Who would study psychology unless they had some issues?! Chapter 745 642: You Don't Really Believe in the Dragon King

Upon hearing Nan Zhubin's response, Uncle Chen was montarily stunned, appearing sowhat hesitant.

Nan Zhubin maintained a "consultative" smile on his face, his gaze firmly fixed on Uncle Chen's face.

Uncle Chen's response to this request was crucial for Nan Zhubin.

After a mont, Uncle Chen slowly nodded, "Alright, co with ."

Nan Zhubin breathed half a sigh of relief, not because Uncle Chen agreed to his request, but because of the reason behind "Uncle Chen agreeing to his request."

Things began to develop along the smooth path he had imagined.

Uncle Chen turned around and said sothing to the villagers around the altar, which elicited a small cheer from the crowd, and people's gazes at Nan Zhubin beca much more amiable.

Then Uncle Chen beckoned to Nan Zhubin and turned to walk towards his own tent.

Nan Zhubin had seen many tents while conducting interviews at the settlent site, and as a central figure with considerable status at the site, Uncle Chen's tent was no different from those of the other people.

It was even more cramped and narrow. Mud and water stains dotted the canvas, and the edges were frayed from the wind and rain.

Inside the tent, the furnishings were simple: a thin set of disaster relief bedding served as a bed, with a small cloth bag tied with a red string hanging at the headboard, containing a few dried grains, seemingly offerings deliberately kept after a sacrifice. On the floor opposite the bed, three flat bricks ford a makeshift small table, with a chipped coarse porcelain bowl and a stack of slightly wrinkled yellow paper—exactly the "paper money" burned during sacrifices.

A thin hemp rope was strung across the top of the tent, hanging two old, wash-faded garnts, with the air thick with the scents of humidity, smoke, and a faint herbal aroma, projecting a cramped yet resilient atmosphere.

"I still don't know what you're called, young teacher?" Uncle Chen was the first to speak, breaking the silence after entering the tent.

Compared to just outside the tent, Uncle Chen's wording was much more polite. Nan Zhubin felt more assured, thinking back to what Commander Zhou had told him and the files he had read.

"Nan Zhubin, Nan as in south, Zhu as in congratulations, and Bin as in benevolence. You can just call Xiao Nan," Nan Zhubin said with a smile.

Then Nan Zhubin didn't go straight to the point but started with the specifics: "Recently, I've been wandering around a lot in our area and also t many of our folks here, many of whom hold the Dragon King dear."

Nan Zhubin watched Uncle Chen's expression.

The other party said nothing, waiting for Nan Zhubin to continue. So Nan Zhubin made a gesture like he was recalling sothing: "For example—Old Li from the east side always says his neck is being strangled by the 'Dragon Rope,' can't breathe at night, and almost suffocated several tis. He was sent to the dical point for a check-up, but nothing was found."

He deliberately acted amazed, "We really can't figure it out either, there are many people like him with issues that can't be diagnosed by the hospital. So we sought your guidance on matters regarding the Dragon King, to see if he might help him—"

Uncle Chen nodded vigorously, very vigorously. After pausing for a mont, he nodded vigorously again as he replied, "Old Li, I... I know him. Helping him pray to the Dragon King... What do you want to understand?"

Only when he looked at Nan Zhubin, waiting for Nan Zhubin to answer, did Uncle Chen stop the nodding motion.

But Nan Zhubin waved his hand, changing his tone to say, "There's no rush. We want to help pray to the Dragon King together, but... so leaders still have concerns."

As he spoke, Nan Zhubin gestured with his hand above, indicating "from above."

"The leaders are more pragmatic... They had us co to help pray to the Dragon King for everyone's well-being. But if so people end up worse off after praying..."

When Nan Zhubin got to this point, he paused in his words, as if waiting for sothing. And he got it, as Uncle Chen, who had expected Nan Zhubin to make a request, wasn't prepared for this skepticism. He took a deep breath and raised his eyebrows, seemingly about to get angry.

Nan Zhubin quickly raised both hands in a calming gesture, then rapidly spoke, "I noticed Aunt Zhang at the west end of our settlent when I first arrived. She bows in front of the altar every day, all alone here, and you could say that praying to the Dragon King is her entire life."

Nan Zhubin was referring to the elderly woman he saw on his first day at the settlent.

Uncle Chen let Nan Zhubin talk, his attention seemingly captured, forgetting to get angry as he appeared to fall into a mont of mory.

"Later, when I chatted with her for a while, she said the Dragon King had appeared in her dreams—wanting to take her to find her husband." Nan Zhubin focused on every change in Uncle Chen's face, "She can't even eat now, uses all the food as offerings, and her health is getting worse."

This was the information Nan Zhubin obtained from subsequent conversations with the old lady at the settlent.

Uncle Chen pursed his lips, took another deep breath, and said, "...I'm aware of her situation. The young nurse beside you often goes to visit her."

"Yes." Nan Zhubin's mouth turned up slightly.

Although this was his first conversation with Uncle Chen, Nan Zhubin had been observing him for a while.

He felt he saw the reaction he needed.

Then Nan Zhubin said with a sigh, "Co to think of it, whether it's Aunt Zhang or Old Li, their hearts are sincere, but the suffering they bear seems... not to have lessened at all."

Uncle Chen's sitting posture stiffened slightly, "Xiao Nan, are you saying that the Dragon King is fake? Are we deceiving ourselves?"

His language habit suddenly changed, gaining a dialect flavor.

This was a turning point, the sudden change in language habits caused by excitent, stripping away the control brought by knowledge and education, returning to the most familiar sphere.

But...

[Not [anger] but [excitent].]

However, the curve of Nan Zhubin's mouth rose slightly again.

Subsequently, the joy within Nan Zhubin fully erged. He began to readjust his emotions, reordering his thoughts.

The nature of today's conversation was about to change.

Nan Zhubin's expression beca calm, no matter what Uncle Chen said, he just made calming gestures.

After the other party finished venting, he said, "You know I'm studying psychology, right?"

Uncle Chen, who had just rebuked Nan Zhubin, panted; for an elderly person, such a long conversation was indeed tiring. He didn't answer.

"You also have a considerable level of education, but in your understanding, psychology might be similar to your current work..."

Nan Zhubin chuckled lightly, raising his left hand, "I do have a skill. Everyone at the settlent takes pride in dreaming of the Dragon King at night. And I... even have the skill to guide them, let them et the Dragon King tonight. I could even put you to sleep right now."

Nan Zhubin observed Uncle Chen's tired eyes, "But I won't do that because there's no need."

"You... actually don't believe in the Dragon King, do you?"