Chapter 685 - 326: Playing Golf with Old Du! (2)
After the client manager agreed, he took out a walkie-talkie from his pocket and started arranging the dishes for Du Taoming.
"You little rascal, being so secretive, what’s this all about? Can you finally spill the beans now?"
Du Taoming looked at Jiang Tao, his smile was warm and approachable, just like an elder looking at a younger family member.
Du Taoming was quite fond of this godfather of his granddaughter.
If it weren’t for her godfather, she wouldn’t be as healthy and happy as she is now.
"It’s about the matters at Action Education. Thanks, Old Du, for backing me up this time."
While speaking, Jiang Tao pulled out a bank card from his pocket and placed it on the table, flicking it with his finger.
Swoosh~
The bank card slid smoothly across the table to stop right in front of Du Taoming, the force controlled perfectly.
"What do you mean by this, kid?"
Du Taoming glanced at the bank card, then looked back at Jiang Tao, asking somewhat puzzled.
"There’s a bit of a gesture of apology from Ma Jingsong in this card."
"Old Du, since you helped me out, it’s more fitting for you to have this gesture of goodwill from Ma Jingsong."
Jiang Tao maintained a calm expression, showing no signs of distress over losing this million.
To be honest, he never planned to keep this money all to himself from the start.
At the moment, he’s not really short of this hundred or eighty grand.
"Haha, are you really going to be so formal with me? Just take it."
Du Taoming said as he flicked his fingers, pushing the bank card back toward Jiang Tao.
Only, his grasp of force wasn’t as good as Jiang Tao’s.
The card stopped more than a meter away from Jiang Tao.
"Speaking of which, I should thank you too."
"Because of the stir you caused, we managed to secure some discounts on our collaboration project with Action Education."
"This way, we can save quite a bit by the end of the year."
Du Taoming smiled at Jiang Tao, feeling more satisfied with his granddaughter’s godfather.
Judging from his knowledge of Ma Jingsong and the crew at Action Education.
There must be at least several tens of thousands to possibly a million in that card.
Jiang Tao could have pocketed it all himself, but he didn’t.
This action of Jiang Tao greatly increased his score in Du Taoming’s mind, making him feel lucky his daughter has such a friend.
"Oh, I’m really embarrassed."
Though Jiang Tao said he was embarrassed, he wasn’t at all courteous in action and promptly took the bank card back, slipping it into his pocket.
"You cheeky kid, making off with the gains while playing coy."
Du Taoming pointed at Jiang Tao, shaking his head as he chuckled, saying:
"This meal is on you today then."
Jiang Tao laughed heartily and said: "Of course, Old Du. Order whatever you like, let’s eat and drink well today at lunch."
Du Taoming joked: "That’s what you say. Then let’s try a bottle of ’82 Lafite? It’s been a while since I had good wine."
"One bottle isn’t enough, make it two!"
"A bottle of 1982 Lafite only costs around ten grand, just consider it as a treat from Ma Jingsong!"
"Waiter, bring two bottles of Lafite, the 1982 kind. Do you have them here?"
Jiang Tao had managed to get 1 million from Ma Jingsong, and was willing to spend twenty grand to treat Du Taoming to a meal and drinks.
"Why are you so earnest? Can’t you tell I was joking? I still have two bottles at home, come over one day, and we’ll drink them."
Seeing Jiang Tao agree so readily, Du Taoming quickly waved his hand to stop him.
The waiter, hearing Jiang Tao’s call, looked at the two of them, waiting for their final decision.
"Drinking at your place would be your treat, but this time I’m treating you, let’s keep it separate."
"Bring the wine, miss."
Jiang Tao looked at the client manager who had just entered, his tone was firm.
"Sure, sir! Please wait a moment!"
The waiter was overjoyed when she saw Du Taoming didn’t stop him, and turned to go arrange the wine.
It took less than fifteen minutes.
Several waiters pushed two small carts into the private dining room.
The ten dishes Du Taoming ordered in advance, along with the two bottles of 1982 Lafite that Jiang Tao just ordered, were brought to the table.
