Rebirth of the Villainous Female Boss

Chapter 574: Chapter 548: Fear and Seeing Through

Jia Xiufang’s marriage-pushing call left Xiao Qian feeling a little confused.

She noticed Yu Minglang’s attitude, how seriously he took his half-month leave, which meant this time he would probably be genuine.

After going downstairs, Xiao Qian didn’t go straight to the supermarket; instead, she sat on the flower bed, feeling a little flustered.

When Liao Fugui’s call came in, she didn’t hear it until the ringtone had gone off twice, being too lost in thought.

“Qian’er, can you take this case?” Liao Fugui’s voice was a little hoarse, probably from a heated conversations with Da Long.

“What case?”

“It’s from a friend at the Anti-domestic Violence Center who referred the case to me – a woman was badly beaten by her husband and underwent a domestic violence examination. They suspect she has Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder for makeup, as the reason her husband abuses her is her enormous annual expenditure on cosmetics, with lipstick alone costing 20,000 yuan.”

“Whoever married that woman is responsible for finishing their life with her; if they can’t handle it, they shouldn’t have married her in the first place. What sort of man beats his wife?”

“The husband earns less than 10,000 yuan a year, and she spends more on cosmetics than on household expenses and borrowed money to buy them. After several failed discussions, the husband, overwhelmed with the burden of debt, impulsively hit her. Due to her obsession with makeup, this woman has missed out on her career, and now her family is on the verge of breaking apart.”

“I don’t take cases where both parties seem determined to ruin each other. I don’t have that much compassion.”

For a case with no money and a story Xiao Qian found annoying, she didn’t even want to entertain the idea of offering help.

“Alright, I’ll find someone else for her. By the way, Qian’er, what exactly is this makeup Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?”

Liao Fugui’s career is to identify mentally ill people, but he doesn’t have as deep an understanding of psychological issues as Xiao Qian.

“It’s a kind of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, which is similar to drug addiction in physiological mechanisms.”

“Is it that serious? Can’t they restrain themselves from putting on makeup?”

“They can’t. People with drug addiction and makeup OCD start voluntarily, but once addicted, they can’t control themselves. Some even meticulously apply makeup when going downstairs in their pajamas to buy a watermelon.”

Xiao Qian’s tone was emotional during that last sentence.

“But the person seeking consultation has received higher education, it’s strange that she would be like this.”

“It’s educated women who are more likely to have makeup OCD. Once afflicted, their brain circuits change, showing tendencies toward depression and anxiety. Ultimately, people with makeup OCD want to mask their fear of failure through this behavior. By the way, psychological issues have nothing to do with the level of education.”

Liao Fugui took note of what Xiao Qian said. Although their fields were slightly different, she always provided him with fresh perspectives that greatly helped his work.

“By the way, Qian’er, I heard from Auntie that you’re getting married?”

Xiao Qian rolled her eyes. Her mother couldn’t hold back information at all; did she broadcast it to the whole family right after putting down the phone?

“I haven’t decided yet; I don’t really want to get married.”

“Why not?”

To everyone in the family, Xiao Qian and Yu Minglang were already a perfect match. As soon as Jia Xiufang finished the call, she started excitedly planning her daughter’s wedding. Liao Fugui also caught some of that joy, and after interacting with Xiao Qian a few times, his little crush on her completely vanished.

He really couldn’t handle a woman with this kind of personality, and was better off remaining her “eldest brother”; a clever younger sister and an indescribable younger brother made Liao Fugui feel quite happy.

“I keep thinking my current mission in life shouldn’t be to get married. There are still things to do, like preparing for my PhD exams, and he’s busy with work too…”

Liao Fugui could hear Xiao Qian dodging the conversation in her tone.

“Qian’er, you don’t have pre-marriage phobia, do you?”

Xiao Qian felt cold sweat in her palms and forced a laugh, “How could I? What am I afraid of? We’ve known each other for so long, how could I have pre-marriage phobia, hehehehehe…”

The last series of awkward laughter made even the leaves on the nearby tree shake.

“You give me the impression of someone with pre-marriage phobia, always prepared to flee from marriage. I remember I gave you a case like that before, and you even cured the person. Your feelings now are just like that consultee! Can pre-marriage phobia cause uncontrollable changes in one’s brain circuits too?”

Damn you, Liao Fugui! He usually looked like a bookworm and acted wooden, but suddenly, during this crucial moment, he became sharp.

“I don’t have pre-marriage phobia. I, don’t, have it!”

“Great people once said that if you don’t have the correct view on love and marriage, you have no soul. Qian’er, you need to adjust your mindset now.”

“Liao Fugui, are you making fun of me for not memorizing quotes? The original statement is that if you don’t have the correct political viewpoint, you have no soul!” Xiao Qian was furious.

“In matters of marriage, we must apply what we learn! Your view on love and marriage is already skewed. I think you should have a good talk with Minglang.”

Xiao Qian hung up the phone, and as she did so, a leaf fell on her head. She tried to remove it but ended up touching another pair of hands instead.

Yu Minglang had been standing behind her for some time.

Taken by surprise, Xiao Qian wondered how much he had heard, but his expression was unreadable when he tried to hide his thoughts.

“Why did you come out?” she asked, feeling guilty and testing his reaction.

“I came to see where you had gone to buy that bottle of vinegar. The dumplings are already packed.”

“Oh, I’ve been out for so long, never mind, let’s go home and eat.”

Xiao Qian dragged his arm and started to walk back home, but Yu Minglang didn’t move.

“Xiao Mei, does being with me make you feel uneasy?”

“I’ll only feel uneasy if there’s no vinegar for the dumplings. Let’s go, quickly, I’m starving to death!” Xiao Qian deliberately avoided the topic, afraid he would continue.

Yu Minglang pursed his lips and didn’t say anything else.

During dinner, Xiao Qian remained on guard, fearing he would bring up anything related to their marriage talks or the phone call. Thankfully, Yu Minglang didn’t mention it, and she thought he probably hadn’t heard her conversation with Fugui.

In the afternoon, Yu Minglang went out to buy something and didn’t return for nearly two hours. Xiao Qian thought about calling him to ask where he was but ultimately decided it wasn’t appropriate.

There was a group meeting at the school next week discussing papers related to phobias, and Xiao Qian was preparing materials. As she looked at the word “fear” on paper, she thought of what Liao Fugui had said.

Did she really have pre-marriage phobia?

She had fled her wedding in her past life, and now she and Yu Minglang had a great relationship without any issues. He took good care of her, and they had won over each other’s families – they just needed to get a marriage certificate. What was she so afraid of?

Admitting her fear was terrifying because it didn’t fit her style. She had never been afraid of anything, so how could she be afraid of starting a family with the man she loved?

And she was studying Clinical Psychology; how could she have this kind of problem…

Psychological issues had nothing to do with the level of education, and those with psychological issues certainly couldn’t control their behavior and brain. This sentence she had just explained to Fugui suddenly popped into her mind.

Xiao Qian put down her pen and stared blankly at the pile of manuscripts, which Yu Minglang, who had just come home, saw without her noticing.