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After the patients finished their meals, the doctors wrapped up their shifts, and the nurses and aides completed their dining as well. For the aides who delivered the food, their treatment was even worse than that of the patients; they could only steal a few bites when they found time. Once they were done, they could indulge in the leftover food, but after working too hard, they often had no appetite at all.
When Xiao Mu's rebellious attitude failed to make an impact here, he quickly switched to obedient mode, slowly adapting to life in the large kitchen. After delivering the meals, he noticed that the chefs and helpers were still busy eating from large bowls and plates. While he brewed some low-quality flower tea for everyone, he cleaned up the used dishes made of engineering plastic—metal items weren't safe in this place; they could easily become weapons in the hands of a madman.
He turned on the faucet and rinsed off the bowls. The group of eight—five men and three women, including Sister Gu—treated this as a matter of course. In this environment, newcomers weren't allowed to do much work, which left everyone feeling a bit off-balance. This was especially true for Xiao Mu, who often found himself on the receiving end of unwanted attention from one of the rough women. She would shamelessly touch his face or backside while leering at him and commenting:
"Look at how handsome this young man is."
In such moments, Xiao Mu felt humiliated, biting his lip to suppress his anger. The food here lacked flavor, but the crude jokes certainly had enough spice. The flirtations and playful touches between the chefs and Cook had become a way to pass the monotonous workday. Sometimes it escalated to inappropriate levels, like lifting shirts or groping each other. Xiao Mu thought back to his previous experiences of teasing beautiful women with subtle gestures—a simple chin lift or a light kiss—and realized how civilized those encounters had been.
If it weren't for necessity, he wouldn't stay here for even a moment longer. Previously, he had been the one doing the teasing; now he was being teased by older women. He used to command respect; now he found himself groveling. He once faced people without pretense; now he had to read their expressions carefully. This drastic reversal in status and environment didn't enlighten him about life; instead, it made him feel like a victim of abuse... all he could do was endure.
"Linzi, make sure to clean up the dishes later," called out one of the departing chefs.
"Yes, got it," Xiao Mu replied.
"Make sure to wipe down the stove too," another one instructed.
"Yes, understood," Xiao Mu continued to respond while not daring to pause in his work; it would take him over an hour to finish everything.
Another hefty woman shouted, "Linzi... call me 'big sister' loudly, and I'll help you out."
Xiao Mu shot her an embarrassed glance; his defiant look amused the older woman. Sister Gu couldn't stand it anymore and disdainfully retorted, "Stop being so provocative! Are you looking to help someone or looking for someone to help you?"
The plump chef who had stood up quickly chimed in, "I can help with either—how about I take care of both?"
Laughter erupted in the kitchen as that hefty woman chased after him with a spoon. Master turned around with a lewd grin and ran off while several others left their messy bowls behind to seize their chance for a lunch break. After washing all the bowls, Xiao Mu began clearing off tables only to find that Sister Gu had already wiped down the stove. He thanked her with a smile, but his gratitude seemed to unsettle her.
Curiously, she asked, "Linzi, who exactly are you? Is it that your family can't afford your medical bills?"
"Ah, how is that possible?" Xiao Mu was stunned.
"Isn't it too much for the hospital to make you do such heavy work?" Sister Gu said. This place was located in the outskirts, making it hard to recruit workers. Few were willing to come here, and many of the nurses were actually mild mental patients who took these jobs to reduce their medical expenses.
Hearing the truth left Xiao Mu speechless, gritting his teeth and silently cursing: "Damn that Dr. Bai."
"What's wrong?" Sister Gu looked at Xiao Mu, puzzled.
"Oh, nothing. Doing some work is definitely better than being locked in a room," Xiao Mu replied bitterly.
"By the way, what illness do you have? You don't look sick at all," Sister Gu asked, feeling quite fond of this polite and obedient child.
"I really don't have any illness," Xiao Mu said. After a few days together, he knew this sister-in-law had a kind heart despite her stern appearance.
"But why are you here then?" Sister Gu was confused.
Opportunity was fleeting. Xiao Mu suddenly realized that Sister Gu could be quite compassionate when she wasn't angry. He poured out his troubles: "I know you won't believe me, but I was brought here without my awareness..."
"What? That happened?" Sister Gu was startled.
"Really, every word is true... My dad runs a three-star hotel in Binhai, in a tourist area. It's quite profitable. We have four cars and several houses; I'm not even sure how many. My relationship with my dad has always been strained because I want to do my own thing, but he insists I live according to his wishes... So, we had a conflict of ideas, and he blackmailed me by locking me up here to experience life as an ordinary person. But do I look like an ordinary person to you?" Xiao Mu said, emphasizing that with his temperament, knowledge, and upbringing, he could never blend into this environment.
