Chapter 02 Interviews and Consultations

Xia Huixi held the cup of warm water, took a slow sip, and finally said: "Self-catering for meals and accommodation. It's quite expensive"

Xia Huixi also sighed: "It's been two days. I've only input less than half of it." She pressed her temples, feeling a bit of a headache, and asked, "Is there something?"

Xia Huixi lowered her head to search for her transportation card when suddenly a young man stopped her: "Miss Xia?"

Although it was broad daylight, the young man's apartment still felt somewhat awkward, so she brought up a topic: "Could it be that you've even forgotten which floor you live on?"

It looks really good. What you said makes a lot of sense. The makeup artist paused for a moment and said, "Your family must be waiting by the television for you to come out, right?"

He opened the door for her, a smile that was neither fully a smile nor fully not: "Do you not believe me?"

The driver thoughtfully turned on the lights. The soft yellow glow descended, as if pouring a spring of fresh water over her fair neck, creating a mist akin to that of a pure lotus, gently flowing and warming the air.

The headband did not secure all of her hair; some fine, soft strands remained at her hairline, fluffy like the tufts of a dandelion. He gazed at her intently, and when he finally spoke, his tone was laced with a smile, seemingly filled with infinite tenderness: "It's alright, then let's do it next time"

Because Pei Yueze showed no interest in reaching out to take the business card, he said淡淡的: "I am not here for you to introduce me in the center."

The program is indeed quite uninteresting. He still has the same refreshing and handsome features, his gaze deep and seemingly like a black hole, absorbing even the slightest expression from her.

She hardly left herself any time to discern whether he was joking or serious, and Xia Huixi fled in a panic. She ran all the way to the corner before she remembered to stop and catch her breath. While in the elevator, her phone beeped, indicating she had received a text message: Your expression is really cute

He leaned slightly forward, observing her reaction intently, exuding an undeniable firmness that brooked no refusal

She seemed momentarily taken aback, then smiled: "Indeed, such opportunities are rare; I will consider it."

The themes of these recent issues have become increasingly interesting. It is indeed commendable how the staff came up with these ideas

She was still half in doubt, lingeringly glancing at the computer, her tone somewhat uncertain: "You aren't lying to me, are you?"

The makeup artist smiled while applying blush to her, saying: "Miss Xia, my parents really love this show!"

Then he closed the window for her and said, "Let's go, it's time to eat."

In fact, this is a very good job, as the program is fixed, occurring once a week. The topics for the participants need to be sought out, while the special guest is always the same. In the words of others, it is simply a case of gaining both fame and fortune

Xia Huixi was watching from the side when she suddenly remembered that a magazine had previously commissioned her to write a column. In a state of confusion, she sent over an unpublished short article she had written on the comparison of Eastern and Western consciousness. The editor was almost taken aback and called her, saying: "We are a leisure column. We need something akin to inspirational quotes. This article... is just too profound."

Because she was going to the television station to record a program in the afternoon, Xia Huixi first went to his house to copy some software. Previously, she had no idea that Su Ruhao lived in such a high-end apartment. After the car stopped downstairs, she casually asked, "Aren't you going to park in the garage?"

Truly remarkable and powerful

They were dining in the restaurant on the second floor of the cafeteria. After casually ordering a few dishes, Su Ruhao asked her: "Did you receive that email?"

Today, a foreign daughter-in-law and a Chinese mother-in-law confronted each other with their two languages, chattering away. The son, who had returned from studying abroad, sat in the middle looking like an elite, suffering from a headache and unable to interject a single word. The audience below cooperated by making various expressions, feeling deeply troubled by such a scenario

Pei Yueze focused intently on her movements until she handed him a business card

He frowned and asked, "When do you plan to compare this?"

In a tone that was half-joking and half-serious, it was difficult to discern what this person was truly thinking. Xia Huixi felt inexplicably annoyed; being of a mature age, encountering such a situation still left her in a state of confusion. Her face betrayed her, flushing bright red, reflected on the somewhat unclear walls of the elevator, where she vaguely saw a rosy hue like clouds.

