Return of the Antagonistic Lady Boss

Chapter 644: Chapter 618: Gangdan’s Absence Is Just Right

The household has now hired a long-term worker, instantly enhancing the lifestyle quality of Chen Xiaoqian, the landlord’s wife.

After directing the worker to buy the materials, the landlord’s wife placed a gigantic sand tray on the floor at home, with the floor covered in soft mats, where she and Ye Xiaowei sat cross-legged, playing a sand tray game.

Ye Xiaoyu, with a headscarf and apron on, looked like a beleaguered little wife, cleaning furniture while casting sidelong glances at Qian.

Can playing with sand really cure illnesses? Is it really not just a ruse?

”Is it finished? Come, let Meiwei have a look...” Qian leaned beside Weiwei, observing the shape she’d crafted, her expression full of amiability but inwardly gasping.

This child’s issues are already this severe...

Sand trays can be used for psychological therapy and diagnosis. Not many in the country use this technique yet, but Qian’s stepbrother, Liao Fugui, is quite adept at it. Qian had some foundation in their past life and this lifetime refined her skills with her stepbrother during their casual exchanges about it. Liao Fugui has previously tested using this on Dalong, not only applicable for depression diagnosis and treatment, but it also has good effects on Ye Xiaoyu’s current boyfriend with borderline personality disorder.

”Meiwei, why do you want me to create this?” Weiwei asked.

When she first realized her idol, Meiwei, was a psychologist, she had a moment of resistance, disliking doctors who asked questions aloofly.

But Meiwei instead invited her to play games and eat fruits—no probing questions.

”This is a sand tray game; follow my instructions to create things, and I’ll walk into your world. For those who struggle with verbal expression, it’s great—Ye Xiaoyu, would you like to try?”

”No way!” Ye Xiaoyu has begun to harbor a smidgen of caution towards Qian, viewing Meiwei as a beauty who might slyly set up traps for people.

In the afternoon, Qian showed Weiwei picture cards, also showing Ye Xiaoyu one and asking what she saw. After Ye Xiaoyu shared her thoughts, Qian laughingly whispered like a mischievous fox, ”Isn’t Li Jia somewhat underwhelming? Want me to sponsor a cucumber for comrade Xiaoyu?”

Ye Xiaoyu’s inner turmoil was overwhelming—how did she see that?

These psychologists seem terrifying; they can observe so much from odd perspectives.

Actually, Ye Xiaoyu was tricked by Qian. That was an emotion test image, not something that reveals her boyfriend’s capabilities—she only improvised after seeing certain ”vigorous” medicines at Ye Xiaoyu’s place, thoroughly transforming into a mystic persona to convince Ye Xiaoyu.

Qian conducted simple sand tray therapy to understand Weiwei’s condition; upon seeing the time, she told household help, Xiaoyu, ”Is the food ready? Meizi should be back soon.”

The girl had been out for an interview all afternoon, likely returning soon.

As soon as Qian finished speaking, the door opened, and Yu Liumei walked in looking dejected.

”Sis-in-law! I need psychological massage! Bring me a few tubs of spiritual chicken soup!”

”Did the job not work out?”

”It was going well until the principal rejected me with a single sentence, favoring a boy who went with me. But I don’t understand why—our performances were similar!”

”The boy?”

”Yeah, he’s from your school! From the Department of Physical Education, with a slightly odd hairstyle, cropped sides with a bit longer in the middle, named Qiu or something—”

Qian chuckled, instantly recognizing the style’s owner.

”Don’t worry, the job hasn’t gone to outsiders; it’s still among our own. Don’t be upset, next time I’ll call him out to have some beers and introduce you two.”

”Your friend?”

”Yes, his name’s Qiuqiu, and we’re quite close. We often dine together and chill. He’s been busy with graduation work recently, so he’s been around less. When he comes over, the couch is reserved for his naps.”

Ye Xiaoyu immediately perked up. Is Meiwei close with another man? She’d note it in her little book and dig up more of Chen Xiaoqian’s secrets closely! Suddenly energized, her furniture cleaning intensified.

”Ah, your friend then. Well, I’ll have to find another job. Sis-in-law, join me for a drink tonight to destress.”

After dinner, Weiwei and Ye Xiaoyu headed back. Yu Liumei saw Qian standing by the sand tray for a long time and went over to ask.

”Sis-in-law, does this sand have any special effects?” She saw various decorations in the sand tray, like plant and animal figures, creating a messy little world, which made Liumei curious, reaching out to touch them.

Qian slapped her hand away, ”Don’t touch! I’m analyzing a condition.”

”Sis-in-law, aren’t you joking? Aren’t these just beach toys? Oh, you have more variety—hey, why is this snake placed here? How strange!”

Yu Liumei pointed at a small snake in the tray and asked Qian, who nodded.

”It is indeed strange; that spot should be the father’s place, but why is there a venomous snake there? Odd.”

Qian knew Weiwei’s family environment was problematic, originally suspecting the mother who runs errands. But the tray’s response suggested a peculiar issue with the father’s place—what’s going on?

”Sis-in-law, what can you tell from this tray of sand?”

”The emptiness indicates her loneliness; the lack of characters reflects her poor social skills—it aligns with her current situation. But why is the father’s place a snake...”

Just as Qian pondered, there was a knock on the door.

Preparing to go out shopping, Ye Xiaoyu turned to look, and saw a gentle-looking man with glasses standing at the door. She checked her watch; it was already 7 p.m.

”Coming.” Qian opened the door, inviting Liao Fugui inside.

With Ye Xiaoyu now curiously peeking from the door, Qian mischievously whispered to Liao Fugui, ”Did anyone see you coming?”

”No, why?” Liao Fugui had just finished an assessment for Zhiming, utterly exhausted, and wanted to see his sister before heading home, also bringing her some food.

”Great, Yu Gangdan isn’t home today, you’ve come at the perfect time!”

Qian intentionally phrased her words ambiguously, then pulled her clueless stepbrother inside, not missing the gossipy spark in Ye Xiaoyu’s expression as she closed the door.

Once back inside, Ye Xiaoyu whipped out her little notebook, diligently recording.

On such-and-such date, Meiwei met an unidentified bespectacled man at home, declaring: Yu Gangdan isn’t home, you came at a good time.

Mustn’t forget to tell Yu Minglang when she sees him, Meiwei’s truly slippery!

”Qian’er, what are you up to? Mrs. Jia asked me to bring you some nutritional products — huh, is that sand tray...” Liao Fugui had spotted the sand tray upon entering.

His expression instantly turned serious.