Novice Forensic Doctor

Chapter 128: Chapter 127 I Want to Kick You Out of the Car_1

Zhou Ning didn’t have Mr. He’s social skills, and he sorted out his thoughts somewhat awkwardly before he told his dream. Of course, he also talked about his origins and what his grandfather had told him, while keeping his father’s identity a secret.

Surprised, Doctor Shi took notes incessantly. When Zhou Ning finished his story, he put down his pen and looked at Zhou Ning.

"So, you mean to say that this dream might not be a dream at all, but an event you actually experienced, except you can’t seem to see everyone’s faces clearly, right?"

Zhou Ning nodded. He had thought about this in detail the night before, but after all, he had no previous impression of such events, and he had never asked his grandfather about them, so he was also uncertain of what happened.

"I’m not sure, but when I was crouching in that cardboard box, the cold feeling coming from my feet felt very real. I know that was me, but I couldn’t speak or even move a bit, I wasn’t in control of anything."

Doctor Shi nodded.

"I understand the feeling. Are you here today so you can sleep better later, to no longer be tormented by this dream, or do you want to investigate something? Can you tell me what you need?" freёwebnovel.com

Mr. He slapped the table and leaned in closer.

"Why choose, man? Of course, he wants both. If he is tormented by such dreams every day, how can he work as a forensic doctor? If it continues for over a week, he’ll be finished. As for the dream, if it’s real, Zhou Ning has been dwelling on it for almost twenty years; you can’t let it become a chronic worry forever. I think it must have been some stimulus that triggered the recall of these memories."

Doctor Shi glanced sideways at Mr. He with a displeased look. Mr. He shrank his neck and said somewhat guiltily:

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Get out. You’re impeding my diagnosis here. Are you the psychologist, or am I?"

Mr. He rubbed his nose and stood up to leave, but he still turned back and raised his fist to Zhou Ning, using the gesture as a way to cheer him on. Zhou Ning couldn’t help but smile, feeling grateful to have such a friend.

"Doctor Shi, I want to see the faces of those people in my dream clearly. I’m just not sure if this is a dream or reality. As Mr. He said, I don’t want this issue to affect my sleep. I do have quite a lot of work."

"Understood. I’m not certain about the extent of your injuries back then, have you ever been examined?"

Zhou Ning recalled but had no memories about his injuries. He shook his head slightly.

"I have no memory, but according to what my grandfather said, I was severely injured at that time and was in a coma. I can still feel a hairless scar on my head, but I don’t feel it myself, not even a twinge when it rains. My several medical check-ups haven’t revealed anything abnormal."

After a moment of reflection, Doctor Shi finally looked at Zhou Ning.

"What did your parents do for a living?"

Zhou Ning paused, not expecting to have to answer such a question.

"I can’t say."

"How did they pass away?"

"That... I can’t say either. Actually, my grandfather does not know either. It was my father’s superior who came to notify my grandfather of my parents’ deaths and my injury, of course, without any memory of the kind."

Doctor Shi’s face became even more grave, and Zhou Ning grew somewhat nervous as well.

"I understand. Come with me, take off your shoes and lean on the examination bed. Choose whatever position is comfortable for you."

Confused, Zhou Ning didn’t know what he had said that made Doctor Shi understand. But since Mr. He trusted this person, he didn’t have any reason to fuss. When in Rome, do as the Romans do, just follow the orders.

After taking off his shoes and half-reclining on the examination bed, Zhou Ning crossed his hands over his abdomen and then looked at Doctor Shi.

"Ready."

Doctor Shi nodded, adjusted the curtains slightly to darken the room, and stood by Zhou Ning’s bedside, his voice soothing.

"All right, now close your eyes and relax, starting with your eyes. Don’t think about any problems right now, let your body and mind both quiet down. Can you hear the tick-tock of dripping water? Follow the sound of the water drops, and go forward. There’s a light ahead; don’t worry, I’m right here. Breathe in, breathe out, just like that, keep moving forward, the light is getting bigger. What do you see? You can tell me, it’s okay if it’s unclear or very blurry."

A light appeared before Zhou Ning’s eyes.

It wasn’t a very bright light, flickering as though it might float away at any moment. Zhou Ning walked toward it, but no matter how he sped up or slowed down, the light remained the same distance away.

He was anxious, but Doctor Shi’s voice eased him somewhat. What could he see?

It seemed that there was only that flickering light in front of him. Just as he was about to respond, a strong hand picked him up. Zhou Ning saw his own hands and feet become very small, and the man was laughing, his chin covered with stubble. However, his face remained unclear, shrouded in a fog as it was.

Instinctively, Zhou Ning knew it was his father.

"Dad."

"Xiao Ning, look what dad brought for you? This is a wolf tooth, a friend brought it back from the North Border. They’d taken down a wolf, and this is a wolf tooth they’ve made into a necklace. Isn’t it neat?"

Zhou Ning stared at the wolf tooth pendant. It didn’t seem to have anything to do with beauty. The tooth was polished smooth, with a hole drilled at the top to thread a leather cord through, and the back had the words "Xiao Ning" on it.

