Chapter 15: New Intelligence: Early-Stage Cervical Cancer!

Creak, creak...

Jiang Tao trod unevenly through the snow as he made his way home.

First, he washed his face with hot water, then soaked his feet in another basin of warm water.

Only after soaking his feet did he climb into bed, snuggle under the covers, and open his phone to find a book to read.

Whenever he found a book that caught his interest, he bookmarked it, cast a monthly vote, and left a comment.

This way, he could help boost the author’s numbers, improving their chances of getting better recommendations.

The author would be more motivated to write, and he would enjoy reading all the more!

That’s how he spoiled these little authors on the platform.

Before long, it was midnight.

Jiang Tao closed the reading app and, on a whim, activated his intelligence system to check for new updates.

[Today’s Intelligence]: You had contact with He Fang yesterday and obtained the following information—

He Fang is currently in the early stages of cervical cancer. Early detection and treatment lead to better outcomes!

...

“What is this nonsense?”

Jiang Tao’s expression tightened sharply upon seeing the freshly updated intelligence.

His sister-in-law looked perfectly fine—how could she have cervical cancer?

The word “cancer” gripped his heart.

Thankfully, it was still early stage!

“I have to remind Brother Wang tomorrow! This can’t be ignored!”

“Late detection can be deadly!”

Just as the information indicated, cervical cancer’s treatment effect is far better when caught early, even curable.

The later it’s found, the harder it is to treat, and the higher the mortality rate.

“When I make some money, I have to get Mom, Xu Li, my mother-in-law, and sister-in-law vaccinated with the nine-valent vaccine!”

“This stuff is really...”

“Life is unpredictable. Sister-in-law looks so healthy, how could this happen...”

Though no money-making intelligence popped up today, Jiang Tao didn’t feel shortchanged.

He and Wang Lianming were from the same village and had worked together for over six years, their bond like that of brothers.

He Fang was also very kind to Jiang Tao.

Whenever they made dumplings, she would invite him over to eat.

Whether steamed buns or fried meatballs, Wang Lianming would bring some over for Jiang Tao.

While planning how to warn Brother Wang tomorrow, Jiang Tao lay on his pillow, drowsy, and soon fell asleep.

---

7 a.m. the next morning.

Jiang Tao was awakened by the alarm on his phone.

No extra intelligence income that day, he couldn’t bring himself to have lamb soup.

He simply cooked a packet of instant noodles at home and fried two eggs to make a meal.

After breakfast, he headed downstairs toward the village entrance where vehicles were parked.

Near the village entrance, Jiang Tao spotted a familiar figure.

Wang Lianming—Brother Wang!

It seemed Wang Lianming sensed someone behind him and turned just in time to meet Jiang Tao’s gaze.

“Xiao Jiang, are you trying to sneak up on me? Following quietly without a word!” Wang Lianming stopped and teasingly chided him with a smile.

“Hahaha, no, no—I was just lost in thought, a bit distracted.”

“Thinking about what?”

“Making money! The New Year’s coming soon, gotta earn more to go home and celebrate!”

Suddenly, Wang Lianming asked, “By the way, Jiang Tao, when are you planning to head home this year?”

Walking along, Jiang Tao replied, “Probably the 27th or 28th day of the twelfth lunar month. Depends on how things go.”

Wang Lianming said, “Then let’s set it for the 27th. Come over to my place—we’ll make dumplings! Invite Xiao Liu, Xiao Shan, Xiao Zhang, and the others too. It’ll be lively.”

Jiang Tao readily agreed, “Sounds good! It’s been a while since I’ve hung out with Xiao Liu and the gang. I’ll bring the wine!”

“You don’t have to be so polite with me. Just bring your mouth! When you come drink at my place, you’re not buying the wine!” Wang Lianming knew Jiang Tao’s financial situation wasn’t great this year and didn’t want him spending extra.

As they walked, he said, “By the way, if cash is tight during the New Year, I can lend you 20,000 yuan to tide you over. Pay me back when you can.”

...

Hearing Brother Wang offer money so willingly warmed Jiang Tao’s heart in the cold.

Brother Wang was truly a good man.

“Thanks, Brother Wang. If I really need it, I won’t hesitate to ask.”

“That’s right! No need for formalities among brothers,” Wang Lianming smiled, patting Jiang Tao’s shoulder. He was a dependable elder brother.

While chatting casually, Jiang Tao pondered how to broach the subject with him.

