Chapter 160: The Best Counterattack
Zhuang Wan, full of energy, went off to work hard. Su Tao was about to head back to Taoli Building with her when Qian Lin came looking for her, sounding a bit worried.
“Boss, remember that transport team captain who wasn’t feeling well last time? The one who delivered the lily bulbs to us? He might not be able to keep his promise.”
Su Tao was surprised. “Why? Didn’t he agree to make a trip for us to find some crop seeds? Captain Song didn’t seem like the kind of person to go back on his word.”
Qian Lin sighed. “They really don’t have a choice. The southern route is too difficult to travel. We’ve been staying in Taoyang and Panliu Mountain, where the temperature is comfortable, so we don’t feel it as much. But outside, it’s practically turning into a sea of flames. Captain Song has been resting for a week and still hasn’t recovered. He’s weak, and sometimes he suddenly experiences intense pain in his limbs, making it impossible to move.”
Chen Xi, who had been listening intently, suddenly spoke up.
“I know what this is! Uncle Zhong said it’s heat cramps caused by prolonged exposure to high temperatures—severe heatstroke. He needs water and electrolytes. Forget it, I’ll go with you to Panliu Mountain, or we can bring him back to Taoyang and let Uncle Zhong treat him.”
It was the first time Su Tao had seen Chen Xi applying her knowledge in such a direct way. She couldn’t help but praise her. “As expected of our Dr. Chen Xi!”
Qian Lin was also impressed. “Our Chen Xi has really grown up—so knowledgeable! Alright, let’s go to Panliu Mountain. Do we need to bring anything?”
Chen Xi felt a little shy.
“Uncle Zhong had already predicted that cases like this would happen, so he gave me a crash course on it. We just need to bring some electrolyte drinks—the sports drinks kind. I remember the vending machine in the cafeteria sells them. I’ll go buy some.”
After grabbing a case of sports drinks, the group set off for Panliu Mountain.
When Ma Dapao saw them, he immediately took the drinks from them to carry himself. Meanwhile, Zhang Lin looked apologetic.
“Boss Su, Manager Qian, I really didn’t expect Captain Song’s condition to be this severe. How about I introduce you to another team? I’m really sorry, I feel terrible about this.”
Su Tao shook her head. “It’s fine. Which room is Captain Song in? Take us to see him—we have a doctor.”
Zhang Lin’s eyes lit up. “You have a doctor? That’s great! Are they here now?”
Su Tao patted Chen Xi. “Our little doctor.”
Chen Xi felt both nervous and proud.
Zhang Lin, seeing that the “doctor” was just a young girl, was momentarily stunned.
“Boss Su, you’re not joking, right? Captain Song is seriously ill—he can’t even get out of bed…”
Su Tao simply said, “Just take us to see him first.”
With no other choice, Zhang Lin led them to Song Yuebing’s room and knocked on the door.
When the door opened, they saw quite a few people inside—six or seven members of the transport team. Lying on the bed was a man with red, cracked, peeling skin. He looked frail, and at first glance, he really did seem gravely ill.
The vice captain immediately stepped forward when he saw them.
“Manager Qian, you’re here? Sorry about this, but as you can see, our captain isn’t in any condition to—”
Qian Lin interrupted, “This is our boss from Taoyang and Panliu Mountain, Ms. Su. She brought our young doctor to check on Captain Song. If needed, we also have a clinic with professional doctors.”
The vice captain and the team members were pleasantly surprised.
Even Song Yuebing, lying in bed, struggled to sit up in shock.
Panliu Mountain actually had its own clinic and doctors?
That was more advanced than some small bases. Even the Old Station didn’t have anything like that.
He had recently heard that the Old Station had declared war on Panliu Mountain, but just in terms of medical care, how could the Old Station even compare?
While he was lost in thought, the young doctor stepped forward, examined him, and checked his legs. Then, with a frown, she said to Su Tao:
“Sister Tao, the heatstroke isn’t too serious—it’s mainly sunburn. His face peeling is normal, and with the heat suppressing his appetite, of course he’s lost weight. The best way to recover is to drink lots of water and electrolyte drinks and get plenty of rest. He shouldn’t get out of bed.”
“But the real issue is his muscle strain—both legs. That’s why he can’t move at all.”
“I can’t treat muscle injuries, but Uncle Zhong can. This is his specialty.”
One of the team members chimed in, “Oh, that makes sense! We ran into a small wave of zombies on the way, and our retreat got a bit chaotic. He must have gotten injured then.”
The vice captain looked worried and turned to Su Tao. “Boss Su, you said you have a clinic—can our captain’s muscle strain be treated there?”
Su Tao replied, “Yes, our doctor is a specialized healer who treats injuries, but you’ll have to wait a few days—he hasn’t arrived yet.”
A healing-ability doctor?
That was incredibly rare!
The team members were now even more impressed by Panliu Mountain’s strength.
The vice captain, eager to get help, asked, “If we leave now, will the doctor be there when we arrive?”
Su Tao chuckled. “Where are you planning to go? There’s no need to travel. We have a teleportation gate downstairs. Once the doctor arrives, I’ll take you to him. For now, just follow our little doctor’s advice—drink plenty of water and rest.”
A teleportation gate?
Even that existed in Panliu Mountain?
They had heard of some people with teleportation abilities before, but this was the first time they’d seen an actual teleportation device.
Panliu Mountain was truly something else.
Suddenly, their problems seemed much easier to solve.
The illness wasn’t as severe as they feared, and medical help was readily available.
If they had chosen to stay at the Old Station, they’d be stuck carrying their captain around, desperately looking for treatment.
The vice captain accepted the drinks and even tried to pay Su Tao.
She waved him off. “Consider it a friendly gesture. In return, we’d appreciate it if you could find more seeds for us—crop seeds, fruit seeds, flower seeds. If they exist, Taoyang and Panliu Mountain want them.”
Song Yuebing’s impression of Su Tao improved dramatically. With a sense of camaraderie, he declared, “Boss Su, you’re a straightforward and generous person. The ‘Yueling’ trade caravan will gladly call you a friend!”
Then, he turned to Zhang Lin. “Old Zhang, I owe you one. If you hadn’t insisted that I stay at Panliu Mountain, I might have lost my life out here.”
Zhang Lin suddenly felt proud.
“I see you as a friend. If Panliu Mountain weren’t a good place, I wouldn’t have led you here. Sending you to stay at the Old Station—that would’ve been the real betrayal. I even heard someone died from heat exposure there recently. If regular folks go to the Old Station now, they’re practically walking into their graves.”
Song Yuebing shuddered at the thought and cursed,
“The Old Station is full of bloodsuckers! They’ve made so much money but won’t even install air conditioning. Water is being sold at sky-high prices! Boss Su, if the Old Station ever tries to mess with your business, just tell us. I’ve got plenty of friends—if needed, we’d rather pitch tents at Panliu Mountain than set foot in the Old Station!”
Zhang Lin added, “That’s right, Boss Su. The transport network is a small world—everyone knows everyone. If the Old Station ever gives you trouble, just let us know. Even if we can’t completely ruin their business, we can at least deal them a heavy blow.”
Su Tao smiled and thanked them. Then, with confidence, she said, “No need. As long as I keep improving Panliu Mountain’s services, providing clean, organized accommodations at fair prices, that will be the best counterattack against the Old Station.”
