Chapter 71: Build a Good Relationship with Taoyang, Hold On Tight to This Opportunity
Early the next morning, Su Tao prepared two large boxes of daily necessities such as sanitary pads, tissues, shampoo, and body wash.
She also packed two boxes of instant noodles.
Since this trip might take up to two months, she needed to ensure she had enough daily supplies.
She couldn’t bring the machines along because once outside Taoyang, they would stop working. Whatever she had packed was all she could use—no chance for restocking.
She called Guan Zining to help her carry everything to the car.
Her blue Jeep would accompany her on this expedition, and the entire trunk could be used to store supplies.
Master Guan acted as a porter for half an hour, hauling things downstairs. She also helped fill five large water barrels and stored five fuel barrels on the first floor of the office building.
Though Master Guan wasn’t too pleased with all this work, Su Tao coaxed her:
“This time, you’ll ride with me in the same car. We’ll eat and sleep together. I plan to bring some rice, flour, grains, and oil so we can cook our own meals in the car.”
Hearing this, Guan Zining felt a bit better and became more motivated. After finishing the tasks, she even offered a suggestion,”Your car has a big trunk. You could find someone to install a refrigerator so you can store food and drinks.”
Su Tao immediately perked up, speaking like a big spender, “Do you know someone who can modify it? Take me there. Money is not an issue.”
Without a refrigerator, she would miss the bento boxes and iced drinks from Taoyang.
And so, they set off immediately. Su Tao brought along Xuedao, hopped into the Jeep, and followed Driver Guan out of Taoyang. They headed straight to the free trade market in Dongyang, finding an old mechanic with a cracked lens on his glasses.
The old man took one look at Xuedao and exclaimed, “Wow, this dog is a fine breed! Before the apocalypse, these were the top choice for military dogs. And, wow, the car is great too. What’s wrong with it?”
Guan Zining pointed to the trunk, “Nothing’s broken. We just need you to set up an electrical system in the trunk so we can plug in appliances.”
The old man understood immediately. He grabbed his toolbox, called over his apprentice, and started working.
“Young ladies, you’re planning to leave Dongyang, right?”
Guan Zining kept her usual cold silence.
Su Tao, squatting by the car, chatted with them, “Yes, we’ll be on the road for a while, so I want to make the car as comfortable as possible.”
While working, the old man said, “You’ve come to the right person. Since you’ll be bringing supplies on the road, I suggest adding a low railing on the car roof and welding a sturdy storage box up there. That way, you can free up the trunk space. Whether you want to flatten the back seats into a large bed for sleeping or set up a fridge and table to make a mini-kitchen, it’ll be perfect.”
“I could even add an extension platform for you, effectively doubling the internal space…”
He went on and on, and Su Tao listened with great interest, eventually deciding to add a few more features.
The total cost wasn’t too high—materials and labor only added up to a bit over 30,000 Federal Credits.
With over 400,000 in savings, Su Tao didn’t feel the pinch at all.
She happily paid a 10,000 deposit, making the old man so cheerful that he offered more advice:
“You don’t seem like ordinary folks. The dangers that us commoners worry about, you probably understand well. But let me say this—make sure you bring enough water and hide it well. Some places outside Dongyang aren’t like here. We’re lucky to have Taoyang supplying us with water, so we don’t feel the same desperation.”
“We won’t stoop to dirty tricks for water. But think about it—when people are dying of thirst, with nothing to eat or drink, there’s nothing they wouldn’t do.”
The old man sighed deeply, downing a glass of water in one gulp. He told Su Tao and Guan Zining, “If it weren’t for Taoyang’s timely water supply, us lowly folks would’ve had to flee as refugees. Who knows if we’d even be alive today? There was a TV report before saying Taoyang was heartless and a scam—I bet they just offended someone.”
He rambled on for a while, pointing out the landscape of Dongyang:
“There were folks who used to think Dongyang was too small, not as prosperous as other bases, and left. Now that they hear Dongyang has water, they’re scrambling to get back. As long as Dongyang’s leadership keeps a clear head, maintains a good relationship with Taoyang, and holds onto this opportunity tightly, catching up to other bases won’t be a problem.”
When the old man was about to continue his political analysis after three glasses of water, Guan Zining cut him off impatiently:
“Alright, we’ll leave the car here and pick it up in two days.”
The old man shut up immediately.
Su Tao and Guan Zining walked back under the blazing sun. Along the way, they saw that while Dongyang’s residents weren’t living especially well, there was no chaos or death in the streets.
In fact, there seemed to be more people than before, and some markets were even bustling.
Guan Zining explained, “Since the water supply stabilized, Dongyang has taken in a lot of refugees from other bases. A recent survey showed the population has grown to over 60,000. The old chief decided to close the city gates this week to prevent a population surge that could overwhelm Dongyang’s land and food supply, causing a collapse.”
Su Tao had been focused on training lately and hadn’t paid much attention to what was happening in and outside Dongyang. All she knew was that Pei Dong sent people daily to fetch water and fuel.
“Is it a mess outside Dongyang?” she asked.
Guan Zining replied, “The big bases still have some foundation to rely on. They won’t collapse into chaos so easily. But for smaller bases, shelters, refuges, or minor factions, things are definitely in disarray—looting, murder, countless atrocities. Our journey this time won’t be peaceful.”
Su Tao grew worried. “Then carrying so many supplies with me… won’t I be like a walking treasure trove?”
She had no intention of being robbed and returning home in disgrace.
Guan Zining shook her head. “No, Major Shi will definitely have your car in the middle of the convoy. Robbers wouldn’t skip the front and rear cars to target you—unless they can fly. Just hide your things well.”
That afternoon, when Su Tao met with Shi Zijin, she said, “Is there extra space in the other cars in the convoy? I want to spread out my supplies. You know, don’t put all your eggs in one basket…”
Shi Zijin asked, “How much stuff do you have?”
Su Tao thought for a moment and gestured with her hands, “About this much… as much as my whole Jeep.”
Shi Zijin was speechless. “At most, we’ll be gone for two months. Are you planning to go on vacation with all that?”
Su Tao retorted, “It’s not just for me! I’m also preparing for you, and if your brothers need anything, I’ll share with them too.”
Hearing the “for you,” Shi Zijin’s frustration melted away.
“I’ll go to logistics and find you an ability user with spatial storage powers. You can keep them by your side.”
Su Tao’s almond-shaped eyes widened, blinking in surprise, “That’s awesome! When can I get them?”
“As soon as you pick up the crystal energy weapon, I’ll take you to logistics to choose someone.”
Su Tao beamed, leaning closer with a smile, “You’re so good to me.”
Shi Zijin pushed her face away. “Enough with the mushy talk. Bring a crystal core and come with me.”
The crystal energy weapon was delivered in an iron box. When opened, it revealed a transparent protective casing inside.
Suspended within was a delicate handgun, crystal clear and radiating a magical blue glow—beautiful yet brimming with extraordinary power.
Su Tao was instantly captivated. She turned to Shi Zijin and asked, “Is this really for me?”
