Today was Jiang Tao's first time driving a Mercedes-Benz G-Class.
Even on the bustling streets of Beijing, this beast of a vehicle made quite an impression. Looking at the ordinary sedans worth a hundred or two hundred thousand yuan on the road, Jiang Tao couldn't help but feel a sense of superiority.
A luxury car wasn't just about showing off; the emotional satisfaction it brought was something regular commuter cars could never match. In the past, Jiang Tao didn't understand why rich people spent millions or tens of millions on a single car. He used to think they were just burning money, foolishly wealthy. Now, he was starting to get it.
Once the rich had their material needs fully met, they chased after spiritual thrills. Mansions, luxury cars, and extravagant lifestyles provided an emotional fulfillment that ordinary people couldn't experience or even imagine. As the saying goes, "The happiness of the rich is beyond your imagination!" And now, as Jiang Tao was gradually becoming wealthy himself, he was starting to taste that happiness.
Back when he was still struggling in Beijing, he'd return home maybe once a month. During those visits, he'd take Xu Li and their daughter Jiang Xue out to eat, drink, visit the zoo to see animals, or hike at a nearby scenic spot, cherishing the rare moments of family togetherness. A day of eating and drinking wouldn't even cost 500 yuan—provided they were extremely frugal, essentially "budget traveling." With his meager salary back then, Jiang Tao couldn't afford to splurge even if he wanted to.
Once, when he asked his daughter Jiang Xue what her favorite food was, she didn't hesitate and immediately said she loved Hu's Big Plate Chicken. Hu's Big Plate Chicken was a well-known chain restaurant from their hometown specializing in big plate chicken. It wasn't expensive—per-person cost was less than 100 yuan. For 300 yuan, the whole family of three could eat their fill. But for Jiang Xue, that was the best food she'd ever had and the best restaurant she'd ever been to.
Since moving to Beijing this year, Jiang Tao and Xu Li had taken Jiang Xue to dine at several high-end, star-rated hotels. Du Ennan and Xu Li had also brought her to some famous Michelin three-star restaurants in Beijing. Plus, most of Jiang Xue's classmates at Eddie Kindergarten came from well-off families. When the kids chatted and played, they'd often talk about gourmet food. Now, Jiang Xue's knowledge of Beijing's food scene far surpassed her "old man" Jiang Tao's.
Restaurants like Chao Shang Chao, Jingzhao Yin, Xinrong Ji, Jingji, Fuchun Ju, Furong Wushuang, and other upscale places—Jiang Tao had never even heard of them, but his little girl knew them by heart. Her former favorite, Hu's Big Plate Chicken, no longer ranked high in her heart.
In the past, Jiang Tao felt he had let his wife and daughter down. Now, with his growing "little treasury," he was determined to make up for it. He didn't even blink when buying Xu Li clothes worth thousands or tens of thousands of yuan, feeling no emotional ripple. A bag costing tens of thousands? He'd buy it without a second thought. The increase in wealth had significantly improved their quality of life.
"Making money—I need to work harder to make more money!" Jiang Tao thought as he drove, listening to Xu Li and Du Ennan chattering in the back seat. His thoughts wandered, and his desire for money grew even stronger.
"With Big Brother System and the various strange things it helps me discover, earning tens of millions or even hundreds of millions in the future is totally doable!" he mused. "The Lucky Golden Toad and the BAIC EU5 guarantee a monthly income of 600,000 yuan, enough to keep my family well-fed and carefree. The Eight Treasures Pickles and Delicious BBQ Sauce also have great potential. If managed well, they could generate significant profits each year. And then… the path to becoming a sports star or a big-time streamer? That sounds kind of interesting too."
Who doesn't have a dream of stardom? Jiang Tao used to watch streamers rake in hundreds of thousands or even millions in gifts in a single night and couldn't help but feel envious. Confident in his looks, he wondered if he could start streaming himself, attracting wealthy older women or young ladies to send him gifts and earn some extra cash. Clearly, he was getting a bit ahead of himself.
