Although They're Mentally ill, They're Extremely Easy to Comfort - Chapter 46

The photograph showed Ling Xi lying on a treatment-specific instrument bed. She wore a loose patient gown, and her body was covered in operating monitoring instruments.

Electrodes were attached to Ling Xi’s head, secured further by several wraps of elastic rubber straps.

Her four limbs were also restrained to the four corners of the instrument bed with special straps.

She was clenching her teeth fiercely on a bite block, her forehead, temples, and neck bulging with prominent veins. Her eyes were tightly shut, yet tears couldn’t stop spilling from the corners.

The unnatural arch of her chest was contorted in a way no normal person’s could be, and her straightened legs looked as if they might snap at any moment.

The photograph only captured a single instant, but the look of agony, almost transcending death, did not diminish despite the passing years.

“I imagine you’ve been in contact with Ling Xi for some time now. You must have noticed something unusual about her mental state.”

Ji Changyi stared at Qiao Bo’er’s delicate and expensive high heels, finally allowing herself to speak about Ling Xi. She was speaking to Qiao Bo’er, yet it sounded like she was talking to herself.

Qiao Bo’er didn’t understand what Ji Changyi was trying to convey, so she answered honestly: “Crying and making a fuss, having nightmares one moment and headaches the next. Sometimes her memory isn’t good either. You can say she’s listless, but then she can burst into laughter. In short… her mood swings are more erratic than mine.”

Ji Changyi let out a sigh, picked up the photo again, and held it up to Qiao Bo’er, revealing the truth: “This photo documents Ling Xi undergoing MECT treatment. MECT, commonly known as Modified Electroconvulsive Therapy or electroshock therapy, is usually used for patients with severe depression.

The number of sessions is tailored based on the severity of the patient’s symptoms. It stimulates the cerebral cortex with an electric current to generate mental vitality. MECT therapy has an effectiveness rate of 90% when used on depression patients.

Although anesthetic muscle relaxants are used before the treatment, the entire process is still very painful.

The side effects associated with electrotherapy typically manifest as memory loss, slow behavior, low self-care ability, and temporary or fragmented amnesia. Recovery varies from person to person.

I came to see you today because I wanted to tell you that I recently met an old classmate.

Coincidentally, she is Ling Xi’s attending physician. Logically, I shouldn’t violate industry regulations to privately investigate a patient’s condition. But I wanted to help you, only to find out you had already actively sent people to investigate Ling Xi.”

Ji Changyi’s professional explanation sounded horrifying. But every after-effect she described was accurately marked on Ling Xi.

Qiao Bo’er hugged her knees and curled up into a ball, her heart aching unbearably. She buried her face in her lap, as if she were the one who had experienced that death-like treatment: “It’s my fault. If only I had come back earlier… It’s all my fault!”

Although Qiao Bo’er had already taken her medication, Ji Changyi instinctively worried about her: “Bo’er, this is not your fault. You can’t blame yourself for everything. Please calm down first.”

Tears streamed down Qiao Bo’er’s face, her eyes red as she looked at Ji Changyi with unprecedented helplessness and pleading: “I can’t bear for Ling Xi to suffer as much as I did… Saving her is like saving myself, so you must help her!”

Ji Changyi tucked the loose strands of hair behind her ear and remained silent.

She would naturally help, but she didn’t like seeing the aloof Qiao Bo’er humble herself so easily for someone else.

After a moment of hesitation, she finally expressed the feeling she had held back for years: “Bo’er, in my eyes, you are an unmatched existence. Please always stand on the pinnacle and look down upon everything. So please don’t easily show weakness to others, never.

I admit I dislike Ling Xi, even though I’ve never really gotten to know her deeply. But I will show affection for her because of you, and besides, I am a doctor. A doctor’s heart is benevolent and treats everyone equally.

I like you, but I can’t see an ending for this kind of liking. I just wanted to tell you.”

After speaking, Ji Changyi stood up to leave. Just as she reached the door, she turned to look at the indifferent Qiao Bo’er. She had long grown accustomed to her coldness and had envisioned countless times that confessing her feelings would go unreturned.

Yet, now that she had said it and the predicted result was confirmed, it still left her feeling disappointed and lost.

Qiao Bo’er stared blankly at Ji Changyi. She didn’t know how to respond, believing that remaining silent was the best answer.

“Don’t wait until you have an episode to take emergency medicine. You must take your regular medication on time every day. There are always mental warnings before an episode. So prepare a bite block for yourself, just in case.

Since meeting Ling Xi, your emotional and mental state has not been optimistic. You love her more than the whole world, but can you spare a little bit of love for yourself? Get some good rest.”

Qin Yun, dressed in a glossy satin robe, was sitting at her vanity doing her skincare, thinking about bringing Chu Xi home last night. The young girl was quite obedient and well-behaved.

She didn’t expect to be disturbed by her in the morning, and the blurry, intimate moments were still vivid, causing her to smile happily with her star-like eyes.

Chu Xi’s technique was clumsy and unskilled, and the back-and-forth left Qin Yun’s lower back aching. So, she occasionally arched her back to relieve the pain.

Although the robe was not transparent crimson and was tied with a belt, without any intentional seduction, the faintly visible red cherries kept drawing Chu Xi’s eyes.

Unable to bear this unintentional display of flirtatious sexiness, Chu Xi simply walked to the bed and draped her suit jacket over Qin Yun’s body.

Allowing Chu Xi to button it up completely, Qin Yun didn’t quite understand: “Are you afraid I’ll catch a cold? I’m not cold…”

The dam that Qin Yun had broken in Chu Xi’s heart was madly unleashing a torrent of feelings.

