8. Wei Nanlin’s unique hypnotic method.

13.

On the way back, my mind was filled with the doctor’s deep and gentle voice.

Not for anything else, just all about—

The main effects of pomegranate flowers include treating nosebleeds, middle ear infections, traumatic bleeding, etc…

Grind an appropriate amount of pomegranate flowers into powder, use a small portion each time, blow it into the nostrils to stop bleeding.

Pomegranates are not recommended for constipation patients… and so on.

It was already past eleven o’clock when I got home. My mom heard the noise and peeked half of her face out of the bedroom.

“You’re back.”

I held my chest and turned on the light, “You scared me.”

“How’s the doctor?”

“He’s doing well, handsome and elegant, oh, and he also gave me a lot of pomegranates, they’re on the table. But don’t let Dad eat them because of his constipation.”

“What’s the connection between constipation and pomegranates?”

I explained the whole thing the doctor taught me to my mom.

“That’s interesting,” my mom patted my shoulder, her eyes shining, “so things are looking up?”

Talking about this made me think of the doctor’s mention of “the future.”

I blushed and smiled, “It’s kind of interesting, I guess.”

“That’s good then, that’s good. Sometime when you’re free, bring him home so we can get to know him too,” my mom said.

I shivered a bit, “Isn’t that too soon? We’ve only had one meal together!”

My mom looked puzzled, “You’ve been having that meal till now?”
“We also watched a movie. He didn’t drive, so I gave him a ride back.”

Our commotion woke up my sound asleep dad, and he also emerged to join the conversation, “What movie did you watch?”

My mom rolled her eyes, “Is that the main point!? He didn’t ask you to stay the night?”

I was on the verge of roaring.

“Wei Nanlin is a very decent person, okay! Who invites someone to stay over on the first meeting!”

My dad chimed in, “Exactly.”

Later, my mom asked me about various aspects of the doctor, mainly about his family background and salary. I realized that besides knowing he had an apartment and his parents ran a small supermarket in town, I knew nothing else.

I understood that “blind dates” generally involve learning about each other’s family background, education, and income to assess whether the families are compatible before starting a so-called romantic relationship.

But I personally wasn’t a big fan of this process. Even if it’s a blind date, shouldn’t we focus more on the person’s character and personality?

In a romantic relationship, you’re dealing with a person, not their family’s financial situation. Why be so concerned about how much money they make?

Just as Wei Nanlin had said, people are constantly changing. If someone isn’t successful this year, does that mean they’ll remain unsuccessful ten years from now? If someone earns a lot this year, does it guarantee they’ll earn even more next year?

What’s important is their character and ambition.

When we face difficulties, we’ll face them together; when we experience joy, we’ll share it together.

Wei Nanlin is passionate about medicine and has great professional integrity. While his daily life might be a bit dull, he’s witty and humorous in conversation, and his knowledge and manners are beyond reproach.

He didn’t even mind that I’m not particularly accomplished or have an impressive background, so how could I even think about finding fault with him?

My mom was taken aback by my comments, “Have you really learned how to turn things around?”

My dad said, “What’s all this turning about? Weren’t you the one who picked him out in the first place? Now you’re asking so many questions. He’s grown up now, can’t he still judge a person?”

I agreed, “Exactly.”

Dad rubbed his eyes and urged, “Alright, alright, go to sleep early. It’s so late, we can continue the conversation tomorrow morning.”

After washing up, I tossed myself onto the bed and noticed a new message on WeChat.

【Wei Nanlin: Did you arrive home safely?】

This was the first time Wei Nanlin had initiated a message, and I suppressed a smile.

【Chu Qi: Yes, just took a shower.】

【Wei Nanlin: Okay.】

I realized that this person’s demeanor changed completely when he was on WeChat, almost like switching personalities. So, I decided to bring up a topic.

