After seven years of being a "simp," she's reborn and no longer pursuing the aloof sc

Chapter 71

I don't know how Zhou Yong left in the end. Gu Jinhuai held my hand, feeling its coldness, his brows furrowed, and helped me sit on the sofa. He cupped my face in his hands, staring intently at me with a serious expression.

"Zhou Nanzhi, I am not engaged, and I will not get engaged. Believe me, you are the only one I love."

I stared at him blankly, questioning his words, but I didn't say anything, as Zhou Yong's words kept echoing in my mind.

Gu Jinhuai glanced at me worriedly, and was about to speak when a rapid ringing interrupted him. He looked at the screen, and finally gently patted my head to comfort me.

He got up and went to the balcony to answer the phone. After hearing what the other person said, Gu Jinhuai replied urgently, "I'm going back right now."

After Gu Jinhuai finished speaking, he grabbed the car keys beside him. When he glanced at me out of the corner of his eye, his mouth moved, but in the end he didn't say anything and just turned and left.

The door slammed shut. I stared blankly at the coffee table for a long time before I came to my senses. My gaze fell on the closed door. Finally, tired of sitting, I lay down on the sofa and hugged myself tightly.

For several days in a row, I did not see Gu Jinhuai again, but I could still hear conversations about Gu Jinhuai and Song Yuan from time to time.

Song Yuan is back.

I gave a bitter smile. After the start of the semester, I focused all my energy on my studies. Apart from attending classes, I spent the rest of my time working at the pet store.

"Your aunt has been so busy before the New Year that she hasn't had time to ask how you've been lately."

Aunt Hui looked at me with a worried expression, her tone full of concern.

"Well, it's alright."

I don't know if Aunt Hui knows about those things. I forced a smile at her that was more like a grimace, and my voice was a little hoarse.

"Silly child, there is no hurdle in this world that cannot be overcome. Sometimes, don't take things so seriously. As long as it's something to turn the page on, it's not a difficult thing."

"You're still young, and you'll experience many more things in the future. If you can take things easy and let them go, it won't be a big deal!"

As I listened to Aunt Hui's words, I nodded slowly, and a sense of clarity dawned on me.

Aunt Hui is right. Since I've died again, nothing is more important than being happy.

I watched as Aunt Hui spoke those words, her eyes filled with longing.

“Nanzhi, do you know, these words were said to me by someone who loved me very much. By the time I understood these truths, he was no longer here.”

As Aunt Hui finished speaking, she choked up, her eyes reddening. She turned her back to me and quickly wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes.

I watched her pretend to be strong, but I didn't say anything. I just walked over and gently hugged her, hoping that this would give her some warmth.

"Good boy, live a good life."

Aunt Hui gently patted my back, her voice comforting.

"Ah."

I gave a soft "hmm." During our time together, I seemed to have felt a tiny bit of maternal love from Aunt Hui.

But I know that I am already very content with how a stranger has treated me, and I dare not ask for anything more.

For the entire semester, besides attending school and visiting the pet store, I also made an appointment with a psychologist.

After half a year, I still hadn't achieved anything and still couldn't pick up a paintbrush.

Later, Su Qi learned about this and, along with Fu Yiran, helped me a lot, but still to no avail.

Since my father left that time, he has never bothered me again, and I am happy to have some peace and quiet.

With summer vacation approaching, I had given up on seeing a psychologist, but Fu Yiran and Su Qi wouldn't give up and went to great lengths to find the best psychologist for me.

On this Sunday, Su Qi had some family matters to attend to, so Fu Yiran accompanied me to the best hospital in Lincheng to see a psychologist.

"Don't be nervous, we will definitely cure you."

Fu Yiran spoke softly, paying close attention to my emotions and comforting me.

"um. Thank you."

I gave him a gentle smile, and we went into the hospital together.

“I have already made an appointment in advance. This doctor has just returned to his country and is a famous psychologist abroad. You will definitely get better.”

I didn't want others to see me looking disheveled. Fu Yiran was worried, but I decided to have him wait in the corridor while I went in myself.

