For the past few days since his return, Jian Ming's mind had been in a constant state of unrest, each day blurring into a chaotic haze. This city, brimming with restlessness, felt suffocating, even the air thick with an oppressive low pressure. Eight out of ten patients he saw consecutively in his consultation room were suffering from depression, in various stages and with differing symptoms, which only added to his growing vexation.

With a soft sigh, Jian Ming glanced at the calendar sticky note on his desk. A little pig he’d drawn himself was circling a special date, and his expression instantly softened. A smile touched his lips as his finger gently tapped the drawing. "Silly pig sister," he murmured to the pig, "I'm coming to see you tomorrow. Do you miss your brother?" His eyes twinkled with doting affection.

The next day, Jiang Luchuan called Director He of the Serene Mind Sanatorium bright and early. After arranging their visit, they had a quick breakfast and set off with Jian Ming.

"Oh, right, have you looked at cars yet? I promised to get you one when you graduated, completely forgot to ask." Realizing that Jian Ming had either been riding with him or taking taxis these past few days, Jiang Luchuan suddenly remembered his promise.

"Yeah, an old classmate runs a car dealership. I've already contacted him. I'll go check it out this afternoon if I'm free." Jian Ming paused, looking at Jiang Luchuan with a hint of hesitation. "But... Dad, I'd like to... buy the car myself. Actually... I gave up my annual vacation time to come back home to take on some cases recommended by my advisor, for a fee, and I've saved up some money. I also haven't touched the money you sent me later; I've invested some of it. I've been looking for an opportunity to give it to you..."

"You brat..." Jiang Luchuan was genuinely surprised, even slowing down the car.

Jian Ming closed his eyes briefly, then decided to continue. "All these years, you've taken care of me and my sister. I know it's not just painstaking effort, but also a lot of money. My major took ten years to complete, and you never asked anything of me. But now I'm almost thirty, accidentally. If I don't become independent soon, I'll be too ashamed to face Jian Qi. Don't you think?"

This heartfelt monologue genuinely made Jiang Luchuan look at the man beside him with new respect. It was as if a little boy had suddenly transformed into a grown man, a process he hadn't even noticed happening.

They didn't speak again on the way, until the car pulled into the Serene Mind Sanatorium.

Just a few steps after getting out of the car, Jiang Luchuan called out to Jian Ming, "Ming Ming, if you've decided on something, go for it, as long as you think it's right. You've... grown up. There's something I've never said. As a father, I'm truly proud of you. You're an excellent child, and I'm... always been very lucky to have this father-son bond with you."

Jian Ming stiffened, unsure what to say. Perhaps there was nothing more that needed to be said.

"Uh... I'll go find Director He in the office first. You go see Jian Qi. We'll come find you later." Jiang Luchuan felt that at his age, this was probably the only time he'd get this mushy, his ears feeling a little hot. Without waiting for a response, he greeted Jian Ming and walked towards the main building of the sanatorium.

Jian Ming watched his retreating back for a long time, a relieved smile spreading across his lips.

Finally, the weather had cleared. Many patients in the sanatorium were eager to soak up the sun. The large lawn was already filled with people, some standing, some in wheelchairs. At a glance, aside from their uniform hospital attire, the scene wasn't much different from a casual park in a regular neighborhood.

Jian Ming was about to enter the residential building behind them when a nurse pushing a wheelchair suddenly passed by. In his periphery, he caught a glimpse of a figure—it was… his sister.

His heart fluttered, and he turned, chasing after them.

"Sister..."

Jian Qi's skin was very fair, and now it seemed even paler than before. Her eyebrows and eyes closely resembled Jian Ming's, especially her clear, lake-like eyes, which held a purity that made one pity her. Her delicate pink lips were tightly pressed together, as if they hadn't opened in a century. Jian Ming had always believed that if she could only smile, she would be the most beautiful girl in the world.

"Sir, may I help you?" The nurse pushing the wheelchair asked curiously.

Jian Ming slowly crouched down in front of Jian Qi, his eyes never leaving her. "I'm her brother."

The nurse was quite young and must have only started working there in the last two years, so she didn't recognize Jian Ming. She only knew that this patient seemed to have an adoptive father who occasionally visited her.

"Oh, you're Jian Qi's brother! How wonderful! she must be so happy to see her brother after such a long time, right?" The nurse, with a cheerful expression, put a hand on Jian Qi's shoulder, as if she were excited for her.

But Jian Qi's gaze remained fixed on the distant front, her face devoid of any expression.

"QiQi, it's your brother. Can you look at me?" Jian Ming placed his hands over Jian Qi's, his voice thick with emotion.

