Chapter 253: Chapter 189: Give Gifts Often
Li Xiang found some time to discuss the plans for the third phase of the Shelter with the construction company again. He confirmed the general framework and had them continue to flesh out the details.
What they had sent over before was just a simple floor plan that established the general function and dimensions of the rooms. There was still a lot to design.
Creating a plan wasn’t something that could be finished in one or two meetings. And well, Li Xiang was the client now—the big boss!
The contractor would do everything in their power to perfect and satisfy any request made by the client.
...
Li Xiang tended to the vegetable garden, then went to check on the rice paddies.
The mid-season rice was growing splendidly, and the late-season rice he had sown earlier had also sprouted. The seedlings would be ready for transplanting in a few more days.
Li Xiang chatted with his grandmother, reminiscing about the fun they had harvesting the late-season rice last year, which made her beam. They decided to raise some rice paddy fish in the fields again this year. The fish didn’t grow very big, but they were exceptionally delicious.
If they could attract some wild black fish, that would be even better. Of course, buying black fish wouldn’t cost much, but it lacked the joy of an unexpected catch.
Li Xiang didn’t know where to buy the right kind of rice paddy fish fry, or where to find good quality fry at a fair price, so he called Jiang Jianguo to ask.
He felt a little guilty facing Uncle Jiang and Aunt Jiang now. After all, he and Cai’Er had become intimate, and he had even promised to make her his after her college entrance exams were over. He was afraid Uncle Jiang and Aunt Jiang would be angry if they found out.
Recalling his intimacy with Jiang Cai’Er, Li Xiang pursed his lips. He really missed the little lass; the feeling was intoxicating.
’But I can’t dwell on things like that. Thinking too much is a bit unbearable and leads to corruption.’ Li Xiang shook his head and focused on driving.
’I wonder how Jiang Cai’Er’s research into using her Superpower to connect to the internet is going. Has she succeeded yet?’
This pickup truck was usually driven by Yao Yao, and she kept the interior spotless. Though it was called a pickup, it was actually a hardcore, super-cool off-road vehicle. Yao Yao had wanted to come along, but the tavern was in the middle of a sales livestream, so she couldn’t get away.
She wasn’t livestreaming alone but with a group of young women. They went online almost every day using Li Xiang’s account, usually broadcasting in the afternoon and evening, taking turns with Zhao Xueqing.
As for Li Xiang himself, he only participated two or three times a week on average. Since he had been in Southeast Asia, he planned to stream a few extra times over the next few days.
Driving this cool and commanding pickup through the small town, Li Xiang turned many heads. People praised the truck, saying it must have cost a fortune.
In reality, the truck wasn’t that expensive—a little over 500,000 yuan. It would be considered average in a big city, but it was quite eye-catching in an economically underdeveloped town like this.
He bought the fish fry, then went to a distillery that made pure grain spirits. He purchased several jars of fine liquor, planning to give two to Jiang Jianguo and take the rest home to make Spirit Wine, which he would store in the cellar under his kitchen. After all, this was for his own future consumption.
The National Style Tavern also had a cellar, but it was mainly for storing red wine. The cellar’s racks were packed full. Yao Yao had even filmed a few dance videos down there—a beauty among the wine, a captivating sight.
It was worth noting that Yao Yao’s entire demeanor had rapidly improved since she started following Li Xiang. Perhaps it was because she was continuing her education, taking various courses to better herself. Or maybe it was the aesthetic influence of Zhao Xueqing and the others. It could have been her work environment, given the National Style Tavern’s classical and elegant decor. Perhaps it was because she was practicing classical dance more and clubbing less. It could also be that she was wealthy now and could afford higher-end clothes, or that she had grown into her role as a junior manager. All in all, her aura had elevated significantly.
However, her almond-shaped eyes remained endlessly enchanting and soul-stirring. Before, she had seemed purely wanton, but now a trace of purity had emerged within that wantonness. It was like Li Xiang’s rigid Staff Technique gaining an understanding of Soft Strength—the resulting charm was even more alluring.
Zhao Xueqing and Lei Xiaohui were much the same; their appearances had improved drastically compared to last year.
This was only natural. They were already attractive to begin with. Now, with a bit of styling, high-quality clothes and jewelry, and a fulfilling daily routine of study and work, their auras naturally elevated. A person’s environment shapes their character, and their lifestyle refines their bearing.
The same was true for Li Xiang. Compared to when he had just returned to the village last year, the difference was night and day.
He was a Tier Six Extraordinary Being, surrounded by beautiful women, with countless Spiritual Medicines and treasures in his system’s warehouse, and the system itself to back him up. Fortunately, he was a Reincarnator. He had experienced great hardship in his past life, forging a resilient mind capable of enduring solitude. An ordinary person would have long ago lost their way, becoming boundlessly arrogant, controlled by desire and indulgence. They would have lost their true self and invited all sorts of disaster.
It would even affect his cultivation.
’Cultivating power without cultivating the mind ultimately leads to evil, perhaps with some unimaginable consequences.’
’Legend says that all evil gods are beings who have lost their true selves and are controlled by desire.’
On his way back to the village, Li Xiang passed Jiang Jianguo’s house. He stopped the truck and carried the two jars of fine liquor inside.
Jiang Jianguo was surprised. "It’s not a holiday or festival. What are you bringing me liquor for?"
Li Xiang replied, "I thought it was good, so I bought some on a whim. Give it a try. It’s just for casual drinking, so please don’t mind it."
After a bit of back-and-forth, Jiang Jianguo couldn’t refuse him and had to accept the gift. Once Li Xiang left, Jiang Jianguo opened a jar and took a sip. He smacked his lips and couldn’t help but praise, "This is good liquor!"
As a long-time drinker, he could easily discern the quality of the white liquor. The one Li Xiang had given him was definitely a premium, very expensive vintage.
In fact, Li Xiang had given Jiang Jianguo a few bottles of good red wine before, but he wasn’t used to it. That’s why Li Xiang had specifically bought white liquor this time.
’Next time, I’ll get a few cases of Maotai for Uncle Jiang, but I’ll need to find the right opportunity.’
’Since Maotai has a clear, high price tag, Jiang Jianguo might not accept it.’
’Then I have to get something for Aunt Jiang, too. Jewelry, clothes, or a handbag? I don’t know what she likes. Cai’Er should be on break soon, I’ll ask her then.’
Li Xiang figured that if he gave them more gifts, and gave them frequently, then when the ’truth came out,’ Uncle Jiang and Aunt Jiang would have a harder time being tough on him. Maybe... they wouldn’t be as angry?
Besides, it was only right and proper to give gifts to his future father-in-law and mother-in-law.
When Li Xiang got home, his grandmother wasn’t there. She might have gone out to run errands or visit neighbors. Li Xiang went to the kitchen pantry and filled the rice container with Thai Fragrant Rice. Their old rice was almost gone and they needed to buy more anyway, so this saved him the trouble.
He had a full 100,000 tons of high-quality Thai rice in his system’s warehouse. Although it was stockpiled for the Apocalypse, he could take some out to eat now.
It was just the two of them plus some pets; they couldn’t eat that much anyway.
This rice hadn’t been collected directly from farmers but had come from major rice merchants and government granaries in Thailand. Before he made his move, he had secretly investigated and chosen to target only the callous and wealthy merchants.