When I stepped out, the sky had not yet darkened. The afterglow of the setting sun enveloped the city, bringing a hint of warm heat. A tree of phoenix trees adorned with leaves that mixed golden yellow and green, resembling the palms of adults, caressed the sunset, casting shadows that fragmented the smooth road like incomplete craters.

However, at this point, Xia Huixi no longer had any formations to speak of, so she adopted his words and demeanor, slightly biting her tongue, and insisted: "I apologize"

The last sentence awkwardly halted in the middle, left unfinished

She looked back at the little girl in the mirror: "Thank you"

The only explanation is intuition

She retorted, "I see no necessity for you to seek consultation."

Perhaps it is merely intuition

After hanging up the phone, I felt my heart pounding like a drum, thump thump thump. Unconsciously, I took a deep breath, barely managing to calm myself. The space in the car suddenly felt a bit cramped. Xia Huixi knew that her phone's volume was usually quite loud, so she couldn't be sure whether Su Ruhao had heard this brief conversation. A sense of discomfort lingered in her heart, but she quickly reassured herself that it was a perfectly normal conversation, and even if it were overheard, it wouldn't matter.

He went to the study to copy software, while she sat on the sofa, glancing around the room with a hint of curiosity

This is the era we live in

He seemed a bit troubled, rubbing his brow: "May I ask a question? What is it that makes you repeatedly refuse a client in need of consultation?"

Intuition, as one of the four major functions of consciousness, is a function that is the most difficult to explain. Xia Huixi unconsciously skimmed over those specialized terms in her mind and heard Pei Yueze instructing the driver: "Go to Nanda."

In the end, she still got into the car

At that time, I even asked him: "Is there a Chinese translation?"

It is an international seminar on psychoanalysis, to be held in November in Saint Petersburg. The organizers sent an invitation letter to Professor Peng Ze, who then forwarded it to them.

After biting the pen tip and pondering for half a day, I finally managed to produce a rather awkward piece that I sent over, during which I mentioned extramarital affairs and material desires several times. The editor was overjoyed and immediately said: This is the style we want from now on

Professor Peng will go. What about you

Many people inevitably feel nervous when they first enter a studio, but she possesses a sense of "observing the bustling scene with a sense of detachment." The programs recorded rarely feature real people or true stories; instead, many involve actors and pre-written scripts, performed with utmost seriousness. She finds it amusing to watch from the side, as those tears and arguments are quite impressive for untrained individuals to portray. At the end of the program, following the script that had been sent to her earlier, she offers a few comments from a professional perspective, successfully completing her task. She finds it amusing to watch from the side, as those tears and arguments are quite impressive for untrained individuals to portray. At the end of the program, following the script that had been sent to her earlier, she offers a few comments from a professional perspective, successfully completing her task.

He let out an "oh" as he saw her slender, pale fingers deftly dancing on the keyboard, appearing completely absorbed in her task. He couldn't help but recall her appearance on television, half of her face hidden behind black-framed glasses, her hair neatly styled into a bun, making her look four or five years older than usual. During the critique, her tone was calm and composed, exuding an authoritative presence that commanded respect.

Xia Huixi listened attentively but did not respond, lowering her head to search for something in her bag

Xia Huixi admitted that ultimately what attracted her was the remuneration, so after consulting her mentor's opinion, she agreed.

He walked beside her: "I will still need to take you later, so it's convenient to stop here."

This seemingly effortless act has blocked her retreat, leaving Xia Huixi feeling suffocated. All the prepared words have slipped her mind, as if she were a general whose formation has been disrupted, staring blankly at the impending collapse of the battlefield, unsure of how to respond to the opponent's assault

Su Ruhao had no time to respond when her phone rang

Is she deliberately making fun of him? Xia Huixi already knows that he is older than her and has much more experience. If possible, she would rather take back the words that made him call her "Senior Sister" that day.

Her first reaction was to refuse, but in the end, the words were on the tip of her tongue, and she still said, "Let me think about it"

It was simply meticulous to the extreme. She repeatedly expressed her gratitude and invited him to dinner. Su Ruhao did not refuse, only half-jokingly remarked, "I dare not fail to fulfill the senior sister's request."