The office is spacious, with only a desk, two chairs, a coffee table, and a black leather sofa; the style is simple.

"Dr. Sweeney, hello, I am Zhou Nanzhi."

I walked in and greeted the doctor who was busy working with his head down.

"Okay, please sit down for a while and wait a moment."

The man looked up at me, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, but he quickly looked away and continued working.

I sat in the chair, feeling somewhat awkward, especially after he saw the surprised look in my eyes, which made me even more uneasy.

Soon, Svi finished his work, looked up at me, gently adjusted his glasses with his index finger, and asked, "What's your name?"

"Zhou Nanzhi".

After I finished answering, I clearly saw him pause for a moment, but he quickly disappeared from the moment.

He asked seriously, "What illness?"

I explained the situation to him in general terms, and he said with a serious expression, "I understand your basic situation. This is very common. It is a kind of childhood trauma that has accompanied you as you grew up, so when you draw, you will think of those things."

"So, would you mind telling me what exactly happened back then?"

Weiss looked down and fiddled with his phone, then finally placed it face down on the table and stared at me quietly.

Fearing I wouldn't answer, he continued with a serious expression, "Ms. Zhou, if you don't explain clearly, it will be difficult for me to ensure your full recovery according to the medical records."

"Moreover, I will only be in the clinical setting for a week for exchange and learning. After that, I will be going to Beijing to take up a position. You can think about it. Perhaps you can come to Beijing to find me."

"No need, I'll tell you now."

When I heard he was going to the capital, and thinking about that not-so-pleasant place, I already made up my mind: I would try to get an exchange student spot in my junior year and study abroad, and I wouldn't go back to the capital. That way, I could stay far away from Gu Jinhuai.

Since some problems cannot be solved, avoidance is also a viable option.

I took a deep breath, looked up at Weiss, and asked uncertainly, "I need you to keep this a secret and not use it as a research topic."

"Of course, no problem. We will protect patient privacy."

“When I was in junior high school, I loved to draw, but my father would often find out, tear up my drawings, break my pens, and verbally abuse me in various ways…”

As I recalled the past, my hands clenched tightly, my eyes reddened, but my voice was weak and feeble.

"Don't be afraid, tell me everything that's been buried deep in your heart."

Weiss glanced at his phone and then poured me a glass of water.

"Thank you."

I held the cup in both hands, slowly feeling the temperature inside through it. I gradually calmed down and continued, "Before that, I had only drawn one painting. I secretly took it to participate in a children's competition and was honored to win an award. I was also noticed by my high school homeroom teacher, who waived my tuition and helped me get into the top high school. He liked literature and even more art, and thought I would go into art and attend the best art university in the capital, but I didn't."

As I finished speaking, my voice choked with emotion, my eyes glistening with tears, and I continued, "After that, some unpleasant things happened in my family, and after that, I was never able to pick up a paintbrush again."

That past event is a humiliation for me, and I can't bring myself to talk about it again.

I told half the story and kept the other half hidden, because I was afraid that if I told the truth, the doctor would look at me with that kind of gaze.

I nervously clenched my fists. A complex look flashed in Weiss's eyes. In the end, he took my contact information and just told me to go home and wait for news.

After I left, Weiss turned his phone over, looked at the three words "Gu Jinhuai" on the screen, and went to the window with the phone in his hand.

"Did you hear that? She's having a pretty tough time."

After a long silence, the other person finally spoke: "Do you have a solution?"

"To be honest, it's difficult. She doesn't completely trust me. Patients like this are the most difficult to deal with. It takes time. But if she's with the person she trusts most, maybe she can open up. If all else fails, Baidu can only try hypnosis."

"So, she's the girl you've been pursuing? You've liked her for so many years, why don't you just confess? The news of your engagement to Song Yuan has spread far and wide. Doing this will only push the person you love further and further away."

"You know all the dirty secrets in the family. I'll tell her about it once everything is over."

"Weiss, I'm entrusting her matter to you."

"Don't worry about that. I'm a professional when it comes to mental illness. But I see how resistant she is to going back to the capital. Could she be avoiding you?"

After a long silence, the other side fell silent.