Ding Yahe was quite pleased with the lavish meal; in her opinion, the fact that her two daughters could make up the numbers in the film crew was enough for her to brag about. After the meal, Zhao Xiyin found a moment to say to Ding Yahe, "When you have some free time, talk to Ni Rui about principles of conduct and interpersonal relationships."
She came to this meal for this very reason.
To everyone's surprise, Ding Yahe was also a straightforward person. After hearing the gist of the story, she stormed out angrily and berated Ni Rui, "I told you to listen to your sister! Did you remember that?!"
Ni Rui instantly realized what was happening and glared at Zhao Xiyin, "You tattletale!"
Ding Yahe slammed her voice down, "Are you ever going to stop?"
Ni Rui retorted, "This is my house, tell her to get out. Mom, are you ever going to stop? Are you living with Dad or have you never forgotten your ex-husband?!"
Ding Yahe was so angry that she felt dizzy and her hands and feet trembled.
Zhao Xiyin, who had been silent all along, slowly picked up the water glass on the table, walked over, splashed it on Ni Rui's face, and calmly said:
"idiot."
The male head of the household, Ni Xingzhuo, heard the commotion and came down from his study on the second floor. He stood halfway down the path, his face grim, without uttering a sound.
Just before the door closed, Ni Rui's shrill scream was heard: "She's the most vicious one! She's here to sow discord in our family. She's here to avenge her father. She doesn't want our family to have an easy time!"
The door closed tightly, and the cursing gradually subsided.
The tail end of summer, blue skies and white clouds, the sun still blazing.
Zhao Xiyin looked up for a while, then calmly put on her sunglasses and left.
——
On Sunday morning, the plane landed at Beijing Capital International Airport.
Zhou Qishen spent a day in Shanghai and was supposed to return yesterday, but unfortunately, a thunderstorm delayed him for another night. After getting into the car, Zhou Qishen immediately instructed the driver, "Find Dr. Lin."
In an eco-farm on the outskirts of the city, there is plenty of nature, with mountains, water, flowers, and plants. The air is pleasant, and the temperature is even lower than in the city center. The bamboo pavilion by the lake is the most secluded place in the garden.
Zhou Qishen knocked on the door and went in, apologizing, "Something came up at the last minute, so I had to change the time. I'm sorry to have made you work overtime."
Dr. Lin was in her early thirties, with a gentle demeanor and particularly thoughtful eyes. She smiled and said, "It's my pleasure."
Lin Yi was Zhou Qishen's psychologist for five years. However, it wasn't always the case; during the two years Zhou Qishen was married, she didn't visit him even once. At the time, Lin Yi was very pleased and sincerely told Zhou Qishen, "I hope you always maintain a good attitude."
As it turns out, nothing lasts forever.
Sitting in the recliner, Zhou Qishen closed his eyes to rest. Dr. Lin had said that regardless of the doctor-patient relationship, he should just maintain the most natural and comfortable posture. Dr. Lin didn't ask any questions. After resting enough, Zhou Qishen opened his eyes and said, "My sleep has been extremely poor lately, and even sleeping pills don't work."
Dr. Lin: "Do you have many dreams?"
"Um."
"The content of the dream."
"woman."
What kind of woman?
"My love."
Dr. Lin took notes, "The intersection between you and her in your dream."
“Hugs, kisses, boat rides, she fell into the water, I couldn’t save her, she sank to the bottom and never came back.” Zhou Qishen’s eyes were deep, his eyeballs coated with a layer of pain. “I also jumped into the water, but something grabbed my hands and feet.”
Dr. Lin nodded, paused, and then asked, "Have you been sexually active recently?"
Zhou Qishen closed his eyes. "No."
Dr. Lin: "The time of your most recent sexual intercourse."
"More than two years."
"When I asked this question, who was the first person that came to your mind?"
Zhou Qishen said, "My wife."
Dr. Lin was professional and calm, her tone remaining constant and without any fluctuation. She asked, "What makes you happiest between you two?"
"marry."
"The thing you regret most about her."
Zhou Qishen's emotions suddenly became intense.
He rested his elbows on his knees, his head buried in his hands, a suppressed, painful expression on his face, as if he had forgotten what restraint and concealment meant. He didn't answer, but as if provoked, he repeated over and over, "If I could do it all over again, I would rather kill myself."
Dr. Lin quickly ended the conversation, opened the blinds to let the sunlight in, then turned on the CD player and played Mozart's piano music. Finally, she sat down next to Zhou Qishen, smiled, and subtly changed the subject to begin psychological counseling.
As night fell and the first hints of starlight appeared, the lake, deep and serene, shone like a luminous amber when viewed from the bamboo pavilion. Zhou Qishen was asleep on the recliner. Lin Yi opened the door and gestured for her male assistant to come in and cover him with a blanket.
Unfortunately, just as he finished speaking, Zhou Qishen's phone rang. He woke up instantly, glanced at the caller ID, and answered, "Okay, coming right away."
Driving from the manor towards the Third Ring Road, his secretary was waiting for him at a road sign. The Audi's hazard lights were on. Zhou Qishen pulled over. The secretary took something from the back seat. "Mr. Zhou, everything you asked me to buy is ready."
Zhou Qishen checked them and picked out the two best ones.
When he arrived, Zhao Wenchun was waiting at home, the door ajar. Upon seeing him enter, Teacher Zhao greeted him warmly, "Please sit down, please sit down. Let me pour you a glass of water."
Zhou Qishen looked around the house, then glanced at the shoe rack by the door. Zhao Xiyin shouldn't be there. He went to the kitchen and handed over the things he was carrying. "Uncle Zhao, I kept you and Xiao Xi waiting the other day. I heard her say she was going to go shopping with you. Consider it making up for it. I just picked out a few things. You can keep the ones you like."
Zhao Wenchun was taken aback, then felt a mix of emotions. He looked at him and shook his head, "You child."