【Chu Qi: What time do you usually go to sleep?】

【Wei Nanlin: Before 11 o’clock.】

Do you have to be that honest! I glanced at the clock where the hour and minute hands were almost at the 12 position and rolled my eyes.

【Chu Qi: Alright then, rest early. We’ll chat another time.】

【Wei Nanlin: Okay.】

I usually chat casually with colleagues on WeChat, and most of my saved messages were colorful emojis. After searching for a while without finding anything serious, I went to the store and downloaded a set of cute panda emojis.

Two chubby pandas hugging each other affectionately, rubbing heads, and a small heart popped above their foreheads.

I added an exaggerated line: Goodnight, sweet dreams!

However, five minutes passed, and I didn’t receive a reply from him.

Feeling a bit disheartened, I switched off the bedside lamp and let sleep take over.

I didn’t know how much time had passed when my phone suddenly emitted a sound. Seeing the little red dot on Wei Nanlin’s profile picture, I instantly perked up.

He had sent a low-resolution emoji.

A panda revealed a wild and mischievous smile, with a line of small text below it: “Goodnight? I wish you were thinking of me so much that you couldn’t sleep at night.”

14.

I briefly suspected that he might have been possessed by some sort of spirit. Wei Nanlin explained that he had come across this particular emoji randomly on Zhihu, found it amusing, and it had left a strong impression on him. However, since he had no one to send it to, he didn’t save it. After searching for a while, he eventually found it again.

First and foremost, I felt honored to be the only one who got to see this emoji.

But, there were things that needed to be said.

【Chu Qi: Silly, panda faces are all the same. Just replace the Chinese text below it. If you had sent it a little later, I would have fallen asleep.】

【Wei Nanlin: Do you find it amusing?】

I burst into laughter.

【Chu Qi: Yes, I do!】

【Wei Nanlin: That’s good, go to sleep.】

【Chu Qi: Now I can’t sleep!】

As soon as I sent that message, I regretted it. While I often used this slightly complaining tone to tease my friends, telling them not to bother me with their questions when I’m trying to sleep, Wei Nanlin is quite straightforward. I was afraid he might take it seriously, so I quickly tried to recall the message, but it was too late.

【Wei Nanlin: Should I chat with you a bit more then?】

I was about to say it wasn’t necessary, but before I could respond, a video call popped up from him. I quickly adjusted my appearance, ran my fingers through my hair, turned on the table lamp, and cleared my throat before clicking to answer.

On Wei Nanlin’s end, the screen was black, with only my nostrils facing the camera. I immediately lifted my phone and adjusted the angle.

“Where are you?”

“Here,” Wei Nanlin’s voice was soft, his tone as gentle as the wind.

“Oh, why is your screen black?”

Wei Nanlin: “I haven’t turned on the light. Too much light in the environment is not conducive to falling asleep.”

“Oh, so why did you send me a video?”

Wei Nanlin: “You said you couldn’t sleep, so I thought I’d chat with you. But lying in bed and playing with your phone can cause irreversible damage to your cervical spine and visual nerves. I suggest you do what I’m doing – put your phone aside and don’t stare at it. Just listen to the sound.”

So, he really was trying to help me sleep.

I was incredibly touched and didn’t know what to say.

And so, I turned off my bedside lamp as well, placing my phone next to my pillow, with his soft voice in my ears.

“Are you lying down?”

I obediently pulled up the small blanket, “Yes!”

“Close your eyes.”

With hopeful anticipation, I followed his instruction, “I’ve closed them!”

I had expected a heartwarming and healing fairy tale, or at least an engaging storyline, and at the very least, a spine-tingling ghost story.

But the result was…

“Seasonal changes are approaching, let me tell you about preventing seasonal flu.”

“…”

In less than three minutes, I had fallen asleep.

Truly fitting for a psychologist, his hypnotic effect was truly remarkable!

The next morning, when I woke up, I saw his message – a long image that took several seconds to load, titled: “The Specific Causes, Harms, and Remedies for Snoring.”

???