A White Cloud (GL ABO) - Chapter 29

“Why?”

Tomb Cheng didn’t expect Xu Yiyi’s mental condition to be like this.

In her eyes, the little girl seemed very pitiful at their first meeting.

Shen Zhiqing likely knew Tomb Cheng, as another involved party, was completely unaware.

Besides, Xu Yiyi was a young patient who couldn’t express herself at all.

“Her hypothalamus barely reacts to stimuli. But when she encounters things related to you, her prefrontal cortex activity shows a clear upward trend. The brainstem network also awakens her emotions at the same time, and only then does her hypothalamus perceive happiness.”

“Only after her brain goes through this series of processes does she speak to us.”

Seeing Tomb Cheng still couldn’t understand, Shen Zhiqing explained in the simplest way, “In other words, she relies on you extremely. She’s reached the point of not perceiving anything except you.”

Tomb Cheng frowned. She recalled Dean Luo saying Xu Yiyi didn’t speak to anyone at the orphanage, often squatting alone in a corner, staring blankly at other children playing.

“Is Yiyi’s condition very serious?” Tomb Cheng worried about her state.

As she spoke, she wanted to get up and check on the child next door.

Shen Zhiqing held her back and shook her head, “Don’t disturb her sleep.”

For someone with autism, sufficient and good sleep was a luxury. At Xu Yiyi’s age, controlling sleep was even harder.

“Children’s dependence on adults decreases as they grow.

That’s because they encounter and accept more diverse things as they mature.

Their brains grow too, so over time, their dependence lessens.”

“But her case is special. Her brain rejects the outside world.”

Shen Zhiqing looked up at her, “Didn’t you ask why she doesn’t recognize me?”

Tomb Cheng nodded blankly, sensing a hint of the answer but unable to articulate it.

Shen Zhiqing traced an imaginary circle on the blanket with her finger and pointed at its center, “This dot is her. The circle is what she remembers about you. Anything beyond this range is what she rejects.”

“In other words, she only recognizes me as the doctor you call in the hospital, not me outside it.”

Shen Zhiqing looked at her, a fleeting bitterness flashing in her eyes, “She trusts you one hundred percent.”

In other words, everything not named Tomb Cheng was foreign to Xu Yiyi’s perception, unimportant beyond her safe circle.

A child’s dependence on a parent is innate.

Xu Yiyi’s dependence on Tomb Cheng deepened as her brain changed, growing stronger.

Shen Zhiqing had to tell Tomb Cheng her professional judgment.

“Dependent personality disorder?”

Tomb Cheng looked at her in disbelief.

Shen Zhiqing said a five-year-old had a personality disorder? That was…

Shen Zhiqing felt stung by her blatant skepticism.

Thinking of the reasons for Tomb Cheng’s distrust, she quickly adjusted.

She placed her hand on Tomb Cheng’s palm, her curled fingertips gently scratching it, the slight itch like a cat’s claw.

Shen Zhiqing shifted her legs, sitting face-to-face with her, “A person’s personality forms gradually in childhood.

Family, culture, experiences, cognition, and learning shape it over time.”

“It’s not that she’s at that stage now. But if she keeps rejecting the outside world, a dependent personality disorder could develop.”

Tomb Cheng remained skeptical.

Shen Zhiqing didn’t mind her reaction much.

She scratched her palm again and sighed softly, “Don’t worry too much. Her condition isn’t too bad.”

“Is there worse?” Tomb Cheng frowned and asked.

Shen Zhiqing’s fingertips paused.

She didn’t look at her, only rubbed her palm, her voice soft and slow, as if echoing from afar, “Yes, many tragedies of people enduring family abuse yet refusing to leave involve dependent personality disorder. Timely guidance and help can build a healthy personality and help her recover.”

Tomb Cheng didn’t fully agree or disagree, but she sensed Shen Zhiqing’s words held no malice.

She couldn’t treat Xu Yiyi’s situation lightly.

After weighing it, Tomb Cheng turned her hand to hold Shen Zhiqing’s, her eyes hopeful, “Senior.”

Just one title, and Shen Zhiqing could guess her thoughts. She was always like this.

Shen Zhiqing tilted her head and kissed her lips gently, as if proving herself.

She lifted their clasped hands, interlocking their fingers tightly against her cheek, rubbing affectionately, “Trust me this time, okay?”

She gazed at her.

The heartfelt talk and sincerity in her eyes calmed Tomb Cheng’s restless heart.

She saw Shen Zhiqing’s changes. The conflict in her eyes, hidden behind glasses, dissipated.

Tomb Cheng replied softly, “Hmm.”

Compared to others, her feelings for Shen Zhiqing, however complex, held a deep affection and trust.

It was like the first time she saw Shen Zhiqing, who remained special in her heart.

Before waking Xu Yiyi in the morning, Tomb Cheng took Shen Zhiqing back across the hall.

Though the woman’s sleepy eyes held reluctance, Tomb Cheng firmly placed her in bed, leaving a kiss on her forehead like a promise.

The sleepy ragdoll cat, confused by humans, yawned lazily and nestled beside its owner, closing its eyes peacefully.

“See you later,” Tomb Cheng said, her voice slightly hoarse from a sleepless night, her mind preoccupied.

She tucked the blanket around her and left.

Shen Zhiqing curled up in the blanket, like returning to her mother’s womb, finally accepting that Xu Yiyi was now Tomb Cheng’s concern.

Shen Zhiqing had no clinic that day and rested briefly.

Her sleep was restless.

The sunlight outside didn’t wake her.

The cat paced on the bed, watching its sleeping owner.

The woman’s light brown hair spilled over the pillow.

Her faint breathing brushed the sheet. Bread stepped onto the pillow beside Shen Zhiqing, licked its paw, and scratched gently at her hair roots with a damp paw.

“Meow~” Seeing Shen Zhiqing stir, Bread let out a soft, tender meow.

Shen Zhiqing didn’t budge.

Bread felt resentful.

Why hadn’t its owner gotten up to feed it?

Outside, sunlight shone brightly.

Spring breezes rustled the willow branches, making soft sounds.

Tomb Cheng squatted before Xu Yiyi, her eyes encouraging.

She watched her put on the other sandal and touched her head, “Great job.”

Opening the door, Tomb Cheng held Xu Yiyi’s hand in one hand and carried a kraft paper bag in the other—the one Shen Zhiqing used for a cake, still bearing its logo.

The two, one big, one small, stood at the door.

Tomb Cheng glanced at Xu Yiyi hiding behind her leg.

The girl’s face showed no expression, but Tomb Cheng felt nervous.

She faintly heard a cat’s meow inside.

Ding-dong.

The doorbell rang, but no one answered for a long time.