I
June in Jiangcheng was like a steam oven.
Su Tang stood before the gate of the "Sunshine Rehabilitation Center," staring at the crooked signboard, while a storm of inner commentary raged in her mind.
The character for "Sun" was missing a horizontal stroke. Half of the character for "Health" had peeled off. From a distance, it looked more like "Shine Rehab Center." The electric sliding gate at the entrance was rusted yellow, as if it would crumble at the slightest touch. Weeds sprouted everywhere in the courtyard. The only thing that could remotely be called "landscaping" were the stubborn clumps of foxtail grass growing in the corners.
"So this is the legendary… mental hospital?"
Su Tang asked herself silently, but kept her signature "Su smile" firmly in place—lips curved upward at fifteen degrees, eyes gentle, demeanor warm—a look she had perfected over twenty-plus years in the Su family.
Ten minutes ago, she had been sitting in the living room of the Su family mansion, listening to her mother, Li Yun, deliver another installment of "Life Guidance."
"Su Tang, you're not getting any younger. It's time to think about the family. The Chen family's son is a good match. He's a returnee with a master's degree, their family does medical equipment, you're well-matched in status…" Li Yun sat on the sofa, her well-preserved face radiating "I'm doing this for your own good."
Su Tang had been holding a cup of tea at the time. At the words "the Chen family's son," she nearly sprayed it across the room.
Of course she knew who the Chen family's son was—Chen Wenbo, her high school classmate, nickname "Chen the Show-off." His greatest accomplishment in three years of high school was pursuing eight girls and getting rejected eight times. After each rejection, he would post a lengthy "reflection on love" on social media. His writing was so atrocious it was painful to read.
"Mom, I don't like him."
"Feelings can develop over time."
"I don't want them to develop."
"Then what do you want to do? Waste your time with that psychological counseling nonsense? What future is there in that?" Li Yun's tone began to cool. "Your father passed away early. I'm the one who's held this family together. You think I want to meddle in your life? I'm doing this for you!"
Su Tang took a deep breath, set down her teacup, and braced herself for the next wave.
As expected, Li Yun changed tack: "Since you're unwilling to go on a blind date, then go get some experience. There's a rehabilitation center under the group that needs a director. You'll run it for a year. Do well, and we'll talk."
At the time, Su Tang had no idea what that rehabilitation center looked like. She thought being a director couldn't be that bad. At least it was better than sitting at home listening to nagging.
"Fine. I'll go."
She agreed so readily that Li Yun paused, then gave her a meaningful smile. "Good. Then it's settled. Report tomorrow."
Now, standing at the entrance of the "Sunshine Rehabilitation Center," Su Tang finally understood the meaning behind that smile.
This wasn't "getting experience." This was exile.
She pulled out her phone, opened the map, and checked the center's rating: 2.3 stars.
The reviews read like this:
"I sent my dad here for a month. When he came out, he was even crazier." (1 star)
"Terrible environment. Unprofessional doctors. Don't come." (1 star)
"The patients here are more normal than the staff." (1 star)
The only five-star review said: "It's fun here. Will come again."
Su Tang stared at that review for three seconds, silently pocketed her phone, took a deep breath, and pushed open the rusted sliding gate.
The gate let out a mournful creak, as if wailing.
In the courtyard, an elderly man in hospital pajamas was chasing a butterfly. He ran earnestly, moving with large gestures, but slowly—like a slow-motion movie scene.
"Butterfly! Don't run! I was your lover in a past life!" the old man shouted as he ran.
Su Tang's step faltered.
She took a deep breath and silently repeated to herself: I am a professional. I am a professional. I am a professional…
The old man ran up to her and suddenly stopped, giving her a thorough once-over. "Are you a new patient?"
Su Tang held her smile steady. "No, I'm the new director."
The old man's eyes lit up. "The director? Great! Can you do me a favor?"
"What favor?"
"Help me catch that butterfly." The old man pointed at the butterfly fluttering away in the distance, his expression sincere. "She was my lover in a past life. She reincarnated as a butterfly this time. I have to find her."
Su Tang paused for three seconds, then bent down and said in her gentlest voice, "Sir, did you know that butterflies only live for one to two weeks? If she was your lover in a past life, then this life is too short for her. You should let her fly free and continue your story in the next life."
The old man froze, thought hard about it, then nodded in sudden understanding. "You're right! I shouldn't disturb her! I'll wait for the next life!"
"That's right. The next life." Su Tang smiled. "Why don't you go back and rest now? Wait for the next incarnation."
The old man left happily, muttering as he went, "Next life, I'll wait for the next life…"
Su Tang watched him go, her smile never wavering, while inside she was having a meltdown: I just used "continue your story in the next life" to talk a mental patient out of chasing a butterfly. Am I a doctor or a fortune teller?
She took another deep breath and kept walking.