"Red Sorghum"

"Red Sorghum"

That afternoon, people from Qi Mao Network met with Jiang Hao. After examining the watch and confirming it was genuine, both sides signed a contract. Qi Mao Network was expanding its business, so it offered generous terms: the starting bid was set at 300,000, with no upfront fees. Jiang Hao would keep the watch himself, and they would only charge 3% of the final sale price as commission, including follow-up transaction services.

Jiang Hao kept an eye on the website. His watch had been placed on the homepage, and many people left comments saying they liked it but unfortunately couldn't afford it.

There was no frantic bidding. Most people were simply watching, after all, it was something worth hundreds of thousands. Jiang Hao felt a little uneasy too. It would be embarrassing if no one bought it. Finally, the next afternoon, someone made a bid, and Jiang Hao was relieved.

After that, the price slowly rose. Three days later, it settled at 358,000. The website staff brought the client over, and both parties inspected the watch again. The other side had brought an expert as well, and the deal was finalized.

After the commission was deducted, Jiang Hao received nearly 350,000.

Whether before or now, 350,000 was an enormous sum to Jiang Hao.

The first thing Jiang Hao did after receiving the money was transfer 20,000 to his family. It wasn't that he didn't want to send more; he was afraid of frightening his parents. Even so, his father still called him.

"Why did you suddenly send so much money home? Where did it come from?" Dad Jiang asked.

Jiang Hao smiled. "Dad, I closed a big deal. This is my commission and bonus, a reward from the company. There are plenty of places for the family to spend money, so I sent it over."

There was a pause on the other end before Dad Jiang said earnestly, "I know working away from home isn't easy. Don't wear yourself out, and don't deprive yourself too much."

"I know, Dad. I'm doing fine. Don't be reluctant to take your medicine. Your illness needs to be kept under control; you can't stop taking it. You and Mom shouldn't skimp on food either. Send my brother a little more for living expenses, and buy my little sister a couple of new outfits. I'll definitely earn more in the future. I can support my brother and sister through school and provide for you and Mom." Jiang Hao said.

"This illness of mine is really nothing. It just drags everyone down and keeps me from working," Dad Jiang said.

"Dad, listen to me. Take your medicine properly. When I go home, I'll take you to a better hospital. Rheumatoid arthritis isn't some incurable disease. It should be treatable," Jiang Hao said.

After he finished talking with his father, his mother took the phone and reminded him of various things, telling him to take good care of himself while living alone outside. Jiang Hao kept agreeing, and it took more than ten minutes before they finally hung up.

Jiang Hao's home was in the countryside. His parents were honest-to-goodness farmers. He also had a younger brother and sister. His brother was in his final year of high school and would take the college entrance exam next year, while his sister was still in her first year of high school. The family's burden was not small.

Fortunately, Dad Jiang had carpentry skills and worked on construction sites. He supported the family and put Jiang Hao and his siblings through school with that trade. But the year before last, his father was suddenly diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. It was an extremely troublesome disease, and to this day there was no particularly effective treatment anywhere in the world. He could only take medicine to maintain his condition and ease the pain.

In truth, his father had probably developed the illness two years earlier. At first, it was back pain. Later, his body grew stiff and his joints swelled. But Dad Jiang endured it all and hid his condition, just to save on medical expenses for his children's education. The year before last, his hands became deformed, and he truly could no longer continue working. Only then did he have no choice but to return home.

With the family's income gone and his father needing treatment, their lives suddenly fell into hardship. Fortunately, Jiang Hao was about to graduate. He needed to earn money, so he had no time to wait around and choose. He plunged headfirst into the ranks of insurance salesmen.

Jiang Hao clenched his fists. From now on, I'll support this family.

After settling his family matters, it was time to think about housing.

Before, he hadn't had enough money for rent and had been preparing to rent a basement. Now that he had money, he certainly didn't need to live in one anymore. Looking around the tiny room, Jiang Hao felt it was absolutely necessary to move somewhere else.

It wasn't that he disliked this place. Now that he was doing collection missions, he needed a secure, private space of his own.

Then he would indulge himself a little and rent an apartment.

He had always hoped that when he woke up each day, sunlight would fill his room.

Finding a place himself might be cheaper, while a rental agency would charge a service fee and cost a little more. But to save time and trouble, Jiang Hao decided to use an agency.

"What kind of place are you looking for, sir?" the rental agent asked Jiang Hao with a smile. They had a specific title for it: rental consultant.

"A one-bedroom apartment, around fifty square meters. Fully furnished and ready to move into. Most importantly, it needs plenty of sunlight, and the residential complex should be quiet and safe," Jiang Hao said.

The staff member smiled. He hadn't even asked about the price. This was a premium client.

"No problem. I'll search for available listings right away. Please wait a moment."

Jiang Hao's requirements were nothing unusual. This sort of apartment was easy to find. As long as one had money, nothing was a problem. Before long, the agent found several listings and introduced them to Jiang Hao one by one.

After looking at a few places, Jiang Hao finally chose one. It was sixty-three square meters, luxuriously furnished and renovated, with broadband and Wi-Fi, furniture, a bed, washing machine, air conditioner, refrigerator, bathroom, water heater, kitchen, television, sofa, heating, wardrobe—everything was included. It was truly move-in ready.

Sunlight streamed into the room, making the apartment feel warm and cozy. Looking down from the window, he could even see the distant outline of the Han River.

The complex was three years old, and the apartment was in a high-rise building. The monthly rent was 3,500. That was certainly not cheap in Binhai City. Jiang Hao valued more than just the apartment; he also valued the property management. Security here was fairly strict. Visitors had to register at the entrance, and drivers needed access cards.

He had secrets on him, so the safety of the residential complex was extremely important.

After moving into his new home, Jiang Hao decided to celebrate with a housewarming drink. He went to a hotpot restaurant on a nearby street and ate to his heart's content, drank two bottles of beer, then took a couple of walks along the road outside the complex to look around the neighborhood. When he got home, he took a hot shower and lay peacefully on the large bed. It felt wonderful.

When he woke up, sunlight was shining into the room.

Jiang Hao opened his eyes and saw Fly Whisk drifting lazily in the sunlight. He grinned and blew at Fly Whisk, sending it fluttering through the air.

"Hehehe, this is great."

Just then, the system suddenly issued a new mission notification.

"Ding~ System notification: A client watched the movie 'Red Sorghum' and wants to taste sorghum liquor. An order has been placed for one hundred jars of sorghum liquor."

"Requirement: the finest sorghum liquor from the movie."

"Mission: Enter the world of 'Red Sorghum' and collect one hundred jars of sorghum liquor. Would the Collector like to accept the order?"

After reading the mission, Jiang Hao did not accept it immediately like he had last time. He closed the system panel, opened Migu on his computer, and started playing the movie "Red Sorghum."

Although it was a film from 1987, and thirty years had passed, it still had plenty of flavor. However, Jiang Hao also noticed that the movie carried a certain level of danger. There were bandits in it, and Japanese devils appeared at the end.

Jiang Hao felt that he needed to improve his fighting skills.