Cherreads

Chapter 1 - Chapter 1: Black Satin Blindfold

Scorching August.

Beep, beep, beep—! 

The piercing cicadas' cries mingled with the rising and falling sound of car horns, echoing through the bustling streets. The scorching sunlight baked the grayish-brown asphalt, the heat shimmering so intensely the whole street seemed to warp.

Under the few patches of shade along the roadside, a group of young people clustered together, smoking and waiting for the traffic light to change. 

Suddenly, one of the youths, who was puffing on a cigarette, seemed to notice something. He let out a small "hmm" and his gaze landed on a corner of the street.

"Arno, what are you looking at?" asked his companion. 

Arno stared blankly at the corner for a moment before speaking, "Hey, how do blind people cross the street?" 

His companion was taken aback and hesitated before replying slowly, "Usually, blind people are accompanied by someone or guided by a service dog. In a modern city, there are also audio signals at traffic lights. If all else fails, maybe they rely on sounds and a cane to carefully cross step by step?"

Arno shook his head. "What if they have no guide, no service dog, no audio signals, and even the cane is being used to carry peanut oil?" 

"…Are you trying to be funny?" 

His friend rolled his eyes and followed Arno's gaze. The next moment, he was stunned.

Across the street, a young man in a black short-sleeve shirt stood still. Thick black satin strips were wrapped several times around his eyes, completely blocking out all light. 

In his left hand, he carried a cheap shopping bag filled with vegetables. His right hand held a white cane slung over his shoulder like a yoke. At the end of the cane hung a large bottle of golden peanut oil, shining in the sunlight!

Black blindfold, cane on shoulder, vegetables in left hand, oil in right… 

This bizarre scene immediately caught the attention of a crowd nearby.

"Hey, look at that guy, he's so weird." 

"His eyes are covered with so much cloth, can he even see the road?" 

"Can't you see he's holding a cane? He must be blind." 

"This isn't some ancient time. Most blind people wear sunglasses nowadays. Who'd wrap their eyes in cloth on a hot day? Isn't it uncomfortable?" 

"Right, and have you ever seen a blind person using their cane to carry stuff instead of walking with it?" 

"Young people these days really know how to play." 

"…"

The summer cicadas couldn't drown out the whispers of the crowd. They curiously watched the young man, quietly debating whether he was truly blind or faking it, eyes flicking toward the blinking red light with anticipation.

Then, a clear voice sounded from beside the boy. 

"Big brother, let me help you cross the street." 

A schoolgirl about twelve or thirteen, wearing a uniform, her cheeks dotted with sweat drops, looked at the boy with pure, simple concern in her dark eyes.

The boy paused slightly, turned his head toward the girl, and smiled faintly. 

"Okay." 

He hung the vegetable bag on his right hand, wiped sweat from his clothes with his left hand, and gently took the girl's hand.

Click—! 

The green light came on.

The boy stepped forward steadily, crossing the street with the girl. 

She was nervous, glancing left and right cautiously, walking carefully but timidly. 

As for the boy… he walked confidently.

To onlookers, the scene looked less like a kind girl helping a blind man and more like a big brother guiding a little sister across.

The street wasn't wide. In just a few seconds, they reached the other side. The boy thanked the girl and then walked straight into a quiet alley without looking back.

"He's not blind," Arno said firmly after watching the scene. "He definitely can see." 

A youth behind Arno rested his chin on his hand, thinking for a moment. Then, as if understanding something, he exclaimed, 

"I get it, he's playing blind monk!" 

Smack—! 

A loud slap hit his head. Arno cursed, "Idiot, always playing games. Who the hell would go 'blind monk' in the middle of a busy street? Want to get yourself killed?" 

After a pause, Arno muttered quietly, "Besides… blind monks wear red blindfolds. This isn't even close." 

"Arno, don't blame me…" 

"Shut up." 

"Okay."

While they argued, a silent young man watching the boy's retreating figure frowned slightly. 

"What's wrong?" Arno noticed. 

"I know him." 

"Know him?" 

"Yeah." The young man nodded. "When my cousin was in elementary school, I heard one student there had an accident affecting his eyes, had to wear black satin blindfolds, and supposedly had mental issues too…" 

"Mental issues?" Arno was surprised, recalling the scene carefully. "He didn't seem like he had any problems." 

"That was ten years ago. Maybe he's healed since then. But back then, it was quite a scandal. The student dropped out soon after and reportedly transferred to a special school for the blind."

Just then, another person interrupted eagerly, "What kind of accident was it that caused blindness and mental problems? Was he possessed or something?" 

