Chapter 824: The Day Xia Qing Lost Her Patience

Even someone as even-tempered as Xia Qing had her limits—and today, she was fuming.

She’d dragged herself into the woods at the crack of dawn just to medicate Little Fei Mao. But just as she found the squirrel family, Flathead started gnawing on tree branches again. How was she supposed to lure out Little Fei Mao like this?

With no other choice, Xia Qing clambered down and tossed Flathead into Wild Boar Valley. When she returned, she realized her freeloading guest had taken off again with three squirrel babies in tow!

Muttering curses under her breath, Xia Qing circled a huge area before finally tracking the furry family down in another tree hollow in Section Three.

Climbing trees to catch squirrels? Not her idea of fun. She didn’t have the time or patience for that anymore.

Xia Qing tried the polite approach first. She tapped on the tree trunk and called out as gently as she could, “Little Fei Mao, get out here and take your medicine.”

She waited half a minute, just to be sure. When it was obvious the little rascal wasn’t coming out on its own, Xia Qing climbed up after it.

This tree hollow bent at an angle—a person’s hand couldn’t reach inside. So Xia Qing dug a large packaging bag out of her backpack, stuffed it into the hollow, forcing the red squirrel family deep inside, then made a fist.

“Bang!”

“Bang!”

Two punches in and she’d already busted a hole through the tree hollow.

Xia Qing pulled out the Red Squirrel mom, scolding as she worked. “Freeloader! I let you eat and live for free and you’ve got the nerve to swipe my Yi Stone too!”

Red Squirrel was terrified, bristling and squealing as it tried to escape.

Xia Qing tossed her aside, then fished out two plump and impossibly shiny squirrel babies, and finally reached the mangy debtor mouse. She took a vial of pesticide from a thermal box in her pocket and dosed it with two milliliters.

She dug around the stash inside the red squirrel’s nest, but couldn’t find either a fig or the Yi Stone. Xia Qing eyed the little culprit in her hand. “Where’s my Yi Stone?”

Little Fei Mao snuggled obediently into her palm, staring up at her with those round, innocent eyes. Xia Qing wasn’t buying it. The other freeloaders only cared about food, but this one—this squirrel—loved Yi Stones. Out of the whole nest in the sheep shed, only this rascal in her hand was obsessed with them.

“That little stone is worth five thousand credits. And now you owe me more for today’s medicine. You’re in debt, so I’m taking you into custody for now.”

With that, Xia Qing stuffed the little guy into the side pocket of her protective suit, leaving the zipper cracked open just enough so it could breathe.

She’d have to medicate it again in the afternoon—no way she was going to spend the whole day chasing it up mountains again. Easier to keep it contained until it had taken its dose. After that, it’d be free to go.

With one of her babies kidnapped, the Red Squirrel mom didn’t dare give chase. She hurriedly moved her remaining two babies to a safer hollow, hauling her food stash from the damaged nest with her—trip after frantic trip.

Xia Qing had just fished Flathead out of Wild Boar Valley and hadn’t even had time to lock up Little Fei Mao in the chicken cage at home when Zhong Tao called her.

All the supplies for staff dormitories, cafeteria, offices and warehouses in Territory Nine had arrived, and the supplier wanted her signature for delivery confirmation.

Technically, Zhang San was the director of the Ninth Planting Center, but he was just a figurehead. Xia Qing, as his authorized agent, handled everything—so she was now officially the center director.

Most tasks she’d handed off to Yan Yue, the office director, and Yue Haiying, the HR manager. But for anything that needed a director’s signature by regulation, she still had to do it herself.

Little Fei Mao was quiet for once, not fussing or making a sound inside her pocket. Xia Qing was in no mood to go back and fetch the car, so she picked up her pace, cut straight through her own territory, and crossed into Territory Nine.

It had only been six days since the Devastation Rain, but Territory Nine had changed dramatically. The wild grass was all cleared, supplies for offices, housing, and storage were stacked in neat rows, and construction on the dorms was going full steam.

Beyond the wild grass wall, Xia Qing spotted four huge trucks by the roadside. Zhong Tao, who managed supply logistics for the Ninth Planting Center, was chatting with a middle-aged man in a Grade-Four Field Protective Suit.

She knew him: Ding Xingye, deputy director of the Hui Three Construction Bureau. The Safe Zone’s construction teams all answered to his bureau.

As soon as Xia Qing arrived, Zhong Tao introduced them. “Director Ding, this is Director Xia from our center.”

Ding Xingye strode over, friendly smile in place, and offered his hand. “Director Xia, looks like farming’s hard work, but you’re eating pretty well.”

Xia Qing had once been just a lowly squad leader in construction—normally, she’d never have crossed paths with someone at Ding Xingye’s level. But as the only female squad leader among dozens, she had some name recognition. Ding Xingye had shown very personal interest before, sometimes hinting (not so subtly) that she could trade favors for benefits.

Xia Qing always pretended not to understand, and in return, Ding Xingye had dumped all the dirtiest and toughest jobs on her squad.

But things were different now. The man who had once looked down on her now plastered on a smile and acted like their past didn’t exist—like nothing had ever happened.

She shook his hand just briefly, professional and polite. “Didn’t expect you to deliver the supplies yourself.”

Ding Xingye heaved a dramatic sigh. “No choice—after the Devastation Rain, the base took heavy losses. We’re short-handed everywhere. I escorted six trucks out myself—two went to Section Two of the North, and the rest are for you.”

He talked like these supplies were some personal gift from him to Xia Qing, not the center’s allocation.

Still smiling politely, Xia Qing didn’t take the bait. She asked straight out, “We appreciate it. All the materials Base Director assigned to our center—did you bring everything?”

These supplies didn’t come from you—they were assigned by the Base Director.

Ding Xingye’s smile froze for a split second, but he nodded. “They’re all here. That’s why I need your signature to wrap things up.”

Zhong Tao handed her the itemized list on cue. “Director, all the building materials are in order.”

The Base Director’s office personally supervised the Ninth Planting Center’s supply request, so the Construction Bureau dared not hold anything back or cause delays. Still, Xia Qing checked everything herself before putting her name on the document.

Ding Xingye took the chance to ask, “Director Xia, when you reported to Territory Seven, did you see Director Wang Xin being treated inside?”

Now she got it—Ding Xingye wasn’t just here for the supplies. He wanted an excuse to go to Territory Seven and meet the senior expert. As if you could just see the boss on a whim! Xia Qing acted surprised. “Director Wang still isn’t back in the Safe Zone?”

Ding Xingye paused, feigning concern. “No, she was injured by debris in the Devastation Explosion. Since I’m here, it’s only right I visit her. The hospital’s struggling without her. I hope Director Wang gets well soon.”

Xia Qing nodded along. “We all hope she recovers quickly. Tao, take Director Ding over to the signpost at Territory Seven.”

“Of course.” Zhong Tao motioned with his hand. “Right this way, Director Ding.”

Ding Xingye gave Xia Qing a lingering look, then left the Ninth Planting Center with a dark face, following Zhong Tao.