Chapter 63: If You Mess with Taoyang Again, I’ll Catch You Just Like This Time
Su Tao frowned. The scorching summer brought a water shortage, and now there were evolving mutant zombies.
Humanity had barely caught its breath after the first apocalypse, only to face an even heavier blow with the second.
Damn this apocalypse.
Just then, Guan Zining called, “Are you done yet? These two women are awake and causing trouble. I’m so annoyed.”
“We’re on our way.”
When Su Tao arrived at the office, she saw the two instigating sisters tied back-to-back to the chairs.
The younger sister glared at Su Tao with anger, just about to speak when Guan Zining slapped her hard, turning her face to the side, “Didn’t I say not to use your abilities? And you used them on her? It seems you still haven’t learned your lesson.”
The older sister immediately began to plead.
Su Tao pulled up a chair and sat down, calmly asking them:
“Two choices: compensate me with 60,000 federal credits and 2,000 contribution points, or I’ll hand you over to the Pioneer Army to contribute your abilities and talents.”
60,000 credits and 2,000 contribution points were practically extortion, but Su Tao didn’t care.
Make a mistake and expect an equivalent exchange? Dream on.
“Which will it be?”
She took out her communicator and started a countdown, “You have two minutes to decide, starting now.”
When the sisters heard they might be sent to the Pioneer Army, their faces turned pale.
The last time they were in Taoyang, the man who saw through their abilities was with the Pioneer Army.
If they ended up there, even if their lives weren’t at risk, they’d live every day in fear. It would be unbearable.
The younger sister, holding back her emotions, said, “Boss Su, tenants everywhere say you’re generous and kind, sincere and good-hearted. I didn’t expect you to hike up the price and bully the weak.”
Su Tao remained unfazed, “Flattery won’t work on me. If you want to blame someone, blame yourselves for trying to scam me before leaving. You did it, so deal with it. However I bully you, you deserve it. Not convinced?”
“If you’re not convinced, fine. Zining, take them to the hottest spot in Central Park. Not a bite to eat or a drop of water.”
“We’ll pay! We’ll pay!” The older sister broke down first.
The sun was so fierce that in less than a day, they’d be dehydrated, sunburned, and wishing for death.
The younger sister bit her lip, staying silent.
Su Tao said, “Then transfer the money.”
Guan Zining cut their ropes and kicked their bags over to them.
The older sister fumbled for her communicator, but then realized they didn’t have enough money.
Guan Zining scowled, “No money?”
The older sister hesitated, “We only have the refunded rent and 500 contribution points… We spent a lot in the Eastern District a few days ago, and now we’re unemployed… Boss Su, could you lower the amount or let us repay you later?”
Su Tao glanced outside at the weather, “The sun’s perfect right now. Are you going out on your own, or should I tie you up again?”
The older sister, panicking, looked at the younger one and whispered, “Should we give them that thing?”
Though reluctant, the younger sister had no better option. She closed her eyes and nodded.
The older sister finally spoke, “Can we pay with crystal cores? Not regular zombie crystal cores—evolved ones. We… found them by chance.”
In truth, they had scavenged it from a dead person’s bag after causing chaos.
Guan Zining extended her hand, “Show me.”
“We don’t have it with us. We were afraid of losing it or getting robbed. We hid it outside. If you don’t believe us, we can take you there.”
Guan Zining turned to Su Tao, “I’ll take the younger one and go. We’ll leave the older one here as collateral.”
After agreeing, Guan Zining left quickly.
Before dinner, she returned, handing Su Tao a small bag, “They didn’t lie. It’s indeed an evolved zombie crystal core. You should keep it—it’s valuable. I’ve heard Changjing is researching crystal core weapons. If they succeed, crystal cores could become a hard currency, no less valuable than contribution points.”
Su Tao opened the small drawstring bag. Inside was a green, palm-sized crystal core.
