Cannon Fodder – Chapter 98 – Mild Schizophrenia

“Performing?”

Everyone except Dr. Lin turned to look at Dr. Chen.

The latter adjusted his glasses and nodded. “Naturally, this is just a feeling. Professionally, I can’t draw definitive conclusions. Specialized psychologists like Dr. Lin and I actually each have our own diagnostic methods.”

Dr. Chen continued, “When facing patients, I prefer guiding them toward topics about people they care most about, relaxing their subconscious self-protection through friendly conversation, then analyzing them through speech patterns, microexpressions and movements.”

Dr. Lin nodded. “Indeed. I personally favor more aggressive probing, using lies and indirect questions to bypass patients’ defensive answers and uncover their deepest thoughts.”

Dr. Chen elaborated, “It was through over an hour of conversation that I noticed Miss Chi’s contradictions, especially when Miss Su was mentioned.

“When I guided the conversation with ‘You and Miss Su seem very close,’ she displayed three completely contradictory reactions simultaneously.

“The first was desire. One might say longing. Either to become someone like Miss Su, or to possess someone like her.

“The second was deliberately projected calmness. I’m certain she was acting here, performing normal friendship to conceal the first type of desire.

“The third deeper emotion was unclear. Her mood fluctuated slightly so I avoided pressing further. But explaining through three personalities….

“First is the true self.

“Second is the surface persona.

“Third is the hidden persona.

Rеaԁ оո КαtRеαdiոgСαfе

“She uses the surface act to hide her true self, but she is unaware of the hidden third layer.”

Dr. Chen adjusted his glasses again. “Of course, this is just a hypothesis for easier understanding. She doesn’t literally have three personalities. This contradiction is why she gave me such mixed impressions.

“Her high stress stems from insecurity and anxiety. Why insecure? Anxious about what? Without deeper understanding, you all likely know more than I do.”

Having said this, Dr. Chen subtly stepped back, indicating he’d finished presenting his key observations.

Remaining less crucial details would be written in the formal report later.

Dongfang Yang looked completely lost.

But Su Tao and Si Chen grasped some implications.

Neither Dr. Chen nor Dongfang Yang knew Chi Xiaocheng was a yandere.

To Su Tao, Chi Xiaocheng’s so-called hidden persona was simply her yandere side.

Unaware of being a yandere, she presented a normal facade, only showing her true colors when Su Tao was mentioned.

In her view, Dr. Chen’s diagnosis was roughly accurate. The three-persona theory only emerged from insufficient information.

As for “performing as someone,” it was just misjudgment from the stark contrast between normal and yandere modes.

Rеαԁ οո КαtRеаԁіnɡСαfe

Su Tao glanced at Si Chen beside her.

The bespectacled man who’d also studied psychology seemed thoughtful.

She turned to Dr. Lin. “Dr. Lin, what’s your perspective?”

Dr. Lin moved to retrieve her notes, using the brief back-turned moment to exchange looks with Si Chen.

Noticing his gaze, she formulated her response.

Notes in hand, she turned back. “I actually disagree somewhat with Dr. Chen’s interpretation.”

Both Dongfang Yang and Su Tao started slightly.

Flipping through notes, Dr. Lin continued, “I also sensed the contradictions Dr. Chen mentioned. But concluding she’s ‘performing as someone’ leans too subjective based on his diagnostic approach.

“Miss Chi’s contradictions primarily revolve around Miss Su.

“During evaluation, I inquired about their history from childhood through university. Besides Miss Su, Miss Chi has no other friends.

“Combined with past bullying experiences, this created long-term insecurity.

“Then recently, their argument temporarily severed ties. That’s when contradictions emerged.

“On one hand, she cares deeply about Miss Su, viewing her as family… maybe even more important.

Rеaԁ on КαtRеаdinɡСаfе

“On the other, she fears going too far and driving Miss Su away, like a child molding themselves to please parents, putting on a ‘good kid’ act for praise while hiding their true self.”

Her explanation earned unanimous approval.

Even Dr. Chen nodded thoughtfully. “I indeed lacked important context.”

Su Tao asked Dr. Lin, “So Xiaocheng’s… contradictory behavior stems from this?”

Her words was a hidden question to the informed Dr. Lin: Could this really be why Xiaocheng became a yandere?

At this point, Dr. Lin proposed a theory. “Personally, I believe Miss Chi exhibits mild schizophrenia.”

“Wait…” Dongfang Yang rubbed his temples, utterly bewildered. “First three personalities, now schizophrenia? My brain’s frying trying to follow.”

Si Chen sighed beside him. “Three personas was a simplified analogy. Mild schizophrenia is different. If you can’t comprehend, stop interrupting.”

Dongfang Yang glared. “Oh? And you understand?”

Si Chen calmly adjusted his glasses. “I’ve studied psychology too. Dr. Lin even mentored me briefly.”

Left speechless, Dongfang Yang turned hopefully to Su Tao. “Su Tao, I—”

But her focus remained fixed on Dr. Lin’s schizophrenia claim. “Dongfang Yang, if you can’t follow, maybe take a break?”

Rеαd oո KαtReаԁіոɡCαfe

His face fell.

Dejected, he retreated to a corner to sulk.

Dr. Lin elaborated, “As Dr. Chen noted, her mental state is unstable. Society, family, and environment all exert constant pressure.”

She turned to Su Tao. “Has she experienced any major trauma recently?”

Su Tao nodded slightly. “Yes.”

Dr. Lin added, “Though my interpretation also carries some subjectivity. If possible, we should arrange more sessions with Miss Chi.”

Initial treatment methods, therapy plans and medication would be detailed in the full report later.

After dismissing the group, Su Tao immediately headed for a prearranged meeting with Si Chen and Dr. Lin in a private office.

They’d needed to maintain appearances earlier, letting Dr. Chen conduct standard evaluation while Dr. Lin specifically assessed Chi Xiaocheng’s yandere tendencies!

This was their premeditated arrangement.

The moment she entered, Su Tao fired off questions anxiously. “Dr. Lin, what’s the real situation? Is the schizophrenia diagnosis accurate? Is Xiaocheng truly a yandere? Is treatment still possible?”

Su Tao was fraught with worry.