Chapter 43: Lin Xiaodou’s True Face Revealed

In an instant, Zhang Lian’s face turned alternately pale and green.

She forced an awkward smile and nodded:

“Yes, Comrade Lin is right. I won’t joke around recklessly again.”

With that, she shrank back into her seat, bowing her head like a quail.

She looked like she was terrified someone might pin the blame on her.

She simply played dead and said nothing more.

The two silly male comrades who had been fawning over her the night before were now beginning to regret it.

If they had known this female comrade was so careless with her words, they wouldn’t have gotten involved with her at all.

If they got dragged into this, it’d be such an injustice.

Perhaps Lin Xiaodou and her opponent’s argument hadn’t been loud enough to draw attention.

No one pursued the matter, and it passed just like that.

Zhang Lian spent the entire morning in a state of fear and unease.

Only when she relaxed did she realize her back was soaked in cold sweat.

“Brother Chen, it’s lunchtime. Would you like some hot water? I’ll go get it for you.”

Zhang Lian raised her fair face and smiled gently.

Chen Guang avoided her gaze and said,

“Comrade Zhang Lian, we’re not that familiar. It’s better if you just call me Comrade Chen Guang.”

The smile froze on Zhang Lian’s lips.

Not that familiar?

But they had secretly held hands before, and Brother Chen had almost kissed her…

For this countryside assignment, she had specifically chosen to go where he was, just to get closer to him.

And now, just because of one small incident—

He was already trying to distance himself from her.

How heartless could Brother Chen be?

But he was the one she chose, the one she liked.

She couldn’t bring herself to resent him at all.

If she had to blame someone, then blame that Lin Xiaodou.

She had thought Lin was just a quiet, unremarkable girl. Who knew she’d be so sharp-tongued?

Zhang Lian had really underestimated her.

Just wait—she would strike back when the time came!

Zhang Lian took a deep breath to calm herself, then looked up and smiled at the people across from her.

Before she could even speak—

The two male comrades hastily got up, saying they were going to the restroom together.

Zhang Lian almost shattered her pearly teeth from clenching her jaw.

Damn it!

Even these two men dared to snub her? So infuriating!

Zhang Lian thought this would only last a few days, that things would go back to normal soon.

But unexpectedly, the cold shoulder treatment continued for the rest of the journey.

She tried hard to strike up conversations, but no one responded.

Let alone offering her any food.

In this scorching summer weather, some dry rations spoiled quickly if left uneaten for a day.

So most people had to reluctantly spend money on the boxed meals sold on the train.

Only those from poor families relied on their own dry rations.

Zhang Lian was one of them.

Before she left for the countryside, her family had only given her 10 yuan and some dry steamed buns.

Originally, she had planned to mooch off Chu Ling’s food on the train.

But unexpectedly, for some unknown reason, Chu Ling suddenly became very hostile toward her.

And the others, because of Lin Xiaodou’s remarks, also kept their distance.

Leaving her with no one to sponge off of.

To save money, she didn’t dare buy the boxed meals like the others. She could only eat the dry buns she had brought from home.

But those buns were rock hard and dry.

One bite, and her teeth almost cracked.

She had to soften them bit by bit with hot water before she could swallow.

For several days straight, Zhang Lian ate like this.

Mealtimes were the most painful part of her day.

All around her were the fragrant smells of warm food, while she gnawed on tasteless, tough buns.

The contrast was unbearable. Zhang Lian felt deeply unbalanced inside.

In the end, she could only curl up pitifully in a corner, silently shedding tears.

Seeing how heartbroken Zhang Lian looked as she cried,

Chu Ling, who had been watching the drama unfold, felt a deep sense of satisfaction.

Haha, this was just too satisfying!

And to think, she had that veiled female comrade to thank for it.

When Lin Xiaodou went to the restroom, Chu Ling got up as well.

The two of them squeezed near the restroom door.

Chu Ling spoke up: “Thank you.”

Lin Xiaodou simply replied, “It’s nothing.”

She didn’t want too many entanglements with other women.

