Shen Jingqi took Li Baiyu back to the hospital.
On the way back, Shen Jingqi received a phone call.
"Hey, Jingqi, what have you been up to lately?"
The voice was a refined one, coming from his close friend from university, Yang Haotian.
"At the hospital, pretty busy."
"Tonight, want to meet?"
Shen Jingqi thought about it, in two days he wouldn't have the freedom to travel around.
"Uncle Li, my friend is looking for me. Perfect timing, I also need to help a senior with some things, got to inquire about my friend."
Yang Haotian was Shen Jingqi's dorm mate during undergrad.
Though they were in the same dorm, they were not in the same major.
Yang Haotian majored in psychology, and was directly admitted to the clinical psychology Ph.D. program at the same school. After graduation, he stayed at the school, working at the psychology center of Shen University as the deputy director.
This person was quite capable, liked to talk appropriately depending on whom he met. As a student, he served as the league branch secretary, the student council president, and was also the leader of the Shen University choir. Since he joined the administrative office, he managed the psychology center very well; it's said he even expanded its scale.
Moreover, Yang Haotian had some business acumen during his undergraduate years.
He took over a bar near Shen University that was on the verge of bankruptcy and transformed it into a new bar that became popular among young people.
Uncle Li stopped near the Haotian Bar.
Yang Haotian, wearing a tie and a finely-tailored suit, gave Shen Jingqi a hug.
"Everything going well lately?"
"Yesterday, I prevented a student from committing suicide."
"Well, that's quite good. Consider it a deed of merit." New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on NovᴇlFir(e).nᴇt
"Just doing my best. Come, let's talk about us."
On the table was a bottle of wine.
Yang Haotian poured two glasses and pushed one towards Shen Jingqi.
"I came to find you, have something to ask."
Shen Jingqi turned the rim of the glass.
"You must know quite a few professors at the psychology center, right?"
"Probably know most of the professors from all departments at Shen University, right?"
Professors from the student psychology center often interact with professors from various departments due to the psychological needs of students. As deputy director, Yang Haotian frequently handles interactions with these professors.
"Two professors from the Biology Department, one named Wang Junyi, the other Xia Kang, do you have any impressions?"
"The proportion in the Biology Department is not that high; of the two professors, I have an impression of Xia Kang."
Yang Haotian narrowed his eyes.
"Their department had a student suddenly become delusional and attempt to jump off a building. Upon investigation, it turned out that it was a former professor from their department who had mysteriously connected with the student's mind."
"While at Shen University, that professor researched the contents of DNA and neurotransmitters, reportedly exploring the state of life carriers through consciousness integration, and so forth. Since the professor left, their office has been locked up. But once, the student hurried to a meeting and mistakenly went to the wrong floor, ending up outside the professor's office. Without noticing, he knocked on the door vigorously, and seemingly someone let him in, then invited him inside for a chat. The student was greatly inspired, giving him new ideas for his research. But then the person inside disappeared in front of him; he was shocked and tried to leave, only to find the door locked. He screamed for help and later, his classmate came but couldn't open the door. Eventually, after several complications, they found a teacher named Xia Kang from their department to unlock the door."
"Once that student came out, he was mentally unfocused. At one moment, he claimed to overthrow the theory of evolution, at the next, he was shouting about annihilation. Finally, when his classmates weren't paying attention, he ran to the top of the Biology building and tried to jump off."
"Our psychology center staff hurried to the scene to conduct psychological counselling and crisis intervention. Eventually, we managed to save him. Later, Xia Kang also intervened. The psychology center and Biology Department formed a working alliance to monitor the student's situation."
"Do you know the name of the Shen University professor who left?"
Shen Jingqi's heart tightened.
"Seems like the last name was Li, what's up?"
"Haotian, can you help me get in touch with this Xia Kang? I have something I want to consult with him. It's related to my current work, and I need to make a good impression."
"No problem, when are you free?"
"I'm free both Saturday and Sunday this week."
"Alright, I'll ask him and let you know."
Yang Haotian poured Shen Jingqi another glass of wine.
Shen Jingqi picked up the glass.
It contained a deep green liquid.
"What's the name of the drink?"
"Is it something new? Seems fitting for the New Year."
Shen Jingqi took a sip; a rich vanilla aroma filled him.
The warmth spread through his whole body, from the stomach to the brain.
The state of neurotransmitters changed.
His temples throbbed.
This was a far more rapid reaction than essential oils.
"How is it, like the taste?"
Yang Haotian also picked up an identical glass and swirled it around in his hand.
"Hard to say, doesn't give a feeling of intoxication."
"That's right. This wine doesn't get you drunk. New Appearance, it just awakens you."
"Do you believe some people in the world have their own missions? For instance, I, as a psychology teacher, have a mission of sorts."
"Are you talking about fatalism? I rarely hear you mention this. Aren't you the one who always emphasized freedom, equality, and dignity, so why suddenly have an interest in mission?"
Shen Jingqi took another sip of the wine.
This time, it was still rich, but he was starting to adapt to it.
"These concepts are not contradictory. My views are fluid, not rigidly unchanging. What I want to emphasize is that a mission is something you receive at the start; it's your personal choice. No matter how you proceed, all paths lead to the same destination. This doesn't fundamentally contradict freedom, because, in the end, you'll find the mission is also your own choice, you can exit anytime, change direction, or change the mission with your own hands."
Yang Haotian's eyes burned with intensity.
"Did you encounter something? At the school, I heard there was an incident next door. Doing student work always carries unimaginable pressure; were there more crisis events?"
"Don't forget, I joined the psychology center when it was most chaotic. The previous director was dismissed, under complex circumstances, and at the same time we faced numerous student crises. I happen to be the type who remains calm under pressure; the more challenging the situation, the more I tackle it head-on."
Yang Haotian's mouth curled into a smile.
In Shen Jingqi's impression, Yang Haotian was indeed a figure of both intelligence and courage. He was never afraid of challenges and always led from the front.
If talking about mission, Yang Haotian seems to embody some mission.
He worked at the psychology center, safeguarding the mental health of countless Shen University students.
"Nothing really. Just speaking from the heart. Let me ask you, do you know where you are?"
"I'm in the world! Drinking with you at this bar."