Healing His Paranoia

When the sky was still dimly lit, the rooster began to crow. The wooden bed creaked, followed by the stairs making a squeaking sound. Faintly, someone could be heard asking, “Xuechun, why haven't we seen your Ating? She's been bedridden for half a month, and her head still hasn't recovered?” Another loud voice replied impatiently, “What's it to you?” “We're all fellow villagers, can't we just ask?” “Why are you so rude in speaking?” “Is this considered rude to you? Go out and find out how many rude words I have in my mind.” The woman sneered, “You're always inquiring about Atin's news, as if I don't know what you're up to. Are you trying to match my daughter with that cripple? Get lost!” The hidden plan was exposed, and the other party suddenly became angry and ashamed. “Who do you think your Atin is? She's nothing special, always causing trouble at such a young age, and always dressing up fancy, with her eyes on top of her head. That damn girl has a foul mouth, always saying rude things, just like her mother!” “You can't do a bit of farm work, and you're more fragile than childbearing when you stumble. Without me as a matchmaker, who would be willing to marry such a drain? If the lame man is willing to take Ah Ting, and I'm willing to be the matchmaker, you should be setting up a banquet to thank me!” The woman suddenly raised her voice, “I scorn at you, you shameless old woman, have a meal? I'll make sure you can’t swallow!” The two women quarreled fiercely, and the source of the conflict, Ah Ting, was lying in bed on the second floor. She slightly furrowed her brows, her long eyelashes fluttered several times, and finally, she opened her eyes. Her heartbeat was throbbing, as if she had just escaped from a terrifying dream. But staring at the gray cement ceiling, she fell into another dream. She really transmigrated into the novel. She became the despised cannon fodder in the 1980s. The novel is called “The 1980s Female Gangster”. It is said that the female lead is both beautiful and ruthless, stepping on the male supporting character while dating the male lead, and becoming a wealthy woman on the side. Everyone says that this novel is extraordinary and very interesting. Atin has never read an online novel before and doesn't know how extraordinary this novel is. She secretly reads the novel on the computer behind her grandfather's back, just because her neighbor sister said, “If you also read this novel, we can chat about the plot together.” Atin really wants to chat with other girls, but the book is not finished yet, and her parents went bankrupt first. They rushed back and knelt in front of her grandfather, begging him to sell the old house and transfer the ancestral Chinese medicine hall that had been passed down for generations. They took away a lot of money, promising to repay the debts and start anew. Then they ran away with the money and disappeared from the world. The debt collector came to visit Grandpa, causing a ruckus day and night. Grandpa, who was eighty-five years old, ran around all day trying to gather money. He couldn't sleep well at night, and his health deteriorated day by day. One day, he accidentally missed a step on the staircase and before he could react, he tumbled down the steps. The black-red blood spread everywhere, and he died with his eyes open. Grandpa had no other relatives, and neither did Ating. After burying Grandpa herself and covering him with heavy soil, she became a fifteen-year-old orphan. She was plagued with illness and had no money. Ating fell asleep leaning against the tombstone and woke up as a cannon fodder in a book. I am currently in an injured state, feeling extremely dizzy and nauseous. I touched the back of my head and could feel a coin-sized blister, which was very painful. The noise downstairs was getting louder and louder, so I leaned against the wall and walked downstairs, softly calling out, “Mom.” Lin Xuechun, with her hands on her hips, turned her head when she heard the sound, her expression much gentler. However, her voice was still sharp and loud, “Why did you come downstairs? Go back up quickly, so you don't dirty your eyes. You'll be complaining of a headache again later.” The old Ating used to pretend to have headaches, stomachaches, and foot pain, as if she had a terminal illness and wouldn't live to see tomorrow, just so she could eat more eggs and ribs. But the current Ating just curved her eyes and smiled quietly and clearly. She didn't say anything. But those black and white eyes seemed to have said it all. They made people soft-hearted for no reason, unable to speak harsh words anymore. Wang Laozizi outside the door stretched her neck and glanced, feeling puzzled: How strange, Ating, this stubborn girl, has pretty eyebrows and eyes, but her skin is yellow and rough. How come her face is now clean and her hands and feet are fair and tender, like peeled eggs? Could it be that banging the head can make one look better? Should I be ruthless and let my own granddaughter roll around in the fields too? Wang Laozizi sneaked a look at Ating with a sly expression, but was caught by Lin Xuechun. Lin Xuechun suddenly picked up a basin of