Who would study psychology unless they had some issues?!

The Psychology College’s laboratory is divided into two categories: one is the college’s communal teaching laboratory, available to all faculty and students to book by class hours, usually heavily scheduled with limited gaps; the other type is a specialized laboratory built by each research group, funded by the supervisor’s research projects, with equipment purchased independently, prioritizing the research needs of the group.

Bai Qinghua’s research group is among the best in the latter category, belonging to the affluent level within the college. Therefore, it is common for other groups to come to borrow equipment or space, and equally common not to get them.

Facing Jie Nianzhou, who had made a phone reservation once before and then came in person.

Shi Qianqian opened her mouth slightly.

Before she could speak, Jie Nianzhou quickly added, "That’s my teacher’s project, quite urgent, so... I told her that your side couldn’t fit it in."

Jie Nianzhou smiled apologetically at Shi Qianqian, "But she still wanted me to come over."

No need to elaborate on the underlying logic.

Shi Qianqian just sighed; a graduate student won’t make things difficult for another.

She turned around and sat at a public computer nearest to Bai Qinghua’s eSports room, skillfully entered the password.

"Which laboratory did you say you wanted to borrow before?"

"Your group’s behavior observation room," Jie Nianzhou promptly replied, "The one with the one-way glass."

Shi Qianqian didn’t immediately answer. She turned her head and opened a form on her computer screen, scrolling the mouse wheel twice, her eyebrows slightly furrowed.

Shi Qianqian tapped twice on the keyboard, and a form popped up on the screen. She then tilted her head, signaling Jie Nianzhou to come forward.

"Have a look yourself," she said, "the behavior observation room, from Monday to Sunday, from eight in the morning to nine in the evening, is all booked."

The task of borrowing the laboratory, even if not handled personally by Shi Qianqian, at least had to be reviewed and nodded by her side. Therefore, she was well-versed in the actual situation.

"You need it these two days, coming over now is really—either come earlier or use it next week, I can adjust for you," Shi Qianqian complained.

Jie Nianzhou took two steps forward, earnestly matching the screen.

"Hmm... okay, very sorry." Jie Nianzhou, much older than Shi Qianqian, spoke very politely, "Can I take a photo?"

Shi Qianqian glanced at him, moved her body aside, exposing the screen.

Jie Nianzhou quickly tapped his phone, heading out while turning back, "Thanks."

"No problem." Shi Qianqian sighed.

The door closed.

The office returned to quietness. Mo Kai glanced at the door, then at Nan Zhubin, suddenly noticing Nan Zhubin taking out his phone and starting to operate something.

"What’s up, senior?" Not polite to peek at screens, Mo Kai always asked directly.

[Nan Zhubin: Teacher, regarding this visitor Jie Nianzhou, I might be a bit inconvenienced. Could you please check if any other consultation teachers can accept a transfer?]

This was the message Nan Zhubin had just sent, to the teacher at the mental health center responsible for consultation allocation.

Judging by Jie Nianzhou and Shi Qianqian’s familiar attitude, the two research groups—at least between Jie Nianzhou himself and Bai Qinghua’s group—frequently communicated.

Such a dual relationship is very troublesome.

Originally being in the same college posed quite a risk, now even more so at the consultation level. Nan Zhubin decisively responded.

A speedy reply from the other side, "Okay," evidently shows no rest even on weekends.

Nan Zhubin then put his phone back, thoughtfully told Mo Kai, "Work stuff from Jingwei."

Mo Kai didn’t think much of it, knowing Nan Zhubin wouldn’t detail anything inconvenient, related to confidentiality. So he just mused, "Jingwei has lots of work and little pay," "Senior you’re too hard," and didn’t mind anymore.

Everyone seemed to lack the mood for further exchanges; a whole morning of study was indeed tiring. Including Shi Qianqian, the others quickly took out their U-shaped pillows, cushions, sleep masks, earplugs, and leaned on the tables, breathing evenly.

But soon, before any of the lighter sleeping students could drift into sleep.

Knock, knock, knock—

The office door sounded again.

The knocking was loud and urgent, not waiting for anyone to react, quickly resumed with the second and third knocks.

Knock, knock, knock—

Knock, knock, knock—

Almost all the students in the office were startled awake.

The student closest to the door, irritated, turned the door handle, a high heel first appeared in everyone’s view.

Followed by a black dress, a cream knit cardigan, and a short-haired face appearing around thirty years old.

"Teacher Bi?" The student recognizing the incoming person called out.

Bi Yanling wore a smile, seemingly responding to the greeting, yet her steps and gaze never stopped, swiftly capturing Shi Qianqian seated inside the office.

"Xiaoshi, are you resting?"

Shi Qianqian took off her earplugs and stood up, didn’t answer the question, just politely greeted, "Teacher Bi."

Bi Yanling nodded, walked quickly further in, soon sitting at the table closest to Shi Qianqian, eyes fixed on her forehead, "Our group’s Xiao Jie should’ve come by, right? Mentioned your laboratory is all booked?"

"Yes, all booked." Shi Qianqian answered plainly, "From Monday to Sunday, eight in the morning..."

"Can’t you squeeze something in? Like during lunch break?" Bi Yanling directly interrupted Shi Qianqian.