I Am a Landlady in the Apocalypse – CH62

Chapter 62: Dr.Zhong Enters the “Grand View Garden”

Zhong Gaoyi was led to the right. Straight ahead were two small buildings, and to the right stood a two-story structure with blue-gray walls. Through the glass, he could see that it was an office, fully equipped with desks, chairs, and bookshelves.

“Is this your office building?” Zhong Gaoyi took off his glasses and looked again, asking curiously.

Su Tao nodded: “Yes, Manager Zhuang usually works upstairs. If you need anything, you can find her here.”

Zhong Gaoyi maintained a reserved nod but couldn’t help taking a few extra glances.

As they walked further, they approached a single-story building on the left with a sign indicating it was the clinic. To his surprise, there was a small courtyard outside, with benches and a sun umbrella along the edge.

Su Tao smiled and explained:

“Dr. Zhong, you’re quite well-known. I expect once the tenants are notified, your clinic will be packed. Considering how hot it is, waiting outside could be uncomfortable, so we set up a little courtyard.”

Zhong Gaoyi cleared his throat and asked:

“Can I spend time in this courtyard when I’m not seeing patients?”

Su Tao: “Of course! Not just this courtyard—the cafeteria and other public spaces are also open to you. We’ll take you to eat later and help you get familiar with everything.”

For the first time, Zhong Gaoyi felt that coming to Taoyang might actually be a wonderful opportunity.

When he entered the so-called “small room,” a cool breeze greeted him.

Zhong Gaoyi paused in surprise, “Where is this cold air coming from?”

Su Tao explained, “We installed air conditioning. There’s a central controller by the door. If it feels too cold, you can adjust it yourself.”

Zhong Gaoyi stood stunned for three seconds and asked, “Is this prepared for me?”

Then he noticed the newly laid floor tiles, the fresh and elegant wall colors, a desk by the window, and a large bookshelf covering the wall on the right.

Su Tao pushed open the inner door: “And here’s the resting room, also prepared for you.”

Zhong Gaoyi stepped inside and immediately saw a TV mounted on the wall to the right, with a single cozy beanbag chair beside it.

As he walked further in, he found a soft, clean single bed with complete bedding. A night lamp sat on the bedside table, and there was a small wardrobe nearby.

The biggest surprise was a full bathroom with a sink, toilet, and shower.

Zhong Gaoyi could hardly believe it: “Is this all for me alone?”

Su Tao couldn’t help but laugh: “There’s only one bed here. Who else do you want to share it with? Or should I let it keep you company?”

She raised the leash of Xue Dao as she spoke.

Xue Dao seemed to understand, letting out a bark and placing its front paw on Su Tao’s foot, looking up at her.

Su Tao quickly soothed it: “Okay, okay, you won’t keep him company.”

Only then did Xue Dao retract its paw and continue lying down.

Zhong Gaoyi wandered around the resting room, then suddenly turned to Su Tao:

“How much is the rent per month?”

Currently, he lived in a shared apartment with only a single room, and all other facilities like the bathroom, living room, and balcony were communal.

The rent was nearly 8,000 federal coins per month, plus 100 contribution points.

For such a master bedroom with a private bathroom, it would typically cost 15,000 to 20,000 federal coins.

Su Tao was momentarily stunned by his question: “What do you mean by how much per month?”

Zhuang Wan reacted first and quickly explained to Zhong Gaoyi, “Dr. Zhong, you misunderstood. This place was specially prepared by Boss Su for you to stay temporarily, and no rent will be charged.”

Su Tao added: “Yes, plus you’re only staying five days a month. It wouldn’t make sense to charge rent.”

The most important point was that Zhong Gaoyi was essentially working at Taoyang for free.

The monthly cost to provide water to Gu Mingchi was only a few hundred federal coins—almost negligible.

Su Tao would even be willing to pay Zhong Gaoyi a salary, let alone charge rent for a small room. She needed to keep a broad perspective.

Zhong Gaoyi was silent for a couple of seconds before he suddenly said, “I will make sure to do my best during the five days I’m here. Thank you, Boss Su and Manager Zhuang.”

Zhuang Wan felt a bit embarrassed by the formal address, “No need to be so polite, Dr. Zhong. Just call me Xiao Zhuang. Tomorrow, I’ll need your help to take a look at my daughter. Why don’t you rest for a bit, take a nap, and we’ll come get you for dinner later?”

Thinking that her daughter’s face could be saved, Zhuang Wan was overwhelmed with excitement. If not for considering Zhong Gaoyi’s need to rest, she would have brought her daughter over right away.

After leaving, she said to Su Tao, “Before the apocalypse, when I was in my teens, my teacher asked me about my dream. I said I wanted to be a doctor. Back then, doctors seemed so impressive, snatching lives from the hands of the Grim Reaper—so cool! I never thought that doctors after the apocalypse would truly be pulling people from the gates of hell, erasing names from the book of life and death.”

“By the way, does Dr. Zhong have the same ability as Xiao Jian?”

Su Tao thought for a moment, “Not exactly. Xiao Jian’s ability mainly heals external injuries and infections. According to Major Shi, it’s called ‘Purification’ and can effectively remove the virus from zombie bites. Dr. Zhong, on the other hand, is known for ‘Regeneration’—he can even regrow severed limbs.”

At this, Su Tao thought of Shi Zijin’s prosthetic limb.

She sighed. Shi Zijin would probably rather remain disabled for life than accept help from Gu Mingchi’s people.

*

Zhong Gaoyi sat quietly on the single beanbag chair for a long while. The surroundings made him feel as if he had returned to his university days, back when he was interning at the hospital.

Hospitals back then were clean and tidy, with air conditioning blasting in the summer—nothing like the current stifling heat.

Zhong Gaoyi rubbed his face, took a warm shower in the bathroom, and felt completely refreshed. Lying on the soft bed with the air conditioner maintaining the perfect temperature, he had the first peaceful and comfortable nap since the onset of the intense heat.

Meanwhile, Su Tao and Zhuang Wan returned to the water room at the entrance, watching the workers connect the water and load barrel after barrel of clear water onto the truck.

Some of the workers, drenched in sweat and parched, couldn’t help but look longingly at the water as they worked.

Su Tao couldn’t resist asking, “How bad is the water shortage in Dongyang now?”

One worker wiped his forehead and said, “They say they can’t extract groundwater anymore. Everything depends on treated sewage to barely meet supply. My wife even makes sure I save my urine every day to trade it at the water plant for a bit of clean water. We ration it for drinking, but we don’t dare wash clothes or take baths.”

He sniffed himself and said, “See? I smell awful. You’re Boss Su, right? I’d love to jump into that water to take a bath. Nowhere else has as much water as you do.”

He pulled a small water bag from his pocket and grinned, “Boss Su, could I fill this up? Just so my wife can wash her face. I’m a rough guy, but my girl deserves to stay clean.”

Su Tao wasn’t a strict boss. She let him fill the bag and even invited other workers to take some water or wash up if needed.

The workers were overjoyed, thanking her profusely as if it were New Year’s.

Zhuang Wan sighed as she watched, “Boss, it looks like this year will be tough outside. Many people might not make it.”