When the call connected, it was around 10 p.m. on Dr. Zhai's end.

Before Zhou Qiqi could speak, she heard several suppressed yawns coming from the other end of the phone.

Upon further inquiry, it was learned that Dr. Zhai and her team had stayed up almost all night to study Zhouzhou's case, sleeping only two or three hours in total. They had been constantly reviewing materials and discussing, trying to find other solutions.

Zhou Qiqi felt both grateful and apologetic, and quickly shared the wonderful news that Zhouzhou had woken up and could still speak.

Her tone was apologetic, as she felt that she had failed to communicate in a timely manner, causing Dr. Zhai to suffer as well.

Dr. Zhai, however, seemed unconcerned on the other end of the phone, her tone filled with satisfaction:

"He's awake?! And he's even speaking?! That's wonderful! This is such great news! That's wonderful! Comrade Qiqi, please don't say that! What's a little hardship like this? The child waking up is more important than anything else! This is an extremely valuable case, and it has great significance for our understanding of the recovery of consciousness after deep trauma in children! The hard work was worth it, absolutely worth it!"

Dr. Wu and Dr. Chen, who were standing nearby, quickly stepped closer to the microphone to add that they had been recording continuously and would compile the detailed observation data and send it over later.

Dr. Wu and Dr. Chen, who were standing nearby, also leaned closer to the microphone, saying that they had taken detailed notes throughout the process and would compile a complete case report as soon as possible and send it to Dr. Zhai.

With the most important matter on her mind, Zhou Qiqi pressed on and asked:

"Dr. Zhai, based on the current situation, does that mean Zhouzhou's post-traumatic mutism is... completely cured?"

Dr. Zhai pondered for a moment, then his tone became serious:

"Her ability to wake up and speak on her own is a major breakthrough, indicating that the core of her closed consciousness has begun to loosen. However, to determine whether she is completely cured, there is another key indicator: whether she is willing to confront the core traumatic memory that caused her silence. If she remembers it and can withstand the emotional impact that follows, then it means that her psychological trauma has truly begun to heal and her personality is becoming whole."

Zhou Qiqi's heart sank, and she asked:

"What if...she still hasn't remembered?"

Dr. Zhai's tone became serious as he said:

"If that memory remains suppressed and unprocessed, then in the future, if you encounter similar situations or immense mental stress, the symptoms... may still relapse."

"Then... is there any way to help her completely solve this problem?"

Zhou Qiqi pressed for an answer.

Dr. Zhai provided a solution:

"We can have Dr. Wu and the others conduct one or two more gentle hypnotherapy sessions with Zhouzhou. This process should help her access and integrate that memory. However, I must explain this in advance,"

Her tone was very serious.

“During this process, the child will inevitably experience pain again, perhaps even more clearly than before. Even if the treatment is successful, after this memory is awakened, she will need a long time to process and face that sadness.”

"Therefore, the choice is in your hands as a family. Do you choose to maintain the status quo, accept the possible lower risk of relapse, and let your child temporarily stay away from painful memories, or do you choose to actively face it, endure short-term severe pain in exchange for more stable mental health?"

"This requires your whole family to consider carefully, and we doctors respect any decision you make."

After hanging up the phone, Zhou Qiqi felt a little heavy-hearted.

She asked Grandpa Zhai to take Zhouzhou to play in the car for a while, while she and her parents-in-law found a quiet corner and relayed Dr. Zhai's words verbatim.

In the past, when faced with such a crucial decision concerning her child's safety, Qin Peilan would definitely have hesitated, looking back and forth, afraid of choosing the wrong path.

But after this series of ups and downs, she was completely convinced of her daughter-in-law's wisdom and decisiveness.

Without much hesitation, she looked at Zhou Qiqi, her eyes filled with trust, and said directly:

"Qiqi, Mom will listen to you on this matter. Whatever you decide, Mom will support you!"

Shen Zhenbang nodded, looking steadily at his daughter-in-law, and then said:

"Qiqi, you're the one who can make the most decisions for this family right now. Just make the decisions, and whatever the outcome, good or bad, we'll all face it together!"

Looking at her in-laws' unreserved support and trust, Zhou Qiqi felt a surge of warmth in her heart and also felt a heavy responsibility.

She took a deep breath, her gaze hardening, and without much hesitation, she said decisively:

"Dad, Mom, thank you for believing in me. My thought is that I should get treatment! And I should get treatment as soon as possible!"

She paused, then explained:

“A short pain is worse than a long one. Now that we’ve made such a good start, we can’t give up halfway. If we solve the root problem now, Zhouzhou can grow up freely and easily. We feel sorry for her now so that she can live a comfortable life in the future. I believe that Zhouzhou is stronger than we think. With our family by her side, we will definitely get through this!”

Qin Peilan and Shen Zhenbang exchanged a glance, both seeing agreement and determination in each other's eyes.

Qin Peilan nodded vigorously and said, "Okay! Qiqi, you're right! We'll listen to you and get treatment!"