Chapter 233: Surrender
As Jiang Jinwei hung up the phone, she heard the deep voice of Zhuo Er’Cheng beside her:
“Your sister is in Taoyang? Why haven’t you mentioned it before?”
Jiang Jinwei immediately smiled and walked over. “Husband, you’re back.”
Zhuo Er’Cheng acknowledged with a simple “hmm,” watching her expectantly for an answer.
Although Jiang Jinwei had been with him for nearly six months, she still feared him a little. Sensing his mood, she quickly explained:
“It’s like this. Our family doesn’t have a good relationship with her. We haven’t seen each other for a long time, so I never thought to mention it.”
Zhuo Ercheng was silent for a moment before asking, “Why don’t you get along?”
Jiang Jinwei suddenly felt like he was displeased, and she nervously swallowed before answering:
“She climbed up the ranks in Taoyang and even abandoned Tangdou, leaving her with my mother to raise. She cut off all contact with us. Our family thinks she’s heartless, so naturally, we didn’t want to reach out and be humiliated.”
Zhuo Er’Cheng seemed interested. “Who did she latch onto in Taoyang?”
Jiang Jinwei hesitated. “…Apparently someone from the military, with quite a high rank.”
Zhuo Er’Cheng had been struggling to establish contact with Taoyang. Dongyang’s old fox was extremely wary of him and refused to reveal any useful information.
So he smiled at Jiang Jinwei and said,
“Sisters shouldn’t hold grudges overnight. She was young and made some mistakes. As her older sister, you should be more understanding. Let’s do this—find a time to invite her out for dinner. Apologize in person and try to mend your relationship.”
Jiang Jinwei’s eyes widened. She wanted to ask why she had to apologize.
But when she saw the depth in his gaze, she swallowed her resentment despite the bitterness in her heart and nodded with teary eyes.
Zhuo Er’Cheng was pleased with her obedience. He gently stroked her hair and said softly,
“You’re such a good girl. Also, remind your sister to bring her partner along.”
He emphasized the last two words.
Jiang Jinwei instantly understood—he didn’t care about Su Tao or her feelings. He only wanted to meet the person backing her and investigate Taoyang. Everything else was irrelevant, including her own grievances.
A bitter taste spread in Jiang Jinwei’s heart.
“Jinwei, didn’t you want a kitten? I had someone find one for you. It should arrive this week.”
At that, all of Jiang Jinwei’s resentment disappeared. She threw her arms around him, her face lighting up with joy.
Er’Cheng still cared about her.
She had to make sure this dinner with Su Tao happened. She couldn’t disappoint him.
Su Tao had no idea someone was trying to invite her to dinner. At the moment, she was listening to Ma Dapao talk about Qu Jingwen’s recent behavior.
“She suddenly seems to have figured things out. She’s no longer making a fuss about retrieving Tan Yong’s body and even says she wants to stay in Taoyang and be useful. I feel like something’s off—it’s too drastic of a change. But no matter how many times I ask, and despite having people keep an eye on her, she really does seem to have moved on…”
“Boss, I’m not sure what to make of it, so I wanted to ask you.”
Su Tao thought for a moment before saying, “Take me to see her.”
Qu Jingwen was being held in a vacant single room in Panliu Mountain. At first, she had been restrained, but after she started cooperating, they had loosened her bindings and allowed her to move freely within the room.
When she saw Su Tao, she paused for a moment but showed no particular reaction. She simply nodded and sat quietly on the bed.
With just one glance, Su Tao was certain—this was not the real Qu Jingwen.
A huge mystery arose in her heart.
So, who was this “Qu Jingwen” in front of her?
And where was the real Qu Jingwen?
Without revealing her thoughts, Su Tao asked, “You’ve figured things out?”
“Qu Jingwen” nodded and looked at her with a sincerity that was hard to fake.
“If I kept resisting, you’d eventually kill me, wouldn’t you? Besides, staying in Taoyang and contributing is an opportunity that others would kill for. I was too stubborn before, but now I truly understand.”
Su Tao hesitated for two seconds before suddenly asking, “How old was Tan Yong this year? How many lovers did he have? When did you start following him?”
“Qu Jingwen” answered every question in detail, flawlessly and accurately.
Su Tao frowned inwardly. This person had left no gaps.
As if sensing her doubts, “Qu Jingwen” suddenly swore an oath:
“I have no resentment or ill intentions toward Taoyang. I would never harm anyone here. I just want a simple job to make ends meet. Please allow me to stay.”
Su Tao nodded but, after leaving, instructed Ma Dapao:
“Keep an eye on her. For now, let her help Master Qin in the kitchen—washing dishes, collecting plates, that sort of thing.”
Ma Dapao hesitated. “Boss, you don’t believe her?”
Su Tao shook her head. “I do. She probably means no harm, but she’s not the real Qu Jingwen.”
Ma Dapao’s eyes widened. “What—what do you mean?”
“Exactly what it sounds like. It’s probably some kind of secret ability.”
Ma Dapao dared not ask further, but he kept his guard up.
Just then, “Qu Jingwen” suddenly ran out of her room.
Ma Dapao quickly resumed his usual grinning but vigilant demeanor and asked, “What’s the matter, Miss Qu?”
“Qu Jingwen” hesitated for a moment before saying to Su Tao:
“Boss Su, before Tan Yong died, he left a private sum of money with me. Maybe you can use it—there’s about 7.5 million.”
Ma Dapao nearly popped his eyes out in shock.
Su Tao was also surprised. She stared at her for a long time before asking, “Why are you telling me this?”
“Qu Jingwen” smiled.
“Because it’s not my money, and I wouldn’t feel at ease using it. Besides, the victor takes the spoils. This belongs to you, so I can’t keep it.”
Then, she gave Su Tao an account number and password.
Ma Dapao hurriedly noted it down and handed it to Su Tao.
Su Tao nodded, taking a deep look at “Qu Jingwen,” and asked,
“Is there anything you want?”
“Qu Jingwen” answered seriously, “I just want the stable life of an ordinary person, nothing more. Please believe me.”
Su Tao studied her for a moment longer, then turned to Ma Dapao and said, “Give her a single room in Panliu Mountain.”
Ma Dapao nodded.
“Qu Jingwen” smiled brightly, showing a row of white teeth. “Thank you, Boss Su. I’ll work hard.”
After returning to Taoyang, Ma Dapao transferred all of Tan Yong’s money into their accounts.
When Qian Rongrong saw the massive sum, she clutched her chest, her face flushed with excitement.
Su Tao was equally pleased and immediately decided to increase benefits for the employees of the Maternal and Child Health Hospital.
All salaries would be raised by 10%, meals would be fully covered, and, like in Taoyang, employees would receive a heatwave allowance and free drinks every day.
Moreover, she promised that all hospital employees would be given priority when applying for residence in Taoyang—so long as they patiently waited in line.
Director Guo, the hospital’s strict and upright leader, was so taken aback by this generosity that she felt his heart skip a beat. As she read the email, she was deeply grateful.
