At 12 a.m., the bustling Xiao Shahe urban village finally quieted down after a lively day.
In a dimly lit alley flickering with several dark red lights, Zhang Chao smoked a cigarette while walking home, silently regretting his decision to extend his "session" earlier.
He worked hard selling fruit all day, earning only two or three hundred yuan.
Yet, in just a short while, 400 yuan was gone.
The more he thought about it, the more it stung.
After finishing his cigarette, Zhang Chao arrived at the rundown tenement building he rented.
He swiped his keycard to enter the main gate, climbed the stairs, and returned to his small room.
Without even taking off his shoes, he flopped onto his messy bed.
Zhang Chao stared blankly at the ceiling.
His mind first conjured the voluptuous figure of the woman who had extended his session earlier.
Then, it drifted to the scene from the previous night, spending time with Jiang Tao's family.
Just before the New Year, Jiang Tao was like him, driving a truck for a living.
The difference was that Zhang Chao hauled fruit, while Jiang Tao transported goods. The gap between them hadn't seemed that wide.
When did it suddenly widen?
After the New Year, Zhang Chao was still himself—a poor nobody.
But Jiang Tao seemed like a completely different person, exuding a different aura.
He was driving a million-yuan Mercedes GLS, with a wife by his side who was prettier and had a better figure than a celebrity.
He rented a big house with a monthly rent of 15,000 yuan without hesitation.
"On the tangerine project, Jiang Tao probably made a few hundred thousand at most. So why..."
"Could there be some other, more lucrative project we don't know about?"
"Stocks? Funds? Or did he win the lottery?"
"Or maybe he met some influential person who gave him a leg up?"
"Sigh! I'm so jealous of Jiang Tao's luck!"
"He hasn't bought a house yet, but he's driving a Mercedes, has a gorgeous wife, and an adorable kid. He's practically a winner at life."
"Unlike me—unloved by my parents, always thinking about my younger brother. What am I even worth..."
As he thought, Zhang Chao recalled the unpleasant experiences during the New Year at home, tears of grievance welling up.
After the New Year, Zhang Chao was 29, nearing 30.
In his village, he was considered an older unmarried man.
Having only graduated from junior high, he lacked education, skills, and ambition. He also had a fondness for foot massages.
Selling fruit in Beijing for a year earned him 80,000 to 90,000 yuan. After daily expenses and massages, he'd be lucky to save 20,000 to 30,000 by year's end.
With the ever-rising cost of marriage, even if he worked hard for another decade, he wouldn't be able to afford a wife.
His parents never bothered to arrange anything for his marriage, treating their eldest son like a free-range child.
His younger brother, four years his junior and only 25 this year, was a different story.
His parents went out of their way to find matches for his brother, arranging up to six blind dates in a single day during the New Year.
As the older brother, Zhang Chao acted indifferent on the surface, but inside, he was so envious it twisted him.
So many potential matches—if only one could be spared for him!
But no, he got none.
Worse, his parents were helping his brother buy a house in the county, but because they lacked enough for the down payment, they asked Zhang Chao to chip in.
When Zhang Chao said he had no money, his mother suggested he borrow some online to help his brother get through this hurdle.
This led to a heated argument with his parents over his brother's house.
They scolded him for lacking the responsibility of an older brother, calling him an ungrateful wretch.
Furious, Zhang Chao left home for Beijing on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year.
"Am I even their real son?"
The stark contrast in how his parents treated him and his brother filled Zhang Chao with desolation.
From childhood, he was an unloved child.
After his brother was born, his parents sent him to live with his grandparents.
He stayed with them until he finished junior high.
After his grandparents passed away, Zhang Chao moved back to his parents' home.
Though nominally a family, their interactions were awkward, and he always felt like an outsider.
As for the warmth of home, he felt none of it.
Reflecting on his nearly 30 years of life, Zhang Chao saw countless bricks labeled "failure" crashing toward him, crushing him until it was hard to breathe.
...
**Baigezhuang Neighborhood**
For once, Jiang Tao woke up early.
When he woke, Xu Li and Jiang Xue were still sound asleep.
He got out of bed quietly, washed up briefly, and went downstairs.
At home, Xu Li usually took care of the family's daily needs with meticulous care.
In an unfamiliar place like Beijing, Xu Li was bound to feel out of place.
As her husband, Jiang Tao took on the responsibility of looking after her and their little princess.
He left the neighborhood on foot, and in less than five minutes, he reached the commercial area where they'd eaten the previous night.
Besides restaurants, barbershops, and liquor stores, there were also breakfast shops.
