IV
Lu Shiyan walked into the courtyard just as Su Tang was coming out of the main building.
She was in a white coat, her long hair tied in a ponytail, a professional smile on her face. Beside her was the elderly man in hospital pajamas—the butterfly chaser from earlier.
"Uncle Wang, you're looking well today." Su Tang's voice was as gentle as a spring breeze.
"Of course!" Uncle Wang puffed out his chest. "I feel great today. I think my mystic arts have leveled up again!"
"Congratulations." Su Tang's expression didn't change. "But remember, even training requires rest. Don't forget your nap."
"Sure, sure, whatever you say!"
Uncle Wang walked off happily. When he passed Lu Shiyan, he gave him an extra look. "Oh, new here? With a face like that, you've got insomnia, right?"
Lu Shiyan ignored him.
Uncle Wang didn't seem to mind. He shook his head and kept walking, muttering, "Dark between the brows, weak qi and blood. That's what money does to you, young man. Money's enough when it's enough. Don't be too greedy."
Lu Shiyan's eye twitched.
Su Tang now noticed Lu Shiyan. She gave him a quick once-over and made a mental assessment: Over 185 centimeters, good build, cold demeanor, well-dressed—high-income bracket. Dark circles under the eyes, poor mental state—chronic insomnia. Guarded expression, keeps people at a distance—mild social avoidance.
Preliminary diagnosis: typical high-stress individual, needs relaxation therapy.
She stepped forward with her standard "Su smile." "Hello, I'm the director here, Su Tang. Are you…"
"Lu." He was sparing with words.
"Mr. Lu. Are you here to check in?"
"Yes."
Su Tang glanced at his empty hands. "Where's your luggage?"
"Outside."
"I'll have someone bring it in." Su Tang turned and called, "Lin Xiaonuan!"
No answer.
"Lin Xiaonuan?"
Still no answer.
Su Tang took a deep breath and kept her smile intact. "Sorry, our staff might be… busy. Shall I give you a tour first?"
"No need," Lu Shiyan said flatly. "Just do the paperwork."
"Of course. Please follow me."
Su Tang turned toward the lobby, and Lu Shiyan followed.
She noticed his steps were steady, but his breathing was slightly rapid—sympathetic nervous system overactivation from prolonged stress. His eyes kept scanning the surroundings, which meant he lacked a sense of security and was always on alert.
She'd seen patients like this before—mostly corporate executives, entrepreneurs, finance professionals. They were used to controlling everything, and when they lost control, they became anxious.
The approach with people like this couldn't be forceful. You had to "stroke with the grain."
Su Tang already had a rough treatment plan in mind, but she wasn't in a hurry. First, let him settle in.
In the lobby, Lin Xiaonuan finally appeared, holding a bowl of instant noodles. "Director Su, have you eaten? Dr. Zhang bought groceries. He's making braised pork for lunch."
Su Tang's smile nearly cracked. "Nurse Lin, this is Mr. Lu, a new patient. Please help him with the check-in process."
"Oh, sure, sure." Lin Xiaonuan put down the noodles, wiped her hands, and pulled a wrinkled form from the drawer. "Mr. Lu, just fill this out."
Lu Shiyan looked at the form that was crumpled like a piece of pickled vegetable and didn't reach for it.
Lin Xiaonuan didn't seem to mind. She picked up a pen and started filling it out herself. "Name?"
"Lu."
"Full name?"
"Lu Shiyan." He regretted it as soon as he said it—it was supposed to be "Mr. Lu."
But Su Tang just wrote "Lu Shiyan" on the form without any visible surprise.
That put Lu Shiyan slightly at ease.
She doesn't know who I am. Good.
He had no idea that when Su Tang heard the name "Lu Shiyan," her inner world had exploded.
Lu Shiyan? The richest man in Jiangcheng? The business prodigy who built a hundred-billion-dollar empire at twenty-five? Lu Shiyan is in my mental hospital?!
But her face showed nothing. She just asked calmly, "Mr. Lu, what's your primary reason for coming here?"
"Insomnia." Lu Shiyan was concise.
"How long?"
"Three months."
"Have you seen a doctor?"
"Yes."
"And?"
"No effect."
Su Tang nodded and wrote "Severe Insomnia" on the form. "Besides insomnia, are there other symptoms? Anxiety, tension, palpitations, chest tightness?"
"All of them."
"Have you had any hallucinations? Hearing things others don't hear, or seeing things others don't see?"
Lu Shiyan paused. "Sometimes I feel… like people are watching me."
Su Tang paused and looked at him. "You feel like people are watching you?"
"Yes."
"In what situations?"
"During meetings. When I'm walking. When I'm eating." Lu Shiyan's tone was flat, as if stating a fact. "I know it's not real, but I can't shake the feeling."
Su Tang silently added a note: Mild paranoia.
Typical anxiety-induced insomnia from prolonged stress, with mild delusional symptoms. Common enough, but without intervention, it would only get worse.
"I understand." Su Tang put down her pen. "Mr. Lu, I'll pay close attention to your case. First, I'll assign you a private room. Settle in, get used to the environment. Starting tomorrow, I'll develop a detailed treatment plan for you."
"What kind of plan?"
"Let's wait until you're settled." Su Tang smiled. "Our approach here might be different from what you've experienced before, but please trust that everything is aimed at your recovery."
Lu Shiyan looked at her and felt there was something behind that smile.
But he was too tired to question it.
"Fine."