"the girl, did you hear me? Are you mad at me? Mad that I left for too long? Hmm?" Jian Ming watched his sister, who remained utterly unresponsive, and slowly lowered his head, as if trying to hide something.

Seeing the scene, the nurse quickly offered comfort: "Sir, sweetheart actually hears everything. She just doesn't know how to respond yet. Please don't be sad. I'll push her to that bench up ahead, and you two can have a good chat."

In a place like this, stories of all kinds unfolded almost daily. But no matter the story, genuine emotion always touched the softest corner of one's heart.

When Jiang Luchuan and Director He came looking for them, Jian Ming was braiding his sister's hair. His agitated emotions had calmed down. Seeing them approach, his lips curved into a slight smile: "Before I left, she's hair was always short. Now it's so long. She's really grown up, and become vain..."

"Huh, Jian Ming, she let you touch her?" Director He, standing nearby, suddenly looked at the siblings with surprise.

"What? She used to let him touch her before, too." Jiang Luchuan found Director He's reaction odd.

"Brother Jiang, do you remember when I told you about the patient in her dorm who committed suicide half a year ago? At the time, we all rushed in to save her. She had been emotionless until then, but suddenly she started screaming and shouting, and showed self-harming tendencies. We were all terrified. It's good to have a reaction, but her kind of reaction... couldn't really be called good. Anyway, after that, besides Nurse Xiaolin, no one else could touch her; she'd scream if anyone did. However, we're still observing her changes, so we haven't told you about this phenomenon yet."

Jian Ming stared intently at Director He, his mind racing.

This situation was, of course, a good thing. her reacting to the outside world was a huge breakthrough in itself. If Director He wasn't mistaken, then the fact that the girl calmly accepted his touch—holding her hand, braiding her hair—meant she had gained cognitive ability. This was incredibly good news! Jian Ming was overjoyed internally, further solidifying his resolve to immediately get involved in his sister's treatment.

"Director He, hello. Thank you for taking care of sweetheart all these years. I really appreciate it." Jian Ming politely expressed his gratitude, then looked at Jiang Luchuan, his eyes filled with eagerness and anticipation.

Jiang Luchuan understood immediately. He turned to his former university junior beside him and said, "Director He, since you agree with what we just discussed, you can tell Jian Ming the details about she's condition later. I'll have him come every Monday, how does that sound?"

"Of course, that would be wonderful. We couldn't ask for a talent like Jian Ming." She said, bowing her head with an ingratiating smile towards Jian Ming.

"Thank you, Director He."

Time passed quickly. When it was nearly noon, Jian Ming reluctantly brought his sister back to her room. Before leaving, he specifically thanked the nurse named Xiaolin.

Just as he reached the door, he heard Jiang Luchuan answering a phone call, and surprisingly, his own name was mentioned.

"Jian Ming's number, you say? Wait a moment, you can ask him yourself, he's right here." With that, he handed the phone to Jian Ming.

Jian Ming took the phone with some hesitation. "Hello?"

"It's me, Lu Heng. Didn't have your number, was going to ask Old Jiang, heh, didn't expect you to be there." Lu Heng's slightly roguish voice came through the phone.

"Lu... Heng?" Jian Ming was even more puzzled. He actually asked for my number? Voluntarily?

"Yeah, no need to doubt it, it's me. Surprised I'd look for you earlier?"

Lu Heng's laugh on the phone was anything but subtle.

"Oh, yes, I certainly am surprised. Is there something you need?" Jian Ming quickly regained his composed tone, curious. He had already prepared himself for the possibility that this guy might not even show up next Tuesday, and today was only Friday.

"Let's meet up, Counselor Jian." The special police force's assigned psychologists were generally called "psychological counselors." Perhaps it was because "assistance and guidance" sounded more acceptable than "treating illness." Either way, to Lu Heng, it made no difference. It wasn't that he denied having problems; he just never believed that any of these so-called counseling sessions could truly cure him.

And yet, this Jian Ming made him want to try...

"I'm not at the consultation office. If you insist on today, then meet me later at Jifeng Car Dealership. I'll text you the address." Jian Ming saw Jiang Luchuan constantly glancing at his watch and didn't want to waste any more time talking to Lu Heng.

"Alright, send it." With that, he hung up abruptly.

Jian Ming frowned, seriously thinking that this habit of hanging up without a word should definitely be included in the scope of their counseling sessions.

On the way to the car dealership, Jiang Luchuan looked at him in disbelief. "Lu Heng actually asked to meet you?"

"Mm."

"Not for a prescription?"

"Probably not. I already gave him a prescription last time."

"Haha... Good. You really do have a way with him, kid. I'll wait for your good news then." Jiang Luchuan laughed heartily.