Financial freedom starts with the daily intelligence system!

Sleep until you wake up naturally.

Jiang Tao woke up at around 8 a.m.

Right now, I don't have to go to work or worry about money.

One house in my hometown, one house in the county town, and three houses in Beijing.

He also owns two luxury cars worth millions.

Moreover, all of them were paid in full, with no external debt whatsoever.

In addition, every day when he wakes up, he can earn 3 yuan from the lucky toad, the "money makes money" item, and the BAIC EU5.

Jiang Tao is living a very comfortable life now.

In a sense, he has achieved financial freedom and will never have to worry about money again for the rest of his life.

I got up slowly and methodically, washed up, and then took the elevator downstairs to a breakfast shop outside the community for a simple breakfast.

While having breakfast, Jiang Tao sent a message to Yu Shuai on WeChat.

He lied and claimed that a friend of his who was knowledgeable in astrology had observed the celestial phenomena last night and predicted that there would be a hailstorm in Ping County the next day.

Whether Yu Shuai believes it or not, and whether he takes precautions or not, is his own business.

Anyway, this matter has nothing to do with Jiang Tao.

Even if hail destroyed all the fruit on Yu Shuai's farm, he would not suffer any loss.

He kindly reminded Yu Shuai, which was already quite kind of him.

Jiang Tao finished breakfast around 9 a.m.

He had arranged to pick up Yuan Mengqi's family from their home around 2 p.m.

There's still a whole morning to go.

"Let's go ask Uncle Shuisheng about his ex-wife and daughter first!"

Jiang Tao wouldn't turn down a offer of 150 million yuan that was offered to him.

Moreover, this matter also concerns national security.

While making money for himself, he could also help the country uncover three spies.

Jiang Tao would definitely do something that would be a win-win situation, and he wouldn't feel any psychological burden about it.

After paying the bill, Jiang Tao drove straight to Jiangjiazhuang.

In less than 10 minutes, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class pulled up in front of his house.

Skillful!

Jiang Tao saw a blue electric tricycle parked in front of his house, and the gate was open.

It must be Uncle Shuisheng who came to water his tree.

After getting out of the car, Jiang Tao slammed the door shut and strode into the courtyard through the gate.

Just as he expected, Jiang Shuisheng was carrying a bucket made of plastic and walking towards the mutated walnut tree by the west wall.

"Uncle, you've come to water the plants so early."

As Jiang Tao walked briskly toward Jiang Shuisheng, he greeted him with a smile.

"Taozi, you're back! What time are you leaving for Beijing today?"

Upon hearing Jiang Tao's voice, Jiang Shuisheng turned to look at him, smiled, and greeted him.

"After lunch, we set off around 2 p.m. My uncle smoked."

As Jiang Tao spoke, he pulled out a packet of Da Tian Ye tea that he had just opened at the breakfast shop.

He took one out of the pack and handed it directly to Jiang Shuisheng.

"This cigarette tastes really good!"

Jiang Shuisheng took out a cigarette from the cigarette case and reached out to hand the cigarette case to Jiang Tao, but Jiang Tao refused.

Jiang Tao pushed the cigarette back and laughed, "Uncle, you can keep the rest. I have more in my car."

"I'm so sorry!"

Jiang Shuisheng said he was sorry, but he quickly put the cigarettes into his pocket.

A pack of Da Tian Ye costs around 100 yuan, which is equivalent to several days' wages for him!

Jiang Tao won Jiang Shuisheng's favor by offering a pack of cigarettes.

After he poured all the water from the bucket into the tree pit, Jiang Tao invited him to come inside and sit down.

Jiang Shuisheng originally refused to enter the house.

They were afraid their shoes would dirty the floor, and their dirty clothes would soil the sofa.

But unable to resist Jiang Tao's enthusiasm, she eventually went inside with him.

However, he refused to sit on the sofa and instead moved a small stool to the coffee table, sitting opposite Jiang Tao.

"Uncle, are you still in contact with my aunt and Jiaojiao?"

After the two sat down, Jiang Tao went straight to the point and asked the question that concerned him most.

"Don't mention those two! I never want to hear their names again in my life! I'll just pretend I never had that daughter!"

When his ex-wife and daughter were mentioned, Jiang Shuisheng's face immediately turned extremely ugly.

This incident has become a lifelong regret and a scar that will never heal for him.

For Jiang Tao to bring up the two of them in front of him now is no different than reopening his wounds.

Even in front of Jiang Tao, although his expression was unpleasant, he remained relatively rational.

If anyone else had mentioned those two people in front of him, he would have already started arguing with them.

"Uncle, don't overthink it. I just have something to do, so I need to inquire about their situation."

