Chapter 307: Dirty Things Always Need to Be Dealt With
The second day’s summit agenda was similar to the first, but unlike the first day, there was a banquet in the evening.
The third and fourth days featured a free trade fair and an auction.
In the morning, as soon as Su Tao arrived at Dongyang’s exhibition booth, she was about to check how much they had made from the drink sales yesterday when Xing Shuyu said:
“Someone named Deng Zilu just came looking for you.”
Su Tao didn’t know that Deng Family’s eldest daughter had this name. She thought for a moment and shook her head. “Don’t know her.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Xing Shuyu pointed behind her. “Look, she’s here.”
Su Tao turned around and immediately recognized who it was. She frowned slightly but said nothing.
She was very wary of Deng Zilu—there was no way this woman came looking for her with good intentions.
However, Deng Zilu spoke politely.
“Miss Su, Mrs. Jiao wants to apologize to you. She feels guilty for speaking harshly yesterday. After thinking it over, she regrets it. She asked me to invite you to lunch today so you can clear up any misunderstandings and perhaps become friends.”
Su Tao deliberately asked, “Who is Mrs. Jiao?”
Deng Zilu was momentarily speechless. This girl really was fearless—she dared to offend people without even knowing who they were.
If things didn’t go her way today, she had no one to blame but herself.
Forcing a patient tone, Deng Zilu explained, “The beautiful lady in the red mermaid dress from yesterday.”
Su Tao gave a half-smile. “Oh, I remember now. Are you inviting me to eat in a private room on the third floor?”
The buffet on the first floor was mostly Taoyang’s food—boring.
The private chef-prepared meals on the third floor, however, sounded much more interesting.
Deng Zilu was stunned again.
A private room on the third floor wasn’t something you could just book!
She wanted to ask Su Tao who she thought she was—what made her think she deserved a free meal in such an exclusive space?
But she held back and forced a smile.
“That will depend on Mrs. Jiao’s arrangements. I’m just delivering the message.”
Su Tao said, “Then let her arrange it first and invite me when it’s confirmed. I’ll definitely go.”
Deng Zilu, holding back her irritation, relayed Su Tao’s words to Jiao Qing and Chu Yue.
Chu Yue lost her temper first, nearly crushing the cup in her hand.
“She thinks she’s worthy of eating on the third floor?”
The food in the private rooms was freshly prepared by hired chefs, and all the drinks and liquor were top-tier.
But money alone wasn’t enough to secure a reservation—you needed status.
Even Chu Yue’s father had to wait for an invitation from Xindu before he could dine on the third floor.
Jiao Qing’s expression was equally unpleasant. She thought Su Tao was shameless and greedy but also worried that if this plan failed, she wouldn’t get the ability-user crystal that Chu Yue had promised her.
Her mind worked quickly, and she turned to Deng Zilu with a smile.
“Zilu, why don’t you talk to President Zhuo? If he says the word, it’ll be done.”
Chu Yue caught on immediately and promised, “Zilu, if you help us, I’ll give you an ability-user crystal from my collection. You can pick whichever one you want.”
Deng Zilu’s heart pounded.
An ability-user crystal!
She had heard that even ordinary people could use them to gain abilities.
She was just an ordinary person.
The more she saw of the world with Zhuo Ercheng, the more she understood how powerful ability users were in the apocalypse and how important strength was.
She gritted her teeth and agreed.
In the end, she used the excuse of wanting to introduce Taoyang’s people to her “friends” and arranged a meal on the third floor.
Sure enough, Zhuo Ercheng agreed immediately.
Only then did Deng Zilu relax, though a bad premonition lingered. Xindu seemed to be placing great importance on Taoyang. Zhuo Ercheng’s words hinted that they should maintain a good relationship with Taoyang and avoid offending them.
Su Tao… Taoyang…
Could it be?
Deng Zilu shook her head. It was too late to investigate now. She was already committed—if she backed out, Chu Yue would make sure she died first.
She informed Chu Yue that the private room was booked.
