A Psychiatrist's Bizarre Game Journey / Dream of the Mist

"!"

The group looked utterly shocked and turned to the production crew in surprise. The eldest member of the group quickly asked, "No way... is he the one pretending to be a mental patient? He's acting so convincingly. No wonder he's a psychiatrist; his observation skills are amazing."

"What you said is mostly right, but not entirely right. But that's understandable, because... in fact, the production team lied to you."

Zhou Ke'er curled her lip. "Although I personally think that this kind of trickery, which misleads people from the very question itself, is really despicable, I have to say it's quite effective. Oh, I'm getting off-topic... The correct answer is actually that none of the four of us are mentally ill. We are all medical staff here."

"what?!"

The group of people looked even more shocked.

"This person with gender dysphoria is Dr. Chen, this person with depression is Nurse An, and this normal person who didn't say a word, oh, the one who did say a word, is Nurse Li. I am Zhou Ke'er."

Zhou Ke'er squinted and introduced each of them, from number one to herself, in a sarcastic tone.

"Huh? What on earth is going on?"

Bai Lianhua feigned confusion and turned to the production crew, asking, "Didn't you say there was only one normal person hiding inside? How come there isn't even a single real patient in the end? Aren't you just messing with us?"

"That's right. We hope to tell everyone through this segment that we should never have preconceived notions about mental patients. You see, because we told you in advance that three of them are mental patients, no matter how they behave, you will have a preconceived impression."

The production team offered a forced explanation: "The purpose of this warm-up activity is to encourage everyone to set aside prejudices and treat them with sincerity and equality."

"Actually... I don't think these things should be said to us..."

Upon hearing this, Bitch couldn't help but mutter under her breath.

"Yes, yes, what you said makes me feel like we psychiatrists are being subtly attacked. I'm so angry I'm trembling all over, sweating profusely in this sweltering heat, my hands and feet are ice cold. Can this society ever get any better? How are we psychiatrists supposed to live before you're satisfied? Tears are streaming down my face uncontrollably. This society is filled with oppression against psychiatrists! When will psychiatrists finally be able to stand up for themselves!"

Zhou Ke'er sighed, staring at the talkative production team with dead fish eyes, and said quietly.

"And most importantly... you didn't even tell us to act like normal people. We agreed to pretend to be mentally ill, didn't we? It would be strange if we psychiatrists could tell if we were pretending, right?"

Even Dr. Chen, who suffers from gender dysphoria, couldn't help but protest.

## Chapter 277, Section 272: The Great Adventure in the Mental Hospital

After being angrily criticized by everyone, the production team could only quickly laugh it off and change the subject, "Okay... well, now that the warm-up activities are over, let's really begin today's tasks. Come and get your first task card for today."

Upon hearing this, the older brother stepped forward, made a few jokes on behalf of the production team, then took the task card and loudly diverted everyone's attention: "Okay, let's see what today's first task is."

This tone sounds like he's coaxing a child. Is this guy a former children's channel host...?

Zhou Ke'er couldn't help but silently complain to himself. He figured he wouldn't have anything to do after that. Once these troublesome guys were gone, he could legitimately slip away to his office, lock the door, and play games! Anyway, because of the filming today, no patients would come in, so why not slack off? Besides... if it weren't for Zhou Nasen keeping an eye on things, he would have already sneaked home.

Just as Zhou Ke'er was beginning to consider whether to play the single-player or multiplayer mode later, she suddenly heard a voice: "Then I want to choose him, Dr. Zhou. Is that okay?"

"??"

Zhou Ke'er heard someone calling him and instantly snapped back to reality. He looked in the direction of the speaker and saw that it was Biao Biao.

"what happened?"

Seeing that everyone else was looking at him, and that the person in question, Biao Biao, didn't explain what was going on, Zhou Ke'er had no choice but to ask.

"That's how it is..."

Seeing Zhou Ke'er's bewildered expression, the older brother knew that she had been distracted and hadn't been listening carefully, so he quickly smoothed things over and explained.

Basically, the show's production team placed "task props" in several special patient rooms inside a mental hospital. The participants' task was to negotiate with the patients through the walls to get them to hand over the "task props." Once the allotted time was up or all the "task props" had been collected, the participants were ranked according to the number of props they had obtained.

Furthermore, each participant can choose a staff member from a mental hospital as an assistant on-site.

Incidentally, those special wards are separated by specially made glass walls, so you can see inside from the outside and vice versa, and sound can also travel through them, meaning that normal communication is not hindered.

Of course, these specially made glass walls are of very high quality, so there are basically no safety hazards. In addition, there is a small door specifically for sending food in, so people inside can also pass things out through it.

