A Lunatic Says He Loves Me: Extra 1

Extra 1

Until Han Rong started college, his grandfather was still alive. The old gentleman lived alone in the countryside, in a place of idyllic beauty with lush mountains and clear waters, self-sufficient and content. During holidays, Ms. Han would take Han Rong to her grandfather’s home for a few days.

The countryside looked much like it did in textbooks, with crisscrossing paths and the sounds of chickens and dogs. The houses were very close to each other; a sneeze from one end of the village could be heard at the other end in a few minutes. Similarly, a call for help would quickly receive assistance from neighbors. The land was small, the population sparse, and the community harmonious.

Han Rong loved this place and especially his grandfather, who lived there. The old gentleman was a dignified and handsome teacher, always dressed in a neat black Zhongshan suit. He was tall, around 1.8 meters, and had a noble bearing. He also had beautiful handwriting, reflecting his upright character.

When Han Rong was very young, his grandfather taught him to read and recognize characters. Han Rong’s name was also given by his grandfather, with “Rong” meaning “tolerant,” as in “tolerant of all rivers and seas.”

The only requirement his grandfather had for Han Rong was to read more. “A person with knowledge and literature will naturally have an aura of grace, and a person with integrity will traverse the world.”

Most of the time, the old gentleman and Han Rong would sit side by side in the yard, reading and chatting, while Ms. Han would sit on a swing under the wisteria trellis opposite, sewing winter clothes for the old gentleman, occasionally glancing at them.

Later, as Mr. Han’s business grew larger and his company expanded farther away, Ms. Han visited less frequently due to various reasons. So, the old gentleman kept a beautiful and aloof Ragdoll cat named Baoqin.

“I wish to sleep drunk, you may leave. Tomorrow, if you’re willing, Baoqin will come.”

At that time, Han Rong was still young and didn’t understand the meaning of his grandfather reciting this poem while holding the cat under the wisteria trellis.

By the end of his first year in high school, Han Rong developed anorexia. Perhaps it was due to being away from home for too long and not adjusting well, or perhaps it was the stress from studying, or for other reasons. Whatever the cause, he would vomit whatever he ate and rapidly lost weight. By the time he returned home, he was nothing but skin and bones and was scolded by Ms. Han.

Han Rong dodged and smiled, “Even if I’m like a bamboo pole, your son is still the most outstanding one!”

“You just have a big mouth all day long!” she said with a face full of anger but with genuine concern in her eyes.

A few days later, the situation did not improve. Ms. Han, usually calm and composed, took decisive action for the first time, pulling Han Rong out of bed, forcibly putting him in a taxi, and rushing to the hospital. Registration, consultation, tests… Ms. Han was like a spinning top, busy all day. In the end, seeing Han Rong’s health report show normal results, she was both crying and laughing.

After returning home, Han Rong still didn’t like eating and didn’t have any extra snacks. His weight remained light, and Ms. Han was still worried.

Coincidentally, during that summer vacation, Mr. Han went abroad on a business trip. Ms. Han, taking advantage of a rare break, took the anorexic Han Rong to the countryside. The old gentleman was still in good health, and Baoqin the Ragdoll cat was still beautiful and dignified, but with a big temper. It ignored everyone except the old gentleman and occasionally gave Ms. Han an arrogant look.

Ms. Han was neither annoyed nor angry, smiling lightly and telling Han Rong, “This is a cat with human-like qualities.”

Han Rong said honestly, “It seems to dislike you especially.”

“It’s jealous.” Ms. Han smiled and said, “It knows that the person the old gentleman loves the most is me.”

Han Rong smiled, “I love you too, Mom.”

The mother and son had identical eyes, which, when they smiled, resembled a city full of blooming peach blossoms.

At this moment, the old gentleman would also stroke Baoqin’s head and smile with his eyes squinted.

A closer look revealed that the three of them had eyes that were cut from the same mold.

Inheriting the same bloodline.

In the evening, Ms. Han told the old gentleman about Han Rong’s anorexia. The old gentleman shared that there were many folk remedies in the countryside, one of which was specifically for treating picky eaters—children with good appetites could help cure this condition by drinking the water that these children had drunk. 

