Chapter 28: My Man Is Your Boss, Shi Zijin
Su Zhengqing impatiently checked his watch:
“Dad, is Su Tao still coming? It’s already past 4:20. Did she stand us up?”
Jiang Jinwei, cracking sunflower seeds, rolled her eyes and started with the snide remarks:
“I really don’t get what you guys are thinking. You heard a rumor and just believed Su Tao could make decisions about the houses in Taoyang? Fine, even if she can, Dad, Brother, with the way you’ve treated her, it’d be a miracle if she agreed to help.”
Su Zhengqing’s face darkened, and he stayed silent. He had to admit to himself that he hadn’t treated Su Tao well. He’d often snatched her things, taken her food, and even once turned on the cold water while she was bathing in winter, making her so sick she nearly died after being bedridden for a month.
But even now, Su Zhengqing believed it was Su Tao’s weak constitution—her fragility and “rich girl syndrome”—that was to blame.
Su Jianming, however, seemed to hit a sore spot upon hearing Jiang Jinwei’s words:
“What did I ever do to her? Did I hit her or scold her, or abuse her in any way?”
Jiang Jinwei didn’t expect her stepfather to react so strongly and immediately clammed up. Still, deep down, she wasn’t convinced. She thought, Sure, you didn’t do anything, but you never cared whether Su Tao lived or died. You always turned a blind eye to what happened at home.
Honestly, if it weren’t for her stepfather’s silence, she and Su Zhengqing wouldn’t have dared to bully Su Tao so openly.
Wasn’t that silent approval? And now he wants to play the good guy? Pfft.
Li Ronglian noticed the tense atmosphere and quickly tried to ease things:
“Old Su, don’t get upset with the kids. Jinjin just speaks without thinking, she didn’t mean it.”
Su Jianming’s face darkened further: “Kids? She’s almost thirty! It’s your bias—both are your children, but your heart is completely with her. If you’d shown even a bit more care for Tao Tao, things wouldn’t have gotten this bad between her and our family! She’s nothing but trouble!”
Li Ronglian felt as if a massive blame had just been dumped on her, leaving her momentarily speechless.
Jiang Jinwei wasn’t having it: “Dad, the way you’re talking, it sounds like it was Mom who made Su Tao leave. Back then, who agreed to let Su Tao join the army? Wasn’t it you? Now you’re blaming Mom for being biased…”
Su Jianming was livid: “You’re the best at stirring up trouble—”
Before he could finish, the doorbell rang.
Everyone fell silent.
Su Zhenglan, who had been quietly observing, was the first to speak: “I’ll get the door. You all calm down.”
Su Tao entered, followed closely by Guan Zining, who stood at 178 cm tall, clad in a military uniform, with a stern expression that made her seem intimidating even without making a move.
The Su family was instantly speechless. Any complaints about Su Tao’s lateness vanished into thin air.
Su Tao walked in, sat down, and calmly said:
“No need for small talk. Just tell me what you want.”
Su Zhengqing immediately wanted to ask if she could authorize a house in Taoyang, as they urgently needed one.
But Su Jianming stopped him.
He sat next to Su Tao, his face filled with guilt:
“Papa just missed you. I truly didn’t do right by you before. I neglected you a lot. Lately, I’ve been losing sleep, feeling so tormented. That’s why I asked your Uncle Xiang Bin to arrange this meeting. I just want to talk. If you have any grievances, say them. I’ll change if I’m wrong.”
His attitude was almost groveling.
Jiang Jinwei nearly laughed out loud.
The straightforward Guan Zining was stunned for a moment and turned to Su Tao:
“He’s your real dad? You two don’t look alike at all. His backbone is so soft it could bend. What massive favor is he asking you for?”
Su Jianming’s face turned a mix of green and red.
Su Zhengqing couldn’t hold back: “Just say it—is it true what they’re saying outside? Can you make decisions about the houses in Taoyang?”
Su Tao showed a puzzled expression: “Who told you that? Xiang Bin? I just met him briefly when I went to Taoyang to see my man. Did he mistake me for someone else? Or did he take your benefits and then make up a story because he couldn’t deliver?”
Her expression and words were so convincing that even Guan Zining almost believed her.
Jiang Jinwei burst into laughter: “Dad, see? I told you Xiang Bin isn’t trustworthy. And are you so desperate for my brother to get married that you’ve gone senile? Didn’t you watch Su Tao grow up? Don’t you know what she’s capable of?”
Su Zhengqing also came to his senses: “Dad, call Uncle Xiang quickly and ask what’s going on!”
Su Jianming dialed but couldn’t get through.
The Su family finally understood—Xiang Bin had run off!
Su Tao asked curiously: “What did you give him?”
This question made the faces of Su Jianming and Su Zhengqing turn ashen.
Li Ronglian started crying, wiping her tears.
Jiang Jinwei, never missing a chance to stir the pot, said gleefully:
“They gave him 100,000 Federation credits and promised to promote him through my brother’s future in-laws once my brother got married.”
Su Tao was genuinely surprised. A hundred thousand Federation credits—that’s pretty generous.
Back then, why were they so harsh with her food, clothing, and everything else? Her bed, damp and broken, wasn’t even replaced. They just told her to find something to prop it up and make do.
When Su Zhengqing poured cold water on her, causing a severe illness, they wouldn’t even send her to the hospital, forcing her to endure it for over a month.
They found her annoying, useless, and in the way—resented everything about her.
Every single one of these grievances, Su Tao would never forget, not even in the next life.
She stood up: “If there’s nothing else, I’m leaving. Like I said before, don’t come looking for me again. I find you annoying, and I find you poor—like flies I can’t swat away.”
Her words were downright ruthless. Su Jianming looked like he’d been struck by lightning, his lips trembling, unable to speak.
Su Zhengqing exploded with rage: “Su Tao! Who do you think you are? Don’t think that just because you’ve slept with a few men, you’re better than us! Ugh! Disgusting! You’ll be used up sooner or later!”
Guan Zining didn’t hesitate—she kicked him down, grinding his head under her combat boot:
“Watch your mouth. I have the authority to shoot, and I don’t mind feeding you a bullet to wash your filthy mouth with your brain matter.”
Su Zhengqing was terrified, a strong smell of urine spreading.
Su Tao turned away in disgust: “Let’s go.”
Guan Zining snorted, kicked Su Zhengqing aside, and left with Su Tao.
“Are those really your biological dad and brother?”
Su Tao replied with a simple “Mm”: “Don’t look at me like that. Everyone’s got a few messed-up relatives.”
“True. Did Xiang Bin really run off with their money?”
Su Tao said: “You actually believed that? I took his communicator and locked him in a room. I’ll deal with him tonight.”
Guan Zining wasn’t convinced: “You played the part too well. Besides, I don’t know the full story. Also, who’s your man? I haven’t heard of you being with anyone.”
Su Tao coughed. Who else could it be? That certain Major General she had used as a shield twice already.
Guan Zining persistently asked all the way back—who is he? How long have you been together? On and on.
Su Tao got annoyed. At the door, she finally gave up and blurted out:
“Alright, alright! My man is your boss, Shi Zijin. We’ve been together for a long time. Are you satisfied now?”
She hadn’t even finished saying “Are you satisfied?” when she saw Cen Tianjiao standing there, looking at her in shock, holding a communicator.
The second master of the Cen family awkwardly pointed at the communicator:
“I’m… I’m on the phone with the boss…”
