Who would study psychology if they didn't have some kind of problem?

Chapter 146 Family Members Enter
Nan Zhuren appears to have offered three options.

In fact, Li Minglu had almost no choice.

First, option two – let Li Minglu work hard to change his life.

He definitely tried his best, but has anything changed?

If he had, he wouldn't have suffered so much damage that it has now turned into depression.

That leaves you with only two options: option one, "escape life," and option three, "change your wife."

Choose one of the two options.

Nan Zhuren looked at Li Minglu's expression.

The pupils did not dilate or constrict, showing no sign of surprise.

There were almost no changes around the eyes, nose, and cheeks.

This shows that my suggestion was within his plans; these were all things he had considered before.

However—it had no effect, or rather, it wasn't implemented.

Nan Zhuren gained a new understanding of Li Minglu's motivation level.

"Have you thought about what I just said, have you?"

“Yes.” Li Minglu nodded.

"This means you did try to solve the problem, but ultimately failed—no, you didn't even try, right?"

Li Minglu looked up at Nan Zhuren and said to himself, "I've tried—I want to be a good husband, I earn money, I care for the kids, I support the family..."

“But it doesn’t work, right?” Nan Zhuren interrupted directly.

Li Minglu paused for a moment, then nodded.

Have you discussed your thoughts with your wife?

Li Minglu gritted his teeth and shook his head.

"No."

"why?"

“I…don’t want to put any more pressure on Sui Sui. She’s suffered a lot with me, and it hasn’t been easy for her. It would be wrong of me to make these demands on her under these circumstances.”

Okay, the excessive self-blame is starting to take effect.

"Besides, I think she'll understand me. Or, one day our lives will start to change in that direction..."

Okay, it's not just about excessive self-blame anymore.

Nan Zhuren pursed her lips.

"So you've never shared your feelings about life with your wife?"

"No."

"Has your wife told you how she feels about your family life?"

"...some."

"What kind of."

Li Minglu lowered his head: "Not quite satisfied."

Nan Zhuren observed Li Minglu's reaction.

Are you feeling guilty again now?

Nan Zhuren wanted to know exactly how dissatisfied Wang Sui was with her life, but he figured that given Li Minglu's current state, he probably wouldn't say.

Even if they did tell, they would cover it up.

"What did she say?" Out of trust and expectation, Nan Zhuren still asked.

Sure enough, Li Minglu started stammering, and his facial micro-expressions immediately switched to "I'm going to lie" mode.

Nan Zhuren smiled calmly and interrupted Li Minglu just as he was about to utter his first lie.

"How about this."

Nan Zhuren glanced at the clock; it was almost forty minutes past the appointed time.

However, he felt that Li Minglu's performance today was exceptional, and it wouldn't be unreasonable to extend it by ten or twenty minutes, making it an hour, to strike while the iron was hot.

Nan Zhuren thought about the plans he had made before, pondering and making appropriate adjustments.

She continued, "Today you told me many things you've never discussed with a therapist or even your family before, such as your parents' situation and your previous views on your life." "This is a very rare breakthrough."

"Therefore, I now have a further suggestion—"

Nan Zhuren looked at Li Minglu and said, "Why don't you invite your wife in? You two can discuss your views in the consultation room, what do you say?"

"I can also take this opportunity to see her reaction to this."

One characteristic of depression is a lack of expression.

Nan Zhuren knew that once Li Minglu left this consultation room, he would never be able to talk to anyone so much again.

Not to mention, delving into the topic to one's own deepest thoughts.

But if Li Minglu's condition is to improve, he must express himself, especially to his wife Wang Sui.

He then used his wife Wang Sui's reaction to motivate Li Minglu to take action and change his current situation.

Of course, it would be even better if Wang Sui, after learning of Li Minglu's thoughts, reflected on her own behavior and began to actively improve Li Minglu's life.

Nan Zhuren desperately wanted to see this happen.

I desperately hope so.

But, if that doesn't work—

Nan Zhuren looked at Li Minglu.

It's up to you now.

What a counselor can do is to uncover previously hidden information and then present all the options available to you.

……

After Nan Zhuren and his assistant Shen Bing, who was waiting outside, explained their thoughts, the assistant looked surprised.

After forty minutes, they decided to extend the session to an hour free of charge and even asked family members to come in to start family counseling.

This looks very strange no matter how you look at it.

But when applied to Teacher Nan, it doesn't seem so strange.

soon.

click-

"Teacher Nan?"

Wang Sui's face peeked in, full of curiosity.

"Please take a seat."

Nan Zhuren gestured towards the sofa.

"I'm sorry to have called you in at the last minute."

Wang Sui sat down on the double sofa, following the direction of Nan Zhuren's right hand. She sat next to Li Minglu, their arms touching, but she didn't look at him at all.

She smiled politely at Nan Zhuren's apology: "It's nothing. Teacher Nan, didn't you say before that you might ask me to come and help me with my husband's consultation? I've been waiting outside, and I thought I wouldn't have the chance today."

As she spoke, her gaze lingered on Nan Zhuren's face for a moment before wandering aimlessly around the room.

"You seem very curious about what's going on inside the consultation room?" Nan Zhuren pointed out the other person's behavior directly.

“Yes,” Wang Sui replied, “because I’ve accompanied my husband to psychological counseling for over a year, but I’ve never actually come in during a session.”

She said nonchalantly, "Coming in isn't a good thing either!"

Nan Zhuren kept the corners of her mouth turned up and down, neither rising nor falling.

At this moment, there was only one more person in the consultation room. Although the room was still spacious, the atmosphere was noticeably more "crowded".

"I need to correct you a little."

Nan Zhuren reminded Wang Sui, "It's not 'I consult with Mr. Li', but strictly speaking, it's 'I consult with you and Mr. Li'."

"I don't need psychological counseling!"

Faced with Nan Zhuren's reminder, Wang Sui refuted him without hesitation.

Then she casually added, "Teacher Nan, you guys just habitually call everything 'consultation,' right? My previous teacher also said the same thing to me, saying he would 'consult' me, but in the end he just told me how to take care of my husband as a family member of someone with depression."

While Wang Sui was speaking, Nan Zhuren glanced at Li Minglu.

(End of this chapter)