Chapter 12: Hospital

Chapter 12: The Hospital

Xie Yu woke up in the late morning. He glanced to the side and saw that the bedding was neatly arranged to the side—Shen Ci had already left.

Shen Ci, the top student, had a morning meeting. His daily routine was as regular as clockwork, unwavering, completely different from Xie Yu, a second-generation slacker.

The system reminded him, "It's almost noon. You have an appointment with the doctor this afternoon."

It was Dr. Xu from Qingshan Psychiatric Hospital.

Xie Yu gave a thumbs-up, got up to wash up, and took the opportunity to look up Dr. Xu's information on his phone.

He opened the official website of Qingshan Psychiatric Hospital, clicked on the "Doctor Profiles" section, and browsed the past achievements and areas of expertise of each practicing physician.

The surname Xu is neither common nor rare. There was only one doctor surnamed Xu at Qingshan Psychiatric Hospital, named Xu Qingshan, who was the hospital's director and president. His areas of expertise include anxiety, delusions, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.

Xie Yu's gaze paused slightly on Xu Qingshan's photo, after memorizing his information, he then pondered how to start probing.

The original owner was a long-time client of Xu Qingshan, but the last appointment was half a year ago. They didn't usually talk, so they probably weren't friends, just an ordinary doctor-patient relationship. With the system backing him, Xie Yu wasn't worried about being exposed.

Xie Yu got in the car and set the navigation. Qingshan Psychiatric Hospital was located in the suburbs. He drove for about 40 minutes and entered the hospital's parking lot.

Director Xu's consultation room was on the third floor of the hospital. Xie Yu took the elevator directly up, found the specific location, pushed open the door, and came face to face with a refined man.

Xu Qingshan was in his early thirties, well-maintained, and exuded an air of scholarly elegance. Seeing Xie Yu, he adjusted his glasses and said, "Xiao Yu... Mr. Xie, please have a seat."

Xie Yu sat down opposite him, and Xu Qingshan scanned his face, then smiled, "Your condition has improved a lot compared to before."

Xie Yu replied, "Indeed, I've been feeling more comfortable lately. Maybe I've let go of some things."

He didn't know the original owner's situation, but when a psychiatrist praises your condition, it's probably safe to attribute it to "letting go."

Xu Qingshan said, "As usual, let's start with a psychological test to see how you've been recently."

He took out a pen and paper, pushed them toward Xie Yu, and the paper was printed with questions to assess mental state.

Before Xie Yu could say anything, he picked up the pen, and the system in his head was already going crazy.

"Wait, Su Zhu, are you really going to do this? Are you really going to do it?!"

Xie Yu pressed his temple, "Keep it down, you're giving me a headache... Why wouldn't I do it?"

"It might ruin your character," the system worried. "You're a mentally healthy person. If the original owner really had a mental illness, you'd definitely not match his answers by randomly filling out the test. I've checked this Xu Qingshan—he's a professional psychiatrist who studied abroad and holds a Ph.D. in psychology. He has extensive treatment experience. If he notices something wrong, what should we do?"

Xie Yu bit off the pen cap and started writing, "Relax, he won't notice anything."

The system said, "But..."

Xie Yu pressed his index finger to his lips, "Keep it down—"

The system paused for two seconds, then typed three exclamation marks: "!!!"

The fluorescent blue dialog box flashed frantically, and the system anxiously displayed, "How can you make gestures at me? Xu Qingshan is still watching. It'll expose that you have a system!"

Xie Yu's earlier gesture was completely unguarded, and Xu Qingshan saw it all.

Xie Yu said, "Don't worry, look at Xu Qingshan."

The system turned its attention and saw Xu Qingshan adjusting his glasses, completely unfazed by Xie Yu talking to the air. He thoughtfully examined the patient, occasionally lowering his head to type on the computer, recording something.

Twenty minutes later, Xie Yu put down his pen and handed the test paper back.

Xu Qingshan took the paper and scrutinized it from top to bottom.

The system was on pins and needles.

Though it lacked a physical form, it felt as if its heart was in its throat, desperately wanting to cling to something to ease its anxiety. Yet, Xie Yu sprawled in his chair like a king, carelessly playing with a pot of green pothos on the desk, pinching the leaves and tapping the pot, showing no signs of nervousness.

The system was speechless.

Just as it was almost suffocating, Xu Qingshan finally finished reading the paper. He cracked a faint smile: "As I expected, your condition is gradually improving. Though some issues remain, it's a significant improvement."

Xie Yu's expression didn't flicker: "Is that so? I feel the same."

Xu Qingshan nodded: "Then, keep taking your current medication. I'll tweak your prescription and lower the dose."

He nodded repeatedly, appearing genuinely pleased with the patient's progress. Xie Yu observed him and suddenly asked: "Doctor, is a full recovery possible?"

Xu Qingshan sighed slightly upon hearing this: "Mr. Xie, some things you need to let go of on your own. Those who have passed are gone. Your wife, if she were here, wouldn't want to see you this way."

