Chapter 126: Lin Xiaodou Said It Intentionally for Her to Hear

After delivering the gifts, Lin Xiaodou returned to her quarters to get some rest.

As soon as she stepped inside, she bumped into Zhu Qingqing, the female lead she had encountered earlier.

"Oh? How is it you? Do you work here too?" Zhu Qingqing asked, her face full of surprise.

"Yes, I’m also a veterinary apprentice at the pig farm," Lin Xiaodou replied.

"Wow, what a coincidence! I’m Zhu Qingqing. What’s your name, comrade?" Zhu Qingqing looked her over with unconcealed curiosity.

Seeing her up close, Zhu Qingqing couldn't help but notice how incredibly beautiful this woman was. For some unknown reason, an inexplicable sense of crisis suddenly welled up in her heart.

"My name is Lin Xiaodou," Lin Xiaodou said. She then fetched some water, washed her face, and lay down. It was clear she had little interest in engaging in conversation with Zhu Qingqing.

Seeing her cold attitude, Zhu Qingqing pouted in dissatisfaction. *What kind of person is she? So rude.*

Not long after, the others returned from their shifts. As soon as Sister Chen entered the room, she said with a smile, "Xiaodou, you’ve probably met our new colleague by now, right?"

Zhu Qingqing was not in the room at that moment, likely having stepped out for something.

"Yes, I suppose you could say that," Lin Xiaodou replied.

Sister Chen continued, "You two should get to know each other better. Comrade Zhu Qingqing is quite lively. Dr. Zhang asked me earlier to mentor her for the next few days, and then the three of us will go to work together."

Currently, Dr. Zhang was the only one with an open apprentice spot, so naturally, Zhu Qingqing had been assigned to their group. However, Lin Xiaodou was puzzled as to why Dr. Zhang hadn't asked one of his own group members to mentor the newcomer, but had instead pushed the task onto Sister Chen.

"Dr. Zhang said that his own team members are all clumsy and careless, and that it’s better for a girl to mentor a girl," Sister Chen explained. "Since Dr. Zhang asked, I felt it would be rude to refuse..."

"Next time, if it’s none of your business, don't feel obligated to help," Lin Xiaodou said. She had a very poor opinion of Dr. Zhang. The man was a gossipmonger who not only loved spreading rumors but often made sarcastic remarks about Dr. He. As a member of Dr. He’s team, she and Sister Chen had both been targets of Dr. Zhang’s passive-aggressive comments before. It was shameless of him to take advantage of Sister Chen’s kind and soft-hearted nature.

Knowing that Lin Xiaodou was looking out for her, Sister Chen felt touched. "Alright, I understand. I’ll be sure to ask for your help next time."

When it was time to head to the cafeteria for dinner, Zhu Qingqing reappeared. Seeing her, Sister Chen called her over and turned to Lin Xiaodou, saying, "Xiaodou, let’s go to the cafeteria together. It’ll be a good chance to show Comrade Zhu Qingqing the way."

"Fine," Lin Xiaodou agreed. Since they were colleagues now, she couldn't avoid her forever, so she decided to let things take their course. Besides, she wasn't afraid; if the girl dared to provoke her, she would just give her a good thrashing.

On the way, Sister Chen and Zhu Qingqing walked in front, chatting, while Lin Xiaodou followed at a leisurely pace. Zhu Qingqing glanced back, her eyes flickering with hesitation. "Sister Chen, does Comrade Lin Xiaodou have an issue with me? She wouldn't even respond when I tried to talk to her earlier."

"Don't worry about it," Sister Chen replied. "That’s just how she is. Xiaodou only shows a friendly face to people she clicks with; otherwise, she doesn't bother with anyone."

This remark made Zhu Qingqing’s expression stiffen. *So she doesn't like me? Who exactly does this Lin Xiaodou think she is, acting so arrogant?*

Zhu Qingqing seized the opportunity to fish for information. Upon learning that Lin Xiaodou was merely an educated youth sent down from the city, recommended by a village brigade leader, she let out a silent, mocking laugh. *Hah! So she’s just a girl with no family background, far beneath my status.* Instantly, Zhu Qingqing felt a wave of superiority.

...

In the pig farm cafeteria, Lin Xiaodou kept feeling Zhu Qingqing’s gaze on her. It was a look filled with smugness and a hint of contempt. She had no idea what the girl was imagining now. This was exactly why she didn't want to get involved with these melodramatic protagonists from period novels. They all shared one common trait: self-importance. They thought of themselves as the chosen ones, blessed by the heavens, maintaining an air of arrogance while looking down on everyone else. Yet, as soon as someone stronger appeared, they would immediately cower and play dead—the classic behavior of a bully who fears the strong.

Lin Xiaodou had no interest in dealing with such fools.

However, Zhu Qingqing insisted on crowding into her space. On the walk back after dinner, Zhu Qingqing boasted to Sister Chen about her family. "My parents are both managers at the county slaughterhouse, and my sister works there too. They treat me very well."

At this, she turned to Lin Xiaodou and added, "Comrade Lin Xiaodou, I heard you’re from Beijing. How could your parents bear to let you come so far away to the countryside?"

The implication was clear: she was mocking Lin Xiaodou for not being loved by her parents.

Lin Xiaodou suddenly laughed. Of all the things to mock her for, the girl chose family affection.

"I don't have parents. I’m an orphan," Lin Xiaodou said. Her adoptive parents and her biological parents were all scum; they were no family of hers.

Upon hearing this, a flicker of contempt crossed Zhu Qingqing’s eyes. She feigned embarrassment and said, "I’m so sorry. I didn't know your family situation. I shouldn't have asked."

Sister Chen looked at Lin Xiaodou with pity, then suddenly realized something. "Wait, that’s not right, Xiaodou. If you were an orphan, the neighborhood committee wouldn't have sent you down to the countryside!"

"That’s right, Comrade Lin Xiaodou, are you hiding something from us?" Zhu Qingqing asked, her face full of curiosity, as if she had caught the scent of gossip.

"Actually, I have two fathers and two mothers," Lin Xiaodou said. "I was swapped at birth and frequently abused by my adoptive parents. After my true background was revealed, my biological parents didn't like me either, so having them is the same as having none at all."

"Oh, your background is so tragic. You’re so pitiful," Zhu Qingqing said, though she couldn't hide the schadenfreude in her eyes.

"I’m not pitiful," Lin Xiaodou said, offering her a slight smile. She leaned in and whispered in her ear, "My adoptive parents tried to sell me to an idiot for a bride price, and my biological parents wanted me to take the fall for my adoptive sister so she wouldn't have to go to jail. I fought back against all of them. The ones who needed to go to prison are in prison, those who needed to be sent to labor camps are in labor camps, and the other two are lying at home, struggling to survive. Everyone who bullied me has received their punishment. Why should I be considered pitiful?"

Lin Xiaodou’s voice was so low that only Zhu Qingqing could hear her. Upon hearing these words, Zhu Qingqing froze in place, feeling a chilling sensation wash over her, causing her to tremble uncontrollably.

Lin Xiaodou had said that on purpose! She was trying to scare her! This woman was so vengeful—it was truly terrifying.