The two agreed to see a psychologist together the next day. That night, Tian Tian said to Chen Dongyang,
"Mom and Dad have worried so much about our matters these past few years, and with Chun Chun missing recently... we can't let them be stimulated any further. We'll handle this ourselves."
"I'll take care of Chun Chun, and you handle him. Do you have confidence?"
Chen Dongyang believed he did. The next day, the couple went their separate ways, each beginning their plan.
Chen Dongyang continued to help Peng Fei with his work. Learning that Chun Chun wouldn't be seen today and had gone shopping with her sister, Peng Fei was somewhat dejected. Not being very eloquent, he hadn't said a word in over an hour of work.
It was clear that without Chun Chun around, he lacked enthusiasm.
Chen Dongyang wasn't there to work either, so he called Peng Fei to take a break, and they went to the second-floor balcony.
"Peng Fei, we're both men, and I don't want to hide anything. Let's be honest. Do you like Chun Chun?"
Peng Fei hadn't intended to hide it, but he hadn't expected it to be discovered so quickly.
He wasn't mentally prepared and didn't know how to answer, feeling extremely awkward.
Seeing his expression, Chen Dongyang knew he had admitted it and continued,
"You can like her. Chun Chun is beautiful, cute, has a good personality, and is simple. She deserves to be loved. But do you really think you two are suitable?"
Chen Dongyang didn't hide anything from him. He recounted how Chun Chun had gone missing during that period, how the family had been turned upside down, and the immense human, material, and financial resources spent searching for her.
"I don't know if you can imagine it, but when a close family member suddenly disappears, and you don't know if they're alive or dead, the panic that grips the family… in short, it felt like the sky was falling."
"Later, we learned she had narrowly escaped death. Although there were no outward major injuries, her heart was severely traumatized. Do you know how much the family hates those who hurt her?"
"If I'm not mistaken, you were the one who caused chaos in the Zhan family and hurt her physically and mentally, weren't you?"
Peng Fei was already panicking. After hearing him, he truly didn't know what to do. His face turned ashen, and he stammered, looking at Chen Dongyang.
"I know I'm guilty, I know I've wronged her, I know I made a mistake. Brother, believe me, I really understand now. Before, I..."
Chen Dongyang interrupted him, "Perhaps you're not a complicated person, and you were simply swept along by local customs, not truly intending to harm Chun Chun. But the harm caused is a fact."
"It's impossible to fool us with a few apologies and expect her parents and family to accept you."
Peng Fei was almost consumed by panic.
Even his brother-in-law said they couldn't be together. What should he do?
He didn't know what to do or how to prove his feelings. In despair, he squatted on the ground, running his hands through his hair in vexation.
"I truly regret what I did, due to ignorance and stupidity. I know that no matter what I say or do, you won't believe me again, but I really like her. I just want to see her every day, be good to her, and I'd give my life for her."
Chen Dongyang believed his words were true.
After all, in terms of appearance, education, or family background, Chun Chun deserved to be loved like this by any man.
But clearly, Peng Fei wasn't the optimal choice.
He had a low education, no proper job, and even if he became a live-in son-in-law of the Zhan family, if people knew they had taken in someone from the countryside, especially someone who had harmed her, the Zhan family's reputation would likely be ruined.
Chen Dongyang didn't want to crush him too much. After watching him for a while, he also squatted down in front of him.
"I won't say much more, let's just talk about a practical issue. If Chun Chun were truly to be with you, could you guarantee her a good life?"
"Your family can't help you, and she can't possibly go back to the village with you. If you were to settle down in Nan Cheng, do you think you have the capability?"
"Do you know how high the housing prices are in Nan Cheng? Do you know how much it costs to raise a child? If you two were to get married, and she stayed at home to take care of the family, could you support a family?"
Peng Fei hadn't thought that far ahead. He was merely blindly following his heart, thinking Zhan Jing Chun was good, liking her, and wanting to be with her.
Although he also hoped to earn a lot of money, he truly didn't know how.
"I don't know how high the housing prices are in Nan Cheng, nor do I know how much it costs to raise a child. I only know that I like her and am willing to let her do nothing but happy things every day. I have strength, I can work multiple jobs, and I will do my best to earn money and give her the best!"
Chen Dongyang was a man, but he couldn't stand such empty talk.
"Don't be so naive, Peng Fei. A person's energy is limited. Relying on manual labor to get rich is impossible. You might have the strength for one or two years, but can you sustain it for five or ten years?"
"Without a proper job, you have no ability to resist risks. As you two get older, your income will stagnate. Have you heard the saying 'poverty makes couples quarrel over everything'? Feelings will eventually be worn away by the trivialities of life. One day, Chun Chun will naturally look down on you."
Peng Fei was desperate. If even this wasn't enough, what else could he do?
Looking at his lost and helpless eyes, Chen Dongyang hardened his heart.
"Don't think that Chun Chun genuinely fell for you. In psychology, there's a condition called Stockholm Syndrome. Victims, after being harmed, develop self-loathing, believing that no one else in the world accepts them except those who hurt them, and thus become self-abusive and accept their tormentors."
"In Chun Chun's social circle, the men are all social elites. She's always had high expectations for herself. She must feel imperfect, which is why she has this sense of confusion. This isn't love; it's a pathological psychology, do you understand?"
Peng Fei didn't know about Stockholm Syndrome.
But when Chen Dongyang said Chun Chun's love for him was just an illness, he immediately broke down.
"No, Chun Chun isn't that kind of person..."
Chen Dongyang said, "She's currently a patient, someone who doesn't know what she wants. Your words are simply deceiving yourself. She's confused, lost, and you're going to pretend to be ignorant too?"
"If you truly like her and genuinely wish her well for a lifetime, I think you should act like a real man."
"Either let go and fulfill her, allowing her to heal and meet someone better. Or become that better person yourself. Until then, I don't want you to continue harming her. Do you understand what I mean?"
For the entire day, Peng Fei was like a walking corpse.
Zhan Jing Chun, however, had gained a lot. She had talked extensively with the psychologist, acquired much professional knowledge, and gained a clearer understanding of human nature.
She was eager to return and share with Peng Fei, but Peng Fei didn't invite her to stay for dinner that night.
He said he was too tired today and wanted to rest early, his attitude so cold that Zhan Jing Chun felt greatly angered.