Love in a Mental Hospital

Being able to eat in the canteen meant she was no longer prone to sudden outbreaks, otherwise she might now be lying on the floor crying.

"Wait, Xiaoting, how about we make him tell a joke as a penalty?" Chen Ke laughed, seemingly not caring about Liu Xiaoting's serious tone.

Liu Xiaoting said happily, "Sure!"

Su Qing ate with increasing relish, her eyes crescent, eagerly awaiting the joke.

She could definitely own a [Spiritual World], because nothing could only make her laugh.

Gu Ran: "..."

"Go on, tell it." Chen Ke laughed.

"I've thought about it, but all that comes to mind are... dirty jokes," Gu Ran said.

All three of them laughed.

Liu Xiaoting didn't show the slightest embarrassment but instead was oddly excited, "Go on, it's fine even if it's a dirty joke!"

This time Gu Ran was genuinely speechless.

He explained, "Actually, the joke I just told is a joke."

"...Huh?" Liu Xiaoting was stunned.

Chen Ke covered her mouth and laughed.

Su Qing stopped eating, supporting her forehead with her hand and bowing her head as she laughed.

Liu Xiaoting calmed down, even with a decisiveness reminiscent of a battlefield, "I want to hear a joke."

An episode began.

Liu Xiaoting's episodes usually started in the morning, the closer to nighttime, the better her mental state, almost indistinguishable from a normal person after sunset.

After treatment, her condition had improved but the timing of her outbursts became unpredictable, like now, during the day.

The smile on Chen Ke's face immediately turned into concern.

Su Qing also restrained her smile, but didn't care too much.

In a place unseen by the others, the nurses were already ready to intervene. If not for the presence of the doctor, they would have crowded around to offer comfort.

Liu Xiaoting was like a baby, always showered with praise from nurses for anything she did—almost all psychiatric patients received this treatment.

In fact, during her episode, Gu Ran did nothing.

His initial few observations were subtle, but her awareness of the outside gaze had gone beyond keenness.

To describe this situation as "Diary of a Madman" wasn't an exaggeration at all; anyone who looked at her would be thought to pity her.

"Um—, let me think." Gu Ran tried hard to remember some online jokes.

"I'll tell one," Liu Xiaoting suddenly said.

"Sure!" Chen Ke responded, assuming an expectant look.

Liu Xiaoting said, "When I was a child, I thought I would grow up to save the world, but as I grew up I realized, the whole world couldn't save me."

"Ha, hahaha, hahahaha!" Chen Ke forced a laugh.

Su Qing clapped her hands.

Gu Ran felt she was clapping for Chen Ke's effort.

Su Qing's eyes turned towards him, filled with authority.

Under the pressure, Gu Ran also clapped.

"You can laugh at such a cold joke?" Liu Xiaoting found it amusing.

Chen Ke hurriedly said, "Everyone's sense of humor is different, some people don't feel a thing for jokes others find amusing."

"It's also related to one's intelligence," Gu Ran placated her, "If Children's Day holidays were given based on intelligence, all three of us would get a holiday."

"I wouldn't," Su Qing refused.

Chen Ke couldn't say much, her smile carried a subtle refusal.

"Hahaha!" Liu Xiaoting burst into laughter, clutching her stomach, "Ow, my stomach hurts!"

Su Qing looked at Gu Ran with admiration, "You do have a talent for telling jokes."

"Heh."

In fact, they were both just playing along with him.

After the laughter, Liu Xiaoting's appetite seemed to have improved a bit.

She asked Su Qing, "Doctor Su, when is the next time we can go out? I want to make skewers for you all."

"I'll ask about it and let Chen Ke tell you," Su Qing said, "But if you want to go out, you also have to pass a health assessment."

"Okay!" Liu Xiaoting was very serious about this privilege to go out.

And yet she could easily be taken home by her family, and once home, wouldn't going out be simple? The family would surely accompany her.

But she would rather stay in Jinghai.

Gu Ran read in "Doctor's Diary" that this behavior suggested Liu Xiaoting was disappointed with the outside world and didn't want to trouble her family.

After eating, there was a break for a midday rest, and the three walked around Jinghai.

Su Qing took them to the farming area and the animal area.

The farming area was full of vegetables, brimming with life. Each patient who came in was given a plot of land to grow whatever they wished.

Liu Xiaoting planted potatoes.

She said she liked eating potatoes and also enjoyed the moment of pulling out the fully grown potatoes.

"That was really dangerous earlier," Gu Ran walked between the fields, still shaken.

"Do you still think it's idle and easy?" Su Qing asked with a smile, "The patients are the clients. If they get angry, we have to accompany them; if they're happy and want to talk, no matter whether you were hit or insulted before, you have to smile—as if you were the emperor and his court ladies and eunuchs."

"Don't think I don't know you're quietly calling me a eunuch," Gu Ran said.

"You don't need a holiday for Children's Day at all," Su Qing walked with her hands behind her back among the lush vegetables, occasionally playing with the fruits with her fingers.

They rested for a while, getting ready to go back to the office.

Chen Ke, concerned about Liu Xiaoting, headed to the residential area.

Actually, a female doctor visiting a female patient still needs a nurse accompanying her. The rule isn't as strict as for male doctors, and at this moment, she had no nurse by her side.

Entering the room, Liu Xiaoting sat in front of the window, seemingly ready to paint but hesitating to start.

Turning her head and seeing Chen Ke, her face turned slightly red.

"Ake, about what happened in the canteen—"

Chen Ke laughed, realizing she had regained her judgment and composure, so Liu Xiaoting was overwhelmingly embarrassed at this moment!

Chen Ke walked over and, like a tomboy, lifted Liu Xiaoting's chin with her finger: "Come on, tell me a joke."

Liu Xiaoting's face flushed red in an instant, almost exploding with embarrassment.

After some fuss, she said to Chen Ke, "Ake, could you please call Gu Ran over? I want to apologize to him face to face."