Chapter 381: Jiang Tong
Minister Xu was quite shaken.
By the time Su Tao forcefully stuffed the medical supply bag into his hands, he no longer refused.
“When are you leaving?”
Minister Xu, still lost in thought, absently replied, “Right away, the car is already waiting outside.”
Su Tao was surprised. “That’s too rushed—I was hoping you’d stay for dinner. Jiang Yu just found his long-lost sister.”
His mind finally clearing, Minister Xu shared a rare moment of empathy:
“Congratulate him for me—I wish the siblings a smooth and healthy future together.”
Su Tao nodded.
At that moment, the car waiting for Minister Xu flashed its hazard lights, urging him to hurry.
He took a couple of steps toward the car, then suddenly turned back and said to Su Tao:
“Hehe… I’ll leave her in your care. And trust me, it won’t be long before Changjing not only acknowledges Taoyang but also brings a pleasant surprise your way.”
Confused, Su Tao watched him swiftly board the car and drive toward the colder northern power center.
That evening, during the welcome-back dinner, Jiang Yu got so excited he drank two extra cups. Unfortunately, his alcohol tolerance was weak—by the third cup, his head was already spinning.
Looking at his quiet and well-behaved sister, he felt as if he were dreaming. Dazed, he mumbled:
“Jiang Tong… did I really find you?”
Jiang Tong neither nodded nor shook her head.
Jiang Yu, lost in his happiness, didn’t expect an answer. He just held her small hand and rambled on:
“Do you like Taoyang? From now on, I’ll work hard while you go to school, okay? Don’t worry—whatever happened before is in the past. No one will hurt you here… Why aren’t you eating?”
Only then did Jiang Tong take a couple of symbolic bites.
The taste of human food was hard for her to stomach.
She excused herself to go to the bathroom. Once inside, she threw up everything she had eaten. Sitting on the toilet, she removed her heavy glasses and stared blankly ahead.
Through the small bathroom window, she could see the dark night. It was cold and lonely—but also free. It felt like home.
Just then, voices came from outside the stall.
Chenxi and Su Tao entered the restroom.
“Sister Tao, Jiang Tong seems really shy. I tried talking to her today, but she barely responded. It made me a little sad.”
Chenxi had eagerly anticipated Jiang Tong’s arrival. She had even prepared a gift and planned to spend time helping Jiang Tong settle in and feel at home in Taoyang.
But the reality was disappointing—Jiang Tong was too cold. Except for her brother Jiang Yu, she barely acknowledged anyone.
Her distant and unapproachable attitude quickly dampened Chenxi’s enthusiasm.
Su Tao comforted her:
“Jiang Tong is in a new environment. It’s normal for her to be quiet. Give her some time—she’ll warm up. By the way, I noticed she didn’t eat much at dinner. I’m not sure if she didn’t like the food or if her stomach is upset. Maybe ask your Uncle Zhong to prepare some digestive medicine for her.”
Most survivors who had spent long periods wandering outside suffered from weak stomachs due to irregular meals. Even when food was available, eating too much could cause nausea or diarrhea.
Hearing this, Chenxi felt better and nodded firmly:
“She must’ve been through a lot—I should be more patient with her!”
*
Jiang Tong waited until they left before slowly emerging from the stall.
She was confused. Why were these strangers so concerned about her?
She thought only her brother would care.
Suspicious, she wondered if they knew she was inside and were deliberately speaking for her to hear.
But why?
Humans… so deceitful and complicated.
She put her thick glasses back on. In her left eye, the pupil suddenly split into numerous tiny fragments, overlapping in her socket.
It took her a while to adjust to the high prescription before returning to the dining hall.
Seeing her brother drunk, she inexplicably went to the kitchen to request a bowl of hangover soup.
Chef Qin called out to her cheerfully, “Tong girl! If you ever want anything to eat, just let me know. Don’t be shy—you’re so thin! Are you and your brother having a contest?”
Beside him, his mute wife polished plates and smiled warmly at Jiang Tong, her eyes filled with motherly affection.
Jiang Tong hesitated for a moment, holding the soup bowl.
Once again, a stranger was being kind to her—why?
Without a word, she placed the hangover soup in front of Jiang Yu, her dark eyes quietly watching him.
Jiang Yu was deeply moved.
Though their time apart had created some emotional distance, his little sister still cared about him.
By the time the dinner ended, the drunken Jiang Yu became much more talkative, shedding his usual aloof persona. He even pulled Sheng Yulan aside and earnestly asked if she could tutor Jiang Tong—just basic literacy.
Without hesitation, Sheng Yulan agreed.
Jiang Yu fell asleep, drunk but content.
Zhuang Wan teased Su Tao:
“I never thought Jiang Yu had such a soft side. I always saw him as your cold-blooded enforcer. It’s clear how much Jiang Tong means to him—he’s all in now.”
Su Tao, however, suddenly said, “Let Chenxi spend more time with Jiang Tong. Same age—should help her adapt. Keep an eye on her, and report anything unusual to me.”
In truth, Su Tao was assigning an undercover observer.
She didn’t know why, but a voice inside urged her to keep watch over Jiang Tong.
Zhuang Wan didn’t overthink it and readily agreed.
Su Tao then asked, “Any news from Chenyang?”
Zhuang Wan’s smile faded instantly. With trembling lips, she said:
“No… He can go wherever he wants—I don’t care.”
Su Tao chuckled. “You’re just being stubborn. Don’t worry—I had Gan Hongyu install the same GPS tracker and monitor as Black Sesame in his communicator. He’s already arrived in Yijiang and should meet with Lei Xing by morning.”
Tears welled up in Zhuang Wan’s eyes. “Thank you…”
No mother could truly stop worrying about her child.
Every step Chenyang took beyond Taoyang felt like walking a razor’s edge for Zhuang Wan.
She had been too afraid to investigate his whereabouts, fearing she might hear bad news.
But Su Tao’s words were a balm to her anxious heart—finally giving her a sense of relief, even bringing her to tears.
From a distance, Zhong Gaoyi—about to call his old employer about Taoyang’s medical supply—spotted his wife crying. Without a second thought, he abandoned his call and rushed to her side.