The two old pals each uncorked a bottle of Lafite and began to indulge.
Having navigated in the business world for decades, Du Taoming had an extraordinary tolerance for alcohol.
Currently, Jiang Tao’s constitution had soared over 160, and his overall physical capabilities far exceeded those of ordinary people.
A bottle of red wine was no big deal for him; after finishing it, he appeared untouched.
Aside from a bit of wine aroma, there was no sign of intoxication.
The meal, starting around noon, continued until well past 2 PM.
Having wined and dined to their heart’s content, Du Taoming suggested they play a few rounds of golf at the estate’s recreation area.
Jiang Tao had never engaged in such elite recreational activities, but he was willing to accompany the gentleman.
As the highest-ranking member there, Du Taoming had a private changing area.
He spent over a thousand yuan to buy Jiang Tao a new set of golf attire.
And more than eight thousand for a set of golf clubs.
After changing into their gear, the two of them rode in a golf cart to an open course.
"Old Du, I’ve never played this before. I’m not familiar with the rules, so you’ll have to go easy on me."
As Jiang Tao selected a club to fit his hand, he joked with Du Taoming.
"The rules are simple: the one who uses the fewest strokes to get the ball into the final hole wins."
"Use a wooden club to tee off, for mid to long distance, use that iron club you’re holding."
As he received his driver from the caddy, Du Taoming explained some basic golf knowledge to Jiang Tao.
"Use the fewest strokes to get it in the hole?"
After hearing Old Du’s introduction, Jiang Tao displayed a thoughtful expression.
"Exactly, there are 18 holes in total, with a standard par of 4, so if you get it in each hole within 4 strokes, that’s par."
"If it takes you 5 strokes, it’s a ’bogey,’ and 6 strokes is a ’double bogey.’"
"In short, do your best to use the fewest strokes possible to sink the ball into each hole consecutively."
"If it takes you more than 10 strokes to get it in, I’ll be laughing at you, hahaha."
Facing rookie Jiang Tao, who knew nothing about golf, Du Taoming was notably patient, even happier than when playing with other golf buddies.
"Now I understand, more or less. Let’s begin."
Jiang Tao swung the club in his hand, eyeing a small hole on a flat green with a little flag not far away.
"See there? The green with the flag is called the ’green,’ watch as I show you how to get it on the green in one stroke."
"Set the ball up, young lady."
With an air of confidence, Du Taoming told Jiang Tao, before turning to instruct a young female caddy in golf attire and a red cap to set the ball.
The young lady, after receiving Du Taoming’s nod, ran to the tee area and skillfully placed a new golf ball on the tee.
With a commanding stride, Du Taoming stepped forward, gauging the distance, and loosened up his arms and torso a bit.
"Watch closely, Xiao Jiang, my stroke will be impressive."
After saying this to Jiang Tao with a grin, Du Taoming gripped the club with both hands, his body slightly twisted, and his arms lifted the club high.
Clang!!!
The club’s head struck the golf ball on the tee with force.
The impacted golf ball soared off in an arc, traveling at least 180 meters!
The hole type Du Taoming chose today was a par-4, with distances between holes around 242 meters.
He hit a pretty good shot.
He must practice quite often.
"Did you catch that, Xiao Jiang? Use the driver like I did just now to hit the ball. It’s simple."
Having hit a good shot, Du Taoming felt elated and turned to Jiang Tao, encouraging him with a smile.
"It doesn’t seem too difficult; let me give it a try."
As Jiang Tao extended his hand, the caddy assisting him handed over a 1-wood driver.
After handing over the club, the caddy diligently went to the tee area to set up the ball.
Jiang Tao took a few strides to the tee-off area, casting a glance at the fluttering little flag on the distant green.
The spot right before the flag marked the location of the first hole.
Having assessed the distance, Jiang Tao mimicked Du Taoming’s earlier actions, twisting his waist and swinging his club to hit the ball!
Clang!!!!
With a resounding blast, the golf ball on the tee surged away like a bullet ejected from a gun!
With a constitution of 160+, Jiang Tao’s strength was astonishingly formidable.