Chapter 640 - 379: Psychological Counseling (3)

Li Peifeng thought again and again, stammering: "Initially, they were clearly opposed, but now... it’s more like if they can avoid paying attention, they will. Besides, they’re busy having a second child, so they’re leaving me to handle it myself, after all, it’s my own business."

"How do you plan to handle it?"

Li Peifeng fell silent, not knowing whether he should divulge his plan to Lin Dan, especially since it somewhat defies conventional norms...

"I guess you’re planning to register for marriage with them, right?"

Whether it’s He Yimeng who had revealed something or Lin Dan’s prescient insight, she guessed the answer accurately and continued thoughtfully, "From our conversation, I sense that you’re a very responsible young man, even though you have quite a lot to be responsible for. But ultimately, I don’t think you’re the type to walk away."

Li Peifeng spoke quietly, "You guessed it right. I’m planning to register consecutively; three have agreed, and one is still hesitating."

Lin Dan was surprised: "A total of four people?"

"Yimeng doesn’t count because I know for sure she won’t agree."

"Oh."

Lin Dan silently mourned for her beloved student for half a second, then suggested, "Why don’t we end today’s consultation here?"

Now it was Li Peifeng’s turn to be surprised: "Huh? It’s over already?"

Lin Dan nodded with a gentle voice, explaining, "There are typically two types of people who need psychological consultation: those with psychological issues affecting their physical health, and those dissatisfied with their current life and emotional relationships, seeking change. You’re neither; you’re resolute, self-improving, with clear life goals, so consultation isn’t particularly beneficial for you."

See, I told you I wasn’t sick!

Li Peifeng grinned widely: "Exactly, exactly, you have great insight!"

"Another reason is that you’re guarded with me, unwilling to freely share many issues and troubles, which is understandable. After all, it’s our first meeting, and your emotional state is quite complex, so it’s natural you’re reluctant to speak."

"Yes, yes, yes." Li Peifeng nodded repeatedly.

Lin Dan empathized: "So that’s it for today, we won’t chat further. You go ahead, I have a meeting later. Whenever you want to talk, feel free to come by."

Laughing inwardly, I can’t even afford the chat; I still have to save for the bride price!

"Alright!"

Li Peifeng sighed in relief, took out his phone and said, "I didn’t bring cash, what do you think?"

"Scan mine." Lin Dan took out her phone and opened the WeChat payment code.

With a beep, the scan was completed.

But Li Peifeng hesitated, looking at Lin Dan, because their conversation hadn’t even lasted an hour, mere twenty-five minutes, so should he just pay two thousand?

"I gave you a discount."

Seeing Li’s intended meaning expressed through his eyes, Lin Dan gently ruffled her silver hair, her expression kind and amiable, "So even though it’s not a full hour, let’s count it as four thousand."

This old lady has a darker heart than mine!!

Li Peifeng gritted his teeth internally, forcing a smile, feeling like he had wasted four thousand yuan.

4.0.0.0

Reluctantly, he tapped the amount with his finger, and while entering the password, he couldn’t resist his thrifty nature, put down the phone, and earnestly asked, "Maybe talk a bit more?"

Without chatting a bit more, my heart would be unsettled; you’re earning this money too easily!!!

"Sure."

Lin Dan gladly agreed, picked up the glass on the coffee table for a sip, and pointed to two bottles of mineral water on the table, "These are prepared for you."

Farmer’s Spring? Two yuan a bottle, how much would he have to drink to make it worth it?

Li Peifeng wasn’t in the mood to drink; he just wanted to pass the hour peacefully, to make his spending feel more worthwhile, so he made small talk.

"Actually, I’m a bit puzzled. You learned about my situation from Yimeng, and you’re her mentor, also a teacher at Beihua University, so you’re sort of my teacher too. Why don’t you talk to me about my behavior, which is somewhat unethical?"

Li Peifeng does know what morality is!

"Would you listen if I did?"

