Chapter 58: Pressed Against the Wall
"I’m decent enough. I put in a lot of effort studying for a while," Su Zhaozhao lied calmly.
In this era, not long after the college entrance exams were reinstated, many brilliant people didn’t have high academic qualifications anyway.
Her explanation was plausible enough to get by.
Jiang City had been a prosperous place since ancient times, so claiming her ancestors were intellectuals was also a plausible explanation.
"I see. Zhaozhao, you’re very impressive. Your handwriting is even better than mine." Lin Shumo didn’t seem to doubt her words and even complimented her.
Su Zhaozhao’s eyes crinkled into a smile.
She was just about done with her notes, having recorded each person’s specific psychological reactions and the corresponding treatment plans.
Su Zhaozhao said to Lin Shumo, "I can start working now. Let’s begin with this patient."
Su Zhaozhao said, pointing to a name on the list.
Lin Shumo nodded.
Su Zhaozhao spent the entire afternoon at the hospital, providing psychotherapy to patients who had developed trauma from the car crash.
Lin Shumo was with Su Zhaozhao. The hospital had initially assigned them to collaborate.
But soon, Lin Shumo realized he couldn’t be of much help. It was almost entirely Su Zhaozhao asking questions, counseling the patients, and teaching them professional psychological techniques for managing their emotions.
He had read about some of the techniques in books, but others were completely new to him.
Lin Shumo watched the young woman before him.
She was different from her usual self when she was conducting therapy sessions.
She was still gentle, but now she radiated a powerful confidence, methodically explaining emotional regulation techniques to the patients, persuading them to believe in and adopt the methods, which led to their conditions improving.
She was so professional and efficient, she seemed like a veteran professor with years of experience.
This contrast to her usual self made his gaze deepen.
He couldn’t help but adjust his glasses.
’This girl is fascinating,’ he thought. ’The more I get to know her, the more I find she’s brimming with charm.’
When the last session ended, Su Zhaozhao stood up and headed out.
Once out of the hospital room, Su Zhaozhao let out a sigh of relief, rubbing her shoulders as she said to Lin Shumo, "I’m starving. I didn’t get a break all afternoon."
She used to see only two patients a day.
One in the morning and one in the afternoon. That was the only way to have enough energy to face them properly.
After all, psychological counseling and therapy are different from regular medical appointments.
You’re dealing with patients who have psychological disorders; your every word and action can have a profound impact on them.
That’s why she always made sure to be at her best when facing patients.
Consequently, this one afternoon had completely exhausted her.
Lin Shumo’s thin lips curved into a smile. Su Zhaozhao was back to her lively, cheerful self.
Her jet-black hair was tied in a ponytail, the end of which swayed with her every move, giving her a playful air.
Under the hospital’s fluorescent lights, her delicate, small face looked pristine and radiant.
’So beautiful.’
Lin Shumo couldn’t help but marvel.
He had actually been drawn to her from the moment he first saw her, and her subsequent actions only made him feel her radiance more keenly.
"Zhaozhao, let me treat you to dinner."
Su Zhaozhao looked at Lin Shumo, a little surprised. "Really?"
’In the novel, even though the second male lead is a caring guy, he’s always kept his distance from people, especially women.’
’Too many girls liked him, and with his gentle nature, he wasn’t good at turning people down, so he just kept his distance from the start to avoid it.’
’The most obvious sign of this was that he never ate with anyone.’
’He always got his food from the cafeteria alone and ate in a corner, avoiding contact with others.’
’Only the female lead was able to get close to him.’
That’s why Su Zhaozhao was so surprised when Lin Shumo invited her to eat with him.
"Of course." Lin Shumo couldn’t help but chuckle. ’It’s just an invitation to dinner. What’s the big deal?’
"It’ll have to be the cafeteria, though. There are no restaurants around here."
The food at the hospital cafeteria was bound to be quite plain.
Su Zhaozhao immediately said, "That’s fine, that’s fine! As long as there’s something to eat, I’m happy."
Lin Shumo smiled. "Then let’s head over."
The cafeteria was right next to the military hospital. It wasn’t large and mainly served the hospital staff.
A few service windows were also open to patients from the inpatient department.
Because Su Zhaozhao’s workload had been so heavy, it was almost seven o’clock by the time they got there.
The cafeteria wasn’t very crowded.
Su Zhaozhao glanced at the food options and pursed her lips, a little disappointed.
’It’s nothing compared to the military base’s cafeteria.’
’It’s so bland. Almost everything is just boiled vegetables.’
"Zhaozhao, is the food not to your liking?" Lin Shumo asked.
Su Zhaozhao quickly shook her head. "No, no, it’s great."
’This is my favorite second male lead from the book treating me to a meal,’ she thought. ’Even if it were just rice with soy sauce, I’d still eat a whole bowl.’
Besides, she was genuinely starving right now.
After getting their food, the two of them sat down to eat, facing each other.
They chatted as they ate.
Their conversation was mainly about the patients from that afternoon.
Then, Lin Shumo asked Su Zhaozhao, "By the way, Zhaozhao, why did you come from Jiang City to such a desolate place?"
"For my fiancé," Su Zhaozhao said.
Upon hearing this, Lin Shumo felt a strange tightness in his chest.
His mind went to the man he had seen in the hospital room the other day—Xie Huaizheng...
He had only exchanged a few words with Su Zhaozhao, but Xie Huaizheng had stared him down with a gaze that was both cold and dangerous.
Like a fierce dragon guarding its treasure.
’So, that’s Su Zhaozhao’s fiancé?’
"You’re engaged?"
"It’s a childhood betrothal. We only ever met as children."
’And because I offended him by trying to break off the engagement, Xie Huaizheng is still unwilling to get close to me.’
’But I’ve found my own path now, anyway.’
’Being a psychologist, or even selling things from the space, is more than enough.’
Seeing the girl’s placid expression, Lin Shumo couldn’t help but ask, "It sounds like you two aren’t very close?"
The moment he asked, he froze. ’Since when have I been so curious about someone’s private life?’
Su Zhaozhao looked up at Lin Shumo and nodded. "That’s right."
But she didn’t want to say anything more.
Lin Shumo didn’t press the issue. He knew he and Su Zhaozhao weren’t close, and asking more would be overstepping.
After dinner, Su Zhaozhao was about to bid Lin Shumo farewell, but he insisted on walking her back to the guesthouse.
"It’s late. It’s not safe for a young woman to be walking alone. Let me see you home."
Su Zhaozhao didn’t refuse. She was actually curious about Lin Shumo herself.
’For example, has he fallen for the female lead yet? When is she supposed to show up, anyway?’
’Unfortunately, I’ve forgotten the female lead’s name. I’ll probably only remember it when I hear it, just like what happened with the male lead and the second male lead.’
Lin Shumo was very gentle and considerate. He talked about the local customs and traditions of West State and the authentic regional cuisine.
In short, he never let the atmosphere between them grow awkward.
Su Zhaozhao mused to herself that Lin Shumo’s character was just too perfect. She had adored him when she was reading the book.
’Now that I’m actually interacting with him, I can feel his good nature even more clearly.’
When they arrived at the guesthouse, Su Zhaozhao waved goodbye to Lin Shumo.
She started up the stairs when a dark figure suddenly emerged from the stairwell and seized her by the arm.
Su Zhaozhao jumped in fright. Before she could speak, the person slammed her against the wall, gripped her chin, and asked in a low, hoarse voice, "You seem to be getting along well with that doctor?"