A Socially Anxious Programmer Moves Into an Old Neighborhood, Only to Find His Neighbor Is a Social Terrorist

“@Liam You deaf or mute? @you a hundred times and you still don’t reply.

What are you trying to act like, some big shot?” When my phone screen lit up, I had just finished showering and was ready for bed.

Messages in the resident group kept popping up one after another, all from the same person—the socalled “helpful” woman from Building 6, the busiestbody in the whole complex. “Kids these days really have no manners.

Living in someone else’s complex and not knowing the rules, acting like a dead man.” “Someone explain this to me. I was being nice to him, and he didn’t even say a word.

Is this guy sick or something?” I stared at the screen, and my palms started sweating. I had only moved into this complex three days ago, and I had barely even gone out.

Working remotely as a programmer had one major advantage: I didn’t have to deal with people.

I rented this old complex because it was quiet, cheap, and there weren’t many people around.

I thought I could live peacefully here, but on the afternoon of the day I moved in, someone knocked on my door. “New here, huh, kid? I’m Aunt Wang from Building 6.

If anything comes up in the complex, just come find me!” When I opened the door, I saw a woman in her fifties with permed curls, holding a plate of dumplings, smiling so hard her face was covered in wrinkles. “No, no need, thanks.” I took a step back. “Oh, don’t be so formal, kid.

I’ve lived in this complex for fifteen years. I know everything about everyone.” “You live alone? How old are you? Where do you work?

Got a boyfriend?” As she talked, she squeezed past me and used her eyes to scan my living room. I blocked the doorway, my palms full of sweat. “I’m pretty busy with work.

It’s not very convenient.” “Busy with what? Young people should get out more. Come to the dance party tomorrow night.

I’ll introduce you to the neighbors!” “No thanks, Aunt Wang, I really—” “It’s settled then!” She turned and left, leaving the plate of dumplings at my door.

The next day I didn’t go to the dance party. I didn’t go on the third day either. And then there were these messages in the group.

I scrolled through the chat history, my fingers trembling a little. There were over two hundred people in the group, and some followed along: “Aunt Wang, don’t be mad.

Kids today are all like this. They don’t know any better.” “Exactly. Aunt Wang was just being kind, and he gave her attitude.

What kind of person is he?” Some people stayed silent, but no one stood up for me. I turned off the screen and lay in bed, my heart pounding. I didn’t like being noticed.

I didn’t like people talking about me. I hated being scolded even more. I moved here just to get away from all that. But now the whole complex was laughing at me.

Aunt Wang sent another message: “@Liam Don’t think staying quiet will make this go away.” “Tomorrow the community is having an event. Everyone has to show up.

Try not coming if you can.” I stared at the ceiling and didn’t sleep all night. The next morning, when I went out to throw away the trash, I ran into Aunt Wang in the garden.

She was chatting with a few old ladies, and when she saw me, she shouted at the top of her lungs: “Well, if it isn’t our neighborhood superstar?

Finally decided to come downstairs?” Several old ladies turned to look at me all at once.

It felt like everyone’s eyes were stuck to me, and my temples started pounding. “Aunt Wang, I was working late yesterday.

I didn’t see the group messages.” I tried my best to keep my voice steady. “Didn’t see them? You got @ed a hundred times and you still say you didn’t see them?

Are you blind?” Her voice was incredibly loud. People walking dogs and pushing strollers in the garden all stopped to look.

I tightened my grip on the trash bag. “I have social anxiety, so I’m not really used to dealing with people.

Please don’t take it personally.” “Social anxiety?” Aunt Wang’s voice got even louder. “What are you anxious about?

I kindly brought you dumplings and invited you to an event, and now you’re anxious?” “Are you sick or something?” Those two words, sick, felt like needles stabbing into me.

An old lady nearby jumped in to back her up: “Aunt Wang, don’t waste your breath on him. Kids like this have no manners.

His parents never taught him how to talk to people.” Another one chimed in: “Exactly. I think he’s just putting on an act.

These days, young people just use social anxiety as an excuse. He’s really just rude.” I stood there, my palms drenched with sweat.

Aunt Wang walked over and pointed at my nose: “I’m telling you, I run this complex.” “If you want to keep living here, you have to follow my rules.” “Tomorrow’s community event, you have to come.

