Chapter 129 - Phantom Plan (9)
“Thanks for your generosity, let’s talk on the way there.” Seeing Lu Jia’er so magnanimous, the corner of his lips slightly lifted.
Since she had headed downstairs following his request, Lu Jia’er began to prepare herself mentally. “Where are we going?”
“We are going to meet a person,” said Jin Xiangdong.
“Who’s that?” Lu Jia’er asked.
“I’ll tell you later.” Jin Xiangdong didn’t make it clear to Lu Jia’er.
“I’ll go with you but please don’t play tricks on me.” Although Lu Jia’er was alert, she was not afraid.
“We are meeting a colleague of yours.” Jin Xiangdong gave her a hint.
Lu Jia’er’s demeanor softened with relief. She had always been professional when facing people with mental illnesses. “Are you asking me to accompany you to see a psychiatrist?”
Jin Xiangdong did not reply to her directly. Instead, he looked at Lu Jia’er’s fair face and said, “If you didn’t apply sunscreen, don’t stand there absorbing ultraviolet rays!”
Lu Jia’er was embarrassed. She was completely bare-faced and had no makeup on as she had no intention of leaving the house. Nonetheless, it was too late for her to apply her sunscreen and she was not afraid of going out bare-faced.
It was not the first time that Jin Xiangdong had seen her bare-faced. In fact, he preferred Lu Jia’er without makeup. Her natural beauty was like a lotus that had bloomed in clear water.
Jin Xiangdong turned around and walked to his car parked by the road five meters away. Lu Jia’er looked at his back and slowly followed him. This time, out of goodwill, she decided to become ‘Saint Mary’. After all, facing your own psychological problems and seeking help immediately was worthy of praise.
As they rode in his Maybach on the busy road, no one talked and it was extremely quiet.
Finally, Jin Xiangdong broke the silence and asked, “Are you thirsty? There’s water behind.”
“I’m not thirsty.” Lu Jia’er replied.
Jin Xiangdong turned around and began to reach for the water. Seeing such a dangerous act, Lu Jia’er quickly stopped him. “I’ll take it myself!”
Lu Jia’er then turned around, took the water from the backseat and placed it on her lap.
Seeing this, Jin Xiangdong looked at her and said, “About what I did in the office yesterday, I didn’t do it on purpose. I just wanted to confirm if you were my girlfriend.”
Kissing me and righteously saying it wasn’t on purpose?! Lu Jia’er turned, looked at him, and snorted, “If you didn’t do it on purpose, does that mean that I should be the one apologizing? For looking like your girlfriend and causing you to lose your judgment?!”
Jin Xiang did not like her coldness. “If you want to apologize, I will accept it.”
What logic is this?!
Lu Jia’er could not be bothered to argue with the ‘patient’. “It seems that you have very strong feelings for your girlfriend!”
Jin Xiangdong did not deny it. “Her feelings for me are stronger!”
It seemed she had to start counselling him before he reached the psychiatrist. “Where is she now?”
“She’s seated in the front passenger seat of the car BXS6889,” said Jin Xiangdong.
Hearing that, Lu Jia’er quietly thought, did his girlfriend die in a car accident? If that was the case, it would be understandable why he has psychological problems.
“My condolences!” Lu Jia’er expressed her sympathy.
Jin Xiangdong quickly retorted, “I won’t allow you to curse yourself!”
It seemed that his problems were not minor, they were rather serious.
Facing a person with psychological problems, Lu Jia’er did not refute. “If your girlfriend heard what you said, she would be very happy!”
Jin Xiangdong looked at her and said, “Has it never crossed your mind? That you are the girlfriend?!”
Lu Jia’er’s tone was no longer cold, perhaps because she treated him as a ‘patient’. She indifferently said, “You have seen my boyfriend. I have no intention of cheating on him!”
“Let’s talk about your boyfriend then. How did you meet him?” Jin Xiangdong replied.
She was clearly the psychiatrist, yet it felt like she was the one being questioned.
Since she was asked, she could only use it to her advantage and continued the topic. “I met Ian during a banquet when I was in America for an exchange. He showed great hospitality and after learning that he studied psychology in university, we began to talk more. I kept in touch with him after returning back to the country. Then, he came here for work and we got together eventually.”
As Lu Jia’er described how she met and fell in love with Ian, her expression was filled with warmth and happiness.
Jin Xiangdong had seen that expression before. Lu Jia’er had never hid her love for him in front of Jin Xiangdong.
But hearing how she described it, Jin Xiangdong could feel his heart burning with jealousy. He asked, “Did he chase you?”
