Dr. Liu's words made Lin Xian feel a bit exaggerated.
But he couldn't blame her. After all, he hadn't been entirely truthful. From Dr. Liu's perspective, he did indeed seem more like a seriously ill patient.
Lin Xian felt that continuing the conversation would be a waste of time. It would be better to ask a professional question:
"Dr. Liu, I'd like to inquire about something. Is there a way... to accurately understand if my dreams are false, unreal, or entirely fabricated?"
Dr. Liu smiled naturally, "Of course, there is a way. It's a simple question. Although normal people may not be able to distinguish reality in their dreams, they rarely have trouble distinguishing dreams from reality when awake."
"The reason is that... [In dreams, familiar people from reality often appear. By simply comparing their behavior upon waking up, one can immediately understand who is real and who is not.] This is the simplest and most effective method of differentiation."
"Let me give you an example, Lin Xian."
Dr. Liu picked up her pen and pointed to Gao Yang, "If one day, you dream that Gao Yang has turned into a woman and is insisting on marrying you, would you still doubt whether this dream is real?"
"Definitely not," Lin Xian furrowed his brow, "It would be a nightmare."
Dr. Liu smiled, "Let me give you another example. Suppose you discover that your company is no longer producing cosmetics but is secretly manufacturing rockets and spacecraft. Would you believe this is real?"
"Definitely not... I'm not stupid."
Speaking to this point, Lin Xian understood.
So that's how it is...
Normal people don't need to consider complex things like waking up, pain, or weightlessness to determine the difference between dreams and reality.
They only need to compare what appeared in their dreams—events, characters, and situations—with what actually happens in reality, and they can immediately conclude that they were dreaming.
But he couldn't do that.
Because when he dreams... [he has never dreamed of anyone he knows in reality].
He had thought about this problem before, but at the time, he didn't think it was very important, so he didn't pay much attention to it.
But now, thinking about it again.
Why can other people dream of people they know in reality...
And he can't?
In over twenty years of dreaming, he had never once dreamed of anyone he knew in reality.
Even Gao Yang, who he was closest to since childhood, had never appeared in his dreams.
Wasn't this the biggest inconsistency in his dreams?
...
Dr. Liu looked at Lin Xian, asking softly, "Lin Xian, in all these years of dreaming, have you truly never dreamed of anyone you know or are familiar with?"
Lin Xian shook his head, "No, not a single one... They were all strangers."
Dr. Liu narrowed her eyes, looking at Lin Xian with deep concern, "You really haven't dreamed of anyone at all?"
Lin Xian pondered.
No.
Really none.
Not a single one.
From childhood to adulthood, in over twenty years of dreaming, he had never dreamed of anyone he knew.
Including Gao Yang, his best friend since childhood, not once had he appeared in Lin Xian's dreams.
"Lin Xian, have I never appeared in your dreams?" Gao Yang pointed to himself, "That can't be right? We've been playing together since we were in diapers. You surely must have dreamed of me at least once?"
Lin Xian shook his head.
Not once.
Gao Yang scratched his head, puzzled, "I never asked you about this before, but now that I think about it, it's really abnormal! It's said that one dreams as one thinks, but you can dream of the Raining Cats Club... Why can't you dream of me? Do I not have a memorable impression on you?"
"That's not it."
"I dream about you all the time!" Gao Yang counted on his fingers, "You've been a frequent guest in my dreams since we were kids. We often play together mischievously in dreams. Just a few days ago, I dreamed that we struck it rich and I took you to play on a yacht!"
Dr. Liu also stopped writing, looking at Lin Xian with some doubt, "Generally speaking, although you may not dream of familiar people every day... but to not encounter a single familiar person in over twenty years of dreaming, it's hard to believe."
"It doesn't necessarily have to be someone very familiar, even acquaintances or colleagues you interact with at work. Have you ever dreamed of them?"
Lin Xian shook his head, "No."
"Then... let's think about it again. Characters from cartoons, movies, or even those famous actors and actresses. Have you ever dreamed of them?"
...
The room fell into a long silence.
Lin Xian, Gao Yang, and Dr. Liu, none of them spoke.
"Cough."
Gao Yang coughed awkwardly twice and quickly defused the situation, "Dr. Liu... Please don't take offense. It's really not that Lin Xian is deliberately not cooperating with treatment! We've known each other for a long time, and he's not the type to be confused about his condition."
"But Lin Xian's condition may indeed be a bit different from others. It's definitely a difficult and complex condition! I can vouch for him with my personality! Lin Xian definitely isn't lying!"
Dr. Liu smiled faintly.
She took off her glasses and wiped them with a cloth, looking at Lin Xian and Gao Yang gently, "Don't worry, children, I believe every word you say. I've encountered many patients like Lin Xian before."
"Based on my previous treatment experience, to make patients clearly distinguish between dreams and reality, dispel such concerns, a breakthrough is definitely needed."
"And this breakthrough... often comes from someone who is deeply memorable, frequently appears in dreams, and is unforgettable."
Dr. Liu put her glasses back on, giving Lin Xian an encouraging look, "So Lin Xian, you must think carefully, seriously recall..."
"Even if it's just a trace, a clue, or a suspicion."
"[In your dreams, is there anyone who makes you feel familiar, like you've met them before?]"
Gao Yang also stepped forward.
Patting Lin Xian's back, "Don't rush, think carefully, take your time."
Lin Xian lowered his head and closed his eyes.
He propped his arms on his knees, palms covering his face.
Emptying his mind...
He first thought of that strange girl wearing the Ultraman mask.
Lin Xian didn't know what she looked like.
But her voice...
It really gave him a feeling of [familiarity], her voice made him feel very familiar.
Lin Xian should have heard cc's voice in reality, but he couldn't recall when or where.
People hear so many voices every day, Lin Xian really couldn't remember.
Moreover, Lin Xian had considered before, there were so many people with similar voices in reality, it wasn't worth mentioning.
But if, according to Dr. Liu's words, he had to find a cross-similarity between his dreams and reality...
[cc's voice was the only possible clue.]
...
"I understand."
Lin Xian opened his eyes, "If I had to say, there does seem to be one person, who feels somewhat familiar. At least, I should have heard her voice before."
He had already figured out what to do.
After entering his dreams tonight, he would find a way to remove cc's mask...
And see who she really is!