This is a business card of a senior female colleague of mine, who is now a well-known psychological counselor

She looked at Pei Yueze without fear and said: "Psychological counseling is a two-way process. No one can force anyone. I can only advise you that with such an attitude, even if you were to consult Freud, the effect would probably be worse than not seeking counseling at all"

In the end, with a teasing tone, half-serious and half-joking, "But I came to see you!"

He nodded quietly, saying: "Yes. I just moved in a few days ago, so it's still a bit unfamiliar."

I watched your program and found it very good. I have some personal matters regarding psychological counseling that I would like to consult you about. Would you be willing to have dinner together?

Pei Yueze

Miss Xia is so busy that the time she has left for me is limited. In fact, I came to find you this time to ask if you could be my psychological consulting advisor. I wonder if you could spare some time for this. He said simply, his hands clasped on his knees, his gaze drifting over the fleeting street scenery. The frequency of consultations will not be too high, and the duration will not be too long. As for the remuneration, I am not aware of the market rate; you can discuss it with my assistant.

Pei Yueze was not angry; he slowly withdrew his gaze. That kind of stare was like a vast fishing net, leaving her with nowhere to escape. He looked at her cheeks, which were slightly flushed with excitement, and said softly, "I only want you"

She raised her slender, willow-like eyebrows in surprise

He ultimately insisted on taking her to record the program. As they approached the television station, he joked, "Next time, take me in to see the scene for myself."

After a moment of surprise, Xia Huixi smiled with her eyes and brows curved: "They do not live here. I will take the CD back to show them."

Also because of this program, Xia Huixi experienced a moderate taste of fame. Originally, there were suddenly many more auditing students in that class, and some students would send long emails to share their thoughts and feelings. Even many colleagues and classmates would call her "Doctor Xia" when they met. In fact, that was her title in the program, which Xia Huixi did not particularly like, always feeling that it imposed a specific identity upon her. However, sometimes she thought it was not so bad, as at least this identity could distinguish between reality and television, much like the heavy makeup the makeup artist applied to her, allowing her to hide behind it and feel a sense of security. In fact, that was her title in the program, which Xia Huixi did not particularly like, always feeling that it imposed a specific identity upon her. However, sometimes she thought it was not so bad, as at least this identity could distinguish between reality and television, much like the heavy makeup the makeup artist applied to her, allowing her to hide behind it and feel a sense of security

She does not remember this voice: "May I ask who you are?"

A few days later, Xia Huixi was somewhat surprised to receive a job invitation. It was an invitation from a television director for her to be a special guest on a talk show. As for why the director approached her, it was quite a coincidence. In short, they had met during a campus event, and the director happened to think that her image and demeanor were quite suitable for being on screen, so they took note of her.

It was a string of very unfamiliar numbers. When Xia Huixi answered, she responded as usual with considerable politeness: "Hello, how are you?"

Pei Yueze let out a slight sigh of relief: "You can take a few more days to consider."

It is truly a brand new home

Xia Huixi remained silent for a while, and when she raised her head again, her gaze was almost murderous: "Are you out of your mind! I didn't save it!"

He casually remarked, "I translated it, you can just make do with it."

Xia Huixi followed the direction he pointed and looked over. The rear window of that car was half-open, and she saw Pei Yueze's profile, as if someone had cast all the remaining brilliance of this city upon his side, an indescribable handsomeness. It seemed he sensed her gaze, slightly turned his head, and imperceptibly nodded, as if to acknowledge her.

"Do you want to watch? You can do so anytime. But it's quite boring, everyone just recites lines, it's all fake." Xia Huixi gently rested her right hand on her forehead, seemingly a bit weary, "Are you really watching such a program?"

He held the steering wheel with one hand while glancing at his phone. In fact, the sliding cover had not even closed, and the numbers seemed to dance like twinkling little stars: call duration 20 seconds. The corners of his lips curled up slightly, as if a taut line, sharp as a knife.

When she captured this smile, it felt as if she was instantly immersed in the icy blue sea, with a chill even in her breath. An inexplicable fear. Regarding this man, she had always struggled to pinpoint what she truly thought deep down. It seemed that ever since that dream began, she had an inexplicable aversion to him. Yet, she did not even know where that subconscious aversion originated from

In the office, only the sound of typing could be heard. Su Ruhao seemed to notice her lack of enthusiasm for conversation, so he reached out to support the back of her leather swivel chair, giving it a gentle push, which sent both her and the chair out of reach of the keyboard.

