Chapter 259: Major Shi, Who Wanted Nothing, Finally Understood
Su Tao still remembered that the Crawler sent to Dongyang’s research institute had been completely intact.
Shi Zijin admitted it outright:
“Capturing one or two makes no difference. Since they both appeared together, I caught them both. Besides, I thought you needed a close-combat weapon, so I found a master craftsman who specializes in forging unique items. He made this bracelet for you. It might look ugly, but it’s practical.”
Su Tao pursed her lips and softly said, “Thank you.”
She really liked the weapon. She didn’t mind its appearance—it was something that could save her life in a critical moment.
But despite her excitement, she cautiously asked, “You didn’t report this?”
Anything the Pioneer Army brought back from outside had to be reported. It was considered public property of Dongyang.
Let alone a second Crawler.
Every base out there was eager to get their hands on even a leg, a head, or an eyeball from one. They were rare and valuable.
Shi Zijin answered seriously, “I hunted it in a personal capacity. No need to turn it in.”
Su Tao stared at him in surprise.
This didn’t quite match the selfless image she had of Major Shi.
So he… actually had personal desires too?
That realization made her oddly happy. Her beautiful almond-shaped eyes curved into a smile.
Seeing her expression, Shi Zijin suddenly exhaled a deep, satisfied breath.
During this life-and-death journey, he had come to a realization—
The lifelong vow he had followed, the promise to sacrifice himself for Dongyang at any moment, had been shaken by someone.
A crack had formed in his heart, and from that crack, a delicate yet vibrant rose had bloomed. It illuminated his once gray, desolate world, filling it with dazzling color.
This flower—he would cherish and protect it for as long as he lived.
As Su Tao was still smiling, Shi Zijin suddenly called over Cen Tianjiao, who had been standing nearby.
Cen Tianjiao must have been waiting for a while. He immediately ran over and handed Shi Zijin a large burlap sack.
“Boss, it’s all here.”
Then, without another word, he ran off again, tactfully leaving the two of them alone.
Shi Zijin placed the heavy sack at Su Tao’s feet.
“What’s this?” she asked curiously.
Shi Zijin opened the bag for her to see.
Su Tao peeked inside—
And was nearly blinded.
It was a bag full of crystal cores!
She stood frozen, her eyes glued to the bag, unable to look away.
Shi Zijin saw her stunned expression and couldn’t help but chuckle.
“The old commander allowed me to give these to you. They’re all yours—touch them as much as you want.”
“Really?!”
“Absolutely.”
“How many are there?”
“Around 80.”
Su Tao’s heart pounded with excitement, her hands trembling, but she held herself back and asked, “You hunted all these recently? That’s way too many.”
Shi Zijin didn’t elaborate, just nodded.
In reality, ever since he learned she needed crystal cores, he had intentionally sought out and hunted evolved zombies whenever he was out.
This time, he had been especially lucky. On top of that, after ‘inheriting’ several abilities from the bandits he had killed, his strength had increased significantly. He had wiped out a zombie nest, and combined with the cores he had been collecting, he finally had this many.
Su Tao’s mind was spinning—this was insane! She almost couldn’t believe it.
She had never received so many crystal cores at once before.
With this haul, she wouldn’t just be able to take full control of the remaining areas of the Women and Children’s Hospital, but also expand her territory around Dongyang. She could set up protective barriers around these areas—
That way, Dongyang’s outskirts would be shielded, making it harder for zombies to get in. Then, she could slowly secure more land within.
So many people could live safely under Taoyang’s protection!
Overcome with emotion, she suddenly threw her arms around Shi Zijin’s neck. “You’re truly a hero!”
Shi Zijin let out a soft hiss.
Su Tao suddenly remembered the wound on the back of his neck and quickly let go.
“Sorry! I was too excited. Let me take you to Dr. Zhong.”
Shi Zijin didn’t refuse and let her take his hand, allowing her to lead him to Zhong Gaoyi’s clinic.
Zhong Gaoyi had seen Shi Zijin before, but this time, something about Major Shi seemed… different.
More human.
Su Tao rattled off Shi Zijin’s injuries, even detailing his old wounds to Zhong Gaoyi.
Zhong Gaoyi glanced at Su Tao, then at Shi Zijin, who was smiling softly.
Oh no.
This once-detached Major Shi seemed to have figured something out.
Meanwhile, his own boss, Gu Mingchi, was still stubbornly stuck in denial!
Without revealing anything, Zhong Gaoyi completed the examination and glanced at Shi Zijin’s prosthetic arm.
“If Major Shi wants limb regeneration, you’ll need to stay here for two days. Can you do that?”
Before the patient could answer, Su Tao responded on his behalf, “Of course! I’ll bring him some daily necessities later. He’s staying here tonight.”
Shi Zijin naturally accepted.
Lying on the hospital bed, he finally let himself relax.
In truth, he didn’t need Zhong Gaoyi’s treatment—he could regenerate on his own over time.
That so-called ‘immortal body’ ability was truly useful.
Depending on the severity of the injury, the healing time varied. The more severe the wound, the longer the recovery.
If he were to die, resurrection would take at least two to three years.
It was precisely because of this ability that he finally had the courage to make promises to Su Tao.
After completing the first round of treatment, Zhong Gaoyi saw that Shi Zijin had fallen into a deep sleep. Quietly, he stepped out of the room and went to find his precious daughter, Chen Xi, to gather intel on Su Tao and Shi Zijin’s relationship.
Chen Xi, having witnessed the entire gift-giving process, eagerly spilled everything—
And even exaggerated a little.
Zhong Gaoyi’s eyelid twitched at the story. He immediately retreated to his private office and sent a report to Gu Mingchi.
“Boss Gu, Shi Zijin is back. And from what I’ve seen, his relationship with Boss Su seems to have… progressed.”
Gu Mingchi immediately sat up straight. “What do you mean?”
Zhong Gaoyi sighed, realizing he had to spell it out.
“From my observations, Shi Zijin used to push Boss Su away. He didn’t seem interested in getting close to her.”
Gu Mingchi scoffed. “I’ve always thought he was just pretending. He’s been after her from the start—it’s just that Su Tao never gave him the time of day.”
Zhong Gaoyi ignored his comment and dropped a bombshell:
“This time, something’s changed. My daughter told me she saw Shi Zijin hugging Boss Su from afar. He even gave her a gift—along with a whole sack of… something valuable. Whatever it was, Boss Su was so touched she hugged him right away. Looked like she was about to cry from happiness.”