These wards were originally intended to house dangerous patients with self-harm or violent tendencies, suitable for close monitoring... However, if this is for filming a TV program, these dangerous patients would probably have been transferred to other wards temporarily. Those inside are either patients with mild symptoms and low risk, or simply staff members in disguise.

It's just a routine.

Zhou Ke'er immediately understood what was going on, so looking at Biao Biao's expectant expression, he said in a serious and forceful tone, "But I refuse!"

Biao Biao was stunned when she saw that Zhou Ke'er refused so decisively and without hesitation. She stared at Zhou Ke'er in shock.

However, before anyone else could help persuade Zhou Ke'er or comfort (or reassure) her, Zhou Nasen, who had been watching the filming from the sidelines, stood up, looked at Zhou Ke'er with a smile, and said in a very normal tone, "One month's living expenses."

"!"

Zhou Ke'er gasped in shock; the surrounding temperature instantly rose several degrees. How despicable! This scoundrel was threatening her with her living expenses! Did he think he'd succumb to mere money?! Blind fool! She was better off leaving the Zhou family!

Zhou Ke'er sneered, her eyes flashing, and she immediately said arrogantly, "Ah, sorry, I was just joking. Actually, I'm very willing to help. Serving patients is my job as a psychiatrist! I'm happy to serve you! Leave this to me!"

"Oh, I see. I thought Dr. Zhou disliked me."

Biao Biao patted her rather large chest, blinked, and said to Zhou Ke'er with a very aggrieved look.

Ha, you're clearly a slut, why are you pretending to be innocent? This doesn't fit your persona at all!

Besides, he's not even as good-looking as Zhou Ke'er herself when she transforms into a seductive vixen in the game. He doesn't have that strong bitch vibe either. A nine-fold Aquarius? Zhou Ke'er thinks that if that's the case, he could become a star by dressing up as a woman.

"Ah, I didn't expect you to discover how well I had hidden it. B... ah, I mean, Miss Si, you really have keen insight and sharp eyes! I admire you."

Zhou Ke'er put on a very admiring expression and flattered him. No one could see that she was being insincere. However, there seemed to be something wrong with her words.

The bitch's expression froze for a mere 0.001 seconds, but she quickly regained her composure before the camera could react.

Yes, as long as she changes her expression quickly enough, the camera won't be able to react.

"Oh, I'm not as good as Dr. Zhou says."

The woman casually brushed it off, maintaining a smile as she extended her hand to Zhou Ke'er, continuing, "Since we're going to complete this mission together, let's get to know each other again. Although you probably already know who I am..."

"Oh...who are you?"

Zhou Ke'er scratched her head, hesitated for a moment, and asked tentatively, "An actress?"

"..."

Biao Biao maintained her smile with difficulty, her cheeks almost cramping. After a moment, she spoke in a slightly trembling voice, as if she hadn't heard Zhou Ke'er's words at all, "Although you may already know who I am, let me reintroduce myself. My name is Si Huanian. It's nice to meet you. Let's work together from now on."

She had originally planned to introduce herself again and try to get some screen time, but seeing Zhou Ke'er's completely uncooperative attitude, she had no choice but to say her name and then quickly end the session.

The innocent-looking woman off-camera, watching the bitch's discomfiture, was laughing so hard she was practically rolling on the floor. She didn't even bother to act; it seems their bad relationship isn't a secret they're trying to hide.

"Oh, hello, hello, my name is Zhou Yixian, courtesy name Yizhu, nice to meet you."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Ke'er nodded seriously and said...

"Oh? Aren't you called Zhou Ke'er? That's a rather unique name; I remember it very clearly."

Biao Biao paused for a moment, then looked at Zhou Ke'er with disbelief.

"..."

The young man paused for a moment, then finally couldn't help but lean closer and whispered, "Dr. Zhou was just joking with you... It's a parody of an ancient Chinese poem from the old era—'The brocade zither has fifty strings for no reason, each string and each fret evokes thoughts of bygone years.'"

"I'm sorry, I thought you would know this because your name is Si Huanian. I overestimated you. I'm sorry."

Zhou Ke'er apologized insincerely.

## Chapter 278, 273. Did I bother you?

Si Huannian began to regret that he had made a stupid decision to choose Zhou Ke'er as his helper. He wondered if it was still too late to return her.

But there's nothing she can do. Since she's already made her choice, she can't go back on her word... The series of conversations that just revealed her lack of intelligence was enough to make her the target of ridicule online. If she were to switch allies due to her fragile ego, wouldn't she go from being ridiculed online to being universally hated? That would be even worse.

Since that's the case, the only option left is to shift the blame...