Before he could react, his dad had already hung the wolf tooth pendant around Zhou Ning’s neck. The cord was too long and the tooth fell right by his crotch. His dad burst into laughter.

"This is no way to do things, it’s too long. Tomorrow, let your mom cut it shorter for you. Alright, stinky boy, hurry up and sleep. Tomorrow, we’ll go hiking at North Jiushui, just the three of us."

Zhou Ning nodded involuntarily then lay on the man’s shoulder. Sleepiness overpowered him, making him unable to resist even though his mind was clear. It was a strange feeling having his eyelids droop as though about to close at any moment.

Just as his eyes closed, a calling voice came through, as if his body was also being shaken relentlessly, but Zhou Ning tried to open his eyes and just couldn’t do it.

"Son, wake up, don’t sleep!"

"Zhou Ning, wake up!"

"Zhou Xiaozhou!"

With the last shout, Zhou Ning opened his eyes to find Doctor Shi and Mr. He standing by his side, the anxious expressions on their faces left him somewhat astonished—it was just a nap, so why all the fuss?

"What happened?"

Mr. He let out a long sigh and plunked down into a chair, while Doctor Shi also looked relieved.

"I was scared to death! With my limited knowledge, I’ve never seen a patient like you. Mr. He, take him to get checked out somewhere else, will you? I was terrified just now. The moment you closed your eyes and I gave a few prompts, it started off normal, but then it spiraled out of control with you shouting, and you couldn’t be woken up."

Zhou Ning uttered an "Oh," reaching out to feel for his phone, which wasn’t on him; he had given it to He Shancun upon entering.

"Did I fall asleep?"

Mr. He shook his head.

"Hard to say, from the start of the hypnosis till now, three hours have passed. You don’t feel uncomfortable, do you?"

Zhou Ning shook his head as well.

"No, I saw some scenes I hadn’t seen before. My dad gave me a wolf tooth pendant that was very long; however, I still couldn’t see his face. Doctor Shi, is my problem very serious?"

Shi Tianxiao smiled, shooing the idea away and handed Zhou Ning a cup of water, taking a sip himself.

"It’s not about severity. I recommend you get a physical exam to pinpoint the exact location of your head injury. I think your amnesia isn’t just due to a single event, but rather a combination of factors, like a serious injury that affected the memory function area. But with a few sessions of guidance, it’s still possible to awaken part of the memories."

Mr. He leaned in at this point.

"I mean, Zhou Xiaozhou, do you really need to know those memories?"

Zhou Ning nodded and then shook his head, looking out the window.

"I’m not sure myself, it’s not like I’m obsessed with these memories. I grew up without recalling them, but now that I know some, I’m just curious, especially after seeing that scene.

I figure if I can recover the memories, at least I would be able to clearly see the faces of the three people who killed my parents, right? I can’t just be content with the image of those bloodstained calfskin boots."

Mr. He’s hand rested on Zhou Ning’s shoulder. Although Zhou Ning’s expression was calm, his words made Mr. He’s eyes well up momentarily. In his mind, tales of sacrificing for the country were things of books and news, but now his friend was living through it, and he felt helpless, which was unbearable.

Shi Tianxiao nudged He Shancun, giving him a look.

"Get over it, no need for drama. We’re discussing serious matters!"

Mr. He moved his mouth but didn’t argue; after all, he was the professional.

"I think your recurring dreams might be related to the people or things you’ve been encountering lately. Don’t resist or get anxious, just adjust your mindset, don’t focus too much on it. Come talk to me once a month; we don’t expect to uncover anything profound, but it could alleviate some of your work stress."

He Shancun leaned in, his head bobbing like a rattle-drum.

"Don’t come, you charge by the hour here. Once a month? Do you think he’s on a salary? He’s only making a few thousand, not enough to sustain your big temple."

Shi Tianxiao raised his fists, letting out a resigned sigh.

"I’ve already said it’s free, it’s free, alright? No matter how often you come, it’s free!"

He Shancun grinned, lifted up his phone, activated the recording function, and held it close to Shi Tianxiao’s mouth.

"Hurry up, say it again. I’m recording this, and I’ll use it to blackmail you in the future."

Laughing, Zhou Ning and He Shancun left the psychological clinic. He Shancun patted his stomach.

"Buddy, how about treating me to a meal? I was scared for a moment there, now I’m starting to feel hungry. But I want a lavish meal, don’t you dare fob me off with some noodles."

Zhou Ning thought for a moment, remembering the last time they ate at Qindao University, where it was mentioned that there was a restaurant near the west gate that was small but top-notch in flavor.

"Let’s go to Qindao University. There’s a good restaurant opposite the west gate of their campus."

He Shancun smiled.

"Alright, I’ll drive and you guide me. Then tell me, where are you planning to live when you come to work in the city? In the dormitories?"

Zhou Ning got into the car and, hearing He Shancun’s question, shook his head slightly.

"Qindao University provided a house; I’ll be moving there."

He Shancun paused mid-action and gave Zhou Ning a look.

"Damn, I feel like kicking you out of the car. No, I need to see your place. Tell me more, what’s the deal with that?"