...
Since Commander Xia helped bring down the Zhang family last time...
Xia Mengsheng would often come back to the Su family to see Su Yuzhen when he had nothing else to do.
Su Yuzhen openly told everyone that she and Xia Mengsheng were dating.
This day...
"Yuzhen, your brother's condition is getting worse and worse."
Xia Mengsheng held Su Yuzhen's hand, his brows furrowed.
He came to the Su family as a guest, but saw Su Mingqiang wandering around the house like a ghost, ignoring everyone's greetings.
Su Yuzhen bit her lip.
"My parents tried everything, but nothing worked. My brother... he's completely shut himself off."
Xia Mengsheng pondered for a moment.
"I know someone who might be able to help."
"who?"
"Chen Mo, my old company commander, now runs a psychological counseling clinic."
Xia Mengsheng explained.
"He participated in many battles and saw too many soldiers suffering from post-war psychological trauma. After retiring from the military, he studied psychology to help trauma sufferers like your brother."
Hope ignited in Su Yuzhen's eyes.
Does it really work?
"I can't guarantee that."
Xia Mengsheng said honestly.
"But Company Commander Chen has a special ability: he can make even the most withdrawn people speak."
The next day, under Xia Mengsheng's arrangement, Su Jianguo brought the extremely unwilling Su Mingqiang to Chen Mo's clinic.
The clinic is located in a quiet little building on the outskirts of the city, with lush bamboo forests outside the windows, creating a serene environment.
Chen Mo was a middle-aged man in his early forties, with a tall and straight figure and sharp yet gentle eyes.
Most striking is the scar on his left cheek, which extends from his temple to his chin, adding to his imposing presence.
"Mr. Su, please have a seat."
Chen Mo's voice was deep and powerful.
"Meng Sheng explained the situation to me in detail."
Su Jianguo nodded gratefully, while Su Mingqiang sat stiffly in his chair like a prisoner on trial, his eyes fixed on the floor.
"Su Mingqiang."
Chen Mo called him by his name directly.
"You served in the military?"
This unexpected question made Su Mingqiang raise his head.
"No...no."
"oh?"
Chen Mo raised an eyebrow.
"Your posture, whether standing or sitting, is like that of a trained soldier."
Su Mingqiang then realized that he had unconsciously maintained the posture required in prison.
Stand up straight, place your hands on your knees, and look down.
"I...learned it in prison."
He answered in a low voice.
Chen Mo nodded and did not ask any further questions.
“I’ve met many people like you, Su Mingqiang. You’re not a criminal, but an ordinary person crushed by life.”
Su Mingqiang did not respond, but Chen Mo noticed that his fingers were trembling slightly.
"I fought on the battlefield."
Chen Mo suddenly changed the subject, pointing to his scars.
"These were cuts from shrapnel. But the deepest wounds are invisible."
He took out a photo, which was a group photo of a young Chen Mo and several comrades-in-arms.
"This was Xiao Li, 19 years old. He was blown to bits by a landmine. This was our old squad leader; he took three bullets to the chest to cover me..."
Su Mingqiang unconsciously looked at the photo, a hint of resonance flashing in his eyes.
"For ten years after the war, I dreamed of them every night."
Chen Mo's voice softened.
"You must be dreaming about someone a lot these days..."
Su Mingqiang looked up abruptly, his eyes filled with shock.
"How...how did you know?"
"Because this is a manifestation of post-traumatic stress disorder."
Chen Mo said calmly.
"I've experienced all of that: the survivor's guilt, the obsession with the deceased, the inescapable nightmares."
Su Mingqiang's breathing became rapid, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
"Su Mingqiang."
Chen Mo's voice suddenly became firm.
"To live is to look forward; to dwell on your own sorrow is irresponsible to your family and friends."
"It's all my fault!"
Su Mingqiang suddenly erupted.
"If I hadn't had the impulse to kill Zhang Haiyang, if I had discovered the truth sooner, if... if..."
His voice choked up, and he could no longer speak.
Chen Mo waited quietly for him to calm down before speaking.
"You can come see me alone around this time next week, if you'd like."
When Su Mingqiang left the clinic, he was even more silent than when he arrived.
A week later, Su Mingqiang came to Chen Mo's clinic alone.
This time, Chen Mo didn't meet him in the office, but instead took him to a small garden in the backyard.
"Sometimes, it's easier to start a conversation in a different environment."
Chen Mo handed Su Mingqiang a cup of tea.
What would you like to talk about today?
Su Mingqiang stared at his reflection in the teacup.
"I...I don't know."
"Then let's talk about prisons."
Chen Mo suggested.
What's the worst thing about that place?
Su Mingqiang's fingers unconsciously caressed the teacup.
"Darkness... There was no light, no sound in the solitary confinement cell, only... my own breathing and heartbeat."
"Like a tomb."
Chen Mo said softly.
This analogy shocked Su Mingqiang.
"It was...like being buried alive."
"Your father told me about your situation. You can't let go of your deceased wife?"
Chen Mo suddenly asked.
Su Mingqiang's face turned pale.
"yes..."
The two remained silent for a while.
Chen Mo asked again.
"If you could say one last thing to Li Jinhua, what would it be?"
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