Lu Jia’er denied, “No, I chased him!”
An unusual glow could be seen in Jin Xiangdong’s eyes. “How did you chase him?”
“By taking the initiative!” Lu Jia’er used those four words to summarize it as she did not want to disclose too many details.
“Can you elaborate on it?” Jin Xiangdong really wanted to know about the details.
Regarding emotional wounds, using a love story to heal them was indeed a method.
“That evening, I ended my class and was about to leave the school. I saw him standing in the carpark and the sun was setting behind him. He was wrapped by the sunset’s golden glow. At that instant, I was captivated. It felt like he was the one that I have always been searching for. I went up to him and told him that I wanted to chase him. He pretended to be reserved but he eventually became my boyfriend!” Lu Jia’er described the moment when she reunited with Ian in the country.
The scenario that Lu Jia’er had described was what Jin Xiangdong had experienced with her. Someone had changed Lu Jia’er’s memories of him into a man called Ian.
“What you have just said, was how we met for the first time,” said Jin Xiangdong.
Lu Jia’er had already begun to treat Jin Xiangdong as her patient. She faintly smiled and said, “Is that so? Should I have added another sentence? If there are any similarities, they are purely coincidental.”
Jin Xiangdong looked at her and quietly repeated, “If there are any similarities, they are purely coincidental.”
“Yes! If there are any similarities, they are purely coincidental!” Lu Jia’er happily repeated them again. She reached for the bottle on her lap, twisted it open and drank the water.
Jin Xiangdong’s expression flickered. He was burning with anxiety inside. He was dying to find out what had happened but he was unable to solve it on his own. He could only seek an expert’s help. Hence, he sped up his car and drove to the destination.
Lu Jia’er was brought to a psychiatry clinic by Jin Xiangdong. She recognized the one in-charge of the clinic. He was a renowned psychiatrist specialist, the most outstanding disciple of a famous master hypnotist — Professor Fang Yu. He was called Liu Qiming.
Lu Jia’er had met Liu Qiming during an academic exchange forum, but they never had a conversation. They were not on familiar terms and could only be considered as acquaintances.
Liu Qiming’s psychiatry clinic was well-known in City B. Many people came here for hypnosis. Professor Han Yi said that although Liu Qiming’s skills were not as high as Yu Lan, he did manage to learn his skills of Professor Fang Yu.
Jin Xiangdong called Professor Fang Yu that morning and it was her who recommended him to bring Lu Jia’er there.
The receptionist brought them into the office.
Liu Qiming’s office design was professional. His office’s lighting was just right and his wallpaper was pale green which gave off a soothing effect. His office was located in a suburban area and it was very peaceful.
When Liu Qiming saw Lu Jia’er, his eyes brightened up. “Professor Liu, what wind blew you here?”
Lu Jia’er smiled and replied, “The Eastern wind!”
“Who is this?” Liu Qiming looked at Jin Xiangdong.
“This is my friend, Mr Jin Xiangdong.” Lu Jia’er used the word ‘friend’ to introduce Jin Xiangdong her friend to Liu Qiming.
Liu Qiming surveyed Jin Xiangdong for a short while and said, “Please have a seat.”
Liu Qiming began to brew some tea as both of them sat down.
“It’s my honor to have you, Professor Lu, in my office!” said Liu Qiming as he sanitized the teacups with hot water.
“You’re flattering me!” Lu Jia’er smiled. She began to observe him brewing tea. His movements were smooth like the water flowing. Soon after, she could smell the aroma of the tea.
Liu Qiming smiled and asked, “Professor Lu, how are my tea brewing techniques?”
Lu Jia’er praised, “You’re an expert!”
Liu Qiming pulled off another stunt brewing the tea and his skills were close to that of a professional’s. However, brewing tea in the office when there were clients present seemed to be improper. It can’t be that...
Liu Qiming disrupted her thoughts with a cup of tea. “Professor Lu, please have a sip.”
Lu Jia’er dazed for a moment, then she reached for the tea.
Jin Xiangdong was waiting outside the office. He looked calm but he was actually burning with anxiety inside.
Ten minutes later, the door to Liu Qiming’s office opened. Jin Xiangdong immediately stood up from his seat and walked towards the door.
“How was it?” asked Jin Xiangdong.
Liu Qiming looked at Jin Xiangdong and said, “She has not been hypnotized.”
Hearing his answer, Jin Xiangdong had mixed feelings. He heaved a sigh of relief but furrowed his eyebrows the next second.
“Are you sure?” Jin Xiangdong was aware of how rude he might have sounded but he was unable to resist it.