Chapter 180: The Shrewd Merchant
Ji Boda heaved a huge sigh of relief after receiving the price list.
It was really cheap—unbelievably so.
A whole box of instant noodles cost only 200 Federation coins, with 12 packs inside. Considering the scarcity of supplies in the post-apocalyptic market, this was shockingly affordable.
Boss Su definitely wasn’t making a profit off them!
Not only that, she might even be taking a loss!
Ji Boda suddenly felt ashamed of his previous skepticism.
Boss Su was actually helping Hekang.
Tears welled up in Ji Boda’s eyes as he shakily put down the price list.
“Boss Su, there’s no need for this. We at Hekang will pay you the full and fair price.”
Su Tao thought she had made a mistake and took back the list to check.
“No, this is correct.”
At this price, she could still make about 80 Federation coins per box—not much in terms of unit price, but if He Kang bought in bulk, it would add up to a considerable amount.
Ji Boda, seeing how firm she was, was deeply moved by her sincerity.
“I will always remember this kindness from Taoyang. In that case, I’ll shamelessly ask to be your friend, Boss Su. If you ever need Hekang’s help, don’t hesitate to ask.”
He then took the initiative to exchange contact information.
Su Tao only just processed his words. “Oh, sure. You can come pick up the supplies tomorrow morning or before you leave.”
“Good, good! But about the crystal cores… I’ll need Boss Su to wait a bit. Since we traveled far, we couldn’t bring such valuable items with us.”
That evening, both parties signed a very formal contract.
The main terms were that Hekang would give Taoyang eight crystal cores as a show of sincerity, and in return, Taoyang would provide Hekang with long-term supplies—at prices set by Taoyang.
Both sides were extremely satisfied.
Su Tao originally thought she would have to wait several days for the crystal cores, but to her surprise, Ji Caizhe personally delivered them early the next morning.
Apparently, Hekang had an ability user who could transport objects remotely, as long as they were lightweight. It was incredibly convenient.
Su Tao was delighted. But when she looked up, she saw Ji Caizhe staring at her intently.
Her face immediately became expressionless. She began seeing him out.
“If there’s nothing else, Mr. Ji, please head back. I still have work to do, so I won’t be seeing you off.”
But Ji Caizhe wouldn’t let her leave.
“Hey, hey, hey, Boss Su, don’t be so cold. Ever since I visited Taoyang, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. I’d really like to live here. Can you tell me what housing options are available and how much they cost?”
Out of nowhere, Jiang Yu emerged from the shadows, stepping in front of Su Tao with a cold, intimidating gaze that screamed trouble.
Ji Caizhe was so startled that he nearly had a heart attack.
“Holy—Boss Su?!”
Her only response was her retreating figure.
He tried to follow her, but the cold-faced man blocked him again, his eyes full of warning.
Ji Caizhe clicked his tongue.
“Jeez, is this necessary? I just want to be friends with Boss Su, but you’re treating me like a criminal.”
Jiang Yu remained stone-faced, staring him down. He might as well have had the words Get lost carved onto his forehead.
Ji Caizhe sighed and waved a hand. “Fine, fine, I’ll come back another time.”
What a challenge—harder to deal with than He Mengkui.
But he wasn’t giving up.
Persistent men always win.
Back then, he had chased after He Mengkui until she fell for him. Now, wasn’t she completely devoted to him?
Women were all the same.
*
That morning, Su Tao spent two hours hauling bricks and finished the second floor of Taohua Tower.
Then she received a call from Zhuang Wan.
Meng Qian and her father had officially joined the team, with their salaries and benefits all settled.
However, Mist came to see her separately.
It looked like he had gone through an intense internal struggle.
In just three or four days, he had lost so much weight that he was almost unrecognizable. But his spirit seemed intact.
“Boss Su, I admit I’m not a smart man. I’m stubborn and inflexible. But my heart is firm.”
He pounded his chest.
“I swear, unless you abandon me like Tan Yong did, I’ll follow you to the end. Even if I have to climb mountains of blades or wade through seas of fire, I won’t back down.”
Su Tao patted his shoulder.
“If that day ever comes, I’ll stand by your side, too.”
Mist’s heart surged with emotion.
Su Tao asked, “Was the list you gave me of Old Station members complete?”
Mist nodded seriously. “Yes, it’s all there.”
Su Tao thought for a moment. “Besides obeying his mistress, does Tan Yong have any other weaknesses?”
Mist hesitated before shaking his head. “His ability is defensive. It’s hard to find a weak spot.”
“Then, if we were to kill him, what would be the best way to do it?”
Mist’s breath caught in his throat. His voice trembled with excitement.
“Boss Su, you want to kill him?”
Su Tao saw no need to hide it. “Yes.”
Mist was so shaken that even his hands trembled.
“I’ll help you, Boss Su. The trust I had in him has turned into pure hatred. If I hadn’t ended up under your command, I’d be dead by now—nothing left but scraps of bone. And Qianqian… she would have suffered even worse.”
Su Tao nodded. “Alright. But I need time to plan it properly. We only have one shot.”
Mist alone wouldn’t be enough.
She actually wanted to wait for Lei Xing and the others to return. With more people, the chances of success would be higher.
*
That afternoon, Lin Fangzhi suddenly asked for half a day off—something he never did.
Su Tao was puzzled. “Where are you going?”
Lin Fangzhi answered honestly. “Minister Chen. Meeting.”
“Who’s Minister Chen?” She had no recollection of him. When had this kid started making connections outside?
Lin Fangzhi tilted his head, thinking for a moment before carefully explaining.
“East Sun. Logistics. Minister Chen. Before Taoyang.”
Su Tao finally remembered. She had taken Lin Fangzhi from the logistics department back then.
Before that, he had almost died of thirst. It was Minister Chen who gave him a sip of water and had him brought back to East Sun.
“And what does he want?”
Lin Fangzhi shook his head, looking innocent.
Su Tao wasn’t at ease. After some thought, she sent Meng Xiaobo to go with him.
Meng Xiaobo patted his chest.
“Don’t worry, Boss Su! I don’t care if he’s a minister or a director—nobody’s going to mess with Fangzhi while I’m around!”
Only then did Su Tao feel a bit more reassured. “Alright, go and come back quickly. I have things to do, or I’d go with you.”
Taohua Tower had already been delayed for several days. She needed to speed up construction.
And the plan to kill Tan Yong had to be finalized soon.
She was in a hurry to upgrade Taoyang’s defense system.
Otherwise, she’d live every day fearing that Bone Wing would descend from the sky.
Lin Fangzhi and Meng Xiaobo drove to their destination.
As soon as they got out of the car, Minister Chen eagerly came out to greet them.
Seeing how much Lin Fangzhi had changed, he was shocked.
“Fangzhi, looks like you’re living well in Taoyang.”
“Do you remember what I told you when you left the logistics department?”
“Haha, you don’t? That’s okay. Didn’t I say, ‘If you ever end up with Major Shi or Miss Su, don’t forget who gave you a sip of water and saved your life’?”
“Fangzhi, you should know gratitude. I don’t have an unreasonable request—just a simple favor. I want to introduce you to someone. Talk to Boss Su and convince her to let them move to Taoyang.”
Saying that, he waved someone over.
“Lian Sha, come here! This young man is Boss Su’s favorite. With his help, you’re sure to get into Taoyang.”