You hear me?” I didn’t say anything. “You hear me!” she shouted. “I heard you.” I turned and walked away. Back in my room, I shut the door and sat against it for a long time.

I couldn’t argue with her. Someone like me, once I got emotional, couldn’t say anything and would only end up as a joke. But I also couldn’t keep letting her bully me like this.

I opened my laptop and tried to look up how to handle this kind of situation.

After searching for a while, words like “community harassment,” “resident disputes,” and “evidence collection” popped up on the page.

I stared at them for a long time and memorized them. The next day I didn’t go to the community event.

Aunt Wang sent a voice message in the group, and when I opened it, her voice was shrill enough to pierce my eardrums: “@Liam You’ve really got guts.

You’re the only one in the whole complex who didn’t show up.

What’s that supposed to mean?” “Looking down on us old folks, huh?” “I’m telling you, people like you won’t last long in this complex.

You might as well get lost now!” Someone replied below: “Aunt Wang, don’t get so upset. It’s not worth hurting your health.” “Exactly. Let him stay locked up.

Maybe he’ll shut himself in until he goes crazy.” I took screenshots of every single one of those chat messages and saved them into a folder.

Then I turned on my phone’s recording function.

At seven the next morning, someone smashed on my door again. “Liam! Open up!

I know you’re home!” Aunt Wang’s voice cut right through the door, and I could hear a few people laughing with her.

Through the peephole, I saw her standing at the door, with two middleaged women behind her, all holding bowls.

I took a deep breath and opened the door. “Oh my, kid, why aren’t you up yet?

The sun’s already on your butt!” Aunt Wang shoved her way in, and the other two followed. “Here, here, this is the white fungus soup I made, this is the steamed buns Aunt Zhang made, and this is the pickles Aunt Lee brought.” “Look at you, living alone and not even knowing how to take care of yourself.

You’re skinny as a monkey.” They put the food on my coffee table and started touring my living room. “Oh wow, why is it so dark in here? And the curtains aren’t even open.

It looks like a coffin.” Aunt Zhang went to pull them open. “This computer is huge. What do you do?” Aunt Lee pointed at my monitor. “I’m a programmer.

I work from home.” I stood beside them, not knowing where to put my hands. “A programmer? So basically a computer repair guy?” Aunt Wang laughed. “Perfect. My computer’s broken.

Help me fix it.” “I don’t repair computers. I write code.” “Write code? What code?” Aunt Wang looked completely unconvinced. “It’s just typing on a keyboard.

What’s so hard about that? Young people shouldn’t be so stingy.

What’s wrong with helping out?” I didn’t want to argue with her, so I nodded. “Fine, let me take a look.” “That’s more like it!” Aunt Wang patted my shoulder so hard I stumbled forward, “See?

Get out more, talk to your neighbors more.

What’s so bad about that?” She sat down on my couch and crossed her legs. “Listen, this social anxiety of yours is just something you got spoiled into.” “Did your parents keep you locked up at home and never let you go out when you were little?” “I’m telling you, that doesn’t work.

People need to socialize, or they’ll get sick.” “I didn’t—” “See, there you go again, not talking. I’m telling you, this isn’t okay.

You need to change.” Aunt Wang turned to the other two. “You tell me, doesn’t he have a problem?” “Definitely has a problem.” Aunt Zhang nodded. “Such a grown man, not talking, not socializing, just hiding in his room all day.

If that’s not sick, what is?” Aunt Lee leaned closer. “Liam, did your girlfriend dump you and scare you into this?” “Tell Auntie about it.

I can introduce you to someone new.” “I don’t have a girlfriend.” I took a step back. “You don’t?

How old are you?” Aunt Wang’s eyes lit up. “Twentysix.” “Twentysix and still no girlfriend?

Then there’s definitely something wrong!” Aunt Wang slapped her thigh. “I’m telling you, this won’t work.

A man has to get married and have kids, or he’s just a loser.” “Look at Old Joe’s son in our complex.

He’s two years younger than you and already has two kids.” My palms were dripping with sweat, and my nails dug into my flesh. “Aunt Wang, I’m really busy with work.

I’m not thinking about that right now.” “Busy with what?

That programmer job of yours can’t pay much.” “I’m telling you, my niece works at the mall selling clothes and makes five or six thousand a month. She’s pretty too.

Want me to introduce her to you?” “No thanks, Aunt Wang, really.” “Why are you so ungrateful!” Aunt Wang’s expression darkened. “I’m trying to set you up out of kindness, and you keep dodging me.

