Chapter 18: Psychiatrist

Seeing her accept it, Qin Jingchen’s lips curled slightly, and a glimmer of light danced in his eyes, which were as calm as still water.

Jiang Zhe took a quick glance at the time on her phone.

Qin Jingchen smiled faintly, his demeanor as tranquil as water. "You have evening self-study, so we can eat quickly. I'll send you back early."

"Okay."

While they were eating, Jiang Zhe's phone kept receiving messages, and she occasionally paused to reply.

"Is there something urgent?" Qin Jingchen asked.

"Contacting a psychologist," Jiang Zhe answered casually.

This answer caused Qin Jingchen's expression to soften slightly.

It was, to his impression, the first time she had been willing to disclose her private affairs.

"For a friend, or for yourself?"

"A friend."

"Have you contacted someone suitable? I know some psychologists; I can recommend some to you."

"Still looking."

Hearing Qin Jingchen say this, Feng Ye immediately understood and eagerly pulled out his phone. "I'll contact Dr. Lu right away! Lu Xiu, the number one figure in the field of psychological intervention and treatment in the Dragon Empire. If you were to make an appointment through normal procedures, you might not even get a slot for two years. How about I just ask Dr. Lu to come over for dinner instead!"

Qin Jingchen did not object, and Feng Ye quickly made contact.

Jiang Zhe: "..."

She took a sip of water and replied to Lu Xiu on her phone: "Never mind, you stay busy. Tonight's matter isn't urgent; I'll talk to you later."

Just as she finished replying, Feng Ye confirmed on his end: "Dr. Lu said he's coming over immediately. He said he had an engagement tonight and wasn't sure if he could make it. It's just good luck."

A moment later, there was a knock on the private room door.

Feng Ye ran to open it, revealing a young man standing at the door, dressed with a sense of rigor.

"Dr. Lu, please come in!" Feng Ye made a welcoming gesture.

Lu Xiu walked in, his movements and demeanor maintaining the professional rigor expected of a psychologist, yet appearing approachable.

"Master Qin." His tone was precise and soothing.

"Sit." Qin Jingchen nodded. "I need your help with a friend's matter."

Lu Xiu looked past Qin Jingchen to the space behind him. Seeing Jiang Zhe's figure, his composed expression cracked for a split second. Since when did Jiang Zhe know Qin Jingchen?

Jiang Zhe casually raised her eyes and glanced at Lu Xiu.

Lu Xiu tacitly acted as if he didn't know her and pulled out a chair to sit down.

"Since Master Qin has asked, I cannot refuse."

Qin Jingchen introduced her to him magnanimously: "Jiang Zhe, my fiancée. Lu Xiu, Dr. Lu."

Upon hearing the words "fiancée," Lu Xiu's expression cracked once again. Fiancée? What was going on?

Lu Xiu quickly composed himself, stood up, and politely shook hands with Jiang Zhe. "Hello, Miss Jiang."

"Hello, Dr. Lu."

Feng Ye poured tea for Lu Xiu. "Dr. Lu, we're counting on you regarding our sister-in-law's friend's matter."

"Of course. Master Qin's friend is my friend as well." Lu Xiu pulled out his phone. "Then, Miss Jiang, shall we add each other on WeChat?"

Jiang Zhe scanned his displayed QR code without changing her expression.

Once the meal was finished, Qin Jingchen prepared to see Jiang Zhe off.

Jiang Zhe picked up her schoolbag. "I want to have a private chat with Dr. Lu."

"Alright. I'll wait for you."

Lu Xiu's psychological counseling clinic was nearby, so Jiang Zhe and he quickly headed upstairs.

Once they were out of Qin Jingchen's sight, Lu Xiu's usually stable composure failed him. "Since when did you become Qin Jingchen's fiancée?"

"It's a long story." Jiang Zhe hadn't expected it either.

"That man is not someone to be trifled with. Don't let his Buddhist-like aura fool you; there's no telling what he's hiding in his bones."

Jiang Zhe chewed her gum, nonchalant. "Am I supposed to be afraid of him?"

Lu Xiu smiled. "True. Our little Zhe is a rose with thorns, a clever little fox."

After saying that, he asked seriously, "Does a very close friend need psychological counseling?"

"Yes," Jiang Zhe nodded.

"No wonder you aren't doing it for your friend yourself. Logically, your ability is far superior to mine; your results would be much better."

"Too close is not good."

"Then I'll take over. When your friend comes for counseling, you can accompany her anytime; just let me know in advance."

"Okay."

"Then what did you want to talk to me about privately?" Lu Xiu asked.

"Help me find a quiet house near No. 1 High School for my friend to live in."

"A friend from the orphanage?" Lu Xiu guessed instantly.

Jiang Zhe had lived in an orphanage herself and had helped many children from there.

He pulled out a set of keys. "Take this one. The property rights are clean and have nothing to do with either of us. I'll arrange for a cleaning service to tidy it up later."

"Thanks." Jiang Zhe took the keys. "Then I'll bring my friend over tomorrow night."

"No problem."

When they emerged from the clinic, Qin Jingchen's car was still there. Jiang Zhe walked toward it and opened the door to get in.

The sound of the prayer beads in Qin Jingchen's hand did not stop, and his voice was as smooth as water. "Did you settle it?"

"Mm, she's coming tomorrow."

"Good."

The temperature was slightly cool, and the air conditioning was running in the car.

Jiang Zhe was wearing her school uniform, and the skirt was quite short, leaving her slender, fair legs exposed to the cold air.

It was a bit chilly, she thought unconcernedly, before quickly dismissing the thought.

As Jiang Zhe sat down and opened her phone, a blanket was handed to her. She looked up and met Qin Jingchen's gaze.

He held the blanket and pushed it slightly further toward her.

"Thanks." Jiang Zhe took it and covered her legs.

Just before she was to get out of the car, Qin Jingchen beat her to it. "Just give the blanket back to me."

After Jiang Zhe left, Feng Ye tapped his phone and said, "Brother Chen, I've had people record the piano playing of every student in Jincheng who can play; they're all here. We're also recording professionals who can play; it should be finished in a few days. But how am I supposed to filter these?"

The piano music was meant to be filtered for Old Madam Qin's sleep. To anyone else, while the technical skills of these recordings might differ, their effectiveness for sleep aid would be exactly the same, making them impossible to distinguish.

"Send them to me."

"You got it. With so much piano music, I don't know how long Grandma Qin will be listening."

Qin Jingchen lightly pinched the bridge of his nose. It looked like he would have to hurry these next few days to finish listening to them all.

After getting out of the car, Jiang Zhe walked toward the school gate, where Xia Enci and Xiao Meng were waiting for her.

"You're finally back. Xiao Meng ran over here to wait for you as soon as evening self-study ended, fearing it wouldn't be safe for you to be out this late." Xia Enci stepped forward and hooked her arm through Jiang Zhe's.

Xiao Meng actually knew that Jiang Zhe used to go out frequently at night with an unpredictable schedule, but since she was going this time to help her contact a psychologist, she was naturally worried that Jiang Zhe might run into trouble because of her.

"You don't have to wait next time."

"It's only a few steps away anyway," Xia Enci said dismissively. "Have you eaten dinner?"

"I have."

"Alright, then come back to my place and have my mom's homemade canned food for a midnight snack."

Walking beside them, Xiao Meng felt that she hadn't felt this relaxed in a long time.

(End of Chapter)