Chapter Four: Hello, 110? My Buddy's Grandpa Got Stolen!

At 10 a.m.

Xu Yang arrived punctually at the entrance of the private psychology clinic.

"Ma Long, where are you?"

"I'm at the clinic entrance!"

After sending the message to Ma Long.

Soon, Ma Long came running out of the clinic, pulling Xu Yang inside.

As they walked, he explained, "Old Xu, I've already briefed the doctor on your situation. Just answer her questions honestly later... Let me tell you, this doctor is a big deal. She has a master's degree in psychology and studied under a globally renowned psychology expert in the UK."

"After returning to China, she was offered a high-paying position at a top hospital in the capital, where she worked as a chief psychiatrist for a year. Four months ago, she resigned and returned to Wucheng to open this psychology clinic."

"In just this short time, she's successfully treated eight patients with depression and one with psychosis..."

While talking.

The two went up to the second floor of the clinic and met the "psychologist" Ma Long had mentioned.

Contrary to expectations.

The doctor was quite young and wasn't wearing a white coat. Instead, she was dressed in a black OL-style dress, with short hair, looking very polished and exuding the aura of a mature woman.

"You're Xu Yang?"

The female doctor introduced herself, "I'm Wan Qian. I already have a rough understanding of your situation... Please, have a seat."

Xu Yang sat down.

Behind him.

The female ghost floated over to Xu Yang's side, mimicking him and sitting down obediently.

Wan Qian got straight to the point, asking, "Mr. Xu, I heard you were an excellent student in high school, consistently ranking in the top three of your class. But after your grandfather passed away, you chose to take a leave of absence a month before the college entrance exams?"

Xu Yang nodded.

Wan Qian: "It seems you were very close to your grandfather. Can you tell me more about him?"

Xu Yang pondered for a few seconds before speaking, "I'm an orphan. I've never known my parents since I can remember. I grew up with my grandfather..."

"When I was little, my grandfather would take me to school and pick me up."

"Back then, I envied my classmates. They had parents who would take them out for good food and tell them stories at bedtime..."

"When my grandfather found out how I felt, he started taking me to the countryside to perform rituals and handle funerals."

"At night, he would also tell me ghost stories..."

At first, Xu Yang thought this was just part of the "doctor's inquiry" into his condition.

But as he spoke, memories of his time with his grandfather flooded his mind. His eyes reddened, and his voice trembled.

"I'm sorry."

Wan Qian handed him a tissue box, already forming a diagnosis in her mind.

Xu Yang...

Had a very close relationship with his grandfather!

He likely had a strong emotional dependence on his grandfather!

After his grandfather's passing, the excessive grief likely led to neurasthenia. Combined with his environment and the fact that he grew up attending funerals and listening to ghost stories, it was no wonder he was hallucinating, imagining a ghost accompanying him.

She wrote a few lines on the diagnosis sheet and then asked:

"Mr. Xu, what are your usual hobbies?"

"Do you enjoy sports? Do you play games?"

"Do you have a girlfriend?"

"You..."

Wan Qian asked many more questions.

But she didn't mention the "female ghost" at all.

After about an hour of conversation, Wan Qian wrote down the names of two medications on a small piece of paper and handed it to Xu Yang.

"Anshen Bunaoye?" (A traditional Chinese medicine for calming the mind)

"Xinshen Ningpian?" (Another calming medication)

Xu Yang's mouth twitched... I'm not sick, I'm just haunted by a ghost. Why are you prescribing these?

But he didn't say anything.

After all, Ma Long had gone through a lot of trouble to arrange this appointment.

"These two medications are available at most pharmacies. You can purchase them yourself and take them as directed. Come back for a follow-up in a week."

Wan Qian stood up, letting Xu Yang go buy the medications himself, but she kept Ma Long behind.

As soon as Xu Yang left, Ma Long anxiously asked, "Dr. Wan, how is my friend's condition?"