It was her second time seeing one. The first was when Shi Zijin had avenged a fallen teammate by killing an evolved zombie and bringing back the core.
She nodded, put it away, and said to Guan Zining, “Thank you. Join us for dinner later, along with Dr. Zhong.”
Before dinner, Su Tao released the sisters, but not without a final warning:
“You’ve experienced it yourselves. I have people in both the Eastern and Western districts. If you mess with Taoyang again, I’ll catch you just like this time. And next time, it won’t be as simple as paying compensation.”
This time, the sisters were truly terrified. They ran off as fast as they could, vowing never to get involved with Taoyang again.
They couldn’t afford to.
Su Tao felt great—she’d gained 40,000 credits, 500 contribution points, and an evolved zombie crystal core for free.
A clear win.
After a refreshing rest, Dr. Zhong Gaoyi came out in fresh clothes. Zhuang Wan had been waiting outside with her two children.
Under the sparse stars, Dr. Zhong felt a bit dazed by the sight.
But only for a moment. Then, Zhuang Wan greeted him warmly, “Dr. Zhong, how was your rest?”
“Very good. Thank you for the hospitality.”
Zhuang Wan introduced her kids, “These are my children. The older one is Chen Xi, and the younger one is Chen Yang.”
With youthful innocence and admiration, they greeted him, “Hello, Dr. Zhong!”
Their starry-eyed expressions almost overwhelmed him.
He chuckled, squatted down, and gently patted Chen Xi’s head, “Chen Xi, could you take off your mask and let me have a look?”
Chen Xi hesitated, “It’s a bit ugly. Doctor, don’t be scared.”
Hearing this, Zhuang Wan’s heart broke. She helped remove the mask and said to Dr. Zhong, “Please take a look, Dr. Zhong. Let me know if you can help, so I can finally set my mind at ease.”
Dr. Zhong glanced at Chen Xi and smiled, “No problem. Bring her to me tomorrow. It’ll be quick and painless.”
Tears instantly filled Zhuang Wan’s eyes. She grabbed his hand, repeatedly expressing her gratitude, “Thank you, Dr. Zhong. Really, thank you. Without you, my Chen Xi would have such a hard life. Ever since the accident, I’ve been blaming myself—I couldn’t protect her…”
Looking at her tear-streaked face, Dr. Zhong’s expression turned hazy again, as if lost in thought.
He once had a wife and had also said those same words about failing to protect his daughter. But now, they were both gone, leaving him alone to catch his breath in this apocalyptic world.
When they reached the cafeteria, Su Tao saw Zhuang Wan with red, tearful eyes, “My dear water goddess, why are you crying again? What happened?”
As she asked, she glanced at Zhong Gaoyi, who had come in with them—”What’s up? Did you bully her?”
Zhuang Wan quickly explained, “No, no, I’m just so happy. Dr. Zhong said Chen Xi’s facial issue is a small problem, and I couldn’t help but cry tears of joy.”
Chen Xi and Chen Yang also chimed in, speaking up for Zhong Gaoyi.
Su Tao playfully tapped their foreheads:
“You two became Dr. Zhong’s little fans so quickly?”
Zhong Gaoyi’s face turned a bit red.
There were many people at dinner tonight—Shi Zijin and his sister, Cen Tianjiao and Grandma Cen, Old Mei and Xiao Liu were all present.
Su Tao introduced everyone one by one. When it was Grandma Cen’s turn, the old lady grabbed Zhong Gaoyi’s hand enthusiastically:
“Dr. Zhong, Taoyang welcomes you! Make yourself at home—treat this place as your own!”
Old Mei also had Xiao Liu push him forward. He patted Zhong Gaoyi on the arm:
“Young man, thank you for coming. Taoyang needs a good doctor like you.”
Bathed in the warm light of the cafeteria, Zhong Gaoyi suddenly understood what the senior doctors in his old hospital meant when they talked about “a healer’s benevolent heart.”
This—this was it.
