DF Chapter 19
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“The clinical manifestations involve mechanically reliving the traumatic event, constantly recalling the situation and feelings from that time…”
“That sounds so sad,” Zhen Yi’s voice dropped as she thought of Wu Zhe’s descriptions of his never-ending, terrifying dream—dark, hopeless, cold, and damp.
“…there’s also avoidance behavior, not wanting others to mention the incident, and in severe cases, selective amnesia.”
Wu Zhe indeed didn’t remember that Tang Shang had already died.
“Hypervigilance, difficulty concentrating, and weak short-term memory.”
Wu Zhe didn’t let others get close to him, and when Zhen Yi did, he would suddenly act as if she didn’t exist, ending their conversations abruptly.
Zhen Yi couldn’t help but sigh. “You’re amazing, like Freud.”
His expression stiffened for a moment. After a while, he said, “Actually, Freud’s theories differ significantly from modern psychological analysis and mental research. Although many contemporary scholars find his ideas neither universally applicable nor scientifically sound, his profound influence on the field of psychology is undeniable.”
Zhen Yi found it amusing. He was just as stiff and serious as when he was younger. While others might find it boring, she thought it was incredibly interesting.
“You know, I don’t understand any of that. For someone like me, a regular person, there’s no difference between mental illness and neurosis. Psychology and psychoanalysis, all the same. I just know Freud was someone famous in this field. He was great. And you’re just as great.”
Her carefree attitude actually made him a little embarrassed. He shook his head seriously. “I’m nowhere near as great as him.”
Zhen Yi secretly laughed to herself. She hadn’t meant to seriously compare him to Freud; it was just a metaphor. Yan Ge, you’re such a blockhead.
Seeing his awkwardness, she couldn’t resist teasing him further. “Yan Ge, ever since we were kids, I’ve always thought you were super amazing. You know everything.”
He pressed his lips together slightly.
She tilted her head, laughing mischievously. “Freud is far away, but you’re right here. To me, aren’t you greater than him?”
A faint blush crept up his face as he turned his head, avoiding her gaze.
They had already reached the entrance of the building. Yan Ge stepped out first, holding the glass door open for her. As Zhen Yi looked up, the sunlight poured down on him and the glass, shimmering like a world of diamonds, clear and pure.
In the dazzling sunlight, his elegant face didn’t lose its charm. His pale complexion seemed to melt into the light, yet his eyes remained sharp, clear, and calm. There was a sense of tranquility in them that made people want to sink into them and rest.
Zhen Yi felt momentarily breathless. She lowered her head and walked outside. Once he stepped back and slowly closed the door, she finally exhaled the breath stuck in her chest and continued the conversation.
“The police must have already asked… given Wu Zhe’s current condition, is he capable of killing someone?”
Yan Ge lowered his gaze, thinking for a moment. “I can only say that his condition is quite severe. He has no self-awareness anymore. Whatever he does, he doesn’t know what he’s doing.”
Zhen Yi looked over at the mentally ill patients joyfully playing by the plastic net, feeling a bit disappointed. “So, you’re saying it’s possible he could kill someone.”
“Rather than using the word ‘kill,’ I’d lean more towards calling it ‘self-defense.’” His tall, upright figure stood out, his white coat spotless, fluttering slightly in the breeze.
“You mean he would only fight back if he felt threatened by someone else?” Zhen Yi perked up, as if subconsciously wanting to distance Wu Zhe from the murder case.
“But…” Yan Ge paused slightly, “even the most ordinary actions of a normal person could be interpreted by him as a threat. That’s why he’s a suspect in the police investigation.”
Could Wu Zhe really be capable of murder? Zhen Yi gazed out the window, lost in thought. She didn’t want the police to disturb Wu Zhe, but at the same time, she hoped they would focus more on him and less on Song Yi. Right now, Song Yi was in a terrible situation, yet she was still stubbornly holding on. The outside world’s gossip was getting louder, and more and more people at the firm were beginning to show concern for Zhen Yi’s involvement. After sitting in her office for just half an hour, colleagues kept coming by, asking about her progress.
“How’s Song Yi doing? I really love her acting. You’ve got to hang in there, Zhen Yi!”
“Have you thought of a strategy yet? Need any help?”
Zhen Yi responded to each one. “We’re not at that stage yet, no rush.” She knew that while some people might have minor complaints about her behind her back, it wasn’t enough to cause office politics. When it mattered, everyone would come together and support her.
Yang Zi was also worried. “Yi, the news is saying Song Yi is a suspect, and the police have started questioning people around her. What’s going on?”
“I don’t know much more than you. I’ve been following the news too.” Zhen Yi wasn’t panicking, but she knew staying out of contact wasn’t a solution either.
She called Song Yi’s assistant and found out that she was currently filming in the city center.
After leaving the office, she passed by a group of colleagues who were gathered, discussing a game of Lianliankan. Yang Zi was teasing that it didn’t require any skill, while Jiang Jiang argued that not having to think was what made it fun. When they saw Zhen Yi, they asked, “Zhen, do you play games?”
“Of course.” Back in middle school, she was unbeatable. “Do you prefer difficult games or easy ones?”
“Obviously I like playing with the guys,” Zhen Yi laughed, “the more exciting, the better.”
Yang Zi chimed in, “You hear that? She likes playing the hard ones.”
As Zhen Yi reached the door, she turned back with a smile. “Yep, playing with the guys. But if there are no guys, girls will do too.”
Everyone: “…”
Zhen Yi took the elevator, and her phone rang—it was Yan Ge’s office.
“Are you busy right now?” His voice, refined and clear, made Zhen Yi’s heart skip a beat. “I’m on my way to run an errand. What’s up?”
“Hmm.” He didn’t say more. Zhen Yi waited for a few seconds before prompting him, “Go on, what is it?”
“I’ll tell you in person.”
Curiosity piqued, Zhen Yi wondered what he wanted. “I’m headed to the tenth floor of Ximao Mall. Or we could meet somewhere else?”
“Ximao works. I’ll be passing by.”
…
Arriving at Ximao Mall, Zhen Yi quickly found the Cartier store in Zone B, where Song Yi’s film crew was shooting a scene of her and the male lead buying a ring and being interrupted by the female supporting character. A large crowd of fans had gathered around the set.
Zhen Yi wasn’t much into TV dramas, but she’d seen Song Yi on screen from time to time (given how many dramas she was in). Even after just a few glimpses, she was always struck by her impressive acting. A single glance, and her expression could convey a thousand meanings. One action, and the intensity of her performance was undeniable.
Song Yi was the type of lead actress who could carry an entire show on her own.
At this moment, she stood in front of the bright lights and cameras, flawlessly performing several takes without a single mistake. The crowd was captivated, the set so quiet you could hear a pin drop, until the supporting actress repeatedly failed, disrupting the flow. The final scene involved the supporting actress being so upset by Song Yi that she cried but couldn’t reveal the truth in front of the male lead. The supporting actress struggled to tap into the right emotion and failed to cry, leading to multiple retakes.
Song Yi, able to get in and out of character quickly, kindly guided the actress on how to cry, even demonstrating it. In just one second, tears welled up in her eyes, leaving the supporting actress awestruck, looking up at Song Yi with the admiration she was supposed to direct at the male lead. After helping, Song Yi turned and saw Zhen Yi, her expression immediately changing.
She told the director she needed a break and started walking toward Zhen Yi, all while patiently signing autographs for fans who were eagerly battling security for a chance.
Song Yi’s assistant, clearly in awe of her, whispered to Zhen Yi, “Isn’t our Song Yi-chan’s acting amazing?”
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