After a period of difficult comprehension, Dr. Chen finally grasped what was wrong with her… what *condition* she had.

“Strictly speaking, it’s not really an illness,” she said. “Based on what you described, it’s more like a verbal tendency.”

Bai Ningning blinked. “So how do I adjust?”

“I can only suggest you speak more—take the initiative to talk,” Dr. Chen said. “You’re usually too quiet. That cuts off chances for self-correction.”

“Self-correction?”

“Yes. If you genuinely feel the need, you’ll instinctively try to fix it. But the foundation is talking more. With only one or two sentences, there’s nothing to adjust.”

Bai Ningning pondered. “Got it. Like in a shooter game—you fire more shots to tune your aim and get the feel.”

“…I’m not sure what that means, but as long as *you* understand.”

The consultation ended. Dr. Chen felt as if granted a reprieve and hurried from the bedroom to the living room.

“How’d it go?” Qin Yue asked.

“She says she has an issue,” Dr. Chen replied honestly. “When talking to others, what comes out isn’t what she truly feels.”

Qin Yue laughed. “*Her*? Can’t speak her mind?”

“That’s the point,” Dr. Chen shrugged. “Her words don’t match her thoughts. That’s how she put it.”

“As the doctor—what’s your take?”

Dr. Chen sipped her tea, sat straighter. “It’s plausible. Her speech is an unconscious reflex. Regret follows. I’m inclined to believe her.”

*She seems so well-behaved… if she weren’t a little off, how could she be so bold?* Qin Yue’s lips curved slightly. *Maybe the issue is real. Or maybe Bai Ningning sought out my friend as the psychologist because she regrets her recent attitude—and wants to apologize through Dr. Chen.*

“What did you tell her?”

“I suggested she talk more, chat with people.” Dr. Chen hesitated. “If convenient… maybe you could chat with her too.”

Qin Yue smiled softly. “Mm. I know.”

*Rare for the little ‘green tea’ to show remorse. Fine. I’ll help—reluctantly.*

She entered the bedroom. The girl sat on the bed in tiny sleep shorts, staring blankly at the ceiling.

Qin Yue approached. “Heard you saw the doctor. How’d it go?”

Bai Ningning wanted to say: *Don’t worry—it’s just personal. I’d feel bad wasting your time.*

Instead, she parted her lips:

“None of your business.”

Qin Yue’s blood pressure spiked.

*Calm. Dr. Chen said she speaks without meaning it. Her heart isn’t in it.*

Meanwhile, Bai Ningning’s mind clicked. *Dr. Chen said: talk more, take initiative. Isn’t this the moment?*

“Qin Yue,” she looked at the beautiful older sister by the bed, “do *you* have issues too?”

“…Yes.” Qin Yue nodded stiffly.

*She’s not wrong—but why does that question feel so off?*

“No problem,” Bai Ningning said flatly, dead serious. “If you’re sick, just get treated early.”

*Patience. She doesn’t mean it. Maybe she doesn’t know the full story.*

Qin Yue forced calm into her voice. “Do you know *why* I got sick?”

“No,” Bai Ningning answered instantly. “But sickness always has a cause.”

*…Obviously. And you made it sound like it’s my fault.*

“Back then,” Qin Yue said softly, “it was my first time feeling love. My first relationship. Because of *someone*, it became a shadow.”

“Someone…” Bai Ningning pointed at herself, tilting her head innocently. “Me?”

“Who else?”

*She must apologize sincerely. Even if the original owner did it—I inherited this life. I take responsibility.*

“I’m truly sorry.”

She poured forced emotion into the words. It sounded like a stiff voice line from a card game.

Qin Yue’s blood pressure shot to her temples.

*Calm. She doesn’t mean it. One more chance.*

“Is ‘sorry’ all you have to say?” Qin Yue suppressed her anger.

The girl blinked slightly, head tilted. “What else?”

Then Bai Ningning flew—Qin Yue seized her with breathtaking precision and slammed her onto the bed.

Blinking calmly, still tilted: “Getting worked up again?”

“Not at all,” Qin Yue smiled sinisterly. “My Summoner talent just triggered.”

Lethal Tempo plus Conqueror—attack speed shattered the 2.5 cap. Maybe even borrowed Chemical Rage from another game. Two words: invincible.

After five minutes, Bai Ningning’s icy composure cracked.

“Meow?”

“Meowing won’t help. Can’t surrender in the first twenty minutes. Didn’t you know?”

“But I play Dota.”

“Even better. Dota has no surrender.”

“…”

*(Custom Dota matches *do* allow surrender… but she had no strength left to say it.)*

*Wahhh… Why did it turn out like this? Dr. Chen—I followed your advice! Why?!*

Doushite?!

…

Next morning. Dawn broke. No one moved.

“Oha~yo~ Oha~yo~”

A slender arm emerged from the covers, ruffling the pillow beside her. “Wake up. Your phone’s ringing.”

Bai Ningning mumbled sleepily, “Don’t you have hands? Answer it for me.”

Qin Yue nearly jolted awake. *If not for work later… I’d start another round.*

She calmed herself, answered on speaker. A boy’s voice:

“Hello? Bai Ningning—the student union said you missed volunteer check-in yesterday. Reminder: max three absences in half a month. Skip today, that’s two.”

Bai Ningning fumbled for the phone. “I’ll go.”

“Alright. Arrive early.”

Beep. Beep. Beep.

Qin Yue sat on the pillow, watching. “So busy someone called you directly?”

“It’s fine,” Bai Ningning said casually. “Class monitor. Reminding me about GPA tasks.”

“What GPA task needs check-in?”

“Volunteering to guide new students,” Bai Ningning blurted, groggy and low on blood sugar. “Mentoring a few younger female students.”

Qin Yue’s heart skipped. “*Younger female students?*”

She stressed the words heavily.

Bai Ningning thought: *It’s school stuff—complicated. I should gently tell her not to ask…*

“None of your business.”