Chapter 139: Perhaps Xu Mo Could Successfully Persuade Them to Defect

The next morning, at dawn, Lin Xiaodou headed straight to the post office.

She arrived just as the mail carriers were preparing to head out for their deliveries. After Lin Xiaodou explained her situation, a young mail carrier stepped forward, looking deeply ashamed.

"Comrade Lin, I was the one who delivered the parcels to the pig farm yesterday. Because there were so many packages, I was in a rush and handed yours to a young woman who promised to pass it on to you. I never expected her to discard it and cause you such trouble. I am truly sorry."

"It was indeed your mistake," Lin Xiaodou replied. "I accept your apology, but I hope you will be more careful in the future."

The mail carrier nodded repeatedly. "I understand, I will be."

In these times, it was common for packages not to reach the recipient directly, as family or friends often collected them. Lin Xiaodou didn't want to dwell on the carrier's error; finding the person who had thrown away her package was the priority.

"My package has been recovered, but I still need to identify the person who discarded it," she said. "Please come with me to point her out."

"That is only right," the mail carrier agreed. "Let me inform my supervisor, and then I will go with you."

...

When the two arrived at the veterinary station, Dr. Hu was in the middle of a morning meeting. Seeing Lin Xiaodou arrive late, he scolded her, "Lin Xiaodou, you are late, and you’ve brought a stranger into the conference room. What exactly do you think you are doing?"

Lin Xiaodou quickly explained the situation and added, "Dr. Hu, I will only take a few minutes of your time. I just need the mail carrier to identify the person."

Dr. Hu looked stern. "How ridiculous! Who did this?" Although he didn't particularly like Lin Xiaodou, he despised such underhanded behavior even more. If the culprit wasn't caught, there was no telling what other problems might arise at the station.

Zhu Qingqing, hiding in the back, turned pale. She hadn't expected Lin Xiaodou to discover the missing package so quickly. If she were identified, she would surely face a beating, or worse, the wrath of Director Hu. She couldn't just sit there and wait to be caught. Her eyes darted toward the back door. She was standing near it and could easily slip out unnoticed. She didn't want to be exposed on the spot—the humiliation would be too great. As for the consequences, she would deal with those later.

Fortunately, the crowd was thick, and several tall people blocked her from view. Zhu Qingqing crouched slightly and crept cautiously toward the back door. Just as she had pushed it halfway open, her eyes lit up—but then, a shadow fell over her.

Accompanying the shadow was the chilling voice of Xiao Jingyao: "Comrade Zhu Qingqing, where are you going?"

The sudden voice made everyone turn. Then, the mail carrier’s urgent cry rang out: "That’s her! The woman trying to sneak away!"

Zhu Qingqing’s mind went blank. It was over.

Once caught red-handed, she was surrounded by angry accusations.

"Zhu Qingqing, it really was you!" Lin Xiaodou exclaimed.

"What is wrong with you, girl?" Dr. Hu scolded. "Why choose to play such petty, underhanded tricks?"

"Comrade Zhu Qingqing, you are truly infuriating," Sister Chen added. "You are always finding ways to bully Lin Xiaodou. Aren't you ashamed?"

Dr. Physician squinted. "Was that story from last night also a lie you fabricated just to make me pick a fight with Lin Xiaodou?"

Zhu Qingqing backed away, feeling guilty. "No, that’s not it."

Lin Xiaodou caught on immediately. "What is going on?"

"Zhu Qingqing spread rumors that you were badmouthing me, which is why I went to give you a hard time," the physician snorted.

Realizing she had been manipulated, the physician glared at her. Everyone present looked at Zhu Qingqing with disgust. Rumors were dangerous; if they were taken seriously, the consequences could be severe.

Lin Xiaodou could no longer restrain herself. In front of everyone, she slapped Zhu Qingqing across the face several times. Zhu Qingqing’s face swelled up, and she burst into tears.

The commotion was too great for Director Hu to ignore. Upon learning the truth, he was truly furious. He had tolerated Zhu Qingqing’s minor antics in the past, but this was inexcusable. Not only had she discarded Lin Xiaodou’s package, but she had also intentionally framed her with malicious rumors. Such a person could not remain at the pig farm.

Director Hu decided to send her home. Upon hearing this, Zhu Qingqing broke down. She grabbed the hem of the Director's jacket, sobbing uncontrollably. "Director Hu, please don't kick me out! I was wrong, I was wrong, please, I beg you!"

If she left, what would happen to Xu Mo? He had finally secured an opportunity to transfer away from the pig farm. If he lost that chance because of her, she would die of guilt.

"Director Hu, for the sake of my father, please give me one more chance!" she pleaded.

"If it weren't for your father, do you think I would have tolerated you this long?" Director Hu replied coldly. "Pack your things and go home. I have suppressed the news so it won't spread—this is the last shred of mercy I will show you."

Zhu Qingqing bit her lip. "Director Hu... can I at least say goodbye to Xu Mo?"

The Director glared at her. "One more word, and I’ll have the guards throw you out myself."

In the end, Zhu Qingqing left in a hurry with her suitcase. Because of the Director's orders, the incident was kept quiet, and everyone was told she had resigned due to family matters.

Xu Mo didn't find out until the next morning.

"Zhu Qingqing... how could you leave me? You promised you wouldn't..." Xu Mo’s eyes were bloodshot, his expression terrifyingly dark. He squeezed the pig-slaughtering knife in his hand so hard that it snapped into pieces. Even though his palm was sliced open and blood dripped to the ground, he felt nothing.

Big Fool Niu, watching from the side, felt a flicker of curiosity. He hadn't expected this seemingly frail young man to be so ruthless. Big Fool Niu’s eyes glinted. He had infiltrated the pig farm to recruit potential convicts for his own agenda. He had previously dismissed Xu Mo as too weak, but now he realized he had misjudged him—the boy had a cruel streak.

With Zhu Qingqing gone, Xu Mo’s hopes were dashed, and he was clearly in a dark place. If he acted as a confidant now, he might be able to win him over. Thinking this, Big Fool Niu stood up, threw a dirty rag at Xu Mo, and said, "There's no point in dying over a woman. If you really want to get out of this place, I have a way..."