I need to take care of my mother first.

My mother is the only concern I have in this world.

When I returned home, I saw my mother sweeping the yard.

I hurriedly walked over and choked out, "Mom."

My mother froze.

She slowly turned around and when she saw me, tears streamed down her face.

"Steel? Mom really missed you. You've been gone for two years, but Mom still has hallucinations and sees you..."

Gone?

Hallucinations?

I suddenly realized that everyone who entered the mountain village cinema would have their existence erased and become the deceased.

"Mom, I'm not dead. I'm actually still alive."

I gently patted my mother's shoulder.

In just a few days, chaotic memories tormented her spirit.

Her face was worn out.

"Steel, Mom is doing fine on her own. Don't worry about me. When I get old, I'll go find your aunt for companionship."

My mother spoke to herself, putting down the broom and wiping the dust on her hands onto her apron. Then she turned and went back inside.

I quickened my pace and followed, saying, "Mom, I'm really not dead!"

She ignored my presence.

Cooking and making a fire.

There was only one set of bowls and chopsticks on the table.

"Mom, I'm hungry."

I sat across from my mother, looking at her with sadness.

"Steel, did you run out of money down there? Mom will buy paper tomorrow and burn some for you."

My mother's gaze gradually became clear, transitioning from initial sadness and sorrow to shock and fear.

I didn't dare to agitate her and silently served myself a bowl of rice.

My mother stared at me timidly, then suddenly picked up the phone and dialed a number.

"Hello! Master Liu, sorry to bother you. I saw my son's soul come home and it has been following me."

The other person said something.

My mother looked embarrassed. "To deliver the soul and let it rest, it costs 20,000 yuan? I don't have that much money. I'll borrow some in the next couple of days. I'm sorry to trouble you."

I threw my chopsticks onto the table.

"Mom, Old Liu is a swindler who lives off deception. He's always pretending to be mystical. How can you believe his nonsense?"

My mother lowered her head, clasped her hands together, closed her eyes tightly, and kept chanting, "Amitabha, Amitabha..."

I really scared her.

Tears welled up in my eyes, and a huge stone seemed to block my chest.

Sadness, anger, heartache, pity... various complex emotions intertwined, leaving me at a loss.

"Mom, please take care of yourself."

"I came back this time because I missed you."

"There's a card in my bag with your birthday as the password. I saved 300,000 yuan over the years. I was planning to buy a house in the city and live a good life as a family of three..."

All these beautiful plans were destroyed by the mountain village cinema.

"Mom, keep the money for your old age. Also, don't let Old Liu scam you for the soul delivery money. I'm leaving."

After giving my instructions, I silently left home.