Chapter 5: 5

Pleading and Reassurance

 

Yi Zhize held the phone tightly to his ear, his hands sweaty and sticky.

Despite his best efforts to maintain his composure, Ou Tingyun could hear the vulnerability and unease beneath his flat tone.

"Zhize, don't worry, I'm here.” Ou Tingyun's voice was unusually gentle and intoxicating in the silence of the night: "Let's take a few deep breaths, shall we?"

"Okay."

On the other end of the line, Ou Tingyun rose from the bed and pulled back the curtains, letting the moonlight pour in.

He leaned against the window and guided the patient on the other end of the phone, "Zhize, first breathe in slowly and imagine it entering your body..."

On the other end of the phone, Yi Zhize lay on his back and took a deep breath.

Gently closing his eyes, the only thing that remained in his mind was the magnetic, low voice of Ou Tingyun: "It flows along the windpipe, through your nose, down your throat, into your lungs and then penetrates into your blood."

"When it has fully penetrated you, exhale gently."

"Send all displeasure and fatigue out, and let all unpleasantness and discomfort leave you."

After a few breaths, Yi Zhize felt slightly more relaxed.

Ou Tingyun asked, “Zhize, what difficulties are you having? Is it a nightmare?"

“En."

"Care to talk to me about it?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Don't want to tell you."

Ou Tingyun whispered and laughed, "Okay, so how do you expect me to help you?"

"I don't know. Do you have moments of difficulty, Teacher?"

"Of course."

"What causes you difficulty?"

"A lot. For example, not writing a single word for a paper with a deadline coming up, not getting a cold soda at the end of the day, or something like that."

"What's so difficult about something so trivial?"

"Emotions are irrational, no matter how big or small, aren't they?"

Yi Zhize paused for a moment and softly hmmed.

"Sometimes, I pass by the beach. The seagulls slice low across the water, and the afterglow of the setting sun shines on my shoulders. An inexplicable sadness instantly envelops me, and I even think of jumping into the sea and forgetting about it."

"You're hopeless."

Ou Tingyun couldn't help but laugh again, "Why do you say that?"

"You're a psychologist, how come you can't handle the thought?"

"Psychologists are human too."

"Jumping into the sea for no reason will cause trouble for others."

“Zhize is so thoughtful, I promise you I won't cause trouble for others."

"I still think that jumping into the sea is not a good idea."

"I wouldn't really go jumping into the sea."

"So you're lying?"

"No, I do have that thought, but I won't actually carry it out.” Ou Tingyun explained patiently, "What I'm trying to say is that human emotions are ever-changing. It is like the two poles of yin and yang, which mutually compliment each other. There is good and there is evil, and there is positive and there is negative."

“Hmm."

"Whether it's joy or pain, it's the most real you. There is no need to judge or be alarmed, but to accept and detach."

"Pain, too, can be accepted?"

"Yes.” Ou Tingyun said, "Forget the source of the pain, focus on the ebb and flow of the emotion itself, feel it burning and silencing in your body, and let it fade away. Don't let it take control, and it will have nothing to do."

“Okay."

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"How do you feel now? Still having a hard time?"

"No, I'm feeling a little sleepy."

“Zhize, how about you let me help you sleep?"

"Okay."

“Zhize, close your eyes. You feel yourself crystal clear and translucent, weightless and without any heaviness."

Ou Tingyun's tone was soothing and soft as he gazed through the window at the brightness of the clear moon: "You drift upwards, to the left and to the right at will. Wherever you want to go, you go there, and all your experiences are forgotten."

"Zhize, you can no longer remember what you are, what you are not. You have also forgotten where you came from and where you originally intended to go."

"You float and float at will with the balmy breeze..."

The sound of even breathing came through the receiver, like a subtle murmuring whisper in the stillness of the night.

Knowing full well that he was asleep, Ou Tingyun still whispered, "Good night, Zhize."

———

The next morning, Ruizheng Law Firm.

When Ou Tingyun saw Yi Zhize again, he was back to his old iceberg indifference and intellectual self, as if it was someone else who had called and pleaded with him last night.

Yi Zhize, dressed in an elegant suit, explained the latest developments in the case to Ou Tingyun and Du Wenkang in a clear and methodical manner, while Du Wenkang nodded attentively every now and then, showing his appreciation and admiration.

Ou Tingyun kept staring at Yi Zhize and couldn't help but imagine him last night…

What a pity, if only I could have seen it with my own eyes.

If I could have seen with my own eyes, Mr. Yi, such a magnificent, confident and calm man, having to plead for his own comfort due to his pain and anxiety.

It was so delicious to think about…

Yi Zhize saw him looking at him with a torch-like gaze and unconsciously locked eyes with him.

Ou Tingyun blossomed into a gentle smile.

Yi Zhize asked, "Director Ou, is there a problem?"

"No."

Ou Tingyun had not revealed their doctor-patient relationship to anyone, strictly following the principle of confidentiality in the ethical rules of psychotherapy. Therefore, whenever they were in public, the two would pretend that they did not know each other well.

But that doesn't mean he'll let the opportunity to flirt with the man go unnoticed: "I'm a bit fascinated by how well Mr. Yi speaks. I have to say, I'm already too impressed by you to stop myself."

Yi Zhize paused very visibly for a moment.

With a smile in his eyes, Ou Tingyun watched his reaction carefully.

Sure enough, Yi Zhize's thoughts were interrupted for a moment before he averted his gaze and returned to talking about the contents of the document.

Being socially inept, he adopted an avoidance strategy.

How cute.

Ou Tingyun deliberately added, “Mr. Yi, no offence intended, I was just being frank and complimentary."

Yi Zhize sighed helplessly, "Thank you. But Director Ou, that's not important, please focus on our main topic."

"Okay." Although Ou Tingyun said this, his eyes were still glued to Yi Zhize, and he didn't move away for a moment.

Du Wenkang sensed something subtle: Why was Director Ou so happy? Why isn't he even looking at the documents? Just staring at Mr. Yi? But he didn't dare to ask, let alone speak, so he could only keep his head down and read the documents.

Yi Zhize himself was unaware of this and continued to do his job diligently.

When the meeting was over, Du Wenkang was naturally full of praise for Yi Zhize.

As they parted, Ou Tingyun asked, "The trial starts tomorrow, right?"

“Mhmm."

"I'm looking forward to seeing Mr. Yi’s court arguments."

Yi Zhize didn't know how to answer that, so he hummed again.

Ou Tingyun pulled open the glass door to his office and said softly, "Goodbye, Mr. Yi."

"Goodbye."

As usual, Yi Zhize concentrated on organising the relevant materials and preparing for the court hearing the following day.

 

Unbeknownst to him, he had already fallen into the trap of the hunt.

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