Love Healing Manual

Chapter 4 Nightmare
I occasionally have nightmares and wake up in a fright.

Every few hours I sleep, I suddenly feel like I'm being haunted by a nightmare, and the content of my dreams is blurry and unclear.

These are Lin Ze's symptoms.

According to medical research.

Nightmares are closely related to a person's psychological and mental state, and excessive anxiety is the root cause of this condition.

But Lin Ze wasn't that anxious. He calmly planned his future and believed that completing his studies with excellent grades was the only thing worth worrying about at the moment.

After a while.

Fewer and fewer customers are coming to the ticket gate.

Occasionally, women rushing over from the elevator with their children, carrying snacks they bought in the mall below, are seen – this is a common sight.

"How long has the movie been going on?"

"It's only ten minutes, you can still go in now, but you can't bring food in," Lin Ze said, leaning down to the child and pointing to the takoyaki in the child's mother's hand. "It's best to eat it here."

"Let's eat now." The gentle woman with purple highlights picked up a takoyaki, ruffled the boy's hair, and the boy obediently opened his mouth, with one takoyaki placed in each cheek.

Chewing with difficulty.

"Ugh—" The boy refused to put any more in his mouth and took a few steps back.

Lin Ze scanned the other party's ticket and kept the ticket stub.

"You can go in."

"Thank you."

The woman nodded and led the child over with small, quick steps.

The new Doraemon series is currently showing in theaters, so the popularity of theatrical releases is gradually recovering.

Lin Ze often saw adults leading children to be late.

After a while.

More than an hour had passed since the movie started, so it was impossible for anyone to come.

Lin Ze told Haruko Kojima at the front desk, and taking advantage of a moment when the theater was empty, he took the elevator down to the pet shop on the third floor.

……

This pet shop is quite large, brightly lit, and has many young women busy inside.

Introduce guests to dog food and pet supplies brands and their uses, and guide them through pet bathing, deworming, and nail trimming.

The store is filled with the constant buzzing of dryers, and the floor is spotless, even reflecting the ceiling lights.

Lin Ze walked in curiously.

On the shelf next to it, a saleswoman was speaking softly to a customer: "Although this dog food is expensive, it is very rich in protein and uses high-quality meat. It can help protect the joints of older dogs."

"real or fake?"

"Of course, madam, your pet is quite old, so increasing its calcium levels is important for joint protection."

"But I'm worried that if I change the dog food, it won't be used to it."

"No, this one is also suitable for dogs with sensitive stomachs and will definitely not cause diarrhea or anything like that."

Since his aunt's family doesn't keep pets, Lin Ze has never been to a pet store; he usually just passes by when he goes to a shopping mall.

Looking at the wide variety of brands on the shelf, he reached out and picked up a bag, carefully examining the ingredient ratios on the back.

Chicken breast, boneless beef, salmon...

The ingredient list is scientifically sound and looks pretty good.

"Sir?" A petite saleswoman approached, wearing an apron, her round face and big, dark eyes looking at Lin Ze. "How can I help you?"

“Hello,” Lin Ze replied politely, “I would like to buy some pet food.”

"Dogs or cats? We also have food for turtles and small fish in our store."

“Dog,” he replied.

"Large dog or small dog?" the shop assistant asked carefully.

"Large...right?"

Lin Ze couldn't help but picture Kitagawa Ayane-senpai in his mind. She was lying on the ground, her saliva dripping from the corner of her mouth in thin strands, panting heavily.

She once said that she imagined herself as a large dog.

That's right.

Lin Ze mentally confirmed it once again.

"Could you specify the breed? There are many types of large dogs. If it's a docile breed, you only need general dog food with sufficient protein content. But if it's a Doberman or Rottweiler, you'll need a dog food with a stronger fishy smell."

“This…” Lin Ze lowered his eyes and explained, “I’m buying dog food for my family’s pet dog, so I don’t know the breed. I’m sorry.”

The petite shop assistant paused for a moment, then waved her hands repeatedly.

"It's alright, sir, why would you apologize? There's absolutely no need for that. Well then... could you describe your appearance to me, or tell me if you look fierce?"

"Is it important to know the variety?"

Lin Ze doesn't like to lie. He's not the type to make things up. If he can't answer a question, he'll choose to remain silent.

But at this point, silence won't solve the problem.

"of course."

The petite shop assistant met his gaze.

After a few seconds.

The round-faced girl looked away, her eyes a little shy, but her professional sales skills still allowed her to explain in a low voice: "Although the dog food in the store is strictly selected and will not cause any problems, it would be a troublesome matter if your dog doesn't like it after you take it home."

