Chapter 78 Chapter 78 "If we wait any longer, it will become a 'wife-waiting stone...
From childhood to adulthood, Shen Xingchuan's memory was universally acknowledged as excellent. He possessed a photographic memory, requiring only a few repetitions of what others had to memorize. He could still remember the names of every teacher and classmate in his elementary school class. How could he possibly not even remember what happened last night?
Shen Xingchuan instantly realized that something was wrong. He was not yet thirty years old, so it was impossible for him to have Alzheimer's disease. Before, he only suspected that he had some mental illness, but looking at his current symptoms, it was more like a mental illness.
Shen Xingchuan has a very big advantage, which is that he never avoids problems, even though most patients with such diseases are unwilling to admit that they have mental problems in the early stages.
But in Shen Xingchuan's opinion, instead of dragging the disease on until it develops to an uncontrollable level, it is better to discover it early and receive intervention. Even if it cannot be cured, it can be avoided from getting worse as much as possible.
Now he has reached the point where he is hurting Yao Yingxia without even realizing it, which is really disturbing. The relationship between him and Yao Yingxia was already fragile, and now it is even more precarious.
Shen Xingchuan actually knew very well how unwilling it would be for someone as strong-willed and self-respecting as Yao Yingxia to follow him unwillingly.
So within his ability, he gave Yao Yingxia the best of everything, and was willing to try his best to follow her wishes without harming his own interests.
Over a long period of time, although there were occasional frictions between the two, they maintained a delicate balance most of the time, which was the result of their joint efforts.
After all, Yao Yingxia still needs his help, and Shen Xingchuan needs her comfort. It will not be good for either of them to make things too tense. Life must go on.
But if Yao Yingxia suffered both physically and mentally because of her "illness", she might not be able to bear it anymore and break this balance.
If Yao Yingxia completely broke down her disguise and expressed her extreme disgust towards him, Shen Xingchuan didn't dare to think about what he would do then.
All in all, he needs treatment as soon as possible.
That night, Shen Xingchuan contacted the most authoritative director of the psychiatry department at Chuanhe Hospital and described his recent abnormal condition. After listening to him, the director asked several detailed questions about the relevant aspects, and ultimately came up with two theories:
One is a transient mental disorder caused by excessive drinking.
If this is the case, the problem is not serious and usually does not last long. Most people can fully recover after treatment, and the risk of recurrence is low.
But if it is the second case, things will become much more serious.
Auditory hallucinations, visual hallucinations, delusions, and disordered thinking are all typical symptoms of schizophrenia. With the current medical level, they cannot be completely cured and can only be improved through standardized treatment.
A small number of patients can achieve significant remission after treatment and can live independently, but most people require long-term supervision and may experience periodic relapses.
The doctor comforted him, "Mr. Shen, you don't need to worry too much right now. Although some of the symptoms are similar to schizophrenia, they are not typical. For example, you don't have delusions of persecution, logical confusion, or slow reaction."
Shen Xingchuan didn't know whether he should be happy about this. He was a little worried that the doctor said these words just to relieve his psychological pressure, or that he was still in the early stages of the disease and had not yet developed to a more serious level.
The doctor finally suggested: "Mr. Shen, it would be better for you to come back as soon as possible for a detailed examination. If it is confirmed, we can formulate a plan and proceed with the next step of treatment."
After hanging up the phone, Shen Xingchuan let himself think for a while and decided to stay for two more days, at least to find Yao Yingxia and apologize to her in person.
If he went back like this, he was afraid that he would be completely defeated by his inner demons.
Saturday passed in a daze. Without Yao Yingxia, Shen Xingchuan thought he would not be able to sleep all night.
But when he washed the blood-stained sheets, hung them on the balcony to dry, took out the freshly dried sheets and spread them out, lay on the pillow that still smelled of her, and hugged the quilt that Yao Yingxia had covered herself with, Shen Xingchuan fell asleep almost immediately.
Even though Yao Yingxia was not there, the nightmare did not come that night. Shen Xingchuan woke up in the dim morning light and felt as energetic as before he fell ill for the first time in a long time.
