DF Chapter 18
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“A person is constantly in motion, and so is their mental world. Each person’s mind can be seen as an independent space.” Li You’s fingers, pale and slender, rhythmically tapped his knuckles. “When someone’s mental strength is powerful enough to exert pressure on others, those around them will subconsciously accept that person’s thoughts, becoming influenced by their mind. This is not uncommon in real life.”
“Indeed.” Yan Ge replied calmly, waiting for him to continue.
“I analyzed the impact between people on a mental level from the perspective of quantum physics and space. The mental strength of a strong individual can exert pressure on the mental space of others, and if the force is strong enough, it can cause the space to bend.” Li You leaned back comfortably in his chair, smiling faintly at Yan Ge. Yan Ge responded with a simple “oh” seemingly uninterested.
However, Li You’s story was reaching its climax, and he wasn’t about to miss his final bow: “The result proves my theory of mental space: A person’s mind and thoughts can penetrate and invade another’s brain. If powerful enough, they can dominate and control them. This is why education exists, including religion, cults, everything.”
“I’m not impressed.” Yan Ge responded plainly, sounding a bit disappointed.
This reaction caused Li You’s eyes to narrow slightly. “I can prove it to you. That new guy, Wu Zhe, is still not talking, right? Let me talk to him. I can make him speak.”
“He’s already started talking.” Yan Ge said, looking directly at him.
Li You stared back, trying to discern something.
Yan Ge continued, “Did you manipulate him?”
“I haven’t been allowed outside for a month, how could I have had the chance to talk to him?” Li You smiled.
“And your mental space theory just now?”
Li You’s smile widened. “So, you believe in my theory now.”
“I don’t.” Yan Ge said, lips pressed into a thin line. He stood up, hands in his pockets. “I just wanted to confirm that you hadn’t come into contact with him. Goodbye.”
Li You’s face darkened, feeling like a brick was lodged in his chest as he coldly watched Yan Ge walk away without looking back. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a girl on the other side of the glass door shrinking her neck, awkwardly sticking out her tongue at Yan Ge. She kept tapping her forehead, making apologetic gestures.
It was clear that Yan Ge’s expression towards her wasn’t great.
Yan Ge walked to the door and took out a key. Just as he was about to unlock it, Li You said, “She’s your ex-girlfriend.”
Yan Ge paused, key halfway into the lock, as Li You continued, “You want to get closer to her. This isn’t like you. Why does it still bother you? Yan Ge, do you believe I could make her…”
On the other side of the door, Zhen Yi felt uneasy, sensing something was off. She had been pacing back and forth near the door, unwilling to leave. When Yan Ge got up and saw her, there was an uncommon coldness in his gaze. Zhen Yi knew him to always be mild, never overly happy or angry. Even if she upset him, he remained calm and collected.
He was never warm, but never cold either.
So, seeing that slight chill in his eyes for the first time, she realized she shouldn’t be there. She had clearly broken some hospital rule and immediately tried to apologize. After all, Wu Zhe was here, and she still needed to visit. She didn’t want to offend him.
Strangely, even though Yan Ge had opened the door for quite some time and inserted the key into the lock, he remained motionless for several seconds.
He stood tall in front of her, separated by the two doors of glass and steel, his eyes deep as they rested on her face, yet it seemed like he wasn’t really looking at her.
Not far away, the man was indeed as handsome as she thought. He said something, but Zhen Yi couldn’t hear it. He looked proud, in control of everything, yet still carried the air of a gentleman. For a moment, his dark eyes met Zhen Yi’s, and his lips curved slightly. With grace, he nodded gently, acknowledging her.
Zhen Yi was stunned for a second, and in the next, her attention shifted back to Yan Ge’s imposing figure.
He opened the door, stepped out, and closed it behind him. His tone was questioning: “What are you doing here?”
“I took a wrong turn.” Zhen Yi quickly backed away, like she was afraid he’d hit her.
Yan Ge was indeed in a bad mood, but since his emotions rarely fluctuated, he wouldn’t show it. Zhen Yi, who had been walking tensely for a while, glanced back and saw his calm expression. Instantly, she forgot about the earlier awkwardness, switching to curious mode, and sidled up to ask, “Was that guy a patient?”
“Yeah.” His voice was low, making it hard to discern his mood.
“He didn’t seem like it.”
“Don’t be so quick to judge. Don’t form opinions on things you don’t understand.” His tone was plain, but it sounded instructive. “Often, what you think you understand is just an illusion of knowledge.”
A philosopher-turned-psychiatrist—what an interesting mix…
Zhen Yi wasn’t offended; instead, she humbly and obediently responded, “Got it, seeing isn’t always believing.”
She wasn’t usually this well-behaved. Yan Ge’s gaze fell on her face. “Do you need my help with something?”
Zhen Yi: “…uh, yes.”
He looked at her, his eyes clear and deep.
Zhen Yi quickly got to the point. “Even though the hospital is strict in terms of security, if a patient is really smart and happens to be mentally lucid at a particular time, could they sneak out and then come back? Like a prison break on TV?”
As soon as she said it, she realized how absurd it sounded, but Yan Ge replied, “I can’t entirely rule out that possibility.”
“Have you ever encountered a case where a man has a woman’s personality within his mental state?”
“Yes, but it’s very rare. What are you getting at?”
“Could Wu Zhe’s mental state have developed a split personality of Tang Shang?”
“Let me put it this way.” Yan Ge opened another door, holding the edge for her to pass before calmly closing it. “You’re overthinking this.”
“Huh?”
“Split personality and schizophrenia are two completely different concepts. Split personality appears in a lot of novels, but it’s rare in clinical cases. Patients with split personalities can live normal lives, and at first glance, or for a short period, they seem normal. But schizophrenia isn’t about personality splits—it’s about their sense and perception being shattered. They can’t take care of themselves, are often delusional, and are what we typically call ‘crazy.’” His voice was low and smooth, perhaps because he worried she wouldn’t understand, so he explained patiently and slowly. After finishing, he added, “To give you an example, split personality is like having multiple people living inside one body, while schizophrenia is like one person constantly dreaming and hallucinating.”
Zhen Yi stared at him intently.
“What?” He averted his gaze, feeling a little uncomfortable. He had been looked at like this countless times before, but he had never gotten used to it.
Zhen Yi’s voice lowered, sounding a bit unnatural. “This is the first time I’ve heard you talk so much in one go.”
Yan Ge fell silent.
Zhen Yi quickly shifted the topic. “So, Wu Zhe’s condition isn’t split personality or schizophrenia?”
“PTSD.”
“What does that mean?”
“Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.”
Zhen Yi looked doubtful, clearly not convinced. “But didn’t you say you haven’t diagnosed him yet?”
“Diagnosis is one thing. Experience is another.” he said nonchalantly.
“…” This calm arrogance, completely unaware of itself…
“What are the symptoms of PTSD?”
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