Not long after, disaster struck Yao Village in the form of a terrible illness. News spread like wildfire, and soon, many villagers were struck down, including my grandfather. The symptoms were strikingly similar for everyone: bedridden, drowsy, and disoriented—just like what I had gone through.

　　Once again, the villagers turned their anger towards me, branding me as a bringer of misfortune and blaming me for the outbreak. I remember that day vividly when a furious mob barged into our home, led by Chen the carpenter.

　　“Gouwa, you don’t belong here! Get out of Yao Village, right now!”

　　“Yeah, get out!”

　　“Out, now!”

　　The crowd’s shouts grew louder, demanding that I leave Yao Village immediately. Grandpa was inside the house, lying down, while I was outside in the yard, weaving a basket. The sight of the angry mob storming in filled me with dread, but I forced myself to stand firm.

　　“Uncle Chen, I’ve been part of Yao Village my whole life. How can you say I don’t belong here?”

　　Chen the carpenter’s fury only grew, as if he was seizing the chance to unleash years of pent-up resentment.

　　“You’re the reason my youngest son died back then. Are you planning to bring death to more people now?”“Yeah, you little monster! You’re nothing but a disaster, a damned curse! Why don’t you just go die!”

　　Standing beside Chen was Li Xiufen, whose husband had also fallen ill and had been bedridden for several days.

　　“Uncle Chen, I didn’t kill your son. I was only one year old back then. How could I have done anything to him?”

　　I was shaking with fear, my voice quivering. I was scared they might get violent, and as a kid, I knew I had no chance against them if they did.

　　“It’s clearly your fault!”

　　“It’s not!” I was both terrified and infuriated, thinking, why should I be blamed just because your son died? Why am I held responsible?

　　“You little troublemaker! This epidemic is your fault too. Why else would everyone suddenly fall sick with the same symptoms right after you showed up?”

　　“I...” I was at a loss for words, unable to defend myself. I just wiped my tears and cried out desperately, “It’s not me, it’s not...”

　　“Get out of Yao Village, you little beast!”

　　“Leave!”

　　“Get out!”

　　Seeing them grow more agitated, I instinctively took a few steps back, feeling the icy sting of their hostility. They looked like a pack of demons.

　　“Quiet down, all of you!”

　　Grandpa, leaning on the doorframe, shakily came outside. I rushed to support him, anxious that he might fall due to his age and illness.

　　“Lao Wang, we warned you long ago not to bring this child back. Look at all the trouble and death that’s come to the village because of him over the years!”

　　“That’s right, get him out of here!”

　　Their harsh words and relentless hostility made it clear they weren’t going to back down. “Get out!” the crowd shouted, pressing in.

　　“Who dares!” Grandpa grabbed a nearby hoe and roared, “Touch my grandson, and you’ll regret it!”

　　Chen and Li Xiufen hesitated when they saw Grandpa’s fierce stance. Given his age and frailty, they knew they couldn’t risk causing him harm.

　　“Lao Wang, step aside! Your grandson is a disaster, and everyone around him will die sooner or later!”

　　“Get out, all of you, get out!”

　　Grandpa shouted and swung the hoe, driving them away with surprising force. It didn’t take long before he had them all pushed out of the house.

　　“Grandpa!”

　　Seeing him panting and struggling for breath, I rushed over to support him.

　　“Are you okay, Grandpa?”

　　“I’m fine,” he said, wiping his sweat. “Let me help you inside.”

　　“Alright.”

　　Back inside, Grandpa sat on the bed, wiped his sweat, and smiled. “Don’t worry, Grandpa’s alright.”

　　I kept my head down, feeling helpless. Despite Grandpa’s old age, he still had to stand up for me. I wished I could protect him instead.

　　“You silly child.” Grandpa smiled and patted my head before lying back down. His body was weak, sweat forming on his forehead, his face contorted with pain.

　　Seeing how frail he looked, I quickly went to the chicken coop, grabbed a couple of eggs, and headed to the stove to make some egg custard.

　　Holding the warm bowl of custard, I was suddenly reminded of how Grandpa had always cared for me. Over the years, his hair had turned completely white, and his back had bent with age. Thinking about it, my eyes filled with tears.

　　I wiped my tears and went to his bedside.

　　“Grandpa, I made some egg custard. Please have a couple of bites.”

　　Seeing the steaming bowl, Grandpa smiled and took it from me.

　　“My grandson has really grown up, taking care of Grandpa now.”

　　I smiled back, saying, “Eat while it’s hot, Grandpa.”

　　“Alright, alright.”

　　Just as Grandpa had eaten a couple of bites, Wu Changgui arrived, rushing in.

　　“Grandpa Wu?”

　　“I heard they came and were about to get violent. Are you okay, Gouwa?”

　　“With Grandpa here, I’m fine!”

　　“That’s good!”

　　Wu Changgui, relieved to see I was alright, turned his attention to Grandpa.

　　“Lao Wang, this can’t go on. They’ve been wanting to drive Gouwa out for a while now.”

　　Grandpa set down the custard, sighed deeply. He knew the situation wasn’t ideal, but what could he do?

　　“Do you have any ideas on how to stop them from kicking Gouwa out?”Wu Changgui, looking troubled and pacing back and forth, couldn’t find a solution.

　　“Maybe we should send Gouwa to one of your relatives for now, and then bring him back when he’s older.”

　　“No!” I immediately protested. “I don’t want to leave Grandpa!”

　　Grandpa gently patted my head and glanced at Wu Changgui. “Old Wu, I’m just an old bachelor with no relatives to speak of. Besides, you see Gouwa doesn’t want to leave.”

　　Wu Changgui was exasperated. “You know them. Once they start, they won’t stop. They’ll keep coming after him!”

　　“Forget it. Gouwa doesn’t want to go, and I don’t want to do that either.” Grandpa turned to Wu Changgui, his face showing the weariness of his age. “I’m getting on in years. I might not have much time left.”

　　“Stop talking nonsense. Gouwa is still a child. If you’re gone, who will look after him? Can you really bear to see him left alone and bullied?”

　　Grandpa shook his head in resignation, his expression bitter.

　　Wu Changgui, seeing there was no easy answer, pulled out a few packets of medicine from his pocket. “I’ve got some medicine for you. Take it twice a day, morning and night.”

　　I took the packets of medicine from him and nodded in thanks.

　　Wu Changgui sighed deeply, gave me one last look, and then left.

　　I overheard their conversation. Even though I was only nine, I understood the gravity of Grandpa’s situation. I turned my gaze back to Grandpa, fearing for his well-being.

　　But as often happens in life, the more we dread something, the more it seems to come to pass.