"For example, which city they live in now, and where they work."

Jiang Tao waited until Jiang Shuisheng's emotions had calmed down before he spoke up to explain.

"They've been working in Pingchang District of Beijing, I think, at some kind of research institute."

Jiang Shuisheng didn't know much about the current situation of his ex-wife and daughter, only some basic information.

"A research institution!"

Upon hearing that the two were working as assistants at a research institute, Jiang Tao immediately felt a sense of urgency.

If they are left in that unit for another day, they might steal even more secrets.

This matter cannot wait any longer; it is urgent!
Jiang Shuisheng suddenly thought of something and added:

"Oh, right, I remember now! They seem to be in a unit that researches tanks or something."

"Okay, I understand."

Jiang Tao nodded and secretly memorized the information Jiang Shuisheng had given him.

However, in front of Jiang Shuisheng, Jiang Tao was too embarrassed to directly call the whistleblower to ask them to arrest the person.

Although they are now a thing of the past.

But one is his former wife and the other is his biological daughter. How can they really have no feelings for each other at all?
After Jiang Shuisheng left, Jiang Tao took out his phone and dialed the 12339 hotline for reporting spies.

The call connected, and the operator's voice was gentle and sweet.

Jiang Tao didn't waste any time with small talk and went straight to the point, explaining what he wanted to report.

When the other party heard that Jiang Tao was going to report three spies at once, they were speechless.

The operator mistook Jiang Tao for someone with delusions of being obsessed with money!
After all, the emergency call center receives all sorts of bizarre calls every day.

Reporting one's own father, one's own son, one's own wife, one's grandparents, or one's own grandson.

Jiang Tao's case of reporting that a family of three were spies is not an isolated incident!

Although it felt somewhat absurd, the operator still truthfully recorded Jiang Tao's phone number and contact information.

The report also included the details of his police report and was promptly relayed to the relevant departments.

……

After hanging up the phone, Jiang Tao glanced at the time on his phone. Before he knew it, it was already 10 a.m.

There are still more than two hours until lunchtime.

"How about we go to Yuan Mengqi's house for a free meal, and maybe even try to get our hands on that painting?"

Jiang Tao lit another cigarette, puffing out smoke as he thought about how to ask for the Nine Fish Painting.

For Yuan Mengqi and her family, it was just an ordinary painting.

But for Jiang Tao, the Nine Fish Painting, which was identified by the system as a special item, was an extremely rare treasure!

"Have it!"

After finishing his cigarette, Jiang Tao suddenly had an idea.

Jingle Bell--

Just as Jiang Tao was about to get up and head to Yuan Mengqi's house, his phone suddenly rang.

Jiang Tao took out his phone and saw that the caller ID showed "Squad Leader Yuan," and he smiled.

This guy really couldn't resist the urge to talk. He had just thought about going to Yuan Mengqi's house for a free meal when Yuan Mengqi called.

"Hey, Squad Leader Yuan."

With a swipe of his finger, Jiang Tao answered the phone and greeted Yuan Mengqi on the other end with a smile.

"Haha, I was just worried about not having anywhere to eat lunch, so I won't be polite!"

"Okay, okay, see you later."

"Okay, bye."

After exchanging a few brief words on the phone, Jiang Tao hung up with a smile.

Skillful.

Yuan Mengqi just called to invite him to have lunch at her house today.

It's like someone handing you a pillow just when you're about to doze off.

Putting his phone back in his pocket, Jiang Tao stood up from the sofa and strode out the door.

Around 10:30 a.m., the Mercedes-Benz G-Class reappeared in front of Yuan Mengqi's house in Yuanjiazhuang.

Upon hearing the commotion outside, Yuan Mengqi, her family of three, and Lin Ranran all went out to greet them.

After welcoming Jiang Tao into the living room, some people served tea and water, some washed fruit, and some brought nuts.

Jiang Tao received exceptionally high treatment at Lao Yuan's house.

After chatting for a while, Yuan Mengjie and Lin Ranran went to the kitchen to prepare lunch.

Only Jiang Tao and his daughter Yuan Mengqi remained in the living room.

Jiang Tao casually glanced at the painting of nine fish hanging on the west wall of the living room and said:

"Aunt Zhao's painting looks very antique; it's clearly a genuine antique. It must have been expensive when she bought it, right?"

"Pfft haha~"

Before Zhao Huilan could speak, Yuan Mengqi, who was peeling an apple for Jiang Tao, couldn't help but laugh, her laughter shaking the apple.

"Jiang Tao, you've really misjudged him this time."

"You silly child, Jiang Tao was just saying it casually, and you took it seriously and made fun of him."

