Daily Intelligence System: Financial Independence

Chapter 424 - 198: Substitute Saint Body, a Courtyard with 1,000% Appreciation Rate, and Sunglasses!

After the two of them chatted casually for a bit, He Jing reluctantly picked up the fruit tray to serve fruit to everyone, and then went to wash some more fruit.

"Something’s off, the way He Jing looks at Second Brother seems a bit strange."

"That Teacher Jiang is kinda weird too, plus this He Jing—Second Brother’s love life is blooming this year!"

Jiang Bing, who was sitting on a small stool next to them, holding a skewer of lamb and munching away, glanced at He Jing with a glint in her eye.

She seemed to have discovered some big gossip.

Around seven o’clock, Jiang Yi also took a cab and brought Xiao Xue over to join the fun barbecue.

The barbecue went on until around nine in the evening before wrapping up.

Everyone pitched in to clean up the "battlefield," then said goodbye in front of the food factory and headed home.

Once they got home, everyone was tired, so after washing up, they went to their rooms to sleep.

Xu Li’s period suddenly showed up today, so for once she got a few days off from "battles" and went to bed early.

Jiang Tao still insisted on staying up past midnight to wait for the Intelligence System to refresh.

[Today’s Intel 01]:

You had some contact with substitute driver Jia Guolin yesterday, which yielded the following intel—

Jia Guolin is a natural Substitute Saint Body. If you recruit him, you’ll have lifelong safety.

...

"Natural Substitute Saint Body..."

Seeing Brother Tongzi’s evaluation of Jia Guolin, Jiang Tao couldn’t help but laugh wickedly.

It’s kind of ridiculous, but honestly, he’s worth considering.

After the company starts running and things get busier, it really will be necessary to hire some full-time drivers for pick-up and drop-off.

This Jia Guolin, Master Jia, is actually a pretty good pick.

With that in mind, he kept looking at the second piece of intel.

[Today’s Intel 02:]

You had some contact with Lü Qian yesterday, which yielded the following intel—

Lü Qian’s widowed niece-in-law, Sun Xiangxiang, is planning to sell their courtyard house in Xiaoshanhe Village and move back to her hometown.

This courtyard will appreciate 1000% in value over the next ten years. Worth buying.

[Note:] Sun Xiangxiang’s asking price is 2.1 million yuan!

...

"A courtyard in Xiaoshanhe, a 1000% appreciation?!"

"Could it be that Xiaoshanhe is going to see some demolition in the next ten years?"

Seeing the first piece of updated intel today, Jiang Tao’s eyes lit up.

Brother Tongzi didn’t spell it out, but from this intel, he guessed a possibility.

Normally, old Beijingers would never part with their courtyard houses.

Everyone is waiting and hoping for a demolition windfall.

It’s rare to see someone like Old Lü’s niece-in-law willing to sell her old house and return home.

But...

For thirty years now, there have been constant rumors of imminent demolition on Xiaoshanhe’s side.

But rumor after rumor, year after year, and still no sign of demolition.

With measures in recent years to ease the non-capital functions taking effect,

And Beijing’s urban village demolition plans slowing down,

The odds of urban villages outside the Sixth Ring getting demolished are getting slimmer and slimmer.

If there is demolition, it’ll definitely start with the areas inside the city.

Outside the Sixth Ring, there are hundreds and thousands of urban villages like Xiaoshanhe.

"Waiting for demolition" is really a "maybe in my lifetime" kind of thing!

"Spending 2.1 million on a courtyard and a 1000% return over ten years—that’s a pretty sweet deal."

"Might as well consider holding onto it long-term."

After reading the second piece of intel, Jiang Tao thought to himself, planning to get in touch with Sun Xiangxiang tomorrow.

2.1 million isn’t really a huge amount for Jiang Tao these days.

If he can negotiate, it’s basically a done deal.

"Next!"

After analyzing the second intel, Jiang Tao kept going and checked the next one.

[Today’s Intel 03]:

You had some contact with Jiang Bing yesterday, which yielded the following intel—

The pair of Oakley sports glasses Jiang Bing bought yesterday for ¥1,888 is a special item.

If you obtain ownership, you can activate it and gain a random attribute.

