Time is money, and Lin Xun did not waste any. She had people search for the wild goat while starting to inspect the flock, isolating all the infected sheep.
This was not difficult because mad sheep disease is very obvious. Besides the ram that chewed without food and ground its teeth, the other sheep from the morning showed symptoms such as hair loss, shaking, itching all over, and rubbing themselves on the ground.
As she worked, Lin Xun explained, “Any sheep showing these symptoms must be culled immediately.”
The farm staff were inexperienced and initially flustered, but under Lin Xun’s direction, they quickly became organized.
She added, “Even if there are no obvious symptoms, very weak and emaciated sheep must be handled.”
These sheep are highly susceptible; the virus could be latent. It is better to act early than to risk greater losses later.
After isolating the sick sheep, they disinfected the pens. Secretary Sun, worried about mistakes, prepared to take part personally.
“Dr. Lin, how should this be done?” By now, everyone had started calling Lin Xun “Doctor.”
Hearing this for the first time, Lin Xun felt a strong sense of accomplishment. “First, disinfect with a proper solution, then seal off the area. Ideally, remove the grass to prevent wild animals from coming to feed and further spread infection.”
The virus could not be fully eliminated with disinfectant alone. It had to be quarantined, and only after three to five years could the area be considered completely safe.
At that moment, Director Xiong came running, panting. “Secretary, Dr. Lin, there really is a wild goat in the flock!”
The grasslands are full of wild goats and horses. In the past, many herders would tame them. After all, they were unowned; capturing them meant free property. But a few years ago, a contagious disease started spreading abroad. To protect domestic livestock, the provincial health office warned everyone not to tame wild animals. If they carried disease, it would be disastrous.
Secretary Sun had emphasized this many times at the farm, but some people ignored the warnings. Someone had secretly tamed a wild goat and hidden it in the flock.
With the flock being so dense, even a diligent director like Xiong could not inspect every sheep. If Lin Xun had not arrived today, this might never have been discovered.
Director Xiong fumed. “This is infuriating! Secretary Sun, we cannot let people exploit the farm for personal gain!”
At the same time, he felt relieved. Now, at most, his management was blamed, and he would not bear full responsibility for the outbreak.
Director Xiong’s loud voice drew everyone’s attention, and the staff’s admiration for Lin Xun grew even more.
This young girl is amazing. Not only can she diagnose disease, but she is intelligent and can even solve problems.
How come someone so capable was not sent as an educated youth to work at their farm? The other youths were all decorative pillows, beautiful but useless—not like Dr. Lin.
“Dr. Lin, thank you so much today! Earlier, my attitude was wrong. Don’t take it to heart,” Secretary Sun said sincerely. Without Lin Xun, the farm would have suffered at least three times the loss.
Lin Xun waved her hand. “It’s okay. It’s normal to have concerns.”
Although Secretary Sun had initially doubted her, he allowed her to take action and was willing to let her work at the farm. That was already very generous.
“You can rest assured. I will report your work to the commune. Unfortunately, you are from out of town, so the approval may take some time,” Secretary Sun said regretfully.
There are many veterinarians on the grasslands, but few are skilled. Secretary Sun wished Lin Xun could start immediately.
Lin Xun smiled. “It’s fine. I will be getting married soon and will live in the residential area.”
“Really?” Secretary Sun’s eyes lit up. “Good. Then apply after your marriage. The day after approval, you can start work.”
He handed her a yuan as payment for helping today and had Director Xiong send her back.
“Thank you. That is very kind of you.”
Lin Xun accepted without hesitation. The grasslands were cold, and wild animals could appear, so caution was necessary.
Director Xiong was extremely grateful. If Lin Xun had not diagnosed the disease and identified the culprit, he would have been in serious trouble. She was truly his lifesaver.
He fetched a horse-drawn carriage and even laid his own blanket in it to make sure Lin Xun’s ride was warm and comfortable.
Lin Xun held the yuan she received, feeling happy. One yuan was not a small amount. Eight mao could buy a jin of pork, and typical veterinary visits cost five mao.
Because Lin Xun had both diagnosed mad sheep disease and caught the culprit, she earned more than double.
Urban workers earn only thirty to forty yuan a month. One visit earns her one yuan. If she saw three to four patients a day, even at five mao per visit, that would be sixty yuan a month—more than a city worker’s wage.
With the eight hundred yuan betrothal gift from Huo Yanzhou, her own earnings, and the leftover money for train tickets, she was comfortably well-off.