After scolding her daughter with a smile, Zhao Huilan turned to Jiang Tao and explained with a smile:
“Xiao Jiang, this painting was bought by me and Qiqi’s dad 10 years ago at a market in a nearby town.”

"I remember this very clearly. The shop owner wanted 28, but I bargained down to 20."

"Really? You bought it for 20 yuan?"

As Jiang Tao spoke, he stood up and walked towards the Nine Fish Painting on the wall.

Arriving in front of the Nine Fish Painting, Jiang Tao solemnly examined it from top to bottom and from left to right.

As he spoke, he took out his phone and snapped a few photos, then pretended to chat with someone on WeChat.

"What's wrong, Jiang Tao? Is there really something special about this painting?"

Yuan Mengqi and Zhao Huilan were completely baffled by Jiang Tao's actions.

Jiang Tao looked at Yuan Mengqi and her daughter, and said with a smile:

"Yuan Mengqi, Aunt Zhao, congratulations!"

"Huh? Congratulations on what?"

Yuan Mengqi and her mother were a little confused by Jiang Tao's sudden congratulations.

Jiang Tao laughed and said, "Aunt Zhao, Yuan Mengqi, have you ever heard of finding a bargain?"

"Picking up trash?"

Zhao Huilan looked puzzled. She had never heard of this before. Could it be that the painting had been soaked in water and had been flooded?
Were you and your husband scammed by the stall owner back then?
but……

It's been 10 years, and it's only about 20 yuan, so it doesn't seem worth fussing over anymore.

"Find a bargain? Jiang Tao, you mean this painting might be a genuine piece?"

Zhao Huilan didn't know what "picking up a bargain" meant, but Yuan Mengqi, being a young person, certainly did!

When she was selling houses before, she often posted "bargain listings" to attract customers.

"Yes, I just took a picture and sent it to my friend. He said it's an authentic work by a somewhat famous painter."

“He is willing to pay 8 yuan to buy it if you are willing to sell.”

Jiang Tao was talking nonsense with a straight face. The friend he was talking about was actually himself. This trick is called creating a friend out of thin air.

He felt it was worth spending 8 yuan to buy a flower arrangement that was recognized as a special item by the system.

As for more, he could accept it, but he felt it was unnecessary.

After all, this painting, hanging on Yuan Mengqi's wall, is just an ordinary painting worth 20 yuan; only in his hands can it show its greater value.

His spending money to buy this painting doesn't mean he's robbing Yuan Mengqi's family of their opportunity.

"How many?"

"8?"

Yuan Mengqi and Zhao Huilan both showed expressions of utter surprise upon hearing the price quoted by Jiang Tao.

A painting I bought for 20 yuan at a market 10 years ago is now being offered 8 yuan by someone!
It appreciated 4000 times in 10 years!
"Jiang Tao, you, you're not kidding us, are you? This thing... is worth 8 yuan?"

Yuan Mengqi pointed to the painting of nine fish on the wall with an incredulous look on her face.

Last year during the Spring Festival, my younger brother Yuan Mengjie said he wanted to take down the painting and throw it away, and replace it with a family portrait.

Fortunately, my mother didn't agree at the time, so the painting was preserved.

Otherwise, wouldn't we have lost 8 yuan?

If Jiang Tao hadn't reminded me today, I doubt anyone would have picked up the painting even if it had been thrown into the village's trash can!
“I’m not kidding you guys. My friend said he’d take it if the price wasn’t higher than 8.”

"Aunt Zhao, Yuan Mengqi, what do you mean by this?"

"Should we leave this painting hanging here, or sell it to my friend for money?"

Jiang Tao looked calmly at Yuan Mengqi and her daughter, asking for their opinions.

"It's really unnecessary for us to hang such an expensive painting in our house... right, Kiki?"

Zhao Huilan looked at Yuan Mengqi, her meaning was clear: she still preferred to sell the painting for money.

After all, in rural areas, who has a painting worth over 8 yuan hanging in their living room?
This money, used to buy firewood, rice, oil, and salt, will be enough to feed the family for several years.

"Cough cough, I think so too. If this painting is really worth 8 yuan, we might as well sell it and give it to Mom as pocket money."

Yuan Mengqi nodded in agreement, also feeling that it was unnecessary to hang such an expensive ornament at home; it was too extravagant!

Zhao Huilan said, "You and your brother can each have half of this money; I don't need it."

Yuan Mengqi said, "No need, my brother and I can earn money too. You can keep this money and spend it slowly."

Hearing what the mother and daughter were saying, Jiang Tao was overjoyed; they had decided to sell their paintings.

Putting himself in his shoes, he would have made the same choice. (End of Chapter)