The streaming world was a different beast for male and female streamers. Female streamers, even without talent, could show off their pretty faces, bare shoulders, and cleavage to attract hordes of fans throwing gifts their way. If they got lucky with a generous "top fan," they could easily earn tens or hundreds of thousands a month. Male streamers, on the other hand, needed talent or the ability to entertain to draw a crowd, no matter how good-looking they were. Getting fans to send gifts was even harder. Of course, some lucky male streamers might catch the eye of a wealthy older woman, and if they were willing to "sell out," they could make a decent income too.
Jiang Tao had once had such an opportunity but resisted the temptation of a rich older woman, choosing to rely on himself. His earlier streaming attempts failed because, aside from his good looks, he had little to offer. His singing was mediocre, his charisma was lacking, and his humor was only so-so. His streams rarely had more than 20 viewers, not enough to cover even the cost of data and electricity.
Things were different now. Thanks to the "system-level freestyle fighting" skills, the [Fitness Treadmill], and rewards from special missions, his physical abilities far surpassed those of an average person. In some ways, he was no longer "ordinary"—he had become exceptional. Most importantly, he now had more money and the confidence to try new things. Restarting his streaming journey, he felt much more assured this time. Of course, what he was really after was the generous rewards from the [Sports Star Path]!
Lost in thought while driving, about an hour later, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class pulled up in front of the Baigezhuang New Village complex.
"Honey, Nannan, bye-bye! Wishing you a smooth workday and a happy one!" Xu Li said playfully, waving at them from the window before turning and sashaying toward the building entrance.
"Jiang Tao, I'm so jealous of you and Lili…" Du Ennan said, watching the loving couple with a mix of envy and a touch of sadness. It reminded her of her own husband. Back then, they too were affectionate and lived happily every day.
"Look forward—the future is still long, right, Du Ennan?" Jiang Tao said softly, offering comfort.
Du Ennan smiled. "Heh, yeah, look forward. I'm lucky to have met you and Lili. Being around you two has really lifted my spirits compared to before."
"A day of hardship or a day of joy—it's still a day. Life's short, so let's enjoy it while it lasts," Jiang Tao said, turning the car toward Wanxiang Hui.
About half an hour later, the G-Class parked in the B2 parking lot of Wanxiang Hui Shopping Plaza.
"Boss Du, we've arrived at Wanxiang Hui. My mission's complete. If there's nothing else, I'll take off," Jiang Tao said, parking in an empty spot and turning to tease Du Ennan with a smile.
"Jiang Tao, you've been pretty cheeky lately, haven't you?" Du Ennan teased back with a grin.
As they spent more time together, their familiarity grew, and the initial sense of distance faded. Those close to Jiang Tao knew he had a humorous side.
Jiang Tao laughed heartily. "Haha, cheeky? Me? I'm clearly such a serious guy!"
"Alright, enough chatter. I've got to head up to work. Guess why I drove this car today?" Du Ennan asked with a playful smile, throwing him a slightly odd question.
Jiang Tao grinned. "Because your Lambo only has two seats and can't fit three people?"
"Are you really clueless, or are you just playing dumb?" Du Ennan gave him a playful eye-roll before saying with a smile, "Your car's in the shop, right? Take this one for you and Lili to get around for now. Think of it as a small thank-you for helping me with my insomnia. We both get what we need—no need for thanks."
Jiang Tao chuckled. "Wow, a car worth millions, and you're just lending it to me like that? Not afraid I'll crash it?"
Du Ennan waved it off confidently. "The insurance company's got it covered. Drive it with confidence."
"Haha, alright then, I won't be shy about it. We're family, after all!" Jiang Tao didn't stand on ceremony, accepting her kindness with a grin.
He'd gotten to know his "in-law" Du Ennan well enough by now to know she was sincere in offering the car, not just being polite. Plus, without his car, getting around was inconvenient.
"No need to be shy. If you were, I wouldn't consider you family," Du Ennan said with a smile. "Oh, by the way, Jiang Tao, I'll need you to swing by my place tonight. I didn't host properly yesterday, but this morning I had Wang Ma clean out the guest room. If it gets too late, you and Lili can stay over. A hotel might be nice, but it's not as clean and comfortable as home."
Jiang Tao grinned. "Look at you being all polite now."
"Alright, alright, no more politeness or chatter. I'm off, and you should get going too," Du Ennan said, opening the back door and stepping out gracefully.