Standing behind Qin Yun, one arm firmly hugged her shoulder, while the other hand acted like a mischievous child, messing with everything.

Perhaps the red cherries (my apologies, but the image of cherries was indeed too much) were the best thirst-quenching medicine.

Although Qin Yun enjoyed the rush of this teasing, she rationally pulled Chu Xi’s hand away and criticized: “I know my good girl is young and easily tempted, but you must not be excessive.”

This surprised Chu Xi. In her fixed impression, Qin Yun should have been the one with insatiable desires. She didn’t expect her to be so restrained.

Chu Xi leaned over and kissed Qin Yun’s brow, seriously changing the topic: “I forgive you for fooling around with those ‘wild butterflies’ outside. But from now on, please re-evaluate our relationship, Miss. I cannot control my possessiveness over you.”

Qin Yun turned around, took Chu Xi’s hand, and asked solemnly: “Do you really care that I’ve slept with other men and women?”

Qin Yun brought up this question because she realized it was the deepest chasm between herself and Chu Xi. If they didn’t sort it out today, the barrier would remain forever.

“Of course I care, but it’s not a necessity. It just can’t happen starting now. You can only do happy things with me.”

“Silly girl… come with me.”

Chu Xi didn’t know what Qin Yun wanted to show her. She only saw her pull back the curtains, letting the light shine on them both, and the dim bedroom light was swallowed by the sun.

Returning to the bedside, she lifted the fleece blanket.

The sparse, out-of-place spots of crimson on the pure white bedding painfully stung Chu Xi’s eyes.

Chu Xi almost knelt onto the bed, her hands supporting her body on the sheet. At this moment, regret far outweighed her joy.

Having revealed the wonderful truth hidden beneath her suspicion, Qin Yun couldn’t understand why Chu Xi reacted this way.

“Surprised?” She leaned over and embraced Chu Xi comfortingly. Only then did she see the girl shedding big, heavy tears, and Qin Yun panicked: “You… why are you crying?”

Chu Xi’s face was full of remorse. She grabbed Qin Yun’s hands and hugged her tightly. In this moment, she felt she was unworthy of this woman who had given her a completely new life.

Chu Xi finally realized where she had gone wrong.

In this beautiful, intimate morning, she could clearly and completely finish the ‘homework’ Qiao Bo’er had assigned her.

“I… I’m sorry…” This apology was like a lump in her throat, making Chu Xi’s throat ache.

Qin Yun quietly watched the light reflecting in her wet eyes and kindly raised a hand to soothe her: “It was a mutually consenting matter. Why are you saying sorry?”

“You shouldn’t like me. I have nothing I can offer that is worthy of you… I was overly suspicious and falsely considered myself morally superior. It turns out the truly filthy and despicable person is myself. What a huge joke!”

“You shouldn’t belittle yourself like that. Besides, what’s done is done. You have to take responsibility for me, right? I know you feel guilty about your past bad attitude towards me, but I forgive you… After all, it took a lot of effort to bring you home, and you’re mine now…”

“We’re mismatched in social standing. I’m climbing too high.” Having followed Qiao Bo’er and gained significant experience over the years, Chu Xi was experiencing an unprecedented sense of inferiority at this moment.

“You’re a Qin family member, from a prestigious family. How are we mismatched? Silly girl, don’t cry.” Qin Yun commanded, pulling Chu Xi up.

Chu Xi stuck to her like a deflated warm pack, murmuring with concern: “It’s my fault! I couldn’t see anything under the fleece blanket. Did… did I hurt you just now?”

“How could it not hurt! If I hadn’t endured it, I would have kicked you out of bed a long time ago.” Qin Yun complained proudly, and Chu Xi became even more cautious: “Then… can I stop calling you Miss Qin?”

Qin Yun tilted her head and leaned against Chu Xi’s ear, her smile gentle: “What do you want to call me?”

With that question, Qin Yun waited for that long-anticipated, heartwarming word ‘Wife,’ or even ‘Jiejie’ (Big Sister) would do.

But the usually clever Chu Xi suddenly had a brain lapse and happily called out: “Guardian!” (or ‘Jiazhang’, meaning head of the family/parent)

Qin Yun immediately feigned a darkened expression and coldly asked: “I’ll give you one more chance to speak properly.”

“Isn’t ‘Guardian’ good? You’ve never attended a parent-teacher meeting for me. It was always Uncle Li who went.”

“So you’re blaming me now?”

“Alright, alright, I won’t tease you. My dear wife Guardian…”

“That’s better.”

Qin Yun prepared to go back to the vanity to continue her skincare, but Chu Xi couldn’t bear to be separated from her for even a minute, so she instinctively pulled her back.

Slender fingertips ran through Qin Yun’s long hair, and a kiss landed deep in the curve of her ear. Hard to resist the teasing, Chu Xi playfully nipped her soft earlobe and sincerely whispered: “Wife…”

Qin Yun half-closed her eyes in enjoyment, smiling as she responded with a soft ‘Mmm.’

Rain-like kisses dotted her brow. That was Chu Xi’s promise that she would be by Qin Yun’s side for every eight years in the future.

Lingering at the corner of her eye, it was Chu Xi’s wish to stop all of Qin Yun’s unhappiness.

Moving along the bridge of her nose, she gently bit the tip, trying to please the person in her heart, which elicited a happy giggle.

Finally, her lips covered the red ones, sucking obsessively. From now on, the one whose body and soul are one with yours can only be me.

“I will shatter all the glamour of the neon-lit nightlife. In the future, your happiness won’t need money and alcohol as medicine. I’m giving myself to you; I will be your happiness.”

This was the most ordinary and most sincere promise from the newly awakened Chu Xi.

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