The air, like cotton soaked in water, suddenly descended heavily, pressing down with great force

She was admiring the beautiful surroundings, and only after a moment did she realize: "No, no, I can go by myself in a little while."

"That's how it is, Mr. Pei. I am quite busy at the moment. As you can see, I just finished recording the program and still have to go..."

Their program has recently undergone a revision, and it does not directly inform the audience whether matters have been resolved or not, always leaving a cliffhanger for the next episode. She couldn't recall it immediately. Since the episodes are recorded well in advance, and she is indifferent to the broadcast schedule, she is not even clear about which episode he is referring to. After a while, she casually said: "No reconciliation, they are divorced. The child belongs to the father"

Su Ruhao, however, answered the question indirectly, smilingly glancing at her before saying: "What was the result of yesterday's episode?"

Such programs have suddenly become popular in recent years. They typically begin by airing a story from everyday life. The content usually revolves around common family disputes such as those between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law, newlywed couples, or property division. Then, a psychologist is invited to analyze the situation for the parties involved, and finally, the conflicts are resolved, leading to a happy ending for all.

The young man slightly bowed and said, "Please get in the car." He pointed to the vehicle not far away, with warmth and politeness

The decor is understated and smooth, suitable for a single man, yet Xia Huixi suspects that he does not care at all about what this place looks like. It is astonishingly simple. If it were a model home, others would probably not believe it. Because in a model home, at least some fruits or flowers would be placed to mimic a semblance of life. But here, there is not a trace of liveliness, just like that wall, devoid of decorative paintings or frames, completely bare, as if it were a blank sheet of paper. Because in a model home, at least some fruits or flowers would be placed to mimic a semblance of life. But here, there is not a trace of liveliness, just like that wall, devoid of decorative paintings or frames, completely bare, as if it were a blank sheet of paper.

The phrase "neurotic" was already on the tip of her tongue, and Xia Huixi was about to blurt it out when the other party seemed to know what she was about to say and perfectly interrupted her: "Don't misunderstand, I am referring to psychological counseling"

He was not nervous at all, leisurely turning off the monitor for her: "I'll help you this afternoon, it will definitely be done in three hours." He smiled again, "Really. When I was abroad, I had a specialized software for calculating frequencies. After dinner, I'll copy it for you. Including the time it takes for me to go home and copy the software, three hours."

She was astonished to find that there was no such person in her memory bank

In fact, his tone is quite polite

She was momentarily taken aback, feeling a sense of confusion and uncertainty, and could only respond with, "Hello, Mr. Pei."

The typical taste of instant coffee. Smooth and gentle until the end, with an aftertaste that can become cloying.

Xia Huixi nodded slightly: "I have already eaten at the studio." She was somewhat uncertain about this conversational technique, but she still refrained from asking the other party anything. In her heart, she contemplated that perhaps when the other party spoke up on their own, she could have a bit more initiative.

Xia Huixi was momentarily speechless and took back the business card. Suddenly, some emotions surged in her mind, and instead of being angry, she smiled: "Mr. Pei, whether the program is canceled or aired is not for me to decide. To be honest, I don't care. However, regarding my own schedule, no one can make decisions for me."

Su Ruhao smiled faintly, not engaging in an argument with her. Once they entered the elevator, the doors gradually closed, and after a moment, he pressed the button for the seventh floor

"Have you finished filming? Would you like to have dinner together?" Su Ruhao's voice seemed to be warmed by the spring sunlight, radiating a gentle warmth that temporarily dispelled the heavy gloom and anger pressing down on Xia Huixi's heart. "Where are you?"

Both parties remained silent for a moment. It was after work hours, and surprisingly, there were no red lights or obstacles encountered, making the journey exceptionally smooth. The lush greenery of the old campus of Nanjing University, which has a history of over a hundred years, was already in sight.

