Don't Lie to Your Therapist—She Already Knows Your Fate

A mushroom-shaped head, slightly larger than a quail egg, with the two words "Lonely Brave" carved on it.

No, wait. Zhang Wenliang took a closer look and realized the words didn’t seem to be carved on, but rather drawn with a ballpoint pen.

At that thought, Zhang Wenliang couldn’t help but glance at Sister Wen Ying’s casually coiled hair. The hairpin holding it up was, indeed, a ballpoint pen.

’So this ballpoint pen has other functions?’

"So, do you like it?"

"I like it... I guess," Zhang Wenliang replied wistfully, his eyes on the mushroom head’s colors.

"Sister Wen Ying, you’ve never studied design, have you?"

"No." Wen Ying shook her head. "I studied psychology."

’No wonder. No wonder this mushroom head was designed in red and green!’

’Bright red paired with bright green... truly the height of elegance...’

’A truly indescribable fondness!’

Still, the shape of the mushroom head made Zhang Wenliang feel a little embarrassed.

"Sister Wen Ying, what is this?" Zhang Wenliang finally decided to ask.

"Lonely Brave. It means exactly what it says. You should like it, right?"

"I like ’Lonely Brave,’ but this mushroom head..."

"Don’t you think it’s cute?"

The mushroom’s cap was bright red, shaped like an umbrella, and looked quite pretty.

The mushroom’s stalk was green, and to top it off, Wen Ying had carved eyes, a nose, and a mouth onto it.

It was the spitting image of a little red-and-green mushroom person.

"It is... quite cute, I suppose."

Wen Ying smiled, pretending not to notice Zhang Wenliang’s internal struggle. "This can suppress your second personality. If you ever feel like you’re becoming less and less like yourself, you can wear it. You can put it away when you don’t need it. Of course, as for its other functions, you can explore those on your own~ My recommendation is to keep it on your person at all times."

Hearing Sister Wen Ying’s words, Zhang Wenliang immediately dropped his joking demeanor.

’This thing... it’s actually that magical?’

’For something this magical, who cares if it’s red and green!’

’Who cares if it’s a mushroom head or a mushroom person!’ (For any curious readers, picture a cute little character called "Mushroom Brave"—a pun on its name. That’s pretty much the adorable image!)

’It’s a mysterious treasure!’

’Even if it wasn’t cute, it would still be cute!’

"Sister Wen Ying, I think it should have a cape, don’t you? A naked mushroom just isn’t right."

As he spoke, Zhang Wenliang took out the little "Lonely Brave" mushroom person and placed it in his palm. It felt a little soft to the touch.

"Have a safe trip," Wen Ying said suddenly.

Zhang Wenliang was silent for a moment before nodding.

The two of them fell into a sudden silence, sitting on the mountaintop, watching the sky, the clouds, the trees, and the village below.

Watching every bit of scenery in sight.

Listening to the birdsong, everything seemed peaceful—a perfect pastoral life.

But eventually, they had to return to reality.

On the way down the mountain, they didn’t see the climbers from before. With his mind full of jumbled thoughts, Zhang Wenliang didn’t notice their absence.

As they passed Uncle Zhang’s general store, Aunt Zhang grabbed Wen Ying and said goodbye to Zhang Wenliang.

"Little Ying, what do you think of Wen Liang? Isn’t he outstanding? He’s handsome, has a bright future, and our families know each other inside and out, right?"

Wen Ying nodded.

’Zhang Wenliang is indeed outstanding. After all, he’s a national-level genius.’

Seeing Wen Ying nod, Aunt Zhang grew even more enthusiastic. "Then I’ll go over to Wen Liang’s house tomorrow and talk to his parents. You two aren’t old, but you’re not that young, either. Getting engaged ahead of time would be a great idea."

Wen Ying, "..."

"Auntie, aren’t you reading too much into this? I just see Wen Liang as a younger brother."

"Are you just being shy? Do you have any idea how many people want to marry their daughters to Wen Liang? But I think he feels differently about you. He’d definitely turn down anyone else."

Wen Ying was exasperated.

"Auntie, you’re really reading too much into it."

After Wen Ying finished explaining her feelings, and Zhang Wenliang’s as well, Aunt Zhang looked at her with a hint of regret.

"Wen Liang is a good kid! But since you’ve both made your choice, I won’t meddle anymore. This old auntie doesn’t understand any grand principles, but I know that people who contribute to the nation’s development are true talents! I support you both."

Wen Ying breathed a sigh of relief. "Wen Liang is heading back to school tomorrow, so we probably won’t be seeing each other for a while anyway."

Aunt Zhang’s disappointment was visible.

"It seems you can’t force fate, then. Little Ying, you should travel more when you have the time. If you stay in a small place like this, it’s hard to find friends with similar interests, and you don’t have much to talk about with us old folks."

Wen Ying nodded. She had considered the idea of traveling before.

"I might be joining a variety show soon. We’ll be filming in different locations, so I guess that counts as traveling."

When Aunt Zhang heard this, she was initially excited about the variety show and wanted to ask more.

But when she heard the rest of it... ’This girl... she’s such a clever little fox!’

’Treating a variety show as her travel plan?’

"Little Ying, be honest with your auntie. Are you out of money?"

"No, that’s not it. I just think traveling with a group is more lively and interesting than traveling alone."

"Alright then. But if you do run out of money, remember to tell your auntie. I may not be rich, but I have enough to send you on a trip."

Thinking about the millions she received in dividends each month, Wen Ying nodded.

’I’m not exactly broke, am I? Even though the system takes the lion’s share, my smaller cut is still more than what an average family makes in a year.’

’Does that make me a secret millionaire?’

After returning to her clinic, Wen Ying tidied up, made some beef and potato stew, and planned to curl up on the sofa and watch a variety show.

’I wonder what variety shows are like these days. It can’t hurt to do some research.’

But just as she logged onto a video streaming platform and started to search, her phone rang.

It was an unknown number.

Sipping her homemade iced passion fruit and lime tea, Wen Ying answered the call.

An anxious, grief-stricken voice came from the other end. "Doctor Wen, please save me! Save Chaochao! Please, save Chaochao!"

The person on the phone was sobbing so hard they could barely breathe.

Wen Ying pinched the bridge of her nose. "What’s going on? Tell me slowly."

"Those monsters! They actually want to... to my Chaochao—" Chaochao’s mother broke down crying again, her voice filled with heart-wrenching despair and rage.

"Where’s Chaochao’s father?" Wen Ying gently prompted.

"Chaochao’s father was tricked away by his parents! They’re all a bunch of liars! My poor Chaochao, what did she do to deserve this from them?! They’re absolute monsters! Chaochao is their own granddaughter! How could they do this?! She’s so little! I can’t protect her by myself! Doctor Wen, I’m begging you, please save Chaochao! What am I going to do? How am I supposed to live!"

Wen Ying frowned. The situation sounded dire.

"Wasn’t Chaochao buried according to plan?"