Chapter 06 Caught off guard

Xia Huixi placed her hand against his chest, and was immediately taken aback, feeling that even through his shirt, his body was frighteningly hot. She gritted her teeth, pushed him back with some force, staggering a step backward, and then raised her face, her calm demeanor tinged with caution: "Please do not do this."

Xia Huixi hesitantly steered the conversation back, genuinely unsure of what else to say. She understood that a person like him would never make her feel uncomfortable in such a situation. Ultimately, she could only try to speak lightly: "You can speak Russian? And you are still so skilled?"

The discussions among the audience became increasingly intense, with many people raising their arms to indicate a desire to ask questions on the spot. The presiding chairman consulted the opinion of the senior professor and ultimately stood up to announce the conclusion of the speech. He also stated that if necessary, an additional session for specialized communication could be arranged.

The old man pondered for a moment, his gaze passing through the lenses, quietly looking at the many people seated: "I sympathize with the experiences of those individuals, yet I am powerless to help."

It was not until she stood at the door of Suite 2205 and knocked on the heavy door that Xia Huixi felt a faint sense of panic. She found it hard to imagine that the person inside the room had truly come specifically for her, or that they were so eager for a psychological consultation. Regardless of the reason, neither was sufficient to convince herself of the inexplicable anxiety she felt at that moment

Su Ruhao did not respond, but took out a clean handkerchief, carefully looked at her, and wiped away the bloodstains, slowly saying: "It's nothing, just a small cut on the forehead from the glass shards earlier."

She, in a moment of urgency, spoke with a somewhat sharp tone: "Let go of me!"

Professor Peng sat in the front row, leaving his two disciples in the back. Xia Huixi began searching for her voice recorder, rummaging for quite a while. When she pressed the button, she noticed the indicator light flickered but could not turn on, leaving her to mumble dejectedly, "It's out of battery." She shook it in frustration, as if it were a test tube, and finally, in disappointment, tossed it back into her bag, saying, "It was clearly fully charged."

The tone was too alluring, and Xia Huixi was taken aback, suddenly feeling a warmth in the palm of her hand. Unbeknownst to her, his fingers had intertwined with hers, fitting together seamlessly and naturally, as if they were always meant to be this way

He initially just smiled lazily without speaking to her, but after a moment, his gaze lingered on her smooth forehead, and he slowly stood up

Xia Huixi's head tilted slightly, yet she still could not evade. It seemed he sensed something, reaching out to support her cheek, his gaze gradually turning icy: "Be good, tell me, who did this?"

After a long while, only the sound of Pei Yueze's heavy breathing remained in the room. The corners of his mouth curved slightly, as if he was making an effort to bring forth a hint of a smile, and he subsequently sat down on the sofa behind him

After a long pause, the only sound in the room was her heavy breathing. Xia Huixi finally calmed down, her fingers lightly tracing the black cover as she slowly said: "No, that is my diary"

For a moment, there was complete silence. The vast majority of people stared at the old man with incomprehensible expressions, likely thinking that they had misheard him.

She simply washed Su Ruhao's handkerchief again. The brown checkered fabric felt somewhat heavy, yet soft. After wringing it out and hanging it to dry, she finally sat down to rest for a while. In truth, she was still feeling apprehensive; when pouring a cup of warm water, her hands were slightly trembling.

I know. The voice on the other end of the phone could hardly conceal its amusement, seemingly pleased with her current expression of surprise, "I am at the same hotel as you."

Pei Yueze's voice soon followed: "What happened?"

Professor Jung took his seat, and a warm round of applause erupted in the venue. The elderly man waved his hand, merely lowering his head to open his notes. The applause gradually subsided. The rotating chairman of the association approached the microphone, briefly expressed a few words of welcome, and then left the remaining time to the elderly man who was already prepared.

Su Ruhao cast a sharp glance at her, his attractive eyebrows slightly furrowing. She knew he was worried and could only smile and wave her hand to indicate that she was fine

He carefully lifted her face under the dim light, seemingly searching for her wounds. Xia Huixi forced a smile and asked, "What did you tell them?"

