Chapter 593: Mental Illness

Chapter 593: Mental Illness

"Oh! Why haven't they let me stay with you yet? Even those public psychiatric hospitals allow it! Why can’t your private hospital?" Faced with this peculiar condition, Sun Xiaoqin appeared somewhat indignant.

"Auntie, even though this is a private hospital, these are the rules of the hospital. As a doctor, I can't change anything. If you're not satisfied, then you'll have to choose another hospital."

Seeing Sun Xiaoqin's brows arching up and her hands on her hips as she took a deep breath, Li Huowang quickly interjected to calm her down.

"Mom, Mom. Don't be like that. I'm already better now. There's no need for you to follow me around every day. After all these years, you're exhausted. Rest well and go find Dad."

"That won't do! You look so thin now. What if someone bullies you while you're alone in there?"

"Mom, I’m not going to the psychiatric ward for the first time. Who could possibly bully me?"

Li Huowang pleaded with her until he finally called Li Jiancheng, which eventually made her give up her insistence. "You really are a person who does exactly what doctors say. Don’t go running off and causing trouble."

Sun Xiaoqin put down her phone, looking at Li Huowang with reluctance. "Alright then, son, be careful on your own. If you feel cold or hot, or if anything feels wrong, remember to tell the doctor!"

"Mom, don't worry. My illness has been cured. I’ll be discharged soon."

After Sun Xiaoqin left reluctantly to pay fees, Li Huowang was led by the man with the square face toward the hospital.

"Let me introduce myself. My name is Wu Cheng. Like Yi Donglai, I am also a psychiatrist. I'm two years junior to him; essentially his junior brother. Before you came, I had already communicated with my senior brother via WeChat about your case."

"Really? That’s good." Li Huowang felt slightly reassured. "Since everyone knows my condition is almost recovered, can you please take off these handcuffs?"

"I'm sorry, but I can't make that decision. I understand, but the head of the hospital doesn't. He personally said that he cannot allow any accidents to happen to you."

"I heard someone pressured him. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have taken you in."

Li Huowang looked down at the handcuffs on his wrists. "So I’ll have to carry this thing until I get discharged?"

"Just hold on for a bit. I’ll explain things to him later. We’ve arrived. Before entering, you’ll need a full-body check-up, right?"

Li Huowang nodded. "I know the process. Let’s get started."

To prevent mentally ill patients from bringing items that could harm themselves or others, a full-body checkup is required before admission.

After the examination, a complete set of admission procedures followed. Finally, Li Huowang was able to enter his room.

It contained only one bed. It seemed his reputation had brought him some benefits—after all, he got a single room.

After days of travel, Li Huowang was tired. As soon as his head touched the pillow, he fell asleep.

The next morning, he was awakened by someone calling his name. After a quick wash, a nurse led him to familiarize himself with the hospital environment.

Actually, there wasn’t much to be familiar with—the environments of psychiatric hospitals were mostly similar. Li Huowang knew them well.

What surprised him was that after breakfast and medication, he was summoned to sit in a circle with other patients, sharing their conditions and encouraging each other.

He had never seen such a practice elsewhere. According to Wu Cheng, it was inspired by advanced foreign medical practices.

Li Huowang could only say: no wonder it's a private hospital—there are always new tricks.

Several stools formed a small circle, and several unfamiliar patients began talking about their illnesses.

“I have schizophrenia, mild type. Medication keeps it under control,” said a middle-aged woman.

“I have bipolar disorder. I’m taking medicine too. I’m almost better,” said a bald man whose fingers twitched occasionally.

“Depression...” A tall girl with a high ponytail, her eyes distant, showed Li Huowang a scar on her wrist. Her state looked extremely poor.

Just as she finished speaking, an older woman in her forties chimed in, “Anxiety... I don’t even need to be hospitalized. My kids insisted on bringing me here.”

As the conversation continued, it was Li Huowang’s turn. The others looked curious at this newcomer.

“What me? I’m not sick. I’m cured.”

Hearing this, some of the more familiar patients gathered together, secretly staring at Li Huowang, muttering in surprise.

Seeing this, Li Huowang didn’t bother to explain. He didn’t plan to stay long anyway—he just needed to pass the time.

Looking around, he glanced at the chubby boy beside him, who was playing with his fingers. “Hey, buddy, it’s your turn. What’s your disease?”

But the boy didn’t react at all, sniffling and continuing to play with his fingers.

"Don’t bother calling him. He’s autistic. He won’t respond to you," the manic man said to Li Huowang.

"Autism? How did he end up here? He’s not part of our system," Li Huowang couldn’t help but be surprised.

Such congenital mental disorders require early intervention. Sending them to a psychiatric hospital would offer no effective treatment.

“Oh, what else can you expect? They’re ashamed of having a fool at home, don’t want to take care of him, and throwing him on the street is illegal. So they just send him here,” the anxious woman said. “Look over there. That big guy with black spots on his face.”

Li Huowang turned his gaze to another group. “What’s his problem?”

“He’s not sick. He’s intellectually disabled—moderately. Just like the autistic kid, both are dumped here because their families don’t want to deal with them anymore.”

“You see, what kind of parents are these? This is a psychiatric hospital. It should only treat mental patients. But look at what’s being stuffed in here. It’s becoming a holding place for idiots and lunatics!”

“That’s right. Because of people like these, the reputation of psychiatric patients suffers so badly outside.”

“Is this... against regulations?” When Li Huowang stroked his chin, the depressed girl noticed the silver handcuffs on his wrist.

“Oh, it’s a private hospital. Who cares about rules? Isn’t money enough? What difference does it make if it’s against regulations? Do you expect them to report it themselves?”

“In truth, I understand. Every family has its own troubles. Taking care of a useless person for life takes so much energy.”

At that moment, Wu Cheng walked over with a clipboard and pen, sitting on the last empty stool in the circle. “How’s everyone doing?”

Suddenly, the girl with depression stood up, her eyes wide with fear, pointing at Li Huowang and shouting sharply, “I know this guy! He’s the one who went on TV and killed many people in a school!”

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Next chapter update at 11:32 PM.

(End of Chapter)