The sharp contrast between how Lin Ye and Ch'en unsheathed Chi Xiao really shocked Hoshiguma and Swire. Hoshiguma lowers her shield while staring at Ch'en incredulously. Swire, on the other hand, ignores the fact that she's the patient here and grabs Lin Ye's arm, "How did you do it? And what the fuck is that sword?"

"It's Chi Xiao,", Ch'en says coldly, "not some fucking sword."

"Whatever you say. Was that your sword or your ability?", Swire asks the question that Lin Ye also wants to know the answer to. After all, he unsheathed the sword, but nothing happened. On the other hand, when Ch'en unsheathed it, albeit barely moving the blade out of the sheath, it suddenly turned into a killing machine.

Was that the so-called sword energy?

Ch'en falls silent for a moment. Then, she says, "It's Chi Xiao's power."

"Sounds like bullshit." Swire doesn't sound convinced.

Ch'en turns around and ignores Swire's question.

Hoshiguma walks up to Lin Ye and asks, "Dr. Lin, why didn't you use the same power? Of course, I'm more curious about how you managed to pull the sword out. To be honest, I've also tried pulling the sword out before, but I couldn't do it. It felt like a huge suctioning force keeping the blade inside, and no matter how I pulled it, the blade stayed inside.", she tilts her head slightly, "Maybe you're stronger than me?"

Lin Ye's mouth twitches, as he ponders the question. While he doesn't want to admit he's weaker than her, there's nothing he can do to make up for the obvious disadvantage of his race, not to mention that Hoshiguma is taller than him, and she can use that big shield so effortlessly.

He shakes his head, "Of course not. I'm nowhere close."

"Hmm. Then how did you do it?" Hoshiguma is really curious, "Do you have some special talent?"

Lin Ye nods, "Yes, I do. If you can even call it that."

"Oh?"

"Uh, actually, Officer Ch'en already knows.", Lin Ye scratches the back of his head in embarrassment, "I have a natural affinity with pets."

"Ha?" Hoshiguma can't help but think he's joking, "Does that count as a talent?"

Swire asks, "What kind of affinity?"

"I don't need anaesthetics when I sterilize a cat, for example." Just to emphasize his point, Lin Ye says, "I'm being honest here."

Swire takes a deep breath and steps away from him, "You told me you're a psychologist in Rhodes Island."

"Yeah, I'm a psychologist now. Before that, I was a vet."

"You're lying."

"What? It's all true. Why would I lie about that?", Lin Ye says, "You can ask Officer Ch'en if you don't believe me."

Ch'en says, "Alright, that's it for today."

"That's it?" Hoshiguma asks.

"Um, we already have the statements."

"Hah?" Then, Hoshiguma finally remembers what the goal of her visit is and picks her notebook up.

"We should go now. We've already taken up a lot of Dr. Lin's time.", Ch'en says, "I will drive him back myself."

"What?", Swire glares at Ch'en, "You're leaving?!"

Ch'en glances at her, "Why not?"

"We haven't found out why your sword only acts up when you touch it. We don't know if it doesn't accept you as its owner."

Ch'en pretends not to have heard her and walks out of the room on her own.

"Hey, bitch! Is running away the best you can do?!" Swire grits her teeth, "Let Lin Ye try again, you damn dragon! Come back here!"

Ch'en wasn't coming back.

Hoshiguma pats Swire's shoulder, "That's enough. Leave it."

"What do you mean 'leave it?' Don't make it sound like I'm bullying her." Swire says, "I'm the patient here, alright? Why don't you be the judge then? When she tried to pull the sword out, she broke my freaking heart monitor. Look at my fruit basket. And my slippers! Not one apology. She just ran away like that."

Hoshiguma is a bit speechless, "You two are born rivals. Just leave her alone."

Lin Ye asks, "Why did you say the monitor is yours? Doesn't it belong to the hospital?"

"This hospital is mine."

"..."

Lin Ye walks out of the room without saying anything.

"Hey, why are you leaving too? Isn't it shameless of you to leave me the patient behind like that?!" Seeing Lin Ye doesn't stop, Swire shouts, "Stop there!"

Lin Ye stops in his tracks this time.

"Turn around!"

Lin Ye turns around slowly and catches an apple, no, half of an apple from mid-air.

"That damn dragon really is fucking everything up." Swire crosses her arms.

"Uh." Lin Ye looks at the apple in his hand, "Thanks."

Swire waves dismissively, "No need to thank me. You saved my life." She asks, "Do you remember what I told you that night?"

"What?"

"You saved me, so I will pay you back for that. As long as it's something I can do, just tell me what you want." Swire turns her head away from him, "I'm not that damn dragon. I will definitely repay you for saving my life." She waves dismissively, as if to shoo him away, "I need to sleep now. Get out."

"..."

Hoshiguma walks up to Lin Ye and pats his shoulder with a smile, "That's who she is, although she's short-tempered."

"Who's short-tempered?!", Swire shouts, "And don't let that damn dragon touch my car again!"


{Rhodes Island's Psychologist}


Ch'en is driving Swire's car again.

On the way back to Lin Ye's building, Ch'en stays very quiet. The tense atmosphere making it hard for Lin Ye to even open his mouth.

He can't help but recall what Hoshiguma told him before he left the hospital.

"Ch'en really cares about that sword, and she's done everything she can to make it accept her. That's why what happened today really dealt a heavy blow to her self-esteem... I don't need to remind you of her temperament, right? Anyway, when you come to Lungmen again, I'll buy you a meal."

And so, Lin Ye got a favor from Swire and a meal from Hoshiguma.


{Rhodes Island's Psychologist}


When he's back to his building, Lin Ye gets off the car and thanks Ch'en for driving him back.

However, Ch'en calls out to him.

Lin Ye turns around and sees Chi Xiao in front of him.

"Please show me again," Ch'en says.

"Uh…", Seeing Ch'en's frustrated look, he really doesn't want to do it, "Maybe next time?"

"This is my request.", Ch'en says in a small voice, "Please try again."

Lin Ye sighs helplessly and nods. Then, he grips the sword's handle and pulls the sword out effortlessly, just like how he did it the first time.

The dark red blade seems to blend in with the falling sun.

Ch'en stares at the blade in a daze.

Lin Ye shakes his head and puts the blade back inside its sheath.

After a moment of silence, Ch'en mumbles, "It likes you more."

"Uh… Maybe?" Lin Ye really doesn't know what to say about that.

"Thank you." Ch'en puts the sword back inside the car, "But I might need your help with the sword in the future."

"If there's anything I can do, sure."

"Um, do you know my number?"

"I know."

"Alright. If you need help in Lungmen, just call me,", Ch'en gets in the car, "as long as it's legal."

Lin Ye pauses, but before he can say anything, Ch'en steps on the gas and speeds away.


{Rhodes Island's Psychologist}


Draft by Demosama

Proofread by Demosama PanzerComrade56

Edit by Mihjaqtio