As she passed the driver's side, she waved goodbye to Jiang Tao with a smile before heading toward the parking garage elevator.
Watching her walk away, Jiang Tao glanced at his green Submariner watch. It was just past 9 a.m.—plenty of time. The streamer named Li Dagang wasn't going live for another hour.
"First, I'll check out that meteorite at Xiao Shahe," Jiang Tao decided. "That meteorite's worth 888,000 yuan—way more valuable than the beef rolls."
With that thought, he started the car and drove the G-Class toward Xiao Shahe Village.
About half an hour later, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class parked next to Jiang Tao's 4.2-meter truck outside Xiao Shahe Village.
"Good morning, old buddy!" Jiang Tao said, stepping out of the car and patting his truck with a smile. "Look at the new friend I brought you today. You two chat—I've got some business to handle."
Having lived in Xiao Shahe Village for over six years, Jiang Tao felt as at home here as he did in his hometown, Jiangjiazhuang. Plus, with the meteorite's coordinates displayed on his retina, he navigated the village's winding paths for about seven or eight minutes until he reached a large pond.
The pond, located in the center of Xiao Shahe Village, was circular, with a diameter of about a hundred meters. Though called a pond, it was mostly dry, with large patches of cracked earth exposed. Scattered within were wild-growing trees like willows, poplars, and locusts. Last winter, when temperatures were low, the smaller puddles within the pond froze over, and village kids would play on the ice after school. Now, with warmer weather, the ice had melted, and few people ventured into what was more accurately a muddy pit. Any kid who wandered in would likely come home covered in mud and face a scolding.
This morning, there were plenty of passersby near the pond. Jiang Tao tried several times to summon Big Brother System to retrieve the "target object" from the pond, but each time, it either warned him of nearby observers or told him he was too far away.
"Fine," he muttered. "For an 880,000-yuan meteorite, I guess I'll have to wade into that muddy pit myself."
But not now. With so many people around in broad daylight, he didn't want to be the center of attention.
"I'll come back in the evening when there are fewer people—or maybe at night," he decided. "That thing's probably safe in the pit. No one's likely to pick it up."
After scanning the area, Jiang Tao turned and headed back to his car at the village entrance.
Back in the car, it was exactly 10 a.m. Instead of driving off, Jiang Tao pulled out his phone and opened the Kuadou app. He typed "Li Dagang" into the search bar, and several streamers popped up. One muscular, hulking figure immediately caught his eye. Among the search results, this Li Dagang had the most followers—over 8 million, making him a top-tier streamer on the platform. His profile showed he was currently live.
Jiang Tao followed the "money-bringing boy" and entered his livestream.
"Folks, today I'm bringing you authentic, original-cut beef from Meng Province!" Li Dagang was saying. "I've already tried it myself—it's the real deal, no question. Normally, it's 58 yuan, and even supplying to supermarkets, it's 48 yuan. But today, in our livestream, I've slashed the price for you all! 28 yuan! You can't go wrong with this deal. For just 28 yuan, you get authentic Meng Province original-cut beef. This beef is nothing like the fake, processed stuff you find on the market. Look at this texture, this color—absolutely the real thing!"
In the livestream, Li Dagang was eating a beef roll while showing it off to the camera. Jiang Tao compared it to the beef roll he'd eaten last night and noticed clear differences.
"With such a big internet celebrity, he's probably careful about his reputation. The chances of him knowingly selling fakes are slim," Jiang Tao mused. "Maybe the supplier scammed him?"
Li Dagang had over 7 million followers and more than 10,000 viewers in his livestream—definitely a popular streamer. If Jiang Tao were in his shoes, he wouldn't risk deceiving fans for such small profits.
"Big Brother System's intel says Li Dagang will offer a 'fake one, compensate ten' deal. Looks like he's been played and turned into the fall guy," Jiang Tao analyzed as he watched the stream.
He clicked on the livestream's shopping cart, found the beef rolls, and placed an order. The daily intel system capped purchases at 20,000 yuan, so Jiang Tao maxed it out, ordering 356 boxes of beef rolls at 56 yuan each, to be delivered to Jiang's Food Factory. His excuse? Employee benefits. Not that merchants typically cared why customers bought things—that was private.