Sister Gu listened in shock as he spoke. She stared blankly at Xiao Mu while he continued: "Sister Gu, I know you're a good person... I know you need money with two kids in school... How about this: help me escape, and I'll give you an extra year's salary... I promise I'll keep my word."
It was his first time asking someone for help while offering a bribe. He noticed Sister Gu's expression soften and cautiously asked, "What do you think? As long as I get back to Binhai, there will be plenty of money."
"Oh, I see," Sister Gu smiled. Xiao Mu smiled back, but then Sister Gu suddenly threw a rag at him and shouted, "Delusional! Do you take me for a fool?"
"I really am a rich second generation," Xiao Mu explained painfully, wondering why no one believed the truth.
"Just work honestly and get your illness treated quickly... it's dangerous. Don't think that just because you're a rich second generation, you can act like a god. Even those who think they are invincible end up locked away in burlap sacks," Sister Gu scoffed, tossing something aside as she left. She had lost all sympathy for this lying child.
It seemed that the identity of being a rich second generation had become so common that it was no longer useful; whether sick or healthy, it was met with disdain.
Xiao Mu thought resentfully, feeling quite frustrated. The realization was significant; those chefs in the smoky kitchen, earning only a few thousand a month, had lives heavier than his own. The caregivers and nurses, and even the security guards watching over mentally unstable patients, earned even less. For Xiao Mu, it was unimaginable how a family could survive on such meager income.
Perhaps I have indeed gone a bit too far?
Xiao Mu pondered this, his memories most vivid in the kitchen. The warmest memories were also tied to this environment, particularly of the small shop where the three of them once worked together. His earliest recollections were of sitting on his mother's lap as she busily washed and prepared vegetables, keeping the back kitchen spotless. During meal times, she would place him in his walker and move back and forth while serving dishes, while his father cooked with a spatula. They would often steal glances at him with concern when they thought no one was watching.
In his mother's arms and on his father's back lay the deepest engravings of memory, contrasting sharply with the present. He had grown up unknowingly and drifted apart without realizing when life had transformed into something entirely different from what he had imagined.
After clearing the table and stacking the plates neatly, just as he began to feel something stir within him, he heard a chef shouting from outside the wall: "Linzi... dump the food waste!"
"Got it," Xiao Mu replied, his mood instantly soured. He angrily tossed aside his cloth and thought bitterly: With so many ways to experience life, why should I endure this nonsense?
He felt a surge of hatred towards his seemingly loving yet truly unbearable father, who had always wanted to mold him into a Master as if that were the best profession in the world.
Frustrated, he angrily grabbed a bucket and rushed out to dump its contents. He hastily threw it back into the bucket, venting all his pent-up anger against the door with several kicks before storming back to campus to rest. This hard life showed no signs of ending anytime soon; he absolutely could not continue like this. He needed to find a way to escape—immediately.
Lost in thought as he walked through the electronic gate of Campus, he suddenly collided into someone.
Xiao Mu gasped in surprise and looked up to see a bald man with a face full of flesh and a head resembling an ostrich egg glaring at him. This man was among Professor Lu's brainwashing crowd; he might even be some kind of mental patient. Having learned not to argue with lunatics, Xiao Mu quickly sidestepped and tried to leave.
But he was blocked again. Xiao Mu reached for the whistle around his neck; one blow would summon a doctor. However, the man was quicker and snatched it away. Terrified, Xiao Mu turned to run but found himself caught by the man's grip on his pants. The man dragged him to a corner behind the building and set him down right where Professor Lu awaited with a smile.
"Hey, Professor Lu, you were looking for me? I was just about to look for you... After listening to your lecture, I feel enlightened, especially by the song 'To Stand Out' that you all sang. It really moved me. I wonder if I might have the honor of becoming a part of your family," Xiao Mu said with admiration, afraid that the other party would bring up past grievances, putting on an exaggeratedly flattering expression.
Flattery was necessary; after all, this Professor Lu could command a dozen mentally unstable individuals and leave you unable to take care of yourself without any responsibility.
"Baldy, what do you think? Is he telling the truth?" Professor Lu asked, pointing at Xiao Mu.
The burly man didn't hesitate to judge, "False."
"How could that be? I really admire Professor Lu," Xiao Mu replied.
"False," Baldy insisted.
It seemed even the mentally unstable knew that Xiao Mu was lying. Xiao Mu pursed his lips and continued to praise, "Professor Lu is knowledgeable and cares for the world; his speeches are unparalleled nationwide."
"False," Baldy repeated.
