The Psychologist Episode 19 Recap
> The Psychologist Recap
Mo Yu returned to He Dun's studio with a noticeable change in his demeanor. He declared that people should assert themselves appropriately, or others would continually take advantage of them. While his colleagues still didn't like him, he felt better able to concentrate on his work. He Dun observed that Mo Yu seemed less affected by his colleagues' attitudes. She noted that while many past visitors stopped coming once their condition improved, Mo Yu had kept his appointment.
Mo Yu admitted that he still needed their counseling relationship. He Dun gently prompted him, and Mo Yu's emotions finally erupted. He expressed his unhappiness and confusion, questioning why he felt such immense guilt for merely standing up for himself, a feeling far more painful than any insults he had previously endured from his colleagues. He Dun noted the irony of feeling guilty for protecting oneself.
Mo Yu then recalled a painful memory from middle school where a classmate was forced to eat chalk for reporting cheating. As a bystander, Mo Yu hid, doing nothing to help, a decision that filled him with self-loathing. He Dun asked him to imagine what would have happened if he had intervened. Mo Yu envisioned being isolated and bullied himself, admitting a shameful relief that the bullies' attention had shifted from him.
He confessed to feeling like a bad, selfish person, deserving of his current plight. He Dun reassured him that protecting oneself is not wrong. She emphasized that to become a truly brave person capable of protecting others, one must first learn to protect oneself. He Dun then guided Mo Yu through a visualization exercise. He saw his childhood home, with his parents engrossed in their work.
He Dun encouraged the younger Mo Yu to tell his parents about his struggles at school, but they dismissed his concerns, advising him not to "throw a tantrum" and to get along with his classmates. The adult Mo Yu spoke to his younger self, explaining that their parents did love him but simply didn't know how to help. He clarified that the classmates' actions were not jokes but deliberate attempts to hurt him.
He advised his younger self to protect himself by reporting bullying to teachers or the police, rather than succumbing to threats. After the session, a visibly relieved Mo Yu apologized for crying, acknowledging his emotional release. He announced his intention to apply for a department supervisor position, a decision He Dun encouraged him to discuss further in their next session. Meanwhile, Zhao Xiping, He Dun’s mother, visited the hospital alone in the early morning, worried about a possible brain tumor.
After a brief wait, she managed to get an appointment due to a cancellation. The doctor informed her that while routine tests were normal, her symptoms of recurring headaches, nausea, and blurred vision couldn't entirely rule out a tumor. The doctor recommended an MRI, ideally accompanied by a family member. Zhao Xiping, however, chose not to bother her busy daughter.
At the radio station, Qian Kaiyi, remembering He Dun's claustrophobia and her deep grief over her younger brother Junjun's death, reviewed materials on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). His colleague explained that intrusive symptoms involve vivid re-experiences or dreams of trauma, triggering strong physiological and psychological reactions in similar scenarios. They discussed how avoiding such situations merely seals the memory, preventing true healing. Qian Kaiyi found these descriptions aligned with He Dun's past reactions and fears.
Back at her studio, He Dun spoke with Lili. He Dun apologized for her recent lack of attention, hoping they could talk. Lili revealed she'd avoided sharing her new relationship to spare He Dun worry. He Dun expressed concern, urging Lili to discern if the man truly loved her beyond his material wealth, reminding her of past deceptions. Lili, feeling judged, stated she was tired of He Dun's "savior complex" and her moral high ground.
She defiantly admitted her preference for wealthy, older men due to a lack of paternal love, asserting contentment with her choices. He Dun, seeing Lili's agitation, hugged her, hoping Lili wouldn't misunderstand. Lili forcefully pulled away. He Dun then gently tried to explain that Lili's desire for wealth and older men stemmed from insecurity rather than genuine love.
Lili grew increasingly agitated, demanding to know if He Dun understood true love and accusing her of running away from her own opportunities. Lili then declared she had said and done enough, and left. Unbeknownst to them, Ye Jiahui had recorded their entire conversation. After Lili's departure, he called He Dun.
He offered to drive her to the radio station for her live broadcast, but He Dun, still affected by Lili's recent words about her avoidance of genuine feelings, politely declined his offer, stating she would go by herself. Before the live broadcast, He Dun noticed that Qian Kaiyi had thoughtfully adorned the studio with numerous green plants and dolls, creating a calming environment. During the broadcast, they discussed the topic of isolated students in schools.
He Dun and Qian Kaiyi explained that such bullying stems from complex social, familial, and personal factors, often leaving individuals feeling small, powerless, and helpless. However, they emphasized that the world is not entirely cold and encouraged listeners not to escape, remain silent, or show weakness, reminding them that they are not alone. He Dun added that there will always be a listening ear for those who reach out.
After the broadcast, a colleague called Qian Kaiyi, causing his notebook to fall. He Dun saw the pages detailing his research on her "Long hair Jun Nightmare." A wave of warmth filled her as she realized his unspoken care. She thanked him for his preparations. Qian Kaiyi, with tears welling in his eyes, pretended not to hear, but He Dun smiled and thanked him again.
He Dun then told Qian Kaiyi that she was going to her mother’s home and would not return to her office. That night, He Dun went to her mother Zhao Xiping's home. Zhao Xiping, noticing He Dun's subdued mood, guessed she had argued with Lili. She advised her daughter not to avoid problems, as they wouldn't resolve themselves, and urged her to face them bravely, especially with a good friend like Lili. He Dun embraced her mother, indicating she understood.
Meanwhile, Lili sat by her luggage on the roadside, listening to He Dun’s radio show. She felt regretful about the hurtful words she had spoken earlier. Mr. Fang picked her up, taking her to a new villa. Lili confided in him, expressing guilt for hurting He Dun, who rarely showed her emotions. She tearfully recounted an incident where He Dun endured a foot injury during a team-building exercise without complaint, fearing it would spoil the fun or distract Lili.
Lili called herself selfish, lamenting that He Dun now had no one to talk to. Mr. Fang, however, reframed Lili’s actions as an instinctive act of self-preservation, explaining that just as He Dun's solitude was a form of self-protection, so too were Lili's sharp words, spoken out of a deep understanding of He Dun and a desire to shield herself from anticipated pain. Later, Professor Ji visited a bookstore. There, he encountered Ye Jiahui, who had been waiting for him. Ye Jiahui introduced himself, and Professor Ji recalled him as the young man who had accompanied He Dun previously.