Not far away was a morning market selling vegetables.
Early in the morning, the street was bustling with hurried passersby.
There were workers rushing to early shifts and elderly folks with baskets heading to the morning market.
Jiang Tao stopped across the street from the "Yuxiang Renjia" restaurant where they'd eaten the previous night, his gaze fixed on the entrance.
In their haste last night, he hadn't noticed much, but today he saw that the restaurant was up for transfer.
A bright red "Prime Location for Transfer" sign was prominently displayed on the restaurant's large glass window.
Jiang Tao stepped closer, adjusting his angle to peer through a gap beside the sign.
In his view, on the slightly dim counter at the entrance, the wealth-attracting golden toad glimmered with a faint golden light.
He locked eyes with it—this was the one!
However, this restaurant, which only served lunch and dinner, wasn't open in the morning.
It usually opened around 9 or 10 a.m.
Jiang Tao, impatient as he was, had no choice but to wait until they opened to try and get his hands on that golden toad.
Just as he was about to leave to buy breakfast, the door to Yuxiang Renjia suddenly opened from the inside.
A young man with streaks of yellow hair, wearing skinny pants that exposed his ankles even in the cold winter, stepped out yawning.
*Heh-tui!*
The yellow-haired guy spat a thick glob of phlegm into a small flowerbed in front of the restaurant.
Then, he reached into his back pocket, pulled out a pack of Huazi cigarettes, lit one, and began puffing away.
Jiang Tao recognized the guy from last night when he settled the bill. He'd overheard the cashier call him "Brother Mao."
Jiang Tao figured this yellow-haired guy was either the restaurant's owner or the owner's son.
His carefree, cocky demeanor definitely didn't scream "waiter."
Jiang Tao watched him for a dozen seconds, deep in thought.
As if sensing Jiang Tao's gaze, the yellow-haired guy turned and met his eyes.
Jiang Tao took a deep breath, put on a smile, and walked toward him.
"Hey, dude—no, I mean, handsome guy, can I ask you something?"
*Damn it!* Jiang Tao accidentally let "dude" slip out, quickly correcting himself.
On his way over, he'd been mentally rehearsing lines, and in his nervousness, he'd blurted out the wrong thing.
"What's up?" Huang Mou, the yellow-haired guy, looked at Jiang Tao with mild annoyance, having clearly heard the "dude" comment.
If Jiang Tao didn't seem taller and stronger, Huang Mou might've confronted him already.
Huang Mou also vaguely recognized Jiang Tao from the previous night's dinner.
Plus, Jiang Tao's face wasn't the generic kind—despite being middle-aged, he was still handsome and memorable.
Of course, Huang Mou's impression was largely due to Xu Li.
Having frequented nightclubs and bars, Huang Mou had seen countless beautiful women.
But a refined, stunning housewife like Xu Li, with her perfect figure and aura, was a rare gem.
Last night, when Jiang Tao paid, Xu Li's affectionate arm-linking had left Huang Mou envious for quite a while.
"When I ate at your restaurant last night, I noticed the golden toad on your counter. It felt... special, like it had some kind of aura," Jiang Tao said.
"Mind telling me where you got it? How much was it?"
"I'm thinking of getting one for my place, you know, for good luck."
Like Cao Zhi composing a poem in seven steps, Jiang Tao came up with a flimsy excuse in seven steps, hoping to bluff his way through.
Huang Mou took a drag of his cigarette, looking a bit impatient. "That thing? My parents bought it. I don't know where they got it."
Jiang Tao pressed gently, "I see your shop's up for transfer? You guys shutting down?"
Huang Mou replied, "Some family stuff came up, so we're not continuing. If you're interested in the shop, we can go inside and talk details."
"Haha, no, I'm just interested in that golden toad on your counter. Since you're transferring the shop, how about selling it to me?"
Jiang Tao, after a bit of small talk, cut to the chase, his target clear.
"You want to buy the golden toad?" Huang Mou's eyes lit up, thinking it wasn't a bad idea.
After all, he wasn't planning to keep the shop running.
As a modern young man, he didn't believe in that superstitious nonsense.
If a wealth-attracting cat actually worked, why not put one in every household?
A hundred, a thousand—wouldn't that bring endless customers and business?
It was just self-deception, useless junk!
"Yeah, I really vibe with that golden toad on your counter," Jiang Tao said.
"I searched online for hours last night and couldn't find the exact same one."
"So I came to ask where you got it."
"If you're willing to part with it, we can talk price."
Jiang Tao smiled, though he desperately wanted the unactivated golden toad with its attribute bonuses.