“Dr. Lin, we can go now!”
“All right!” Lin Xun was in high spirits and smiled as she got on the carriage.
But her smile was unbearable to Yuan Yaqing, who watched from a distance.
Yuan Yaqing was an educated youth at the farm. She could not work hard, always complained, and was unpopular with the local staff, especially someone as straightforward as Director Xiong.
Whenever he spoke to them, he scowled. She had never seen him so warm and friendly before.
And Lin Xun—her face also had a smile. Could they be romantically involved?
Of course, Lin Xun had divorced Xu Zhicheng. With her introduction letter no longer useful, she would have to return home within three days. But her infertility was widely known. Who would want her after that?
Lin Xun would have to stay, and while her infertility was not yet widely spread, she could marry a local man.
Even though Yuan Yaqing hated Lin Xun, she had to admit Lin Xun was beautiful, especially her fox-like eyes. With that face, someone would want to marry her.
Yuan Yaqing did not expect Lin Xun to get close to Director Xiong. He was over thirty, dark and strong, a real “big bear,” unattractive and smelling of sheep. How could Lin Xun like him?
She was furious.
“Yaqing, I heard you are involved with Doctor Xu from the military hospital. Are you getting married?”
“Of course! Yaqing is educated and fashionable. She and Doctor Xu are a perfect match.”
“When is your wedding? We want to attend!”
Hearing the teasing of the educated youths, Yuan Yaqing smiled but felt upset. Xu Zhicheng had not agreed to marry her yet.
She thought once Lin Xun left, Xu Zhicheng would be hers. But facing her confession, he said it was not the right time.
Not the right time? When would it be?
Yuan Yaqing, who had waited her whole life, panicked. Afraid Xu Zhicheng could not forget Lin Xun, afraid someone would intervene. She could not eat.
Seeing Lin Xun leave with Director Xiong, she had an idea.
“Zhicheng!”
Xu Zhicheng was about to start a night shift when he saw Yuan Yaqing.
“Yaqing, why are you here so late?”
“Zhicheng, I feel so sorry for you!” Yuan Yaqing cried, rushing to hug him.
“You don’t know—Lin Xun is getting close to our farm’s Director Xiong! They were laughing and even riding together!”
Xu Zhicheng gritted his teeth. “What did you say?”
“I saw it myself. Several educated youths also saw. They were so close. Zhicheng, I feel so sorry. Your true heart has been trampled by that wretched woman!”
Xu Zhicheng slammed the table. Yes! His mother was right. Lin Xun was a wretched woman!
They divorced in the morning, and in the afternoon, she was with another man.
He had pushed Yuan Yaqing away for her, thinking Lin Xun would regret leaving after suffering. He would forgive her then.
But in less than half a day, Lin Xun had thrown herself into another man’s arms.
Xu Zhicheng was furious. Yuan Yaqing smiled triumphantly and coaxed him, “Zhicheng, let’s get married.”
Xu Zhicheng, already infuriated, became even more annoyed. “Yaqing, I told you, it’s still not the right time!”
Yuan Yaqing said, “I know, but don’t you want revenge on Lin Xun?”
Xu Zhicheng froze. “What do you mean?”
“Director Xiong is willing to be with Lin Xun. He does not know she cannot have children. If we marry, we can invite him and show him Lin Xun is infertile. Then he would never marry her.”
“And we can have a grand wedding, so Lin Xun can see what she lost.”
Yuan Yaqing struck directly at Xu Zhicheng’s pride.
Though not a perfect man, he was a doctor at the military hospital, young and accomplished, cultured and refined. Few men could match him.
Lin Xun had rejected him in front of everyone, shaming him.
Now, marrying Yuan Yaqing with a lavish wedding would restore his honor.
He could even invite Lin Xun and make her see that divorcing him was her biggest loss.
Thinking this, Xu Zhicheng’s eyes burned with vengeful madness. “Fine. We’ll do as you say. Go invite people from the farm. Let everyone know Lin Xun’s true nature.”
The thought thrilled Yuan Yaqing. “Great!”
Xu Zhicheng immediately began writing a wedding report. Yuan Yaqing hurried back to the farm without waiting, heading straight for Director Xiong, who had just returned.
“Director, I’m getting married in a few days. Will you come to the wedding?”
Director Xiong looked at her and rolled his eyes. “Why would I attend your wedding? Are we close? Ridiculous.”