After spending 19,936 yuan, Jiang Tao didn't bother watching the stream any longer and exited.
"Second task done, third one pending. Now, how do I handle the first one and make an impact?" he wondered, frowning slightly.
If he bypassed Jiang Yi and directly pressured Han Mei, he wouldn't earn her gratitude. That would mean spending money and effort for nothing—something Jiang Tao wasn't about to do.
…
While Jiang Tao was at the Xiao Shahe Village entrance, pondering how to help Jiang Yi and win her favor, Jiang Yi was in Han Mei's office, getting a scolding.
Ever since Jiang Yi refused to join Han Mei at a private dinner with a certain school board member, Han Mei had been nitpicking her every move, finding fault with everything she did.
"So what if you're a bit prettier and have a better figure?" Han Mei thought spitefully. "You're 33 and still unmarried. Everyone knows you're holding out for a rich husband. Don't act all pure and innocent in front of me! I was just like you back in the day!"
"Alright, get out. Pay more attention to your work from now on. If there's another parent complaint, it won't just be a bonus deduction!" Han Mei said, dismissing Jiang Yi with a wave.
"Goodbye, Director Han," Jiang Yi replied, holding back her anger. She'd been docked 1,000 yuan from her bonus but didn't dare argue. After saying goodbye, she turned and walked toward the door.
From behind, Jiang Yi's graceful figure was undeniably alluring, a fact even Han Mei had to acknowledge. No wonder that Director Liu couldn't stop thinking about her after meeting her once.
"Young people are so naive," Han Mei thought, shaking her head. "What's wrong with finding a powerful backer? You're earning just over 10,000 yuan a month—barely enough for Director Liu to buy a bottle of wine."
Once upon a time, Han Mei had been an ordinary kindergarten teacher like Jiang Yi. By leveraging her beauty, she'd hooked up with a school board member and climbed her way to her current director position. Now, she had a car, a house, and savings in Beijing, living better than most.
With Jiang Yi's looks, marrying into wealth—or at least landing a millionaire or billionaire—wasn't out of reach. Director Liu, who had his eye on her, was worth over 100 million. If Jiang Yi agreed to date him, she'd easily get tens or hundreds of thousands in monthly allowance, maybe even become a wealthy wife.
But Jiang Yi clearly wasn't interested. Despite Han Mei's repeated invitations and the fines and targeting she faced, Jiang Yi showed no sign of giving in. For now, Han Mei had no way to force her.
Still, she wasn't giving up. If she could make Jiang Yi and Director Liu a couple, the benefits for her and her husband would be substantial.
*Ring ring ring—*
The phone on her desk suddenly rang. Han Mei glanced away from Jiang Yi and looked at the screen. It was an unfamiliar Beijing number, not marked as spam, delivery, or anything else.
"Hello?" Han Mei answered, her voice tinged with curiosity.
"Director Han, you wouldn't want your husband to know about you and Wang Tianheng, would you?" The man's voice on the other end sent a chill from Han Mei's tailbone to the top of her head.
He knew about her and Tianheng! If this got out, it wouldn't just ruin her reputation—her marriage would collapse, and she'd face her husband's wrath.
The thrill of crossing forbidden lines was intoxicating, but the consequences of exposure were dire.
"Who are you? What do you want?" Han Mei's voice trembled. The stakes were too high for her to take any chances.
"I'm a friend of Jiang Yi's. Director Han, how about having lunch together today? I think there's been some misunderstanding between you two. Let's sit down, eat, and clear things up. How about Meizhou Dongpo at Wanxiang Hui? What do you say, Director Han?"
On the other end, Jiang Tao spoke as if it wasn't up for discussion. With dirt on Han Mei, he wasn't worried she'd refuse.
"Alright…" Han Mei hesitated before agreeing. Hearing Jiang Tao call himself Jiang Yi's friend, she had a hunch about his intentions. It didn't seem like blackmail—yet.
"Oh, and Director Han, add me on WeChat later. It's this number. I'll send you some info," Jiang Tao said before hanging up.
With trembling hands, Han Mei copied his number into WeChat and sent a friend request. It was quickly accepted, and Jiang Tao sent her the evidence he'd downloaded earlier that morning.
Reading it, Han Mei felt her body go cold.