Chapter 22: Boss Su Is Good to Us
“Su Zhengqing, you promised me that we’d definitely live in Taoyang before getting married. Now there’s less than a month until our wedding date. Taoyang has released one batch of apartments after another, but none have come to us. Today, I heard the double rooms are all gone, and there are only two one-bedroom apartments left. With so many people applying, do you think we have a chance?”
Faced with his girlfriend’s questioning, Su Zhengqing felt irritated. He threw his half-smoked cigarette to the ground:
“I’ll buy some things tomorrow and go to Taoyang.”
He was clearly planning to give a gift.
His girlfriend was stunned for a moment and mumbled, “Gifting is fine, but why should you pay for it? Your dad, and that stepmother of yours, haven’t lifted a finger for your wedding so far…”
Before the apocalypse, which groom didn’t have to handle the house and car?
Now, even without those conditions, renting a place and giving gifts to the bride’s family were still non-negotiable.
Su Zhengqing was beyond annoyed: “Alright, I’ll go ask my dad again.”
Only then did his girlfriend let it go.
*
Early the next morning, Zhuang Wan arrived at Taoyang with big and small bags, holding her two children. Her entire being radiated the joy and hope of starting a new life.
A large crowd had already gathered at the entrance of Taoyang before dawn. When they saw Zhuang Wan with all her luggage, they quickly surrounded her.
“Hello, are you a new tenant at Taoyang? Could you share the landlord’s contact information?”
“Is the landlord at Taoyang now? Can we visit them?”
“I brought a small gift and would like to meet the landlord. If it’s convenient, could you help pass the word?”
“Excuse me, what were the requirements for moving in? Why have I applied so many times without success?”
…
A tidal wave of questions hit Zhuang Wan from all directions. Her initial joy was immediately replaced by fear and anxiety.
She grabbed her two kids and ran as if fleeing for her life.
The smart home system recognized Zhuang Wan, allowing only her and the children inside. The rest of the crowd remained stuck outside the gate’s turnstile.
When she saw Su Tao, Zhuang Wan recounted the terrifying scene outside, still visibly shaken:
“Thank goodness, thanks to Huzi, we managed to rent a place from you. Otherwise, it would be us three worrying outside now.”
She quickly called to her children:
“Chen Yang, Chen Xi, say hello to your big sister.”
The two kids—an 11-year-old sister and an 8-year-old brother—were well-behaved and bore a strong resemblance to Zhuang Wan. Their manners showed they had been raised well, though they were a bit timid. They greeted Su Tao in soft voices, nervously clinging to their mother’s hand.
Su Tao patted their heads and led them to the prepared one-bedroom apartment.
When Zhuang Wan saw the bedroom—with its cute and cozy bunk bed, a small desk and chair, a single bed for herself, a wardrobe, and a privacy curtain—she burst into tears.
“Boss Su, I really don’t know what to say. Thank you, thank you. I thank you on behalf of the kids too.”
Chen Yang and Chen Xi echoed with their childish voices, “Thank you, big sister! You’re the best!” Their innocent eyes sparkled with admiration.
Su Tao felt a bit embarrassed.
“Big Sister Landlord, is this desk for us? And this drawing book too?”
“Yes, it’s all for you, including the watercolor pens, rulers, and everything else.”
Su Tao had bought these when she got the children’s furniture. They were quite inexpensive, and she figured kids would like them.
The siblings let out a delighted “Wow!” and couldn’t contain their joy.
Zhuang Wan, overwhelmed with emotion, nearly cried a river. While wiping away her tears, she promptly transferred three months’ rent—60,000 federal credits.
Before he left, Zhuang Hu had actually set aside some money for her and the kids, along with a substantial compensation for his sacrifice and a monthly stipend. Combined with the salary she’d earn from Su Tao, it was more than enough for her to rent a home and raise her children.
Su Tao’s total assets instantly grew to over 126,000 federal credits.
To level up to LV4, she needed 200,000 federal credits. She was already more than halfway there.
However, the total number of rooms needed to reach 50—there was still more work to do.
“Just take a good rest today. Starting tomorrow, you’ll be busy helping me screen tenants. It might get a bit hectic. Oh, by the way, I’ll pay you 10,000 federal credits per month, with three meals included. You and the kids can have whatever you want from the vending machines. If you do well, there’ll be bonuses and salary increases. Is that okay?”
There were still two one-bedroom units and a double room available for rent.
Zhuang Wan nodded vigorously. “Absolutely! I really can’t thank you enough.”
Not to mention 10,000 with meals included—she would have accepted even two or three thousand!
This feeling of being needed was truly wonderful!
With the assistant role settled, Su Tao began to worry about finding a cleaner.
Currently, the single, double, and one-bedroom units combined totaled 27 rooms.
The public area had expanded again, and walking from one corner to the opposite room took a good seven to eight minutes.
If she didn’t clean for two or three days, Su Tao would have to spend an entire day tidying up.
Keeping the place clean was a major challenge. The communal washing machines needed regular disinfection, the tables and chairs in the small dining hall had to be wiped frequently, and the trash needed to be taken out daily—otherwise, it would pile up quickly.
Su Tao thought of Qian Rongrong, the young girl who had helped her clean last time. She found Rongrong’s mother, Qian Lin’s contact, and left a message, waiting for her to return from work in the evening.
Su Tao was just about to thank her for Rongrong’s help when Qian Lin waved her hand, speaking quickly:
“Boss Su, you’re too polite! Rongrong is young, not very busy with work, and has lots of energy. It’s no trouble at all. Besides, you’ve created such a good environment for us—with the canteen and the washing machines—where else could we find such a good place and such a kind landlord? It’s only fair that we pitch in a bit. Don’t be so formal!”
Her words moved Su Tao, but she still insisted:
“That won’t do. I can’t let Rongrong work for free. How about this—I’d like to offer her a paid position to help with cleaning for 1-2 hours after work each day. I’ll give her a monthly allowance of 3,000 federal credits…”
Before she could finish, Qian Lin interrupted, “No need for that. I’ll talk to the tenants. Everyone should be more mindful of hygiene, clean up after themselves, and take out the trash when they see it. The rest, Rongrong can handle—no need to spend money on it.”
Su Tao didn’t know whether to laugh or cry but could only express her gratitude.
Qian Lin chuckled, “Too polite! If Boss Su could get us a couple more washing machines, that would be great. With so many people now, there’s a bit of a wait.”
That very evening, Su Tao installed four more machines, making a neat row of ten by the back door, dazzling the eyes of returning tenants.
Seizing the moment, Qian Lin spoke up:
“Friends, we’ve all seen how good Boss Su has been to us. Let’s not trouble her too much. Keep the place clean, tidy up after eating in the canteen, wipe down the tables, and take out the trash when you see it. Let’s make sure we don’t make more work for her.”
