Chapter 553 - 262: New Intel: Hail, Spies, and the Nine Fish Painting!

Yuan Family Manor is relatively close to the county town.

It’s less than a 5-minute drive.

In recent years, as the county town has continually expanded toward Yuan Family Manor,

it has brought many job opportunities to the villagers.

Most of the villagers in Yuan Family Manor have found jobs in the city and are working.

In contrast, the overall economic conditions here are much better than those in Jiang Family Manor, where most villagers are still farming in backward rural areas.

At this moment, almost every household in the village has a small car.

The cheaper ones are only tens of thousands, while the expensive ones are hundreds of thousand or even two or three hundred thousand.

However, there isn’t a single luxury car like a Mercedes-Benz G-Class worth millions.

When Jiang Tao drove his Mercedes-Benz G-Class into the village, it was like a big shark swimming into a small pond.

After he and Yuan Mengqi returned home with big and small bags,

several villagers stood at a distance, pointing and discussing the Mercedes-Benz G-Class.

"When did the Yuan family have such a capable relative? A G-Class worth millions, must be worth tens of millions or even hundreds!"

"The person who just went in, he doesn’t look like the Yuan family’s son-in-law? That son-in-law isn’t that tall."

"The Yuan family’s daughter has been divorced for a while, did you know? Could it be a new partner?"

"A second marriage and still found someone who drives a G-Class? You must be joking!"

"Honestly, even though the Yuan family’s daughter has been divorced, her looks and figure are still outstanding, so there’s a good chance she’ll catch the eye of a wealthy person!"

"The Yuan family has been so unlucky these past years. Just a few years after he left, his wife was diagnosed with cancer, and their daughter divorced. Is this a turn of fortune after hitting rock bottom?"

"Everything is destined!"

As the villagers chatted, Yuan Mengqi was already leading Jiang Tao through the courtyard to the kitchen door of the East Wing of her house.

"Mom, brother, Ranran, Jiang Tao is here."

With Yuan Mengqi’s call, Zhao Huilan, Yuan Mengjie, and Lin Ranran all stopped their vegetable picking to look at the door.

"Jiang Tao is here, welcome, welcome! Please come in and have a seat."

"Brother Jiang, you’re here!"

"Brother Jiang."

Seeing Jiang Tao, everyone warmly greeted him.

Jiang Tao was quite welcome in Yuan Mengqi’s home.

"Hello Aunt Zhao, Mengjie, Ranran, you’ve been working hard."

Jiang Tao smiled and greeted the family.

"Oh dear, why did you bring so many things again? It’s really too much."

Zhao Huilan, seeing the big and small bags Jiang Tao and her daughter were carrying, looked both surprised and delighted.

Jiang Tao smiled and said, "Just a small token of appreciation, it isn’t much. It’s my first time visiting, so I should bring a little gift."

"Since it’s already bought, I won’t say much, but next time, you don’t have to. Treat this place like your own home, no need for such formality."

"Come on, Xiao Jiang, let Mengjie and Ranran stay busy here, you go rest inside."

Zhao Huilan said as she enthusiastically took Jiang Tao’s hand and led him into the large living room of the main house.

"You two better do well, show Brother Jiang what you’ve got."

Yuan Mengqi instructed her brother and future sister-in-law before following her mother and Jiang Tao.

"Don’t worry, sis, we definitely won’t let Brother Jiang down!"

Yuan Mengjie replied with confidence, having good expectations for tonight’s dinner.

To host Jiang Tao, Yuan Mengjie and Lin Ranran bought a lot of ingredients at the supermarket.

The ten dishes for tonight to entertain Jiang Tao are all his specialty dishes.

"Sit, sit, sit, Xiao Jiang, feel free to sit, don’t be so reserved."

Once inside the living room, Zhao Huilan warmly invited Jiang Tao to sit down.

"Thank you, Aunt Zhao, I’m not reserved, I’m quite relaxed."

Jiang Tao said with a smile, casually sitting on the large sofa in the living room.

His eyes casually scanned the decor in the room.

Like many rural homes in Geping County,

the living room had a large coffee table, a set of sofas, a TV wall, and a television.

Ordinary and straightforward decoration style, nothing particularly eye-catching.

If there’s anything that stood out to Jiang Tao,

it’s probably the Nine Fish Painting on the west wall of the living room, depicting four red koi and five black koi.

"Nine" symbolizes longevity, while "fish" represents wealth and prosperity.

The Nine Fish Painting signifies abundance and continuous prosperity.

In Feng Shui, hanging such a painting in the home is thought to bring financial success and family prosperity.

"Relaxation is the way to go. Qiqi, go wash some fruits for Jiang Tao."

"Jiang Tao, just sit back, I’ll make you some tea."

Zhao Huilan said as she pressed the button on the electric kettle on the coffee table, filling it with water.

Soon, Yuan Mengqi placed a large fruit platter on the table.

The platter included the oil apricots Jiang Tao had just brought.

Also, for Jiang Tao, they had specially bought bananas, apples, tangerines, grapes, and dragon fruit.

After setting down the fruit platter, Yuan Mengqi also brought out a nut platter.

The platter contained seeds, peanuts, pistachios, and pecans.

"Wow, it’s only April, but it feels like Chinese New Year."

Jiang Tao looked at the fruit and nut platters on the coffee table, joking with a smile.

In Geping County, such lavish hospitality is usually reserved for the New Year.

"Haha, you’re a distinguished guest in our home, so of course, we’re going to host you at the highest level."

Yuan Mengqi said with a laugh, sitting on the sofa beside Jiang Tao.

"Help yourself to whatever you want, don’t be shy."