Chapter 5: The Bread and Butter – Shi Zijin
When Su Tao returned to Taoyang District, there were indeed a few onlookers lingering outside the gate. She let them observe from outside, entered the house, and saw Cen Lao’er leaning against the door.
His left eye seemed to have been injured, replaced by a mechanical prosthetic.
“You’re the landlord here?” Cen Tianjiao frowned.
Su Tao knew she didn’t look much like a wealthy landlady. She nodded indifferently:
“Yes, your captain paid for five days’ rent. You can stay here and rest for now. Don’t wander around. Here’s your lunch. I’ll bring you meals daily.”
Cen Tianjiao cursed under his breath, “They went off to get revenge and left me behind.”
After swearing, he looked around, found no table, and simply stood there, scarfing down his meal.
“When you’re done, just throw the trash in the bag.”
Cen Tianjiao nodded, then asked, “How old are you? Where are your parents?”
Su Tao remained expressionless: “I’m an adult. They’re both dead.”
Cen Tianjiao didn’t press further—many in this post-apocalyptic world were orphans.
“Are you an ability user?”
Su Tao looked at him, “Just an ordinary citizen.”
He immediately frowned. “You have no parents and no power. How have you managed to survive?”
With such a large piece of land and a few houses, it was practically asking for trouble.
It was surprising that no one had come to kill her and take the property.
Su Tao understood what he meant and said:
“What? Are you planning to kill me and take this land? Save it. Once inside my property, any violent behavior will result in being thrown out.”
On the system control panel, she had long set up rules to prohibit harming the landlord and prevent fights.
Anyone who violated these rules would be directly teleported out and punished with an electric shock.
She also had the authority to evict tenants who owed rent.
Cen Tianjiao: “…I was just trying to warn you.”
Su Tao nodded, “Thanks. Here’s the access card to the main gate. Once the rent is due, it will automatically deactivate.”
She actually knew he meant well; otherwise, if he wanted to act, he would’ve done so already.
She spent the entire afternoon in her room, familiarizing herself with the system and its rules. Just as she was about to go to sleep, Shi Zijin and his team returned.
Two team members had minor injuries, but Shi Zijin, the captain, had a broken right arm and appeared in front of her covered in blood.
Su Tao’s heart nearly leapt into her throat.
Shi Zijin shook his head, his face calm: “It’s nothing.”
Su Tao was completely stunned. An entire arm severed from the shoulder—how could that be “nothing”?
Shi Zijin used his left hand to take out a paper package. He opened it to reveal a green, glowing crystal core and tossed it to Cen Tianjiao with one hand:
“We’ve avenged A’Chi. Turn this in tomorrow and let the old commander see it. I’m going to A’Chi’s house to apologize in person. It was my failure as a captain not to protect him. I’ll give his family an explanation.”
Cen Tianjiao mumbled under his breath, his eyes red as he turned away.
That evolved zombie was probably newly advanced, not yet recorded in the data. Its ability was strange, with immense destructive power.
For it to disable the captain’s arm, its danger level was clearly off the charts.
The cost of this revenge was too high.
Su Tao felt uncomfortable as well, but at the same time, she developed a deep sense of respect for Shi Zijin.
Everyone rested a bit and sat chatting in the empty living room, waiting for dawn.
Su Tao had completely lost her sleepiness too. She ended up chatting with this group of rugged men about anything and everything, even making a few new friends.
Shi Zijin, as always, didn’t participate in the conversations. He sat to the side, calmly and meticulously cleaning his silver pistol.
When the chatter died down, he finally asked Su Tao privately, “Is the room on the right currently occupied?”
Su Tao’s spirits lifted immediately: “No, this room is much better equipped, but it only accepts short-term rentals—15 days for 4,000 Federal Credits, no contribution points required.”
As she spoke, she opened the door to show Shi Zijin and his teammates.
Cen Tianjiao glanced around and said a bit resentfully:
“Both are single rooms, but why does my room only have a sleeping bag and that… bucket? Do I look that broke?”
Su Tao responded awkwardly, “Well, you guys did seem a bit tight on cash before you arrived… When your rental period is up, I’ll set you up too.”
Shi Zijin said, “Then keep the room on the right for me. I’ll bring someone to stay in a few days.”
He spoke as if afraid someone might snatch it, immediately transferring 4,000 Federal Credits over.
Su Tao stared at the instant transaction, swallowing hard. When she looked back at Shi Zijin, it was as if she saw a savior.
