When I was little, I saw Grandma in her prime—commanding, authoritative, and formidable. She had more drive than Grandpa. With her help, the Su family had achieved a qualitative leap.
She was strict with her family, especially my father, who wasn't naturally brilliant. Grandma did everything to support him, teaching him all her skills.
Grandpa was weak-willed. My mother seemed loud and bossy on the surface, but deep down, she was rather naive.
My two older brothers only inherited the most ordinary genes from our parents, not particularly talented.
So, after Grandma grew old, the Su family gradually declined.
Grandma said men should shoulder responsibility. She raised my brothers with strictness since childhood. In contrast, she was the kindest to me and Su Ning'an.
Especially after Su Ning'an was swept away by the flood, Grandma was exceptionally good to me.
When Su Ning'an first returned, Grandma genuinely wanted to make it up to her too.
But Grandma wasn't as easily fooled as our parents. After a few of Su Ning'an's tricks, Grandma saw through her. She had warned Su Ning'an and advised the family.
But the family seemed bewitched by Su Ning'an, unable to hear a word from Grandma.
Seeing Grandma crying like a child, I knew if not for her physical limitations, she would be even more heartbroken.
So I comforted her over and over, telling her that if I couldn't stop worrying about her, I wouldn't be able to reincarnate and would remain a wandering ghost forever.
Grandma still loved me dearly. Hearing my exaggerated claim, she finally stopped her tears.
Her nose was red from crying, her aged eyes rimmed with red, which was heartbreaking to see.
Everyone noticed Grandma kept looking in my direction. My mother found it strange.
"Has Mom's nerves gone wrong again? Or is she hallucinating? There's clearly no one in front of her. Why is she staring at the windowsill?"
"Probably the nice weather today. Mom wants to sunbathe."
My father patiently comforted her, "Mom, when you're a bit more stable, I'll take you downstairs to sunbathe."
Grandma desperately wanted to tell him about me. Her face contorted with effort, but she couldn't utter a single word after straining for a long time.
Seeing Su Ning'an watching her intently, I quickly advised Grandma.
"Grandma, don't act rashly. If you really could speak, Su Ning'an would definitely kill you! If you die, then no one can expose the truth of my death."
Grandma's emotions gradually calmed. She stared straight at me, tears welling up in her eyes again.
"Grandma, I've been wandering the human world for a long time after death. My body has been dismembered. No one knows I'm dead. You are the only one who can see me. So you must live on, you must."
Grandma blinked twice at me. It was the only way she could respond.
My mother, seeing how exhausted my father looked, urged him to go home and get some sleep.
Su Ning'an seized the opportunity. "Mom, you stayed at the hospital with Grandma all last night too. The brothers have company matters. How about I stay tonight to take care of Grandma?"
Hearing this, my heart leaped into my throat.
"No! You can't!"
Grandma had stabilized somewhat, but a flash of panic also crossed her eyes.
If my mother hadn't arrived earlier, Grandma might have already been angered to death by Su Ning'an.
If everyone left, Su Ning'an could easily make her move.
Grandma's and my objections were useless. My mother didn't doubt Su Ning'an's words at all; she was even more concerned about Su Ning'an's health.
"Your heart isn't good. You shouldn't stay up late."
"Mom, there are nurses. I'll rest for a bit and then check on Grandma."
"That won't do. It's too hard on you alone at the hospital. I'll have your brothers hire two nurses to take shifts caring for your grandmother."
Although my father's intention was to spare Su Ning'an hardship, this suggestion was perfect.
No matter what Su Ning'an said, our parents refused, citing concern for her health, to let her care for Grandma alone.
Su Ning'an had no choice but to agree.
The nurses arrived quickly. The family returned to the Su residence first.
While the nurse stepped out to get medicine, Su Ning'an slowly approached Grandma.
I stood in front of Grandma, but Su Ning'an walked right through me, getting closer to Grandma step by step.
Grandma's eyelids twitched violently. Clear tension and fear appeared in her eyes.
Su Ning'an was very pleased with her reaction, a smug smile curling her lips. "What's wrong? Old woman, scared? Don't worry, I'm not stupid enough to end you here."
"Besides, if I wanted to kill you, I have a hundred ways that don't involve my own hands. Why would I choose the riskiest one? Moreover, seeing you like this makes me happier. I won't kill you so quickly."
Su Ning'an leaned close to Grandma's ear and whispered, "I, more than anyone, want you to find life intolerable and death impossible!"
I saw the same confusion in Grandma's eyes. Why does Su Ning'an hate her so much?
Just because Grandma defended me a few times? Because she wanted to leave the shares to me?
These are just material things. Is such immense hatred warranted?
"Young Lady, it's getting late. Would you like to rest for a while? I'll keep an eye on the Old Madam."
Nanny Wang arrived with some food. "I've served the Old Madam for decades. Others probably don't understand her temperament as well as I do."
"Then I'll trouble you." Su Ning'an always played the obedient role in front of others.
Nanny Wang handed a lunchbox to the nurse. "I made plenty. Young Lady, if you don't mind, please eat a little. The Old Madam's illness won't recover in a day or two. Your health isn't good; you need to take care of yourself."
"Alright, then I'll go lie down next door for a while. Oh, by the way, I noticed Grandma really likes this Buddhist scripture, so I brought it specially. Maybe the Bodhisattva can bless her and help her recover sooner."
Su Ning'an took out the human-skin book made from me and placed it by Grandma's pillow. I was wondering why I could stay here.
Turns out Su Ning'an brought the book to刺激 Grandma, but accidentally enabled me to remain.
Grandma already knew it was made from my skin. She glared fiercely at Su Ning'an.
The angrier Grandma got, the happier Su Ning'an became. "Grandma, you rest well. I'll... come see you again later."
I comforted Grandma from the side. "Don't be angry. If you get angry, you're falling into her trap. She just wants to provoke you. Anyway, they skinned me after I died. It didn't hurt."