Xu Xinning was in a hurry, so she nodded to the elderly men and women and went upstairs.
Mu Jingheng politely replied, "I understand. I will definitely pass on everyone's kindness to my brother. We have other things to attend to, see you later!"
The elderly men and women smiled and waved to him.
Even after Mu Jingheng had walked a distance, he could still hear the old man saying, "What a good child! He's so handsome, he doesn't look like our factory director at all."
"Perhaps one resembles the father and the other the mother."
"It's just that this young wife's personality is a bit too cold."
"That's called being reserved. The factory director's family are all cultured people, so their way of speaking and acting is naturally different from ordinary people."
Mu Jingheng pushed the door open and went in, then turned to the side and closed the door, shutting out all the sounds.
Xu Xinning held a bowl in her hand, and a small incense stick was on the table. She was waiting for Mu Jingheng with a very serious expression.
Upon seeing Xu Xinning like this, Mu Jingheng's expression also turned serious, and he asked, "What's wrong?"
Xu Xinning pulled him down to sit and asked, "Where did you go just now?"
Mu Jingheng: "The black market!"
While lighting incense, Xu Xinning asked, "Have you encountered any special situations?"
Mu Jingheng: "It's nothing, it's just that I shipped out a lot of goods today, and the black market boss found out and had someone summon me and give me all the goods."
Xu Xinning: "Have you drunk the water they poured for you or eaten anything they gave you?"
Mu Jingheng: "No, how could I not be at all wary?"
After lighting the incense, Xu Xinning quickly made a cut on Mu Jingheng's middle finger with a knife, then brought the incense close to the wound and waited quietly.
Mu Jingheng wasn't stupid; he knew he'd been bewitched just by looking at Xu Xinning's actions.
Mu Jingheng: "Aside from the time when I paid for and delivered the goods, I haven't had any contact with them at other times."
Mu Jingheng felt that was the most likely time when he was poisoned by the curse.
Xu Xinning stared intently at Mu Jingheng's arm, remaining silent and not daring to breathe.
Not long after, a small, bulging lump appeared on my arm and started moving towards my fingers.
This was the first time Mu Jingheng had seen someone afflicted with a Gu poison, and the unfortunate one who was afflicted was himself.
Otherwise, Mu Jingheng found it quite amazing.
Just as the incense was about to burn out, the worm slowly crawled out from the wound on the middle finger.
Xu Xinning carefully put it into the bowl.
Xu Xinning: "This is called the Heart-Eating Gu. Once this Gu is administered, it takes effect very quickly. If you are infected with this Gu, you will be controlled by the person who administered it for the rest of your life, but on the surface everything will appear normal."
Mu Jingheng couldn't help but feel a lingering fear. If Xu Xinning hadn't known about Gu poison, he probably would have been finished.
The thought of these people using such despicable methods made Mu Jingheng grit his teeth in hatred.
He'd be a man to not avenge this wrong; once he's done his business and returned, he'll wipe out their entire operation.
Mu Jingheng: "Xin'er, is there any Gu poison that can be used to retaliate in kind?"
Xu Xinning smiled wickedly: "Of course. Just give them the enhanced version of the Heart-Eating Gu, and I guarantee they'll serve you well."
When Ding Mao returned, he brought the head of the purchasing department with him.
As soon as I entered the residential compound, I smelled the aroma of food. There were old men playing chess under a big tree. They greeted Ding Mao and the director of the purchasing department.
"Factory manager, director, you're back?"
Ding Mao leaned over to take a look at the chessboard and replied with a smile, "You're back. How did the game go?"
"So-so, back and forth, wins and losses, the skill levels are about the same."
Ding Mao: "I'll play with you guys next time I have time."
"Okay! We'll wait."
"Your younger brother and sister-in-law bought a lot of vegetables, factory manager, you're in luck."
Ding Mao laughed heartily, feeling indescribably happy.
This was the first time he had a meal at home since he started working here.
This is what home should be like; otherwise, it just feels like a place to sleep.
Soon, when she comes back, he will truly have a home.
When Ding Mao and the others entered, Xu Xinning and the others had already cooked the meal.
The table was laden with dishes: braised pork, pickled pepper chicken feet, stir-fried shredded pork with dried tofu and bean sprouts, chopped pepper fish head, braised fish chunks, fried peanuts, stir-fried eggplant, potatoes, and green peppers, and spicy and sour cabbage.
Ding Mao and the purchasing director stared wide-eyed. There was fish and meat; the food was even better than during the Chinese New Year!
The two of them swallowed hard, completely lacking any self-respect.
Mu Jingheng: "Brother, you're back. And this is...?"
Ding Mao: "Let me introduce you. This is Director Lang from our factory's purchasing department. This is my sworn brother, Mu Jingheng. My brother is very capable. You can ask him for anything you need in the future. He might be able to get it for you."
Director Lang laughed heartily: "There's still room for discussion. I have to keep this network going. Comrade Mu, you have no idea how difficult it is to work in the purchasing department."
Mu Jingheng: "Brother Lang is too modest. Is the purchasing department a place anyone can work in? It has to be a place for people with great abilities and connections! If the technical department is the soul of a factory, then the purchasing department is the driving force. If there is no driving force, where will the spirit of the whole factory be?"
Director Lang was so pleased with the compliments that his face lit up with a rosy smile, and he straightened his back a bit.
Director Lang: "Director Ding, my younger brother's mouth is no ordinary mouth!"
Mu Jingheng immediately filled the wine glasses on the table, raised his glass and said, "Brothers, you flatter me. I am truly happy to meet you all today! Come, let me toast you two brothers."
Ding Mao pulled Director Lang along, saying, "Come on, Lao Lang, raise your glass quickly."
The three of them were chatting and drinking happily, and they finalized the quantity of goods right there at the dinner table.
Ding Mao had already noticed the wound on Mu Jingheng's hand. Having been in Xiangxi for so many years, he had a certain understanding of the Gu practices there. Although the government had strictly prohibited them, such things were impossible to completely ban. While they weren't used as much as before, they were still being used by the common people.
Gu (a type of poison) can be a good thing if used properly; it can cure diseases and prolong life. However, it is hard to say what will happen if it is used by people with ulterior motives.
After seeing off the purchasing department director, Ding Mao anxiously pulled Mu Jingheng aside and asked, "What happened?"
Mu Jingheng didn't react for a moment, and looked at Ding Mao and said "Huh?"
Ding Mao pulled up Mu Jingheng's cut finger and said seriously, "Are you under a spell?"
Mu Jingheng nodded, "Yes! I got caught in a trap today, but I'm fine now, Xin'er untied me."
Ding Mao: "Sister-in-law, you can also cure poison?"
Xu Xinning: "Gu is also a kind of traditional Chinese medicine, and I have some contact with it."
Ding Mao: "Where have you been? How could you have been infected with that stuff for no reason? There aren't many people who know how to do this now, and Gu is not so easy to raise."
Mu Jingheng: "When I went to the department store today, I overheard someone mentioning that there was a black market nearby, so I went to take a look. Perhaps because I'm from out of town, I was targeted by some people with ulterior motives."
Ding Mao: "You! Luckily you have your younger siblings."
Mu Jingheng said proudly, "My Xin'er is my source of confidence."
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