Chapter 2746: The Photographer and the Scholar

The people in the manor can’t possibly perform identity verification on guests on the spot; the Butler has long hidden away, and Xu Huo certainly won’t confirm it himself, just smiled slightly, looked at the other person and said, "When a person needs to divert the attention others project onto them, they will selectively attack others, attracting more attention to others and thereby reducing their own pressure."

"Who are you talking about?" The photographer suddenly stood up, pointed at him, and said, "I am a guest invited by Mr. Wen, where did you come from?"

Xu Huo raised his hand, "I am a friend of Mr. Harry."

This photographer seemed to have a bad temper and had a tendency to stir trouble; just two responses from Xu Huo, and he actually wanted to come over and hit him.

The gourmet and the botanist beside him quickly took hold of him, consoling him while explaining to Xu Huo, "He’s not feeling well, a bit irritable, not specifically targeting you."

As they spoke, the photographer had already been appeased, he waved off the people holding him, tidied himself up, and said to the approaching Butler, "Send dinner to my room."

After the person left, the scholar mentioned the photographer’s affair, "He’s the earliest to arrive here; he was supposed to take some vintage photos for Mr. Wen, but Mr. Wen has been sick, not in good condition, the shoot has been continuously delayed. He signed a contract when he came, and can’t leave until the shoot is completed, so this has delayed his subsequent work, and that’s why he’s not in a good mood."

"Surely the delay will pay him a fee," Harry said indifferently, "He can receive a high compensation fee without working, what’s there to be unhappy about."

The scholar smiled, "Compared to proper work, the delay fee seems insignificant."

"Only money in his eyes." Harry snorted disdainfully, when the Butler handed over the menu, he unceremoniously asked for the best ingredients and made requests regarding the timing and method of preparation.

The botanist and gourmet beside him didn’t react much, instead, the scholar praised him for his research in diet.

The fact that Harry’s family was no longer wealthy didn’t mean he hadn’t researched eating and entertainment, not to mention Zone 022 wasn’t a district lacking food or clothing, as long as he thickened his skin, he could join meals at any relative’s house.

During dinner, everyone became more familiar with each other; the botanist’s work is nearing completion and may leave in the next day or two, the gourmet needs to adjust the menu according to Mr. Wen’s health, the scholar’s main task is to chat with Mr. Wen, so they won’t leave anytime soon.

Harry was visiting relatives; he could decide when to leave himself.

As for Mr. Wen, during post-dinner conversation, the Butler informed them that Mr. Wen was staying at a friend’s house due to a sudden physical discomfort.

After the supper, Xu Huo returned to his room, hadn’t sat down for two minutes when someone knocked on the door.

He walked over to open the door, and as expected, it was the photographer who deliberately made trouble during the day.

The other person entered without invitation, closed the door behind him, and said, "Let’s be straightforward, I know why you’re here. I’ve been here for several days too; unfortunately, that Mrs. Ti Hui is too formidable, I haven’t even gotten into her room. Since you and I are the same, why not cooperate?"

"Why not find other people?" Xu Huo asked.

"Besides the botanist, I’m not sure the other two are dungeon players," the photographer replied.

Xu Huo slightly raised his eyebrow, "Are you sure?"

"Of course." The photographer casually leaned back on the sofa, crossed his legs and placed them on the coffee table, "If you don’t believe me, wait and see; that fake botanist will definitely go to the garden to find something."

"What is he looking for?" Xu Huo had inquired before he arrived, indeed there were quite a few players with tasks at Rose Studio, but what they were looking for differed, so the current targets of those in the manor might be different.

"Who knows?" The photographer said, "Anyway, I’ve seen him fussing in the garden, claiming to treat plants, but he’s using generic potions from the game, coming with such a lame disguise? I’m too lazy to expose him!"

"You’re different." He stared at Xu Huo, "I tested you today and you didn’t reveal a hint; it seems you are well-prepared."

Xu Huo’s mouth curved slightly, "Maybe you’re mistaken, I’m not here to clear the level."

The photographer sneered, "I won’t see it wrong, people from this zone are different from Outer Zone People."

Xu Huo didn’t ask for details, instead asked what he was looking for.

The photographer didn’t tell him, "I’ve been here for some time too; why don’t you help me first, the thing I want is in Mrs. Ti Hui’s room, you help distract Mrs. Ti Hui, I’ll retrieve the item and help you later."

Xu Huo chuckled, "Do you find this cooperation fair?"

"Don’t rush," the photographer said, "You can think about it overnight, after tonight you’ll realize it’s hard to clear the level alone without help."

After saying this, he waved and left.

The door opened and closed again, hadn’t quieted for two minutes, when someone knocked again.

This time it was the scholar.

He wasn’t here for clearing the level, but for psychological counseling.

The main reason for wanting treatment was work pressure, "Although I am knowledgeable, in this era of almost complete information transparency, there’s little I can do; as you know, living and living well are two different concepts, and Mr. Wen is a very learned man, without his support, I would have difficulty finding another job in the short term."

"Anxiety doesn’t help me, and it might affect my condition, but I can’t relieve these emotions myself, so I’d like you to help."

He also prepared a reward.

"I’m here as a guest, not intending to show off my little skills," Xu Huo hesitated and continued, "But as a doctor, I can’t ignore others’ pleas for help. Hmm...the environment here isn’t bad, you can lie down and relax for a few minutes before we start."

The scholar lay down on the sofa as he was told.

Psychological treatment in Zone 022 has strict standards, requiring professional evaluation instruments to ensure a doctor’s professional conduct, though outside of treatment locations, Xu Huo only bought some simple instruments for show.

After resting for a while, Xu Huo began to delve into the main issues.

Normal psychological treatment mainly provides patients a venue to express themselves, using this to assess the patient’s situation, supplemented by medication and other treatments. In the game world, methods are more intense as psychological cues can be rapidly achieved through spiritual power, hence there are more restrictions on psychologists.

Xu Huo didn’t conduct hypnosis, instead followed normal doctor protocols, using no auxiliary Psychic Power during the process, yet as he neared the end, he found the scholar trying to perform psychological cues on him.