Though his words were fragmented, Xie Yu seemed to grasp their meaning. Under the system's bewildered gaze, he nodded: "You're right. But if moving on were that simple, I wouldn't have suffered for so long."

Next, Xu Qingshan asked a few more questions, and Xie Yu responded flawlessly to each one. They conversed back and forth, Xu Qingshan nodding occasionally, betraying no suspicion.

As their conversation neared its end, the screech of a bus braking pierced through the window. Situated in a secluded area with sparse traffic, the braking sound stood out sharply at Qingshan Psychiatric Hospital.

Xie Yu sipped his tea: "What's happening? Are they shuttling patients in by bus?"

Xu Qingshan looked out the window and smiled: "It's a bunch of student volunteers from a university. They're here to lend a hand for the day and snap some promotional shots. They come once or twice a year."

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Xu Qingshan handed Xie Yu the prescription and told him to get the medication. The afternoon consultation was thus concluded.

Xie Yu descended in the elevator and crossed paths with the volunteers ascending the stairs. The leader brandished a small flag emblazoned with "A University Volunteer Group." Xie Yu cast a disinterested glance at it and made his way to the pharmacy.

Amid the throng, Shen Ci halted.

Organized by A University, this student volunteer activity involved a day at the psychiatric hospital in the remote suburbs, touring the facility, sweeping floors, and capturing promotional images, all for a 200-yuan stipend. It was a lucrative and effortless gig, and Shen Ci had snagged a spot solely through Li Yue's connections.

But he never expected to run into Xie Yu here.

And such a Xie Yu at that.

The young master of the Xie family was known for his arrogance and flamboyance, always with a smile on his lips. But just now, as he passed by, his expression was cold and tense, devoid of any trace of a smile.

Xie Yu's bone structure was actually very sharp and defined. When he smiled, it softened his features, but now, with a cold expression, his brows were filled with weariness, giving off an air of aloofness that kept others at bay.

A classmate noticed Shen Ci's gaze and curiously asked: "Senior Shen, do you know that person?"

Xie Yu was tall and good-looking, and even his silhouette was enough to attract attention.

Shen Ci replied: "He's my... friend."

He couldn't figure out why Xie Yu would be here.

The young master of the Xie family was wealthy and privileged, with luxury cars and expensive watches. He shouldn't have any mental issues.

After a moment of thought, Shen Ci informed the leader: "My friend is here. I'll take my leave."

The student volunteer activity wasn't strictly regulated, and as long as one was present for the photos, it was fine. The leader waved his hand, indicating that Shen Ci could go ahead. Shen Ci took a few steps forward and followed Xie Yu downstairs.

He stood in the corner's shadow and saw Xie Yu enter the pharmacy.

After a moment, Xie Yu picked up his medication, tossed the prescription into the trash without a second thought, and then walked away.

Shen Ci hesitated briefly, stepped out of the shadows, and stood in front of the trash bin, making out the words on the prescription.

"Three boxes of Lamotrigine Dispersible Tablets, one bottle of Lithium Carbonate Tablets, two boxes of Oxcarbazepine Tablets..."

All three were bipolar disorder medications.

He bent down, picked up the prescription, smoothed it out, studied it for a while, then tucked it into his chest pocket.

On the other side, Xie Yu had just walked out of the hospital gate when he suddenly slapped his forehead: "How did I forget about the investment?"

He’d originally come to the psychiatric hospital to discuss an investment, but after the consultation, he forgot the main reason he was there.

Xie Yu turned back, and the system materialized silently in front of him, the glowing blue screen nudged Xie Yu: "Host, what was that with the questionnaire just now? You seemed totally unfazed."

It’s hard for a regular person to fake a mental illness, let alone complete a professional questionnaire without revealing any flaws. Yet Xie Yu breezed through it without a second thought.

Xie Yu chuckled: "Because I’ve been through it too."

The system exclaimed, incredulous: "What?!"

"!!!"

It raised its voice, incredulous: "What?!"

Xie Yu’s expression remained calm, unfazed by the bombshell he had just dropped: "In high school, it was mild, not serious, and it’s gone now."

He smiled at the system: "Didn’t you say I’m similar to the original character, including name, appearance, family background, childhood experiences, and so on? So it’s no surprise I’ve been through the same stuff."

The system was stunned: "What?"

Xie Yu was a minor character in the original book, with little screen time and no backstory, so the system wasn’t aware of his background.

Xie Yu said casually: "Nothing much, just that my dad was abusive, got my mom pregnant before they were married, then had her committed, later abused me and tried to send me to an orphanage, and finally found out he had a low sperm count, so I was the only heir. So he took me back and raised me himself."

The system faltered slightly, even though it was an electronic life, it felt as if it was holding its breath like a human.

It asked cautiously: "Did your father hit you?"

Xie Yu sneered: "When you brought my body over? Didn’t you see the marks on my back? They were from when I was a kid."

The system was startled, its voice hoarse: "It seems there were."

"Thanks" to his family, Xie Yu, like the original character, had also suffered from bipolar disorder, especially severe in high school, to the point where he couldn’t study. It was during that time that he learned to drink, fight, and ride motorcycles. Later, after becoming financially independent and distancing himself from his family, along with medication and therapy, he recovered.