Do you look down on me or something?” “No, I just—” “Just what!” She stood up. “I think you’ve got a problem! I’m telling you, people like you don’t last long in this complex.

You’ll get kicked out sooner or later!” She stormed out, and the other two followed. The door slammed so hard the whole room shook. I stood there trembling all over. Not from fear.

From anger. I picked up my phone, and every word from the conversation just now had been recorded.

From the moment they came in until they slammed the door and left, not a single word was missed. I saved the recording into a folder, then opened the resident group.

Sure enough, Aunt Wang had started again: “@Liam Tell me, are you sick or what?” “I kindly brought you food and tried to set you up, and you act all disgusted.” “Do you think us old people are dirty?

Not good enough for you?” “I’m telling you, a disrespectful piece of trash like you will get what’s coming to you sooner or later!” Someone immediately replied: “Aunt Wang, don’t get mad.

It’s not worth it to argue with someone like that.” “Exactly. Let him sit there and rot. What a piece of work.” I stared at the screen and didn’t reply with a single word.

But I took screenshots of this message too. At two in the afternoon, someone knocked on my door again.

This time it was someone from building management, a man in a uniform, standing at the door and looking a little awkward. “You’re Mr. Liam, right?

Aunt Wang filed a complaint saying you’ve been disturbing the peace.” “Disturbing the peace?” I froze. “I haven’t even left my apartment in three days.

How am I disturbing anyone?” “She says you’ve been walking around in your apartment and disturbing her rest.” I almost laughed from anger. “I live in Building 5.

She lives in Building 6. There’s another building between us.

She can hear me walking?” The management guy looked even more awkward. “Aunt Wang has a lot of influence in this complex.” “Maybe you should apologize to her and just let this blow over?” “Why should I apologize?” “Mr.

Liam, I’m only saying this for your own good.” “Aunt Wang has lived here for over ten years. She knows people at the neighborhood committee and the district office.

If you fight with her, you’re the one who’ll lose.” I looked at him and suddenly laughed. “Fine, I get it.” After the management guy left, I opened my computer and listened to every recording from today again.

Then I started writing something. Not code. A log file. Date, time, location, event, evidence file. I wrote it down one by one, neat and precise, like code comments.

By the fourth day after I moved in, the document was already three pages long.

On the morning of the fifth day, Aunt Wang changed tactics. The complex garden had a loudspeaker that usually played music or announced notices.

That morning at eight, the loudspeaker suddenly crackled on: “Attention, neighbors.

This is Wang Xiu—” My cup nearly slipped out of my hand. “This new young man living in Building 5, the one named Liam, I’ve got my suspicions about him.” “He doesn’t talk to anyone, doesn’t join any activities, and never opens the door no matter who knocks.” “I was kind enough to bring him food, and he still gave me attitude.” “Everyone, keep your distance, especially if you’ve got kids at home.” The loudspeaker echoed over the whole complex, and everyone could hear it from every corner.

I stood by the window and saw a crowd gather in the garden below, all looking up and listening.

Aunt Wang stood in the middle of the crowd and, after she finished speaking, coughed for a long time.

Someone beside her handed her water. “Does this guy have a criminal record or something?” “Who knows?

No normal person acts like that.” “Aunt Wang said it, so it’s probably true.” I clenched my fists, and my nails dug into my palms.

She was using the entire complex’s public opinion to crush me. If I caved, she won.

If I fought with her, that was exactly what she wanted—she’d lived in this complex for fifteen years and had never lost an argument.

I took a deep breath and forced myself to stay calm. Then I remembered one thing from the research I’d done: the loudspeaker system belonged to the community.

Private individuals weren’t allowed to use it. I picked up my phone and called the neighborhood committee. “Hello, I’m a resident in Building 5.

I wanted to ask if the complex loudspeaker can be used by anyone?” The young woman who answered said, “No, it can only be used for community notices.

Private use isn’t allowed.” “Then if someone used it this morning to talk trash about me, does that count as a violation?” “Huh?

Who was it?” “Aunt Wang from Building 6.” There was a twosecond silence on the other end. “—Aunt Wang? Um, let me check with my supervisor.

We’ll call you back.” I waited all day, but no one called me back. That night I called again. This time a man answered and said he was the director: “Mr. Liam, right?