The questioner stood in the last row behind Xia Huixi, and she could tell that the middle-aged man clearly exhibited disagreement. Perhaps out of respect for the old professor, he ultimately refrained from rebutting and sat down stiffly

What exactly happened to you

Su Ruhao stood behind them, at the end of the narrow alley that resembled a long corridor, where a pale light and shadow stretched his figure infinitely on the ground, casting a mottled shadow before Xia Huixi. His brows and eyes remained sharp and distinct in the thin mist, exuding a strong and fierce aura

He still remembers the cup of hot drink placed on the ground, bent down to pick it up, and handed it to her: "Have a sip of the drink, it will warm you up a bit." He then picked up his coat from the ground and draped it over her shoulders, smiling: "If it weren't for you, that bottle would have fallen on my head."

In fact, just by opening a small corner, Xia Huixi saw from behind him, unable to speak, and quickly pushed him aside to retrieve that black leather notebook

This sentence seems to contain profound emotions, and his slightly hoarse voice caresses every nerve of her hearing, slipping into the depths of the heart with a soft sound. For a moment, Xia Huixi forgot to struggle, allowing him to hold her, her thoughts drifting back to the past and the memories of their fleeting encounters. She found it hard to imagine that such a past could truly leave such a deep impression on him.

Xia Huixi looked at his ease and composure, finally feeling relieved. She slowly leaned half of her body against the wall and closed her eyes again. In her ears, she could still hear the muffled groans of those few people, perhaps accompanied by silent fighting, but ultimately, she no longer had to be afraid.

"It's nothing, just a street attack, disfigured..." In fact, this sentence was meant as a joke, mostly directed at Su Ruhao. As Xia Huixi was smiling and about to finish her sentence, she suddenly noticed that the voices over there had noticeably quieted down

Xia Huixi knew that her attitude was too rude and reckless, feeling somewhat embarrassed, she quietly shook her head to interrupt him: "I was too nervous, I am truly sorry"

In that moment, whether it was because she felt a sense of peace, she was on the verge of tears.

The man who held her hand subconsciously loosened his grip. However, upon realizing it, he seemed to grasp her even tighter. Even his companions became increasingly excited upon seeing this young man with a handsome Oriental face.

At this moment, the dream merely flickered through Xia Huixi's mind, so vivid and lifelike, as if it were a prophecy

Xia Huixi leaned back against the chair, suddenly feeling a wave of confusion in her heart, as if someone had lifted a veil of mist all around her. She stumbled and walked, yet could never find her way.

Even Xia Huixi put down her pen, and a great doubt arose in her heart—shouldn't a doctor take saving lives as their primary duty? Or is it that she did not correctly understand the old professor's meaning?

Su Ruhao effortlessly shifted the topic: "Then you should rest well; tomorrow morning's meeting is very important." As he reached the door, he glanced back. The small window was slightly open, causing a neatly organized stack of her papers to flutter, resembling blooming lotus petals, clean and clear. He gazed at it for a moment before closing the door.

Su Ruhao seemed to think that she was still haunted by everything from last night, and with a gentle smile said, "Alright. I will bring you some food."

Su Ruhao's eyes sparkled with a starlight sheen, the corners of his mouth slightly curling up, his tone direct and forceful: "Fate is something... I have always approached with respect and distance"

She saw that number and actually did not want to answer it

Xia Huixi struggled to wrap her hand around his neck, propping herself against the back of the sofa, trying hard to straighten her back, yet she could not break free. Despite being ill, Pei Yueze's strength remained formidable, confining her to the point of immobility, and his voice, warm like the heat radiating from her hair, came through clearly, each word pronounced: "I miss you"

She bent down, tentatively reaching to touch his forehead, which was indeed astonishingly hot. Pei Yueze held his breath for a moment, feeling a soft and cool sensation on his forehead. Because of this small act of kindness, he felt something explode in his heart, and without hesitation, he forcefully pulled her over.

Su Ruhao seemed to be suppressing a laugh, the corners of his mouth curling slightly: "Does this count as showing off?"

He reached out one hand to gently embrace her waist, while the other hand softly caressed her hair, whispering soothingly: "Do not move"

Su Ruhao's tall figure perfectly enveloped her, bringing a delightful sense of comfort. He carefully took her hand and held it tightly, as if afraid she would get lost, his tone almost a gentle whisper: "Have you only just realized it now?"

