His future was bright, his wealth boundless.
Helping his brother within his means felt like the right thing to do.
A small supermarket earning 300,000 a year wasn't much to him, but it could greatly improve his brother's family's life, letting them live more comfortably and with dignity.
By the time Jiang Tao drove home, it was noon.
Today's lunch was their last meal at their hometown.
Uncle Tianming and his wife came over to see Jiang Tao's family off and helped prepare the meal.
His father-in-law's family of three also came to bid farewell to their daughter's family.
His mother-in-law held Xu Li's hand, eyes full of reluctance, but she supported Xu Li and Jiang Xue following Jiang Tao to the capital.
After all, the capital's education and healthcare were far beyond what Ping County could offer.
By 12:30 p.m., sixteen dishes were set on a large round table with a lazy Susan.
Everyone took their seats to send off Jiang Tao and his family.
Jiang Tao had to drive that afternoon, and Old Sun, his parents, Xu Li, and Jiang Xue were riding with him, so no one drank alcohol—just beverages.
Knowing Jiang Tao's family was returning to the capital, his brother and sister-in-law made a special trip from the supermarket to see them off.
The meal lasted until around 2 p.m.
After a quick cleanup, they said their goodbyes at the doorstep.
Jiang Tao drove off with his wife, daughter, parents, and Old Sun, heading back to the capital.
It was his parents' first long trip.
As they watched their hometown fade into the distance through the car windows, their hearts held both curiosity about the big city and a touch of nervousness.
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