Thanks to Dr. Li, Alex had a rather good night.
The beach bar had a distinctive decor, with a wooden structure adorned with shell decorations, and the sea breeze gently wafted in through the open windows.
The resident band was indeed excellent; the lead singer's husky voice sang lazy blues, and the bassist occasionally interacted with the audience.
When the band started playing a classic folk song, Alex felt a long-lost sense of relaxation.
He was so familiar with this song, having played it countless times in college, so he unconsciously started humming along.
The lead singer seemed to notice him humming along and smiled, handing over the microphone.
Amidst the cheers of the crowd, Alex took the guitar, and his fingers naturally found the familiar chords.
His voice was already good, deep and magnetic, and he earned a round of applause after the song.
Some people whistled, and others shouted, "One more!"
Alex then remembered that he was indeed quite good at singing; in college, he even managed to win over the campus beauty by playing the guitar.
Back then, his figure playing and singing was often seen downstairs of the dorm building, and his roommates often joked that he should participate in a talent show.
It was just that after he started working, the pressures of life and work surged like a tide, making him breathless.
The guitar was put away, its strings gradually rusted, and the campus beauty had long since become a stranger to him.
Last night's impromptu performance was a long-awaited moment of "an old man indulging in youthful exuberance."
When he left the bar, the sea breeze brushed his face, and Alex was still humming a tune, and he surprisingly slept well after returning to the hotel.
It must be said that after such an outlet, he felt much better today.
At least now, Alex no longer instinctively estimates the thickness of a passerby's neck, pondering how to decapitate them with a single stroke.
Although dangerous thoughts like "This head looks good, I want to chop it off" still occasionally flash through his mind, he can at least suppress this urge and not actually act on it.
In fact, Khorne's influence on him had been completely purged by Old Man Huang.
What bothered him now was merely a spiritual after-effect, like the lingering smell of blood in the nostrils after gunpowder smoke dissipates.
This level of symptom would be negligible in the Warhammer World.
Whether it was the iron will forged by Inquisitors through years of combating Chaos corruption, or the resilient minds of Astartes who had undergone gene modification and mental training, both could easily resist this level of residual influence.
But for an ordinary Earthling, this influence still cannot be underestimated.
It was like the trace amount of venom remaining in the body after being bitten by a poisonous snake; though not fatal, it would cause continuous irritation and unease.
Alex could clearly feel himself becoming more irritable than before, sometimes even feeling murderous intent over a spilled cup of coffee.
If this state were in the Warhammer World, a Space Marine could seek spiritual purification from a Chapter Chaplain, an Astra Militarum soldier could seek guidance from a Political Commissar, and ordinary civilians could find solace with an Ecclesiarchy priest.
However, Alex was well aware that those so-called "treatments" were essentially just another form of mind control.
Filling every brain cell with fanatical faith in the Emperor, occupying all thought space with endless prayers and rituals, turning believers into war machines that only shout, "For the Emperor!"
This method of treatment, rather than healing, was another form of spiritual castration.
In contrast, Alex would rather choose a gentle approach like walking and chatting with Dr. Li by the sea.
Compared to the "treatments" full of iron and blood in the Warhammer World, this kind of conversation under the coconut trees, listening to the sound of the waves, was more in line with his imagination of psychotherapy.
When Alex saw Dr. Li in the hotel lobby, he couldn't help but show an expression of admiration.
She had changed into a mint green tracksuit today, and its slim fit perfectly outlined her well-proportioned figure.
If the Dr. Li he saw yesterday was the youthful girl next door by the sea, then today, in her sportswear, she gave off a vibrant and energetic feeling.
She tied her long hair high into a ponytail, swaying gracefully as she walked, exuding a healthy and sunny aura.
"Dr. Li, you look absolutely stunning today!" Alex couldn't help but compliment, his gaze unconsciously lingering on her for a few extra seconds.
"Mr. Chen, you flatter me." Dr. Li, however, smiled gracefully, casually tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear: "I hope you slept well last night?"
Her voice was clear and pleasant, like morning dew drops falling on leaves.
Alex nodded, smiling as he replied, "Thanks to you, Dr. Li, I had a great time at that bar last night and slept well when I came back."
He paused, then added, "I haven't been this relaxed in a long time."
"Sounds good." Dr. Li nodded contentedly, her eyes curving into crescent moons: "Then today I'll take you somewhere even more fun."
She winked playfully, showing no intention of discussing any treatment topics, just like a normal friend inviting someone out to play.
"I wonder if Mr. Chen is good at sports?" she said, while doing a stretching motion, showcasing her good flexibility.
"Sports?" Alex considered for a moment: "That depends on what kind. If it's mountain climbing, I should be alright."
He deliberately spoke somewhat conservatively. Although he could climb Mount Everest bare-handed if he used psychic powers to enhance his body, that was clearly not the kind of answer this question called for.
He didn't want to appear too abnormal.
"That's great!" Dr. Li clapped her hands lightly, a joyful smile spreading across her face, like ripples on a lake stirred by a spring breeze: "I'll take you to experience a true tropical rainforest in Hainan, but..."
She deliberately drew out the last word, tilting her head and showing a mischievous expression: "If you get tired halfway, I won't carry you back, you know."
When she smiled, her eyes curved into two beautiful crescent moons, her thick eyelashes gilded with a golden edge in the sunlight, casting delicate shadows on her cheeks.
That smile seemed to carry warmth, making the surrounding air feel warmer, and her whole being exuded an irresistible amiability, like a ray of sunshine shining directly into one's heart.
This smile made Alex involuntarily freeze, his heart seeming to skip a beat.
He unconsciously looked for a few more seconds before somewhat flusteredly averting his gaze, clearing his throat and saying, "Speaking of which... we're friends now, so let's drop the 'Mr.' and 'Dr.' formalities."
He paused, his tone becoming relaxed and natural again: "Just call me Alex."
"Alright!" Dr. Li—no, now it should be Sam—nodded slightly.
Sunlight streamed through the glass dome of the lobby, casting a soft glow on her.
"Then you shouldn't call me Dr. Li either." She looked directly into Alex's eyes, her gaze clear and profound, a bright smile on her lips, even more radiant than the sunlight outside the window: "My name is Sam, Jing as in tranquil, Yi as in at ease."
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