Su Ruhao glanced at him and comforted her, "Listening attentively is the same."

Xia Huixi did not react at all, and simply tried to greet politely: "Is this Mr. Pei?"

Professor Peng's gaze shifted to Su Ruhao once again

Professor Peng walked beside two students and sighed: "Once this statement is made, most people would say he has become senile. However... I believe it is not that simple"

The records were dense and numerous. That dream repeatedly appeared during her own nights. Such frequency indicated that the psychological rift between her and Pei Yueze was deepening, and her unconscious compensatory psychology was also intensifying. She propped her forehead with one hand, blankly closed the notebook, and finally placed it carefully at the bottom of the box, as if this would bring her peace of mind

The door opened quickly. The room was very large, which reminded Xia Huixi of her dream, where she also stood in such an incredibly spacious area, staring in astonishment at the luxurious decor of the room, feeling that it was unreal

Su Ruhao smiled nonchalantly, his lips slightly pursed, and his gaze sharp as a blade. Finally, it shifted to Xia Huixi, transforming once again into a warm softness, as if offering silent comfort. However, in the next moment, he had already thrown a punch at the man closest to him, landing a heavy hook on the man's cheek. Caught off guard and likely in pain, the man let out a cry and crouched down, covering his face.

In fact, he was still somewhat out of breath, and due to the vigorous movements just now, there was even a slight sheen of sweat on his forehead. However, his tone was calm, inexplicably putting Xia Huixi at ease. She opened her mouth, about to speak, but suddenly noticed the shadow behind him, her pupils contracting slightly, and without having time to say anything, she pushed Su Ruhao aside.

For the sake of caution and to accommodate Pei Yueze's schedule, she had fully reported her itinerary to his secretary before going abroad. She would return to the country in half a month, and he would certainly be aware of it

The phone ringtone rang once again. When Xia Huixi withdrew her hand, she suddenly felt a sense of reluctance. However, Su Ruhao did not mind, taking the drink from her hand and smiling as he reminded her: "The phone is ringing"

There had been no response for a long time; if it weren't for the absence of a busy signal, Xia Huixi would have almost thought he had hung up the phone. As she walked forward, she instinctively reached to tuck her long hair behind her ear, only to forget that she still had a wound. The moment she touched it, she gasped in surprise, and with a sharp sound, the pain was so intense that she nearly jumped up.

A string of syllables slowly escaped from his thin lips, elegant yet cold, followed immediately by his merciless two punches that struck the man's lower abdomen with a muffled thud. The man bent over like a shrimp, but due to being grasped by the neck, he could only writhe in pain in place.

Xia Huixi's expression shifted slightly, and in the end, she softly uttered, "Oh dear"

Ke Suruhao clearly did not think so. He fixed his gaze on Xia Huixi, whose wrist was being held, allowing the coat at his elbow to slowly slide down, and he repeated that sentence slowly once more. It was not loud, yet it seemed to carry the weight of thunder, striking heavily and clearly at those men.

Her footsteps paused slightly, yet she heard Pei Yueze's voice behind her, gentle and unhurried: "Xiao Zhang"

He skillfully dipped the cotton swab in the medicine, carefully brushed aside her bangs, and smiled as he said, "It's just a scrape. It's nothing."

Someone stood up and asked: "If you do this, will you not feel morally self-reproach?"

As if to make the adhesive bandage stick more firmly, he applied more pressure, pressing it down lightly as if it were barely there, a glimmer of brightness passing through his gaze, and he smiled as he asked: "How about this?"

Pei Yueze calmly repeated: "I am in room 2205, if convenient, please come over."

Ah? No need, I am not hungry. I will go back to my room and sleep for a while. Xia Huixi felt a bit nervous and took deep breaths to calm herself down. There is no need to wait for me to eat.

Xia Huixi was left dumbfounded, hardly able to believe that the man, who appeared so fierce and gloomy at this moment, was actually Su Ruhao, whom she had known all along. From her perspective, his chin was slightly raised, as if he held the power of life and death over others, his brows furrowed in disdain, yet filled with an uncontrollable rage.

