Daily Intelligence System: Financial Independence-Chapter 55: A Token of Sun Xiaobao’s Appreciation
After a brief inquiry, it was learned.
The old man’s name is Sun Xiaobao.
He is small and thin, with dark skin. Not only does his name resemble a certain comedian, but he also looks quite similar!
Sun Xiaobao’s house is not far from the relocation area, in Bai Gezhuang New Village.
Bai Gezhuang New Village sounds similar to Xiaoshanhe Village, where Jiang Tao rented a house, and their hometown, Jiang Family Manor.
But in reality, they are vastly different, saying they are worlds apart wouldn’t be an exaggeration.
Bai Gezhuang New Village is a modern, large-scale residential community with hundreds of high-rises.
It is a relocation community from the original Bai Gezhuang Village, with the current price averaging over 30,000, nearing 40,000!
Jiang Tao noticed that Sun Xiaobao said "his home" instead of that he lives in that community.
And considering the tea and Maotai mentioned in the intelligence provided by Brother Tongzi...
"Could it be that this man named Sun Xiaobao is also a relocated resident?"
"But that doesn’t seem right, a relocated resident wouldn’t be out scavenging, would they?"
"However, Brother Tongzi’s intelligence has never been wrong..."
Jiang Tao had all sorts of speculations about Sun Xiaobao, this old man was truly an enigma.
"Take it slow, old man, don’t choke, have some water."
Seeing Sun Xiaobao eating ravenously, Jiang Tao feared he might choke, so he hurriedly handed him the thermos.
But thinking about how he’d been stuck here for two whole days and nights, starving for the same time, this eating behavior was understandable.
"Burp~"
Sun Xiaobao burped while reaching out to accept the thermos from Jiang Tao, gulping down a whole cup of water in one go.
"Thank you, young man, thank you. If not for you, this old man would have lost his life here today."
After finishing the bread and water, Sun Xiaobao expressed his earnest gratitude to Jiang Tao.
"No need to be polite, old man, it was just a small effort. Try if you can stand and walk; if not, I’ll take you to the hospital."
Jiang Tao said this while trying once more to help Sun Xiaobao up from the ground.
Sun Xiaobao’s legs had become somewhat numb from cold and inactivity, with little sensation.
Plus, he was weak from being hungry for two days.
Jiang Tao had previously tried to help him up but had not succeeded.
Now, after eating some bread and drinking a cup of warm water,
he felt a bit warmer and regained some strength.
Jiang Tao tried to help him up again, and this time he succeeded.
Sun Xiaobao wobbled a little but could now stand again.
After adjusting for a while, he could walk again.
"Young man, why do you look familiar to me..."
Regaining some energy, Sun Xiaobao looked at Jiang Tao with some doubt, his wrinkled face showing a pondering expression.
"Oh! I remember! Aren’t you the one hustling at the Red Star Second-hand Furniture Market?"
Sun Xiaobao suddenly brightened up, pointing at Jiang Tao with an excited expression.
"Old man, do you... know me?"
Jiang Tao was equally surprised, showing an expression of disbelief upon hearing that Sun Xiaobao recognized him from hustling at Red Star Second-hand Furniture.
Suddenly, a scene flashed through his mind.
A dozen days ago, on the day Jiang Tao activated the intelligence system.
He met an elderly man scavenging in a green army coat while rummaging through the trash, as informed by Brother Tongzi’s intelligence.
Now thinking back, the image of the two scavengers overlapped, and it turned out they were the same person!
"Oh, it was you!"
Recognizing Sun Xiaobao, Jiang Tao couldn’t help but marvel at the wonders of fate.
"Yes! It’s me! Seems like we are fated, young man!"
"Let’s go, young man, take me home first, I must thank you properly!"
Sun Xiaobao said this while grabbing Jiang Tao’s coat and headed outward.
Jiang Tao, saying thanks, and casually followed Sun Xiaobao out.
It’s not too much to ask for some benefits after leaving a warm bed in the middle of the night to rescue someone, right?
Besides, it’s not like he asked for it, it was offered voluntarily.
The two of them, a bit haphazardly, made their way out of the rubble.
During their chat, it was revealed that Sun Xiaobao was indeed a relocated resident of Bai Gezhuang, with five houses at home.
He only scavenged as a hobby and didn’t expect to earn from it.
Moreover, he never carried a phone when going out, so he couldn’t call for help when trapped.
Jiang Tao could only find the situation incredibly absurd.
It was the first time he’d heard of someone taking scavenging as a hobby!
However, the world is vast, and there’s no shortage of odd things.
Although this hobby is rather niche and hard to understand,
it exists, so it must be reasonable!
At least it’s better than those elderly who take endless bus rides without purpose, always morally obligating young people to give up their seats.
The two chatted away, taking over half an hour to emerge from the rubble and reach Jiang Tao’s truck.
Jiang Tao drove while Sun Xiaobao, sitting in the passenger seat, navigated.
The truck entered Bai Gezhuang New Village through the north gate and parked under building 79.
Sun Xiaobao led Jiang Tao into building 79, turning right at 101, which was his home.
Upon entering, Jiang Tao found the place decently tidy, not the mess he’d imagined.
Sun Xiaobao would usually sell the scavenged items to a recycling station instead of bringing them home.
After welcoming Jiang Tao to sit, Sun Xiaobao went to make some food.
The few small buns Jiang Tao brought clearly weren’t enough to satisfy his appetite.
After busying for over twenty minutes, Sun Xiaobao cooked a large pot of instant noodles, cracking four poached eggs into it, enthusiastically inviting Jiang Tao to eat more.
It was already past 1 a.m.
After all this fuss, Jiang Tao’s stomach was indeed a bit hungry.
Jiang Tao didn’t hold back with Sun Xiaobao, devouring a large bowl of instant noodles, two poached eggs, and the noodle soup.
Once full and satisfied, the two leaned back on the sofa, each lighting a cigarette.
As the cigarette was nearly finished, Jiang Tao looked at Sun Xiaobao and bid farewell:
"Uncle Sun, it’s getting late; I should head back. Thank you for your hospitality."
"Alright! I only have one bed here, so I won’t keep you overnight. Xiao Jiang, wait a moment. I’ll get you something."
Speaking, Sun Xiaobao got up and walked toward a room in the house.
He came out in less than a minute, holding a box with a black square box on top of it.
Seeing the wine box and tea box that Sun Xiaobao brought out,
Jiang Tao marveled once more at Brother Tongzi’s prowess, to have calculated this?
"Old man, what is this..."
Jiang Tao stood up from the sofa.
Although he was well aware of this gratitude scene, he still pretended to be surprised.
"Xiao Jiang, this is a small token from this old man."
"A box of wine and a box of tea, the New Year is almost here, take them back and drink them so you won’t have to buy any."
"You are the old man’s lifesaver; without you, who knows if this old man would have made it."
"Don’t think this token is shabby."
"Don’t dare say no! If you don’t take it, believe it or not, I’ll smash it right now?"