Well then, this guy wasn't too bright. Hearing Baldy fall into his trap, Xiao Mu pointed at the fool and said to Professor Lu, "Look, Professor Lu, he even doubts you!"
"This kid seems to have issues; look at that head of his, like it got caught between a donkey's butt... Go on, stay out of my way," Professor Lu waved him off. Baldy obediently walked away in a daze.
Xiao Mu tried to slip away too, but Professor Lu blocked him with a hand against the wall and said with a smile, "Don't be afraid; I want to discuss something with you."
"Please don't mind what happened that day; I have issues—I have delusions," Xiao Mu quickly explained, regretting having spoken ill of the Pyramid Scheme.
Unexpectedly, his response was still wrong. Professor Lu smiled slightly as if he had found a kindred spirit and spoke sincerely, "How could I mind? This story is just meant to fool those who aren't very bright... After all these years in the Pyramid Scheme, I've come to one conclusion: anyone who can't be fooled is someone with great wisdom... like you."
Xiao Mu was taken aback and couldn't help but laugh. He exclaimed in surprise, "Wow, a kindred spirit! It's the first time someone has said I have great wisdom."
It is truly rare to find someone who understands you, especially after more than twenty years, and yet here I am, dealing with a lunatic.
"Of course I know... Don't think I don't see you preparing to escape," Professor Lu suddenly interjected, startling Xiao Mu into silence. Escaping here was a serious matter; with electric batons and large sacks at the ready, it was unbearable for anyone, let alone a human.
"Although you may not see me clearly, I can see you quite well. Do you believe that?" Professor Lu asked again. His wise gaze, extraordinary eloquence, and confident demeanor could easily deceive most people in a different setting. However, he couldn't fool Xiao Mu. Xiao Mu merely smiled and chose not to respond, clearly not interested in partnering with him.
Indeed, being with such a lunatic meant that escaping was the least of your worries; he could drive you insane.
"What are you pretending for? Have you lived abroad for many years?" Professor Lu suddenly remarked.
Xiao Mu's expression froze in shock. He thought his degree of Westernization was negligible and that few could notice it. Yet today, an old madman had exposed him.
"No, who told you that?" Xiao Mu replied with a smile, quickly covering up his surprise.
"Are you foolish? The people involved in Pyramid Schemes are experts in psychology and behavior. For instance, I've noticed several times that you've mouthed insults at Dr. Bai's back without actually saying them out loud... This indicates that you still have some upbringing; you've successfully mimicked the hypocrisy of Westerners," Professor Lu mocked.
"Is that all you've got? Why don't you say I'm from outer space?" Xiao Mu retorted with a laugh, suddenly finding this Pyramid Scheme professor somewhat interesting.
"Even simpler is your lip movements. When cursing in Chinese syllables—'I... fuck... I... damn... go to hell...'—they're all closed-mouth sounds. You can say them without showing your teeth. But the silent curses you use are all open-mouth sounds: 'Fack... kiss my ass...' These require an open mouth to express. Developing such a habit means you've spent quite some time abroad..." Professor Lu chuckled.
Xiao Mu's expression stiffened as he was taken aback. He stared at Professor Lu in disbelief, seriously questioning whether this guy was truly insane; his level of insight surpassed even that of specialists in mental health.
"Are you doubting whether I'm crazy?" Professor Lu asked himself rhetorically. "Crazy and mentally ill are not the same concept. I may have mental issues, but my judgment is intact... You come from a decent background; you're a rich second generation who has never experienced poverty?"
"You guessed wrong; I'm dirt poor," Xiao Mu replied, his face now completely devoid of expression.
"You can fool others, but not me... When eating, you pick out every burnt scallion and vegetable stem one by one. Not everyone can develop such a picky habit. Is the food not to your liking? But let me tell you, the food here is actually quite good compared to others. Whether patients or normal people, if they were really poor, they'd be wolfing it down," Professor Lu confidently concluded his assessment of Xiao Mu.
"Is it wrong to be poor now? Is it wrong to have a mental illness?" Xiao Mu argued, now almost hoping he was a Mental Patient, because facing Professor Lu made him feel exposed, as if he couldn't hide any secrets.
"Alright... your mother must have passed away quite early, right?" Professor Lu interjected, and upon seeing the flash of anger in Xiao Mu's eyes, he quickly added, "I'm sorry for bringing up your past. The deceased deserve respect; I meant no disrespect."
Slowly, Xiao Mu turned his gaze aside, his eyes wide with a mix of white and little black. He pondered for a long time before catching up with the old man's line of thought, hesitantly saying, "This is psychological manipulation. Don't try to pull that on me; there are plenty of eccentric geniuses in American universities. I've seen all sorts of strange people... You deduced my mother's death from my expression."
