Chapter 133: Business Must Be Bold, But Precautions Are Essential
While business must be done in a bold and high-profile manner, precautions must not be neglected.
To prevent people from the Old Station from sneaking in and causing trouble, Su Tao installed 20 more surveillance cameras around Panliu Mountain.
After thinking it over, she also added 20 cameras outside the walls of Taoyang. These cameras could monitor a 100-meter radius, ensuring that any unfamiliar individuals approaching or attempting to throw objects inside would be captured on video.
She would not allow another explosion incident to happen again.
With so many cameras, she obviously couldn’t monitor everything by herself. She needed a dedicated team to keep watch 24/7.
The next morning, Su Tao went to find Zhuang Wan and asked her to recruit six to eight surveillance operators.
Old Mei, an experienced elder who was nearby, overheard their conversation and suggested:
“Little Tao, why don’t you establish a dedicated security department? The eight people you hire shouldn’t just be responsible for monitoring cameras at Panliu Mountain and Taoyang. They should also handle fire safety monitoring and security threats, focusing on suspicious individuals, unusual activities, and potential dangers.”
“Also, you only need four people for surveillance, but they must be patient, able to handle monotonous work, and have strong analytical skills with a keen sense of risk awareness. Watching security footage might sound simple, but it’s actually mentally exhausting.”
“As for the remaining four, hire either ability users or physically strong men to handle emergency situations. They need to be capable of immediately suppressing any incidents before they escalate.”
Su Tao humbly accepted the advice. “You’re absolutely right. Wanwan, let’s do it this way.”
Zhuang Wan nodded repeatedly. “Got it, got it. I also have an idea—every department needs a manager. I’d like to have Aunt Qi take charge. She’s been with us since the beginning, knows Taoyang inside out, and is meticulous yet decisive.”
Su Tao agreed immediately. “Alright, have her come see me in a bit.”
Zhuang Wan was genuinely happy for Auntie Qi. “Thank you, boss!”
Half an hour later, Su Tao met Auntie Qi in a private office on the first floor.
Auntie Qi was a little anxious, unsure why she had been called in. She kept reflecting on her recent work, wondering if she had made any mistakes. With a bit of apprehension, she asked, “Boss Su, did you need to see me?”
Su Tao smiled and motioned for her to sit down.
“We’re setting up a dedicated security department to oversee safety in Taoyang and Panliu Mountain. Zhuang Wan recommended you for the director position, saying you’ve been in Taoyang for a long time, know the tenants and the environment well, and are meticulous and careful—making you the perfect candidate.”
Auntie Qi froze. She had a feeling that something big was about to happen to her and couldn’t help but feel a little nervous.
Su Tao continued, “This role will be more challenging and demanding than your current one, but the benefits will also improve accordingly. Your monthly salary will remain at 8,000 Federal Coins, but we’ll now provide three meals a day and housing. Since you have a family, the accommodation will be a two-bedroom apartment. Are you interested?”
Fireworks went off in Auntie Qi’s head.
Food and housing included! A two-bedroom apartment, when rented seasonally, costs as much as 80,000 Federal Coins!
This was essentially a salary increase of over 20,000 Federal Coins!
Most importantly, in Taoyang, even having money didn’t guarantee you could get a place to live.
She was stunned for a long time before finally nodding vigorously, her eyes turning red.
“I’d love to! Thank you so much!”
Su Tao personally poured her a cup of tea.
“No need to thank me. Security is crucial to Taoyang—if we don’t get it right, we won’t be able to develop safely. You’ll have a lot on your plate.”
Auntie Qi, feeling flattered, took a sip of tea and nearly choked.
Su Tao chuckled and motioned for her to come closer to the computer. “Here’s the basic plan for the security department.”
Since Auntie Qi wasn’t highly literate, Old Mei had specially created a set of simple and easy-to-understand illustrations as a work manual.
Auntie Qi grasped it immediately. “I see. We’re like Taoyang’s eyes—we have to detect potential threats and respond swiftly.”
Su Tao nodded approvingly. “Exactly.”
Auntie Qi felt more confident and took a deep breath. “Boss Su, give me some time. I’ll make sure Taoyang is locked down tight—no demons or troublemakers will get in!”
Su Tao sincerely said, “Thank you for your effort. You’ll be selecting your team with Manager Zhuang. You’ve seen the requirements, so be careful with your choices.”
Auntie Qi was full of determination. “Understood—quality over quantity!” Then, after a brief pause, she hesitantly asked, “Did I use that phrase correctly? I attended Teacher Sheng’s class a few days ago and learned some new words… hope I didn’t embarrass myself.”
Su Tao encouraged her, “Yes, you used it perfectly.”
Auntie Qi was overjoyed.
Seeing her enthusiasm, Su Tao smiled. “Join us for a meal at Panliu Mountain later. You haven’t been there yet, so take some time today to familiarize yourself with the environment—it’ll be under your management too. The entrance to Panliu Mountain is just behind the cafeteria; walk around, open the door, and you’ll be there.”
Auntie Qi was so excited that, for the first time, she took half a day off to go home.
On the way, she called her husband and asked him to take time off as well—she had big news to share.
“What’s going on? Is Taoyang laying people off?” Her husband asked nervously as soon as she got home.
Her 17-year-old daughter also looked over anxiously.
Auntie Qi was now the family’s main provider. If she lost her job, it would be nearly impossible to find another one with better benefits than Taoyang’s—8,000 a month, two free meals a day, and various subsidies that saved them a fortune.
Her daughter even took pride in telling her friends that her mother worked at Taoyang, earning envious looks from her peers.
Auntie Qi decided to tease them, putting on a serious expression. “I can’t be the cleaning supervisor anymore.”
Her husband’s face fell.
Her daughter’s eyes instantly turned red, and she tearfully asked, “Why? You’re doing so well! You’re always the first to arrive at Taoyang and the last to leave. You even learned to read with me for this job. Why?”
Seeing her daughter’s dramatic reaction, Auntie Qi quickly pulled her into a hug.
“I’m sorry, I was teasing you. I’ve actually been promoted—I’m transferring to a new department as a director. My salary stays the same, but now I get three meals a day and housing—a two-bedroom apartment! Boss Su even said I can bring you both to live there!”
Her husband nearly jumped up. “What?!”
Her daughter was also stunned, completely forgetting to cry. “Really?!”
Auntie Qi raised her hand as if taking an oath. “Really. You’ll even have your own room. We’ll be just like Taoyang’s tenants—there’s a convenience store downstairs, a cafeteria with all kinds of delicious food, and a refreshing fountain right outside.”
Before lunch, Su Tao added Auntie Qi to the teleportation list, along with Xuedao and Black Sesame.
As for White Sesame… forget it. That one acted like a noble lady—never stepping out the door unless absolutely necessary.
Su Tao waited for Lin Fangzhi to finish class, then bought a case of beer from the liquor store before teleporting to Panliu Mountain with him.
The moment they arrived, Su Tao was stunned by the long line at the entrance.
Ma Dapao had been waiting and immediately ran over to explain.
“Boss, we’re packed! I posted the promotion last night, and before dawn, convoys from the Old Station were already rushing over to book rooms. By 10 AM, we were fully booked, and now these people are all waiting for check-outs.”
Su Tao immediately opened the system to check the number of tenants—226 people.
They had surpassed 200!
At the same time, the system emitted a notification sound:
[The conditions for leveling up to LV5 have been met. Would the host like to spend 1,000,000 Federal Coins to upgrade the system?]
