Chapter 428: The Little Box
At 6:38 PM, General Liao of the Federation passed away suddenly at Changjing First People’s Hospital, plunging the entire nation into mourning.
Countless citizens from various bases risked their lives to travel to Changjing and attend the old general’s funeral.
Su Tao, supporting the old chief, accompanied General Liao on his final journey.
Everyone stood in silence, watching the small box containing the general’s ashes. It was wrapped in the Federation’s flag before being laid to rest.
Amidst the solemn atmosphere, the old general’s four-year-old granddaughter suddenly began to cry. Tugging at her mother’s sleeve, she asked innocently:
“Mommy, mommy, why did my big grandpa turn into a little box?”
Her naïve words pierced the heavy silence, causing many to break down in tears on the spot. Even the general’s children knelt before the tombstone, crying uncontrollably.
Su Tao’s eyes were filled with tears. Beside her, the old chief leaned on his cane, step by step, until he reached the tombstone. As he rested against it, his tears flowed freely.
*
After the funeral, not a single high-ranking official in Changjing dared to question how Su Tao had arrived or how she had brought the old chief with her. Everyone chose to remain surprisingly silent on the matter.
However, their gestures of goodwill and attempts to establish connections did not cease.
During her three or four days in Changjing, several influential ministers and officers invited Su Tao to visit them. Despite her best efforts to decline, she had to attend a few meetings before finally escaping back to Taoyang.
The emotional strain from the funeral took a toll on the old chief, and he fell ill shortly after returning to Dongyang. The entire Dongyang base was thrown into chaos, and even Su Tao became anxious. In her worry, she called Zhong Gaoyi over for help.
After examining the old chief, Zhong Gaoyi reassured her, “It’s just a common cold and fever. Don’t be so tense. With rest and some medicine, he’ll recover. But let me be honest with you—he’s not young anymore. His organs are deteriorating, and my powers can’t bring people back to life or reverse aging.”
Su Tao’s heart tightened with worry.
Zhong Gaoyi prescribed some medication and gave instructions to a nearby nurse. Before leaving the room, he suddenly turned back and said to Su Tao:
“Boss, while you were in Changjing, we didn’t get a chance to tell you—Zheng Xing’s grandmother passed away.”
Su Tao was stunned.
The only memory she had of the elderly woman was from when she first arrived in Taoyang. Frail and weak, as if on the brink of death, the old lady had insisted that Zheng Xing bow to Old Mei and swear to study hard without any slack.
Outside the ward, Zhong Gaoyi shook his head and said, “She was already struggling with illness for over six months. There were times when she secretly stopped taking her medication, not wanting to burden Zheng Xing, but the kid noticed every time. He never let his feelings show and stayed focused on his studies and work. Master Mei truly has a worthy successor.”
Su Tao asked softly, “Has she been cremated?”
“Yes. She passed away peacefully and without regrets.”
Su Tao nodded. “Thank you.”
She knew Zhong Gaoyi was trying to comfort her. Life and death were inevitable, but as long as someone passed without regrets, it was a blessing.
As she gazed at the vast, azure sky, a sense of peace washed over her heart.
At the end of November, Taoyang officially launched its talent recruitment program, beginning with enhancing the welfare of the Independent Regiment’s soldiers and officers.
They openly distributed the stockpile of energy guns from Granny Yu. Every platoon leader and above received one, while the remaining guns were awarded to outstanding soldiers.
This bold move sent shockwaves through both northern and southern bases.
Were they dreaming? Since when did energy guns become as common as cabbages?
Especially in Shou’an, a base that thrived on arms dealing, the sight of such an abundant supply of energy guns turned their leaders green with envy.
Yet, no one was more shocked than Dang Weiran.
He trembled as he pointed at several regimental officers. “You—you—you all knew about this, didn’t you?”
No wonder they weren’t impressed when he offered energy guns back then!
Why did Su Tao hide such a massive arsenal from him?
If he had known earlier, he wouldn’t have wasted time on intensive soldier training. With an energy gun for every soldier, any zombie horde—aside from a mutant zombie siege—could be easily wiped out!
To make matters worse, he recently learned that there was no place for him in Changjing’s upper ranks. Instead, he was assigned to the frontlines to lead troops.
And now he realized that Taoyang didn’t even need Changjing’s backing to become this powerful. The base’s potential was limitless—staying here was clearly more advantageous than returning to Changjing!
But now, Changjing had no future for him, and Taoyang didn’t want him either.
How did he end up in such a miserable state?
The others avoided his gaze, keeping silent.
Furious, Dang Weiran stormed toward Su Tao’s office but froze at the door.
What could he possibly say to her?
He was the one who had wanted to return to Changjing. He was the one who had looked down on Taoyang.
What right did he have to question Su Tao for keeping secrets from him?
With a bitter smile, Dang Weiran turned and walked away.
One wrong step led to a lifetime of regret.
Su Tao was unaware of his turmoil. Three days later, she simply received the news that Dang Weiran had left for the frontlines.
The Taoyang Independent Regiment had officially entered a new era.
Due to the shortage of qualified officers, Changjing couldn’t immediately appoint a new regimental commander. In the meantime, Zhou Yushan served as acting commander.
Taoyang’s original private army—led by Xu Qi, Nie Sibai, Meng Xiaobo, and Mist—was integrated into the Independent Regiment as well.
Every morning, Granny Yu would watch the young soldiers train with a smile on her face. She even considered sending her grandson, Xiao Yu, to join the army.
Xiao Yu protested, “I’m doing fine working with Sister Zhuang!”
Granny Yu clicked her tongue in disdain but was quickly distracted when Xiao Yu whispered:
“Grandma, Boss Su’s birthday is coming up. Sister Zhuang has been planning a big celebration—shouldn’t you do something too?”
Granny Yu’s eyes lit up immediately.
Of course! She had to make it grand for silly little Su!
And so, the entire Taoyang base—excluding Su Tao herself—began secretly preparing for a huge celebration.
Su Tao, meanwhile, was puzzled. Despite the recent recruitment drive, Fang Zhi seemed busier than ever, with dark circles under his eyes.
Concerned, she urged Zhuang Wan to speed up the hiring process.
Zhuang Wan, of course, had her hands full but could only smile through her struggles.
Amidst the bustling preparations, Chilli’s due date drew closer. Her belly had grown so large that even Su Tao felt anxious.
If the vet hadn’t reassured her, Su Tao might have succumbed to prenatal anxiety herself.
Hearing the news, Wen Man returned to Taoyang to keep Chilli company. She also brought some juicy gossip:
“Not long after the wedding, I heard that Chu Yue lost her child. But it wasn’t entirely her fault—mutant zombies infiltrated the Xiao family, causing the miscarriage.”
Su Tao’s heart skipped a beat. “Why didn’t I hear about this?”
Wen Man frowned. “The Xiao family suppressed the news because the mutant zombie was one of Young Master Xiao’s lovers. It resulted in the deaths of over sixty Xiao family members and nearly a thousand civilians.”