Chu Yue, extravagant as ever, called over an assistant and handed Deng Zilu a list. “Pick whatever you want from my crystal collection.”
Deng Zilu was stunned by the sight, feeling both envious and excited.
Being born into the right family really was a skill. Chu Yue was incompetent and had a terrible temper, but she had a father who doted on her and gave her the best of everything.
The Chu family had been collecting crystals for a long time—both from zombies and ability users.
The ones Chu Yue offered were probably just the tip of the iceberg.
Deng Zilu picked an ice-type, attack-based ability crystal.
After securing it, she quickly put it away and flashed a flattering smile at Chu Yue.
Chu Yue, unimpressed, said arrogantly, “Do what I ask, and you’ll get your rewards. By the way, is Old Kong ready?”
Jiao Qing smiled seductively. “He’s already waiting in the lounge.”
Thinking of that old man’s wrinkled face, Chu Yue couldn’t help but feel disgusted. She waved her hand dismissively.
“Go fetch that country bumpkin. I don’t care how you do it—get her to the lounge. I’ll bring Lei Xing in now. Once it’s done, I’ll give you another crystal. Also, my mercenary team will do one free mission for Dingnan—anything you want.”
That was a very generous offer.
Only someone as reckless as Chu Yue would spend so much just to set up a girl.
Jiao Qing didn’t care about any of that. She wasn’t stupid enough to pass up a good deal. Whether Su Tao was innocent or not was none of her business.
Su Tao was surprised they had actually managed to book a private room. She flashed a bright smile, pushing her luck.
“Can I bring my friends?”
A free meal was only fun with more people.
Deng Zilu figured they had come this far—what was the point of refusing now? She gritted her teeth and agreed.
She didn’t expect Su Tao to invite… five, six… eight people!
A group of them cheerfully headed upstairs.
Deng Zilu caught sight of the man beside Su Tao again and instinctively lowered her presence.
She needed to think carefully—when things blew up, how could she wash her hands clean of it?
When the food arrived, it was indeed much better than the buffet downstairs. The dishes were freshly made.
Jiao Qing had expected to watch a bunch of hillbillies gorging themselves.
But instead, they ate calmly. After finishing, they even agreed that the food wasn’t as good as what a certain “Master Qin” made.
Jiao Qing sneered inwardly. Who were they fooling? Had they ever even eaten real gourmet food?
Holding a glass of wine, she approached Su Tao.
“Miss Su, I truly apologize for yesterday. I speak bluntly and may have offended you. Allow me to toast you.”
Then, as she drank, she “accidentally” spilled half the wine onto Su Tao’s pants.
“Oh no, I’m so sorry! My hand slipped!”
She quickly pulled out tissues, seemingly very apologetic.
Su Tao looked down at her, eyes dark and unreadable.
Jiao Qing grew anxious. Her face flushed.
“It’s really not coming off. I happened to bring a change of clothes. If you don’t mind, we can go to the lounge nearby to change.”
Su Tao nodded.
Shi Zijin grabbed her hand, frowning slightly—wordlessly telling her not to go.
Su Tao smiled at him, her tone meaningful.
“Dirty things always need to be dealt with.”
Shi Zijin understood. He stood up to follow.
Su Tao stopped him with a firm grip.
“It’s fine. The lounge is just nearby. I’ll be back soon. Trust me. You guys keep eating.”
Jiao Qing secretly sneered. Young and naive—so easy to trick.
Leading the way, she took Su Tao not just “nearby” but deep into the third floor.
All the while, she released the effects of “Charm,” expecting it to take hold.
Just as she was about to turn around, something coiled around her neck like a snake and slammed her against the wall. Blood trickled down her face.
Her mind went blank.
Had Su Tao known all along?
Why wasn’t the charm working?
What was she planning? Would she kill her?
Fear overwhelmed her as she finally saw what had grabbed her.
It extended from Su Tao’s wrist.
A grotesque, black bracelet.
Su Tao stepped closer, gripping her chin.
“Who sent you? Chu Yue or Deng Zilu?”
