Chapter 58: Chapter 58 - 58: The First Treatment

Translator: 549690339

“First, your treatment will take more than half a year, with two sessions per week for the first half-month, and then two sessions per month afterwards. 1 will decide on the dates.”

“Okay.”

“Second, the treatment fee is calculated by the hour, at fifty…” she almost said fifty thousand, “fifty yuan per hour, but for whatever help 1 provide, you cannot refuse.”

It was practically a giveaway price. She didn’t actually want to charge him, but knowing Zheng Xu and his suspicious personality, he would be doubtful if she refused payment.

“Okay.”

“Third, in front of me, we are just a doctor and patient. Besides this, you cannot have any physical contact with me. If 1 find you touching me like you just did, 1 will immediately stop the treatment.”

“Why?” Zheng Xu was just wondering if she was using treatment as an excuse to get closer to him, but he was taken aback when he heard her third condition.

“As I said, everyone may have different phobias. Yours is zigzagphobia, and I have a tendency for contact phobia. 1 don’t like people getting close to me. Do you understand?”

Her contact phobia was much less severe than her OCD. It could only be considered a tendency, not yet reaching a pathological level, just like many people’s preference for cleanliness, with just a bit of heightened sensitivity. “Aren’t you a psychologist?”

Xiao Qian shook her head.

“You’re giving psychologists too much credit. We’re not gods or superheroes who can save ourselves, let alone our loved ones directly. Do you know how many psychologists die from depression every year? A lot! Mental illness has nothing to do with one’s strength of will. Some people don’t fall ill not because they’re strong, but because they’re luckier than those who do fall ill. It’s just like the flu virus; no one knows who will catch it.”

“… Isn’t there any man who can touch you?” Zheng Xu found it unbelievable that a woman like her could exist.

Yes, there was one – wasn’t it Yu Minglang? Xiao Qian did not understand why she disliked both men and women touching her, but not Yu Minglang. It was not until much later that Xiao Qian found out it wasn’t because of love, but fate. Everything happens for a reason.

“If you accept my conditions, our first treatment session will start now.” Xiao Qian deftly changed the topic.

“If I’m not your patient, is it okay to pursue you?” Zheng Xu used the word ‘pursue’.

Women have always been readily available to him, but he knew this woman in front of him was different. This was the first time he declared his intentions to pursue a girl.

“It’s taboo for psychologists to have a romantic relationship with their patients. Breaking this rule means losing one’s qualification to be a doctor. I don’t think you’re charming enough for me to give up the job I love.”

Zheng Xu glared at Xiao Qian for two seconds before suddenly bursting into laughter.

“I want to give it a shot.”

Hearing Zheng Xu’s words, Xiao Qian laughed and shook her head. Zheng Xu was puzzled.

“What are you laughing at?”

Xiao Qian wouldn’t tell him that she thought of Yu Minglang.

That fool couldn’t say anything after hesitating for so long, and even when sending flowers, he only knew to send carnations.

Zheng Xu was more straightforward and bold, but he could only be a friend. Xiao Qian was very clear about the boundary, it was uninteresting for two similar people to be together.

Xiao Qian composed herself and said to Zheng Xu.

“Have your people prepare a place where you can relax. 1 will need a comfortable reclining chair, sandalwood oil, hand sanitizer, and paper.”

“…oil essence, paper?” Upon hearing these items, Zheng Xu’s thoughts went astray.

He and his ex-girlfriends had used these things before, but only as aids for… more intimate activities.

“Wipe those messy thoughts from your mind, or else—” Xiao Qian gestured a zigzag with her hand and Zheng Xu felt dizzy again.

This woman…!

Zheng Xu’s impression of Xiao Qian completely changed after their first treatment session.

The place where Zheng Xu could relax was his villa. The lavishly decorated villa had never hosted a woman before, and Xiao Qian was the first.

She showed no surprise at the luxurious surroundings. She had seen it all in her past life, so she wouldn’t gawk around like a country bumpkin.

First, she asked him to sit down, then she sat down opposite him.

“I thought you’d change into a doctor’s white coat.” Zheng Xu still couldn’t bring himself to see Xiao Qian as a doctor, and his words carried a teasing tone.

“Unless there’s a specific request, I don’t wear the doctor’s uniform. 1 need to make my patients feel relaxed.”

“Actually, I think you’d look great in a uniform.” The kind without anything underneath.

Xiao Qian raised her hand, pretending to gesture a zigzag, and Zheng Xu quickly stopped teasing her.

“What kind of case does my situation belong to?”

“Psychological diseases are generally caused by three factors: brain-related, like inheritance, brain tumors, or external stimuli; second, imbalance of neurotransmitters, which can be treated with medication; and third, psychological barriers. Most phobias are caused by the third factor, which I believe you are as well. However, no one knows what exactly triggered you and left you with a shadow. Once we find the cause, treatment will be faster.”

Zheng Xu didn’t understand the professional jargon, but his expression gradually turned serious.

“Are you really a psychologist?”

“Otherwise, what did you think 1 was? One of those women in the adult films you watch, who wear doctor uniforms for costume play?” Xiao Qian glanced at him, and Zheng Xu’s gaze changed.

From being mischievous and teasing the girl, it grew equal in seriousness. He had a hunch that this woman might really be able to cure him!

“So, how do you plan to treat me?”

“Systematic desensitization therapy combined with hypnotherapy. Now, when you look at the zigzag pattern I’ve drawn, do you feel scared?” She held up the paper with a wavy line drawn on it.

Zheng Xu shook his head.

Xiao Qian picked up another one, slightly more angular than the previous one. Zheng Xu continued shaking his head. Like this, they tested more than ten patterns until Zheng Xu finally showed signs of fear.

“How about this one?” Xiao Qian held up another paper.

Zheng Xu’s face turned pale, his breathing quickened. Not wanting to appear weak in front of Xiao Qian, he clenched his teeth and said, “I’m not scared.”

“Putting up a brave front won’t do you any good. Remember, I’m your doctor. Very well, we’ve found your subjective anxiety level. Next time, we’ll continue the treatment according to the order of your fears.”

She arranged the papers with the zigzags in sequence so they could be reused next time.

“Alright, now we’ll proceed with systematic desensitization. Please lie down on the chair and follow the sound of my voice to enter a relaxed state.”

Zheng Xu lay down on the chair, Xiao Qian’s gentle voice ringing in his ears, “Inhale, exhale, relax. Imagine a beam of light passing over your body. As the

light touches you, you relax – your hair relaxes, your forehead relaxes….”