Chapter 270: Even Yelling at Him Sounds Pleasant
“What exactly is hidden there? And why do you think I’d be interested?”
Mu An’an swallowed and replied,
“Weapons. From what I’ve observed, Taoyang doesn’t have many weapons—even those with abilities seem unarmed. Of course, that’s just my guess. Maybe you do have weapons, and I just haven’t seen them. But in the apocalypse, the more weapons, the better, right?”
“Where exactly are they?”
Mu An’an didn’t hesitate. She revealed everything.
“Most of them are hidden in an underground storage bunker outside the Old Station, on a hillside. Tan Yong had a bunker dug there—not just for weapons, but also for gold bars and some gemstones.”
“A hillside outside the Old Station? You mean in the direction of the southeast gate?”
“Yes, the exact place where you tricked Tan Yong with Lian Sha. Even Qu Jingwen didn’t know about it.”
Although she had been trapped in Qu Jingwen’s body, Mu An’an could hear and see everything Qu Jingwen experienced.
Su Tao thought back and nodded. Then she asked,
“Why would Tan Yong tell you about it?”
“He didn’t. I found out on my own. I was with him the longest and tried escaping so many times—I was bound to pick up on something.”
Su Tao studied her for a long moment, making sure she wasn’t lying. Then she nodded at Jiang Yu, signaling him to untie her.
Mu An’an’s eyes lit up. “Boss Su, does this mean you agree to help me?”
Su Tao didn’t nod immediately. Instead, she asked,
“What’s your reason for staying in Taoyang?”
Mu An’an froze. “Boss Su, do you suspect I have ulterior motives?”
Su Tao didn’t respond, which was answer enough.
She was always cautious around people she didn’t fully understand.
Mu An’an’s expression turned aggrieved, and tears began to spill uncontrollably.
“I swear, everything I just told you is true. Tan Yong really did torment me. Qu Jingwen truly did frame me, leading to my death. And I genuinely long for the peace and stability of Taoyang.”
“Ever since I learned about Taoyang, I’ve wanted to use Qu Jingwen’s body to come here and live. Since I was five, I’ve been wandering with my uncle’s family. Later, we got separated, and I fell into Tan Yong’s hands—I’ve never had control over my own fate. I haven’t had a single night of restful sleep in years.”
“These past days in Taoyang, even with Qu Jingwen threatening me, have been the most peaceful and comfortable days of my life. I don’t have Qu Jingwen’s ambition or jealousy. I just want a place to call home, a job that can barely support me, and a life where no one forces or imprisons me. That’s all.”
Su Tao wasn’t heartless. She pulled out two tissues, walked over to Mu An’an, and helped wipe her tears, sighing,
“Don’t blame me for being cautious. Taoyang has had its fair share of troublemakers with abilities. I have to be responsible for everyone here.”
Years of suppressed fear and grievance burst from Mu An’an like a broken dam.
No matter how much Su Tao wiped, the tears kept coming.
“S-Su Boss, I really just… just want to stay in Taoyang and live peacefully… I have no other motives… really…”
Su Tao was about to say something comforting when Jiang Yu’s low voice reached her ear.
“We need to go. Major Shi is urging us.”
Su Tao didn’t waste words. She pulled Mu An’an up.
“Come with us. There’s no time. We’ll deal with Qu Jingwen on the way.”
Mu An’an was so stunned she forgot to cry and followed the group onto the vehicle.
Su Tao handed her over to Qian Lin.
“Sister Qian, don’t let her pass out or fall asleep.”
Shi Zijin stepped onto the vehicle, took one glance inside, and frowned the moment he saw Mu An’an.
“I suggest tying her up.”
Under his intense gaze, Mu An’an shrank back and quickly tied herself up.
Qian Lin and Qian Rongrong, the mother and daughter duo, were both stunned.
From the car behind, Ma Dapao and the others called out, “Boss Su, Major Shi, we’re all set—”
Shi Zijin scooped Su Tao up and carried her into the RV, then took the driver’s seat, honking to signal departure.
A convoy of four vehicles set off, heading further south.
Inside the RV, only Su Tao, Xuedao—who was lying on the floor napping, Black Sesame—who was pressed against the window, watching outside, and Shi Zijin—the ever-serious driver, were present.
Of course, Jiang Yu was lurking somewhere in the shadows.
Lin Fangzhi had originally wanted to ride with Su Tao but stopped in his tracks when Shi Zijin gave him a mere glance. He sensibly went to squeeze into Ma Dapao’s vehicle instead.
The air conditioning in the RV was on, keeping the temperature just right.
Until the convoy reached the main road, they couldn’t afford to stop, meaning Su Tao couldn’t deal with Mu An’an’s situation for now.
Lying on the bed in the RV’s bedroom, she opened up her system and continued planning the construction of Dongyang Primary School and the integrated academy.
After about three hours of driving, the convoy finally reached the main road. The landscape instantly opened up—just an endless stretch of barren land and desert flanking the asphalt road.
Su Tao checked the time. It was about right. She retrieved the “Manipulate” crystal core from Fangzhi’s spatial storage.
The moment she held it, she felt an alluring power inside—something irresistibly enticing.
The core hovered above her palm, pulsating with a blue light before suddenly sinking into her body. Within three seconds, the crystal core lost its color and disintegrated into dust, vanishing into thin air.
Su Tao opened her eyes, immediately sensing the presence of “Manipulate.”
Without needing an explanation, she instinctively understood how to use it. Her body felt lighter, stronger.
So this was what it felt like to awaken an ability.
She found it amusing—her first real experience of an awakened power wasn’t even her own.
Her own ability, “Prediction,” had awakened, but she still had no idea how to use it, what its limits were, or what weaknesses it had.
Around 11 a.m., the convoy found a suitable open space to stop for rest.
Shi Zijin braked and shut off the engine. Just as he turned to call Su Tao, her voice rang out from the back—smooth, soft, and melodious.
“Let’s get out and eat first. Don’t forget to call your brothers too.”
Cen Tianjiao, Jian Kaiyu, and the Zhou twins had also joined them, leading the way in the front vehicle.
Shi Zijin’s whole body tensed at her voice. His fingers went numb, and he couldn’t even pull the key out of the ignition.
Su Tao noticed his silence and leaned over from the passenger side, peeking her head in.
“What’s wrong, Master Shi?”
Shi Zijin calmly pulled out the key and said, “What did you just call me?”
“Master Shi.” Su Tao grinned.
“Try again.”
Su Tao thought for a moment. “Major Shi? Boss Shi?”
“Keep going.”
She tried a few more, but he remained unsatisfied. Finally, her voice dropped a little as she hesitantly said,
“…Zijin?”
Shi Zijin let out a pleased hum. Perfect.
“Say it again.”
Su Tao punched his shoulder.
“No way. Now get out of the car!”
Hmph. Even when she yelled at him, she sounded good.
