Chapter 119: Boss Su Has Quite a Few Business Partners
“You say you’re fine—good. But I can’t believe it.”
“I need to see it with my own eyes.”
…
Su Tao was suddenly pulled into a tight embrace, the overwhelming scent of blood filling her senses.
“You’re injured?”
She snapped out of the intimate atmosphere in an instant, instinctively reaching to unbutton his military uniform, searching for the wound.
Shi Zijin immediately grabbed her wrist, his expression unreadable.
“…Looks like you’re indeed unharmed.”
Su Tao grew anxious.
“Where are you hurt? Why is the scent of blood so strong?”
She started to sit up, wanting to check for injuries elsewhere.
Shi Zijin, now back to his usual composed self, pressed a large hand against her face and gently pushed her back onto the hospital bed.
“Stay put and rest. I’m not injured—it’s all someone else’s blood.”
When the call came in, they had just finished a brutal battle.
Hearing this, Su Tao finally felt relieved. She was about to ask how he had come back so suddenly and what would happen to the convoy now.
But before she could say anything, the hospital room door swung open.
Standing at the entrance was Pei Dong.
The moment she saw Shi Zijin, her expression changed drastically.
“Why are you back?”
Shi Zijin ignored the question and shifted the topic.
“Vice Officer Pei, capture the perpetrators as soon as possible. Keep them locked up until I return to handle them personally.”
Pei Dong frowned.
“Rest assured, we already have leads. However, given the distance you traveled, Zhou Hai and Zhou Yang must have exhausted their abilities. They won’t be able to use their powers again for a while. If any danger arises, how will the convoy escape? Major General Shi, you were too reckless.”
Su Tao opened her mouth but didn’t know what to say.
She hadn’t expected such a heavy price.
Guilt and gratitude surged in equal measure.
Shi Zijin’s expression remained cold and resolute.
“If there’s danger, I’ll stay behind to cover them. You just focus on handling things within the city.”
Pei Dong noticed his displeasure and chose not to press further.
Su Tao tugged at Shi Zijin’s sleeve.
“I know you’re worried, but please don’t do this again. If anything happens to the convoy, I’ll feel guilty for the rest of my life. And… I don’t want to see you staying behind alone. That’s not covering the rear—that’s tearing my heart apart.”
Shi Zijin flicked her forehead lightly.
“Don’t worry, I know my limits. And you—stay alert. Even on your own turf, never let your guard down.”
Hearing this, Su Tao’s anger flared up again.
This time, the enemy had exploited a loophole. The AI security system couldn’t detect the bomb, and those people simply dumped the corpse and fled without attacking or even touching the walls of Taoyang.
“But don’t worry too much. The culprits should be caught soon. In the meantime, Pei Dong will have patrols stationed around Taoyang.”
Su Tao felt relieved and asked, “Are you leaving again?”
“Yes. I have to leave early tomorrow morning.”
Pei Dong, listening on the side, couldn’t help but worry. The round trip meant Zhou Hai and Zhou Yang wouldn’t be able to use their teleportation abilities for at least half a month.
But Shi Zijin had no choice—he was the backbone of the convoy, their pillar of support.
Pei Dong sighed and turned to Su Tao, his voice softening unconsciously.
“How are you feeling now?”
Su Tao shook her head. “Just occasional headaches, but nothing serious.”
Pei Dong nodded. “Then you should be fine. I came to tell you that a mercenary group arrived this morning. They call themselves ‘Leopard Path.’ Their captain said you were their employer. They have someone named Wu Zhen with them.”
Su Tao’s spirit lifted. “Yes, I hired them. How’s Wu Zhen’s wife and child?”
Pei Dong shook her head. “You might want to check your communicator.”
Zhuang Wan handed the device to Su Tao at the right moment.
“There were a lot of calls. I didn’t dare answer them for you, so I just left a message saying you were unavailable and asked them to call back in the afternoon.”
Su Tao opened it and saw a flood of missed calls.
A third of them were from Lei Xing, while the rest were from Gu Mingchi…
Shi Zijin glanced over and commented dryly, “Boss Su, you sure have a lot of business partners.”
Su Tao suddenly felt guilty and laughed awkwardly. “Haha, it’s all business. No personal connections.”
Shi Zijin raised an eyebrow. “Then call them back.”
