"I took out a piece of paper, and I no longer need to write down those terrifying thoughts. I wrote a poem, and I want to give it to my lover. I apologize to my lover! It’s all my negligence towards her, and blaming her, that led her to depression. I am incapable and easily sulk; when my illness flares up, I just want to be alone. I don’t want to see anyone. My lover brings me food, accompanies me, and yet I ignore her. In the Sensory Paradise, I was all alone, and suddenly I thought of her. During the time I was hospitalized, she came to see me several times and even sought psychological counseling outside, asking how she could support me. I feel ashamed in front of her. I want to live well and accompany her through the rest of our lives."
Wei Lian whispered, tears swirling in his murky eyes.
"Doctors, I am willing to continue participating in the follow-up."
"Okay, Wei Lian. Congratulations on your new transformation. We will follow up on your situation."
"Okay, thank you all. Next, it’s this lady’s turn."
Wei Lian wiped his eyes and pointed at Liang Hong.
Liang Hong gently clapped her hands, encouraging Wei Lian. Thɪs chapter is updated by NovᴇlFirᴇ(.)nᴇt
Seeing everyone looking her way, Liang Hong adjusted her lapel.
"Number 3, Liang Hong, let’s take a look at your data first. The release of the neurotransmitter dopamine in your brain has halved since the initial test, and if it decreases by two more times, it will become normal. Through the auxiliary intervention of Sensory Paradise, we can guide your brain region responses, starting to reshape the state of the hippocampus and amygdala, and potentially reducing the instances of being triggered in the future."
Liang Hong’s gaze followed Zheng Lin’s feedback, nodding frequently.
"My desire for alcohol has already decreased. Usually, in the evening, my alcohol cravings are particularly strong. The most outrageous time, I was in a meeting with a major client, and suddenly my alcohol craving erupted uncontrollably. I excused myself to the restroom and ran to the office to drink a bottle of baijiu, then went to the meeting reeking of alcohol."
"As you can imagine, I made a fool of myself at that meeting. The leaders talked to me, saying that my awful image made the clients very dissatisfied, and it also affected the company’s image."
"I was still under the influence of alcohol at the time, and I said, ’But honestly, those clients aren’t anything good either. Their eyes are full of power and lust, and they themselves are ugly, just pretending to be sophisticated dogs in suits. They don’t understand product concepts and design at all but pretend to nod understandingly. Truly hypocritical and disgusting. As for you, you got your position through connections and backdoor deals, and even your degree is bought. And I, a graduate perfectly dignified from a world-renowned university, have to work for you. Doesn’t that make you feel great?’ The leader had no expression at the time, like a smiling tiger, but later sent me to a mental hospital claiming dereliction and suspended me. I have been here for more than a month, it’s quite good, not having to face those pretentious and hypocritical people, nor waste my energy dealing with those scum. As just mentioned by scholarship student Lin, I especially despise people too, but not all people, I despise the work environment I’m in and its formed cultural attributes."
"I really feel that everyone is acting, competing for fame and gain, attacking, scheming and exploiting each other. Like pitiful, hateful, pathetic, and lamentable ants."
"Everyone has heard of the Wine God culture, right? Ancient Greece’s Wine God art was something I encountered while studying abroad. I was deeply impressed, intoxicated by the spiritual power of breaking conventions. At that time, I drank wine, brandy, whiskey, and fruit beers, I drank without greed and never got drunk. After returning to the country, I was invited with a high salary to join a state-owned enterprise. During the interview, they talked a lot about innovation and openness and encouraged frankness and voicing opinions, and I was attracted by what they promoted. At first, I devoted a lot of enthusiasm and energy, actively sharing my views and opinions, but later, I found that the leaders always targeted me. What they promoted was just a show. And alcohol became a part of the drinking culture, full of false pleasantries on the surface, yet backstabbing behind the scenes. I kept drinking. Whether drunk or not, people drink till they are drunk. I drank everything at first only at home in the evenings, then I started buying alcohol online to drink at the office. Gradually, the amount I drank increased more and more. Without drinking, I felt uncomfortable, my hands would tremble."
"In Sensory Paradise, I found the joy I once had in pursuing the Wine God culture. I could feel that sense without drinking. I feel that alcohol is no longer as attractive to me, but the allure of the Wine God culture still influences and inspires me, urging me to face my choices and direction. I will leave this system and go to a place that’s right for me."
Liang Hong’s eyes no longer had the same fluttery look they had in the morning.
"I know I have a lot to do in the future to possibly restore my brain to its previous state. I am willing to continue cooperating with the research, I trust you all. Only mutual benefit leads to common development, and I am willing to contribute my data."
"Ms. Liang is a special-need patient, since her admission, she has actively cooperated with alcohol cessation, although the effects have not been very ideal, she has always been optimistic. She was very proactive in signing up for this Sensory Paradise test recruitment. What she said touched me deeply.
"This world is beautiful, but it must not be allowed to rot."
"I told her, in Sensory Paradise, nothing will rot."
Qin Si and Liang Hong exchanged a smile.
There was a faint sense of tacit understanding in the air between the two.
"Okay, then after this, Nurse Qin will be more attentive in arranging and tracking intervention for number 3, Liang Hong. We will also hold regular discussions to understand the effects of the interventions and make timely adjustments as necessary."
Zhao Xin’an made arrangements.
"Backend total data is managed by Zheng Lin. Nurse Qin and Dr. Shen, you are authorized to access all data. You can monitor the situation of all users in Sensory Paradise, but it must be done with Zheng Lin’s knowledge."
"After the first round of testing is completed, all neuron connection sensors must be retrieved. Number 1, Lin Shuwang, who has entered the online mode, can take the neuron connection sensor. Technology Zheng, you should connect with Lin Shuwang, and whenever Lin Shuwang logs in to use it, they need to contact you. The interventions for 2, Liang Hong, and 3, Wei Lian, who are still in standalone mode, need to be arranged uniformly by us and will take place in a designated room. Each intervention will continue to use this neuron connection sensor. Once you clear the levels, we will discuss together again."
"Nurse Qin, a patient has gone crazy, please go take a look!"