It felt like a trick; just a slight change in his expression revealed the truth to the other party. Xiao Mu instantly understood that it was indeed his own face that had given away the answer.
"Wrong. I saw it in the way you respect those Female Patients. It’s an expectation of love and an attempt to reciprocate it... Tsk, you must have had a mother who loved you dearly, but your strange behavior tells me she is no longer in your life; otherwise, you would avoid those middle-aged women... Or more intuitively, if she were still around, you wouldn't be here... Furthermore, I can also deduce that your relationship with your father is strained. This further proves that you loved your mother and cannot accept another woman taking her place..." Professor Lu spoke as if he had found an interesting game, chatting effortlessly while Xiao Mu felt as if struck by lightning.
This was a complete stranger; few knew about his background, and even fewer understood it so clearly.
"No matter what you intend to do, you won't get your way," Xiao Mu said after a long pause, his tone serious as he resolved not to play along anymore.
His gaze gradually turned malicious, his fists slowly tightening as if preparing for a fight.
"Now that's your true nature—just a spoiled brat who has been cornered... Heh heh, shall we start over? Want to escape? I have a record of escaping from the Mental Hospital seven times."
"Why would you want to escape? Aren't you a mental patient?" Xiao Mu retorted.
"I may be mentally ill, but my taste buds and sexual function are just fine... Damn it! How could anyone endure this place without alcohol, women, or room service? The food is terrible!" Professor Lu exclaimed angrily.
Xiao Mu chuckled; he had finally met someone who understood him. He said, "Actually, you could be straightforward; that would be the most convincing."
"It seems we have a consensus. Tell me, what are you thinking?" Professor Lu asked.
"There are 98 doctors, 62 nurses and aides, and 24 security guards. The hospital covers 106 acres with walls 2.35 meters high. I know nothing about the outside situation, but I don't think I can run on my own two legs; the security response is quick. Our fate will likely end up in bags being taken back." Xiao Mu didn't say it outright.
“Stop it, I know you have your eyes on... that van.” Professor Lu lowered his voice, glancing toward the kitchen.
Every day, a Cargo Van transported fresh vegetables and poultry. Xiao Mu smiled but didn’t explain, saying instead, “But those security vehicles are hard to deal with; they’ll catch up quickly.”
“That’s why I’m here. First, I can tell you that there will be heavy rain tomorrow and the day after; early morning is the best time to move the food truck. Second, I can take care of those ambulances. Third, all you need to do is leave the door open when you go out and get us out of this courtyard,” Professor Lu said.
“How can I trust you?” Xiao Mu asked skeptically. He knew that being able to come and go freely from the Courtyard was his greatest leverage; the old madman had to rely on him to take the first step.
“Baldy, come here.” Professor Lu called out, and a tall, dark-skinned man rushed over upon hearing him. With just a glance, he didn’t need to say anything; Baldy revealed a short blade clipped to his waistband, glinting in the light, along with a few tools made from toothbrushes. This caught Xiao Mu's attention; he had been wanting to use such tools to puncture tires but hadn’t found the right materials.
“The steel plate in your shoes shows you’re an amateur. You don’t even need to puncture the tires; just twist off the valve core... So, how about it? Shall we go together?” Professor Lu asked.
Xiao Mu looked at Baldy’s fierce expression and then at Professor Lu, who appeared righteous but was actually cunning. He gritted his teeth and nodded; he was willing to risk it all to leave this place.
“Alright, let’s divide the tasks... Baldy, send those listening in off to sing and cool down,” Professor Lu instructed. Baldy hurried off as commanded; his execution was remarkably efficient. Unable to hold back, Xiao Mu asked, “Professor Lu, what kind of person is this Baldy? Why does he want to escape? Is he mentally ill?”
“He was sent from a detention center and is waiting for an assessment of his criminal responsibility... I suspect he’s faking it to avoid punishment. Don’t doubt me; so far, four authoritative institutions have diagnosed me with paranoid schizophrenia and cognitive impairment, as well as obsessive-compulsive disorder... In simple terms, it means I have a dual personality and distorted values. The reason is that I’ve always believed that Pyramid Schemes are the greatest innovation and enterprise in human history. They couldn’t argue against me or stop me from gaining more followers, so they sent me to a Mental Hospital... Damn this dark age,” Professor Lu said seriously. Yet he didn’t seem sick at all; he spoke so casually and simply that when he sat down in the lecture area, he did so with remarkable ease.
Now Xiao Mu was certain: this guy really did have cognitive issues and was quite ill. However, that didn’t hinder them from sitting together and plotting their crazy escape for victory...
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