Tang Hao was slightly worried about what Shabby Taoist Master told him.
His current level of cultivation was in the late period of the State of Qi Channeling. It was quite remarkable for someone his age; not many people from Mao Mountain were at his level.
He had to thank the Liquid of Spiritual Condensation and the two spirit stones for that.
However, he was aware that somewhere out there were more powerful individuals from the State of Foundation Establishment. Thankfully, they were exceedingly rare, and he might never meet them, but he was nonetheless pressured by their possible existence.
He had to reach the State of Foundation Establishment as fast as he could so that he could become stronger and protect himself and the people he cared for.
Tang Hao pondered over the matter on his drive back to Westridge District.
The Taoist Masters would wail about the unfairness of it all if they knew what he was thinking.
They had cultivated for all their lives and could never wish for a breakthrough into the State of Foundation Establishment. However, Tang Hao was almost there at eighteen years old.
Tang Hao did some rough estimations and calculated that he would be able to reach the next state any time soon with his current speed of advancement.
Progress was slow in the late period of his current state.
“Well, I’ll do my best!” Tang Hao muttered.
Nothing much happened in the next few days.
Every day, he cultivated, crafted talismans, and attended to various matters in his company.
Bingji Beauty Cream was finally launched after almost a month of preparations. The company had run many advertising campaigns leading up to the product launch. With the established popularity of the weight loss tea, the next product of Haotian Health Products Development Co. Ltd. was poised to be a bestseller.
Orders came in like snowflakes in a blizzard.
They predicted that the beauty cream could be easily as popular as the weight loss tea.
To ease into college life, Tang Hao bought many textbooks and crammed his brain with knowledge of various subjects.
Vice Governor He had told him that he needed to take his own exams. He was expelled in his second year of high school, and he lagged behind when compared to other people of his age. He would be looked down upon if he did not catch up with his studies.
Fortunately, he had a strong memory. Learning the subjects, including English, was all too easy for him.
Another four days passed in the blink of an eye.
While Tang Hao was driving past the east of town, he suddenly remembered about Uncle Li. Uncle Li’s delivery center should be nearby.
He used to work there. He was very familiar with the surroundings because he passed by that place every day.
It had been three and a half months since he quit his last job.
He felt sentimental revisiting his old workplace.
Back then, he went around riding on his little three-wheeled motorcycle. He would not have expected that his life would change so drastically.
He had always been grateful to Uncle Li for helping him in his toughest times.
He thought he should pay Uncle Li a visit since he was around.
He bought many cigarettes, fine liquor, and gift hampers before going to the delivery center.
He parked his car in front of the delivery center, which attracted many curious eyes.
An Audi A8 was considered a luxury car for normal people.
Tang Hao got out of the car. He looked at the delivery center and noticed that it had not changed for the past three and a half months.
Tang Hao went into the store and was surprised to find that Uncle Li was not there.
“Good afternoon. Are you here to deliver a package?” A young man in his twenties came over and asked Tang Hao.
He furrowed his brows and inspected Tang Hao as he spoke.
He felt that the person in front of him looked incredibly familiar, as though they had met before. However, he was not too sure about that when he saw the car parked outside.
He knew the car cost about one million yuan, which meant that the person in front of him was rich, and not the delivery boy who used to work with him.
Tang Hao smiled when he saw the young man looking confused. “Why, don’t you recognize me anymore, Brother Dong?”
“You are…?” Chen Dong became even more confused.
“I’m Tang Hao!”
Chen Tong’s eyes opened round and wide. “You… You’re really Tang Hao?” After a long while, he said incredulously.
He was trying to reconcile the mental images of the rich young man who drove a luxury car and the delivery boy who used to be his colleague.
As far as he could remember, the Tang Hao in the past was poorer than him and used to dress rather shabbily. He was almost always seen in a wrinkled white button-down shirt and his shoes had holes in them.
The Tang Hao he knew did not talk much, but he was a diligent worker and was friendly toward the other workers.
Now, he could not recognize him anymore.
He was still dressed rather plainly, but he carried a different aura with him. With the A8 outside, he had probably struck a gold mine.
‘This Tang Hao hadn’t quit his job for long! Isn’t it only less than four months?
‘How did he change so much in these four months? What opportunities were presented to him?’
“It’s me, of course!” Tang Hao said with a smile.
He took out a cigarette from his pocket and handed it over.
Chen Dong was still shocked when he took the cigarette.
He was still trying to process the information.
The news was too big of a shock to him. He finally came to his senses a long while later, and his face displayed a look of admiration.
He guessed that Tang Hao must have had a fortuitous encounter and had become rich.
He smiled widely and said eagerly, “You seem loaded, Lil Tang! What are you doing now?”
“I’ve started my own company!” Tang Hao said, “Right, where’s Uncle Li?”
Chen Dong’s expression stiffened, then became glum.
“What’s wrong?” Tang Hao was shocked. “Did something happen to Uncle Li?”
Chen Dong shook his head. “It’s not Uncle Li, but Auntie Zhang. She’s sick!”
Tang Hao furrowed his brows. Auntie Zhang was Uncle Li’s wife. Just like Uncle Li, she was kind and diligent.
Tang Hao had been to Uncle Li’s house for dinner a few times, and he met Auntie Zhang before.
As far as he knew, Auntie Zhang fell sick easily, and she had gone to the hospital many times.
“What disease?” Tang Hao asked.
“I think it’s called… uremia? It’s quite serious.” Chen Dong had a face full of pity and sighed. “Sigh! Auntie Zhang is a good person! It’s not fair that she’s hit by this illness.
“I’ve heard that uremia is a serious illness. Furthermore, the treatment costs a lot of money. Uncle Li’s son was preparing to be married, but they had to postpone it because of his mother’s illness.”
Tang Hao’s expression changed.
Uremia was not as serious and deadly as cancer, but it was very difficult and costly to treat.
Uncle Li had saved up some money from his business, but it would not have been enough for treating his wife’s illness and funding his son’s wedding.
Tang Hao thought for a while and asked, “Where’s Uncle Li now?”
“He should be at the hospital. Auntie Zhang’s condition wasn’t very well for the past few days, and she’s been staying in the hospital since,” Chen Dong said.
“Thanks. I’ll look for him at the hospital!”
Tang Hao turned around and went into his car, then drove to the hospital.
He arrived at the hospital and asked for Auntie Zhang’s room.
