At the Wenger Psychological Clinic, the fourth member's treatment had just ended.
Zhou Xiaoruo looked at the indifferent expression on the handsome face in front of her, which had remained unchanged throughout the session. She was nearly on the verge of depression. "Are all of you agents completely outside the realms of the Five Elements, beyond the Three Realms? Can you put down your guard and cooperate with me properly?" The fourth member replied seriously, "I'm already cooperating. It's you who isn't."
Zhou Xiaoruo, feeling defeated, lowered her head and muttered, "With you like this, even a deity couldn't help."
As a top-level operative, it's not easy to breach his psychological defenses.
"From now on, no more treatment. I've seen several top psychologists abroad, and none of them were effective... just leave it, there's no cure." The fourth member said, standing up and preparing to leave.
Zhou Xiaoruo also stood up and blocked his way, looking slightly anxious as she said, "Who said there's no cure? Although conventional methods don't work, I have another idea that might help..."
The fourth member blinked, not holding much hope, and asked, "What?"
"Try interacting with others more. It would be best if you could find someone you like and, well, have a relationship." The fourth member was stunned. Previously, a psychologist in Mexico suggested finding a preferred partner and living a simple life together to greatly aid his psychological condition. However, after trying under his mother's pressure, his condition worsened, and his psychological issues became more severe.
Zhou Xiaoruo's fair face gradually turned red. She lowered her head and spoke in a muffled voice, "If you don't have anyone you like, I... I could help. We could pretend to be a couple and see if it helps..."
Before she could finish, the fourth member interrupted, "Do you like me?"
Zhou Xiaoruo, blushing and timid, lifted her gaze to look at the fourth member's face. She clutched her hands tightly, with her nails digging into her palms. She neither said she liked him nor that she didn't.
"Why are you living?" The fourth member asked a perplexing question.
Zhou Xiaoruo didn't understand and gave him a puzzled look.
The fourth member calmly said, "I live only for today because I might not wake up tomorrow. You all have hope, but for me, every sunrise is a gift from the Lord."
He then pointed to his head, "There's a bullet inside that can't be removed. It could take my life at any time. Don't waste your time on me."
Zhou Xiaoruo was shocked into silence. After a moment, she suddenly said, "Park Pu-cheng, I know you dislike me, but you don't need to make up such self-cursing reasons. Don't worry, I won't like you. I just want to help you with your treatment! You don't have anyone you like right now. I'm your psychologist, and pretending to be a couple will allow me to keep track of your condition. Don't you understand?"
The fourth member replied, "Pretending won't cure anything."
"I... then let's make it real! I'm going all out! Even if what you said is true, and you're going to die tomorrow, just go ahead. I'm still young; if you die, I'll find someone else!"
"Crazy woman..." The fourth member pushed Zhou Xiaoruo aside and strode out.
"Hey! You still need to come for treatment next week, did you hear me?"
The fourth member paused for a moment but didn't respond. As he was stepping out the door, Zhou Xiaoruo, with a tearful voice, called out, "Park Pu-cheng! Will you really, always be on the brink of death?"
The fourth member turned around. Zhou Xiaoruo was standing by the window, with the dim sunlight casting a glow on her face. Her eyes appeared like clouds in the distant sky. The fourth member's expression turned complex for a moment. His lips parted slightly but he said nothing and walked away.
It was hard for an emotionless killing machine to understand why Zhou Xiaoruo, whom he had just met, would have tears in her eyes for him. As he entered the elevator, just as the door was about to close, a hand suddenly reached in and held it open.
Zhou Xiaoruo sniffled, walked into the elevator with her head down, and said, "Hey, can you treat me to a meal? If you can't, I'll treat you."
The fourth member glanced at her, took a deep breath, and ignored her.
The elevator descended.
Zhou Xiaoruo, with her head lowered, awkwardly picked at her fingers and stammered, "Forget it, I actually just wanted to see you off. I'll go eat by myself later... Park Pu-cheng, live well and get your treatment. I..."
"Korean food, can you handle it?"
Zhou Xiaoruo slowly lifted her head, her large eyes staring blankly at the fourth member. It seemed she couldn't believe the words came from him. After a moment of stunned silence, she repeatedly nodded and said, "I'm fine with anything! Haha, I eat a lot! Don't worry about your wallet! I'll treat you next time..."
In the evening, at the lakeside villa,
Cheng Yuxuan was on the phone with the second member. Yao Liang, carrying large and small bags, entered the room.
The fifth member, who was diligently learning Chinese on the sofa, sat up and exchanged a glance with Cheng Yuxuan.
Yao Liang walked from the hallway to the living room and, seeing Cheng Yuxuan on the phone, nodded a greeting.
"Alright, second brother, let's leave it at that. I have other things to do, I'm hanging up." Cheng Yuxuan ended the call and smiled at Yao Liang, "You're back?"
"Yes!" Yao Liang grinned, "I bought three sets of clothes, and there's still plenty of money left."
He then tried to return the money to Cheng Yuxuan.
Cheng Yuxuan waved his hand, "Keep it. Buy some cigarettes if you need them. Just let me know when it's used up, no need to be polite."
"Okay!" Yao Liang accepted the money without further protest.
At that moment, the fifth member suddenly asked Cheng Yuxuan, "Is the second brother still watching Liu..."
Before he could finish, Cheng Yuxuan shot him a warning look, and the fifth member quickly fell silent.
Yao Liang, not being foolish, guessed that the unfinished name was probably Liu Jun. So, Liu Jun must be in the hands of the second member, who had never shown his face before.
It seemed that Cheng Yuxuan still had some distrust, which was normal since Yao Liang had just joined.
"Well, big brother, I'll head to my room now." Yao Liang broke the awkward silence with a smile.
Cheng Yuxuan responded with a smile, "Alright, go rest if you're tired."
As soon as he finished speaking, Cheng Yuxuan's phone rang suddenly.
He looked and saw it was Jin Shuhan.
Cheng Yuxuan hesitated for a moment, seemingly unconsciously lifting his eyelids, but actually glancing at Yao Liang deliberately. He then took the call and walked upstairs. This action made Yao Liang feel even more uncomfortable as he sulkily returned to his room.
Once upstairs, Cheng Yuxuan answered the call, "What's up?"
Jin Shuhan said, "Mr. Chu, I, I..."
Hearing Jin Shuhan stammer, Cheng Yuxuan directly asked, "What's the matter? Has that old man Wang Long been bullying you?"
"No, no!" Jin Shuhan quickly said, "Director Wang takes good care of me... I, I..."
Cheng Yuxuan, feeling impatient, clicked his tongue and said, "What exactly is it? Don't beat around the bush, just tell me directly."
Jin Shuhan remained silent for a while and then took a breath, "Nothing much, but Director Zhao said she can't attend this episode, so she asked me to contact you directly..."
"Isn't it Friday?" Cheng Yuxuan said, "It's still early. Don't worry, I'll go."
"Mm... Thank you, Mr. Chu."
Cheng Yuxuan had a vague feeling that Jin Shuhan had called for something else. He asked again, "Is there something else you need? Is someone bullying you? Just tell me, and I'll take care of it."
"I..." Jin Shuhan hesitated, "It's nothing."
Cheng Yuxuan, "Really nothing?"
"Mm, really nothing. Thank you for your concern, Mr. Chu. You're busy, so I won't bother you anymore."
After hanging up, Cheng Yuxuan remained somewhat doubtful.
But since he was already troubled by the Tianji Club, he didn't dwell on it too much.