Chapter 332: Miss Su, It Looks Like I Must Go to Taoyang This Time
Preparations for the return trip from Taoyang were nearly complete. Su Tao sat in her wheelchair, listening to Qian Rongrong excitedly report their achievements during their stay in Xindu.
The proceeds from the auction, the trade fair revenue, and the total income for September had pushed her net worth to an all-time high—over 87 million federal credits.
The membership fees collected during the trade fair had also increased the total number of crystal cores to 141.
This was undoubtedly the most prosperous moment of her life.
Lin Fangzhi neatly arranged the hundred-plus crystal cores in a box, handed it over to Su Tao, and its weight was palpable.
Su Tao’s eyes warmed as she gazed at the box.
This could expand a huge area of land…
Ma Dapao rubbed his hands eagerly. “Boss… do you think we could expand the area around Panliu Mountain? I was thinking of building a short-term rental complex with mainly one-bedroom units—there are a lot of people passing through Panliu Mountain who want to stay temporarily. Also, maybe we could separate the restaurant area and turn it into a standalone two-story tavern. With Chef Qin taking on more apprentices, we could really scale up the dining business around Panliu Mountain…”
Qian Lin coughed lightly. “Boss, Wu Zhen and I both agree that we could build another orchard. With enough manpower, we might just make fresh fruit a reality for all of Dongyang.”
Lin Fangzhi chimed in next, “And my side—there isn’t enough parking space.”
Su Tao clutched the box of crystal cores tightly. “Wipe that greedy look off your faces—we’ll discuss this when we get back.”
Just then, Minister Xu’s assistant called out from a distance, “Manager Ma, Miss Su—sorry to keep you waiting! We’re here!”
He was carrying Minister Xu’s luggage and ran toward them quickly.
Minister Xu followed closely behind. When he reached them, his gaze lingered on Su Tao, and he gave a bitter smile, his lips trembling slightly.
“Miss Su, it looks like I must go to Taoyang this time.”
He couldn’t help but recall how he had turned down her invitation back then. In retrospect, he felt embarrassed.
After searching for his daughter for so long, he never imagined that someone who knew the truth had been right by his side.
Fate truly worked in mysterious ways. The first time he met Su Tao, she had reminded him of his daughter, Hehe. Instinctively, he had treated her with the same care and affection he would a younger family member.
Perhaps this was the reward for his kindness—if he had made an enemy of Taoyang from the start, he would likely still be searching for his daughter in a state of despair.
Understanding his feelings, Su Tao took out the red hat Alice had given her from Lin Fangzhi’s spatial storage and handed it to Minister Xu.
“She gave me this as a gift. I’ve been keeping it safe—it’s only right that it returns to its rightful owner now.”
Minister Xu was stunned. His hands trembled as he took the hat, lifting his head to look at Su Tao in disbelief.
“She… gave this to you?”
Su Tao nodded. “She even demonstrated how wearing it could make someone act crazy—it startled me a bit. But she looked so cute, shaking her head like that.”
Her words brought a vivid image of his long-lost daughter to Minister Xu’s mind, making his heart ache with warmth and longing.
He stared at Su Tao, his belief in fate deepening.
“She cherished this hat dearly. Even I was only allowed to look at it—never touch it. If she gave it to you, it means she trusts and likes you very much. Miss Su… thank you.”
Su Tao smiled brightly. “You’re too kind. You’re very lucky to have such a beautiful and adorable daughter. Honestly, I envy Alice for having a father like you—someone who never gives up on her.”
Unlike my father… she thought bitterly. He probably hates me and wishes I would disappear forever.
At that moment, Xiao Wenyu poked her head out of a nearby vehicle and called out casually, “ Tao! Let’s go—get in the car!”
She was eager to leave—she could hardly wait any longer!
Su Tao laughed softly and gestured for Minister Xu to board the vehicle.
Leading the convoy was Xu Qi and his team. With a sharp whistle, the cars set off toward Taoyang.
*
Meanwhile…
Half an hour after they left, a young man named Xiao Yu stood hesitantly outside an apartment building, clutching his backpack. After a long internal struggle, he finally gathered his courage and stepped inside.
“Hello… I’m looking for Su from Taoyang—”
The receptionist, having fielded countless inquiries about Taoyang throughout the day, interrupted him impatiently. Most of these inquiries came from people eager to confirm the rumors about the mysterious territory.
Was Taoyang really real?
Could it truly offer better living conditions than Changjing, with affordable food, free water, and no fear of zombie attacks, as the rumors suggested?
Some had even attempted to bribe the receptionist to sneak them into Taoyang’s residents’ rooms in search of clues.
Cutting Xiao Yu off, the receptionist snapped, “They just left, heading back home. Don’t ask me about Taoyang—I know as little as you do. All I know is some rich idiot spent a fortune buying a piece of land from them. I’ve barely seen the Taoyang folks—they’re always coming and going. That’s all. Now, please leave.”
Xiao Yu froze, stunned.
They left?
He stared into the darkness outside, his expression filled with confusion and disappointment.
His hand trembled as he swiped through his communicator, searching for the contact information Su Tao had left him. But no matter how many times he tried, he couldn’t bring himself to call.
Would it really be right to shamelessly follow them to Taoyang?
He and his grandmother carried a blood feud with the Chu family. If the truth came to light, the Chu family would stop at nothing to hunt them down and destroy them.
If they went to Taoyang, they would undoubtedly bring trouble to those who had shown them kindness.
His grandmother had always taught him never to burden others—let alone with a matter of life and death.
Just as he was about to leave, his communicator suddenly rang. Startled, he quickly answered it.
On the other end, Su Tao’s warm voice came through:
“Xiao Yu! Sorry we didn’t get a chance to say goodbye to you and Grandma—we left this afternoon. We probably won’t be back until next year. By the way, Minister Xu has asked Mr. Ling to look after you both. If you need any help, don’t hesitate to reach out to him, okay?”
Su Tao’s words were meant to reassure him about their well-being—she had no idea of the deadly threat looming over their heads.
Xiao Yu’s vision blurred with tears, and his voice trembled as he finally spoke up:
“Miss Su… I have a request.”
Sensing the urgency in his voice, Su Tao quickly replied, “Go ahead.”
“Could you… could you please… take my grandma with you?”
No longer able to hold back, Xiao Yu tearfully revealed the entire conflict with the Chu family.
“I know it’s a huge burden, and I’m so sorry—but I can’t just stand by and watch her wait for death. She risked her life to let me escape… If she stays there alone, they’ll kill her.”
Su Tao’s mouth fell open in shock. Quickly regaining her composure, she frowned and asked:
“The Chu family? The Chu family—the one controlling the largest and most powerful mercenary groups in the Federation?”
On the verge of breaking down, Xiao Yu choked out, “Yes… I’m so sorry. I know I’m useless and a burden. I’m sorry—I just can’t let her die alone…”
