Chapter 194: Delicate Flowers and Wedding Wine
Su Tao nodded, indicating she understood.
Zhong Gaoyi sighed. “Let’s just take care of her like this… but I don’t think she’ll make it past this year.”
After learning about his grandmother’s condition, Zheng Xing accepted it calmly. He gently held her aged, cracked hands and softly reassured her:
“From now on, you’ll have a clean house to live in, hot meals to eat, and you won’t have to worry about me going out to find food and getting into danger. Just rest and take care of yourself, alright?”
Grandmother Zheng struggled to even speak while lying down. “B-bow… to Master Mei… you must become… his disciple.”
Old Master Mei hurriedly stopped him.
Tears streamed down Grandmother Zheng’s face, and she murmured incoherently, unable to form words.
The atmosphere grew heavy.
Sensing the moment, Su Tao spoke at just the right time. “I’ve prepared a room—Building Three, Unit 1101.”
The group wheeled Grandmother Zheng into the elevator and took her upstairs. As soon as they opened the door, revealing a new, neatly furnished one-bedroom apartment, the elderly woman suddenly started coughing violently.
Zheng Xing quickly supported her, patting her back. “Whatever you want to say, take your time! Don’t rush, breathe slowly.”
“Cough, cough—Swear to me! Swear… that you’ll study hard! Never—never slack off, not even a little!”
Zheng Xing’s eyes turned red with urgency. “I swear! I will study hard, honor my teacher’s guidance, and never forget Boss Su’s kindness!”
The old woman’s coughing gradually eased. She slowly closed her eyes, tears at the corners, but a faint smile on her lips.
Finally… even if she passed away, her little grandson would have a safe place to live and thrive.
*
The Next Day
The Leopard Path team finally returned.
“Didn’t you say you’d be back in three days? Today’s already the fifth day.”
Lei Xing dunked his head into the fountain, rinsing himself off, then lifted his dripping-wet face and replied:
“You didn’t even ask if something happened on the way—that’s why we were late.”
Su Tao had more or less figured out Lei Xing’s temperament—he was like a wild beast; even those close to him had to go along with his mood.
So, she patiently repeated her question. “Did something happen on the way? Was it serious? Are you alright?”
Lei Xing grinned, flashing his sharp canines. “Just a small problem. There have been more zombies on the road lately. We took care of them along the way, which delayed us a bit. No big deal. I can take you to the Old Station anytime to capture Tan Yong alive.”
“What about Big Mouth and the others? Do they need a doctor?”
“Your in-house doctor is back again?”
“He is, but this time, he probably won’t be leaving.” Su Tao smiled.
Lei Xing looked surprised. “Didn’t you say he only comes for five or ten days a month? What happened? Did he fully pledge allegiance to you? His boss just let such a talented person go?”
Su Tao smirked. “Heroes can’t resist a beauty’s charm.”
She subtly gestured toward Zhuang Wan, who was scolding her son nearby.
Lei Xing blinked, then burst out laughing. Suddenly, he turned serious. “That white coat who can’t even kill a chicken is considered a hero? Then what about me? Do I count? I’ve saved people for you, guarded the mountain, and now I’m about to take you into enemy territory to capture our nemesis.”
“Of course, of course—you’re a great hero.”
Lei Xing was pleased, practically beaming like a delicate flower in bloom.
Just then, Big Mouth came in to report something but froze when he saw his boss acting like this. Without a word, he turned around and walked right back out.
Lei Xing, still riding his high, was eager to set out immediately and capture Tan Yong, further solidifying his title as “Great Hero.”
Su Tao stopped him. “Let Dr. Zhong check on your men first, then rest for the night. There’s no rush.”
“Alright, I’ll do whatever you say.”
At that moment, Chen Yang—who had just been scolded harshly by Zhuang Wan—ran over to Su Tao and Lei Xing.
The moment he saw Lei Xing, Chen Yang burst into tears. “Brother Lei! You’re finally back! I’ve been waiting so long!”
Lei Xing smacked him on the shoulder. “Quit crying. Hold it in.”
Chen Yang immediately sucked his tears back in.
Su Tao turned to Zhuang Wan, who looked red with anger. “What did he do this time?”
“He’s gotten too bold! It’s bad enough that he skips Mr. Sheng’s lessons, but this morning, he actually ran to Panliu Mountain and shot at a car down the hill! He blew out a guest’s tire! Fortunately, no one got hurt, and the guest was kind enough to just ask for compensation instead of making a fuss.”
After finishing her rant, Zhuang Wan raised her foot to kick Chen Yang again.
Chen Yang leapt behind Lei Xing to hide.
“Captain Lei, don’t shield him!”
Lei Xing didn’t even try. He grabbed Chen Yang by the collar and lifted him up, squinting his golden eyes. “Why did you fire downhill? Have I not told you that every bullet you shoot is your responsibility?”
Chen Yang feared him the most. His eyes turned red as he admitted his mistake. “I’m sorry. I acted on impulse. I saw a zombie at the bottom of the hill and wanted to test my aim… but I missed… cough, cough.”
Su Tao pressed down on Lei Xing’s hand. “Let him go, you’re choking him.”
Lei Xing immediately let go at her touch, his expression brightening again.
Chen Yang, on the other hand, landed hard on his butt.
Zhuang Wan kicked her son. “Get back inside and study! You’re not leaving the house for two days!”
Chen Yang pleaded with Su Tao and Lei Xing for help, but when neither spoke up for him, he slunk away, defeated.
Zhuang Wan took a deep breath and said, “Weren’t you looking for Dr. Zhong? He’s free right now—better go early.”
Lei Xing grinned teasingly. “So, when do we get to drink Manager Zhuang’s wedding wine?”
Zhuang Wan’s face instantly turned red. She shot back, “Aren’t you getting on in years too, Captain Lei? This would be my second marriage, nothing to celebrate. But when do we get to drink yours?”
Lei Xing was briefly stunned but then actually thought about it seriously. “I’ll try to make it happen this year.”
Zhuang Wan scoffed. “Yeah, right. You don’t even have a girlfriend. Wake up.”
Lei Xing suddenly turned to Su Tao. “Am I really that bad? Is it hard for me to find a wife?”
Su Tao gave him a once-over. “You’re… okay.”
Lei Xing frowned, unsatisfied. “You just called me a great hero earlier.”
Su Tao immediately corrected herself. “You have excellent qualifications. You’re handsome and strong. As long as you’re serious, you’ll definitely find someone.”
Lei Xing, sufficiently flattered, strutted off to gather his men for the clinic.
Behind his back, Zhuang Wan secretly gave Su Tao a thumbs-up, as if saying, “You really know how to handle him.”
Su Tao just shrugged.
Dr. Zhong Gaoyi was in the clinic, teaching Chen Xi how to read medical cases. When he heard someone arrive, he sent Chen Xi to greet them and went inside to change into his lab coat.
Meanwhile, Lei Xing’s men grumbled.
“Boss, it’s just some scrapes. We’ll heal in a few days—what do we need a doctor for? Such a hassle.”
“Yeah, we’re all rough guys, not like we lost a limb or something. Besides, even Gu Mingchi got half his shoulder bitten off and still managed to kill two of our guards without flinching. Compared to that, going to the doctor for a few scratches seems kinda weak.”
Lei Xing glared at them. “Boss Su said you need a checkup, so you’re getting a checkup. No more whining.”
The group instantly fell silent.
Oh… so it was Boss Su’s order. No wonder the captain listened without question.
Dr. Zhong, overhearing this, paused mid-motion as he was preparing.
