The patient was sitting on a seat, legs crossed, leaning back against the backrest. He wasn't looking at his phone or doing anything else, just staring straight at the wall. Without the red light, Niu Shurui could clearly see his face.
Compared to Ye Li, he looked even younger, yet possessed an aura that was both boyish and masculine.
He seemed wise beyond his years, yet also had a certain naivete, as if he had been sheltered and protected.
Every posture exuded a fierce, rebellious energy, the kind that made you feel like nothing he did would be truly surprising.
Sensing her gaze, he turned his head, but remained silent, studying her in return.
Finally, Niu Shurui spoke. “Hello. What’s your name?”
“Sheng Shangyan.”
Niu Shurui froze. Putting aside the improbable coincidence of the name, she couldn’t mistake that voice.
“Why did you kill someone?” The words tumbled out before she could stop herself. They stared at each other.
After a moment, Sheng Shangyan curled his lip and retorted, “Dr. Shu? Isn’t that a bit direct? Why should I tell you anything? Just because he sent you to treat me?”
He emphasized the word "treat" with a provocative, dismissive tone.
Niu Shurui knew that no one wanted to admit to having psychological problems. Adhering to the principle of admitting one's mistakes, she nodded apologetically, thinking, ‘He’? Does he mean Ye Yanhui?
What is his relationship with Ye Yanhui?
***
Sheng Shangyan’s first therapy session, or rather, first conversation, went more smoothly than expected. He wasn’t exactly cooperative, but at least he wasn’t deliberately difficult.
However, he refused to reveal anything substantial, offering only superficial answers.
At this rate, he might become another Ye Li, a patient who undergoes treatment for a year or more without significant progress, simply wasting each other’s time.
Niu Shurui opened Weibo and typed in the name Sheng Shangyan.
Fortunately, she didn't find any news related to him and murder. The comments under his Weibo posts were only from fans asking why he had canceled his livestream.
It seemed unlikely that he had committed premeditated murder last night.
Niu Shurui called Assistant Zhao.
“Hello, Dr. Shu.”
“I need to know the details of what happened with Sheng Shangyan last night.”
“Last night?” Assistant Zhao sounded surprised. Hearing this, Niu Shurui knew her guess was correct. Although she had been fairly certain, she couldn't be entirely sure that Sheng Shangyan's "murder" attempt had occurred last night.
Assistant Zhao continued, “You’re truly someone CEO Ye thought high of. Young Master Sheng has already told you it happened last night. Yes, he bought a knife on the street last night and stabbed a passerby as soon as he stepped outside. Fortunately, there were many people around, and he was quickly restrained.”
“CEO Ye questioned him afterward, but he refused to say anything. That’s why he was sent to you, in the hope that you can get him to reveal his motive. It's best if there are no psychological issues, but if there are, then CEO Ye hopes you can treat him as well.”
Young Master Sheng… Ye Li was the only heir publicly acknowledged by the Ye family. Was Sheng Shangyan an illegitimate child?
Niu Shurui said, “I understand.”
After hanging up, Niu Shurui considered this line of thought, feeling it was close to the truth.
But the attempted murder was still puzzling. The information from Assistant Zhao contradicted her initial assumptions.
If it truly happened as Assistant Zhao described, it was difficult to determine whether it was a crime of passion or premeditated.
She absently refreshed the Weibo page, and then, a thought struck her.
***
During her lunch break, Qiao Qi knocked on Niu Shurui’s office door. “Niuniu, time for lunch.”
“Okay.” As she walked towards him, she confessed, “I’m sorry, I lied to you this morning.”
Qiao Qi didn’t seem surprised. “Lied about what?”
“I didn’t go to a friend’s house.” Niu Shurui knew what he meant and answered truthfully, “But what happened last night is complicated. Can I explain it to you after I’ve sorted it out?”
This was the best solution until she understood the cause and pattern of the red light.
Unlike Ye Li, Qiao Qi understood her well, and she understood him equally well. She knew that if she apologized and showed vulnerability, given their long history, Qiao Qi would likely give her some leeway.
As she’d hoped, the red light didn’t appear. Qiao Qi nodded. “Okay, I’ll wait. But Niuniu, don’t make me wait too long.”
Niu Shurui's heart skipped a beat, but thankfully, the red light remained absent. She nodded sincerely. “I won’t.”
Qiao Qi stroked her hair, a smile playing on his lips. He lowered his eyes slightly, the lenses of his glasses reflecting a bright light that obscured the emotions in his gaze.