Chapter 147: Several vicious slaps were struck in an instant.

Early in the morning, just as the sky began to brighten, Zhu Damei got up, tidied herself, and headed to the veterinary station dormitory.

Lin Xiaodou was still asleep when she heard Sister Chen calling her:
"Xiaodou, Zhu Damei, the sister of Zhu Qingqing, says she needs to talk to you about something."
"Tell her to wait."

Lin Xiaodou stretched, then slowly got up to wash. It took her twenty minutes to finish. As soon as she stepped out of the room, she was met by a pair of bright, expectant eyes.
"Comrade Lin Xiaodou!" Zhu Damei looked at her with excitement.
Lin Xiaodou said, "Let's go. Let's talk in the small grove nearby."
Zhu Damei was stunned. "You know what I want to talk to you about?"
Lin Xiaodou smiled faintly. "Of course."

Just last night, she had a dream about Zhu Damei. The situation was identical to the one with Liu Yan'er. In both cases, after the original protagonists of the book suffered and were unable to cause any more trouble, these tragic cannon-fodder characters awakened their memories through dreams. And she, Lin Xiaodou, was the critical factor. If not for her, these cannon-fodder characters would have met even more miserable ends. Lin Xiaodou had previously wondered if her transmigration was intentional, and now it was confirmed—it was done on purpose! She had transmigrated into this era and entered various scripts for the sole purpose of saving these pitiful cannon-fodder characters. Whether intentional or not, she had indirectly saved Zhu Damei’s life, so it was no surprise that Zhu Damei had come to find her.

Zhu Damei replied, "Alright, let's go." Since Lin Xiaodou already knew, it saved her the trouble of explaining.

They walked to the small grove together. The moment they arrived, Zhu Damei bowed deeply to Lin Xiaodou: "Thank you!!!"
Although the nightmare last night was just a dream, Zhu Damei felt in her heart that it had likely happened in a former life. It was only because of Lin Xiaodou’s appearance that everything was upended. She had to thank her for saving not only herself but her entire family. This immense kindness was something she would never forget.

"Comrade Lin Xiaodou, from now on, you are my great benefactor! I will do whatever you ask; I will be the most loyal dog by your side!" As she spoke, Zhu Damei pulled a handkerchief from her pocket, wrapped around a large sum of money. "These are all the savings I've accumulated from working all these years—over two hundred yuan. I hope you will accept it!"

Zhu Damei had not received much education, so her words were a bit rough, but this was the greatest sincerity she could offer at the moment. Lin Xiaodou was slightly surprised; the woman was quite honest.
"I’ve noted your promise, but keep the money. I don't need it."
Zhu Damei was tall, sturdy, and had a straightforward personality—the kind of person worth befriending. Lin Xiaodou didn't mind giving her some face.
"Okay!" Zhu Damei obediently put the money away. Lin Xiaodou was her benefactor, so she had to listen to her.

"Benefactor, did you also have a dream like I did?" Zhu Damei was curious about how Lin Xiaodou knew.
Lin Xiaodou replied, "Yes, just call me Xiaodou."
Zhu Damei quickly said, "Then, Benefactor... Xiaodou, did you dream about my sister, Zhu Qingqing?"
Lin Xiaodou shook her head. "No, I only dreamed about you."
Zhu Damei looked disappointed. "I see..."

Lin Xiaodou asked, "What's the matter?"
Zhu Damei recounted the situation, frowning as she said, "I don't understand what my sister meant by that phrase. What does it mean to have one's identity discovered? Does she have some other identity?"

Lin Xiaodou raised an eyebrow. She had always known Zhu Qingqing was selfish, but she hadn't expected her to be this cold-blooded. The Zhu family had been implicated and died tragic, innocent deaths because of her, yet she felt no grief or guilt; instead, she was relieved they were gone so no one would discover she was a transmigrator. Such a selfish, treacherous person was truly shameless!

Lin Xiaodou felt deeply annoyed. Although she had helped Xiao Jingyao capture enemy agents, she had technically saved Zhu Qingqing, too. Had she known, she would have tossed such an ingrate into the mountains to fend for herself.

"You know the saying about replacing a lamp's wick? Perhaps that's what's happening with the current Zhu Qingqing. She looks the same on the outside, but the inside is someone else." Lin Xiaodou couldn't say too much, but she hoped this hint would help Zhu Damei realize that the current Zhu Qingqing was not the original.

Zhu Damei had suspected that her sister wasn't herself before. With Lin Xiaodou’s prompt, she shuddered violently. "You mean... someone has taken over my sister's body, which is why she changed so drastically and did so many foolish things?"
Lin Xiaodou nodded. "You could understand it that way."
Zhu Damei became anxious. "Then where is my real sister? Is she still alive?!"
"I don't know," Lin Xiaodou explained slowly. "This is just my personal speculation. In fact, when I was young, I read stories like this—about a Taoist who died, only for a wandering ghost to take over his body and use it to commit all sorts of evils. I am telling you this in confidence, so please don't tell anyone else."

"Okay... I understand..." Zhu Damei nodded in a daze, her face deathly pale. According to Lin Xiaodou’s theory, her real sister might already be dead. The person currently in her place was a fake! That fraud had relied on their parents' affection to commit so many stupid acts, nearly causing the death of the entire family. No... she had already caused their deaths once! At this thought, Zhu Damei was consumed with rage and wanted to strangle her right there.

"Xiaodou, I have something to take care of. I'll come find you later."
Lin Xiaodou said, "Are you planning to go to the hospital to confront Zhu Qingqing? I suggest you don't be so impulsive."
In this day and age, feudal superstition was not tolerated. If Zhu Damei went to confront her so openly, Zhu Qingqing would never admit it and would instead turn the tables on her. Zhu Qingqing had lost everything and was likely desperate enough to do anything. Zhu Damei might end up getting herself into trouble.

"Then what should I do?" Zhu Damei’s mind was a mess.
Lin Xiaodou replied, "Watch and wait. You don't need to do anything; Zhu Qingqing will naturally receive her punishment. Don't forget, she's involved with enemy agents, and the Public Security Bureau won't let her off easily."
"You're right." Zhu Damei regained her composure, but she was still unwilling to let it go. "But I can't swallow this anger. Every time I think of her using my sister's body to date a criminal, I feel sick!"

"That's easy," Lin Xiaodou smiled. "Zhu Qingqing is still in the hospital. Although there are guards, it's not very strict. Let's sneak in tonight and give her a good beating to vent some of that anger."
After learning of Zhu Qingqing’s vile character, Lin Xiaodou couldn't wait to beat her up. The previous times, she had treated her like an ant and hadn't used much effort. This time, however, that might change.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Damei’s eyes lit up. "Alright! That's a good plan!"

...

That night, in the hospital ward.
Zhu Qingqing had just fallen asleep when she heard a dull thud. She opened her eyes to see the female guard slumped on the floor, unconscious from sleeping incense.
"Help—"
Just as Zhu Qingqing opened her mouth to call for help, a foul-smelling sock was stuffed into it, and her eyes were covered. The stench of the sock nearly knocked her out on the spot. She wanted to retch but couldn't, as her mouth was then sealed with tape. With her eyes covered, she couldn't see who it was and could only struggle with a muffled wail.

"Slap! Slap! Slap!"
Several fierce, ruthless slaps landed on her face instantly...