Wan Qian sighed and said, "This is a case of grief-induced illness. Xu Yang was very close to his grandfather. Spending all day in the funeral shop where he lived with his grandfather easily triggers memories of the past. Over time, this has led to neurasthenia and hallucinations."

"Ah?"

Ma Long worriedly asked, "Then... is there any hope for him?"

"It's actually quite simple."

Wan Qian smiled and said, "In psychological research, we believe that emotional wounds require emotional healing..."

She meant that Xu Yang's condition was tied to his time in the funeral shop, which constantly reminded him of his deceased grandfather. He needed to get out more, engage in activities, and adjust his mood to let go of the past. But before she could finish, Ma Long suddenly looked enlightened and said:

"I understand, thank you, Dr. Wan!"

With that, he dashed out of the clinic.

He found Xu Yang at the clinic entrance, talking to himself, and couldn't help but sigh.

He...

Was he talking to the female ghost he had imagined?

Slap!

Ma Long slapped himself!

Damn it!

I'm such a terrible friend!

My buddy is suffering like this, and I only just found out?

Rubbing his sore nose, Ma Long approached and deliberately waved at the air, "Hi, Miss Ghost, I'm Ma Long, Xu Yang's best friend."

Xu Yang: "..."

He turned around and gave Ma Long a look that said, "Are you stupid?"

What are you doing?

The female ghost is right beside me. Why are you waving at the street?

Ma Long continued, "Xu Yang, you lucky dog! This female ghost is really beautiful!"

"..."

Xu Yang was stunned and glanced at the female ghost beside him.

The female ghost was equally confused.

Can this guy see me?

Before Xu Yang could say anything, Ma Long pulled out a pack of cigarettes, handed one to Xu Yang, lit one for himself, took a deep drag, and blew out a few smoke rings before saying, "Xu Yang, let's go visit your grandfather."

Cough, cough, cough!

Xu Yang nearly choked on the smoke, tears streaming from his eyes as he widened his eyes and asked, "What did you say?"

My grandfather has been gone for almost four years. How are we supposed to visit him?

"Dr. Wan said emotional wounds require emotional healing. She said your illness stems from missing your grandfather..."

Ma Long added, "Let's go pay our respects to your grandfather. Maybe it'll help?"

What the hell!

Xu Yang was both amused and exasperated. What kind of nonsense is this?

Missing my grandfather? That's a stretch!

Although the old man passed away suddenly, he was in his 70s and had been in good health. In Xu Yang's memory, his grandfather had never been sick, taken medication, or suffered much. It was a peaceful passing.

Sure, Xu Yang sometimes missed his grandfather when sitting alone in the shop.

But to say he was sick from missing him... that was a stretch!

But since Ma Long wanted to pay his respects, Xu Yang couldn't exactly refuse.

"By the way, what kind of alcohol did your grandfather like?"

"I'll bring some later..."

"And joss paper. You have plenty of that in your shop. Burn a lot for your grandfather."

"Oh, and don't you have those paper effigies of women in your shop? Burn eight or ten for your grandfather... He raised you through thick and thin. It's time for him to enjoy some peace in the afterlife."

The two prepared a bunch of items and drove to the cemetery in the suburbs.

Then...

"Holy crap!"

A shocked cry echoed through the quiet cemetery as Ma Long exclaimed, "Old Xu, someone dug up your grandfather's grave?"

Xu Yang felt as if he had been struck by lightning, standing frozen in place, his eyes fixed ahead!

His grandfather's tombstone had been broken in half.

The grave mound had been dug up.

The coffin in the grave pit was half-opened, and it was empty.

"This..."

"This..."

Xu Yang felt dizzy, finding the whole situation utterly unbelievable. It's 2023, and someone actually stole a corpse?

In such a large public cemetery, with so many people buried here...

Why steal just my grandfather???

Meanwhile, Ma Long had already dialed the police, shouting into the phone, "Hello, 110?"

"I want to report a crime!"

"My buddy's grandpa got stolen..."