"No idea," the young man replied. "But I heard it was something even stranger." 

"He's a poor soul," Arno sighed. "What's his name?" 

"I think it's Lin… Lin… Lin Qiye?"

...

In the sunset, Lin Qiye pushed open the door. 

Almost immediately, the smell of cooking drifted out and filled his nose. He sniffed, swallowed, and carried his bags inside. 

Creak! 

The old door screeched loudly, drowning out the sound of frying from the kitchen. A middle-aged woman opened the kitchen door, saw Lin Qiye carrying many packages, and exclaimed as she hurried over.

"Xiao Qi, why are you bringing back so many things at once?" The woman rubbed her apron nervously, quickly taking the bags from him and chattering on. 

"Such a big bottle of peanut oil? Kid, are you wasting the government subsidy again?" 

"Auntie, the subsidy for disabled people is meant for living expenses. I'm just making good use of it by buying oil," Lin Qiye smiled. 

"Nonsense! That money's for your college, not to be spent recklessly. I'm telling you, my work barely supports the three of us. Don't waste money." 

The aunt carefully wiped the oil bottle, looking pained, whispering, "That's a big bottle… and a brand name too. Must have cost a lot." 

Before Lin Qiye could reply, she suddenly realized something. 

"Wait… how did you carry all this back?" 

"Oh, some kind people helped me on the way," Lin Qiye answered calmly. 

"Good, good, there are still good people in the world… Did you thank them properly?" 

"I did." Lin Qiye changed the subject. "Auntie, where's Ajin?" 

"He's on the balcony doing homework… Oh, by the way, the doctor from Sunshine Mental Hospital came for the routine check-up. He's resting inside. Go see him; I'll call you when dinner's ready."

Lin Qiye paused briefly, then nodded and headed to the bedroom.

...

"Hello, I'm Dr. Li from Sunshine Mental Hospital." 

Seeing Lin Qiye enter, the young man sitting on a small stool stood and spoke gently. He wore large black-framed glasses and looked scholarly.

Lin Qiye raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Wasn't it Dr. Han before?" 

"Dr. Han got promoted to vice director last year." Dr. Li smiled, a hint of envy in his eyes. 

Lin Qiye nodded, "Oh." 

Makes sense—Dr. Han is old and skilled, so a promotion is expected. It's normal to have a younger doctor do regular check-ups now.

After Lin Qiye sat down, Dr. Li cleared his throat and took out some medical files. 

"Sorry, I'm new and don't know much about you yet. I'll ask some basic questions first." 

Lin Qiye nodded.

"Name is... Lin Qiye?" 

"Yes." 

"Seventeen years old this year?" 

"Yes." 

"The files say you lost your sight ten years ago and were admitted here for some issues?" 

"Yes." 

Dr. Li hesitated, "Did you change your name?" 

"No… why do you ask?" Lin Qiye was surprised. 

Dr. Li awkwardly scratched his head, "Ah… I guess I was overthinking. You lost your sight ten years ago at age seven, and your name is Lin Qiye, so I thought maybe you changed it after going blind..." 

Lin Qiye was silent for a long time, then shook his head. 

"No... I never changed my name. My parents named me Lin Qiye before I was born." 

"That's quite a... ah..." Dr. Li stopped himself, realizing it was impolite. 

"Quite a coincidence," Lin Qiye said calmly. 

Dr. Li felt embarrassed but quickly changed the subject. 

"Hm... the files don't explain the accident that caused your blindness and mental issues in detail. If you're comfortable, could you tell me about it?" 

Before Lin Qiye could speak, Dr. Li quickly added, "I don't mean to offend. Knowing patients better helps treatment. Of course, if you don't want to talk about it, that's fine."

Lin Qiye sat quietly, his eyes hidden beneath the black satin. After a while, he spoke slowly: 

"There's nothing I can't say… but you might not believe me, and you might even send me back to the hospital." 

"No, no, no, don't think of us as doctor and patient. This is just a chat between friends. It won't go that far," Dr. Li said half-jokingly. "Even if you told me you were pulled into an alchemist's furnace by the Supreme Lord Laozi, I'd believe you." 

Lin Qiye was silent for a moment, then nodded slightly. 

"When I was a child, I loved astronomy." 

"Uh-huh, and then?" 

"One night, I lay on the roof of my old home watching the moon." 

"What did you see? The moon rabbit?" Dr. Li smiled. 

Lin Qiye shook his head. His next words froze Dr. Li's smile: 

"No. I saw an angel." Lin Qiye said seriously, gesturing with his hands. 

"A blazing angel covered in golden light, with six white wings."

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