We’ve looked into it.” “Aunt Wang was just trying to keep everyone safe out of kindness.

Don’t take it to heart.” “So she can use the loudspeaker to badmouth me just because she meant well?” “Aunt Wang is older, so maybe she didn’t choose her words carefully.

You’re young, so just let it go.” “Let it go?” I took a deep breath, my voice rising a little. “She’s insulted me this many times, and even said it on the loudspeaker, and you want me to let it go?” The director’s voice hardened too. “Mr.

Liam, Aunt Wang is one of our community’s longtime volunteers.

She’s contributed a lot to this complex over the years.” “You just moved in, so you don’t understand.” “I think we should just drop this. We’re all neighbors.

A peaceful neighborhood is a prosperous one.” He hung up. I sat in front of my computer and recorded that call too. Then I opened the document and wrote down what happened today.

Fourth page. I flipped through the records and suddenly found it all absurd.

I had only wanted to find a quiet place to work and live, but after five days here, I had spoken more to people than I had in the past year. And it was all arguments.

I spent the whole night tossing and turning, replaying Aunt Wang’s voice from the loudspeaker, the comments in the group chat that backed her up, and the neighborhood committee director’s “let it go” over and over in my head.

At four in the morning, I stared at the ceiling and made a decision. I couldn’t keep backing down anymore. But how was I supposed to stop backing down?

I couldn’t outargue her, and I couldn’t afford to make a scene.

I thought about it all night, and in the end I figured out one thing—what she was best at was standing on the “I’m doing this for your own good” side and criticizing people.

Then I’d record every word she said and let her see for herself what her socalled “education” really was. It wasn’t confrontation. It was documentation. It wasn’t arguing.

It was making sure she had nowhere left to hide. So, I needed to go “apologize.”

On the morning of the sixth day, I took the initiative and knocked on Aunt Wang’s door.

When she opened it and saw me, she froze for a moment, then smiled with obvious satisfaction. “Oh?

You finally figured it out?” “Aunt Wang, I want to apologize to you.” I lowered my head and kept my voice very soft. “You were right.

I shouldn’t have been so antisocial.” “That’s more like it!” Aunt Wang beamed. “Come in, come in.” I went into her apartment. The decor was old, but it was clean.

The living room walls were covered with photos from dance parties and framed group shots with banners.

There was also an occasional photo of a young woman, probably her daughter, but I didn’t ask. “I’m telling you, people need to socialize.” “Look at me.

I’ve lived in this complex for fifteen years, and everyone has to call me Sister Wang when they see me.” She sat on the couch with her legs crossed. “Aunt Wang, I want to ask you something.” “Go ahead.” “You said I was sick.

What kind of sickness?” She froze. “What kind of sickness?” “You said I was sick, that my parents didn’t raise me right, and that I was a loser.

I want to know how you came to that conclusion.” Aunt Wang’s expression changed. “What are you trying to say?” “I just want to ask.” I took my phone out of my pocket. “Take your time.

I’ll write it down.” “What are you doing with that phone? Recording me?” She stood up. “No, I’m just taking notes. Didn’t you say I don’t know how to deal with people?

I’m learning.” “Don’t pull that on me!” Aunt Wang pointed at me. “I’m warning you, don’t play games with me!

I’ve seen people like you before—sly and nasty!” “Aunt Wang, I’m not playing games.

I really do want to know what I did wrong.” “You’ve been calling me names for days, so there has to be a reason, right?” “I called you names?

That was me educating you!” Her voice went sharp. “Don’t be so ungrateful!” “Fine. Education.

Then tell me, what exactly do I need to be educated on?” Aunt Wang got stuck and her face flushed bright red.

The bedroom door next to us opened, and a middleaged man peeked out. “Mom, what’s going on?” “It’s nothing, go back inside!” Aunt Wang shoved him back in, then turned and glared at me. “Liam, what exactly do you want?” “I just want to make things clear.” My expression stayed calm.

My palms were covered in sweat, but my voice stayed steady. “You came to my door on the very first day I moved in.

I didn’t open up, and you wouldn’t leave.” “When I didn’t go to your event, you started insulting me in the group.” “When I skipped the community event, you said I was sick on the loudspeaker.

I want to know what, exactly, I did wrong?” “You don’t fit in! You don’t know the rules!” “What rules?

