Chapter 347: Severing Ties
While checking the housing management situation in Taoyang, Su Tao absentmindedly said:
“I’m busy. If you want to see it, come to Taoyang yourself. Is that all? If so, I’m hanging up.”
At that moment, Meng Qian knocked on her office door. “Boss, someone’s here to see you.”
Su Tao responded with a distracted “Eh? Who is it? Wait a moment—Captain Song, I really don’t have time to chat with you. I’m hanging up.”
Gritting his teeth, Song Yuebing said, “Boss Su, I need to apologize. I showed a picture of Little Flame to Madam Wen from the Qian’an Base. She really likes him and plans to visit Taoyang by the end of the month. Please, just hear me out!”
“I know you must be angry that I acted without your permission, but I had no choice. My team has so many brothers relying on these jobs to feed their families. If Madam Wen is pleased, a single word from her could get Mr. Luo to open a transportation route for us in the north. That would secure our livelihood for years to come. I…”
Su Tao couldn’t believe her ears. “Didn’t I tell you I’m not selling Little Flame?”
“You did, but—”
“And you still went behind my back and showed the buyer his photo? You just claimed you missed Little Flame, but I see now it was Madam Wen who wanted to see him!”
“Boss Su, I’m really in a tough spot. I’m apologizing now, aren’t I? I—”
Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Su Tao still couldn’t suppress her anger.
“Captain Song, I don’t care what difficulties you’re facing. As a friend, shouldn’t you have at least discussed it with me first?”
“The only reason you’re apologizing now is because Madam Wen is about to arrive. Even if you deny it, once she talks to me, I’ll know you’ve been lying to both sides. Forget opening a new transportation route—at that point, you’ll be lucky if your team isn’t permanently crushed underfoot!”
Even through the communicator, Song Yuebing felt his face burn with shame. He held the communicator tightly, struggling to speak.
But what else could he do?
He had to think about his team’s survival. In this post-apocalyptic world where human life was cheap, how much was a cat really worth?
“Captain Song, you need to tell Madam Wen the truth yourself. I’ve never agreed to sell Little Flame, and I won’t be entertaining any visitors on that matter.”
Song Yuebing’s face turned pale. He quickly responded:
“Boss Su, Qian’an is not someone you can offend—neither you nor I. They hold immense influence in the north, with extensive connections due to their vast trade networks. Madam Wen’s father holds a high-ranking official position in Changjing—so high I’m afraid to even mention it. Please, I’m begging you—don’t refuse her.”
Su Tao’s expression darkened. “Song Yuebing, you deliberately hid this from me? When you first mentioned buying Little Flame, you never said anything about Qian’an’s powerful background!”
“So, from the very beginning, you calculated that I wouldn’t dare offend Qian’an. You figured I’d have no choice but to sell Little Flame and even accept your manipulation! Did you ever consider that I once saved your life? Who was it that rescued you when you were suffering from heatstroke, with torn ligaments, lying on the brink of death?”
“Have you forgotten how you thanked me afterward? It’s laughable—you even stood up for Panliu mountian when they were in trouble, and I regarded you as a trusted friend because of it. Song Yuebing, I’m truly disappointed in you!”
Su Tao’s heart ached.
She could still picture Song Yuebing’s cheerful expression when he claimed they would be lifelong friends.
He had defended Panliu mountian, helped punish the thugs, and curbed the old station’s corruption—it all felt like yesterday. Yet now, he was plotting against her.
She could have understood if he had just been upfront about it instead of secretly luring Madam Wen.
This wasn’t just about whether or not to sell a cat—it was about trust. She had considered him a close friend, but he had betrayed her.
And it wasn’t an accident—Song Yuebing had planned this all along, leaving her no room to negotiate.
Song Yuebing’s eyes turned red, and his lips trembled. “Boss Su, are we not friends anymore?”
“Did you ever treat me like a friend? Would a friend stab me in the back like this?”
If he could betray her over a cat today, what else would he betray for greater interests tomorrow?
Clenching his fists, Song Yuebing said, “I’m sorry—I went too far. If you no longer see me as a friend, so be it. After this, we’ll go our separate ways. But if I ever get the chance, I’ll repay your kindness. I wish you all the best, Boss Su.”
With that, he hung up.
Fuming, Su Tao leaned back in her chair, lost in thought. She even called Pei Dong to gather information about Qian’an Base.
As Song Yuebing had warned, Qian’an was not to be underestimated. Even Dongyang had to purchase and service their base vehicles from Qian’an every few years.
Base vehicles were invaluable—not only could they serve as mobile fortresses, but they could also function as heavy weaponry.
For some small settlements, owning a Qian’an base vehicle was a symbol of prestige. The difference between those who could afford one and those who couldn’t was like night and day.
Pei Dong advised her that if she didn’t want to sell Little Flame, she should host Madam Wen politely but firmly refuse any offer.
However, she added a warning:
“I’m not familiar with Qian’an’s people, so there’s always a chance they might resort to coercion. If that happens, I suggest you think carefully and prioritize your safety.”
Su Tao took his words to heart.
As for Song Yuebing—let the friendship end. She didn’t care about the so-called debt he owed her.
Just as she finished the call with Pei Dong, Meng Qian knocked on the door again.
“Boss, sorry to interrupt. Captain Duan from the ‘Pozhu’ Mercenary Team has been waiting downstairs for a while. Should I let him up?”
It took Su Tao a moment to recall—Captain Duan wanted to arrange retirement for his mentor in Taoyang.
However, Taoyang had a strict policy against renting to outsiders.
Feeling a headache coming on, Su Tao sighed. “Qianqian, please tell him to come back later. I have too much on my plate right now. Once I’m free, I’ll contact him. Oh, and when you return, let’s discuss the new housing for October.”
Meng Qian quickly relayed the message.
Nearby, Granny Yu, who had been eavesdropping, scoffed, “Is there no one else in Taoyang? Why is the boss handling everything herself?”
Already wary of the sharp-tongued old woman, Meng Qian replied weakly, “We’re doing our best to share the load.”
Granny Yu snorted and added sternly, “Tell Su Tao to buy more weapons, no matter how busy she is. Taoyang may be well-defended, but it must project strength. And don’t waste money on fancy gadgets—get basic weapons, and I’ll upgrade them to be better than anything from Changjing.”
A chill ran down Meng Qian’s spine. “O-okay, I’ll let the boss know.”
Is someone planning to attack Taoyang?
Captain Duan, eavesdropping nearby, clenched his fists and declared, “If there’s a fight, count ‘Pozhu’ in!”
Meng Qian’s anxiety spiked. Why was the boss still focused on construction when war seemed imminent?
Taoyang wasn’t just short on weapons—they barely had enough manpower.