He turned around and smiled: "Yes, everyone knows a little."

Psychologists, psychotherapists, and simply enthusiasts of psychology from all over the world crowded into such a large auditorium, with the sound of private discussions incessantly filling the air. Various languages, like the vibrant and colorful blossoms of spring, created a flourishing atmosphere that caught one off guard.

They exited the elevator together and parted ways at the corner on the same floor. Xia Huixi hurriedly left, clutching her documents. However, Su Ruhao stood in place for a moment, the gentle smile that usually graced his lips gradually fading, while the atmosphere around his dark eyes grew increasingly solemn.

The room suddenly fell silent. Xia Huixi sat down at the table, unconsciously opened the black notebook, and flipped to the last few pages, suddenly feeling a shocking sense of realization.

The voice remained cold and faintly said: "Room 2205"

Perhaps it was because the three individuals believed that the disparity in strength between the two sides was too great. The leading man released Xia Huixi and turned to face Su Ruhao, quickly uttering a few words before laughing audaciously, deliberately attempting to provoke him

The pads of his fingers were extremely hot, as if they were a small ball of flame, almost capable of scorching the skin

The elevator in front has already opened, and Su Ruhao is holding the door, waiting for her. Xia Huixi hurriedly hung up the phone and ran over, standing in the middle of the crowd

She almost dropped her phone on the ground, her voice unconsciously rising: "I am not in the country, Mr. Pei..."

Today, his speech focuses on the principles of psychotherapy and the attitudes that a psychologist should possess. In fact, this topic does not directly pertain to the essence of psychology, but because Professor Jung himself is an exceptionally experienced physician, he has developed a particularly unique perspective on the qualities and attitudes that a physician should embody

Xia Huixi was taken aback for a moment and honestly shook her head: "I do not know. Perhaps my experience and knowledge are too shallow, to the extent that I lack the ability to evaluate."

Xia Huixi wanted to step back, but he approached her step by step, his gaze seemingly possessing a magical power, firmly binding her movements like a chain. Until he stood in front of her, raised his wrist, and gently brushed her forehead, leaving no space for her to evade, his tone soft: "What happened?"

Perhaps my experience is somewhat richer than yours. Therefore, to summarize, what I can say is— to a certain extent, we are not the gods of the patients and cannot choose their fate.

Returning to the hotel, they simultaneously fell silent about the events of the evening, not mentioning anything to others. Xia Huixi returned to her room and carefully rinsed her wound with warm water. There was a slight stinging sensation, as if someone were pricking her with a small needle. In fact, the wound was not large; it was merely a slender cut, and since the bleeding had stopped, a hard scab had formed. At this moment, the blood clot dissolved in the warm water, faintly blending into the clear water, revealing a tender pink hue. The wound was indeed not large; it was just a slender cut, and since the bleeding had stopped, a hard scab had formed. At this moment, the blood clot dissolved in the warm water, faintly blending into the clear water, revealing a tender pink hue. As soon as she dried the water, she felt a slight sting again in the coolness.

Su Ruhao said seriously: "There are always exceptions, right? Or perhaps, it is simply that you are too beautiful"

Subsequently, his remarks indicated that he was not speaking carelessly; on the contrary, they carried a slight sigh of resignation

The meeting concluded swiftly. The venue was also located within the hotel's conference hall; it only required crossing a manor. The group walked over at a leisurely pace, engaging in casual conversation. Professor Peng suddenly turned his head and asked Xia Huixi: "Xia, what is your perspective on the question we discussed earlier?"

She couldn't help but laugh: "How is that possible?" In the end, she sighed and remarked, "It might just be bad luck."

That... I find you to be unfathomable...

Xia Huixi remained motionless, tilting her face upward, allowing him to apply the ointment on her face. Even after he placed the adhesive bandage, her expression remained nonchalant, as if he were merely dabbing a few drops of perfume. Su Ruhao glanced at her, then looked at the medicine in his hand with some confusion: "Doesn't it hurt?"

