Chapter 165: I Want to Follow You
These drinks and alcoholic beverages were quite common in Taoyang, and their prices weren’t particularly high. The most expensive soda cost at most 200 Federal Coins.
Higher-quality alcohol, in 500ml bottles, ranged from 1,000 to 5,000 Federal Coins.
At first, Taoyang’s tenants were shocked by the availability of these drinks, but over time, it became a habit to have one after meals.
So when Su Tao took them out and donated them to the guesthouse for free, she didn’t feel the slightest bit of heartache.
Pei Dong looked at the selection of drinks and alcohol, then smiled. “Looks like, thanks to you, the old commander’s business this time will go much more smoothly. It’s getting late—I’ll take you back. Tomorrow morning or afternoon, I’ll come pick you up to choose your people.”
Su Tao asked eagerly, “How long will they be assigned to me?”
She still wanted a long-term Awakened bodyguard by her side.
Pei Dong chuckled. “Since we’re giving them to you, there’s no reason to take them back. But remember, Awakened ones are still people—just like Guan Zining. She wanted to go to the front lines, and none of us had the right to stop her.”
Su Tao understood. It would ultimately depend on whether she could keep them around and whether the Awakened themselves were reliable and stable.
She’d have to see for herself when the time came.
Back in Taoyang, Su Tao slept soundly until 11 a.m. the next day. When she woke up, she noticed that the window was open again—Black Sesame must have sneaked out to roam around.
Checking the tracker, she saw it was within Panliu Mountain, so she wasn’t worried.
Then she turned around and saw that Lin Fangzhi hadn’t gone to Professor Sheng’s morning class. Surprised, she asked:
“Did the teacher take the day off today?”
Lin Fangzhi poured dog food into Xuedao’s bowl and looked up.
“Yeah, she’s moving. Zhuang called you.”
Only then did Su Tao remember that a few days ago, she had expanded a small, low-cost one-bedroom apartment and reduced the rent to 45,000 per quarter.
She had set it up as an affordable rental for Sheng Yulan’s family.
Today was August 1st—the day they were moving into Taoyang.
Right on cue, Zhuang Wan called and said,
“You’re finally awake! I called you three times, but Fangzhi picked up and said you were sleeping. Sheng Yulan’s father wants to invite you for a meal to express their gratitude. I was going to turn it down for you, but he was so sincere… So why don’t you give them some face? It’s lunchtime anyway, let’s eat together, okay?”
Su Tao had no choice but to agree. She changed her clothes and went to the cafeteria.
As soon as she arrived, Shi Ziyue waved at her from the entrance. “Sister Tao, over here!”
Then she turned back to the Sheng family inside the cafeteria and said, “She’s here!”
Before she could even take a seat, a scholarly-looking middle-aged man with glasses quickly stood up and introduced himself.
“Boss Su, I’m Sheng Yulan’s father, Sheng Kangshun. This is my wife, surname Rao, and this is Sheng Yulan’s younger sister, Sheng Yuqing.”
Sheng Kangshun seemed a little nervous, but his words were steady and polite. He was clearly well-educated but had been worn down by the apocalypse, making him cautious—almost to the point of humility.
Sheng Yulan and Sheng Yuqing were identical twins. When they heard their father’s introduction, they both stood up and greeted Su Tao.
Feeling a little awkward, Su Tao quickly asked,
“Sorry, which one of you is the older sister?”
That one question instantly lightened the atmosphere. Shi Ziyue couldn’t hold back a giggle.
Sheng Yulan shyly replied,
“Boss Su, I’m Sheng Yulan. This is my younger sister. We do have some differences—there’s a mole on my chin, but my sister doesn’t have one.”
Sheng Yuqing, who seemed more outgoing, flashed a bright smile and added, “My hair is shorter and darker than my sister’s.”
Su Tao took a closer look. “Oh, oh! My bad—you’re both beauties, I got dazzled.”
The entire Sheng family laughed, and the tense atmosphere disappeared completely.
Shi Ziyue, who was already familiar with the Sheng family, turned to their parents and said,
“Uncle, Auntie, didn’t I tell you? Boss Su is really easygoing. There’s no class divide in Taoyang—no special treatment or discrimination. As long as you’re a tenant, everyone is the same. Right, Sister Tao?”
Su Tao patted Shi Ziyue’s tanned hand—this kid trained outside every day and was getting darker like a little tomboy.
“Ziyue is right. Mr. Sheng, we’re happy to have you in Taoyang. And I really appreciate Teacher Sheng Yulan for teaching here for so long—it’s helped me a lot. From now on, Taoyang is your home. If you ever need anything, just talk to Manager Zhuang or me.”
Sheng Kangshun was deeply moved and insisted on pouring Su Tao a cup of tea as a token of gratitude.
Rao Jingzhu’s eyes turned red. She clasped Su Tao’s hands tightly and said,
“Boss Su, as parents, we’re not very capable. The place we used to live in was too chaotic—I was always on edge, afraid that something would happen to Yulan and Yuqing. There was even a close call before… If Yuqing hadn’t awakened her ability and saved Yulan’s life, and if we hadn’t gotten the chance to move to Taoyang, our family might not even be together anymore.”
Su Tao was shocked. “Yulan was in danger? Why didn’t you tell me?”
Sheng Yulan lowered her head and whispered, “It was last week… I’m sorry…”
The situation was serious. Rao Jingzhu was still shaken as she spoke, her voice trembling.
“In the place we lived before, there was a depraved old man. One day, when my husband and I weren’t home, he broke in, trying to do something terrible to Yulan and Yuqing. At the critical moment, Yuqing’s ability awakened, and they managed to escape. But we made an enemy of him—he has some influence in that area. If Taoyang hadn’t taken us in, he would have definitely come after us for revenge, making our lives unbearable.”
After saying that, Rao Jingzhu clutched Su Tao’s hands again.
“Boss Su, for so many years, our family has been like rats, constantly moving and hiding. If not for Taoyang’s shelter, we would still be wandering like floating weeds. We have nothing to repay you with…”
She got emotional, and Sheng Kangshun quickly continued for her.
“That’s right, Boss Su. We heard you need an Awakened person for personal protection. What do you think of Yuqing? Deputy Pei said her ability is very useful—it’s called ‘Control.’ She can manipulate others’ actions and thoughts for a short period.”
Su Tao’s eyes widened, and she immediately declined,
“No, no, no! Mr. Sheng, it’s not that I think Yuqing isn’t good—it’s that she’s too good! She shouldn’t be stuck by my side. Ziyue told me Yuqing has great leadership potential. She should stay in the military district where she has a better future.”
Besides, she wouldn’t dare take Sheng Yuqing.
Pei Dong had personally selected her as a future talent—once she graduated, she was meant to be nurtured within the military.
She couldn’t just steal Pei Dong’s recruit.
Su Tao continued persuading, “Besides, Yulan is already staying in Taoyang, and I’m truly grateful for that. I really don’t need any more help. Let Yuqing find her own path, right, Yuqing?”
Sheng Yuqing hesitated for a moment, then said, “I want to follow you. I’ve already filed my application with the school. When you go select people this afternoon, you’ll see my name on the list.”
Su Tao was speechless. She hadn’t expected Pei Dong to actually approve it.
Pei Dong really treated her like a little sister…
“Yuqing, think it over again. Deputy Pei values you a lot.”
