Chapter 240: Speculation
Su Tao stared at Liu Panpan and blurted out, “Mom?!”
Everyone present was stunned.
Did their boss just call Liu Panpan “Mom”?
Liu Panpan was also dumbfounded for a moment before she let out a laugh. “Boss Su, what’s wrong?”
Old Mei looked at Su Tao with concern, thinking she was missing her parents. But then, remembering the Su family… he realized something didn’t seem right.
Su Tao, with a serious expression, grabbed Liu Panpan’s hand, trying to “see” the scene again.
But this time, her ability didn’t respond. Nothing happened.
Seeing this, Liu Panpan’s smile faded. She hesitated as if wanting to ask something, but Su Tao suddenly asked, her voice filled with uncertainty, “Have you… ever seen Bone Wing?”
Liu Panpan was confused. “What?”
Su Tao immediately fell silent, lost in thought.
She had “seen” Bone Wing.
It had grown significantly, no longer looking like a boy but a young man. Yet, its blood-red wings and eerie eyes remained unchanged.
She had “seen” it pierce its bone spurs into Liu Panpan’s chest.
Liu Panpan’s eyes widened in shock as she slowly collapsed. Her lips moved, trying to say something, but no sound came out.
Bone Wing looked at her coldly, waiting for her to take her last breath before picking her up and murmuring chilling words:
“Mom, now you’ll never leave me again.”
Su Tao closed her eyes briefly. When she reopened them and looked at the very much alive Liu Panpan, a terrifying suspicion crept into her heart.
She lowered her gaze, her eyelashes trembling with her uneven breathing.
Liu Panpan grew more anxious seeing her like this, standing there helplessly.
Old Mei, who had never seen Su Tao so shaken, sat up straighter and said solemnly, “Tao girl, what’s going on?”
Su Tao lifted her head, pressed her lips together, and shook her head. Then, she looked at Liu Panpan again, speaking as naturally as she could, “Sister Pan, I suddenly remembered something. I might need to trouble you with a task.”
Liu Panpan let out a breath of relief—so she just needed her help! She smiled. “Oh, don’t scare me like that. Just tell me what you need.”
Su Tao said, “The orphanage is short on caregivers. I’d like you to help out for a while. You’re careful and considerate, and these kids have no parents. I’d feel at ease leaving them with you. It might be for about two months.”
Liu Panpan glanced at Old Mei. But what about Teacher Mei?
Especially since they were supposed to leave for Xindu at the end of the month.
Old Mei was old and needed care.
Su Tao reassured her, “I’ll find someone suitable to accompany us. The orphanage will just need your help for a little while.”
She mainly wanted Liu Panpan to stay in Taoyang.
The vision she had “seen” clearly happened outside—most likely on the way to Xindu.
Bone Wing was clearly coming for Liu Panpan.
She would be safest staying in Taoyang.
Liu Panpan didn’t think too much about it. Seeing that Old Mei also agreed, she immediately accepted the request.
She was happy to help Boss Su however she could.
“Oh, right, Sister Pan,” Su Tao added, “Taoyang’s official website now has a family reunion feature. You can post information about Yanyan there—maybe you’ll get some leads.”
Liu Panpan looked grateful. “Mr. Gan already came to me when it launched. I’ve posted it.”
Though deep down, she felt her son was probably gone…
Still, at least it gave her hope. It was worth a try.
Su Tao nodded, planning to check the site later.
Afterward, she continued discussing the Tao Chi project with Old Mei and his apprentice.
When the discussion ended, Old Mei found an excuse to send Liu Panpan away before bluntly asking Su Tao, “What’s wrong with Xiao Pan?”
Su Tao could only shake her head. “I need to confirm a few things before I say more.”
Old Mei didn’t press further. He simply sighed and said, “Xiao Pan has a kind heart. She’s taken good care of me, and I see her as a daughter. She’s suffered so much over the years… I just want her to live a peaceful life from now on.”
Su Tao nodded. “As long as she stays in Taoyang, she will be safe.”
Old Mei seemed to ponder her words.
As Su Tao left Old Mei’s house, Jiang Yu appeared from behind and walked beside her. “Old Mei probably already figured it out. You suddenly decided to keep Liu Panpan from traveling because you foresaw her death. Won’t this expose your ability?”
Su Tao replied, “He’s lived long and seen a lot—of course, he can guess. But don’t worry. Old Mei is trustworthy. Even if he suspects I can foresee certain things, he won’t say a word.”
Jiang Yu nodded and said no more.
Su Tao looked down at the strawberries in her hands, then suddenly thought of something and headed to the plantation to find Wu Zhen.
Wu Zhen was busy recording the progress of the ripening strawberries. Seeing her, he straightened up and smiled. “What brings you here?”
Noticing the basket in her hands, he asked, “How do they taste?”
Su Tao answered honestly, “Sweeter than the ones Jiang Jinwei sent. Bigger, too.”
Then, she took out two strawberries and called Jiang Yu over to taste them.
Jiang Yu took a bite. Then another.
Wu Zhen looked at him expectantly.
Jiang Yu, as expressionless as ever, nodded. “Good.”
Su Tao grinned. “Our Jiang Yu is the most honest one. If he says it’s good, then it’s really good.”
Wu Zhen was satisfied, gazing at the plantation like it was his empire. With ambition, he declared, “I’m going to make Taoyang’s fruits and vegetables famous worldwide!”
Looking at the determination in his eyes, Su Tao suddenly remembered how lifeless he had been half a year ago after leaving Shou’an.
She felt deeply moved and encouraged him, “If you need anything, just let me know.”
Then, as if remembering something, she quickly added, “Except for land.”
Wu Zhen: “……” That’s literally all he needed.
Su Tao smiled. “Now, pack two more baskets of strawberries for me. Then have Qi Yunlan find someone to deliver them to the Su family. Say it’s a gift of apology.”
Wu Zhen was startled before realizing her intention. He laughed, “Boss, this is a silent slap to the face. And a hard one at that.”
*
Jiang Jinwei, upon receiving the two baskets of large, fresh, and juicy strawberries, felt as if she had been slapped across the face.
Her cheeks burned.
Tangdou, excited, reached for one.
Jiang Jinwei, face darkened, smacked her hand away. “Eat, eat, eat! That’s all you know!”
Tangdou froze, lips trembling before bursting into tears.
Li Lianrong hurried over to soothe her. “Why are you hitting her? The strawberries were sent for us to eat, weren’t they?”
Jiang Jinwei nearly exploded. “For us to eat?! They sent them just to humiliate me!”