Wherever there were female leads, there was bound to be trouble.

Lin Xiaodou didn’t like trouble—best to keep her distance.

Seeing how indifferent Lin Xiaodou’s tone was, Chu Ling gave up on trying to befriend her.

She was a proud person to begin with and wouldn’t lower herself for someone she deemed insignificant.

Just like that, three days passed. The two bumbling male comrades who had been seated beside Lin Xiaodou got off the train.

They were assigned to the countryside in another province, not traveling the same route.

Soon after, two other male comrades boarded the train and took their seats.

Zhang Lian, who had been dozing off, instantly perked up.

She shed her gloomy demeanor and greeted them enthusiastically:

“Hello, comrades! I’m Zhang Lian. Where are you headed for the countryside assignment?”

When she found out they were going to the same place as her, her eyes lit up:

“What a coincidence! I’m going to the same place as you. What fate!”

Zhang Lian had a pleasant appearance and a soft, sweet voice.

In less than half a day, the two male comrades had already fallen into her gentle trap.

Not only did they willingly fetch hot water for her, but they also shared their food with her.

The smile on Zhang Lian’s face bloomed once again.

Perhaps feeling emboldened now that she had backup, she started to turn against the female lead.

She complained about being cold-shouldered these past few days and claimed the female lead was heartless for not helping her.

This made the new male comrades look at the female lead with suspicion and disapproval.

This time, the female lead had grown wiser and didn’t act rashly.

She only snapped back occasionally when she truly couldn’t hold it in.

Even scumbag Chen Guang chimed in with some smoothing words, making it seem like things between them were easing up.

Having dealt with the female lead, Zhang Lian set her sights on Lin Xiaodou, who had just been quietly watching everything unfold.

“Comrade Lin, I’ve been meaning to ask you something for a while,” Zhang Lian said with a smile. “Why do you always wear that veil over your face? It must be really inconvenient when eating.”

Lin Xiaodou raised her eyebrows. “We’re not close. I don’t see why I need to explain anything to you.”

Zhang Lian’s eyes welled up with tears. “I was just concerned about you, nothing more.”

Seeing their goddess being “bullied,” the two male comrades couldn’t tolerate it.

“Comrade Zhang Lian, you’re just too kind. Some people really don’t deserve your concern.”

“Exactly. Who wears a veil over their face in the middle of summer? Must be because she’s hideous. Otherwise, why not show her real face?”

Zhang Lian sighed, “Oh, don’t say that. Comrade Lin will be hurt. It’s not her fault she looks like that.”

Though it sounded like she was trying to help, she was actually ridiculing Lin Xiaodou’s appearance.

One of the male comrades, oblivious to the hidden digs, even nodded and said:

“True, not everyone is as good-looking as Comrade Zhang Lian. We should be understanding.”

“Thank you for the compliment. You’re such a good person,” Zhang Lian said, covering her face as she smiled bashfully.

The corner of Lin Xiaodou’s mouth twitched.

She’d just witnessed another flawless delivery of the “good guy card.”

Zhang Lian really was the purest of white lotuses.

But if she was being mocked like this, how could she not retaliate?

No rush—she’d play the “wolf in sheep’s clothing” card this time.

The more they laughed at her now, the harder they’d get slapped in the face later.

That’s what made it fun, after all~

Seeing Lin Xiaodou stay silent, Zhang Lian thought she’d guessed right.

So she really was right—Lin Xiaodou must be monstrously ugly.

Hmph, and here she thought the girl was all high and mighty. Turns out she’s just a hideous freak.

If only she could embarrass her in front of everyone!

An idea suddenly struck Zhang Lian.

“Excuse me, I need to go to the restroom.”

Sitting by the window, she stood up and stepped into the aisle.

As she passed by Lin Xiaodou’s seat, she suddenly twisted her ankle and stumbled forward.

In her flailing, she grabbed onto Lin Xiaodou’s veil.

With a yank, the veil came off.

Lin Xiaodou’s face was revealed.

In that instant, everyone gasped in shock.

……