Chapter 157: Boss Su Moves into Her New Home
Zhuang Wan didn’t rush downstairs right away. Instead, she sent Su Tao a message asking where her new room was.
With the major renovation of the apartment buildings, the layout had changed significantly, and there were many new rooms. She wasn’t sure which building Su Tao had moved into.
Su Tao quickly replied: “Building 3, Room 102, right next to Old Mei.”
Zhuang Wan hurried from her own Building 5 to Building 3, passing by tenants who were buzzing with excitement over the changes.
When she stepped into Su Tao’s new place, she was momentarily stunned by the empty space.
“Are you going for a ‘bare-bones’ aesthetic?” she asked.
Su Tao yawned. “After standardizing all the apartments last night, I realized my previous four-bedroom, two-living-room layout wasn’t in line with the new design. Everyone else’s units were uniform, and mine stuck out too much. So, I moved here to Building 3. I connected Rooms 102 and 202 into a duplex.”
“I haven’t had time to decorate yet. I’ll set up the living room first—make yourself comfortable.”
Zhuang Wan was intrigued. “A duplex? That’s like a little penthouse inside the building. Are you decorating now? Can I watch?”
Su Tao nodded. “Sure. Step back a bit—this is where the living room will be.”
She selected a fabric sofa set, a glass coffee table, and an ultra-large wall-mounted TV from the home decor store. Below the TV, she placed a light blue TV cabinet that matched the plush light blue carpet.
“Take a seat.”
Zhuang Wan sat down in a daze. Even though she had been mentally prepared, seeing a fully furnished and stylish living room appear in mere moments still left her in awe.
Su Tao continued decorating. The bedroom was located just past the living room, set up identically to her previous one.
Next to the bedroom was a bathroom with separate wet and dry areas.
Near the staircase, she installed a cat climbing frame for her furry companions.
Upstairs, at the top of the stairs, was an open-concept kitchen.
Directly above the downstairs bedroom was her study, designed just like her old one.
Next to the study was a large linear balcony, which she had converted into a pet room, complete with food, supplies, and two large litter boxes.
By the time the entire decoration process was complete, it was almost noon.
Zhuang Wan sprawled on the sofa, reluctant to go to work. She sighed enviously, “In the old world, this would be called a loft—basically a chic little duplex. It’s perfect—living downstairs, relaxing upstairs. And you can visit Old Mei whenever you want.”
Su Tao grabbed a cold sparkling water from the fridge and handed it to her. “Once your kids are independent, you can move in with me, or I’ll build you a separate place.”
Zhuang Wan waved her hand dismissively. “Once a mother, always a mother. No matter how old they get, they’ll always need me. Chen Xi is easier, but my daughter? She’s my little sweetheart—always studying or helping out at the clinic.”
“By the way, while you were out looking for Black Sesame, something happened. One of our elderly tenants got dizzy and fell down the stairs, triggering a heart attack. Luckily, a passerby rushed him to our emergency clinic, and guess what? Chen Xi saved him.”
Su Tao was stunned. “Chen Xi? How did she manage that?”
“I asked her. She said Dr. Zhong had taught her basic emergency procedures. She was scared, but since it was a life-or-death situation, she gave it a shot—and it worked.”
Su Tao nodded in admiration. “You’ve raised her well. She’s only eleven and already knows so much. I’ll set up a little office for her at the clinic.”
Zhuang Wan laughed. “She’ll be over the moon! She even asked me for a white doctor’s coat as a birthday gift, but I haven’t been able to find one. I’ve been searching for half a month—if I can’t get one, I might have to have one custom-made.”
Su Tao noted it down. “I’ll ask the Panliu mountain traders. They travel everywhere and can find almost anything.”
Zhuang Wan sighed. “You’re practically a second mom to them.”
Su Tao immediately cut in, “Nope. Just their older sister.”
The two burst into laughter. Sunlight streamed into the cozy little apartment, filling it with warmth.
As they stepped out of the building, they spotted Fan Chuanhui enthusiastically snapping photos—his camera pointed at Meng Xiaobo’s family.
Seeing Su Tao and Zhuang Wan, Meng Xiaobo grinned sheepishly.
“Boss Su, Manager Zhuang, these are my parents. They just moved in with us today. When they saw how nice the building was, they had to have Xiao Hui take a picture with it as the backdrop.”
Meng Xiaobo’s parents seemed like kind, down-to-earth people. His father hesitated before asking,
“Landlord Su, Manager Zhuang, is it okay if we show these photos to people outside? Just to our relatives and friends, nothing shady.”
Su Tao laughed. “Of course! Go ahead.”
Meng’s father beamed. “That’s great! We’re just so excited. It looks even better in person than in the photos—so clean, so well-organized, and the buildings look grand! I just have to share this.”
With that, he happily patted Meng Xiaobo on the back. “The only impressive thing my foolish son has ever done is moving in here.”
Meng’s mother rolled her eyes at her husband while holding her future daughter-in-law’s hand.
“Nonsense! It was Xiaoju who applied for the housing in the first place. Your son wouldn’t have thought of it on his own. You’re just lucky to be benefiting from our daughter-in-law.”
Meng’s father immediately admitted defeat. “Yes, yes, I was wrong.”
Su Tao watched the family and couldn’t help but laugh. It seemed like fearing one’s wife was a tradition in the Meng household.
She turned to Meng Xiaobo. “So, when’s the wedding?”
Meng Xiaobo grinned happily. “Next month! The exact date isn’t set yet, but we’re planning to hold it here in Taoyang. Boss Su, you have to come! We’d also love for you to be our wedding host.”
All four members of the Meng family looked at her expectantly.
Without hesitation, Su Tao agreed. “Of course! Just let me know once you pick a date.”
Just then, Fan Chuanhui called out, “Boss Su, Manager Zhuang! Come take a photo with us! These buildings look amazing—if someone didn’t know better, they’d think this was a pre-apocalypse residential area. We have to capture this moment!”
Su Tao and Zhuang Wan stepped into the frame, smiling as they stood against the backdrop of Taoyang’s sleek and modern apartment buildings, bathed in the warm afternoon sun.
With a click, the moment was captured forever.
