Thereâs about 4 hours left until that mutated walnut tree is cut down, but we should plan ahead.
If we get delayed by traffic on the way and donât make it in time, the loss would be significant.
"Brother Jiang, if youâve got things to do, just go ahead!"
"Well, weâll take our leave now, Brother Jiang! Goodbye."
Liu Zhiyuan and his brother could tell Jiang Tao was eager to leave, so they waved goodbye and rode off together on an electric bike.
"Uncle! Youâre back!"
Just as Liu Zhiyuan and his brother left, a chubby kid ran in from the alley.
The chubby kid stopped in front of Jiang Tao, looking at him with excitement.
Following closely behind was a tall, slender young man.
"Uncle! Youâre back."
The brothers were none other than Jiang Taoâs nephews, Jiang Shijie and Jiang Shaojie.
Jiang Tao had sent them a message earlier, asking them to come over.
"Come on, get in the car~"
Jiang Tao beckoned to the brothers and opened the driverâs side door to get in.
Having not driven a truck for a long time, Jiang Tao felt a bit out of practice once he got into the driverâs seat.
The cramped space and hard seats of the truck were, of course, incomparable to the comfort of driving a Mercedes-Benz G-Class.
Jiang Shijie and his brother didnât ask where Jiang Tao was taking them; they just opened the passenger side door and climbed in.
Vroom vroom vroomââ
Jiang Tao started the engine, skillfully reversed the truck out of the alley, turned it around, and headed straight out of the village.
After leaving the village, they drove along a country road, then turned onto the provincial highway, and finally got on the expressway.
Due to the holiday, traffic on the expressway was quite heavy even early in the morning, but fortunately, it wasnât too congested.
With his two nephews for company and conversation during the journey, it was quite enjoyable and not boring at all.
"By the way, Shijie, how are things with your girlfriend?"
The conversation eventually turned to Jiang Shijieâs girlfriend, Wang Xiaohong.
More than a month ago, Jiang Tao came across some information about Jiang Shijie and Wang Xiaohong.
The information suggested that Wang Xiaohong had a "husband-favoring" attribute.
Although she wasnât particularly pretty, if his nephew married her, their financial fortune was bound to be promising.
"Ahem, Sister Hong and I are doing great."
When it came to his girlfriend, Jiang Shijie couldnât help but feel a bit embarrassed.
"Uncle, my parents have also met my girlfriend! Theyâre both very pleased with her!"
"And sheâs really good to me too!"
"Look, Uncle, these are the sneakers she bought for me, they cost three to four hundred!"
While speaking, Jiang Shaojie lifted his leg to show off his Li-Ning sneakers.
His words were full of praise for his future sister-in-law.
"Hahaha, thatâs great then. If your whole family likes her, thatâs a happy ending for everyone involved."
Jiang Tao chuckled, recalling that he had a favorable impression of Wang Xiaohongâs straightforward and passionate personality.
As for her figure and looks, being a senior, he didnât think it was his place to comment.
Everyone has different tastes and preferences.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
As long as the couple finds each other appealing and are loving, itâs not his place to dampen the spirit with negative comments.
Jiang Tao shifted the topic by asking:
"Shaojie, how are your studies going? Will you be able to make it to high school?"
"Uh, Uncle, letâs talk more about my brother and his girlfriend instead."
Suddenly asked about his academic performance, Jiang Shaojieâs face darkened immediately, and he quickly tried to steer the conversation back to his brother.
Jiang Tao laughed and asked, "Shijie, how are your studies? Can you get into college?"
"Ahem, Uncle, Iâm not cut out for academics; I donât plan to go to university."
Jiang Shijie looked slightly embarrassed as he said this.
During his high school entrance exams, he was streamed into a vocational school, and his grades plummeted afterward.
In practice exams, he couldnât even score 300 points.
Going to university would only mean attending the worst junior colleges.
Instead of wasting time on a degree, it might be better to learn some skills.
