Chapter 126: Boss Gu, Which Side Are You On in This Business?
Su Tao paused for a moment before asking, “Who said I haven’t left Taoyang?”
Gu Mingchi replied, “You only went out to buy some meat, and even then, you barely bought anything because you didn’t have enough contribution points.”
Su Tao immediately snapped, “Why do you love spying so much? You know my every move—what exactly are you up to?”
Gu Mingchi remained composed. “Don’t try to change the subject. If you never left Taoyang, then how did someone see you at Panliu Mountain?”
“Su Tao, this isn’t as simple as you think. Tan Yong is extremely petty and vengeful, and his subordinates with abilities are no joke. If you really built that supply station at Panliu Mountain, you’ve just cut into his profits.”
Su Tao was silent for a moment before answering, “Yes, I built it. As for how I got to Panliu Mountain, let’s just say I can fly. And as for the business—of course, I’m taking a slice of the cake. But that’s just how business works, isn’t it, Boss Gu? The capable ones eat.”
Gu Mingchi: “……”
“Besides, I’m not trying to take over the entire market. Tan Yong can send someone to negotiate. We can expand the cake together and split it. Wouldn’t a win-win situation be better?”
Gu Mingchi shook his head. “Knowing Tan Yong, he’d rather kick you out and take it all for himself. Win-win? Not in his vocabulary.”
Su Tao remained calm. “That’s up to him. Let him come to me if he wants to talk. But, Boss Gu, in this business, which side are you on?”
Would he side with his old business partner, Tan Yong?
Or with her?
Gu Mingchi never expected her to poach him so blatantly.
“…Su Tao, you’re way too bold. Do you even know what you’re saying?”
Su Tao answered directly, “Of course. I’m recruiting you.”
Gu Mingchi let out a cold laugh. “If I take your side, I’d have to start over at the old station. On top of that, I’d be turning an old partner into an enemy. What’s in it for me?”
“Take your time to think about it. No rush.”
Gu Mingchi cut the call immediately after spitting out two words: “Keep dreaming.”
But the more he thought about it, the more he realized just how fearless this woman was—she dared to think of everything.
Frustrated, he called Tan Yong to explain the situation.
Tan Yong sneered. “So it really was her. Gotta admit, she’s got guts. Gu, you’ve been clueless this whole time? We let a woman steal business from right under our noses, and if we don’t teach her a lesson, we’ll be the ones getting walked all over!”
Gu Mingchi frowned. “You’re planning to go in hard? I don’t agree. Send someone to talk first. Su Tao isn’t the kind to burn bridges—she values having more business partners over making enemies.”
Tan Yong exploded. “Talk my ass! Do you even know what my men are saying? They think working at Panliu Mountain is way better than working for me—free food, free housing, and good pay! Do you believe that nonsense? She’s obviously luring my people in, shaking my foundation!”
“She’s deliberately provoking me, and you expect me to negotiate? If I don’t crush her, I’m not a man!”
Gu Mingchi’s voice turned serious. “Calm down. Don’t assume it’s a lie without looking into it first. Get the facts before making a decision. Don’t let your ego cloud your judgment—Su Tao wouldn’t pull a cheap stunt like this.”
Tan Yong nearly lost it. “That damn woman—did she bribe you? Or have you already taken her side? Or maybe… you two are involved? I’ve never seen you defend any woman like this before! Gu Mingchi! If you don’t want to do business with me anymore, just say so. Don’t use some woman to disgust me! Screw this!”
Beep— The call ended.
Gu Mingchi rubbed his temples, his head aching.
Meanwhile, Su Tao had no idea she had just triggered a silent war.
At that moment, she was watching as Fire Serpent’s new hand grew out. Even though she had already known it was possible, seeing a severed limb regenerate with her own eyes was still incredible.
Zhong Gaoyi wiped the sweat off his forehead, removed his gloves, and instructed Fire Serpent:
“For the next two weeks, take good care of it. Don’t lift heavy objects or make unnatural movements—no excessive finger bending, no forceful wrist flicks. Also, don’t use your abilities. Just rest completely. Understood?”
“After two weeks, you’ll be able to use it however you want.”
Fire Serpent was overwhelmed with excitement, practically ready to worship Zhong Gaoyi. Every word from him was treated like sacred scripture.
“Doctor Zhong, thank you so much! You’re like my second father!”
Ever since he lost his hand, his abilities had weakened significantly, and even daily life had become a struggle. He had gone through a long period of depression.
But now, looking at his fully functional hand, he felt like he had been reborn.
Lei Xing was happy for him as well, but he coughed and said, “There’s still someone else to thank.”
Fire Serpent immediately darted over to Su Tao. “Thank you, Boss Su! If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have had the chance to meet Dr. Zhong. You’re also my second parent!”
Su Tao chuckled. “At this rate, everyone’s your parent. Did you grow up eating meals from a hundred different households?”
Fire Serpent scratched his head awkwardly, while his teammates gave him a few congratulatory punches on the shoulder.
Lei Xing turned to Su Tao. “Tonight, we’ll stay outside for the night. We’ll report to Taoyang first thing in the morning. Then, Boss Su, we’ll be relying on you to take us in for the next month.”
Just as he finished speaking, Chen Yang excitedly ran over, his eyes full of admiration for Lei Xing.
“Brother Lei, can I stay out with you guys tonight?”
He was absolutely fascinated by them—their impressive skills, their badass cars!
Lei Xing crouched down, flashing his sharp canines as he smiled with bright, crescent-shaped eyes.
“You’ll have to ask your mom and Boss Su about that. I wouldn’t dare take you without permission.”
Chen Yang tugged on Su Tao’s sleeve, his face full of pleading.
Su Tao mercilessly refused. “No overnight stays. I know you just want to ride in their car, don’t think I don’t see through you. If you really want to ride, find an opportunity in the next couple of days. Brother Lei can take you for a drive during the daytime.”
Only then did Chen Yang give up, staring longingly as the Leopard’s Path team revved their engines and drove off in style.
Seeing how glued his eyes were to the car’s rear bumper, Zhuang Wan quickly shooed him off to wash up and sleep.
As Chen Yang walked away, turning back every few steps, Zhuang Wan sighed helplessly.
“The older he gets, the more curious he is about the world outside Taoyang. I think he’s had it too easy here.”
Su Tao replied, “That’s normal. He’s a boy. It’s his first time seeing people like Leopard’s Path—it’s natural for him to be a little awed and curious.”
Zhuang Wan sighed again. “I’ve been wondering whether I should send him to the military. His father always wanted him to enlist—believed that a man should be a soldier, shed blood for his country. But I’ve never been able to make up my mind.”
“Have you asked him what he wants?”
Zhuang Wan nodded. “I did. He actually told me he wants to be a free mercenary. Just hearing that nearly gave me a headache. Being a mercenary is a hundred times more dangerous than the military. Not every mercenary group is like Leopard Path—strong, capable of self-preservation, and able to make decent money. Most of them live day to day, with their lives hanging by a thread, never knowing when or where they might die.”
