Chapter 434: The Grand Finale
One by one, the disheveled and exhausted researchers broke into smiles and shouted together:
“Happy birthday, Boss Su!”
The surrounding tenants echoed the cheer, their voices rising:
“Happy birthday!!”
“Boss Su, wishing you happiness and all the best!”
“Boss Su! Wishing you a safe and smooth birthday!”
“Boss Su!”
“Boss Su—!”
Finally, someone from a windowsill shouted in a cracking voice:
“I love Taoyang, I love Boss Su!!!”
It was a man, but his voice cracked like a squeaky toy.
Cen Tianjiao, who had been sitting in the pink helicopter, was startled—this kind of declaration wasn’t exactly appropriate.
Su Tao stood frozen, holding a small vial of the vaccine in her hand. Hearing the waves of birthday blessings, her nose tingled, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t stop the tears from falling.
She had been so busy that she forgot today was her birthday.
For the past eighteen years, she had never had a proper birthday. No one even remembered, except for Li Lianrong who would occasionally give her an extra half bowl of rice—but with no gifts and certainly no surprises. Instead, she would scold her to be sensible and obedient because it was the apocalypse, and life was hard.
She had heard those words for eighteen years.
But now…
She opened her mouth, almost speechless. A thousand words swirled in her heart—gratitude she couldn’t put into words—until it all turned into a choked sob.
Zhuang Wan, already a tearful mess, rushed over and hugged her. “Happy birthday, Tao.”
Meng Qian stepped forward to join the hug.
Then came Lin Fangzhi, Ma Dapao, Old Mei, Qian Lin and her daughter, Wu Zhen, Master Qin, Xiaobo, Granny Yu and her grandson…
Everyone huddled together, just as united as they were when they first began building their home—each step forward bringing them to today.
They surrounded Su Tao tightly, while in her arms lay the vaccine—a vessel of hope and salvation.
The successful development of the vaccine marked the end of the dark age.
After twenty years of turmoil and bloodshed, the final chapter was about to be written.
Warmth spread through Su Tao’s heart—a never-ending flow of emotion.
Thank you.
Thank you to the researchers who never gave up after twenty years.
Thank you to every builder and manager of Taoyang.
Thank you to all those who sacrificed and contributed during these chaotic times.
At that moment, a pink helicopter appeared at low altitude. The rumbling of the engine made Su Tao look up.
From the cockpit, Cen Tianjiao called out:
“Boss Su! Our boss invites you for a sunrise ride!”
Seeing the pink helicopter—a blatant copy of the RV Wen Man had gifted her—Su Tao burst into laughter through her tears.
She climbed the ladder, fastened her seatbelt, and slowly rose with the helicopter’s ascent.
The people of Taoyang, waving and shouting from the ground, grew smaller and smaller. Further ahead, helicopters sprayed a mist of vaccine across the land. Soon, the first rays of dawn broke through, revealing a magnificent rainbow arching across the sky—a breathtaking sight at daybreak.
The mist didn’t just bring peace; it brought beauty.
Su Tao was captivated by the scene.
“Happy birthday, Tao Tao.”
She turned sharply to see Shi Zijin smiling softly beside her.
But his form was fading, as if he were a phantom.
Su Tao instinctively reached out to grasp him, but her hands passed through—scattering half of his form.
Shi Zijin also tried to touch her hair, but his hand phased through, leaving a trace of regret on his face:
“Dawn is coming—I’m sorry I can’t stay to watch the full sunrise with you. I promise, next year on your birthday, I won’t miss a single second.”
As he finished, the first light of dawn flooded the cabin.
Su Tao cried out urgently, “I’ll wait for you! Until you truly wake up!”
His form dissolved into the warm morning sunlight.
The rainbow remained dazzling, but Su Tao’s heart felt heavy.
Cen Tianjiao, deeply moved, said, “Boss Su, thank you. With your words, when our boss wakes up, he’ll protect you with his life. To hell with all those burdens and responsibilities.”
Su Tao laughed through her sadness. “He won’t need to carry the burden alone anymore—I’ll be here with him.”
The mist of the vaccine wiped out 90% of the zombies in the south—including mutated variants and ordinary ones.
A new batch of the vaccine was already in mass production. According to Shen Wencheng’s research team, the mist would continue dispersing for six months. With widespread vaccination, humanity would gain control over the virus in less than a year—ushering in a new era of rebuilding.
At bases across the region, soldiers saw the rainbow and felt their battle-worn hearts soften.
Someone shouted:
“We did it! The eradication mist works! Taoyang succeeded—the apocalypse is over!”
The words exploded like thunder—cheers and sobs echoed everywhere.
As the news spread across the land, people wept with relief and joy.
After the helicopter landed, Su Tao’s first task was to synchronize the vaccine’s development with Changjing and initiate a national vaccination plan.
From major meetings to personal discussions with the president, the day passed in a blur. By the time everything was done, the sky had already darkened, and she realized she hadn’t eaten all day.
Hungry, she hurried to the cafeteria—only to be greeted by a shower of flower petals as soon as she opened the door.
A flower-covered path led to a towering five-layer cake, surrounded by tables piled with gifts. Balloons of every color floated across the ceiling.
Zhuang Wan, Meng Qian, Ma Dapao, and dozens of others cheered in unison:
“The birthday star is here!”
Before Su Tao could react, a group of girls in pastel dresses dashed over, crowning her with a birthday hat and handing her a bouquet.
Overwhelmed, she was quickly ushered to make a wish before the candles.
What should she wish for?
She was greedy—she wanted everything:
For the vaccine to spread worldwide.
For Shi Zijin to return as a living person.
For the elders’ health and happiness.
For her friends to find joy and peace.
She wished for it all.
After making her wish, she blew out the candles and cut the cake.
The cake, topped with an adorable chibi version of herself, was clearly the work of Master Qin.
There were too many gifts to count—from close friends to strangers, from Taoyang residents to allied bases.
It felt like she had received eighteen years’ worth of birthday presents all at once.
As the celebration continued, Granny Yu directed some strong young men to wheel in a large object covered with a red cloth and tied with a ribbon.
“Open it, Tao,” Granny Yu said, her tone firm but affectionate.
When Su Tao unveiled it, her jaw dropped—a crystal-energy cannon, capable of leveling a city.
Granny Yu smirked. “Consider it a big toy. From now on, you deserve to live a carefree, happy life. You’re only nineteen—leave the burdens to us old folks.”
As laughter filled the room, the lights dimmed, and a familiar voice echoed from a video:
“I found a home in Taoyang after a lifetime of wandering…”