Approaching their trucks, Jiang Tao finally spoke up:

“By the way, Brother Wang, how’s Sister-in-law’s health lately? Has she had a checkup recently?”

“She’s healthy, why bother with checkups? That’s just throwing money at hospitals! If we had that spare cash, better to buy fruit and meat to eat ourselves,” Wang Lianming replied nonchalantly.

If it weren’t for the village’s strict push to collect cooperative medical insurance these past two years, he wouldn’t even pay that.

He and He Fang were pretty healthy—at most a few days of colds or fevers each year, easily cured with some medicine.

“You can’t say that, Brother Wang. Last night my wife called me. Three of her high school classmates were recently diagnosed with cervical cancer.”

“One early stage, two late stage. It’s terrifying!”

“As soon as I heard, I told her to take my mom, her mom, and her sister for checkups today. Spending a little is worth the peace of mind.”

Jiang Tao hastily concocted a story, vivid and believable, showing his knack for spinning tales.

“Damn, three in a row? Is that cancer really so common now?”

Hearing this, Wang Lianming’s heart skipped a beat, a chill running through him.

He had always thought cancer was something distant, nothing to worry about.

Now hearing it’s happening close to home, the feeling was entirely different.

“That’s true! Ever since the pandemic, everyone’s constitution has worsened. Diseases have increased,” Jiang Tao said as they walked.

“I plan to have Xu Li and my mom get checkups yearly from now on—consider it paying for peace of mind!”

Though he was fibbing, Jiang Tao genuinely intended to have Xu Li arrange checkups for both their parents.

He Fang’s cancer diagnosis had deeply affected him.

“Alright, after work tonight, I’ll talk to your sister-in-law and see what she thinks,” Wang Lianming said.

---

Jiang Tao added one last reminder: “Brother Wang, this matter must be taken seriously. Save where you can, but don’t skimp where you shouldn’t.”

“Alright, alright, I’ll listen to you this time. Gotta get to work,” Wang Lianming chuckled, patting Jiang Tao’s shoulder before striding toward his truck.

“Brother Wang, I can only remind you this much. Let’s hope your sister-in-law is lucky.”

Jiang Tao sighed, turning to his own truck to begin another day of hard labor.

---

Jiang Tao’s luck was decent today.

After a full day’s work, he earned over 700 yuan.

After deducting fuel and vehicle maintenance, his net profit was about 500 yuan.

“Damn it, out of fuel again.”

At day’s end, Jiang Tao saw the fuel gauge on empty once more.

No choice but to spend over 600 yuan filling the tank at his usual gas station.

Damn it—all his earnings today went straight back into the truck!

No wonder Xu Li often joked that the truck was Jiang Tao’s little mistress.

He spent far more on his “little mistress” than on his “big wife,” Xu Li.

Repairs, maintenance, fuel—the annual cost easily ran into tens of thousands.

Xu Li rarely even bought cosmetics, spending less than 10,000 yuan on herself annually.

After filling up, Jiang Tao asked his eldest sister for two towels and two packs of tissues.

Just as he was about to drive off with the freebies, a roaring, exaggerated gust of air came from behind.

In the rearview mirror, he saw a bright red Ferrari speeding past.

“Damn, some people really are rich!”

Looking at their “little mistress” compared to his own, Jiang Tao started the engine and drove off.

By the time he reached his small rented room by the Little Sand River, it was past seven in the evening.

On his way home, he had bought two pounds of loose frozen dumplings from Fat Dongdong Supermarket.

According to Yu Dongdong, these dumplings were handmade by several elderly women in the village and sold on consignment.

Whenever Jiang Tao craved dumplings, he bought two pounds—they tasted better than the big-brand frozen ones.

Back at the rental, he plugged in the electric hot pot, dropped the dumplings into cold water, and sprinkled some salt.

In less than eight minutes, the water boiled and the dumplings floated to the surface.

After boiling for another three minutes, Jiang Tao turned off the heat and scooped the dumplings into a bowl.

Just as he finished, Xu Li called him on video as usual to check in.

He placed the bowl on the table and swiped to answer.

Her image appeared on the screen.

“Hey, husband, why are you so late today? What’s for dinner?”

Seeing his wife instantly made Jiang Tao feel that his real wife was far more beautiful and charming.

“Today’s dinner—sister-in-law’s... no, dumplings. I was craving dumplings, so I bought some on the way home.”

“Hahaha, sister-in-law, my foot! You want to eat people, huh!”

Jiang Tao’s joke sent Xu Li into a fit of laughter.

His silly wife really had a low threshold for humor!