Chapter 252: When Will Shi Zijin’s Blade Finally Be Sheathed?
After Fang Zhi and Qian Rongrong left, Meng Qian and Zhuang Wan walked in right after, handing Su Tao a thick stack of documents.
“Boss, these are the files for the 96 new tenants in the dormitory building. Most of them are our own employees, especially those from the Maternity and Child Hospital. However, some have requested to pay extra for one-bedroom or two-bedroom apartments so they can live with their families. I didn’t approve right away and wanted to ask you first.”
Su Tao nodded. “That’s fine.”
Meng Qian smiled. “That’s good to hear. Oh, right, Boss, we’ve been getting a lot of applications from Hekang this month, and the numbers from Wu Tai have surged as well. The number of applicants from these two bases is almost catching up to those from Dongyang itself. Even some people from smaller bases are starting to apply more frequently.”
Zhuang Wan sighed beside her.
“This shows that our reputation is growing, but it also means the overall situation is deteriorating. Even a second-tier, three-star base like Wu Tai is experiencing an exodus—imagine how bad things must be in the smaller bases.”
Meng Qian nodded. “Exactly. But surprisingly, Dongyang is in the best shape. It only lost a few remote, insignificant areas. A few days ago, zombies attacked in the middle of the night, reaching the edge of the Maternity and Child Hospital. But when they realized they couldn’t break through, they simply stopped advancing. In the following nights, fewer and fewer zombies came—word is, they all ran off to attack Yun Cang instead.”
Zhuang Wan was genuinely surprised. “Even zombies pick on the weak? No wonder those beasts always avoid Taoyang.”
Meng Qian said, “That’s why Dongyang survived this disaster—it’s all thanks to Taoyang’s protective barrier.”
Many shared this sentiment, including Director Guo. In the afternoon, when she picked up Su Tao to visit the Maternity and Child Hospital, she even remarked emotionally,
“Good thing you took over so quickly. Otherwise, just a few days ago, from Gate Two to the hospital, it would have been nothing but mountains of corpses and rivers of blood. Soon after that, the zombies would have stormed straight into the city center.”
Su Tao shook her head. “That wouldn’t have happened. Even in the worst-case scenario, Major Shi would have returned in time. Even if he couldn’t save everyone, he would have ensured the majority could evacuate safely. And even without Major Shi, there’s still Vice Commander Pei and the old commander—they would have made arrangements for you and the children.”
Director Guo felt a warmth in her heart. Her smile deepened, accentuating the fine lines at the corners of her eyes.
“You’re clear-headed and never take credit—that’s why the old commander thinks so highly of you. Over the years, he has only truly invested his heart in you and Major Shi. And he’s right to do so. You are the blade, and he is the shield. The people of Dongyang are truly fortunate to have you both.”
Su Tao thought of Shi Zijin risking his life out there and then remembered her own “premonition.” She sighed deeply.
When would this blade finally be sheathed?
She feared that the next time she saw him, he would already be broken—discarded into the ruins, forgotten by all.
At that moment, Liu Panpan’s voice rang out.
“Boss Su, you’re here!”
Su Tao looked over and saw Liu Panpan holding a little boy in her arms while also leading another child by the hand. A radiant, contented smile lit up her face—she looked like she was glowing.
Director Guo’s smile grew even wider. “Teacher Pan, you’re working hard! Yangyang, aren’t you a big boy now? Let go of your teacher and get down.”
But instead of letting go, the little boy in Liu Panpan’s arms clung to her neck even tighter, pressing his small face against her shoulder.
Liu Panpan, overwhelmed with tenderness, stroked Yangyang’s back and said softly, “It’s fine, it’s fine. He’s still young.”
Seeing how willing she was, Director Guo chose not to insist.
Su Tao couldn’t help but glance at the sky, half-expecting to see a pair of red wings looming over the city.
At first, she thought Liu Panpan was simply showing affection for the children. But later, during the dinner gathering, she was still feeding the kids—spoonful by spoonful—her eyes practically brimming with motherly love.
Even Director Miao found it hard to watch.
“Panpan, eat your own food first. Let them eat by themselves. I already taught them how to use chopsticks.”
It took being reminded twice before Liu Panpan reluctantly set Yangyang down.
But the moment Yangyang’s feet touched the ground, he started wailing like an explosion had gone off. Clinging to Liu Panpan, he sobbed and called out, “Mama!”
Hearing this, Liu Panpan’s eyes welled up with tears. Without hesitation, she scooped him back into her arms, looking around apologetically as if her own child had disturbed everyone.
Throughout the gathering, Su Tao kept observing Liu Panpan while also politely accepting drinks from the Maternity and Child Hospital staff, who took turns thanking her.
Midway through, Director Miao brought in a group of orphanage children to give Su Tao a “gift”—a set of crayon drawings of her.
The colorful sketch vaguely resembled a little girl with wings.
A five- or six-year-old girl stood in front, proudly tilting her head up. “We drew you as a fairy sister! Mama Miao said mine is the best.”
The other children weren’t so convinced, and they immediately started bickering over whose drawing was the best, completely forgetting about Su Tao in the process.
Su Tao found it amusing and took out the gifts she had prepared for them—an assortment of small pastries.
Each child in the orphanage received one. But just as she finished handing them out, a little girl standing closest to her eagerly tore open the packaging, sniffed it, and—without warning—stuffed the whole thing into her mouth.
Su Tao panicked, worried she might choke. She quickly held the girl’s head and pulled the pastry out of her mouth, then, as the girl started crying, broke it into smaller pieces and fed her bit by bit.