“Well… I’ll hold the room for you. But if you don’t come in three days, I’ll only refund 3,000. Deal?”
The wealthy and generous Shi Zijin agreed without hesitation: “No problem. If there are more rooms available later, let me know. I’ll take them. I have a lot of brothers.”
The team members all felt a warm sense of camaraderie.
“If you need anything, just come to the Dongyang Pioneer Corps headquarters. I’ll sort it out for you,” Shi Zijin added.
Su Tao was taken aback. Was he offering to cover her?
Her emotions became complicated, and an inexplicable soreness rose in her nose.
For some reason, she just knew Shi Zijin wasn’t like her father, who only ever made empty promises.
If there was a difficult situation, he would definitely help her resolve it.
No wonder these seemingly tough and unruly team members were all so loyal to him.
The team members immediately turned to Su Tao with friendliness:
“Boss, if you have more rooms available later, make sure to let us know. Keep our contact info handy. Please! And if you need anything from us down the road, don’t hesitate—just say the word!”
Su Tao was a bit dazed as she collected their contact information and promises. It seemed like she had accidentally gained a bunch of strong allies…
“Thank you…” She rubbed her nose.
Shi Zijin rarely showed a hint of a smile but said nothing.
“By the way, I wanted to ask… If I’ve already signed up for the Pioneer Corps, is it possible not to go…?”
Su Tao really didn’t want to go.
She had no strength and no abilities. If she went, she’d only hold the Pioneer Corps back.
Besides, the property in Taoyang needed her to take care of it.
Shi Zijin frowned. “According to the rules, that’s not allowed.”
Su Tao’s face immediately fell.
The registration had been done behind her back by Li Ronglian, and by the time she found out, it was too late.
“You signed up?” Shi Zijin asked disapprovingly.
To be honest, the Pioneer Corps did not want fragile young girls who couldn’t even kill a chicken. They were either a burden or heading straight to their deaths.
Su Tao nodded stiffly, looking like a little human-shaped bitter melon.
“If you don’t go, you have to pay a fine. Moreover, a family member would need to take your place. But since you’re alone, as long as you pay enough, the higher-ups won’t make things difficult for you.”
Su Tao scratched her head. “I’m sorry, earlier when I said my parents were dead, I lied. They are actually still alive, but they treat me very poorly, so I said they were dead and planned to never acknowledge them again. But they went behind my back and signed me up for the Pioneer Corps…”
Shi Zijin immediately understood. These parents clearly didn’t intend for this girl to survive.
How could such parents exist?
His expression darkened as he said:
“In that case, go to the base’s Talent Management Center. Separate from your family as an adult, explain the situation, and mention that I referred you. They won’t make things difficult for you. Then your parents will still have to pay the fine or send someone in your place.”
Su Tao’s eyes lit up. “Is that really possible?”
Having been isolated at home for so long, there was so much about society she didn’t understand.
Li Ronglian had always wished for her to know as little as possible, making her easier to control.
Shi Zijin nodded. “Yes, that way you won’t have to join the army, nor will you need to pay the fine.”
Su Tao was overwhelmed with gratitude. “Thank you so much! I’ll give you a 20% discount on the rent for the room across the hall.”
Shi Zijin chuckled. “Your way of showing gratitude is to offer a rent discount?”
Su Tao blushed. “I don’t really have anything else worth offering.”
Shi Zijin’s expression softened with a hint of pity.
As soon as daylight broke, Shi Zijin and his team left.
Su Tao didn’t waste any time. She went straight to the Talent Management Center, presented her identification, and mentioned Shi Zijin’s name.
“Oh, a friend of Captain Shi? We’ve looked into the situation. Indeed, signing someone up without their consent is absolutely not allowed here in Dongyang. We will follow up and take disciplinary actions. Rest assured.”
In less than half an hour, Su Tao had officially separated from the Su family, establishing her own household.
She clicked her tongue, experiencing for the first time the convenience of connections.
When she was a child, she had come here with Li Ronglian to handle some matters. Even a simple task had been dragged out for three months before they got a result.
Su Tao couldn’t help but think a bit more—perhaps Shi Zijin was not just an ordinary captain in the Pioneer Corps.
But she wasn’t overly curious by nature and wouldn’t pry into others’ private matters.
If Shi Zijin wanted to tell her, he would. If not, she wouldn’t ask.
With this major issue off her mind, all Su Tao wanted to do now was go home and spend money!
Buy a bed! Buy a bathroom!
