Return of the Antagonistic Lady Boss

Chapter 1233: Chapter 1205: Qio Yu Xuan’s Special Care

Buddha said, ”A pagoda doesn’t stay beneath a mulberry tree for three nights in a row, so as not to grow attached,” suggesting that even staying under a tree for three times can bring feelings, let alone human emotions?

She has a karmic bond with Chen Lin, having been father and daughter for two lifetimes, living as one family under the same roof. So why, upon hearing about his terminal illness, doesn’t she feel overwhelmed with sadness? Is this too cold-hearted?

This is what troubles Qian.

She turns on the TV, and coincidentally a news report is on about a little girl who was abused by her stepfather. Despite the mosaics, one can sense the child’s injuries. Qian feels uncomfortable upon seeing it and goes to the bathroom to wash her hands.

After washing for quite a while, she still feels uneasy. When she lifts her head, she’s startled to see Qio Yu Xuan standing at the door.

”How did you get in here!”

Qio Yu Xuan waves the universal key in his hand, ”I knocked on the door for a long time, but you didn’t answer, so I came up with my own way—what’s wrong?”

He immediately notices Qian’s wrinkled hands from excessive washing. Has her compulsive disorder, which hasn’t flared up for a long time, returned?!

”I don’t know, I just felt unsettled.”

Qian shakes off the water droplets from her hands. Seeing her indifferent expression, Qio Yu Xuan knows something’s troubling her. Without asking immediately, he places the food he brought on the table and invites Qian to eat.

Qian eats a few bites but loses her appetite. Seeing this, Qio Yu Xuan speaks up.

”You’ve comforted many patients in their final moments and should know that people face several psychological stages when confronted with death: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance. But these stages don’t proceed linearly; some people skip phases. The same occurs when we learn a loved one might soon pass away. Are you upset because you found out he’s sick?”

Qian isn’t surprised that he knows about this; Mr. Qio’s subordinate Akka is top-notch at gathering intelligence.

”I’m not upset because of him; he’s irrelevant to me. I only feel distressed because I saw a news report about a miserable child.” Qian defends herself.

Qio Yu Xuan shakes his head.

”You only see the ’result’ but overlook the ’cause.’ Can cause and effect truly be separated? Such news is common enough — why does it bother you when you learn about his illness? It shows his matter still affects your subconscious, but you refuse to face it head-on.”

Noticing Qian glaring at him with a murderous look, Qio Yu Xuan hurriedly says, ”If you’re unhappy, feel free to vent on me. Didn’t we say it’s only with closest ones that you can freely express anger? Venting on me is perfectly fine.”

”I don’t care about him! What is he? He hid my admissions letter, called me a little bastard, and did so many harmful things! If Xiaoqiang and I weren’t capable enough to keep him in check, he surely would cause trouble for me. Now that he’s ill, there’s no way I’ll match him!”

”Naturally, even if you waver and want to match, neither I nor your Erha would agree.”

Qio Yu Xuan is resolute about this issue. Qian is pregnant now, and perhaps they plan to wait till she gives birth and then ask about matching — exploiting her pregnancy to undergo chemotherapy. Qio Yu Xuan will never agree to such a thing.

”People say donating bone marrow is harmless, but whoever loves donating can do so; you definitely can’t, understand?”

”Nonsense! I’m not brainless!” Qian retorts testily.

Perhaps it’s a misconception, but she feels Qio Yu Xuan is overly fearful of her matching. Then she thinks, it’s no surprise since he treats her like his deceased daughter, also showing his intention to protect her.

”Really, how come your deeply affectionate heart faces so many circumstances forcing you to become indifferent, causing this compulsive disorder.” Qio Yu Xuan sighs, shaking his head. Had Qian not encountered so many unfortunate events, she certainly would have grown into a kind girl. Her words hold with integrity, possessing upright values yet stubbornly asserting herself as a bad person. Her compulsive disorder is inevitable.

”You’re the same, aren’t you? Would you treat me so well if you weren’t so affectionate? Remarkably, our temperatures are so similar. While many grieve losing a child within a reasonable range, we alone contract rare psychological disorders. Ultimately, excessive affection is a mistake.”

The loss of a child is extremely rare. Anyone facing it would feel sorrow, but within this rare group, Qian and Qio Yu Xuan’s reactions stand out even more, suffering severe psychological issues — seemingly behaving differently yet plummeting to the same origin. Qian’s compulsive disorder aligns with Qio Yu Xuan’s ”transference”; they are similar psychological problems.

”I’m puzzled how this compulsive disorder has a child-related aura to it, isn’t this your first child...”

Qio Yu Xuan’s musings leave Qian shocked; darn it, he discerned her ailment!

Dealing with world-class authorities often, Qian tried her utmost to hide her medical history, yet Qio Yu Xuan still sensed something amiss. Today’s events alerted him.

”Stop over-analyzing me! Don’t use those external diagnostic methods on me!” Qian denies defensively.

”Growing up with an absence of paternal love, compelling you in adulthood to make up for it in the next generation — when this love falls short, psychological mayhem ensues. Thus, the key to resolving your compulsive disorder likely hinges on the father and child.”

Qio Yu Xuan pretends not to hear Qian’s protests, delivering an accurate analysis.

”You’ll alienate people this way...” Qian feeling somewhat guilty, remarks, this guy’s impressive.

”Not at all, come on, follow me~”

”Where to?”

”You’ll find out when we get there — grab a coat, it’s breezy outside; don’t catch a cold.”

Grumbling, Qian finds a coat to wrap herself in amidst his nagging instructions, thinking how fortunate it is that Xiaoqiang is occupied with work and thus not chattering at her, yet now Qio Yu Xuan steps in as the nagging Tang Seng.

However, upon reaching their destination, all her mild complaints about Qio Yu Xuan vanished.

”This is—?”

Qio Yu Xuan parks the car. Qian looks at the maternal and child health care institute sign outside the window, speechless, ”I just had a check-up not long ago, why bring me here again?”

”This time, you aren’t here for a check-up. Didn’t you find staying at home boring? I found you some work.”

Leading Qian straight into the director’s room, the director stands up promptly upon seeing Qio Yu Xuan.

Qio Yu Xuan had already contacted the higher-ups on the way here, so the director warmly greets him upon arrival.

”Mr. Qio, didn’t expect you to come personally!”

”How’s the matter we discussed progressing?” Qio Yu Xuan gets straight to the point. The director beams, while Qian listens in confusion, not knowing what Qio Yu Xuan intends to do.

”We’re honored by your proposal! It’s fantastic for a second-tier city like ours to have such an opportunity.”

Hearing their exchange, Qian glances at Qio Yu Xuan in puzzlement, wondering what opportunity?

”You’ll find out soon.” Qio Yu Xuan winks at her.