...

"Whoa, just a pair of sunglasses, and it’s a special item too!"

"My luck’s been off the charts these past few days!"

"Third Brother really scored big this time!"

Seeing that today’s last intel was also about a special item, Jiang Tao couldn’t help but grin from ear to ear.

Any item Brother Tongzi marks as special is definitely no ordinary thing, with some serious attributes.

"Wonder what attribute I’ll get to activate this time."

"First thing tomorrow, gotta get Third Brother’s sunglasses."

Jiang Tao was pretty confident he could get "ownership" of Third Brother’s sunglasses.

This one’s almost too easy.

As long as he asks, Third Brother won’t refuse.

"Sleep, sleep, time to sleep, got a busy day again tomorrow."

After reading the three pieces of intel, Jiang Tao closed the system interface with a thought.

He turned over and hugged Xu Li’s waist from behind.

He turned on [Deep Sleep Mode] for himself and started sleeping.

...

The next morning.

Jiang Tao was woken up by his own Little Cotton Padded Jacket pinching his nose.

"Lazybones Dad, get up! The sun’s shining on your butt already~"

"Hehe, Dad, you’re even drooling!"

"Were you dreaming of eating something tasty again?"

Xiao Xue saw the drool at the corner of Dad’s mouth, giggled, and tapped Jiang Tao’s face with her finger.

After sleeping for over six hours with [Deep Sleep Mode] activated, Jiang Tao woke up feeling totally clear-headed and refreshed all over.

But he didn’t open his eyes right away, instead playing along and calling for help from Little Cotton Padded Jacket:

"Oh no, I’ve been sealed by a witch’s magic, I can’t move! Xiao Xue, come save Daddy!"

"Hehehe, Dad, you’re lying, you think I’m just a three-year-old?"

Xiao Xue laughed, hands on her hips, clearly not falling for it.

"How could Dad ever lie to our smart, brave, clever Xiao Xue!"

"I know, any trickery is useless in front of our Princess Xiao Xue!"

"Mm mm! You’re right! This princess is not that easy to fool."

With Old Deng hyping her up like that, Xiao Xue started getting carried away.

"So, I definitely wasn’t lying. I really was sealed by the witch in my dream."

"So, what should this princess do to help you?"

Xiao Xue laughed, looking at the "deeply in character" Old Deng.

She suddenly wanted to try playing pretend like Jiang An’an too.

"All you have to do is kiss either side of my face and the witch’s magic will break. Please, Princess Xiao Xue!"

Old Jiang didn’t even blush while tricking Little Cotton Padded Jacket.

"Unlocking your seal will use up so much of this princess’s mana. What will I get in return for helping you?"

Xiao Xue crossed her arms, her big bright eyes turning this way and that, starting to bargain with Old Jiang for rewards.

"..."

Old Jiang was speechless hearing Little Cotton Padded Jacket’s words.

This little one really does know how to "look out for herself"!

Ever since Jiang Tao tried to "borrow money" from her and she went to get "financing" from her aunt, he’d noticed the signs.

Jiang Tao cooperated by asking, "So what reward does Princess Xiao Xue want?"

"I want a little sister! Dad, can you and Mom give me a baby sister? The little sister at Godmother’s place is so cute!"

Xiao Xue hugged Jiang Tao’s arm and started shaking it, her tone full of longing for a sister.

"Hahaha, so that’s what you want. No problem, it’s a deal~"

Old Jiang felt a bit relieved hearing Little Cotton Padded Jacket’s answer.

He’d thought she might actually try to wring something serious out of him.

Though he’d give her anything she wanted, he still hoped she’d keep a bit of innocence.

"Pinky swear, no take-backs! This princess will unseal you now~"

"Mwah~ Mwah~"

Xiao Xue hooked Old Deng’s finger with her own, giggling as she kissed both sides of his face.

"I’m finally saved! Thank you, our Princess Xiao Xue."

With the seal broken, Jiang Tao opened his eyes, hugged the Little Cotton Padded Jacket by the bed, and felt wrapped up in happiness.

Xiao Xue asked, "When can I have a little sister? I can’t wait to see her!"

Old Jiang laughed, "Soon, soon."