Return of the Antagonistic Lady Boss

Chapter 881 - 855: Conscience Is a Scale

In front of Dayi, Chen Xiaoqian didn’t have to pretend and spoke the truth. "To say I’m not afraid at all isn’t true; it was after that child started showing abnormal behavior post-rescue that I began to feel unsettled."

"You weren’t afraid when facing the criminal, so why are you worried after saving someone?"

"I’m afraid of my efforts being in vain. It only took minutes to save a life, yet I put in all my strength to appear calm. I can’t bear to see my hard work end in disappointment."

"...So, you do care about that child, don’t you?" Da Yi inferred this meaning from Chen Xiaoqian’s circuitous words.

"I only care about myself! I don’t want my efforts to be futile."

Qian seriously corrected Dayi. She didn’t like to seem too sentimental.

Da Yi seemed to understand Qian a little more.

What a contrary person, clearly someone with great professional ethics and compassion as a doctor, yet she packages herself in selfishness.

It’s the opposite of some people who are genuinely selfish but pretend to be easy-going.

"What’s the deal with that child?"

"I suspect she might have a hysterical reaction from fright, though other possibilities aren’t ruled out. Specifically, I’ll need to check on her after the competition finishes." Thinking of the child, Qian’s eyes grew deep.

The world is really small.

"Why don’t I go? You’re usually so busy, and I can handle this kind of case," Dayi understood Qian’s implication that she wouldn’t charge fees. Qian’s medical services were known to be expensive, and Dayi wanted to take on the free case for her.

"It depends; for that child, I have two options: after today, we might remain strangers, or I might go all out to save her."

"Why is it so extreme?" Dayi didn’t understand.

Chen Xiaoqian smiled slightly, "Because human nature swings between two extremes, one thought an angel, the next a demon. It depends on how her father chooses."

Da Yi was even more confused; talking about the kidnapped child, why bring up her father?

Chen Xiaoqian’s eyes sparkled as she curved her lips. "There’s a thought-provoking saying in "Caigen Tan": ’A gentleman who changes his ways is not as commendable as a scoundrel who turns over a new leaf.’

"You mean a pseudo-goodhearted hypocrite is less noble than a reformed villain?"

"Exactly this."

"Uh, what’s that got to do with your upcoming competition?"

"You’ll find out soon."

Time arrived, and Da Yi could no longer ask more; Chen Xiaoqian left to face the final leg of her competition.

She walked through the corridor into a special enclosed glass cabin.

In this snug space under 5 square meters, there was just a table and chair, with a scale and medical case files on the table and a doctor’s coat draped on the chair.

If not for the transparent walls, photographers, and machines, it’d feel like a mental health counseling room set up for rehabilitation.

Chen Xiaoqian entered first, calmly sat in the chair, and rather than putting on the doctor’s coat, she picked up the scale, examining it carefully.

Due to the fictional nature of this patient—an unwell person pretending to be well—a realistic scale had been prepared in advance, and the medical files were blank. Chen Xiaoqian, upon finishing her review of the scale, wrote a line in the files and got a close-up shot from the cameraman.

Unlike typical doctors with frantic scribbles, her handwriting was neat and assertive,

and after writing, she folded the doctor’s coat and placed it into the drawer.

This action grabbed Mrs. Yu’s attention, who was watching the live broadcast.

"Why isn’t Chen Xiaoqian wearing her coat?"

"I think Qian once explained to me, she treats it on a case-by-case basis. For some patients, she wears the coat to boost their trust in her professionalism; however, for those with anxiety-related issues who might resist mental health professionals, she’ll go without the coat, in casual attire, to ease their tension."

Da Yi explained to Mrs. Yu, who nodded appreciatively.

Apparently, Chen Xiaoqian discovered something in that scale, hence her approach.

The judges outside weren’t aware of the purpose behind Chen Xiaoqian’s actions; some deducted points based on her appearance. However, those judges regretted it after Qian calmly explained the reason for not wearing her coat post-competition.

For Qian, it was a mere 2-point deduction, not affecting her overall score at all.

Yet, those judges’ lack of professionalism was exposed, but that’s another story.

Once Chen Xiaoqian was prepared, she pressed the bell directly.

This was the fastest among all contestants.

Other consultants were still analyzing the scale, pondering their next step, even struggling with putting on the lab coat—too fat, losing time buttoning it up.

In the blink of an eye, Chen Xiaoqian rang the bell almost instantaneously, to the audience’s surprise. Was she completely confident or had she given up without a glance?

A middle-aged man entered, greeted by Chen Xiaoqian’s subtle smile.

The man’s mind was full of schemes to mess with Chen Xiaoqian, following his patron’s directive to be uncooperative, and after muddling through the process, to give a negative review.

Yet upon seeing Chen Xiaoqian’s face, his eyes widened with surprise—how could it be her?!

Wasn’t she the psychological expert who resolved the hostage situation yesterday?

How is she here?

The man recalled this psychologist’s demeanor when she saved his daughter yesterday, the note she left still in his pocket.

Although his daughter’s condition was stable, she remained under observation. Without crises, it’s tough for doctors to diagnose the real issue, especially psychological ones, more challenging than physical ailments. For now, she received nourishment infusions, having been scared into insomnia and loss of appetite.

Indeed, this man was the father of that unhurt but traumatized girl Chen Xiaoqian saved after confronting the criminal.

Seeing Chen Xiaoqian left him shocked.

When she saw his photo earlier, Chen Xiaoqian was slightly surprised, though she quickly adjusted, remaining calm now.

Noticing the man’s dazed expression upon entering, Chen Xiaoqian gestured invitingly.

"Have a seat."

"You..." Various emotions brewed in the man’s eyes, forming a super complex blend.

The person his patron wanted him to frame turned out to be his daughter’s savior!

The man wasn’t entirely a moral person, but he wasn’t about to betray a benefactor. Without Chen Xiaoqian’s intervention yesterday, who knows what fate his daughter might have faced.

They actually wanted him to harm his benefactor?

"I’m psychological counselor Chen Xiaoqian. Would you like to talk with me?" With a more commanding tone, Chen Xiaoqian pulled the man’s scattered thoughts together.

The man nodded, sitting down without a word.

Outside, Zhao watched the live broadcast of the situation. He wasn’t aware of the past events between Chen Xiaoqian and the man, since the broadcasted parts excluded the man. Zhao didn’t know of their prior connection; he merely saw the man’s uncooperative stance from entering to sitting. Zhao reveled in this.

Good, just like that, even an extraordinary Chen Xiaoqian can’t perform miracles if the patient doesn’t speak.