He Li sighed, the world was a difficult place.
In a world where demons roamed, how important it was to have a stable income. Moreover, out of 3500 yuan per month, after paying 1300 yuan for rent, utilities, and phone bills, it would be close to 150 yuan. If he occasionally treated himself to a meal at a restaurant, how much would be left?
The housing prices in Binjiang City were getting more expensive every year, and he didn't know when he would save enough money to buy a house, especially since he had no one to rely on.
Most importantly, there were demons in this world, and they were terrifying!
Back at the bookstore, Sister Jiang was still sleeping. He Li didn't disturb her and sat down on a nearby chair. He picked up a detective novel titled "Who Killed Klaus?" and began to read.
He had a mental illness, and it was unlikely he would get his university diploma. However, a certain Elder Guo once said that a person could be without a diploma, but not without culture. He Li found this very reasonable, which was also why he looked for a job at a bookstore.
Just as an internet cafe manager could get free internet access, a bookstore clerk could read books for free.
In fact, apart from this bookstore, which was specifically opened by the Spirit Management Association to monitor He Li, no merchant or company was willing to hire him. His education was one factor, but his mental illness was the main reason.
He Li read for a while, then checked the time. It was 2:10 PM. There weren't many customers in the store, and Sister Jiang had also woken up. He decided to go to the Third Hospital for psychological counseling.
Yes, in the end, he decided to go to the mental hospital to see Dr. Lu for psychological counseling. The reason was simple: his pockets were empty.
He Li stood up, walked to the cash register, and said softly, "Sister Jiang, I'd like to take a leave this afternoon."
Sister Jiang looked at He Li, a little surprised. "Are you taking leave to go...?"
"It's time for my follow-up appointment."
He Li explained calmly, "It won't take long, just over two hours for the round trip. The doctor just needs to ask me a few questions and have me take a test. It'll be quick."
As a working person, having a proper attitude was important, and He Li did very well in this regard.
Sister Jiang's heart skipped a beat. Could this guy be having an episode? Should she run away? But he was standing right at the door, so escaping would be a problem. Should she force her way out?
However, Bai Fei had said last night that he might not even be able to defeat He Li.
"Okay!"
Sister Jiang's spirits lifted, and she said, "No problem. Our bookstore is very flexible with time, and there aren't many people in the afternoon. After your follow-up appointment, you can take a few days off to relax. That's all fine."
Take a few days off?
He Li was stunned for a moment and asked, "What about the boss...?"
"It's okay!" Sister Jiang quickly waved her hand. "I'll handle the boss. We don't clock in here."
He Li was a bit confused. What was Sister Jiang up to?
"It's fine, Sister Jiang. If I don't get back this afternoon, I'll be at work on time tomorrow. Okay, I'm leaving. I'll bring you coffee and a sandwich tomorrow morning."
He Li said with a smile, then turned to grab his bag and walked out the door.
Sister Jiang slumped into her chair, her suspended heart unable to settle for a long time.
Then,
Sister Jiang picked up the phone and dialed a number.
"Captain, He Li has requested half a day off for a follow-up check."
"Alright, close the shop. You can come back. Thank you for your hard work."
Sister Jiang's body sagged as she collapsed into the chair. Oh my god, I've escaped death...
Subway, transfer, another transfer, exit, bus, taxi, and finally arrived at Binjiang City Mental Health Center, also known as: Binjiang Third Hospital, Third Hospital, Mental Hospital, etc.
At the entrance of the Third Hospital,
He Li stopped and looked for a while. It felt so nostalgic. Every blade of grass and every tree here was so familiar to him.
After greeting the gatekeeper, He Li walked into the mental hospital under the gatekeeper's friendly gaze.
As soon as he stepped into this mysterious place.
"This world is so vast~~ the scenery is beautiful as a painting~~ and yet I met you~~ this is fate, isn't it~~~ Ah~~~ this is fate~~"
"When the peaks have no edges, when the rivers no longer flow, when time stops and day and night are indistinguishable, when heaven and earth turn to nothingness, I still cannot break up with you, cannot break up with you..."
"Happy breakup, happy breakup, you will find someone better. If you don't want to face winter, are tired of the heaviness, just fly to a tropical island to swim..."
"How can one say there is no armor? With you, my comrades. The king leads his army, sharpening my spears and halberds. With you, we share the same hatred.
How can one say there is no armor? With you, we share the same warmth. The king leads his army, sharpening my spears and halberds..."
The singing group on the lawn.
"Cowardly rat! Shameless villain! Filthy scoundrel! To actually use a magic artifact to project remotely to provoke the Binjiang Boxing Saint! If you have the guts, come to Binjiang tonight under the full moon for a battle! I swear with ten thousand years of boxing intent! If you dare to come and fight me, I will crush you with one punch!"
"He's having an episode! He's having an episode! He ripped the TV off the wall and smashed it!"
"Restrain him! Restrain him! Give him sedatives!"
"With my punch! The world will submit....ed."
The mental patient, after being given a sedative, was carried away.
This was the TV crew in the screening room.
The mental state of the patients was quite good, full of vitality.
He Li looked around like a leader inspecting the premises,
As is well known, mental patients, when not having an episode, do not have much spirit.
He walked all the way to the psychological counseling office on the fourth floor of the hospital. He knocked and entered. The decoration in the room gave a special sense of relaxation. According to the director, the design and renovation costs for the psychological counseling room alone were as high as 700,000 yuan. The placement of every book, every vase, and the position of the sofa were all strictly according to requirements.
"Dr. Lu, hello."
He Li greeted the woman sitting on the sofa, wearing a deep V-neck long dress.
Dr. Lu smiled and gestured to the sofa opposite her, saying softly and sweetly, "Mr. He Li, we meet again. Have you been well recently?"
"Of course, work is easy, life is pleasant. When I have nothing to do, I take walks, exercise, or fight little monsters to release psychological pressure. In short... it's pretty good." He Li sat opposite Dr. Lu as if he were accustomed to it.
Dr. Lu smiled and said, "Oh, it seems that the experiences here haven't had much impact on your life."
"It's okay, I've come to terms with it. Even if I can't go to school and graduate, and then find a formal job with social security and housing fund, I will... Jin Fang! Don't mess around, Dr. Lu is my friend!"
At this moment, Jin Fang stood beside Dr. Lu, one hand resting on the back of the sofa, the other twirling a small, gleaming claw knife. His eyes greedily gazed at Dr. Lu's deep V-neck collar, or more precisely, Dr. Lu's fair and sexy... collarbone.
Dr. Lu clearly froze for a moment. Her surprised gaze flashed.
It was obvious that He Li's latter half of the sentence was not directed at her, but... given that he had schizophrenia, it was understandable. Dr. Lu was also someone who had seen her fair share of storms, so she didn't panic.
She was about to smile to show she was fine, but she couldn't force a smile.
Because a chilling aura made her heart flutter, even fear. Especially her collarbone felt piercingly cold, and she couldn't help but shrink her neck.
He Li frowned, watching Jin Fang scrape Dr. Lu's collarbone with the blade of the claw knife, left and right, as if... grooming.
...