Chapter 216: I Have a Friend…
The two engaged in a silent battle of wits in the meeting room.
They went back and forth for over half an hour, pushing each other to the limit.
It felt like their first business deal all over again.
Su Tao was so frustrated she wanted to shove him back into the communicator.
Offline, Gu Mingchi was even more difficult than online—unyielding, completely unwilling to compromise, and absurdly stubborn.
Hui Su was off to the side, enjoying the air conditioning, sipping a drink, and snacking, watching the drama unfold so comfortably that he almost fell asleep.
At some point, he dozed off. When he opened his eyes again, he found that the two had ceased fire, now sitting quietly across from each other, sipping water. The afternoon sunlight streamed in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a gentle glow on them, creating an illusion of peace and tranquility.
“How did it go?” Hui Su asked about the results of their battle.
Gu Mingchi glanced at him, and in an instant, that illusion of tranquility shattered.
Hui Su immediately shrank back.
Su Tao was parched, her patience completely drained.
“Just tell me—threefold discount, yes or no? I’ve never met someone like you. You clearly don’t lack money, yet you insist on dragging this out. Are you doing this on purpose?”
Gu Mingchi was doing it on purpose. He simply enjoyed seeing her distressed over money—it was oddly satisfying.
Suppressing his amusement, he firmly said, “No.”
Su Tao puffed up in frustration, her eyes round with anger as she glared at him for a long time.
“Fine! Free it is! But since you’re taking advantage of me, from now on, Zhong Gaoyi is completely under my jurisdiction. If you ever need his help, you must get my permission first. You are not allowed to contact him directly, nor trouble him, Zhuang Wan, or the two kids in any way.”
Gu Mingchi studied her puffed-up expression for a moment, quite satisfied, before nodding.
“He’s yours. Now, let’s go. Take me to see the old man.”
Hui Su yawned and followed along.
On the way, Gu Mingchi suddenly asked, “I heard you’re renting out land?”
Su Tao nodded.
Gu Mingchi raised an eyebrow. “Land near Taoyang?”
Su Tao thought about it—there was still Panliu Mountain and the Tao Chi transit station where land could be expanded. She shook her head.
“There are other locations too. Why? Are you looking to rent?”
Gu Mingchi looked uninterested. “Just asking.”
Hui Su: “……”
Boss, that’s not what you said earlier! You specifically sent me to investigate who was renting!
Gu Mingchi immediately turned his gaze on Hui Su.
Hui Su had no choice but to bravely ask for him,
“Boss Su, how does the rental process work? I have a friend… who’s interested.”
Su Tao didn’t suspect anything and thought for a moment before replying,
“It’s based on land size. If you don’t need us to build or renovate, then 1000 square meters costs only 100,000 a month.
“If construction and renovations are needed, prices range from 200,000 to 500,000.”
Gu Mingchi continued staring at Hui Su.
Hui Su racked his brain, trying to guess what else his boss wanted to know.
“Oh, right! Uh… do rented plots also come with city walls and a protective barrier?”
Gu Mingchi gave a slight nod, indicating this was a good question.
Su Tao instantly perked up. “As long as you pay, you get it! Does your friend have money?”
If another big spender like Leopard Path came along, she would be thrilled.
Hui Su eagerly nodded and started hyping up the imaginary friend.
“Plenty of money! Very generous! And doesn’t meddle in things!”
Su Tao’s eyes lit up. “How much land is he looking for?”
Hui Su excitedly said, “Three thousand square meters!”
Su Tao’s smile immediately disappeared. “Then forget it.”
Hui Su froze. He didn’t dare look at his boss’s expression and quickly asked,
“Why not?”
Su Tao sighed. “I don’t have that much land available right now. If it were 500 or 1000 square meters, that’d be doable, but 3000 is too much.”
That much land would require thirty crystal cores.
She couldn’t get her hands on that many at the moment.
And even if she did, she would prioritize expanding Taoyang first.
With apartment buildings going up higher and spaces getting cramped, it was starting to affect sunlight.
She was already considering expanding the residential area and constructing more apartment buildings.
Hui Su took note of that and, glancing at his boss’s slightly pursed lips, knew he was not pleased.
So, he carefully asked, “Boss Su, how much land can you rent out right now?”
Su Tao thought it over. “Five hundred square meters. Any more will have to wait.”
Once word spread about Taoyang’s supplies and more people came to trade, her membership fees (which were paid in crystal cores) would also increase.
Right now, that was her only source of crystal cores.
Hui Su checked his boss’s expression again—still dissatisfied.
So, he apologized, “Boss Su, my friend will think about it.”
Su Tao nodded cheerfully.
Just as they arrived at the apartment building, a commotion broke out. Many people were coming down with bags, chatting and laughing as they headed toward Taoyuan Tower.
Even Old Master Gu was among them, carrying a small basket with his caretaker, walking past Gu Mingchi without even noticing him.
Gu Mingchi felt completely ignored and gave Su Tao a resentful look, silently demanding an explanation.
He could understand why the old man didn’t recognize him.
But even the caretaker? Why were they in such a rush?
Seeing his deflated expression, Su Tao grinned.
“The plantation just restocked with fresh produce. They’re going to line up for it.”
Gu Mingchi immediately said, “I want some too. Before I leave, pack at least 20 pounds for me.”
Su Tao: “…Can you be any more shameless?”
Gu Mingchi smirked slightly. “You’re giving it to me for free. And you’ll have someone load it onto my car.”
Su Tao had had enough. She lifted her foot, ready to kick him.
Hui Su immediately jumped between them, voluntarily acting as a human shield.
Su Tao huffed and withdrew her foot, ignoring them.
At that moment, a chubby man dashed past, joining the elderly crowd in their vegetable scramble.
Gu Mingchi watched him go, frowning. The guy looked oddly familiar.
But he couldn’t quite place him.
Hui Su, unaware of his boss’s thoughts, jogged over and called the caretaker back.
The caretaker, surprised to see Gu Mingchi, eagerly helped the old man walk over.
But Gu Mingchi shook his head from a distance.
The caretaker understood immediately—his boss just wanted to see the old man from afar, without disturbing him.
To avoid triggering another outburst.
Sighing inwardly, the caretaker made up an excuse to keep the old man talking in place, allowing his boss to look a little longer.
Gu Mingchi stood there, watching intently.
Only after a full ten minutes, when the caretaker could no longer delay, did he nod apologetically and follow after Old Master Gu.
Su Tao noticed Gu Mingchi still standing there, staring even after they had left.
Her heart softened a little.
Even his earlier antics didn’t seem so annoying anymore.
Fine, 20 pounds it is. She’d have someone load it for him later.
She had already given him 400,000 worth of supplies for free—what was a bit more?
Gu Mingchi finally turned back.
“The old man’s doing much better. He never used to leave home in the East District.”
Hui Su sighed. “Who wouldn’t want to go out for a stroll in Taoyang? This place is amazing. Good mood, better health.”
Su Tao, looking at Gu Mingchi, found him less aggressive at this moment—almost tolerable.
Then, suddenly, he paused and quickly muttered, “Thank you.”
Su Tao’s eyes widened.
Did she just imagine that?
