Chapter 46: The Shi Zijin She Remembers…
Old Mei also saw his son in the video and was so enraged that he spat out a mouthful of blood.
Su Tao, Zhuang Wan, and Liu Panpan were terrified: “Old Mei!”
Liu Panpan, panicking, grabbed tissues to wipe the blood, tears streaming down, “What do we do… what do we do…”
Su Tao opened the window and shouted downstairs to Aunt Qian, “Aunt Qian! Call Xiaobo and Zi Ning! Old Mei is in danger—we need to get him to the hospital! Hurry!”
Aunt Qian ran off immediately, terrified.
Xiaobo and Guan Zining, one carrying Old Mei and the other driving, rushed to the hospital. Just as Su Tao was about to get into the front seat, her communicator rang suddenly.
An unknown caller.
Su Tao, as if sensing something, answered but remained silent.
A man’s gentle, smiling voice came through the earpiece,”Boss Su, I hope everything goes smoothly today. I’m looking forward… to our official meeting.”
The call ended.
Su Tao’s expression turned cold, “Playing tricks! I thought you had some real skill, but that’s all?”
Guan Zining, speeding, asked, “Who was that?”
Su Tao had a guess, “The mastermind behind today’s news. Let’s get Old Mei settled first.”
Honestly, Su Tao wasn’t afraid of rumors. Fewer applicants would only reduce their workload.
She wasn’t in a rush to expand Taoyang and didn’t need to please everyone.
Gu Mingchi’s clever plan completely missed the mark—fame was the last thing she cared about.
Old Mei, who was agitated, fell unconscious as soon as they reached the hospital. Just as he was wheeled into the emergency room, Zhuang Wan’s communicator rang.
Surprisingly, it was a call from the woman in the couple who had postponed moving in:
“Miss Zhuang, with all this news out, of course we won’t dare move in. We’re not coming tomorrow. You guys really know how to put on a show, huh? All those tenant screenings, acting so strict and meticulous—I really thought you were trying to create a nice community. Turns out, you treat tenants like that behind closed doors. You must’ve made a lot of money. Don’t you feel guilty?”
Zhuang Wan was so angry she couldn’t speak.
Su Tao asked coldly, “What’s her name?”
Before Zhuang Wan could answer, the woman on the other end sneered, “What? Are you going to retaliate against me? I’m not scared! Listen up, my name is Pang Hong! I’m a journalist! I specialize in exposing heartless scumbags like you! It’s the apocalypse, and you still harm your fellow survivors? Pah!”
Su Tao said, “Add her and anyone associated with her to our blacklist. We will never accommodate them.”
Then, pressing Zhuang Wan’s hand, she hung up.
Zhuang Wan took a breath and asked, “Is Pang Hong the mastermind? If so, I’m sorry—it was me who brought her in…”
Su Tao shook her head, “It’s the work of the East District’s local tyrant, Gu Mingchi. Pang Hong is just being manipulated, all fired up to fight for justice. People like her, who can’t think clearly and believe everything they hear, it’s better if they don’t come.”
She added, “Just keep doing your job as usual. If tenants don’t want to come, replace them. Don’t mind the rumors outside.”
Su Tao’s words were like a stabilizing force, immediately calming Zhuang Wan. She took a deep breath, “Understood, I get it now.”
Guan Zi Ning, spinning a gun in his hand, said to Su Tao, “I really underestimated you before. I didn’t expect you to be the calmest one when something happened. You’re kind of like our Major Shi Zijin. Back then, someone also accused us of bringing back substandard supplies, saying we pocketed the real goods. Some even tried to convince the commander to strip the major of his rank, accusing him of abusing power, corruption, and being a blight on Dongyang.”
Su Tao asked curiously, “And then?”
Guan Zi Ning’s eyes sparkled, “Our major confronted them head-on! Just like you said, we had nothing to fear from rumors. The major didn’t explain a word. He just publicly announced that anyone dissatisfied could challenge him one-on-one. If they won, he’d take off his uniform. If they lost, they couldn’t blame him for not holding back. Those who didn’t dare should shut up and swallow whatever he brought back!”
She mimicked a punch.
Zhuang Wan’s eyes were full of admiration, “I think I heard about this, but not in such detail. Anyway, the rumors eventually died down. I always believed the Pioneering Army wasn’t like that.”
Having been confined at home, Su Tao hadn’t heard of this before. She couldn’t help but imagine Shi Zijin facing off challengers, but she struggled to picture it.
The Shi Zijin she knew was polite, reserved, with measured actions, and even a bit of a pampered young master’s vibe.
It was hard to imagine him saying something so bold and brash.
After chatting for a while, the doctor finally came out, “No major issues. The test results show old problems. He’s getting on in years and needs more rest and care. You should be prepared—he hasn’t got many years left.”
Although Su Tao had anticipated this, hearing the doctor confirm it still made her feel sad.
Liu Panpan, wiping away tears, nodded vigorously and followed the doctor back into the consultation room.
Since Old Mei needed to stay for observation for a few days, Su Tao and the others went back, leaving Little Pan to take care of him.
Back at Taoyang, Su Tao didn’t expect most of the tenants to be gathered under the office building, seemingly waiting for their return.
Seeing Su Tao, Aunt Qian and a few familiar tenants rushed over to ask, “Is Old Mei okay?”
Zhuang Wan briefly explained the situation, and an angry tenant stepped forward, “Boss Su, we’ve all heard the rumors online. This is clearly someone slandering us! An arsonist, a murderer, and an ungrateful son—how can anyone believe them? Just tell us what to do. Should we tie them up and teach them a lesson, or come forward to clear things up? We’ll do whatever you say!”
“Yeah, or we could contact the media ourselves. There’s no way those three can outtalk all of us!”
Everyone spoke up, furious and ready to act.
Su Tao raised her hand, and the scene fell silent. Her voice was firm, “There’s no need to do anything. Everyone should go to work and school as usual. If outsiders ask, just answer honestly. If there’s no truth to it, we have nothing to fear. Besides, this situation is a good thing. From now on, when Taoyang rents out units, priority will go to tenants recommended by our current residents.”
This not only soothed the crowd’s anger but also ignited excitement.
Previously, internal tenants only enjoyed convenience in daily life—there was no such privilege!
Especially after the recent outdoor barbecue, which had left their relatives and friends green with envy. Many had been desperate to move in, but with limited housing, they never got the chance.
Now, the likelihood of living with loved ones had increased dramatically!
For a moment, Taoyang felt like it was celebrating a festival, almost ready to hang lanterns and beat drums.
Meanwhile, in the East District at Quanhe, Gu Mingchi asked, “What’s the reaction over at Taoyang?”
His assistant hesitated, not daring to respond.
“Hmm?”
The assistant, terrified, stammered, “T-Taoyang is filled with joy…”
