The workplace was indeed very close to her residence. The scenery was beautiful, the environment better than she had imagined, and the vegetation coverage was high. Even with a road nearby, there was not much noise.
Back then, the old woman had said her daughter was bringing her to the city. It seemed she hadn't just dumped her aside after all, but genuinely brought her here to live a good life.
The mountain breeze carried a scent of green grass mixed with pine trees. An overly quiet environment was a pleasure for some, but for her, it brought unease and increased her stress.
She didn't like noise, nor did she like silence. Perhaps there was truly no place in this world where she could truly stay.
At the end of the road, intricate patterns were carved into an off-white low wall. As she stepped forward, a security guard stopped her. Lin Mo stared at the guard until he felt unnerved, causing his movements to quicken. After verifying her identity, he opened the gate.
The main building of the nursing home was a refined three-story structure that retained old, deliberately designed arched windows.
A few elderly people sat in wicker chairs under the porch, chatting softly. She passed by them without glancing aside.
Walking into the administration office, the person in charge did not ask her any professional questions—presumably, someone had already cleared the way for her.
The person in charge said, “There's nothing you need to do today. You can learn the rest slowly. They're all very simple activities—calligraphy, gardening, and a weekly craft class. You don't need to overcomplicate things when planning them.”
Without even looking up at Lin Mo, she buried her head in signing documents. “The residents' mental state is fine, so there won't actually be much work coming up, and nothing you need to counsel them on. On your first day of work, you can walk around and get familiar with the layout.
“Alright, let's leave it at that. I still have things to handle. Add me on WeChat, and if there's anything you don't understand, ask me there.”
After finishing the handover, Lin Mo left the office. Even after a period of rest, her lower leg bone still felt a bit numb when walking. She walked slowly down the corridor, even slower than some of the elderly people passing by.
Because her movements were too eye-catching, she frequently received unsolicited conversations. After she explained that her health was poor, one elderly person even wanted to lend her his wheelchair.
Lin Mo declined.
The corridor she was currently in was the residential area. Light gray anti-slip floor mats were laid out neatly, flanked by VIP luxury single rooms with doors half-open, from which the faint smell of disinfectant occasionally drifted out.
Among a row of rooms, she saw the room number that had appeared in the dossier. Her steps paused. Remembering her assignment, she glanced inside. The electric bed near the window was raised halfway, and the old woman on the bed was muttering something to the person beside her.
Her voice was very indistinct, while the bright, clear voice of a younger girl beside her carried out.
“I'm telling you, Grandma, my mom's work is super busy, she can't get away! It's not that she doesn't want to visit you,” the girl deliberately raised her volume, afraid the old woman on the bed couldn't hear her advice. “Everyone says she's the most successful person from our village and is going to make big money, otherwise how could we afford to live in such a big house? Stop calling her all the time.”
Not knowing what the old woman said, the girl continued, “Oh oh, fine fine, I'll tell Mom.”
Lin Mo saw there was someone else inside and turned, intending to leave.
Just then, the old woman on the bed happened to turn her head. Though she couldn't even make out Lin Mo's face clearly, she called out to her, “Girl.”
Lin Mo couldn't leave anymore. After hesitating for a moment, she pushed the door open and walked in.
Did she recognize her? Or did she simply want to ask a staff member for help?
She walked silently to the foot of the bed. “Is there anything you need me to do?”
The moment she entered the room, the girl who had been so loud earlier fell quiet instead. She kept her head down, silently peeling an apple by the bedside, the peel falling in long spirals. She didn't even offer a simple greeting, appearing unwelcoming to outsiders.
Rate on N.U.