After Lin Dan asked, seeing Li Peifeng not answer, she calmly explained: "There’s no teacher-student relationship between us. You’re in the School of Arts and Sciences, and I’m in the Psychology Department. I haven’t taught you a class nor met you on campus, so how could I be considered your teacher?"

"So, you must understand, right now I’m a consultant, and you’re the visitor. You don’t need to use honorifics with me; we have an equal partnership. The purpose of consulting isn’t for me to tell you about moral rights and wrongs, nor change your personality, that’s not my role. Instead, I’ll help you accept yourself and try to find solutions to life problems or emotional dilemmas."

Finally, Lin Dan affirmed, "As long as you don’t say you’re planning to kill, burn, rape or pillage, I’ll keep our conversations confidential, not revealing a word to anyone."

"Oh, I see."

Li Peifeng made an ’oh’ sound, thinking to himself that he was like god?

Lin Dan contemplated momentarily and slowly spoke: "To be honest with you, this consultation was Yimeng’s strong request, it wasn’t me who wanted to see you, it was her wanting to understand you better through me. At first, I was reluctant; on one hand, I couldn’t disclose our conversation to her, and on the other hand, acting as He Yimeng’s mentor for your consultation would create dual relationships, affecting consultation effectiveness and my objectivity."

"But after her repeated pleas, I couldn’t resist a sense of compassion and ultimately agreed. I thought of using this opportunity to understand you, and even if I don’t disclose the consultation content, I could offer Yimeng some suggestions tactfully. But after talking with you for a while, I see no issues, you’re a good kid, so I want to end the consultation, do you understand?"

Li Peifeng smiled wryly: "No wonder, I knew she must have that kind of intention in mind."

"It’s human nature, and rest assured, I definitely won’t disclose our conversation." Lin Dan shifted, "By the way, what’s your mentor Zhao Qingge been busy with lately?"

"!"

Li Peifeng blinked his eyes: "Same old, teaching and researching, busy with work."

"Is that so?"

Lin Dan looked at him with deep meaning, making Li feel awkward, his eyes dodged as he covered with a sip of water, waving his hand, "You can go now, no need to pay consultation fees, if you want to talk officially another time, do let me know."

Is this confirming that there’s something between me and Old Zhao?

Li Peifeng couldn’t resist asking: "Did she tell you?"

"I guessed." Lin Dan’s eyes lacked understanding nor gleefulness for guessing right, only warm and unflappable, "Having an Oedipus-like affection or a teacher-fancy is quite normal, and Qingge is beautiful and single; without her, among the five it feels odd...are you leaving or not?"

The truth is known, and now hiding is unnecessary, making Li Peifeng suddenly feel reluctant to leave.

He lowered his head, scratching below his chin, his eyes on the coffee table but his tone was sincere: "She’s the only one who hasn’t agreed to marry me yet, do you...you have any advice on how to make her agree?"

Lin Dan’s lips moved slightly, she lifted her eyes earnestly at him: "Kid, if you wish to continue talking, the consultation fee won’t be discounted."

"If you can help me find a solution, I’ll add eight thousand more per hour!"

...

This psychological consultation lasted one and a half hours.

In the end, Li Peifeng paid sixteen thousand without any discounts, thanked, and left.

Lin Dan sat in her single seat, resting her eyes, her hands formed a Meridian Formula,and slowly opened her eyes after more than half a minute, heading to her desk to glance at her silenced phone.

Three WeChat messages, all from He Yimeng.

"Aunt Lin, did you finish talking?"

"Is it over yet?"

"Is it not over yet?"

Lin Dan read them expressionlessly, dialed He Yimeng’s number, and the latter couldn’t wait to bombard her with questions: "Did you finish talking with him? What did you talk about? How did it go? Did he pay?"

Lin Dan didn’t answer immediately, took a deep breath, then spoke in a calm tone with a hint of anger: "That brat said before leaving, he wanted to come to me for consultation again in the future. You persuade him, no way can you let him come again!!"

"Huh?"

"Huh what? If you let me consult him again, I’ll delay your graduation!"