Who would study psychology unless they had some issues?!-Chapter 347 - 345 Teacher Xiao Zhao: Ready! To! Go! Crazy!

[People cannot control their environment, but they can decide how to react to it. Even in the most extreme situations, people retain one last freedom—choosing their attitude in response to suffering.]

[Anger is a natural reaction to injustice, but if anger engulfs reason, one becomes an oppressor, no different than the perpetrator. Authenticity demands that we act with clear will, rather than being enslaved by emotions.]

[True resistance is not destruction, but creation. Even if the world is absurd and irrational, one can prove the dignity of humanity through small acts of kindness every day.]

[...]

Teacher Xiao Zhao furrowed her brow more and more, and finally angrily slammed the book shut.

"Isn’t this all just toxic positivity? It feels like I’m PUA-ing myself. Is this really psychological consultation or even therapy?"

She slammed her forehead with her palm: "Sure enough... It’s hard to accept!"

"Why can’t [Existentialism] be just as easy to understand and practical as [Behaviorism]!"

The female teacher even swore because of this!

Snap——

The noise behind startled the already furious Teacher Xiao Zhao.

She tensed up.

Her neck turned mechanically backwards bit by bit, discovering——

It was Chonghui who opened the workroom door.

Apparently, he heard what she just said.

Well, as long as it’s not Mr. Nan who hears it—no wait! It’s not okay for Mr. Nan’s apprentice to hear either!

Anger, panic, relaxation, regret.

Teacher Xiao Zhao’s rich and frequent shifts in emotions and expressions made Chonghui, who was part of the [Micro-expression Analysis] research group, sigh in awe.

After thinking it over, Chonghui tentatively comforted: "Well, actually I’m also into [Behaviorism]?"

Teacher Xiao Zhao’s expression collapsed immediately.

Chonghui looked at Teacher Xiao Zhao like a withered cucumber, thought for a moment, and stretched his neck forward for a look.

After a swift glance at her notes, he immediately gained doctoral confidence: "Having trouble studying?"

Teacher Xiao Zhao smiled awkwardly, as [Existentialism] was recommended by Mr. Nan, and she just complained so much.

And was overheard.

"My apprentice must’ve said these things to you, but clearly you’ve gotten stuck again—"

Unexpectedly, after a moment of reflection, Chonghui affirmed: "Judging by these ’wise sayings’ you’ve jotted down, [Existentialism] indeed provides ample material for toxic positivity and PUA."

What?

Teacher Xiao Zhao blinked.

Chonghui continued: "But it’s not just [Existentialism], any literature or saying goes through this process."

"Conned out of context, then misconstrued."

"For example—’Of the three unfilial acts, having no offspring is the greatest.’ This saying is often understood by older generations to mean ’not having children is the most unfilial thing.’"

Chonghui sighed: "But this saying actually comes from ’Mencius • Leaving Away’. The original text is ’Of the three unfilial acts, having no offspring is the greatest. Emperor Shun married without informing his living parents, which is considered without offspring; a gentleman would still inform.’"

"The ’without offspring’ actually condemns Emperor Shun for ’not notifying his living parents before marrying’ which is considered an ’unfilial act’, rather than condemning him for ’not having children.’"

Teacher Xiao Zhao stared at the nodding Chonghui, her professional knowledge began to analyze the logic behind his behavior: this doctoral student suddenly began to delve into texts, and remembered this ancient text so clearly—perhaps he’s been urged to marry because of his age?

"So—"

Teacher Xiao Zhao jolted at Chonghui’s transition.

Unconcerned with Teacher Xiao Zhao’s expression, Chonghui continued: "The writings on [Existentialism] also undergo such a process. People using these words for toxic positivity and PUA methods have also selectively interpreted them."

"For example, this sentence—" Chonghui pointed to a line in the notebook, "[Even in the most extreme situations, people retain one last freedom—choosing their attitude in response to suffering.]"

"When this sentence appears in articles, social media posts, or from elder relatives or bosses, it literally means ’no matter how extreme the circumstances, you must strive hard and not give up.’"

"They use ’choosing not to be defeated by suffering’ as the sole choice for ’freedom’, but if you believe them, you instead become a ’slave to freedom.’"

Chonghui shrugged: "Because while they speak of [Existentialism], what they actually do is use it as a tool, making you regard their existence as meaningful, and inciting you to strive for them."

"But true [Existentialism] is about giving your own life meaning."

Teacher Xiao Zhao blinked her eyes, suddenly feeling the doctoral student before her became genuinely philosophical.

She could feel knowledge seeping into her mind.

Chonghui continued: "Under this understanding, when we look at [Even in the most extreme situations, people retain one last freedom—choosing their attitude in response to suffering.] we see there are actually many choices for people."

"You can [resist]—this is the most active way to respond."

"You can also [escape]—’Escape is shameful but useful’. By the way, this is the name of a Japanese drama I particularly like, and I really like the female lead."

"You can even [lie flat]—take whatever damage comes, and in places where you’re hurt, scratch an itch, maybe the skin there will become thicker, reducing internal consumption."

"Perhaps you’ve been too influenced by prolonged PUA, even subconsciously ’not free’, thinking these [Existentialism] phrases are preaching."

Chonghui pointed his finger at the sentences copied by Teacher Xiao Zhao in her notes.

"Now, when you look at these sentences again, do they not feel like PUA?"

Teacher Xiao Zhao’s gaze first turned serious, flickering with a light of thought; but then became blank, revealing a daze from mental impact.

"So, it’s not these words that are PUA-ing me, but it’s me PUA-ing myself?"

Chonghui contemplated for a moment: "If you understand it this way, it’s not wrong."

Teacher Xiao Zhao shook her head lightly.

Looking towards Chonghui again, she suddenly found the tall figure in front of her rather charming, feeling the gap with Mr. Nan seemed not... particularly, particularly, particularly wide anymore.

"Teacher Chong, are you really so knowledgeable about philosophical psychotherapy approaches?"

Chonghui’s expression suddenly turned desolate: "I’m doing a PhD..."

Ring ring ring—

Before Teacher Xiao Zhao could say anything more, her phone suddenly rang in her pocket.

She answered, and the voice of Vice Principal Ma came through: "Hello, Xiao Zhao? These days, you’ve been working with that Mr. Nan... never mind, come to my office right away, now, immediately!"

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