It turned out that Yao Yingxia was truly his panacea. Just smelling her lingering scent was more effective than any other treatment.
Then he must work even harder to save their marital relationship which is in jeopardy.
Early on Sunday morning, as soon as S University opened its doors, Shen Xingchuan rushed into the school along with the boys who had stayed up all night and wanted to return to the dormitory as soon as possible to catch up on some sleep.
The early morning in March was still a little cold. He stood alone downstairs, watching everyone who walked out of the dormitory building.
Perhaps the news of him waiting for five hours yesterday spread throughout the girls' dormitory, and almost everyone gave him a meaningful smile when they saw him.
As the person involved, he certainly didn't find it funny at all, but he didn't feel embarrassed either. After all, this was the only way to see Yao Yingxia at the moment.
The girls' dormitory had been incredibly lively these past couple of days. After all, campus life was boring, and it was rare to see something so fresh happening right under our noses. People in the building chat group kept sending in Reuters photos, all showing Shen Xingchuan from various angles and distances. Tall and well-dressed, he looked more suited to a drama about urban elites than a youth campus.
What’s even more rare is that he stood for such a long time without his back collapsing, and he looked handsome and tall in any photo.
Someone in the group exclaimed: "Oh my god, this brother is still here."
"He stood at the gate from the afternoon yesterday, and he came again this morning."
"If I wait any longer, I'll probably become a 'wife-waiting rock.'"
"What heavenly law did he break?"
"Who knows? I've met Yao Yingxia before. She has a very good temper and almost no one has ever seen her angry."
Yao Yingxia's roommates did not know the news before others. Although they were curious, they were considerate enough not to ask too many questions. They only knew that Yao Yingxia had been badly bullied.
When she returned to the dormitory yesterday at noon, her face was almost pale. Her roommates thought she was sick and wanted to send her to the hospital.
Yao Yingxia declined the offer, saying she was a little tired. She climbed onto the bed with difficulty, and her loose sweater revealed part of her waist. Her roommates saw the horrific bruises on it, and they could even see the shape of her palm.
One of the roommates pointed to his neck again, and the other two looked over and found that the sweater was actually a turtleneck. It was already mid-March, the weather was getting warmer, and the highest temperature was close to 20 degrees. It was really hot to wear like this.
However, they soon found out the reason. Even though it was a high collar, a small part of Yao Yingxia's neck was still exposed, with some red and purple marks on it, which did not look like they were caused by a kiss.
Several people were thinking at the time: Rich men are more likely to become perverts.
Yao Yingxia had used up all her strength to climb to the upper bunk. Her whole body felt like it was falling apart, and she never got out of bed since then.
She slept soundly until night. Her roommates were worried that her body would not be able to bear the lack of food and drink, so they woke her up and handed her some easily digestible food and her thermos cup.
Although Yao Yingxia was not hungry at all, she forced herself to eat because it was her roommate's kindness.
Afraid of affecting her appetite, one of her roommates waited until Yao Yingxia finished eating before telling her, "Xia Xia, your husband came at 7 o'clock and has been waiting downstairs until now. Do you want to go see him?"
Yao Yingxia glanced at the clock on the wall. It was already half past ten in the evening, and curfew would be in half an hour.
She shook her head: "I don't want to see him." Then she pleaded, "Can you please not call him——"
Yao Yingxia was unable to utter those words in the end, but her roommates all understood that when they were in a good relationship, he was like a loving husband, but when they quarreled, he was just a bastard, and a bastard who did not hold back when hitting others.
One of his roommates took it upon himself to give him a nickname: "Let's call him the gorilla from now on, right? Not the one in the sky, but the one in the zoo."
Yao Yingxia was finally amused by her. That's right, Shen Xingchuan was like a wild creature that had just escaped from the zoo and had not yet fully evolved.
No civilized person would ignore the life or death of their partner in bed.
When she went to the bathroom to wash up, she found blood on her underwear.
It was becoming increasingly difficult for Shen Xingchuan to earn money, and she was practically stripped of her skin. It turned out that she was more afraid of physical torture than psychological repression.
After all, she has suffered a lot since she was a child, and her heart's ability to perceive pain seems to be getting weaker and weaker.