While driving, Jiang Tao asked, "If youâre not going to college, what are your plans? What skills would you like to learn?"
"Iâm not sure yet, still thinking about it..."
At this point, Jiang Shijie was quite lost about his future. He didnât know what he wanted to do or what he could do.
"If you truly donât plan to pursue further studies, come to Beijing after graduation."
"Your uncle will train you well, and when my shop branches out, you can be the manager."
Jiang Tao cared deeply for his nephews he had watched grow up.
Even though his "Bo Le" ability revealed that Jiang Shijie possessed no exceptional talents.
He was an entirely ordinary person, yet Jiang Tao didnât mind offering him a high-paying job.
If he could offer a good salary to outsiders, why not to his own nephew?
Besides, Jiang Shijie had Wang Xiaohong, a lucky charm, by his side, which seemed like a positive buff.
"Really, Uncle?!"
Jiang Shijieâs eyes brightened with joy upon hearing his uncleâs words.
Having lived in the countryside for years, the furthest he had been was 70 to 80 kilometers away in Shishi.
He had long wanted to see the hustle and bustle of a super city like Beijing.
With someone as influential as his uncle as his backing, life could be much more comfortable!
Jiang Tao laughed, "Of course, your uncle wouldnât trick you."
"Hehe, thanks, Uncle! Itâs settled then! Iâll come to find you straight after graduation!"
Jiang Shijie chuckled and quickly secured the promise.
"Uncle, I want to go too! Iâm fed up with school already!"
"Iâm graduating this year too; can I come to Beijing to join you?"
Jiang Shaojie also seemed eager to join in.
Jiang Tao teased, "You, little guy, focus on your studies. I donât hire child labor."
"School is so boring! Uncle, take me in! I wonât ask for a salary, so it wonât count as child labor, as long as you feed me!"
Still not giving up, Jiang Shaojie continued to plead.
To him, school felt like a prison, and he didnât want to stay there another day.
"Stop dreaming and focus on your studies, okay?"
Jiang Tao laughed and suggested, "How about this, Shaojie? If you get into a regular high school this year,
no matter what, Iâll reward you with 10,000 yuan as pocket money."
"10,000 yuan in pocket money? Uncle, you canât be joking, right?"
Upon hearing the amount, Jiang Shaojie widened his eyes.
Jiang Tao chuckled and said, "When have I ever gone back on my word? Do I look like someone who doesnât keep their promises?"
Jiang Tao, through the "Bo Le" insight, saw that Jiang Shaojieâs talent lay in "Business Management."
With proper guidance, he could be an excellent candidate to manage the company in the future.
"Moreover, once youâre in high school, Iâll give you 2000 yuan in pocket money each month."
"When youâre in college, Iâll give you 5000 yuan a month."
"By then, you need not worry or overthink. Just focus on your studies."
"After graduation, when you join your uncleâs company, you can easily earn ten to twenty thousand a month."
After Jiang Tao spoke, the two brothers exchanged glances before looking at him with touched expressions.
Feeling emotional, Jiang Shaojie confirmed with Jiang Tao:
"Uncle... youâre not just pulling a prank on a kid, are you?"
Jiang Tao casually replied, "If you donât believe me, I can write it down as a note. Your grandparents and parents can be witnesses."
"No, no, no! I donât mean it like that! I completely trust you, Uncle!"
"I just mean, itâs such a big deal; itâs hard to believe itâs happening to me, hehe."
"Uncle, with such words, Iâll be more motivated to study in the future!"
"With just a couple of months until the high school entrance exam, watch me! Iâll claim that 10,000 yuan for sure!"
Although Jiang Shaojie disliked school, he was quick to pick up when serious about studying.
With two months left, reaching the cut-off score for a regular high school was achievable with a bit of effort, not too challenging.
"Alright, Iâll have the money ready for you, come and get it."
Casually chatting among the three of them made the trip less dull.
Around 10 AM, Jiang Tao took a detour and arrived at the B State Service Area where they had rested the previous day.