Chapter 8: Intelligence Updated, First Prize for Qinghua Lang Liquor! (Please keep reading!)

As the clock struck midnight, Jiang Tao instantly sprang to life, frantically refreshing his system interface.

After the tenth refresh, new intelligence finally appeared!

[Intelligence for Today]: You went shopping at Pang Dongdong Supermarket yesterday and obtained the following intelligence—
There are three boxes of Qinghualang liquor on the shelves at Pang Dongdong Supermarket that contain first-prize winning codes (Marked!), with a total value of 7,500 yuan!

"Oh, wow..."
Seeing the intelligence refreshed for the day, Jiang Tao felt even more wide awake.
No way, Qinghualang, are you for real? You actually have a grand prize?
And to think there are three boxes with first-prize winners on the shelves at Pang Dongdong Supermarket!
What kind of heaven-defying luck is this?
Buy it, I must buy it!

As for the cost...
Yesterday at the supermarket, I heard Yu Dongdong say that a bottle costs 1,499 yuan, right?
Buying three bottles would cost 4,500 yuan. Not only would I get three bottles of liquor worth 4,500 yuan, but I would also win three first prizes!
By the time I sell the three high-quality bottles won from the prizes, I'll make a nice little profit!
As for the three bottles I paid 1,499 for, if I can sell them, I'll sell them along with the others; if not, that’s fine too.
The New Year is coming up anyway—one bottle for myself, one for my dad, and one for my father-in-law, it will be perfectly divided.
During the holidays, it’s only right to show some filial piety to the elders and reward myself for a year of hard work!

"The supermarket is closed right now, so I’ll just have to go early tomorrow morning!"
"If this goes well, I'll make a tidy sum!"
"This intelligence system is just too incredible!"
Looking at the azure virtual screen suspended in the void before him, Jiang Tao felt as if a broad road to happiness had unfolded right before his eyes.
"Sleep, sleep, get to sleep, I need to go to the supermarket early tomorrow and get my hands on those three bottles!"

After the excitement subsided, Jiang Tao put down his phone, tucked himself into bed, turned off the lights, and went to sleep. Lying on his pillow, his mind filled with the scene of winning the grand prize three times in a row, he drifted off into a hazy slumber.

He slept until 7:00 AM, when he was awakened by his phone alarm. He turned it off, got out of bed, and used the water in his thermos to wash his face. After changing his clothes, he headed out. He stopped at a breakfast shop on the street to grab a bite—a steamer of xiaolongbao and a bowl of wonton soup left him feeling warm and satisfied.

Lighting a cigarette after his meal, Jiang Tao began walking toward Pang Dongdong Supermarket.

At this hour in the morning, the streets were filled with commuters rushing to work, and very few people were heading to the supermarket to buy liquor. Realizing this, Jiang Tao felt a bit less anxious.

"Stay calm, stay calm. It’s just a small situation, what’s there to get so excited about!"
As the supermarket came into view, Jiang Tao took a few deep breaths to steady his emotions. He rubbed his face vigorously with both hands to relax his expression before walking toward the entrance.

Upon entering, he saw Yu Dongdong sitting behind the counter, happily enjoying a steaming jianbing guozi.
Jiang Tao greeted him with a smile, "Good morning, Boss Yu. Having breakfast?"
"Just a quick bite. Are you heading out for a drive, Master Jiang?" Yu Dongdong replied with a cheerful grin.
Out of the dozen supermarkets in Little Shahe, his was the most successful, a fact largely owed to his warm and outgoing personality.

Jiang Tao laughed, "Yes, I was passing by and thought I'd come in and take a look at that Qinghualang liquor you mentioned yesterday."
"Oh? How many bottles are you planning to take, Master Jiang?" Yu Dongdong’s interest was immediately piqued.
His cousin-in-law was a regional sales representative for Qinghualang and had asked him to help push the product. However, most of the people living in Little Shahe were working-class, and only a few could afford liquor at that price point. His cousin-in-law had sent over ten cases yesterday, and Yu Dongdong hadn't made a single sale yet.

Jiang Tao smiled, "I'll try my luck with one bottle first! After you mentioned it could win a prize yesterday, I even dreamed about winning one last night."
"Hahaha! That’s what they call 'thinking about it by day and dreaming about it by night.' It sounds like you’re in for some good fortune, Master Jiang! Pick whichever one you like and let’s see how your luck holds up!"
Hearing this, Yu Dongdong understood why he was buying the liquor. It was only natural. Dreams might be ethereal, but they often influenced a person’s behavior. For instance, if Jiang Tao dreamed he won, he might spend the whole day thinking about it, wondering if the heavens were giving him a hint. In reality, it was nothing more than his brain playing tricks on him.

Jiang Tao looked at the six boxes of Qinghualang on the shelf.
Sure enough!
Within his field of vision, three of the boxes seemed to glow, clearly distinct from the others. This must be what the system meant by "Marked"!
"The second box from the left! Boss Yu, please get me that one!"
Jiang Tao resisted the urge to take all three winning boxes at once, deciding to buy one first to keep up appearances. It was early, there were no other customers in the shop, and no one would snatch it from him.

"If you win a grand prize, Master Jiang, this bottle is basically free! I’ll go get it for you." Yu Dongdong said with a chuckle, walking over to the shelf and standing on his tiptoes to retrieve the box. "It’s 1,499. You’ll need to pay first before opening it, then use your phone to scan the QR code inside the cap."

"Alright! Let's take a gamble!"
At that moment, Jiang Tao acted as if possessed by a veteran actor, calmly scanning his phone to pay the 1,499 yuan.
After the transaction, he opened the box and unscrewed the cap. Inside was a QR code—each one was unique and could only be scanned once.

"Whew..."
Taking a deep breath, Jiang Tao opened his WeChat scanner and scanned the code inside the cap with a soft *ding*.

[Congratulations, you have won a first prize!]

"I won!"
Seeing the result on the screen, Jiang Tao exclaimed in excitement. Although he had known the outcome beforehand, seeing it with his own eyes was still incredibly thrilling! At this moment, his reaction was completely genuine; there was no acting involved at all.

"What prize? Let me see!" Curious, Yu Dongdong leaned over to look at his phone.
"Holy crap! No way! A first prize!!"
"Master Jiang, your luck is just too good!!"
Seeing the winning notification on the screen, Yu Dongdong’s face was filled with utter astonishment.

Jiang Tao laughed heartily, "Hahaha, it’s exactly like the dream I had! I really won the first prize! Thank you so much, Boss Yu! If it weren't for you, I never would have won this grand prize!"

"..." Yu Dongdong’s mouth twitched, feeling speechless.
*Thank me for what?*
If I had known there was a first prize in there, I would have opened it myself! How would it have ever been your turn?
Of course, he knew this was purely a matter of luck. He figured this Master Jiang must just be naturally blessed.

Jiang Tao asked, "By the way, Boss Yu, where do I claim the prize?"
Yu Dongdong replied, "You can claim it right here. I’ll contact the regional sales rep later and have them drop off the prize when they have a chance."
Jiang Tao smiled, "Alright! That’s a lot of trouble, Boss Yu. Just let me know when it arrives, and I’ll come pick it up."

Yu Dongdong, seeing an opportunity, urged him, "Since your luck is so good, Master Jiang, why not go for another bottle? You might just win another one!"
"Sure! Let’s go for another! I want that box!"
Hearing the shopkeeper set the stage for him, Jiang Tao immediately seized the opportunity. He pointed his finger at another one of the glowing boxes of Qinghualang.