A terrible thought suddenly popped up in her mind: If she died with Xu Nian, would she be completely free?
Yao Yingxia stared blankly at the unfamiliar self in the mirror, not understanding why she had such a horrible thought. She and her mother depended on each other for survival, and had gone through all kinds of hardships to get to where they are today. How could she just give up like this?
How she wished her mother would live a long life.
Perhaps her body was trying to save itself, but that night she dreamed of Xu Nian for the first time in a long time. Her mother was holding her young self, humming a nursery rhyme. In her half-asleep state, she heard her mother say, "Xia Xia, I love you so much. I hope you will always be healthy, happy, and live a safe and smooth life."
She actually still remembered such a long time ago thing clearly. Even though Xu Nian was unable to move, she was still willing to travel through the dream and save her daughter once again.
That's how much her mother loves her.
Yao Yingxia also shed tears in her sleep, but she slept very soundly.
When she woke up again, it was already Sunday noon.
Her roommate brought her the porridge she had bought that morning and placed in a thermos, and reported on the latest situation outside: "The gorilla has been waiting downstairs since around 6:00 this morning and has been standing there ever since."
Yao Yingxia remained indifferent and just thanked her roommate for bringing her food.
The three of them exchanged glances, realizing that Xia Xia was determined not to forgive him, and felt even more strongly that Shen Xingchuan deserved his punishment. After asking Yao Yingxia if she needed anything, they went downstairs together to prepare to eat in the cafeteria.
Shen Xingchuan had become numb to the gazes of people watching him. Even when he knew someone was taking pictures of him with a cell phone, he didn't react at all. Considering that these were his classmate Yao Yingxia, he didn't bother with these ignorant people and sue them for infringing on his portrait rights.
Shen Xingchuan just had a deep feeling of powerlessness. It seemed that Xia Xia had made up her mind not to see him. Although there were many ways to achieve her goal, he had gone too far this time. He had to show his sincerity no matter what.
Nearing twelve o'clock, Shen Xingchuan saw three girls coming out of the dormitory building together. Unlike those who were just watching the fun, they looked quite indignant.
Shen Xingchuan remembered that he had investigated Yao Yingxia's roommates, and the folder included their photos. Although he only glanced at them, he still remembered the facial features of several people.
Look, my memory is still so good, but it has only recently been having problems with things concerning Yao Yingxia.
Shen Xingchuan walked over and asked, "Excuse me, are you Xia Xia's roommates?"
One of them snorted at him and said nothing.
The other pretended not to hear.
Fortunately, there was another person who indirectly answered his question: "Xia Xia doesn't want to see you, you'd better leave."
Shen Xingchuan pursed his lips, looking a little sad: "Is she okay?"
The other one replied sarcastically, "Why didn't you think about Xia Xia when you bullied her?"
Shen Xingchuan had never been confronted like this by a young person other than Yao Yingxia, but his tolerance was incredibly high. He didn't get angry, but instead tried to find a way to save the situation. "I'll treat you to dinner at Yunque, and then apologize to Xia Xia in person, okay?"
Yunque is a very famous restaurant in S City, known for its high prices. Although the taste is not proportional to the price, it is well-known for its deliciousness.
The three girls were unmoved and were not bought by these small favors: "We still prefer to eat in the cafeteria." After saying that, they turned around and left.
Shen Xingchuan originally wanted to follow her to the cafeteria to inquire more about the situation, but he was afraid that Yao Yingxia would come downstairs during this time and he would miss her. In the end, he just stopped her again: "One last question, has Xia Xia eaten since she came back? I'm very worried about her."
Seeing that he was unwilling to give up, someone finally replied: "We bring her food every meal, so she eats a little."
Shen Xingchuan smiled with great gratitude: "Thank you very much. I hope you can come to my and Xia Xia's wedding when there is a chance in the future." After that, he returned to the dormitory building.
That day, he stood at the gate from morning until he reached the entrance, but still did not wait for Yao Yingxia.
Fortunately, the next day was Monday, and Yao Yingxia had to go to class after all.
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The author has something to say: I’m curious about who everyone likes the most and who they hate the most.
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