Dark Farm 12

Soon, it was time for lunch. As the broadcast announcement sounded, Wen Xirou put down the tools in her hands and headed for the cafeteria. 

Inside the cafeteria, the butler wasn't present. Instead, it was the head of the production department distributing the lunches—instant noodles, just like in the morning. 

Wen Xirou looked around but didn't spot Wan Qian. Before she could think much about it, Xiao Lin rushed over and hugged Wen Xirou's arm. 

"Sister Xirou, I'm so glad you're okay!" Xiao Lin, He Tianfang, and Wu Fei were assigned to the "milk production base" together. 

"Sister Xirou, can you imagine? The creatures producing the milk are snails!" 

Just thinking about those snails the size of cows, with their slimy, gooey, soft bodies, made Xiao Lin feel sick. 

Wen Xirou comforted Xiao Lin for a bit, then shared her encounter with the woman in the red dress from the morning. 

"If you meet a woman in a red dress who claims to be the farm owner, don't trust her." 

Xiao Lin nodded vigorously. "Got it, got it." 

Meanwhile, Wan Qian, unaware of everything happening outside, was sitting on the office couch. Holding the book "Safety Driving Techniques for Lawn Mowers," She was tilting her head, resting on the sofa cushion, drowsily drifting off to sleep. 

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. 

"Farm owner, I've brought you your lunch." 

Wan Qian jolted awake. She quickly sat up, adjusted the book, and adopted an earnest, professional demeanor as if she had been working hard. 

"Ahem, come in." 

The office door opened, and the head of the production department appeared, holding a lunch box. 

"Good afternoon, farm owner." 

"Oh, it's Xiao Si," Wan Qian said with a practiced, gentle smile, greeting the head of the production department in a friendly manner. 

The head of the production department walked in and placed the lunch box in front of her. 

"Farm owner, this is the lunch that butler asked me to bring you before he left." 

The lunch was a typical one— two meat dishes and two vegetable dishes. When placed on the desk, it was still warm. 

"Thank you," Wan Qian nodded. 

The head of the production department was flattered and immediately expressed loyalty, "It's my honor to serve you." 

Wan Qian opened the box and began eating. Though simple, it was much better than the instant noodles she had for breakfast. 

She ate quickly. After finishing, the lunch box and chopsticks were taken away by the head of the production department like trash. 

"If you have no further requests, I'll be leaving now." 

When the head of the production department left, he deliberately closed the office door behind him. 

Wan Qian rubbed her belly, feeling warm and full. She leaned back on the couch and once again picked up "Safety Driving Techniques for Lawn Mowers" to pass the time. 

Three minutes later, her hand relaxed, and the book fell onto her face. Under the book, the sound of soft, steady snoring could be heard. 

"Woof Woof—Woof Woof—" Suddenly, there were two barks coming from outside the door. 

"Thud," the book slipped from her face and fell to the floor. 

Wan Qian rubbed her eyes and woke up. She glanced at the clock on the wall—it was already 2:30 in the afternoon. 

The butler had said he would return by 3 PM, so he should be back soon. 

The office door was suddenly hit, making a dull thud. Immediately after, there was the sound of claws scratching against the door, followed by a low, growling animal sound. 

"Woof Woof—" 

A dog? Where did a dog come from? Wan Qian turned her head and listened quietly for a while, but the sound disappeared, and there was no noise for a long time. 

Maybe she had slept too long and was hearing things, Wan Qian thought. After all, the note given by her great-uncle had clearly stated that there were no dogs on the farm. 

But—Wan Qian rubbed her chin and muttered to herself, "The farm is so big; maybe we should get a dog in the future. At least it could guard the place." 

At 2:50 PM, the butler returned. He reinstalled the repaired computer in the office and turned to look at Wan Qian. 

"Ms. Wan, while I was away, you've stayed in the office the whole time, haven't you? Didn't go outside?" 

Wan Qian nodded, feeling a little embarrassed. After all, she'd spent most of the day napping in the office. 

"So, did you hear any strange sounds?" the butler continued. 

"No," Wan Qian shook her head. 

The butler's smile faded a little, and his dark eyes seemed like two deep, bottomless pools, with undercurrents swirling. 

"I'm very sorry, Ms. Wan. Due to the farm's age and disrepair, the outer walls have been damaged. As a result, something that shouldn't have entered might have gotten in." 

Upon hearing this, Wan Qian's expression immediately turned serious. 

"Something that shouldn't have entered?" 

"Yes," the butler replied. "I will resolve this as soon as possible. However, during this period, please be mindful of your personal safety. If you encounter any danger, feel free to call for me, and I will come as quickly as possible to help drive them away." 

Wan Qian suddenly realized. She thought to herself, no wonder there were tampered shower gel and shampoo in the employee dormitory bathroom yesterday—it was placed there by someone who sneaked in from outside. 

That's right. Before the interns arrived, there were only the butler, the feed worker, and the cleaner at the farm. 

Xiao Si and Xiao Qing were so diligent in their work, they didn't seem like the type to commit such malicious act. If it was someone who sneaked in from outside, everything made sense now. 

Just thinking about this intruder who almost ruined the farm's reputation, Wan Qian was filled with righteous indignation. 

"Don't worry, I'll be careful with my safety. If there's anything I can help with, feel free to let me know, as long as it helps capture the person as soon as possible." 

The butler was pleased with Wan Qian's cooperation. 

"Just focus on your safety. As long as you take care of your safety, feel free to leave the troublesome matters to me. After all, there's no one more suited to be the farm owner than you." 

Wan Qian was momentarily stunned. She thought to herself, "This person sure knows how to flatter."