Later, this folk remedy spread. Since rural children ate more and were stronger due to farm work, many city parents of picky eaters or those with anorexia would specifically go to the countryside to obtain the water these children had drunk, using it to cook.

Water drunk by children under the age of three is the most effective.

Ms. Han ran from one end of the village to the other and finally found a family that met the requirements. The child was two and a half years old, ate well and slept well, chubby and healthy. The villagers were particularly warm and even gave Ms. Han the remaining water from the child’s formula bottle, handing over the entire thermos.

Ms. Han used this water to wash rice and cook meals after returning home. For some unknown reason, after eating dinner that day, Han Rong’s anorexia ceased. By the end of the summer vacation, he had gained twenty pounds, and when he returned to school, he was bouncing around with enviable muscle.

During the winter vacation of his senior year in high school, the old gentleman passed away. There were no signs, and he died peacefully in his sleep. Han Rong was most worried about Ms. Han, fearing that his delicate and gentle mother would be overwhelmed with grief. Unexpectedly, Ms. Han was very calm in her sorrow. Perhaps at her age, she had come to terms with fate.

Among the family, the one who was least composed was Baoqin. It was restless and lost its usual composure, trying to prevent the villagers from cremating the old gentleman and from burying his ashes. It lay stubbornly at the gravesite, refusing to move. Han Rong had to forcibly carry it away, and only released it after the old gentleman was properly laid to rest.

Baoqin bit him hard and ran away. Han Rong never saw Baoqin again. Every year, when he returned to the countryside for grave sweeping, he occasionally heard villagers mention seeing Baoqin by the old gentleman’s grave, holding its proud head high, a bit thinner but still full of spirit. It seemed to be wandering, or perhaps waiting for the old gentleman.

“Will Grandpa feel lonely?”

“Of course not. He knows that someone is always thinking of him. And, Baoqin will keep him company.” Ms. Han gazed gently at the photo on the tombstone, “I used to imagine that I could never get through the days without him because no one loved me more than he did. Until I had you. Even though the person who loved me the most is no longer here, I must live brilliantly for the sake of the person I love the most.”

“Rong’er, life is like driving a bus. Except for yourself, no passenger will stay on board to the last stop; people always get off along the way. But similarly, there will always be someone waiting for you at the next stop.”

“You might go through a period where you have to live alone, but you must believe that you won’t be alone forever.”

****

Han Rong woke up from his dream.

It was now 3 a.m. at the Shicheng Environmental Protection Bureau.

After the resolution of Case 713, Ling Feng replaced Ou Junsheng’s position and was transferred to the City Bureau. Before leaving, he gave Han Rong and Ji Yan a piece of advice, “You two must stick together and never part. Your love is meant to remove harm for the people!”

Ding Ding went into business, Yuan Fei returned to the police academy for further studies, and Bai Xinhuai went to the west for teaching. Everyone Han Rong knew had left, so he also left Hucheng.

In March 2020, through public recruitment, written exams, interviews, and other stages, Han Rong successfully became a grassroots civil servant. He worked in a place called Shicheng, which was warm and spring-like throughout the year, with low housing prices and cost of living. It was very suitable for retirement. However, as a tourist city, it had strict environmental requirements, so Han Rong had to work overtime and carry out inspections and evaluations before and after holidays.

Ji Yan ignored the olive branches extended by various hospitals and followed Han Rong to Shicheng, where he joined a psychological counseling organization. The organization was located just across an asphalt road from the Environmental Protection Bureau.

Dr. Ji fantasized about the sweet life of “husband and husband going out together and returning home together after work,” but fate seemed to conspire against him. Since Han Rong was not a local resident, the organization provided him with free staff accommodation out of humanitarian concern. Due to the high workload and frequent overtime at the grassroots level, Han Rong ended up staying in the dormitory.

Every meal time, Dr. Ji would head straight to the Environmental Protection Bureau’s cafeteria. On the surface, he was just eating and drinking, but in reality, he was there to see Han Rong. He was constantly struggling with patience and restraint, feeling like he was about to burst out with, “I’m going crazy missing you.”

