120: Chapter 120: Initial Opening of Defenses, Hidden Clues

"Ling Ye, please come in."

The person who opened the door and led him in was a young female assistant. The counseling room was warmer than he had expected, with soft beige carpets, comfortable fabric sofas, a few abstract landscape paintings on the walls, and a lush green plant in the corner. The air was filled with a relaxing herbal scent.

Sitting on the single sofa was indeed Dr. Su Qing.

She was not wearing her laboratory White Coat today, but rather a light gray sweater and khaki pants, looking intellectual and gentle. She wore rimless glasses on the bridge of her nose and held a thin light-screen board and an electronic pen. Seeing Ling Ye enter, she put down the pen and offered a gentle, professional smile.

"Ling Ye, please sit." She pointed to another single sofa opposite her. "I am Su Qing, a teacher at the Center for Abnormal Psychology and Behavioral Analysis, and I am the lead teacher for your counseling sessions. Don't be nervous; we're just chatting casually to understand your recent state and see what help the college can provide."

Her voice was soft, her speaking pace even, carrying a power that made people unconsciously relax.

"Hello, Teacher Su." Ling Ye nodded slightly and sat down as instructed. His posture appeared somewhat reserved; his hands rested on his knees, his head was slightly lowered, and his gaze fell on a succulent plant on the coffee table in front of him.

"Would you like some water?" Su Qing gestured for the assistant to bring over a cup of warm water.

"Thank you." Ling Ye took the cup, held it in his hands, but didn't drink immediately.

The assistant quietly exited and closed the door. Only the two of them remained in the room.

"Let's start with some simple questions, shall we?" Su Qing picked up the light screen, her tone natural. "According to the Security Department report and your medical records, you experienced the 'Crystal-Armored Beast attack incident' a week ago. You suffered multiple abrasions and a mild concussion, but your recovery speed has been very fast, and you are basically fine now. From a physiological standpoint, your body is very healthy. So, in terms of psychological feelings, did this incident have any impact on you? For example, do you have nightmares, or do you suddenly recall scenes from that time during the day?"

Here it comes—the first question, cutting straight into the traumatic experience.

Ling Ye was silent for a few seconds. The fingers holding the water cup tightened slightly, and his fingertips turned somewhat white. He looked up at Su Qing, his eyes revealing a timely trace of lingering fear and a hint of struggled-to-suppress bewilderment.

"Yes... sometimes." His voice was lower than usual, carrying a slight, imperceptible tremor. "At night, when sleeping, I would suddenly wake up, as if I heard that sound again... the sound of claws scraping against the wall, and the way it charged over... it's very clear." He paused and added, "It's fine during the day; when I get busy with classes, I don't have time to think about it. But when I'm alone, or passing by darker places, I still feel a bit... hair-raising."

This was the truth. The original owner's residual fearful memories did occasionally flash in dreams, and Ling Ye's own instinctive vigilance against danger kept him with a clear impression of that attack.

Su Qing listened attentively, occasionally noting a thing or two on the light screen. Her eyes were peaceful and understanding, without urging or judgment.

"This is a very normal post-traumatic stress reaction, Ling Ye." She said gently. "Facing such danger, feeling fear, lingering fear, or even repeatedly recalling it—all of these are your brain trying to process and digest that unusual experience. The important thing is to recognize the normality of these reactions and not blame yourself for being 'cowardly' or 'useless' because of them."

Ling Ye nodded slightly, but his eyes remained somewhat dim.

"Besides fear, are there any other feelings? For example, have you felt anger—towards that Crystal-Armored Beast, or towards... the reasons that led you into that situation? Or, have you felt... unfairness? Why did this happen to you specifically?" Su Qing's questioning began to delve deeper into the emotional and cognitive levels.

Ling Ye was silent again, this time for longer. He lowered his head, watching the slightly rippling water in the cup, his lips pressed tight. After a while, he said in an even softer voice:

"...I don't know. Maybe... a little. But more of it is... confusion." He looked up, the bewilderment in his eyes heavier. "Teacher Su, I don't understand... why did this happen? That kind of monster, why would it appear in the community? And..." He hesitated for a moment, his voice so low it was almost inaudible, "My parents... they..."

He didn't finish, but the meaning was already very clear. The unpredictability of the Crystal-Armored Beast attack, combined with the unknown nature of his parents' disappearance, had to some extent linked together, deepening his suspicion and helplessness regarding his own situation and the safety of this world.

Su Qing's eyes flickered slightly, and her writing hand paused. She put down the light screen and pen, leaning forward slightly, her posture more concerned. "I understand how you feel, Ling Ye. Facing consecutive major, unexplainable events, anyone would feel confused, uneasy, and even have their perception of the world shaken." Her words were full of empathy. "Regarding the abnormal appearance of the Crystal-Armored Beast, the Security Department and relevant agencies are investigating with all their might. I believe there will be a clearer explanation soon. As for your parents... the college and the community have always been paying attention. If there is any news, we will definitely notify you as soon as possible."

She did not directly respond to whether "the parents' disappearance might be related to the abnormal incident," but she did not completely deny the possibility either, her wording cautious and leaving room.

"How does it feel living at your uncle's house now? Are you getting along well with your aunt and uncle? Are there any difficulties in your daily life?" Su Qing timely shifted the topic to a more practical support System, avoiding dwelling too long on trauma and unsolved mysteries, which might trigger stronger emotional fluctuations.

"My uncle and aunt are very good to me." Ling Ye replied, his tone carrying a hint of gratitude, but deeper down there seemed to be a sense of alienation and a desire not to talk much about it. "Life... there are no difficulties. Thank you for the college's concern."

