"Because I thought that man looked very normal, not like an addict. A gambler wouldn’t dress so formally, and without the smell of alcohol, he’s not a heavy drinker. So the only thing that would make you immediately say divorce must be domestic violence."

As soon as the conversation started, it was a counterattack. Dazhong thought there must be fundamental issues with those two. For a marriage, fundamental issues are likely addiction, gambling, and domestic violence.

"That’s right, very well said. You can be more detailed and more confident. She deliberately mentioned her location and who she was with when calling, indicating her husband’s strong control over her. And she’s got injured eyes. When her husband arrived, the first thing he did was to check if there were men around her. Although he was polite, his eyes and demeanor couldn’t hide that he had an aggressive personality. The probability of domestic violence is 90%."

Dazhong nodded. She actually thought so too, but Qian was much quicker.

"The difference between 20 and 2000 is really huge." Dazhong spoke sincerely, truly admiring Qian’s composed and calm demeanor when dealing with patients, a quality Dazhong tried hard to cultivate but couldn’t achieve. She believed that the demeanor doctors should have is like Qian’s, making patients feel very assured.

"Everyone starts from 20. If you work hard, you can definitely rise further. At this stage, handling such cases is suitable for you, gradually increasing experience."

"But she said she won’t come to me."

"She will come to you the next time she gets beaten. Then you will know how to treat her. Remember, the principle when dealing with women subjected to domestic violence is never ask them why they don’t divorce."

"Why do you say that?" asked an intrigued city guard. If someone is getting abused, why not ask why they don’t leave the jerk?

"There are many reasons for domestic violence, and the solutions vary. Many women don’t leave not just for psychological reasons but pathological ones. If the woman has Battered Woman Syndrome, without treatment, she can’t live independently, which is likely to lead to tragedy. Look at women’s prisons, how many females who have killed their husbands are in this situation? You can also look at men’s prisons where men have killed their wives; it might be similar. Some women fundamentally lack survival instincts. If you tell her to divorce, she feels like the sky will fall. If she isn’t treated, she will suffer even more."

When suppression reaches a breaking point, either the woman kills the man, or the man can’t take the woman leaving and kills her. So asking casually why she doesn’t divorce isn’t something a professional psychologist should do.

Qian’s explanation confused the city guard, who found it complex.

"When you’re not the person involved, never speak easily from what you think is correct. If you can’t resolve her troubles, don’t ask why she doesn’t divorce. Only by understanding her situation and thinking of practical solutions for her to regain herself, whether it’s leaving or otherwise, based on the circumstances, is the correct way to handle domestic violence."

Domestic violence is a common social phenomenon, with particularly many and complex causes. Every psychologist has different plans for dealing with domestic violence consults, but no plan starts with blaming someone for not divorcing.

Even though many think not leaving after being hit is pathetic and that pitiful people must have aspects worthy of disdain, these people don’t know that women may remain due to threats of harm if they leave, for the sake of children, or possibly the pathological dependency mentioned by Qian, akin to Stockholm syndrome.

If the problem isn’t solved, even after divorce, there is a large percentage of women who continue to be beaten by their ex-husbands.

Moreover, some women don’t divorce due to domestic violence because of outsiders’ gossip. Society isn’t very tolerant of divorced women now. Those who divorce will be spoken about secretly by those around them, even if the fault wasn’t theirs, people will still talk.

As outsiders casually gossip, have they considered their behavior may already be a weapon hurting others?

Qian advised Dazhong on how to handle this type of consult. Dazhong took notes earnestly.

After discussing domestic violence, Qian remembered something else.

"Did you encounter the person I mentioned during your internship at Central Hospital?"

Qian was referring to Ye Daqian, also the recent assignment she left for Dazhong.

The two continued talking as they followed the group into the City Guard’s break room, walking last, speaking in hushed tones, though a senior deliberately slowed her steps, eavesdropping hard to hear what they said.

"I met the patient yesterday. He has Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and keeps dreaming of being bitten by dogs."

"Tell me your thoughts," Qian asked.

"The illness isn’t difficult, but my inner conflict is. On one hand, I’m appalled by what he did, on the other, I’m a doctor and can’t ignore him. Qian, what should I do?"

Previously, Qian would mediate any issues. When troubled, Dazhong would go to her.

"Ye Daqian’s case is for you to handle on your own. I won’t give any specific advice. Just remember, if you manage this case well, you’ll become a qualified psychologist."

Psychologists need professional ethics. No matter who the patient is or what crimes they’ve committed, once they’re in front of you, you must treat them with all your effort—this was Dazhong’s thought before meeting Ye Daqian. But after, facing such despicable evil, she was filled with sympathy and anger. As a conscientious, normal person, she was deeply appalled by Ye Daqian’s abuse of young girls, but as a doctor, she couldn’t forsake him.

Qian posed a super difficult choice, leaving Dazhong very confused.

"I tactfully asked Mr. Yu, avoiding disclosing patient information, simply asking, what to do about a bad person seeking my help?"

"What did Mr. Yu say?"

"Mr. Yu said... to play it by ear."

"Haha," Qian chuckled, indeed typical of Mr. Yu’s style.

"You all aren’t helping me, I’m really troubled," Dazhong had never faced such a dilemma, with the duty of care and moral obligation intertwined, leaving her unsure of what to do. For a newcomer, this step is crucial.

As Qian predicted, Dazhong was bewildered now.

"You’ll be an independent licensed consultant later, with countless issues to resolve. This small matter won’t stump you. Think for yourself. Mr. Yu already gave you the answer long ago. We outsiders can’t explain these things in detail. You must ponder over them."

"..." The more Qian talked, the more perplexed Dazhong grew. Mr. Yu told her the answer? What is it?