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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 49: Grudge (Part Nine)
I realized I was just looking for trouble. I should have been focusing on my own matters, yet here I was, sitting idly in front of a foolish woman who clearly felt guilty but refused to confront it. The thought made me increasingly restless; I wanted nothing more than to stand up and leave this woman and the clinic filled with medicinal scents behind.
All of this was self-inflicted. If it weren't for Li Mingliang inadvertently helping me that one time, I wouldn't have gotten involved in this mess, trying to uncover the truth behind her situation. I glanced at Zhang Xian, who had her head down, looking unwell and biting her lip as if she were deep in thought.
I had a gut feeling that Zhang Xian wasn't being completely honest with me. She was hiding something or perhaps trying to express something about the incident involving Zhao Di. To me, women's hearts are as inscrutable as the depths of the ocean; they truly are difficult to fathom.
Finally, Zhang Xian looked up at me again, glancing nervously over her shoulder before speaking cautiously, "Ma Qi, do you know what ghosts look like?"
"What do they look like?" I asked tentatively.
Zhang Xian leaned closer to me, her voice low as if afraid someone might overhear. "I saw them. There were two... two of them... They are everywhere, always present. Wherever I am, they are there too."
I was at a loss for words. With Zhang Xian in such a state, how could she possibly treat anyone? I couldn't help but snap, "You’re in no condition to be treating patients! Aren't you afraid you'll harm someone?"
"I'm afraid of one person, so I have to come to the clinic. I hope more people come here; it's easier with Baymax around. At night, they come looking for me," Zhang Xian paused, trying hard to recall something before continuing, "It was that woman impersonating Li Mingliang. On the second night after she had her incident, I was sleeping and vaguely heard someone calling my name. When I opened my eyes, she was lying next to me..."
"Then what happened?"
"I woke up scared and didn’t dare go back to sleep. I sat up and tried to watch TV, but all that was on were horror movies. I was so frightened that I covered my ears and wrapped myself in the blanket, but I still felt cold until it got bright."
It was all so disjointed that I felt helpless. The only thing I could do was pull out a talisman and ask Zhang Xian to pay for it; such things couldn't be given away for free or they would lose their effectiveness. I instructed her to place it where she sleeps and then called Qin Jian to see if we should take Zhang Xian to a hypnotist.
Since Zhang Xian couldn’t remember what had happened to her—at least part of it felt like a blank space—she hoped hypnosis would help her recall what had transpired with her and Zhao Di and why Zhao Di wouldn’t let her go.
Qin Jian probably wouldn’t be available for a while; according to that hypnotist known as Wild Ghost, he was in seclusion. He listened carefully as I explained Zhang Xian's situation and agreed that her mental state seemed off. He even suggested that as a good person, I should take her to a mental hospital for a doctor’s evaluation. Before hanging up, I asked him to help me look into someone.
Afterward, there wasn’t much business at the clinic. Most of those who came seeking treatment were elderly people looking for cheap alternatives rather than going through the hassle of registering at a big hospital. So I lost interest in staying any longer. I waited by the door for her as she locked up, and when we walked out together, I suggested she see a psychologist.
Zhang Xian froze, her eyes wide with disbelief and bloodshot from stress as she retorted seriously, "I’m not insane! Why would I see a psychologist?"
Just because one isn’t mentally ill doesn’t mean they shouldn’t seek help; it’s about dealing with feelings of guilt regarding Zhao Di and confronting things they don’t want to face. If you go see a psychologist and talk about what’s on your mind without me being there to listen, would that work?
The heartfelt words I spoke should have been understood by anyone who wasn't a fool. However, to my surprise, Zhang Xian, who appeared emotionally stable and indifferent, erupted in anger after hearing what I said. "What do you mean feeling guilty? Aren't you quite capable? I brought you here to solve problems, not to hear suggestions. Do you think I can't afford to pay, which is why you're pushing me towards a psychologist?"
To be honest, Zhang Xian Clinic showed no abnormalities. Not even a trace of Evil Energy was present, as if Zhao Di had never existed.
Zhang Xian was clearly hiding something; with the ghost in her heart, how could I help?
Seeing her large chest and impulsive nature, I realized I was truly dealing with a difficult situation. Fine, I said, "If you don't want to see a psychologist, I've given you the talisman, so it's none of my business. I'm leaving."
At first, Zhang Xian was stunned. When she saw that I was really leaving, she shouted angrily, "Go ahead and leave! Who's afraid of whom?"
Damn it, I had wanted to check out her place, but after this unpleasant encounter and feeling tired from going to Ten-Mile Temple, I ignored her insults and took a taxi back to my rental.
Upon returning to the rental, the landlady knocked on my door.
She immediately started asking for the rent. I got up in a hurry, wearing only a thin shirt. It wasn’t that I minded paying the rent, but she squeezed into my room, looking around while clicking her tongue disapprovingly and then scrutinizing me from head to toe.
"Seven, I didn’t realize you were so good at tidying up. You haven’t been home for quite some time, yet it’s still spotless."
I was yawning and wanted to get rid of the landlady quickly. So I took out my wallet and handed her two red bills. "As for what I do, someone helps me with cleaning; you just can’t see that person."
The landlady paused slightly before accepting the money. She quickly glanced around the room and rushed to the door, throwing back a comment: "Seven, how did you resolve that issue last time?"
"It’s all in the past; right now, I just want to sleep."
"Alright! You sleep; I've got things to do."
After sending the landlady away and closing the door, I collapsed onto my bed in the bedroom and didn't want to move again. The sleep was deep and comfortable; however, even though my body was asleep, my mind remained alert, vaguely sensing that it was particularly cold in the room.
In my dreams, I wondered if I needed to install air conditioning when suddenly I heard footsteps in the room—very light footsteps. A chill crept up my neck as if a hand had brushed against it.
I couldn't open my eyes and then heard a jarring sound that resembled someone playing Mahjong.
Damn it! Who opened the door? Wasn’t anyone going to let me sleep?
I mumbled something in my sleep but didn’t wake up, remaining in a deep slumber.
The sound of Mahjong was loud. Half-asleep, I decided to get up, rubbing my eyes as I listened to the clattering noise that seemed to be coming from inside the house. But I remembered that I was alone in this place. Where did the Mahjong sounds come from?
In my dazed state, my mind was surprisingly clear; playing Mahjong required four players.
Perhaps I was still dreaming. I got up and followed the sound. Sure enough, I saw four people in the room—three women and one man. The man was unfamiliar, yet somehow familiar; his name was Zhang Youjian. The three women, however, were very familiar to me.
I froze when I saw them.
Among the three women were Zhao Di, Zhang Xian, and another one who was a doctor from the hospital named Liu Hui.
They were engrossed in their Mahjong game, completely ignoring my presence. It felt as if I was witnessing a scene from reality. As I approached, I noticed the man holding a tile; it was a West Wind tile. With a mischievous grin, he played it down on the table.
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