Chapter 375: Zhuo Ercheng’s Unauthorized Decision
Ling Tianji shrank his neck, unable to think clearly, and urged the driver to speed toward District 3 West. As soon as he got out of the car and passed the security checkpoint, he rushed inside.
After getting used to the scorching weather for so long, the sudden drop in temperature felt like he had walked through a frozen wasteland—it was almost life-threatening. The cold snap came without any warning.
Only after stepping into the jurisdiction of District 3 West, where the warm and pleasant air enveloped them, did Ling Tianji feel like he had come back to life. He had only heard about the miraculous Taoyang protective shield before, but now, experiencing it firsthand, he finally understood its true value.
The more he thought about it, the more he craved it. As he gazed at the surrounding buildings, envy surged in his heart, almost bringing tears to his eyes.
The others accompanying him also looked up at the sky, mouths agape as if they were witnessing something extraordinary, though there was nothing visible.
Zhuo Ercheng, wasting no time, shed his bulky outerwear and grabbed a passing resident of District 3 West.
“Hello, can I ask when this place was built?”
The resident, still riding the excitement of moving into a new home, responded enthusiastically:
“You don’t know? You must be from another base, right? It was fully completed just yesterday. Over there—see those high-rise buildings? They’re already packed with people. Those of us who had old housing got to exchange it for new homes. Taoyang’s homes are top-notch, and only their generous leader would offer such a deal.”
Zhuo Ercheng and his companions were stunned.
One of the bodyguards from Xindu couldn’t help but ask:
“What about people who didn’t have a home before?”
The resident sighed with admiration:
“If you don’t own a house, you can rent one. If you can’t afford a whole unit, you can co-rent or stay in shared dormitories—there’s housing at every price point. If you’re truly penniless but able-bodied, you can enlist in the military. It’s dangerous, but there are dorms for soldiers and plenty of stipends.”
“These policies are all thanks to Taoyang’s leadership. See those buildings at six o’clock? They’re for military personnel and their families—completely free, plus subsidies. If my health allowed it, I’d enlist too.”
The bodyguards, listening with wide eyes, were filled with envy.
Even though they worked as bodyguards, they were part of Xindu’s military. Despite their physical prowess and some having special abilities, Xindu only provided basic salaries and resources for advancement—no free housing.
Until now, they had believed Xindu was the most developed base in the South. But hearing this, their pride wavered.
Ling Tianji noticed their envy and, with a cold expression, urged, “Stop gawking and get yourselves together. Don’t make us look like we fled here in disgrace.”
As soon as he finished speaking, a familiar female voice rang out:
“Mr. Ling? Chairman Zhuo?”
The group of men, half-undressed, froze.
Ling Tianji turned mechanically, and there stood Su Tao, accompanied by District Chief Xie and others.
Forcing a stiff smile, he greeted them:
“Miss Su, what a coincidence. I was just on my way to visit Manager Ma at Taoyang.”
Su Tao, having just finished a meeting and preparing to return to Taoyang, asked, “Is there something I can help you with?”
Ling Tianji frowned. “Manager Ma isn’t available?”
He had interacted with Ma Dapao the most and found him shrewd and capable—a smooth negotiator who had made many connections during the recent summit. Ling Tianji assumed Ma Dapao was the true decision-maker at Taoyang.
Su Tao shook her head. “He’s busy.”
Busy tracking down research equipment for Shen Wencheng’s team, managing Panliu Mountain, and maintaining Taoyang’s external relations—he barely had a moment to breathe.
If Xindu came knocking, it couldn’t be for anything good. It was better for her to handle them directly.
Ling Tianji found it ridiculous.
If Ma Dapao wasn’t available, surely someone more senior than a young woman should be handling this? Did Taoyang really have no other decision-makers?
Unexpectedly, Zhuo Ercheng stepped forward politely.
“Miss Su, would you mind if we had a conversation?”
When Su Tao saw him, she couldn’t help but think of his foolish ex-girlfriend Jiang Jinwei and the cunning, manipulative Deng Zilu.
His taste in women was terrible.
Zhuo Ercheng sensed a fleeting look of… disdain?
He was baffled. When did he become so unlikeable?
Su Tao replied, “Let’s continue this discussion at Taoyang.”
Once they left District 3 West, the biting cold returned. By the time they arrived at Taoyang, they had no energy left to maintain appearances—rushing ahead of Su Tao just to warm up.
Ling Tianji couldn’t stop sneezing the entire way, clearly coming down with a cold.
When they finally sat down in the Taoli Office, sipping hot tea, he felt slightly better—but still frustrated.
He had come fully prepared, but the sudden cold had him sneezing and sniffling, compromising his negotiation stance.
“So, what brings you here today?” Su Tao asked calmly.
Ling Tianji was about to speak when a violent sneeze cut him off, sending a long strand of mucus dangling from his nose.
Zhuo Ercheng, unable to watch, turned to Su Tao and said, “We’re here to establish friendly relations with Taoyang. We apologize for any past misunderstandings.”
While Ling Tianji wiped his nose, he glared at Zhuo Ercheng.
What happened to offering the batch of weapons in exchange for lowering prices?
Why was he suddenly acting like they had no ulterior motives?
That batch of weapons might be outdated, but for a resource-scarce Taoyang, it should have been a valuable bargaining chip.
Su Tao raised an eyebrow. “Are you serious? Nothing else?”