"So that’s how it was? Was the original character like this too?" The system was a bit sad, murmuring to itself: "Then his temper being so irritable, and his peculiar habits, are understandable."

Xie Yu scoffed: "Nonsense, I went through the same thing, why aren’t I irritable?"

He irritably unwrapped a lollipop, licked it, and added: "Just because the father is a scumbag and you were abused as a child, does that justify treating innocent people the same way? What’s the difference between that and being a scumbag?"

The lollipop was in his mouth, but it had no flavor. Xie Yu couldn’t bring himself to eat it, so he simply tossed it away: "Forget it, let’s go talk to Xu Qingshan about the investment first."

He turned back, and at this moment, the lobby was filled with volunteers. Shen Ci blended in, not standing out. The two passed by each other, Xie Yu didn’t notice Shen Ci, but Shen Ci saw him.

Xie Yu took the elevator upstairs, and Shen Ci noted the floor and the time, quietly following him.

He noticed Xie Yu heading up to the third floor and stepping into the dean's office, so he casually walked by and peeked through the glass window.

Xu Qingshan was sitting at the consultation desk, holding a dark green patient file. Most hospitals have gone digital now, but Dean Xu still retains the habit of handwriting medical records. The file’s edges were worn, and the pages inside had yellowed and faded, clearly having been used for a long time.

Xie Yu sat opposite him, holding a lollipop like it was a cigarette. His playboy persona had completely vanished, and he leaned back in the chair with a cold and indifferent demeanor.

Xu Qingshan adjusted his glasses: "You want to invest in me?" He smiled helplessly, "That’s not necessary, Xiao Yu. I’m not short on funds."

"Either way, I’ve got nothing else to spend it on," Xie Yu interrupted, "Use it to help patients, expand the hospital, upgrade facilities, or start a relief fund, whatever you want. If I keep it, I’ll just blow it on cars and watches."

He had to stick to the original character’s persona—investing was out of the question. If the investment succeeded, what would happen to the study-abroad plot later?

Xu Qingshan hesitated and let out a small sigh: "Alright, I'll hold onto it for you first."

Xie Yu: "I’ll get a trustworthy lawyer to figure out the contract details. I'll come back to you once it's settled."

With that, he straightened his clothes and stood to leave.

Shen Ci slipped into the next office, and Xie Yu happened to come out of the room. The third floor was mostly administrative offices, devoid of doctors or patients, leaving it eerily quiet. Shortly after, two office workers came from the other direction and happened to pass by Xie Yu.

They put down the reports and glanced back at Xie Yu. The taller girl whispered, "Who’s that guy? A relative? He’s pretty good-looking."

The shorter, round-faced girl shook her head: "Good-looking and loaded, but he’s not a relative—he’s a patient."

She gestured and added, "He’s actually related to our dean. Rumor has it the dean’s his uncle. The dean’s chosen field of focus is reportedly related to his illness."

In a mental hospital, patients are, well, mentally ill.

The taller girl looked shocked. The guy was movie-star handsome, with a calm, natural demeanor that outshone any model. He didn’t seem problematic at all. She was about to ask more, but the shorter girl tapped her head and teased, "Stop prying into patients' privacy. Go tidy up the files."

As they spoke, they gradually walked away.

Shen Ci stepped out of the shadows. The crumpled prescription in his pocket pressed against his skin through the thin fabric, sharp edges making it uncomfortable.

Xie Yu... really a patient?

Young Master Xie had always lived in luxury, lounging around like a pampered cat. No matter how Shen Ci looked at it, he couldn't associate him with bipolar disorder.

At that moment, his phone vibrated. The team leader asked, "Senior Shen, where are you? We're preparing for the group activity."

Graduate students usually don't participate in such activities, but Shen Ci was an exception due to financial constraints. Everyone in the team called him "senior."

Shen Ci smoothed the prescription through the fabric and typed, "Coming."

*

Xie Yu returned to the hotel, locked the medication in the cabinet, and didn't touch it again.

The system was somewhat worried: "Don't you need to take some?"

Xie Yu was speechless: "I already said, I'm not sick now. I just had a brief episode in high school."

Mental illness also has levels. Xie Yu was naturally open-minded, with no insurmountable obstacles. He had a mild episode in high school, but it wasn't severe enough to require medication. After becoming financially independent, he gradually recovered.

The system: "But..."

"No buts," Xie Yu pressed his forehead in frustration, "Do I look mentally ill to you?"

The system cautiously replied: "Yes."

Xie Yu: "."

He pushed the system away in exasperation: "Stop yapping, hurry up and see what happens next. I remember there's a plot tonight."

"Oh, oh, let me see," the system fumbled, "There is a plot, a whole chapter of it."

The whole chapter is packed with major plot points. Xie Yu opened the novel: "What's the chapter called?"

"The chapter is titled 'Forced After a Few Drinks.'"

"Pfft—" Xie Yu spat out a mouthful of hot tea, in disbelief: "What the hell?!"