Return of the Antagonistic Lady Boss

Chapter 173 - 172: All Friends

Just as Qian said, after waking up from sleepwalking, she doesn’t remember anything that happened.

Dong Yi didn’t believe she was sleepwalking at all, and even after Qian and Shi Yu told her the truth, it took her a while to accept it.

Back at the dormitory, Shi Yu was still in shock, while Dong Yi sat on the bed, exchanging glances with Qian.

Qian knew that Dong Yi was wrestling with her thoughts.

She didn’t push her; after waiting for more than ten minutes, with Shi Yu already lying down from exhaustion, Qian finally spoke up.

"In your freshman year, everyone’s sleepwalking habits are different. Yours is clearly very dangerous."

"..."

"Based on what other students in the school have reported, I infer that this isn’t your first time sleepwalking. If you just wander around our dorm, it’s one thing. But you go to very dangerous places, and if you keep sleepwalking like this and misstep, the consequences could be serious."

Qian now suspects that Dong Yi’s jumping from a building in her past life could have been due to sleepwalking.

Considering past legends that said she always wandered in a white dress, it’s very likely that someone had seen Dong Yi sleepwalking before, and after she jumped, they connected the events to make sense.

When Qian first met Dong Yi, she suspected she had solitary disorder, but after getting to know her for a while, she found that although Dong Yi was unwilling to socialize, she was not completely unresponsive, not fitting the diagnosis of solitary disorder. Moreover, Dong Yi is internally a very opinionated person and shouldn’t just jump off a building when facing a problem.

So, it’s plausible to explain falling due to sleepwalking.

"Why do I sleepwalk to the rooftop?" Dong Yi asked Qian.

"Generally speaking, sleepwalking behaviors occur after changes in the subconscious and are pathological. The content of your sleepwalking should be a re-enactment of your painful experiences. Have you ever had a painful experience on the rooftop that you need to compensate for?"

Qian’s question changed Dong Yi’s facial expression. She clenched her hands, not daring to answer directly, and instead softly asked.

"How can I stop sleepwalking?"

"Sleepwalking occurs when you’re under great mental stress, uncontrollable by self-awareness. There are three treatment methods: The first is the aversion therapy I applied to you today. If it works, you won’t sleepwalk for a short period. But if it doesn’t..."

Dong Yi asked, "What then?"

"The second is for you to accept my treatment. I will help you with mental catharsis to release your pressure and find what bothers you internally, which is the best way. The third is medication, which I don’t recommend."

Qian had previously told Dong Yi that she hoped she would accept her professional treatment, but Dong Yi hesitated and hadn’t sought Qian until now. But with such a terrifying manifestation of her sleepwalking disorder, both knew they couldn’t drag this matter on.

"Let’s see tomorrow..." Dong Yi was actually wavering.

Shi Yu, who was pretending to sleep and eavesdropping, couldn’t bear it any longer, shot up, and burst into tears.

"Da Yi, what are you afraid of? Why can’t you accept Qian’s treatment? What if you sleepwalk again tomorrow? What if you misstep tomorrow?!"

"..."

"Do you not consider us friends? Don’t you know I’m scared to death!" Shi Yu climbed up to the upper bunk without caring if she disturbed the other dorms and hugged Dong Yi, crying.

"Frie...nds?" Dong Yi repeated the two words with some confusion.

She was only close to Chen Xiaoqian because she was someone around her benefactor. She had never had friends since childhood.

After a natural disaster in the village killed her parents, others said she was a jinx who doomed her parents and nobody played with her since childhood. She got used to being alone.

"It’s okay if you don’t consider me a friend. I truly consider you one. It’s not easy for us from all over to gather together; isn’t this fate? You are closer to Qian than me and usually ignore me, but that’s okay. I think you’re a good person, and I like being friends with you. You really scared me today."

Shi Yu, still half a child with genuine emotions, hugged Dong Yi and cried loudly, making Dong Yi feel something had changed inside her.

Qian thought of herself as a weathered person, but seeing this sincere child cry, her eye corners got a little wet; emotions are contagious, especially such sincere ones.

"She’s really worried about you. She just cried... I’m worried about you, too."

Many people don’t know that most psychological problems stem from a lack of emotion, and a heartfelt expression may change a person’s life.

Seeing both roommates express themselves this way, waves finally stirred in Dong Yi’s calm heart.

"Alright... I agree to accept Qian’s treatment."

"Great!" Shi Yu cheered.

Qian also smiled a little.

"What are you doing in there! Are you still letting people sleep?" The next dorm, woken up again, knocked angrily.

Shi Yu stuck her tongue out and shouted outside, "I’m sleepwalking!"

"You better stop, Shi Touyu, or I’ll complain to the dorm manager tomorrow!" The other side viciously warned.

Qian smiled slightly. This silly youth is really nice.

The next day, Qian skipped an unregistered afternoon class with Dong Yi, locking the dormitory door and not letting anyone in.

"Are you ready?" Qian asked Dong Yi.

Dong Yi nodded. Seeing her nervous look, Qian didn’t rush the treatment but instead started chatting about everyday subjects.

"Last night I went for skewers with Shi Touyu. The night market skewers are delicious. The owner, an interesting couple, gave us many..."

Dong Yi listened to Qian vividly narrating last night’s events. Gradually, she relaxed.

A good psychologist will make a person forget she’s a doctor at a critical moment.

Qian sat cross-legged on her bed while Dong Yi sat on Shi Yu’s bed. Qian pulled out a shabby doll from her luggage and tossed it to Dong Yi.

"Use this as a pillow; it might be more comfortable."

"Did you buy it?"

"It’s a gift from my rich younger brother after working for a month. He earned 600 yuan and spent 400 on gifts for me and mom, all some low-quality things, but mom’s happy because she thinks he’s grown up."

The shabby doll was indeed gifted by the rich Chen Zilong, clearly made of black-hearted cotton. Qian looked down on it, yet he sneakily stuffed it into Qian’s bag, feeling accomplished.

Dong Yi felt envious, "You have a younger brother."

"Yeah, he’s a problematic teenager, so annoying."

"You aren’t really annoyed with him. If you dislike someone, you wouldn’t bother talking to them."

Qian laughed dryly, "Haha, you’re sharp. Maybe that’s why I think you could be a good psychologist, with a unique God’s perspective."

"I envy people with siblings..."

Gradually, Dong Yi was led into the main topic by Qian. Seeing her relaxed, Qian quickly asked, "Da Yi, do you not have siblings?"