Thinking this, Si Huanian acted as if nothing had just happened, showing a surprised expression as she looked at Bai Lianhua, who was smiling like she was on vibrate mode. She quickly walked over to her side, and once Bai Lianhua was in the frame, she asked before she could react, "Oh? What's wrong with you? Are you feeling unwell?"

It's important to understand that when a normal person is laughing uncontrollably, they can't suddenly stop as if they've stepped on the brakes; in fact, they might laugh even harder for no apparent reason if they're stimulated. It's quite strange.

Then everyone saw the white lotus flower, who was covering her face, suddenly switch from low-frequency vibration to high-frequency vibration, just like a vibrating... ah no, it was shaking as fast as a ticker timer.

Seeing this, the older brother couldn't help but sigh off-camera. He could only try to smooth things over for the two of them, otherwise the show couldn't continue filming.

The muscular man, who was practically invisible during the warm-up, also helped by laughing and changing the subject, while also getting a shot of himself.

After all the commotion, all the participants finally chose their helpers, exchanged pleasantries, and then went off to begin their tasks.

Since Si Huanian didn't know the way, Zhou Ke'er had to lead the way to the mission location.

Zhou Ke'er walked ahead listlessly, silently mourning the game time that had vanished for no reason.

He was wrong, really wrong. He shouldn't have come to this place. He should have said he was sick and couldn't come this morning... If being sick wasn't an option, he could have said he had diarrhea to the point of exhaustion and couldn't come, or 2.

Just as Zhou Ke'er was feeling sorry for herself, Si Huanian suddenly said out of the blue, "Which patient are we going to now? You're a doctor here, you should know which patient is easier to... easier to communicate with, right?"

You were just saying they're relatively easy to deal with, right? Absolutely!

Zhou Ke'er snapped out of her daze, squinted, and replied without turning her head, "Oh, I really didn't know that. I only know where your mission location is. After all, those wards were originally for patients with high-risk conditions, so they were obviously not suitable for you to communicate with them. Therefore, the production team must have replaced you."

Si Huanian's face stiffened. Could he really say something like that?! It'll definitely be cut later! Could this guy have developed a mental illness himself from being a psychiatrist for so long?! If it weren't for the fact that he seemed to have a connection with Zhou Nasen...

"Besides, if we medical staff knew which patients were assigned to those rooms, then everyone would rush to grab the ones that were less dangerous and easier to communicate with... and there might be a clash. Normally, this kind of situation should happen at the end of this segment, right? If it happens at the beginning, it deviates from the script."

Zhou Ke'er continued to explain casually without any restraint, completely unaware that Si Huanian behind her had turned into a (OдO?) expression.

A short while later, Zhou Ke'er and Si Huanian arrived at the door of a special ward.

After glancing at the guy in the ward through the glass wall, Zhou Ke'er pursed her lips and said, "Oh... it's this guy. He's the relatively easy type to talk to. Well then, according to the mission rules, you'll have to handle the negotiations yourself, Miss Si. Of course, you can ask me for help, although I might not agree."

"Um... may I ask what the patient's specific symptoms are?"

Si Huanian was stunned for a moment. The sassy demeanor that he had maintained so well along the way had been almost completely ruined by Zhou Ke'er. Now, his startled appearance made him look a bit silly.

"Oh, he insists that everyone else is an NPC in the game, and he is the only player in this world."

Zhou Ke'er yawned and casually introduced, "According to him, his nickname is 'What can I do about your arrogance?'"

Just then, the patient in the ward also saw Zhou Ke'er and Si Huanian outside through the glass wall. His eyes lit up, and he pounced on the glass wall with a loud "smack," yelling, "You NPC who never tells the truth, how dare you come here! I'm warning you one last time! I'm a player, you're just NPCs. If you know what's good for you, let me out right now. If you don't..."

"Okay, okay, we understand the situation. We're here today to let you out. Be good. As long as you communicate well with the game GM next to you, answer her questions, and do as she says, you can leave after the process is completed."

Zhou Ke'er pointed to Si Huanian beside her and casually replied. Although she didn't want to get involved in this chore at all, since she had been forced into it, she could only help her get it over with quickly so that she could get away as soon as possible.

"Really? I don't believe it!"

The patient looked suspicious. "One of you just told me this morning that you were going to let me out, that I just had to wait here for them to finish the paperwork, but now you've disappeared! And now you're saying I have to answer this guy's questions... Who knows if you're just taking turns trying to trick me!"

"They are them, and we are us! Trust us, answering a few questions won't hurt you."

Zhou Ke'er continued to deceive, and turned to look at Si Huanian, indicating that it was time for her to go on stage.