The complex’s rules, or your rules?” “Of course the complex’s rules!” “Then what are the complex’s rules? Where are they written down?

Does management have a document?” Aunt Wang opened her mouth, but no words came out. “Aunt Wang, I looked it up.” “There’s no rule in this complex saying residents have to attend events.” “And the loudspeaker system can’t be used by private people.” “You insulted me in the group and talked trash about me on the loudspeaker.

If I wanted to pursue this, I could file a complaint over all of it.” “Are you threatening me?” Aunt Wang’s face went pale. “I’m not threatening you.

I’m just telling you that I didn’t do anything wrong.” “You think I don’t fit in? That’s your opinion. It doesn’t mean I’m sick.” I turned and walked out.

When I reached the door, I looked back once—Aunt Wang was standing there with her mouth open. When I got back to my room, my hands were still shaking.

For the first time in my twentysix years, I’d confronted someone headon. My heart was pounding, but for some reason, I felt amazing.

I opened the document and wrote down today’s conversation. Then I opened the resident group and sent a message: “Hello, neighbors. I’m Liam.

Sorry for bothering everyone these past few days.” “Aunt Wang said I’m sick and that I have no manners.

I accept her criticism.” “But I’d like everyone to witness this—starting today, I’ll work hard to get better, and I’d like Aunt Wang to keep educating me.” “I’ll record every round of this education and post it in the group so everyone can see how I’m improving.” After sending that, I left the group chat.

Three minutes later, Aunt Wang blew up in the group: “What do you mean by that! What are you recording? What are you trying to do!” No one replied.

She sent another message: “Everyone, tell me if I’m wrong! This punk is threatening me! He recorded me! Is he trying to extort me or what!” Still no one replied.

I guessed that the people who had backed her up before were probably scrolling back through the chat history now, checking what they had said.

Aunt Wang was quiet for three days.

I thought she had finally come to her senses, but on the afternoon of the fourth day, something was stuffed into my door lock, and my key wouldn’t go in.

I leaned through the peephole for a long time, but the hallway was empty.

I called a locksmith and spent two hundred bucks to have him pull a broken toothpick out of the lock cylinder. The locksmith said, “This was done on purpose.

You need to be careful.” I took a photo and saved it into the document. That night, someone tampered with my takeout. The bag had been left on the package rack downstairs.

When I brought it up, I found the seal had been torn open, and there was half a cup less drink inside. I didn’t drink it.

I poured it all into the sink, took a photo, and saved it into the document. The next morning, someone flipped my breaker.

The fridge was off for half a day, and all the food inside spoiled.

When I checked the breaker box, I found a note stuck to it: “Get out of the complex.” I recognized the handwriting—it was the same as the note Aunt Wang had left me a few days earlier, the one that said, “Don’t forget tomorrow’s event.” The handwriting was exactly the same.

I took a photo of the note and put it into the document. Then I went to management to check the cameras.

They said the camera in Building 5’s hallway was broken and had been repaired several times, but still wasn’t working. “When did it break?” “About two months ago.” “Who reported it?” “Let me check.” The management guy flipped through the records. “It was reported by Aunt Wang from Building 6.” “She said the hallway light in Building 5 was too dim and might be a safety hazard, so she asked us to fix it.” “When the electrician came, he saw the camera was broken too, so it got reported together.

But it never got approved afterward.” Two months ago. Before I moved in.

I stared at the management guy, and he looked away, guilty. “So the camera in Building 5 was found broken when Aunt Wang had someone come fix the light?” “I’m not sure about that.” I nodded and left.

A thought surfaced in my mind—what if the camera had been fine before she came over?

She had someone come fix the light, found the camera was working, and then “happened” to report the camera for repair?

I didn’t have proof, but the thought lodged in my mind and wouldn’t come out. Back in my room, I opened my computer and organized all the evidence from the past few days.

The toothpick photo, the takeout photo, the note photo, the recording of the management conversation, all of it was filed away. The document was already twelve pages long.

Then I opened another program and started writing an autopost script. I needed a place where these pieces of evidence could one day be seen by everyone.

Not posted by me directly, but automatically, once a certain condition was triggered. For example—if my account hadn’t been logged into for more than twentyfour hours.

As a programmer, doing this was as easy as drinking water. I set up the program, tested it three times, and confirmed there were no problems.

Then I waited for Aunt Wang’s next move.