He kept his expression restrained, not showing too much eagerness.
Huang Mou's small eyes gleamed as he said, "My parents bought it, so I don't know the exact price."
"But here's the deal: if you really want it, go to the tobacco shop next door and buy me a pack of Huazi. The toad's yours."
He pointed to the tobacco shop next door, setting his price.
"Hahaha, you're so straightforward! If I haggle any further, I'd be the jerk," Jiang Tao said.
"Alright, one pack of Huazi it is. I'll get it."
"Who can resist fate with that golden toad, right?"
Jiang Tao headed straight to the tobacco shop next door, which was already open.
Tobacco shops like this were the epitome of quietly raking in money.
You might pass by every day, see the owner leisurely scrolling on their phone, and think business was slow, on the verge of closing.
But in reality, they might be earning more in a day than your monthly salary.
The tobacco industry had a strong moat.
Cigarettes couldn't be bought online, so smokers had to go to physical shops.
A regular smoker's monthly cigarette consumption was predictable.
Over time, tobacco shops built a loyal customer base, ensuring steady income.
Liquor sales were also profitable, with money coming from both brand sponsorships and customers.
Retail liquor was only a small part of their sales.
The real money came from bulk orders for company team-building events, weddings, and funerals.
In a city as big as Beijing, there were always events like these.
Even if they didn't get big orders daily, a few banquet bookings a month added up significantly.
Inside the shop, Jiang Tao saw only a potbellied man in his forties.
"Boss, got any full packs of Huazi?"
"Soft or hard, and what price range?"
"Classic soft Huazi."
"700 yuan a pack."
"Alright, I'll take one."
Jiang Tao exchanged a few words, scanned a QR code to pay 700 yuan, took the cigarettes, and left.
"Bro, here's your Huazi. I'm taking the golden toad," Jiang Tao said with a grin, handing the cigarettes to Huang Mou without giving him a chance to back out.
"Of course! I, Huang Mou, am a man of my word. Take it!" Huang Mou said with a smile, accepting the cigarettes without a hint of regret.
A cheap trinket for a pack of Huazi? He'd made a killing!
"Thanks, man. Hope you transfer the shop soon," Jiang Tao said with a smile, heading inside.
Under the puzzled gaze of a cleaning auntie, he picked up the golden toad and walked out.
The auntie, seeing her young boss outside and seemingly okay with it, didn't say anything.
Jiang Tao suddenly paused, turning to the auntie. "Auntie, could I get a big garbage bag to put this in?"
"Oh, sure, hold on. I'll grab one," the auntie said warmly, fetching a large black disposable bag from a nearby room.
"Thanks, auntie. Here, take these coins. Wishing you a happy life," Jiang Tao said, grabbing a handful of one-yuan and fifty-cent coins from the toad's mouth and handing them to her.
After putting the toad in the bag, he left.
"See ya, bro!"
"Bye!"
Huang Mou tossed the Huazi pack in the air and caught it, muttering "idiot" under his breath as he watched Jiang Tao leave.
That golden toad? He'd bought it for his parents on Pinduoduo for 80 yuan, then claimed 800 yuan from them.
Now, selling it to Jiang Tao for a pack of Huazi, he'd made several times his money!
*Man, I'm so smart! Born to make big money!*
"Good thing I ran into a gullible guy. Got it so easily," Jiang Tao thought, carrying the golden toad and quickly disappearing from Huang Mou's view, as if afraid he'd change his mind.
This was no ordinary item—it was a "special item with attribute bonuses" flagged by the system.
Forget 700 yuan; even if Huang Mou had asked for 7,000, 70,000, or 700,000, Jiang Tao would've gritted his teeth and paid.
Two small "river stones" had already brought him plenty of surprises.
The golden toad's attributes, even if underwhelming, couldn't be that bad.
Its value was far beyond what money could measure.
On the main road, Jiang Tao suppressed his excitement and first bought breakfast for Xu Li and his parents.
Four baskets of steamed buns (meat and veggie), four bowls of tofu pudding with extra sugar, five tea eggs, and a few fried dough sticks.
Carrying bags of food, he got home just before 8 a.m.
Back home, he found everyone awake.
Xu Li and his parents were chatting on the couch while braiding Jiang Xue's hair.
"Daddy, you're back! Did you get my soy milk?" Jiang Xue said with a sweet smile, a deep dimple appearing on her left cheek.
"Honey, what's in that bag?" Xu Li asked curiously, noticing the black garbage bag alongside the breakfast.
