The Psychologist Episode 8 Recap
> The Psychologist Recap
Under He Dun's professional guidance, Mr. Xun finally began to open up. He Dun used a family tray to explore the roots of his psychological issues. She instructed him to select figurines to represent important people in his life and arrange them on the tray. Mr. Xun first placed a figurine for his wife, then one for his eldest son, both of whom had tragically died in a car accident.
Next, he placed a figurine for his younger son, Xun Hao, significantly distant from himself. He Dun noted this arrangement, suggesting a psychological distance between them. Mr. Xun confirmed this, recounting that Xun Hao was absent during his three panic attacks, even though Xun Hao was the emotional trigger for each episode. Despite this, Xun Hao was genuinely concerned about his father's health, often checking in by phone through his father's secretary.
After sharing his innermost feelings, Mr. Xun felt a sense of relief and thanked He Dun. Just then, Xun Hao arrived with Lili. Xun Hao immediately apologized to his father, admitting he had returned to the country days ago but was afraid to come home, unsure how to face his father.
He revealed he hadn't actually gone abroad to study, but rather to discreetly assist his father with his business affairs, as Mr. Xun, being semi-literate, was vulnerable in global trade. He explained his father had placed all his hopes on him and he was afraid of disappointing him. Xun Hao then told his father that he had grown up and now wished to protect him. Moved by his son's words, Mr. Xun promised not to pressure him anymore.
Witnessing the father and son reconcile, He Dun felt a profound affirmation of her profession's value, though she knew further specialized counseling was needed. She later discussed the case with Professor Ji Mingcong, outlining her treatment plan, which included internal feeling exposure, breathing control, and cognitive behavior modification to address his catastrophic thoughts and focus on his deep relationships and personal issues.
She confessed her struggles with empathy in this case, feeling she used her professional knowledge as a shield, to which Professor Ji reassured her that technically she was doing well, and offered to increase supervision sessions if her "counter-transference" was too strong. Later that evening, Qian Kaiyi's team invited He Dun and Director Fei to celebrate the successful premiere of their show.
Director Fei inquired why He Dun hadn't recommended herself as a therapist for a caller, Wen, on the show. He Dun explained that Wen had developed an intense emotional attachment to Qian Kaiyi, which would inevitably lead to strong emotional reactions toward He Dun, making a professional relationship ethically problematic and difficult to establish trust. That night, Ye Jiahui covertly entered He Dun's psychology office, searching for documents.
He quickly hid when Lili arrived, talking on the phone to her mother about job hunting, and thus remained undetected. Elsewhere in the city, a newly engaged couple was having a water-themed wedding photoshoot. The bride, Shasha, accidentally fell from a floating platform, much to her distress as she feared water. She vehemently complained to her fiancé, Kang Ziyuan, about the photography team his mother had chosen.
The finished photos further fueled her dissatisfaction, but Kang Ziyuan insisted they respect his elders' choices. Exasperated, Shasha declared their engagement off, tearfully stating she wouldn't marry him. She sought comfort from her best friend, Xuanxuan. When Kang Ziyuan later video-called, Xuanxuan advised Shasha to pretend she was out disco dancing and playing drinking games, to make him worry. Shasha followed the advice, feigning indifference, which made Kang Ziyuan desperately apologize and promise a surprise.
The following night, Qian Kaiyi and He Dun discussed Adam Levine's love life on their radio show. Qian Kaiyi praised him as a "life winner" for his string of model girlfriends and current supermodel wife. He Dun, however, countered by revealing that Levine had abandoned his long-term girlfriend after achieving fame, dismissing his story as an "unsavory love story" that "burst the bubble of so many young girls."
Qian Kaiyi then asked He Dun for advice on dealing with an unwanted, persistent admirer. He Dun emphasized honesty and respect for the other person's feelings, asserting that forcing a relationship or avoiding uncomfortable truths only leads to more pain. The next day, Qian Kaiyi arrived at He Dun's office to take her to Yuan's wedding.
Before she could change, he playfully used her newly installed security camera to take photos of her, teasing her about her "insipid" fashion sense, to which He Dun retorted by calling him "annoying." Although initially reluctant to wear a dress he provided, He Dun eventually changed, and they headed to the wedding. Upon arrival, Qian Kaiyi's godmother tried to set him up with another girl, Haijuan, implying he was single.
She also noted that Shasha's bridesmaid had inquired about Qian Kaiyi. The wedding itself was chaotic; Shasha refused to leave her room. Yuan sought help from Qian Kaiyi, who went to intervene. While waiting, He Dun was approached by Fang Yuxuan, Qian Kaiyi's ex-girlfriend. Fang Yuxuan, in a veiled jab, implied Qian Kaiyi had a changeable taste, then "accidentally" spilled red wine on He Dun's dress. He Dun calmly accepted it as a "special gift." Learning of this incident, Lili, recognized Fang Yuxuan as a former host from "Emotional Inn" and Qian Kaiyi's rumored ex-partner, declared her intention to investigate Fang Yuxuan.
