Chapter 435: Extra Story 1
Over the past year, Su Tao hasn’t had much time to rest.
First, she had to assist with disinfection and vaccination efforts across various regions. Second, she focused on rebuilding basic transportation infrastructure—railways, highways, and other critical routes that had been paralyzed by the apocalypse.
These large-scale tasks relied heavily on her powers. If left to humans alone, it would take an eternity to complete.
In addition to this, she traveled frequently for meetings, liaising with regional leaders while also managing the development of Taoyang.
Fortunately, her hard work paid off. Vaccination efforts had reached nearly the entire population, and disinfection teams had covered almost every corner of the country.
Most importantly, the once-paralyzed transportation system had resumed normal operations—airlines, highways, and other routes had reconnected the nation.
The current federation was not only developing rapidly but also seeing fewer and fewer zombies.
Only a small number remained hidden in the wilderness, but they couldn’t escape the scrutiny of the disinfection workers.
During this year, Su Tao became the youngest member of the federal council, gaining significant influence in major national decisions.
However, the burden was exhausting. After working tirelessly for two consecutive years, and with the nation gradually returning to normal, she decided it was time to step back.
She submitted her resignation to Changjing, handing over all Taoyang’s affairs to Zhuang Wan and Ma Dapao, officially becoming hands-off.
With her newfound free time, she became fixated on building a house—especially since her current home had become too chaotic.
There were over a dozen cats running wild every day, leaving fur everywhere. Even Black Sesame, usually calm, would sometimes perch on the ceiling beams in fear, resembling a grumpy middle-aged man who refuses to go home.
Sometimes, after a long day of work, Su Tao dreaded returning home—only to face a horde of meowing furballs, endless cleaning duties, and the constant flurry of cat hair.
Mornings weren’t any better—she often woke up to find seven or eight cats sprawled across her chest and head.
With time on her hands, she expanded Taoyang by an additional 500 square meters and built a new villa.
The villa had three floors: the yard and the first floor were for the cats, dogs, and birds to roam freely, while she occupied the second and third floors.
Behind the house, Wu Zhen had even prepared a small garden for her. Afternoons were spent leisurely—choosing a “lucky cat” to nap with in the garden pavilion while she read, sipped tea, and scrolled through her phone. It was a quiet yet pleasant life.
But her peaceful days didn’t last long before someone started clinging to her—Shi Zijin.
After recovering, Shi Zijin gradually stepped down from the front lines. Once his work was fully handed over, he finally got what he wanted—time to be with her.
Every morning when Su Tao came downstairs, she would find Shi Zijin waiting at her door with breakfast. Over time, she also noticed that he always wore clothes in the same color as hers.
If she wore a beige jacket, he would show up in a beige hoodie.
If she wore a pink striped shirt, he would wear a matching pink sweatshirt—so sweet it was almost embarrassing. Even Cen Tianjiao was stunned when she saw them together.
Su Tao, puzzled, asked, “Are you doing this on purpose?”
Shi Zijin, ever honest, replied, “Mm-hmm, I asked someone to buy hoodies in every color so we can wear matching outfits.”
Su Tao sighed, “…Have you been watching too many TV dramas?”
“Don’t you like it? I can take it off.” He immediately began lifting his hoodie.
Panicking, Su Tao stopped him, “Hey, hey, fine! Wear it, wear it. You’re unbelievable.”
Shi Zijin smirked, lowering his hoodie while gazing at her with a playful glint.
Curious, Su Tao asked, “How do you even know what I’ll wear every day?” Her clothing choices were completely random—she just grabbed whatever caught her eye.
Before Shi Zijin could respond, Lingyu blurted out in a panic, “I didn’t tell him! I didn’t tell him!”
Mystery solved.
With a huff, Su Tao turned and walked toward the cafeteria.
Shi Zijin quickly followed. “I cooked. Want to eat? Give me a chance.”
Su Tao grimaced. “I’ve already given you several chances. Either the rice is raw, or the vegetables are burnt. I’d like to live a few more years—please, let me eat at the cafeteria.”
She still couldn’t get over the shock from her 20th birthday.
That day, Shi Zijin had baked her a cake—an unexpectedly delicious one. She had genuinely praised him, even feeling a bit impressed. Who knew he could bake so well?
But her admiration faded when she tasted his home-cooked meals.
Apparently, baking a cake didn’t mean he could cook. One bite nearly sent her to an early grave.
Still hopeful, Shi Zijin was about to plead his case when someone else caught his attention—Lei Xing.
Su Tao stopped in surprise. “When did you come back?”
Two months ago, Leopard Path had taken Chen Yang on a long mission with no signs of returning soon—so why was Lei Xing suddenly here?
Lei Xing, his eyes fixed on their matching outfits, replied with forced calm, “Last night.” His expression briefly turned complex but quickly faded.
He turned to Shi Zijin with a sharp smile, flashing his tiger-like teeth. “Can I talk to Boss Su? Ten minutes.”
Shi Zijin, wearing a polite smile, stepped aside—but his face fell the moment he turned away.
Once Shi Zijin was out of earshot, Lei Xing faced Su Tao. “I thought he’d be out of commission for another year. Yet, barely a month after I left, he woke up.”
Su Tao sighed. It was obvious—Lei Xing had rushed back the moment he heard about Shi Zijin’s recovery.
Over the past year, Lei Xing had hovered around her whenever he had free time, making his intentions abundantly clear.
“I don’t understand,” Lei Xing said, his voice heavy with frustration. “Why don’t you feel anything for me? Even a tiny fraction of the love you give him?”
Su Tao’s heart twinged with guilt, but she took a deep breath and said, “Lei Xing… I really can’t love you—not even a little. If I pretended to, you wouldn’t accept that kind of fake love, would you?”
Lei Xing’s eyes reddened. “So, you love him—there’s no room for me?”
Su Tao bit her lip and nodded. “Yes.”
“If I keep pursuing you… does that make me a homewrecker?”
“Yes.”
Lei Xing stood frozen for a moment, his shoulders sagging as if all the fight had left him. Without another word, he turned and strode toward Shi Zijin.
Before Shi Zijin could react, Lei Xing punched him squarely in the face.
“Fine! You win!”