Bracing herself, Su Tao first dialed Lei Xing.
He answered immediately. “No way, Boss Su! Did you forget we’re arriving in Dongyang today? I was starting to think you just didn’t want to give me my welcome gift and planned to freeload off me!”
Shi Zijin turned to Su Tao, his expression clearly questioning: You even give welcome gifts?
Feeling the pressure, Su Tao covered the communicator and whispered to him, “He’s talking nonsense! It’s just the payment for his commission. Don’t overthink it. We’re just business partners—there’s no need for a welcome gift.”
Shi Zijin remained serious. “I’m not overthinking. No need to explain.”
Su Tao internally complained: Then what was that look just now? A full-on interrogation!
Lei Xing called out, “Boss Su? You there?”
“Yeah, I’m here.”
Su Tao didn’t mention her injuries, just said she had been delayed and told him to rest at the Dongyang guesthouse for the night and head to Taoyang in the morning.
Lei Xing didn’t seem too bothered. “Alright, see you tomorrow then. But your guy, Wu Zhen, isn’t in a good state of mind. I’m afraid he won’t be able to handle the news that his wife and kid didn’t make it. He might try something drastic tonight. You should send someone to take him away and keep an eye on him. Of course, if you want me to handle it, it’ll cost extra.”
Su Tao felt a headache coming on. “His wife and kid didn’t make it?”
Lei Xing sounded regretful but wasn’t truly sympathetic.
“They passed away last night. Their wounds got infected, and they had high fevers for days. We couldn’t find a doctor while traveling. Nothing could be done. I thought he was mentally prepared, but he completely lost it the night they died—tried to jump out of the vehicle.”
“I’m a professional, though. No way I’d let a mission target die on my watch. So, I tied him up and stuffed something in his mouth. When we entered the city, your guards thought I was a kidnapper.”
Su Tao rubbed her temples. “I’ll send someone to pick him up tonight.”
After hanging up, Su Tao informed Old Mei about the situation.
Old Mei was momentarily stunned, then let out a deep sigh. “That’s fate… Let Xiao Zhen stay in my room tonight. I’ll talk to him.”
“That’s the best option. Thank you, Old Mei, for helping him through this.”
If Wu Zhen truly lost his will to live, it would be such a tragedy…
Hearing the whole story, Pei Dong immediately made a call to arrange for someone to pick up Wu Zhen. Afterward, he turned back to Su Tao.
“What about his wife and child’s bodies?”
Another headache-inducing problem…
Su Tao asked, “Is there a place to store them? If we cremate them now, Wu Zhen will probably commit seppuku in front of me.”
Pei Dong nodded. “Alright, I’ll have the bodies transported for preservation. If we don’t handle them soon, the heat will make them rot quickly. Don’t worry about it—just focus on resting.”
But Su Tao couldn’t relax. She was still worried about Xuedao, so she had Zhuang Wan and Shi Zijin help her go check on it.
Fortunately, Xuedao woke up quickly. It had several abrasions from the explosion’s impact.
If it hadn’t shielded Su Tao, those wounds would have been hers.
Her heart ached as she hugged Xuedao tightly, unwilling to let go.
Pei Dong patted Su Tao’s shoulder. “It’ll be fine. It’s survived much worse injuries before and always pulled through.”
Then, like she had done in past training sessions, she rewarded Xuedao for its loyalty and bravery.
Xuedao perked up, wagging its tail furiously.
If not for its injured leg, it would have been running in circles around them.
Su Tao stroked its head. “It’s getting old… It can’t keep getting hurt. I’ve noticed it’s been lying down and sleeping more often lately.”
That night, Su Tao insisted on returning to Taoyang instead of staying in the hospital.
Shi Zijin had no choice but to drive her home.
But the moment they arrived at Taoyang’s gates, Su Tao spotted someone standing at the entrance with a suitcase, looking like he had been kicked out of his home.
It was Zhong Gaoyi.
“Dr. Zhong?”
Su Tao checked the date—it was only the 3rd.
But Gu Mingchi had told her he’d come for his medical rounds on the 10th…
Zhong Gaoyi saw Shi Zijin behind her and dared not reveal the truth—that Boss Gu was worried about Su Tao, couldn’t reach her by phone, and had kicked him out as a scout.
