Chapter 129: An Apology to Comrade Lin Xiaodou

Lin Xiaodou was truly speechless when it came to this man. A grown man, calling everyone "sister." You call this a "yandere" schemer? This is just an idiot! She was only eighteen, a year younger than him, so what was the point of calling her "sister"?

While Lin Xiaodou was filled with nothing but disdain, Zhu Qingqing was fussing over him with endless care. After being kicked away by Lin Xiaodou, Xu Mo’s already frail body seemed even more broken. Clutching his chest, he stumbled toward Zhu Qingqing with a deathly pale face, and then... he collapsed.

"Xu Mo! Xu Mo!" Zhu Qingqing could no longer hold back; she dashed forward to catch him.

"Cough, cough... Sister... you still care about me... don't you?" Xu Mo’s eyes brightened as he looked at her with anticipation.

Zhu Qingqing’s heart ached instantly. "Of course I care about you! Don't move around, let me help you go and rest properly!"

Zhu Qingqing supported him as they walked to the shade of a large tree. Once seated, Xu Mo covered his mouth and began to cough incessantly. Zhu Qingqing looked worried. "Xu Mo, how did you end up like this? Did someone hit you?"

Xu Mo replied, "It was Physician Lin... cough, cough... I was just trying to advise her not to make things difficult for you, and she just kicked me away."

"What!" Zhu Qingqing jumped to her feet, her face full of fury. "It’s that woman Lin Xiaodou again! I’m going to settle this with her!"

"Sister, no!" Xu Mo grabbed the hem of her shirt, looking like an injured puppy, and pleaded pitifully, "Don't go. I don't want you to get hurt because of me. I already feel guilty enough about what happened last time."

"Xu Mo..." Zhu Qingqing was deeply moved. "Why are you so good to me?"

"You’ve been good to me too, Sister. From the very first time we met, you offered to help me." Xu Mo began to recount his family background as if telling a story. "Because of treacherous people, all my family members have passed away... My grandparents were driven to hang themselves by that group of people... My father was denounced and beaten to death... My mother followed him in a suicide pact..."

By this point, Xu Mo’s eyes were rimmed with red. He looked at Zhu Qingqing, his voice choking with emotion. "If it weren't for you, Sister, I might not have known that there was still someone in this world who cared about me. Sister, you won’t leave me, will you?"

"Waaah! I won’t leave! I won’t ever leave!" Zhu Qingqing was already sobbing uncontrollably. She hadn't expected Xu Mo’s life to be so tragic. Thinking of how coldly she had treated him before, she felt overwhelmed with guilt.

"Sister..." Xu Mo pulled her into an embrace, his voice raspy and alluring. "Don't cry, it breaks my heart."

Ever since he hugged her, Zhu Qingqing’s brain had essentially shut down. Now, hearing such an enchanting voice, her ears turned bright red. "Mmm... I won't cry anymore... Xu Mo, don't worry, I will stay by your side forever and never let you be sad again!"

She had fallen for him at first sight, so she didn't feel any shame in saying these bold words. Hearing this, Xu Mo curled his lips in satisfaction. *Oh, this stupid woman is truly simple and easy to fool. A little flick of the finger, and she falls right into the trap. Zhu Qingqing, since you’ve made a promise, you aren’t allowed to leave me for the rest of your life.*

***

Ever since she kicked Xu Mo, Lin Xiaodou noticed that Zhu Qingqing’s hostility toward her had only grown. There was no need to guess; it was definitely that "green tea" male lead stoking the fire behind the scenes. This man was truly something—he could get women to bow to him just by moving his lips. No wonder he was the male lead.

The female lead, Zhu Qingqing, was a total "love-brain" who was brainwashed willingly. Since she didn't dare to confront Lin Xiaodou openly, she loved to play little tricks—like asking her to carry the toolbox or go to the pigsty together.

Zhu Qingqing pouted, "My hands hurt, I can't carry anything that heavy. Since you’re strong, you carry it yourself."

Lin Xiaodou promptly dropped the toolbox on the ground. "If you don't carry it, I’ll tell Director Hu tomorrow that you’re lazy and refusing to work."

Zhu Qingqing stomped her feet in a panic. "Lin Xiaodou, don't talk nonsense! I’ll carry it, fine!" With that, she picked up the toolbox and hurried to catch up.

Another time, it was asking her to wipe down the newborn piglets and take their temperatures. Zhu Qingqing pouted again, "The piglets are only the size of a palm; I’m afraid to touch them. What if I hurt them?"

Lin Xiaodou glanced at her. "Then what are you here as a veterinary apprentice for? If you’re afraid of this and afraid of that, you might as well stay home."

Zhu Qingqing wanted to retort, but Lin Xiaodou cut her off: "Say one more word and I’m going to tell Director Hu!" This threat successfully silenced her. She wasn't afraid of anyone else, but she was terrified that Director Hu would fire her; if she lost this job, where else could she find another?

***

Even though Lin Xiaodou had shown how impatient she was, Zhu Qingqing continued to challenge her patience. Once, when asked to set up an IV drip for a sick sow, Zhu Qingqing pouted yet again and said deliberately, "I don't know how to give injections. I have a phobia of needles."

Lin Xiaodou: ???

Unable to endure it any longer, she swung her hand and slapped the woman away. "Get lost! You useless piece of trash!"

In a flash, Zhu Qingqing was sobbing and heading to Director Hu’s office, clutching her swollen face. "Waaaah... Director Hu, Comrade Lin Xiaodou is bullying me. She hit me so hard."

Director Hu looked at Lin Xiaodou with a headache, asking for an explanation.

Lin Xiaodou said, "Zhu Qingqing said she has a phobia of needles, Director Hu. I really can't handle this person anymore. You’d better find someone more capable!"

*A phobia of needles?* Director Hu wasn't drinking tea, but he felt like spitting blood at Zhu Qingqing. *Damn it, how can you be a veterinarian if you have a phobia of needles? Just get out and go home!*

But the words stopped at his lips. This person was the precious daughter of Old Zhu, who had begged him to look after her. Back in their youth, Old Zhu had saved his life once, and he owed him a favor; this time, Old Zhu was cashing in that favor. When Old Zhu brought his daughter over, he had only given her a warning, saying there couldn't be a next time. In reality, he had already agreed with Old Zhu to turn a blind eye as long as she didn't commit a major offense.

However, it was difficult to explain things to Lin Xiaodou. While she seemed easy to talk to, she was actually very strong-willed. Furthermore, she was the goddaughter of his old friend, Old Liu, so he couldn't play favorites.

Director Hu pondered for a moment and said, "Comrade Zhu Qingqing, you were in the wrong here. Why don't you apologize to Comrade Lin Xiaodou?" As long as she apologized, everything would be fine.

"Why should I apologize!" Zhu Qingqing pouted, full of resentment. "I never said I had a phobia of needles! That’s all a lie Lin Xiaodou made up. You shouldn't just believe whatever she says."

After all, only Lin Xiaodou knew that she had claimed to have a phobia of needles today. As long as she didn't admit it, there was nothing Lin Xiaodou could do.