Genius Club

“I’ve been thinking about this, Lin Xian,” Gao Yang said, his expression serious as he grabbed Lin Xian’s arm. “In psychology, I’m just an amateur. Everything I told you before came from my WeChat. Remember that psychologist I mentioned before? I sold her a car once and showed you her posts.” Gao Yang reminded him as he pulled out his phone and opened WeChat to display a photo of a middle-aged woman in a white lab coat. She had a warm smile, gray hair, and a fresh appearance that made her seem kind and approachable.

“So, you want me to see this psychologist?” Lin Xian guessed, blinking.

“Exactly!”

“No, no, that’s not necessary. I’m not sick, so stop worrying about me,” Lin Xian waved off the suggestion. He knew Gao Yang might think he had a serious problem, but he felt confident in understanding his own situation.

“Come on, it won’t hurt to listen! Dr. Liu is a professional!” Gao Yang argued, opening a webpage and searching for Dr. Liu’s name to show Lin Xian her impressive resume.

“Look! Dr. Liu specializes in subconscious, dream, and cognitive studies. Instead of us guessing every day, it’s better to let an expert explain it,” Gao Yang insisted.

“You have to trust science and authority! Dr. Liu charges 3,000 yuan an hour for consultations, which reflects her expertise and authority!”

“3,000 yuan an hour?” Lin Xian stood up, astonished. “Why not just rob a bank?”

“Is now really the time to worry about money?” Gao Yang retorted, pulling Lin Xian back into his seat. “I’ll cover this cost for you! I made a lot of money from the World Cup thanks to you. For your mental health, this expense is worth it! I’ve already booked the appointment. Let’s go!”

An hour later, Gao Yang dragged Lin Xian to Dr. Liu’s psychology clinic, located in a serene lakeside villa near the university town’s scenic area.

“I heard each villa here costs a billion,” Gao Yang whispered. “Psychologists really make money!”

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“Well, people like you are eager to give them money,” Lin Xian responded helplessly. He knew Gao Yang meant well, but this seemed excessive.

“We’re here, Lin Xian. The money’s paid, so let’s just go in and listen,” Gao Yang said as they walked into the villa decorated in a European style, complete with natural wood furniture and a cozy fireplace.

“Are you Mr. Gao? Please come to this room,” a gentle, elegant voice called from a nearby room.

They entered a spacious room bathed in sunlight, with a wooden recliner at its center and several chairs in the corner. A redwood desk stood by the window where Dr. Liu, smiling warmly, greeted them.

Lin Xian, studying Dr. Liu, noticed she seemed even kinder than in her photo.

“Mr. Lin, please lie on the recliner and relax your body and mind. Let’s have a simple chat,” Dr. Liu invited.

Lin Xian complied, lying down and taking deep breaths to relax as they began discussing his age, work, family, and relationships. He answered truthfully, seeing no need to hide anything, but he was more reserved when discussing his dreams.

Dr. Liu chatted and took notes until she finally asked, “Mr. Lin, are you sure you can distinguish between reality and dreams?”

Lin Xian nodded confidently. “No problem at all, Dr. Liu. I never confuse dreams with reality.”

“How do you determine and differentiate between the two?” Dr. Liu pressed.

Lin Xian paused, surprised by the question. “Honestly, Dr. Liu, I’ve never seriously considered this. I instinctively think… that the time after waking up is the real world. Isn’t that common knowledge?”

Dr. Liu smiled. “Don’t underestimate this question. Even today, there isn’t a complete theoretical method to accurately distinguish between reality and dreams. Most recognition and judgment still come from human intuition.”

“In psychology, we call awareness during a dream a lucid dream. Almost no one realizes they’re dreaming. Only a few people, in very rare cases, might become aware they’re dreaming.”

Aware of dreaming? Lin Xian had never considered this. He always knew when he was dreaming because his dreams were distinct, always replaying that day. As soon as he stood in the square, he knew it was a dream.

Lin Xian turned to Gao Yang. “You never realize you’re dreaming?”

“Of course not!” Gao Yang answered. “I’m normal, unlike you! Normal people don’t realize they’re dreaming unless they wake up.”

“Honestly, sometimes my dreams are absurd, like going back to high school or being chased by dinosaurs… But no matter how ridiculous, I don’t realize I’m dreaming until I wake up,” Gao Yang explained.

Dr. Liu nodded, taking notes. “Gao Yang is right. Most people’s dreams are chaotic and absurd, like disjointed snapshots. Yet, most still don’t realize they’re dreaming.”

“But Mr. Lin, your case is highly unusual. You not only realize you’re dreaming every time, but you also remember how your dream starts each day, and your dreams aren’t absurd, almost identical to reality.”

She looked at Lin Xian seriously. “This is a dangerous signal. Both worlds are real enough that if one day you lose the reference to distinguish between reality and dreams… you know what will happen, right?”

“At that point, you won’t be able to tell reality from dreams.”