For two months, he endured the frustration of being able to see but not touch. Just before he was about to crack, Ji Yan bought a two-bedroom apartment near the Environmental Protection Bureau, under the pretext of “not being used to living in a small place,” and forcibly moved both Han Rong and the cat.

The new place: The large space and the challenge of moving in were exciting!

The apartment was newly renovated and fully furnished. The cat, Demolition, leapt around the place, full of energy and mischief. Dr. Ji was in a good mood, organizing luggage with a smile. Han Rong pretended not to see the handcuffs hidden in Ji Yan’s pocket, knowing that if he had shown any sign of refusing to cohabit, Ji Yan would certainly lock him in the room for a while.

He felt he was doing better, but Ji Yan’s obsession seemed to be getting worse.

When Dr. Ji was setting up the bed, he accidentally let the handcuffs fall out of his pocket. Without changing his expression, he picked them up and put them in the bedside cabinet, explaining, “These are for me. If I can’t control myself and end up harming you, then you can cuff me.”

Han Rong was deeply moved and said, “I don’t believe you! Men’s words are like lies.” He shot Ji Yan a look and headed into the bathroom.

The seemingly ascetic Dr. Ji followed him in impeccably dressed, and after half an hour, emerged disheveled and with a satisfied expression.

Perhaps due to overworking, Han Rong had no appetite for dinner, and after sipping some soup, he went to play with Demolition. Ji Yan looked at the untouched food, frowning slightly. The next morning, Han Rong got up late, rushed out without taking the breakfast Ji Yan had prepared for him. By lunchtime, he still didn’t feel hungry and sent a message to Ji Yan saying he wouldn’t be eating. That night, when he worked late and didn’t return to the apartment, Ji Yan brought him dinner, which remained untouched until the next morning.

Missing a few meals wouldn’t be fatal, Han Rong thought, but Ji Yan was distressed and had even grown a few gray hairs. He had been using medicinal diet to improve Han Rong’s health, and the sudden anorexia must mean something was wrong. Taking advantage of the Sunday holiday, Ji Yan took Han Rong to the city hospital for a check-up, and the report showed everything was normal.

After reviewing the report, the internist adjusted his glasses and said, “If the sudden loss of appetite isn’t due to physical reasons, then it’s likely a psychological issue. You might want to see our psychiatric department.”

Han Rong replied, “…I’m not ill.”

If he truly had psychological or mental issues, Ji Yan wouldn’t have brought him for a regular physical check-up. Dr. Ji was confident in his professional skills and believed that if Han Rong wasn’t physically ill, then what was causing his anorexia?

Dr. Ji was puzzled, his brows furrowed tightly. On the way back, Han Rong comforted him, “It’s probably just work stress. A break should help. Don’t worry.”

Wednesday was the Ullambana Festival, and Shicheng, known as the “Buddhist Capital,” hosted a grand Water and Land Ritual. Monks from all over would come to participate, and people who encountered monks on the street would offer supplies to gain merit.

Han Rong had been working overtime for the Ullambana Festival. He needed to monitor the air quality at the Water and Land Ritual venues and post slogans like “No littering, wishes won’t come true,” “Protect the environment, start with Buddha,” and “Civilized worship, green offerings” in visible places. Once the festival officially began, they had some free time. After the festival ended, it was time for a new round of environmental quality inspections.

So, the civil servants at the Lion City Environmental Protection Bureau spent the festival sleeping at home. Han Rong, adapting to local customs, was no exception and spent the day in bed, sleeping deeply.

Ji Yan took leave early from work. After finishing the cat food, he needed to restock. When he came out of the pet store, he was stopped by a beggar monk who smiled and shook his head, pointing at the cat food in Ji Yan’s hand. 

The monk was dirty and unkempt, his original appearance obscured, with a bamboo basket on his back revealing a pair of green cat-like eyes.

Ji Yan gave the cat food to the monk and went back to the pet store to buy another bag. When he came out, the monk was still standing there, palms together, chanting a Buddhist mantra. He then said, “Hungry ghosts are born from human desires. When a person is overly fatigued or troubled, their vitality weakens, and hungry ghosts take advantage of this weakness. People haunted by hungry ghosts lose their appetite, find food tasteless, and don’t feel hunger even if they don’t eat. I sense a trace of hungry ghost energy around you. May I ask if you picked it up from a friend?”

