Chapter 73: The Landlady Advised by Her Tenants
Su Tao shifted her gaze to the other two candidates. The older man didn’t seem very reliable; he kept trying to flatter Shi Zijin, his eagerness to please a bit too obvious.
The woman, the one recommended by the logistics director, didn’t seem particularly willing.
Su Tao preferred to choose a woman, so she asked directly, “Are you volunteering for this?”
Luan Yanyan instinctively wanted to shake her head, but after the logistics director coughed, she pressed her lips together and said, “Yes, I am.”
Su Tao immediately understood. After pretending to consider it for a moment, she told the logistics director, “Let’s go with Lin Fangzhi. Sorry for the trouble, Director Chen.”
The logistics director hesitated, still a bit unwilling, “Miss Su, maybe reconsider? Yanyan, she—”
Shi Zijin cut him off, “Lin Fangzhi it is. Have him pack up tonight. I’ll pick him up tomorrow morning.”
The director swallowed back his words.
After they left, Director Chen found his niece, Luan Yanyan, and said, disappointed, “What exactly are you thinking? An opportunity was right in front of you, and you didn’t seize it. You let a newcomer snatch it away. Do you realize, with your spatial ability, you can’t even fit a whole vehicle inside? Large-scale transport won’t consider you, and for small-scale, there’s no need. You can only make a name for yourself by transporting basic supplies with the Pioneer Army.”
Luan Yanyan pouted, “Going out with the Pioneer Army is too hard. Last time was a short, simple mission, and I almost couldn’t keep up. I couldn’t eat or sleep well. I don’t want that. I’d rather just get by in the base. If anyone else wants that chance, they can have it.”
Director Chen was furious, “Short-sighted fool! Forget the Pioneer Army—do you even know who Su Tao is?”
Luan Yanyan shrugged indifferently, “I don’t know, and I don’t care.”
Director Chen raised his hand as if to hit her but ultimately held back his anger and waved her away.
After calming down, he called Lin Fangzhi over privately, speaking bluntly, “Fang Zhi, you haven’t been in Dongyang long, but you’re still part of our logistics team. Even when you’re over with Major Shi and Miss Su, remember that I was the one who gave you a drink of water and saved your life. If you catch the Major’s eye or get a chance to go to Taoyang, don’t forget to put in a good word for me.”
“Especially if you get to live in Taoyang someday—when it comes time for internal recommendations, remember that lifesaving water I gave you…”
Lin Fangzhi didn’t quite understand.
What was Taoyang? What internal recommendation?
*
On the way back, Su Tao was still reviewing Lin Fang Zhi’s file.
Shi Zijin glanced over and asked, “That interested in him?”
Su Tao nodded, “He’s quite resilient. According to the file, he wandered alone outside for three years, never had a proper meal, survived by scavenging garbage along the way, and without any electronic devices like Lexi communication or GPS, it took him over a thousand days to find Dongyang.”
Shi Zijin was also surprised, “He must have a strong survival instinct and probably some skills. Otherwise, he would’ve been zombie food long before a thousand days.”
Su Tao flipped through the file, “It doesn’t mention any abilities other than his spatial power.”
Shi Zijin didn’t seem too concerned, “Whatever. He’s your recruit, use him as you see fit. I’ll implant a chip in him, so you won’t need to worry about him running off with the supplies.”
Su Tao mimicked Director Chen’s fawning tone and expression, smiling sweetly, “Major, you’re so reliable.”
Shi Zijin chuckled, “Learning all the bad habits, huh?”
Back in Taoyang, Su Tao began preparing road rations for Xue Dao.
Now that she had someone with spatial abilities, she could be much more generous with supplies. She packed all of Snow Blade’s usual freeze-dried food, staple grains, and canned goods.
She even brought along a big can of goat milk powder.
Older dogs need regular protein supplements—and it’s also a good way to sneak in extra hydration.
As for Black Sesame and White Sesame, she decided not to bring them along. They were too young, and the journey would be too dangerous—she was worried.
She found a temporary “mom” for the two little ones—Liu Panpan.
Liu Panpan was delighted. She even made a special trip to find Su Tao and took detailed notes on their feeding requirements and daily habits.
To help them get used to their new mom, Su Tao moved their nest into Grandpa Mei’s living room that very evening.
Black Sesame adapted quickly, patrolling its new territory as soon as it arrived.
White Sesame, on the other hand, clung to Su Tao’s neck and cried miserably, refusing to get down. It seemed to know she was leaving.
Su Tao had to coax it for nearly an hour before it finally, albeit reluctantly, settled down into the cat bed under the coffee table, not moving at all.
When Su Tao went to check on it, it gazed at her with big, watery eyes.
Her heart ached—she almost caved and considered taking it along.
Xue Dao stuck its big dog head into the cat bed, licking White Sesame, as if trying to comfort it.
White Sesame turned away, presenting its backside to Xue Dao, then stayed completely still.
Liu Panpan chuckled, “Such a little princess. It should be fine after a couple of days—don’t worry too much.”
Then, as if recalling something, her smile faded, and she looked pained, “I know it’s not very auspicious to say this, but I still want to remind you—stick close to the convoy, stay by Major Shi’s side. My son… he lost his life because he got separated. You… you must stay safe.”
Grandpa Mei patted Su Tao’s hand, “When you get back, I’ll show you my new design sketches.”
Su Tao nodded earnestly.
When she returned to her room, it felt a bit too quiet without the Sesame duo causing a ruckus.
Xue Dao lay at her feet, pretending to sleep. At its age, it conserved energy whenever possible unless necessary.
Su Tao gently rubbed its head and then heard the doorbell ring.
When she opened the door, she found Grandma Cen standing there with a large bag of things.
The old lady handed her the bag and nagged affectionately, “I heard you’re going out with Cen Boy and the others, so I prepared some food for the road. Don’t let yourself go hungry. If anything happens, don’t take it all on yourself—let those big men handle the danger.”
“Ah, such a good girl—why go out and suffer like this? When Cen Boy goes out, I don’t worry at all. But when it’s you, this old lady’s heart just can’t settle.”
Su Tao’s nose tingled with emotion. She accepted the kindness, put away the things, and came back to hug Grandma Cen: “Don’t worry. When I come back, I’ll bring you some specialty products from the other bases.”
Grandma Cen kept repeating, “Alright, alright, come back soon, come back soon.”
After that, Su Tao’s doorbell barely had a chance to rest. Familiar tenants, upon hearing she was leaving, came by one after another to bring things and share their well-wishes.
Before long, the living room sofa and coffee table were piled high with the goodwill of her tenants.
Even the couple from the Grain Bureau, who usually kept to themselves, brought over a bag of millet.
Ma Ying scratched her head, sending visible dandruff flakes flying, and said:
“You’re a good landlady. We don’t have much to give, but cook this on the road and eat it.”
With that, she pulled her husband away.
Su Tao held the bag of millet, feeling completely at a loss.
Just then, her communicator rang again.
She rubbed her forehead—almost midnight, who else could be coming to see her off?
When she answered, Gu Mingchi’s voice came through, “Are you really going out on a mission with the Pioneer Army?”