"Bought a little trinket at the morning market. Mom, Dad, come eat breakfast. My master's coming to hang out with you soon," Jiang Tao said cheerfully, setting the breakfast on the dining table.
"Son, let your dad and me handle breakfast after we get familiar with this place. You young folks should sleep in," his mom said.
"Haha, how could I let you do that?"
"Silly boy, what's there to be shy about with your mom?"
"Alright then! It'd be nice for you and Dad to explore a bit."
Jiang Tao didn't refuse his mom's offer.
Knowing her for years, he knew she'd feel restless without something to do, unable to find her purpose here.
Only by finding her value could she settle in comfortably.
After Xu Li finished braiding Jiang Xue's hair, the mother and daughter joined them at the table.
The large dining table easily accommodated the family of five.
After a lively breakfast, Old Sun came by and took Jiang Tao's parents and Jiang Xue out.
He'd planned the day: Tiananmen Square, then the Bird's Nest and Water Cube.
Jiang Tao and Xu Li stayed behind to find a nearby kindergarten for Jiang Xue.
It was already the 16th day of the first lunar month, with only a few days until kindergartens reopened.
Their top priority was sorting out Jiang Xue's enrollment.
The couple spent the morning visiting two nearby kindergartens.
One was Baigezhuang Kindergarten, a public, affordable option classified as a Tier 2 kindergarten.
The monthly childcare fee was 650 yuan, with meals at 550 yuan, totaling 1,200 yuan.
The facilities were decent, with slides and toys for the kids.
The teachers were all professional preschool educators with bachelor's degrees.
Compared to the kindergarten in Jiangjiazhuang, this one was leagues ahead in terms of staff and facilities.
The other was Aidi Kindergarten, an international school.
According to the admissions teacher, it spanned 370,000 square meters, complete with a lake and greenhouse vegetable sheds.
It used immersive English education and offered courses like golf, dance, Chinese classics, and martial arts.
Foreign teachers held expert certifications and English teaching qualifications.
Chinese teachers were all preschool education graduates, 100% certified, with at least five years of teaching experience as Tier 1 educators.
Aidi Kindergarten was practically a "noble school"!
Compared to Jiangjiazhuang's kindergarten, the gap was astronomical.
Of course, the price difference was equally staggering.
Jiangjiazhuang's kindergarten cost 350 yuan a month, or about 5,000 yuan a year.
Aidi Kindergarten's annual tuition was 188,888 yuan!
When Xu Li heard the price, she immediately wanted to drag Jiang Tao away.
Eighteen thousand for a year of kindergarten? That was insane!
"Honey, let's go with the public one. The international school's tuition is terrifying," Xu Li said firmly once they got home.
Though Jiang Tao had made good money recently, Xu Li saw it as a stroke of luck.
Her husband couldn't always be that lucky.
With rent at over 10,000 a month, a kindergarten at another 10,000, plus food and miscellaneous expenses, they'd need nearly 30,000 a month—almost 400,000 a year!
Xu Li didn't want to put that kind of pressure on Jiang Tao.
"Sweetie, I've thought it over. I think we should go with the international school," Jiang Tao said, disagreeing with Xu Li.
"We can't let our daughter start behind those kids at the international school."
"It's just 180,000 a year. No big deal."
With his current income, sending Jiang Xue to the international school wasn't a burden.
"But..." Xu Li hesitated.
"No buts. Don't worry about the money," Jiang Tao said confidently. "I'm certain I can give you and our daughter a life ten, a hundred times better than this."
"Honey~" Xu Li gazed at Jiang Tao's confident expression, giggling as she threw herself into his arms, looking at him with adoration.
"I swear, my husband's getting more charming and handsome by the day."
"Hahaha, you think so? I feel the same."
"Honey, if we send Xue to the international school, it's so expensive. Can we still afford a second child?" Xu Li asked, her eyes sparkling with concern.
"Hahaha, of course! Not just a second, but a third or fourth—no problem," Jiang Tao laughed.
"Hey, hey, hey! What are you doing in broad daylight?" he teased as Xu Li wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him toward the bedroom.
"I want~"
"With Mom and Dad here, evenings are tricky. Let's switch to daytime~"
*Bang!*
The master bedroom door slammed shut.
Soon, Xu Li's soft, suggestive hums filled the room, sparking endless imagination.
An hour later...
After Jiang Tao and Xu Li showered, the takeout he'd ordered arrived.
"Honey~ Being with you every day feels so blissful," Xu Li said, eating her favorite sweet-and-sour pork ribs, her eyes crescent-shaped with a happy, satisfied smile.