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

Chapter 4 Micro-expression Analysis - Beginner

Facing the flashing "Personal Profile" and another glowing dot on the computer screen, Nan Zhuren firmly tapped it.

[View Personal Profile]

Name: Nan Zhuren

Job Title: Trainee Psychological Counselor
Consultation duration: 0 hours
Case files: 0

Skill mastery: None

It's very simple, but it doesn't seem to be of much use at the moment.

Nan Zhuren turned his gaze to the bottom of the screen, which displayed "Technique Mastery: None".

A qualified counselor needs to master a variety of counseling techniques, and mastering each technique requires several training sessions.

A long cycle means the depletion of youth. Often, by the time a psychotherapist has received sufficient training and supervision and has grown to the point where they can independently handle cases, they are already over thirty years old.

Therefore, many psychology students jokingly say that they have chosen a career with a long developmental period.

Besides time, financial costs are also a major obstacle to the growth of counselors. Many advanced counseling techniques require tuition fees exceeding five figures to learn, and the cost is even higher if one studies abroad.

This creates a logical loop for many novice counselors: they want to make money, so they become counselors; but to become a counselor, they need to spend money and time.

"Could this dream possibly help me master psychological techniques?"

Nan Zhuren looked at the subtitles in front of him.

You have a [psychological training] document that is pending collection.

Please collect it promptly.

Nan Zhuren took a deep breath. If that was the case, then the value of this cheat was truly perfect for his profession.

You have received [psychological training]

You have mastered the technique [Micro-expression analysis - Beginner]

In that instant, Nan Zhuren felt as if he had undergone an indescribable change. He couldn't put words into words to describe this change, after all, it wasn't a change in height or muscle expansion.

But he knew something had happened.

“But… that’s it?” Nan Zhuren frowned. This was quite different from what he had imagined. “I’ve already mastered [Micro-expression Analysis]? So fast? Although it’s only at the [Beginner] level.”

"What if I want to learn other techniques? And how do I upgrade from the [Beginner] level?"

As Nan Zhuren finished speaking, the [Monthly Goals] and [Career Development] suddenly appeared flashing below the [Personal Profile].

【月度目标：1个月内完成“心理咨询”10小时（0/10），完成后进行1次“心理能力培训”】

[Career Development: File 1 "Case File" (0/1), and complete 1 "Psychological Techniques Advanced Training" session.]
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The wall clock stubbornly carried out its mission, its second and minute hands spinning at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Time gradually reached a point that suffocated the working class.

"Xiaojia, you're up early today too!"

The sensor door of the information center opened, and a middle-aged man walked towards the front desk.

This seems to be a very stubborn man. He has a moderate build, and you can tell he's been working out diligently to curb middle-age weight gain. However, some things are beyond the control of stubbornness, such as baldness.

The bald man's friendly address and the casual conversation prompted Lu Jia to give a professional smile: "I come here this early every day because I need to organize my daily schedule."

"Also, your way of addressing me is too greasy, Teacher Yang."

Lu Jia's smile, though awkward, was quite professional, and it was clear that she was disgusted by the impolite way the middle-aged man addressed her.

Yang Xudao is a psychological counselor at the counseling center. At Yannuo Counseling Center, counselors clock in a little later than assistants and other administrative staff. More senior counselors don't even need to clock in; they only need to come when they have scheduled consultations.

It's a true flexible work schedule. But for bald Yang Xudao, a consultant, to arrive so early isn't because he loves his job; rather, he has ulterior motives.

His identity as a psychological counselor also meant that he had considerable ability to manage his facial expressions and emotions, which made him ignore Lu Jia's previous statement.

“But that’s what the boss and supervisor call you, Xiao Jia.” Yang Xudao revealed what he considered a gentle smile, trying to exude the unique mature charm of a middle-aged man.

Lu Jia put away her professional smile: "You said it yourself, it's the boss and Sister Pingting."

Yang Xudao was persistent, repeatedly trying to address the receptionist affectionately as "Xiao Jia." However, the middle-aged man's sparse hair clearly failed to pique the receptionist's interest, whose mind was already filled with images of young, handsome faces.

Suddenly, a noise came from inside the consultation room.

The sound surprised Yang Xudao. Had other people come to check in at this time? Could it be that a new receptionist had arrived?

At the same time, Yang Xudao saw Lu Jia's face suddenly brighten: "Teacher Xiao Nan! Have you finished using the sandplay room?"

Based on his solid experience in psychological counseling, Yang Xudao could tell that the young receptionist's smile was not a professional one, but a genuine one.

……

Nan Zhuren gently closed the door of the miniature garden room.

He walked straight to the front desk, and his handsome face and Yang Xudao's sparsely haired head were instantly in the same field of vision.

When both of these things are in the same field of vision, a sense of contrast is naturally and firmly revealed.

"Hello, I'm Nan Zhuren, starting work today." Nan Zhuren politely extended his hand to Yang Xudao.

Yang Xudao responded with a very practiced handshake, seemingly unfazed, but he actually sensed a threat.

However, at his age, he had long since seen through some of the essence of society and knew that appearance was not always that important: "Teacher Xiao Nan? Are you a new consultant who joined today? You're very young."

"No, I was hired as a consulting assistant."

"Oh right, I heard the boss mention it a couple of days ago. We should indeed have a new assistant today."

The balding consultant straightened his back, which would allow him to handle the situation more skillfully.

Bald Yang's gaze swept between Lu Jia and Nan Zhuren, revealing a reserved concern: "Nan, study hard. It's not impossible for you to go from assistant to consultant. Our center's career development plan is quite transparent. But why are your eyes so dark? Is it because of your girlfriend? If you ask me, young people should..."

Yang Xudao didn't finish his sentence because Nan Zhuren, after greeting him, had no intention of continuing the conversation and had already turned to Lu Jia.

"I couldn't help but fall asleep for a while in the sandbox room. I'm a little groggy. Could you help me check how much time I have left before I have to go to work?"

"Is she asleep? Teacher Xiao Nan doesn't seem to be in good spirits," Lu Jia said, feigning nonchalance. "Is it really because of your girlfriend?"

"I don't have a girlfriend, it's just because of work."

Upon hearing this, Lu Jia immediately became charming again: "It's getting late, and it's almost time to go to work. But if Teacher Xiao Nan is too tired, just rest. Anyway, there's not much work on the first day. I'll call you when the boss arrives!"

"Oh? Thank you then."

Lu Jia lowered her head: "From now on, Teacher Xiao Nan doesn't need to be so polite when she talks to me. My close colleagues all call me Xiao Jia, so you can call me that too."

Bald Yang, who was posing with a furrowed brow, suddenly froze.

Lu Jia, her ears red, looked down for a long time without receiving a response. When she looked up, she only saw Nan Zhuren's last silhouette disappear around the corner.

Nan Zhuren walked heavily to his workstation and collapsed like a lump of mud.

Fall down and go to sleep.

Heavy, rhythmic breathing soon filled the air, and this time, both the receptionist and Bald Yang froze.

(End of this chapter)