Chapter 237: Everything Has Changed
Taoyang, Taoyang, Taoyang!
It was Taoyang again!
Jiang Jinwei was furious just hearing those two words!
Everywhere she went, people praised Taoyang. And now, they even wanted to send her daughter there!
“No way!” she snapped.
Li Lianrong’s eyes instantly turned red.
“Jinwei, Jinjin… You… You… Tangdou is your biological daughter! The situation in Dongyang hasn’t been great lately. We’re getting old—if the city falls, then we’ll just have to accept our fate, but the child… she can’t!”
Tangdou didn’t understand what was happening, but seeing her grandmother cry, she started wailing as well.
Jiang Jinwei clutched her head, overwhelmed by the noise. “Enough! Even if I wanted to help, I can’t! Er’Cheng isn’t from Dongyang, let alone Taoyang. What could he possibly say that would make a difference?”
Li Lianrong’s sobbing halted for a moment.
“But… but didn’t he help Zhenglan find a good job? And he’s a big figure in Xindu, which is way more powerful than Dongyang. How could he not have any influence?”
Deep down, Jiang Jinwei didn’t want to ask Zhuo Er’Cheng for help regarding Tangdou. If he ever found out that Tangdou was actually her biological daughter, she would be doomed!
Er’Cheng despised being lied to the most.
Thinking of this, she firmly said, “Mom, Er’Cheng really can’t do anything. And besides, Dongyang isn’t going to fall overnight. It’s still relatively safe inside the city. If things do get worse, I’ll come and save you all.”
Li Lianrong was utterly disappointed. She hesitated before saying, “So… we still need Taoyang’s help, don’t we?”
Jiang Jinwei had a bad feeling.
Sure enough, in the next second, her mother pleaded, “Jinjin, why don’t you… talk to your sister? She has some misunderstandings about us, but for Tangdou’s sake, as her mother, could you lower your pride this once and apologize to her? Maybe she can help pull some strings and get Tangdou a spot in the childcare center. Otherwise, I won’t be able to sleep at night…”
Jiang Jinwei exploded. “All of you want me to apologize?! Why should I?!”
It was bad enough that Er’Cheng ordered her around!
Now even her own mother wanted to pressure her?!
No way!
Tangdou was frightened by her mother’s outburst and started crying loudly.
Ever since Mommy came back, she wasn’t the same anymore.
Li Lianrong and Su Zhenglan were also startled, not daring to say another word.
Right now, Jiang Jinwei was like a queen in this house.
But deep inside, Li Lianrong was heartbroken.
Her daughter had changed. She could tell that Jiang Jinwei hadn’t returned to help them—she had come back to flaunt her wealth and status.
To her, family ties meant nothing.
Li Lianrong couldn’t help but think of the days when her younger daughter still lived at home. Back then, even though the family squeezed together in a small space, they were happy.
Her eldest daughter was considerate, her younger daughter was sensible, her husband had a stable job and respected her, and even her step-sons, though not close to her, were at least successful.
Now, everything had changed.
*
Su Tao woke up after lunch. She had just taken a few bites of food when she heard that Jiang Jinwei had come looking for her and had been kicked out.
“What did she want? Bringing more strawberries?”
Everyone chuckled.
Qi Yunlan explained, “She said she wanted to invite you out for a meal to catch up. And… she indirectly tried to ask about your… boyfriend…”
Su Tao was speechless. She had no idea what Jiang Jinwei was planning, and honestly, she didn’t care. She just continued eating.
After finishing her meal, she finally felt her energy returning. Just as she was tidying up, Director Guo arrived to report on work matters. Su Tao quickly freshened up and went to the meeting room to meet her.
Director Guo looked refreshed, her crow’s feet slightly lifted from smiling.
Beside her sat a middle-aged woman of similar age with a round face that gave off a warm and friendly vibe.
“Boss Su, let me introduce you. This is Director Miao from the orphanage.”
Upon seeing Su Tao, Director Miao immediately recalled what the children had been saying. Her eyes turned red with emotion, and she stood up, gripping Su Tao’s hands tightly.
“Boss Su, on behalf of the children, I sincerely thank you. You… we’re so grateful. For the first time in nearly a year, the children were able to take a proper bath. And the kitchenware, tableware, fresh vegetables, and grains you provided… They’ve never had vegetables before—this was their first time…”
Her words were choked with emotion, and her hands trembled.
Director Guo let out a long sigh beside her.
Although the children at the orphanage were surviving, most suffered from malnutrition and stunted growth.
What Taoyang had done this time was truly an act of kindness.
Su Tao was moved by Director Miao’s sincerity. She squeezed her hands back and said, “You are the true hero here. You are the one taking care of the children. If you need anything, just let me know—I’ll do my best to help.”
Director Miao calmed herself and shook her head. “We’re already incredibly grateful. The children are overjoyed. They even… want to meet the fairy sister.”
“The fairy?”
Director Guo chuckled. “Overnight, their world changed so much that they believe a fairy from their storybooks must have granted their wishes.”
Su Tao burst into laughter. “That’s adorable. I’ll make time to visit them soon.”
The three of them continued discussing the orphanage’s needs, and then Director Guo brought up the topic of salary increases for the staff.
“Everyone is very happy and grateful, so they want to hold a team-building event and hope you can join us.”
Su Tao asked, “When is it?”
She had been extremely busy lately. There were interviews for new employees—though it was just the final round, the sheer number of candidates meant it would take time.
Then there was the dormitory construction project for the staff, a major undertaking.
Not to mention the newly upgraded housing units that she hadn’t even had time to inspect yet.
On top of that, Master Mei was finalizing the plans for Taoyang’s transportation project, which meant she would have to focus on its development soon.
And now she had also promised to visit the orphanage children.
Thinking about it all made her realize just how packed her schedule was.
Director Guo replied, “We’ll plan it according to your availability.”
Su Tao felt a little guilty. “I’ll set a date once I get things sorted.”
Director Guo nodded understandingly. “That’s fine. Oh, and about the childcare center spots—it’s still prioritized for Taoyang residents, right?”
Su Tao nodded. “Yes. When I built it, I made sure to expand the classrooms and dormitories. We should be able to accommodate an additional 200 preschool children. I’ll also have Manager Zhuang recruit more teachers soon, so I’ll need you to help with the interviews.”
Director Guo’s eyes lit up. “Of course!”
After finishing the discussion, Su Tao returned to her office, hoping to steal a moment of relaxation amidst her hectic schedule.
But just as she sat down, Sheng Yulan suddenly came looking for her.
“What’s the matter, Ms. Sheng?” Seeing her hesitant and conflicted expression, Su Tao took the initiative to ask in a lighthearted tone.
Sheng Yulan pursed her lips before finally speaking. “Boss Su, I heard the childcare center is hiring teachers. I… I’d like to apply.”