Fortunately, it ended quickly. The studio has already started distributing lunch boxes. Xia Huixi has eaten a few times; the rice is too hard, each grain resembling scorched rice, which she finds difficult to get used to. She misses the thin yet inexpensive white fungus porridge from the cafeteria, so she patiently endures the enticing aroma of braised pork chops in the room while removing her makeup. Finally, she touches her clean face, combs her hair once more, and takes the elevator downstairs

School life continues as usual. The National Day holiday has just passed, and Xia Huixi has a project that requires the statistical analysis of clinical symptoms. She sits in her office, patiently inputting and comparing data one by one, completely unaware of someone knocking at the door.

When I opened the door, I was unexpectedly struck by a chilling sensation, as if a dense layer of cobwebs had enveloped this space. Vines and branches spread out within, obscuring the path beneath my feet, imparting a subtle chill of darkness.

He said effortlessly, "Then forget it"

On the road to Nanjing University, Su Ruhao's car was halted by a red light, watching helplessly as the car ahead slowly drove away, like a drop of water merging into the flow of traffic, soon becoming untraceable. In fact, at the very beginning, it was merely a half-step away, and he could see her getting into that car.

She walked into the usual makeup room to start her makeup, and a staff member approached her, handing her a disc: "Miss Xia, this is the recording of the program you requested"

She took it and placed it in her bag, smiling in gratitude. Though it was a thin piece, it held a significant weight for her

Pei Yueze did not instruct the driver to start the car. After a while, he turned his head and casually glanced at her face, then spoke softly: "So, are you free tonight?"

In the new era, the phrase "a family with bare walls" is indeed something that a person like her cannot comprehend. Xia Huixi could only smile and say, "It's alright"

Startled, she turned around to find Su Ruhao standing behind her, slightly leaning forward to examine the data she had compiled

Su Ruhao quickly walked out, handed her a USB drive, and smiled apologetically: "I won't invite you for tea. There is nothing here."

The voice from over there was somewhat cold and noble. After a moment of waiting, I finally spoke: "Is this Miss Xia Huixi?"

This statement is quite surprising. Su Ruhao leaned back in his chair, seemingly unsure of how to respond. After a considerable pause, he finally smiled and said: "Your income is not insignificant, is it?"

Xia Huixi barely restrained the tremor within her heart and sat down.

That is not the case. Xia Huixi recalled that she had previously needed several professional English original texts but could not find them anywhere. Later, she somehow discovered that there were a few rare copies at the university where he was studying abroad, so she inquired with a mindset of trying her luck. The next day, he provided her with the materials, including clearly scanned original texts and well-organized Chinese translations, which were astonishingly detailed.

At the final commentary session, Xia Huixi adjusted her black-framed glasses and began to speak with composure. Each word was a gem, and several times the camera panned to the audience below, where everyone was nodding in approval.

Xia Huixi hummed softly, and suddenly heard her phone ringing

Has Miss Xia finished work? Have you eaten? His thin lips moved slightly, uttering a few words, polite and calm, as if he had not called her before, and this was his first time inquiring about her.

In fact, she had not thought in this direction before, and was quite open-minded. One time, she saw a post on the school forum where students were helping teachers with pairings, and saw her name alongside Su Ruhao's proudly displayed at the top. She laughed heartily and almost sent him the address. Looking back now, it is fortunate that she did not send it, otherwise it would have seemed like she was intentionally teasing him, and it would have been hard to explain even if she had a reason.

She said succinctly: "I’m sorry, I have class tonight"

She forced a smile and said, "I am on my way back to school. I still have work to do tonight"

He wore a white shirt that appeared to be of good quality, and because he was close to himself, that refreshing scent was like a lime, gently penetrating his body along with his sense of smell

Because no one can calm down to think anymore, they would rather have a moment that captures attention

Su Ruhao was driving and seemed to have not heard anything, naturally showing no reaction. As they turned a corner, the building of the television station came into view, and Xia Huixi began to unbuckle her seatbelt, but he suddenly slammed on the brakes and leaned towards her: "You just asked me why I wanted to watch that program?"

However, for some reason, even before her brain made a decision, Xia Huixi had quickly uttered, "I am truly sorry, I have been very busy these past few days, let's talk about it another time when there is an opportunity."

"Well, is that so?" He pondered for a moment, seemingly considering it not to be an issue. "Then, what if the program is canceled? Will you still be able to find time?"