Sure enough, a week later, Amy informed him in a tone reminiscent of a "company benefit": "Lin Chen, considering that artists often face high-pressure work and are prone to psychological problems, the company has specially arranged regular psychological counseling for you. This is Dr. Xu, a very famous doctor in the industry. Many big-name artists seek his psychological counseling; this is a rare opportunity."
Psychological counseling? Lin Chen's first reaction was resistance. He felt mentally healthy and didn't need any counseling. But Amy's tone left no room for argument; this was described as a "mandatory" benefit, a demonstration of the company's responsibility for the mental and physical health of its "key artists."
The first consultation took place in an extremely comfortable, Zen-like consultation room. Dr. Xu was a middle-aged man around forty years old, wearing frameless glasses, with a gentle smile and a deep, magnetic voice that easily inspired trust.
The initial conversation seemed normal. Dr. Xu inquired about his upbringing, family background, his initial motivation for entering the entertainment industry, and the sources of his recent stress. Lin Chen answered cautiously, omitting key details like the secret transaction, and only discussing the pressure of the competition and work.
Dr. Xu listened patiently, nodding occasionally, analyzing his "stressors" using professional terminology, and teaching him relaxation techniques and positive self-talk. Lin Chen even thought for a moment that perhaps this was just a regular psychological consultation.
However, after several consultations, the tone of the conversation began to subtly shift.
Dr. Xu started guiding him to recall more of his past "unpleasant" experiences—such as the judges' questioning during the auditions, the feeling of isolation at the training camp, and the fear and helplessness at drinking parties. He continuously amplified these negative emotions, attempting to pinpoint the root cause to Lin Chen's own "problems."
"Have you noticed that you often feel out of place with your surroundings? This might stem from the closed environment you grew up in, causing you to subconsciously feel uneasy and resistant to unfamiliar environments and interpersonal relationships."
"You seem to have an instinctive distrust and resistance towards authority figures, such as judges or company executives. Could this be related to your relationship with your father? You mentioned that he's rather quiet and initially didn't support your dreams..."
"Your insistence on the 'purity' of music, from a psychological perspective, might be a self-protective mechanism to resist external changes and your deep-seated...insecurity."
Dr. Xu's tone remained gentle, but his words were like a precise scalpel, dissecting Lin Chen's inner world bit by bit, pathologizing all his persistence, struggles, and bottom lines, attributing them to his "psychological problems" and his "cognitive biases."
What terrified Lin Chen even more was that Dr. Xu began frequently and subtly instilling a set of "values" belonging to Xingyao Entertainment.
"In this industry, adaptation and integration are essential survival skills. The company invests significant resources in you because they see your value; you should be grateful, not resistant."
"President Lu and his team are top figures in the industry, controlling resources and rules. Learning to understand and obey the rules is crucial to better utilizing them to achieve your musical dreams; these are not contradictory."
"Sometimes, letting go of unnecessary insistence and so-called 'self' reveals a wider world. The company's professional team will make the most advantageous plans for you..."
These words, mixed with seemingly professional psychological jargon, repeatedly assaulted Lin Chen's understanding. He began to feel confused and doubt himself. Was I really wrong? Was it my stubbornness and "unhealthy" mentality that hindered my development? Was my resistance to those shady deals truly just a sign of naivety and immaturity?