water for washing vegetables, and aggressively said, “What are you looking at? If you want to make money through dishonest means, go home and sell your own granddaughter. Don't even think about messing with Ating.” Otherwise, I'll throw a tantrum! I doubt your old bones can handle it!” As she spoke, she splashed water, showing more endurance than a mother tiger. Elder Wang's wife hurriedly retreated, but still got a large patch on her trousers wet. She was trembling with rage, retaining all the complaints in her throat, angry but dare not to express. She had no other choice. Who in the village of Rihuo didn't know about Lin Xuechu's notorious shrewdness? With her sharp tongue being invincible, apart from her own family, who dared to take advantage of her? Elder Wang's wife left in small steps, murmuring quietly: “As the saying goes, one who wears shoes does not fight with one who is barefoot. I'll begrudgingly remember today's slight, just don't let me catch an opportunity...” Such a pity that the deal with the lame man could not be finalized. Now that her reputation was damaged, not only was the settled money lost, but she also had to swallow her pride and apologize. Who knows how that old stinky man is going to make things difficult for her, it's truly annoying! The old lady Wang glared at him and kept this account on Atin's head. He fell, why didn't he just become a fool? It caused her to earn a few less dollars for no reason! Lin Xuechun was still grumbling, but when she turned her head and saw Atin's pale face, her heart ached. She said with a bad tone, “Hurry up and wash your face, wait for your dad to come back for dinner.” There was an iron basin on the table, but no towel. Atin cupped a handful of water and washed his face carefully, then washed his hands clean. When he raised his head, he bumped into Lin Xuechun's frowning eyebrows. As a mother, she knew her daughter best. Atin had a naturally hot temper and was impatient in her actions. On ordinary days, Lin Xuechun usually washes her hair carelessly, then taps her chopsticks and cries out that she's hungry. Why is she so quiet today? After thinking for a while, Lin Xuechun said with a straight face, “Don't pretend to be innocent and clever in front of me with your clear conscience. If you can't get into high school, don't think about going anywhere!” Atin tilted her head and remembered a plot. The female protagonist of the novel - her cousin Song Tingting - had a distant uncle living in the city, who warmly invited Song Tingting to come and play. In the impression of the rural girl, the town symbolized colorful plastic hairpins, white snowflake cream, and fashionable curly hair. Atin learned that her cousin could go to the city and insisted on going by making a fuss. Despite being rejected by her mother, she didn't give up and went to pester her cousin again. The problem was that both girls loved beauty and always competed to be the most attractive in the village, so their relationship wasn't very good. Song Tingting certainly refused to bring Ating along. The two of them started arguing after just a few words. They pushed and shoved each other, and who knew that Ating from the 80s would slip and fall on the bed, lying there quietly for half a month, disappearing without a trace. Ating from the 21st century arrived last night. Lin Xuechun from that time sat at the bedside, repeatedly counting the money. Counting every penny, it added up to less than thirty yuan. Ating secretly lifted his eyelids slightly, looking at Lin Xuechun's haggard face, unsure whether he should tell her that the real Ating was no longer here. In the second half of the night, Lin Xuechun wiped away her tears and whispered, “Mom is sorry for you. We don't have extra money to get you medical treatment, and we don't have relatives living in the city. But even though we are poor, we can't let others laugh at us. You have to stand up for yourself, study hard, and get into a good high school... phew, I shouldn't say that. Just focus on getting better, otherwise, Mom won't be able to live either.” Hearing this, Ating's eyes welled up with warmth. Grandpa often said that even if he passed away, he would still bless his little Ating from heaven, wishing her a safe and joyful life, free from suffering. So, is this time-traveling a blessing from Grandpa, fearing that she would be lonely and helpless? After thinking for a long time, Ating made a solemn decision: she would forget about being Ating from a family of traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and live as a simple Ating from the countryside. She would strive to live well and be filial to her new parents. “Ating,” a voice called her back to reality. Setting down a porcelain bowl heavily, Lin Xuechun sat down in front of her. “You're already a teenager, don't just focus on having fun. Study hard, and in the future, go to college in the city. You can dress however you want, you know? !” Ating obediently nodded. Not long after, Song Yuqiu walked into the house carrying a shoulder pole. He was Ating's father, with wheat-colored skin, tall and thin, but hunched over, looking very silent and taciturn. Lin Xuechun nudged Ating with her