The old professor seemed to be aware of the indifference of most people present, and with a serene smile, he said: "Before realizing this point, I, like everyone here, believed that we had great potential in this world. Perhaps it is only at my age that one can truly understand the meaning of today's statement—I am a fatalist"

Two companions rushed forward, cursing at the sight. The ensuing scene unfolded with a fluidity reminiscent of a movie. Even though the opponents had the advantage in numbers, they were unable to unleash their full potential. Su Ruhao deftly dodged the opponents' aggressive punches, handling the two with apparent ease. His strikes combined the ferocity of Western boxing with the swiftness of Chinese martial arts. In just a moment, he had already knocked down one of the men, leaving the remaining one cornered against the wall. The last man kept glancing at his companion, seemingly uncertain whether to deliver the final blow or to completely give up and attempt to escape.

At this moment, Xia Huixi no longer felt embarrassed; she could only find it somewhat amusing, and finally let out a slight sigh: "Aren't you being a bit too concerned about me?"

He had never seen such a summer Huixi, frowning, with a restless heart, as if he had touched her most cherished possession. He slightly raised his eyebrows, looking at her with a hint of surprise.

He ultimately began to let go slowly. Xia Huixi stood up and turned to walk towards the door. As she passed by the assistant, she heard a very soft explanation: "Mr. Pei started to have a fever as soon as he got off the plane, Miss Xia, he may not be aware of what he is doing... Please do not take it to heart..."

The next morning, after Xia Huixi washed her face, she found that the wound had healed well, forming a light scab. Going out with such a scar was certainly much more understated than with a band-aid.

Pei Yueze raised his dark, ink-like eyes to glance at her and let out a low laugh, saying, "It's nothing."

She patiently repeated the time once again

Pei Yueze's voice on the phone was unexpectedly faint, tinged with a hint of weariness: "When will you be back?"

Without any unexpected events, Xia Huixi's entire body was pressed against him. Even her forehead collided with his. As she touched the wound, she let out a muffled groan.

A piece of oddly shaped medical cotton was stuck on the corner of her forehead. As Xia Huixi looked at herself in the mirror with a sullen expression, she casually asked Su Ruhao, "Didn't that person say that violent incidents never target girls? Why did it happen to me?"

Su Ruhao strode towards her, and the few people behind him no longer dared to provoke, scurrying away in a panic.

But this is not a dream after all

He spoke this sentence softly and slowly, and everyone could hear it clearly.

Su Ruhao stood up, looked into her eyes with great seriousness, and slowly said: "I am sorry, I should not have casually flipped through these..."

Before the voice had faded, several staff members entered through the side door, supporting an elderly man. His steps were slow yet steady, and his head of silver hair shone, as if wisdom had settled within him. Xia Huixi half stood up, wanting to see the old man's face—only to realize that everyone else shared the same thought, almost standing up simultaneously. Given her height, compared to those tall Westerners, she could only catch glimpses of the moving figure through the gaps in the crowd. Xia Huixi half stood up, wanting to see the old man's face—only to realize that everyone else shared the same thought, almost standing up simultaneously. Given her height, compared to those tall Westerners, she could only catch glimpses of the moving figure through the gaps in the crowd.

Xia Huixi followed him out of the alley and softly said, "I am sorry, I should not have wandered around carelessly"

Entering the hotel lobby, Xia Huixi found herself at the back, casually taking out her vibrating phone

He timely stopped the assistant from saying more, and then the entire room fell into silence. Xia Huixi quickened her pace and did not linger any longer

Pei Yueze seemed to find it amusing, instead taking a step forward. He made no other move, merely gazing at her with a faint expression, his eyes gradually drifting to her forehead, as if examining a precious treasure that had developed a flaw, which also revealed a hint of displeasure. "Why are you being so careless?"

However, Professor Peng did not continue speaking. Xia Huixi silently thought, when the school of psychoanalysis represented by Jung began to modify Freud's theories, was it not similar? The so-called words can stir up a thousand waves.

At this moment, exposed to the orange-yellow light of the chandelier, Xia Huixi felt that something was amiss. His complexion was pale, and his beautifully contoured cheeks appeared somewhat gaunt, further accentuating his fatigue. She recalled the burning and scorching breath that had touched her, and then noticed the abnormal redness on his cheeks, as if his energy was being slowly consumed in a gradual burn, and she blurted out: "Pei Yueze, are you running a fever?"