Ji Yan was initially skeptical of such supernatural claims, but since meeting Han Rong, he had become more superstitious.

“How do you get rid of hungry ghosts?”

“Hungry ghosts born from emotions and desires cannot be killed; they can only be driven away.”

“How can they be driven away?”

****

Han Rong slept soundly and woke up around five in the morning. The sky was just beginning to lighten, and Demolition was still snoring in the small bed. Ji Yan was in the kitchen preparing breakfast. When he saw Han Rong, he placed a bowl of red bean soup on the table and said, “This is made with water that a child has drunk. Drinking it will help you regain your appetite.”

“I will eat,” Han Rong said with a smile, giving Ji Yan a peck on the cheek before sitting down to drink the red bean soup.

Ten minutes later, when the shrimp dumplings and egg roll rice noodle were ready, the aroma filled the air. Han Rong suddenly felt very hungry and instinctively picked up his chopsticks. Ji Yan didn’t let him eat too much, taking away and discarding the remaining third of the meal.

Han Rong protested, biting his chopsticks.

“You haven’t eaten properly for days; you need to ease back into eating gradually.”

“When I get older, are you also going to stop me from eating sugar to prevent diabetes?” Han Rong asked.

Ji Yan said seriously, “Occasional sugar reduction is beneficial for health.”

Han Rong retorted, “You’re a psychiatrist, not a nutritionist. Can you have some self-awareness?”

“I have a nutritionist certificate,” Ji Yan replied.

“…Excuse me, I’m going for my morning exercise. Goodbye!” Han Rong said and left.

While strolling around the neighborhood, Han Rong happened to run into Aunt Cai from the neighborhood committee.

“Good morning, Aunt Cai.”

“Isn’t your older brother’s child sick?”

Seeing Han Rong’s confused expression, Aunt Cai explained, “Yesterday, your older brother went from floor to floor, knocking on doors, asking other residents if they had any leftover boiled water from children. Some children have weak constitutions, vomit when fed, so this folk method is used.”

“Didn’t anyone complain about him disturbing the peace?”

“No, he was very polite and whispered when he knocked on doors. If someone scolded him, he apologized, so people were too embarrassed to complain about him.”

“Actually, I’m older than him!”

“Ah, so your younger brother must treat you very well!”

“Yes, he does!”

Han Rong ran three laps around the neighborhood, worked up a light sweat, and then walked back to the apartment building. Ji Yan was standing at the door with Demolition in his arms, looking around as if searching for something. Demolition leaped from his arms and bounded towards Han Rong.

Han Rong bent down to scoop up the British Shorthair cat, and then looked up with a bright smile for Ji Yan.

Ji Yan’s cold, phoenix eyes, when fixed on Han Rong, seemed unable to hide any secrets and yet seemed full of them.

Han Rong felt a tickling sensation inside from Ji Yan’s gaze, and with a cheerful grin, leaned in to kiss his forehead. “Let’s go home.” He reached out and took Ji Yan’s hand, leading him towards the apartment.

Since the Ullambana Festival wasn’t over yet, Han Rong was still on vacation and went with Ji Yan to the psychological counseling center in the afternoon. The counselor, compared to a doctor, had a more relaxed demeanor, mainly serving as a listener and guide.

Han Rong sat on the sofa with Demolition, reading a book. When the computer called for the next person, the counselor entered the room to register and then followed Ji Yan into the adjoining therapy room.

“Doctor, do you like that person? When you look at him, you can’t hide your feelings, and it seems like all your thoughts are about him.”

“Liking someone is hard to hide. But if you like someone too much, it might scare them off, so you need to keep your feelings hidden.”

“That must be very difficult and lonely.”

“Life is like driving a bus; you might have to go through a period of being alone, and it can be very tough. But you have to believe that there will always be someone waiting for you at the next stop. You will never be alone, never be without company.”

“Mm, I believe that.”

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