Lin Ze is tall and has an "8-point" charm rating. He has been favored by girls since kindergarten, and received countless love letters in elementary, junior high and high school. Otherwise, he wouldn't be known as the "favorite boy" of the University of Tokyo's Faculty of Medicine.

“It’s not fierce, just a normal large dog,” Lin Ze explained, forcing a smile. “Can you recommend a popular brand?” Was he really going to send a LINE message to Kitagawa Ayane-senpai asking, “What brand of dog food do you like?” Even if they were in a doctor-patient relationship, she would never forgive him for that.

After all, he hasn't revealed this bizarre two-stage behavioral intervention treatment plan yet.

Kitagawa Ayane is currently unaware of this.

It's just a system task...

Lin Ze was reluctant to believe this fact, but the systematic treatment plan had been proven effective, which was also a rational and scientific approach.

Does this mean that for diseases beyond our understanding, we must use solutions within our understanding? This is a stubbornness that prevents us from accepting new things.

Furthermore.

Based on Lin Ze's current understanding of medical methods.

1. Behavioral intervention.

2. Psychological intervention.

3. Lifestyle interventions.

These three are indeed the most direct and effective treatment options for psychological and mental illnesses besides medication.

“Then I recommend this one to you, sir,” the petite saleswoman said, handing over a blue bag with a Labrador sticking out its tongue printed on it. “It’s a 3kg package, and you get a free teething toy as well. You can pick it up at the counter.”

"How much does it cost?"

"3500 yen."

It's not cheap...

After receiving it, Lin Ze thought to himself.

He had saved up a lot of pocket money, and the money he earned from part-time jobs was also considerable, which was enough to support a normal university life. However, Lin Ze was always very frugal.

I would never drink sparkling beverages if I had bottled water available—of course, sparkling beverages are the unhealthiest type, not only damaging teeth but also leading to obesity and increasing the risk of diabetes.

The crime is unforgivable.

Suddenly, Lin Ze remembered the appendix to the Healing Manual system.

Points can be exchanged for real-world currency in the shop at an exchange rate of 1 point/100 yen.

Excluding points, he now has a total of 75,400 yen.

"Please settle the bill."

After paying at the front desk.

Lin Ze returned to the cinema ticket checkpoint.

In addition to checking tickets, his job also includes checking whether all facilities have been restored to their original condition after the screenings in the theaters he is responsible for, in order to avoid any safety hazards.

This is no child's play.

Because the fire safety facilities at the cinema in Ueno Shopping Center were inadequate last year, almost causing a fire, they not only hired many employees to be responsible for inspections, but also doubled the width of the escape route.

……

In a quiet corner of the cinema.

Lin Ze took out his phone.

This is an older, best-selling Sony smartphone. It's quite thick and can be used as a self-defense weapon if necessary. He won it in a lottery a few years ago when he was in his senior year of high school and went shopping with his aunt in Ginza.

My aunt always says he's a lucky star.

In this era of rapid smartphone iteration, this phone is a bit outdated.

However, making and receiving phone calls, contacting friends via LINE, or using map navigation are all fine.

He typed on the screen and sent a message to Ayane Kitagawa.

"Lin Ze: Remember to bring your diary with you when you go for treatment next Friday. You've been writing in it, haven't you, Kitagawa-senpai?"

In the dialog box.

The two exchanged only a few words.

It was basically a discussion about the illness and an invitation to schedule treatment, which was seriously scary.

A person who is equally indifferent and rational.

At least that's how it can be judged from the surface.

A few seconds later.

The message sent by Lin Ze was marked as read.

LINE does have this feature, and it even shows how many people have read it in group chats. It's an extremely stupid feature, and many people who aren't keen on group chats think so. It makes some people's anonymity less respectable.

Kitagawa Ayane: Yes... I wrote it. I'll bring it next time.

……

"Ayane?"

Suddenly, a shout from inside the coffee shop made Kitagawa Ayane, who was replying to messages with her head down, look up.

"Today is payday. Remember to go to the boss's wife to collect your paycheck before you leave work," said Miho, the receptionist, winking and giving her a thumbs up. "A hard week is over~ It's time to get your reward."

"I remember." Kitagawa Ayane nodded and smiled at her.

Miho is a very nice person; she is gentle, intellectual, and generous.

She is not only popular in the store, but many customers are also familiar with her.

"Oh my, Ayane's smile is so beautiful. I wish she could smile more often," she teased.

Kitagawa Ayane pursed her lips, did not respond, and took small steps toward another customer.

(End of this chapter)