elbow, “Call your dad to eat.” Ating obediently called out, “Dad, it's time to eat.” Song Yuqiu put down the pole, peeled two large sweet potatoes and put them in an iron bowl, mashed them up, and quietly began to eat. The couple both had long faces, neither of them speaking to the other. Lin Xuechun didn't even glance at him, only placing the poached egg in front of her daughter. Ating didn't know anything about 1984, but looking at her parents eating sweet potatoes with tofu, and then looking down at her own white porridge and eggs, she immediately realized: she was the one with the best diet in the family. Atin lowered her head, and her long, soft eyelashes covered her eyes. She thought for a moment and silently divided the omelette into two halves, placing them in her parents' bowls. “Yesterday at lunch, there was one less egg, and it caused a huge argument. And now you don't want to eat it?” Lin Chunxue instinctively thought that her daughter wanted meat again. Calculating the money and tickets at home, she sternly replied, “Pork ribs are expensive. Let's wait until your brother comes back.” Atin held the bowl in front of her face, her eyes shining brightly, and softly said, “I don't like eating pork ribs anymore.” She preferred light and fresh fruits and vegetables. “Nonsense. “Hurry up and finish your eggs, I'll buy you some ribs tomorrow.” Lin Xuechu resolutely picked up the egg and pushed it back into her bowl. Song Yuqiu didn't say a word, just quietly put the poached egg back on the plate. His steady gaze was on her, the meaning was clear: You eat it yourself. Ah Ting suddenly remembered that her grandfather was the same. He always happily refused chicken, duck, fish and meat, leaving the best and most expensive food for her. Even when evading debt, he would still cheerfully assure her, “No matter how hard or tired, we can't let our little Ah Ting go hungry. Grandpa will make you a braised carp tomorrow, how about a yam rib soup?” But such a kind grandfather is not around anymore. The young girl lowered her head and quietly finished her meal. After dinner, Song Yuqiu rolled up his trouser legs, picked up the pole and walked out. Lin Xuechun stared at his back, mumbling discontentedly, and then put on a large straw hat, ready to go to the field as well. When she got to the door, the corner of her clothes was gently tugged. She turned around to see a pair of clear black eyes, and heard her daughter ask softly: “Mom, what should I do?” For a moment, she felt like she was dreaming, or that her daughter's head was broken. Was the lazy girl actually looking for work? Was the sun rising in the west? However, she didn't have time to ask more questions. Lin Xuechun left hastily after saying 'study hard, make something for yourself at noon'. Ating was left alone, she tidied up the bowls and chopsticks, and wanted to clean up the house. She found half of a broken rag in the corner, and turned around like a headless fly for two rounds, but couldn't find the familiar faucet. Using well water in the 1980s, I finally realized this fact belatedly. As I walked out of the door, there was indeed a well not far away. I leaned over the well and looked around, my mind spinning as I figured out how to draw water. Suddenly, I heard some movement beside me. I turned my head and saw a girl with short hair, stepping on stones and peering through an empty window, as if searching for something. She didn't find it. She clapped her hands and jumped down, then turned around and saw me, raising her eyebrows and snorting. There were three houses in front of us. The girl with short hair ran into the leftmost house. My house was on the right, backed by the river and mountains. The soundproofing of the old tiled house was poor. Last night, the cries and curses of the woman next door pierced through the walls, making it impossible to sleep. Lin Xuechun was so angry that she pounded on the wall and shouted, “You wicked widow! You smile like a fool during the day, but in the middle of the night, you mercilessly beat your own son. Even cats and dogs are not treated as badly as you, locked up in the house and fed rotten bones all day long.” The other person ignored her and continued tormenting her until dawn. Grandfather once said, “Everything in the world has its cause and effect. Parents who mistreat their children sow bad seeds and will eventually reap the fruits of evil.” But what will happen to the abused child? Grandfather didn't say. The sky gathered dark, gloomy clouds, slowly blocking out the sun. Ating, unusually curious, walked towards that silent and dilapidated house. Step by step, it felt as if she was walking into darkness. She stepped on the uneven stones, imitating the girl from a moment ago. At this moment, the sky was covered with dark clouds, Ating stood on her toes, her gaze passing over the messy piles of things, and saw something darker than the night itself. She unconsciously held her breath and focused, quietly watching. It was only when the clouds in the sky were blown away and bright light shone on her head that Ating finally saw clearly. A thin, bony man was lying on the cement floor; he had a pair of amber eyes like a cat.