Su Qing nodded without digging deeper. "That's good. Remember, you are not facing this alone. The college, the community, and even us here—all are your support network. If you feel that your emotions are difficult to manage, or if you need help with anything, you can come here to find me at any time, or make an appointment through your personal terminal."

She paused, her tone becoming gentler, with a hint of guidance: "Besides your direct feelings about the incident, have you had any other... different feelings or experiences recently? For example, is there any part of your body that feels particularly sensitive, or are you particularly attentive to certain sounds, lights, or smells? Or, have there been any changes in your sleep or appetite?"

This question was crucial. She was trying to assess whether the "Crystal-Armored Beast incident" had caused an "impact" on Ling Ye that went beyond ordinary psychological trauma, perhaps at a physiological level, or perhaps at a... perceptual level.

Alarm bells rang slightly in Ling Ye's heart, but on the surface, he maintained a state of confusion mixed with exhaustion. He thought carefully and then shook his head: "My body... doesn't have any special feelings. Just sometimes I feel tired, maybe I didn't sleep well. Other than that... I don't think so." He answered very cautiously, without providing any details that could be interpreted as "abnormal."

Su Qing observed his expression and subtle movements, seemingly judging the truthfulness of his words. A few seconds later, she smiled again, as if it were just a routine inquiry: "Hmm, that's good. These are also normal physiological and psychological reactions that might occur after trauma, and they usually gradually lessen over time."

For the next ten minutes or so, Su Qing asked a few more questions about daily studies, socializing, and hobbies (Ling Ye stated he didn't have any special hobbies, occasionally going to the community library to read books), and the atmosphere gradually became calmer. Ling Ye's responses consistently maintained a tone of "cooperative but not over-explaining," neither pushing people away nor over-confiding.

He was also secretly observing Su Qing. Her professionalism was unquestionable; her questions were interlocking, capable of reaching the core while also being able to withdraw in time to avoid excessive stimulation. Her empathy seemed sincere, but Ling Ye's High-Dimensional Information Perception (kept at a very low level of passive activation at the moment) faintly captured that beneath her gentle facade, there was a calm, scrutinizing undertone. It wasn't malice; it was more like an objective observation from a researcher.

"Alright, Ling Ye, let's stop here for today." Su Qing glanced at the time and closed the light screen. "You are stronger and more clear-headed than I imagined. Remember, recovery from trauma takes time; allow yourself to have various emotions, but also try to maintain a normal rhythm of life. If you have any questions in the future, or just want to talk to someone, you are always welcome."

She stood up, indicating that the counseling was over.

Ling Ye also stood up and bowed slightly politely: "Thank you, Teacher Su."

"You're welcome." Su Qing walked him to the door, and as if she suddenly remembered something, she asked casually: "By the way, Ling Ye, are you usually interested in the various club activities at the college? Have you considered joining one or two to expand your social circle? Sometimes having more contact with peers also helps in regulating your mood."

Here it comes. A seemingly casual extension that might actually hide a probe.

Ling Ye's footsteps paused slightly. He turned around, his face showing a bit of well-timed hesitation and lack of interest: "Clubs? I haven't really paid attention to them before... they all seem quite lively, and I'm not very good at those."

"Not all of them are lively." Su Qing smiled, as if she were just mentioning it in passing. "For example, some academic research clubs have a quieter atmosphere. I remember... there seems to be an 'Anomaly Research Society' that is specifically for scientific discussion of some... well, rather special phenomena. If you are curious about the reasons behind events like the Crystal-Armored Beast, maybe you could go take a look? Of course, it's just a suggestion; it depends on your own interest."

She mentioned the 'Anomaly Research Society'! And directly linked it to the 'Crystal-Armored Beast incident'! Was it a simple recommendation, or deliberate guidance? Was she trying to observe his reaction to this club, or hoping he would take the initiative to make contact?

Thoughts raced through Ling Ye's mind, but on the surface, he only showed a bit of contemplation and uncertainty: "Anomaly Research Society? The name sounds a bit special... but I don't know much about those things. We'll see, Teacher Su. I think I'd rather catch up on the classes I missed first."

He did not show obvious interest or repulsion, giving a reasonable answer that fit his current "state."

Su Qing nodded and did not continue the topic: "Hmm, academics are important. Then let's stop here for today; be careful on your way."

"Goodbye, Teacher Su."

Walking out of the small building of the counseling center, the afternoon sun was a bit dazzling. Ling Ye squinted his eyes and walked slowly along the tree-lined path.

This counseling session contained quite a lot of information.

Su Qing's attitude was overall supportive and professional, but she was undoubtedly assessing whether he had been "abnormally affected," and she had subtly recommended the 'Anomaly Research Society'. This almost confirmed the club's close connection to her, as well as its recruiting or observational nature towards "potentially abnormal individuals."

The probe Zhou Ming made in the morning using his identity from the news club, and the gentle guidance Su Qing provided in the afternoon as a counselor, had different methods but seemed to have overlapping goals. Were they in the same group? Or was it a competitive or complementary relationship?

Su Qing did not mention anything about "detection" or "scanning." Either she was unaware, or she was aware but believed that was an operation on a different level, separate from her psychological counseling duties.

The "post-traumatic normal reaction" and "moderate confusion and vulnerability" he displayed should have met her expectations and would not trigger further in-depth investigation for the time being. But the hook of the 'Anomaly Research Society' had been thrown—should he bite?

He needed more information before he could decide his next move.