During the scale check, Lin Mei already had a judgment in her heart. When she heard the confirmation, she was not surprised. She remained silent, not very responsive, and her attitude was not very positive, completely different from her attitude during her previous treatment for depression.
Zhou Yue said to her, "Don't worry. Just trust me and the counselor. PTSD is not a terrible condition. With active treatment, you will get better."
Lin Mei replied with an "Oh," and "Okay." Although she agreed, her attitude remained unenthusiastic.
Zhou Yue could not ask for more from her. He prescribed medication and arranged for a counselor for periodic treatment. After the face-to-face session, Zhou Yue recounted Lin Mei's situation to Xing Zheng. After listening, Xing Zheng went with Lin Mei to get the medicine. The counseling session was scheduled for the afternoon of the day after tomorrow. After getting the medicine, the two returned to the hospital.
Lin Mei refused to speak all the way. Upon returning to the ward, she burrowed into the covers, while Xing Zheng quietly stayed by her side.
After a while, Xing Sha and his wife Xie Qin Jia arrived. The knock on the door sounded, and Xing Zheng went to open it. Seeing the two outside, his mind went blank for a moment. Xing Sha said to him, "We've come to see Lin Mei. Where is she?"
Xing Zheng did not answer, making way for them to enter. Xie Qin Jia walked to the hospital bed and softly called out to Lin Mei. However, Lin Mei did not get up. She had curled herself up under the covers, isolating herself from all external disturbances.
Xie Qin Jia frowned and, as if by reflex, looked at Xing Zheng. Xing Zheng explained to her, "She's not feeling well and doesn't want to talk right now."
Xie Qin Jia and Xing Sha had come to apologize to Lin Mei. Since she was not feeling well, they had to leave. Xing Zheng saw them out. Xing Sha asked with concern, "How is your wound?"
"It's fine," Xing Zheng replied perfunctorily, no longer caring about his own injuries.
Xie Qin Jia looked at him, wanting to speak several times but ultimately remaining silent. She was already accustomed to his coldness, and now, even if she wanted to interact with him normally, it was no longer possible.
After returning from the hospital that day, Lin Mei fell into silence. She rarely replied when others spoke to her and had a very poor appetite. Most of the time, she stayed in bed, hidden under the covers, refusing to communicate with the outside world.
Even when Lan Lan and Feng Feng came to see her, she could barely say a few words. She also refused to communicate with the psychological counselor.
Lan Lan and Feng Feng also became anxious. Lin Mei had never been so despondent, even during her postpartum depression. At that time, although her emotional state was very poor, she wanted to climb out of the mire. Unlike now, she seemed to be letting herself sink.
Upon learning of the situation, Zhou Yue suggested that Xing Zheng change Lin Mei's environment. Given her condition, going to work was out of the question.
After some thought, Xing Zheng decided to take Lin Mei to their villa in Anning City for a while. The place was secluded from the hustle and bustle of the world, and the flowers in the courtyard were about to bloom. A life returning to simplicity could bring peace to one's mind.
Zhuang Wan acted as the driver, driving the minivan towards Anning City. Lin Mei and Xing Zheng sat in the back. She kept her head down, her mask never removed. Xing Zheng took off her mask for her, saying, "It's not breathable, don't wear it."
His well-intentioned action unexpectedly caused Lin Mei to shout, "Give it back to me! Who let you touch me?"
Her aggressive tone startled Zhuang Wan, who was driving in the front. He had never seen Lin Mei throw such a tantrum, which was not only sharp but also inexplicable. Xing Zheng seemed to have done nothing to anger her.
However, Xing Zheng was not angry. He had become very patient recently. "Covering yourself like this is not conducive to the healing of your wound."
He knew how much she cared about her appearance and how much she minded the scar on her face. "I've already contacted a doctor. Once the scab fades, we'll have the surgery."
Lin Mei seemed not to hear him. She picked up the mask beside her and put it back on. He had already contacted a doctor. Was he considering her, or did he find her face unbearable?
It was true; even she felt disgusted when she looked in the mirror, let alone him. She broke down again, suddenly bursting into tears. Her sobbing startled Zhuang Wan once more.
Zhuang Wan looked at her through the rearview mirror, completely bewildered. What was wrong with Lin Mei? The previously sensible and good-tempered person had suddenly become so unreasonably difficult, even more so than the demanding women he had encountered before.
Perhaps she had become too sensitive after being kidnapped this time, which was understandable. Seeing Xing Zheng's demeanor, he was still patiently coaxing her. Since the person involved didn't mind, there was no need for outsiders to judge.
Zhuang Wan saw Xing Zheng pick Lin Mei up and place her on his lap. Lin Mei struggled but could not break free. He held her in his arms, embracing her forcefully all the way.
Upon arriving at the villa, Lin Mei was also carried out of the car by Xing Zheng. He placed her on the sofa. Zhuang Wan followed closely, bringing their luggage, and then withdrew.
Xing Zheng pulled off Lin Mei's mask, pinched her chin, and gazed at her. "What are you thinking? If you're unhappy about something, can you tell me?"
"I want to sleep," Lin Mei dodged backward. She didn't want to meet his gaze, let alone be stared at by him like this.
Xing Zheng was helpless and carried her upstairs. Lin Mei lay down and, as usual, buried herself under the covers. Xing Zheng stood by for a long time until he heard her steady breathing before quietly leaving.
Lin Mei's condition was too poor, and she refused to cooperate with the treatment, seeming to have lost interest in everything. This situation could no longer be explained solely by "PTSD." Zhou Yue had also suggested that her depression might have relapsed.
Xing Zheng went into the courtyard and lit a cigarette. He was at a loss for how to handle her and could only take it slow. At least, she hadn't had any thoughts of suicide.
In the evening, Aunt Wen arrived. She had lived alone with Lin Mei for a period and knew Lin Mei's tastes. She prepared a table full of Lin Mei's favorite dishes. However, Lin Mei had no appetite. She picked at a few bites absentmindedly before starting to vomit.
Xing Zheng followed Lin Mei to the bathroom. Seeing her retching over the toilet, his expression became even more solemn.
She had recently changed her medication, and the drug reaction was significant. Coupled with her existing emotional issues, her digestive system had also developed a stress response. She didn't eat much of the meal in the end.
Xing Zheng carried her upstairs. Lin Mei, as usual, burrowed into the covers.
Xing Zheng went downstairs and saw Aunt Wen. She was very worried about Lin Mei's condition. "How is Mei Mei? She's vomiting so badly... Aren't you going to see her?"
"She just changed her medication, and the side effects are a bit strong," Xing Zheng explained. "She'll be fine once she gets used to it."
"Are you sure it's because of the medication?" Aunt Wen was not entirely convinced. The heart-wrenching vomiting reminded her of morning sickness. Aunt Wen deliberated, "Looking at the symptoms, it seems like she might be pregnant. You should take her to get checked, don't delay the child."
Xing Zheng's body stiffened. Pregnant...
He suddenly remembered that during their New Year in Xiangxi, they had been intimate a few times without any protection.