Chapter 955: Chapter 749: Consultation Turning Point_2

This part of the explanation from Nan Zhubin is quite vague.

Mo Kai knows what kind of situations can break the usual counseling framework, so Nan Zhubin doesn’t need to explain too clearly.

"On the other hand... there is another more important reason."

Nan Zhubin gently closed the laptop and took the file folder beside him.

"Chen Lizhou’s situation—namely [Personality Dissociation]—is indeed very rare."

"But I always have a question in mind."

Nan Zhubin flipped to Chen Lizhou’s page in the counseling file: "That is, isn’t the cause of Chen Lizhou’s [Personality Dissociation] too... flimsy?"

Mo Kai blinked, then suddenly had a realization.

"The death of a wife can indeed bring immense trauma, possibly leading to depression, anxiety, or even temporary [Dissociation], but for it to form a [Personality Dissociation] that lasts so long and is this severe... it’s unreasonable."

"Of course, it can’t be ruled out that Chen Lizhou is someone with extreme deep feelings rare in today’s society; simultaneously, his [Dissociation] also arises from various other factors, with his wife’s death being just a trigger, along with family and workplace factors."

"But I’ve always thought... maybe there’s something else here," Nan Zhubin emphasized, "maybe—there’s something else."

"Something more complex related to his wife’s death, which acts as a trigger."

"In these counseling sessions, I’ve been helping Chen Lizhou block [Dissociation], feel emotions, and actually exploring this possibility at the same time."

"I suspect there’s something he hasn’t shared in the counseling," Nan Zhubin looked at Mo Kai, "those things are the core reasons for his [Personality Dissociation]. The death of his wife is just a catalyst, igniting the contradictions and pains suppressed in his heart."

"And just yesterday—I felt I saw this possibility in him. Such an opportunity is fleeting."

After a pause, Nan Zhubin added with rare anticipation in his voice: "His visit today might be the key to his recovery."

...

Although now Nan Zhubin could more completely recall Chen Lizhou’s file through the [Memory Palace].

However, before starting counseling, Nan Zhubin habitually organizes the physical document materials.

For Nan Zhubin, this feels more like a ritual to adjust his counseling state. Like a warm-up before exercising.

"The time should be about right, I’ll go in first." Nan Zhubin patted Mo Kai on the shoulder.

Walked into the counseling room, sat down, and adjusted his posture.

Not even a minute passed.

Knock, knock, knock—

Everyone is very punctual.

Nan Zhubin called out clearly: "Please come in."

The door was slowly pushed open, revealing Chen Lizhou’s familiar face.

He was wearing a different style of suit and shirt from the last session, still not very neatly pressed, sparsely covered with wrinkles; stubble near his neck was visible, carelessly shaved in the morning.

But given Chen Lizhou’s current situation, "unchange" could also be a signal of "stability."

Maintaining stability and looking for opportunities to improve within stability is one of Nan Zhubin’s counseling beliefs.

"Sit down." Nan Zhubin said.

Actually, without being told, Chen Lizhou was already familiar with walking to the conversation position that hadn’t changed in several sessions.

"Thank you, Teacher Nan." Chen Lizhou spoke first, "When I reached out to you yesterday... it was indeed very sudden."

"It’s just that I encountered a little something a few days ago, and my body had some strange changes."

Chen Lizhou took a deep breath: "These changes... I feel like I can’t bear them alone, so I thought of you very urgently."

Nan Zhubin nodded: "I’m glad you can now accurately perceive your changes and pay attention to them, that’s exactly what we’ve been striving for in previous sessions."

First use [Positive Attention] to dispel some of the negative self-awareness present in Chen Lizhou now.

"And as a consultant, it’s my job to help you face difficulties together."

Nan Zhubin slightly leaned forward: "The ’thing’ and the ’change’ you just mentioned, what are they? Can you elaborate?"

Chen Lizhou nodded: "Last time during the session, did I tell you—I received an email from a former student of my wife’s?"

"He wanted to meet me once..."

Nan Zhubin followed the thread: "Indeed, that was the content at the end of our last session."

"...Yes." Chen Lizhou took a deep breath, "Actually, not long after the counseling, I made up my mind, I decided to meet him."

This is a good thing.

But this "good" evaluation is solely towards "Chen Lizhou making a choice."

As for the event of "meeting the student," considering the meeting might be unpleasant, Nan Zhubin didn’t rashly give a positive evaluation or provide reckless [Support].

He just nodded, motioning for Chen Lizhou to continue speaking.

"The kid’s name is Shen Xuecheng." Chen Lizhou stated, "I arranged to meet him at noon in the cafeteria, very rushed. But I did it on purpose... because in my heart, I still didn’t want to meet him, it wasn’t his issue, but I was still somewhat... afraid I guess."

"Just like Teacher Nan, you said, there’s a risk of ’loss of control’ meeting him, I didn’t know what he would say to me, so I was scared."

As Chen Lizhou said "I was scared," his expression was blank.

Only his thumbs constantly rubbed against his forefinger’s joint.

Nan Zhubin nodded.

"Then, just as I thought, he said some very unpleasant things to me..."

After a pause, Chen Lizhou added: "No, what he said wasn’t a problem, it’s my problem. Because of his normal words, I had abnormal feelings."

Nan Zhubin stopped Chen Lizhou’s tendency to internalize the cause, guiding the topic forward: "What did he say that made you feel bad?"

"...I talked with him for quite a while, all about my wife."

Chen Lizhou paused here, as if something was stuck in his throat, lightly coughing.

"He said, when my wife was still alive, she mentioned several times... wanting to go back to her hometown."

"And after he said that... cough, I..."

Chen Lizhou’s expression finally began to crumble.

...

Nan Zhubin’s eyes calmly yet firmly fixed on Chen Lizhou’s face.

"... A lot of past things started flooding into my head, all related to my wife. Those things..."

Chen Lizhou paused again: "As soon as those things emerged, they wouldn’t stop. But as soon as I thought about them a little, I’d start feeling uncomfortable, my fingertips would go numb, body cold, mind going blank, it’s that dissociative state you mentioned."

"I dare not think about it."

"Just like now..."

As soon as the words fell, Chen Lizhou’s body suddenly froze.

Always paying attention, Nan Zhubin immediately spoke.

His voice wasn’t hurried, but the timing of his intervention was just right: "It’s okay, don’t force yourself. Let’s take it step by step, start with [Dissociation Blockade]."

Though something unusual appeared abruptly, Chen Lizhou was, after all, an experienced visitor.

Many processes were already familiar enough to be nearly muscle memory.

No new techniques were needed, first use [Dissociation Blockade] to stabilize the situation, then use the relaxation method of [Body Scan] to let Chen Lizhou adjust his state bit by bit.

"Inhale—exhale—inhale—exhale—"

Besides, as the consultant, Nan Zhubin also accompanies, providing Chen Lizhou with support spatially.

"Very good, just like that," Nan Zhubin smiled warmly, "continue deep breathing, let the body relax."

"We’re doing counseling right now, with me here, I can perceive any downward trend and remind you."

"So here, don’t have the thought of ’daring not to think’."

"Continue deep breathing, feel the changes in your body."

Nan Zhubin warmly guided: "Then... let those past memories surface."