A terrible premonition flashed through Xia Huixi's mind as she recalled the conversation from that day, suddenly realizing that his appearance might plunge the two of them into an even worse situation

Shall we go down together for a meal later? Would you like to go out for a stroll again?

The young man's voice was deep, speaking in another language, but Xia Huixi understood that he was telling them to let her go

He spoke in English, with a slight accent, and at a somewhat slow pace, but his logic was very clear and coherent

Pei Yueze leaned against the sofa at the end of the living room, his demeanor somewhat languid. That corner happened to be a dead spot for the light, thus it was not bright, carrying a sense of obscure darkness. Behind the man was a floor-to-ceiling window, and the vast, shimmering starlight fell upon his tall figure. His gaze, in such darkness, resembled the light refracted from a diamond, quietly landing on Xia Huixi, with his lips slightly curving, appearing quite satisfied

Until those warm and strong hands rested on her shoulders, Xia Huixi opened her eyes. Su Ruhao was gazing at her intently, softly asking: "Are you alright?"

With a click, the door behind her was opened. The pressure around her waist noticeably eased, and Xia Huixi, in a state of disarray, turned to glance at the man who looked utterly bewildered. To an outsider, such a posture could naturally be deemed ambiguous; however, the assistant merely stood at the doorway, eyes fixed on his nose and nose on his heart, resembling a statue, slightly bowing his head as if he had seen nothing.

Doctors should not deceive, nor should they exploit people's erroneous beliefs to mislead them. For instance, in certain situations, one might keep a patient alive by instilling incorrect beliefs in them. However, in reality, it may be better for that person to face destruction than to be saved through misguided means

Hmm? Xia Huixi was taken aback, "It hurts a little. But I can still endure it"

She felt a sense of unease, perhaps due to the astonished tone of Pei Yueze on the other end of the line, or perhaps because of the complex expression on Su Ruhao's face, which was as dark and impenetrable as ink. Thus, she said nothing more and hastily ended the call

Su Ruhao's face turned ashen, and he forcefully pinned the person against the wall, gripping his neck with an astonishing strength. It was evident that the person had no power to resist, his eyes wide open, and his tall frame began to tremble uncontrollably.

From one side, the soft light illuminated Xia Huixi's face, her complexion a crescent-white purity, exuding an unaware beauty. Perhaps this beauty was something she never paid attention to, which made her appear quite distinctive. Su Ruhao pressed his lips together, smiled slightly, averted his gaze, and casually picked up a notebook from the table: "Is this your data compilation?"

A glass bottle was violently smashed against the wall, and she quickly turned her head, feeling a slight chill at her temple

This viewpoint has never been expressed in Professor Jung's previous works, and in Xia Huixi's mind, he has always been a passionate yet calm scholar and clinician, not at all resembling the coldness of his words at this moment

She was sitting in the chair, and just as she opened the book in front of the table, she heard someone knocking at the door

At this moment, seeing Su Ruhao brought her great comfort. Being alone in such a large guest room always made her feel a bit anxious. However, it was clear that Su Ruhao was not there to chat; he stood at the door holding a bottle of medicine and a band-aid, saying, "Let me take care of this a bit; it would be bad if it got infected." She stepped aside to let him in and noticed that his hand was also simply bandaged. She asked him, "Is your hand alright?"

Xia Huixi only felt a slight dryness in her throat, standing still without moving. Finally, she forced a smile and said, "What brings you here?"

His tone seemed to be comforting a child, and Xia Huixi's face turned red, not daring to meet his gaze. She could only awkwardly glance down and noticed that his hand was covered in abrasions, with a large area broken and bleeding, which must have been quite painful. Yet he appeared completely oblivious, his gaze gentle, as if he were melting jade, warm and restrained. For her, it was a kind of calm and composed solace. Yet he appeared completely oblivious, his gaze gentle, as if he were melting jade, warm and restrained. For her, it was a kind of calm and composed solace

In the end, he released the man, merely because he heard Xia Huixi softly call out. Turning his profile towards her, he noticed that she was evidently lost in thought, staring at her own fingers—unintentionally touching her cheek, only to find it stained with splotches of blood