Want Some Candy

Though he had no experience in psychological counseling, Ye Shuang still offered, "You can tell me about it."

The girl asked, "Do you follow celebrities, Doctor? Doesn’t everyone have a star they admire?"

Ye Shuang thought for a moment before replying, "Well, that’s pretty normal."

Though he personally didn’t follow celebrities, he could understand that for some fans, it was about pursuing something beautiful—an idealized version of themselves.

"Right? It’s totally normal to be a fan," the girl continued. "But just because I kept my promise and wore a wedding dress to my idol’s concert, my boyfriend wants to break up with me. Even my parents said they’d disown me. Isn’t that ridiculous?"

Ye Shuang: "..."

His hand trembled slightly as he picked up his thermos and took a sip of water. "Yeah... I guess that’s pretty ridiculous."

Though he wasn’t entirely sure who was being ridiculous here.

"Exactly!" The girl huffed, seemingly finding validation in Ye Shuang’s response.

The school infirmary fell silent for a few seconds as Ye Shuang drank his water. Then, he suddenly asked, "Do you like your boyfriend?"

"Of course I do! Otherwise, I wouldn’t be with him—though he was the one who pursued me," the girl said with a laugh.

Ye Shuang paused before asking another question. "Do you love your parents?"

The girl gave him a strange look. "Obviously?"

Ye Shuang nodded. "Alright. Let’s get back to your idol. I’m guessing you know his birthday?"

The girl immediately brightened, rattling off details like a pro:

"Are you testing me? He’s 184 cm tall, weighs 60 kg, birthday is August 2nd, Leo, blood type A, famous for works like Itchy Lungs and Just a Training Manual..."

Ye Shuang listened quietly until she finished. Then, with a meaningful tone, he asked,

"Hey, student."

"What?"

"Do you know your boyfriend’s birthday?"

The question caught her off guard. She frowned, struggling to recall, before pulling out her phone. "Hold on, I have it saved in my calendar."

Ye Shuang shook his head. "Never mind. What about your parents’ birthdays? Or their height and weight?"

She rolled her eyes. "I don’t remember their birthdays. Why would I need to know their height and weight?"

Ye Shuang echoed, "Yeah, why would you?"

Her frown deepened.

"If you love your boyfriend and your parents, why don’t you remember their birthdays?" he pressed.

The girl stared at him, unable to come up with an answer.

"I thought you’d be different, Doctor. Turns out you’re just like the rest. What’s it to you if I’m a fan?" She stood up and stormed out without another word.

Ye Shuang didn’t react.

To him, idolizing celebrities was about admiration—being drawn to someone’s shining qualities, whether it was their personality or looks. It was a form of looking up to someone.

Appreciating something beautiful was normal. But going to extremes—spending money to boost rankings, chasing them at airports, wearing wedding dresses, or even fighting other fans—was a bit strange to him.

At least when you tip a novelist, they say thank you.

Ye Shuang didn’t dwell on it. It wasn’t his business anyway; the student had just come to him for counseling.

"Hmm?" He suddenly wondered if he should’ve just agreed with her instead.

Wasn’t that what therapists were supposed to do—just go along with what the patient said?

He pulled out his phone and started reading an e-book on counseling techniques.

When dealing with someone troubled, the first rule was to nod along...

"Being a school doctor isn’t as easy as I thought," he mused, feeling a wave of drowsiness from last night’s lack of sleep.

Just as he was about to close his eyes for a quick nap, a faintly sweet scent tickled his nose.

He opened his eyes slowly—only to meet a pair of round, unblinking ones inches from his face.

"Whoa—?!"

The sudden proximity made Ye Shuang jerk back, nearly toppling his chair.

A stocking-clad leg shot out, steadying the chair before it could fall. The girl in front of him had a lollipop in her mouth and mumbled, "Jeez, what’s your problem?"

"How do you walk without making a sound?!"

An Shiyu tilted her head, her neat bangs swaying slightly. "Because I’m a ninja."

"You’re still on about that?!" Ye Shuang groaned.

Ignoring his exasperation, An Shiyu said, "Sleeping on the job? That’s a pay cut."

"I was just resting my eyes." He eyed her, hands stuffed in her pockets. "Skipping class again?"

"Nope. I’m not feeling well," she said.

Ye Shuang gave her a once-over. "What’s wrong?"

"Everything. That’s why I’m here." She stretched lazily. "So, not skipping class."

Ye Shuang realized she was just faking it to ditch class. His eye twitched. "How is this any different?"

"Big difference. I’m sick."

"You’re faking it."

An Shiyu clicked her tongue and turned away. "Ugh, you’re such a stiff adult. If you can’t adapt, you’ll never make it as a leader. Society’s gonna chew you up."

Ye Shuang: "..."

Why was he being lectured by a kid?

Sometimes, he really wanted to treat this girl like an ansai yaogu drum—just beat some sense into her.

"Want some candy?" An Shiyu suddenly asked.

"Sure." He was still drowsy, and gum didn’t sound appealing. A change of flavor might help.

An Shiyu pulled the lollipop out of her mouth and held it out. "Here."

Ye Shuang: "..."

"Don’t you have another one?"

"I only offered because I didn’t want this one anymore."

"I don’t want your slobber, thanks."

An Shiyu pondered. "What if I wipe it with a tissue?"

"Absolutely not!"

Shrugging, she popped the candy back into her mouth and flopped onto the infirmary bed in the corner.

Just as Ye Shuang was about to return to his book, her voice drifted over again:

"Oh, right. My grandpa wants to see you."

"Your grandpa?" He recalled the old man from the cafeteria—the one he’d advised to get his heart checked.