Chapter 30 - All work, no play

Shen frowned at the silly, adamant wife in his arms.

"Excuse me! I'm a billionaire tycoon that controls this country and its economics. I own the very ground at least 18 million people walk on!"

The pride in his words made Lina laugh a little. Even though she remembered her scarring dream, when her husband's face was the one that greeted her when she opened her eyes, it was as if nothing happened.

As they joked around, Shen tried to make Lina comfortable. Dr. Hayama was still waiting outside.

"Angel, there is someone I would like you to meet. He is an extremely special and well-accomplished person and will be aiding your memory recovery process."

Lina listened to Shen intently. Her hopes rose slightly at the thought of recovering her memory. She could approach her work better!

And remember Shen, of course!

But today? She needed to prepare for an extremely important and awkward meeting tomorrow.

"Hubby, not now. You know I have to meet the PM tomorrow. I want to focus on my recovery, and this way I can't focus anywhere."

Shen wanted to be firm, but what she said, made sense. Her mind would be occupied and full of anxiety if she didn't feel prepared for tomorrow and the meeting with Dr. Hayama would not be fruitful.

He decided to leave her in Mei's capable hands and speak with the doctor about what he observed privately.

After Mei was brought back into the study, Shen left Lina with her piles of files. He was happy to see her doing what she loved, getting back in the flow.

He found Dr. Hayama waiting for him downstairs in the living room, seated on the couch, the same calm and indifferent expression on his face.

That irritated Shen. Most people couldn't remain so indifferent to his royal presence. He needed to know that people feared him to some extent in order to rule with an iron fist.

Regardless, he acted the perfect host. Having asked Butler Min to bring in some tea and biscuits for the doctor, they settled back into conversation.

"Young master, your wife's case is definitely problematic to her recovery from amnesia. Anyone can tell that much. She suffers sleep paralysis and panic anxiety. There are parts of her memory locked within a subconscious that is awakened only in her most vulnerable state, while asleep."

"Doctor, so is the woman she sees burning a part of her past as a child? How much of one's childhood can one forget if there are traumatic events involved?"

Shen probed Dr. Hayama, his curiosity burning like a wild fire. He didn't want to be useless in protecting Lina ever again.

"It's hard to tell, I have had no interaction with your wife. The woman in her dreams can be a real, literal memory, or a representation of an event or emotion she's suppressing."

It was annoying not to have an immediate diagnosis. Shen grit his teeth as his eyes flashed in anger.

"Why can't you just speak plainly, I'm not afraid of knowing the truth about what Lina is going through. I won't shy away from her problems! I swore to share her burdens, and that's exactly what I plan on doing."

Even though Shen's tone was low and dangerous, Dr. Hayama revealed no signs of distress.

"Young master, mental health science is not as exact or prescriptive as physiological conditions. Even after multiple sessions with madam, I may not able to provide you with an exact answer or diagnosis. The answers lie only with her. I will merely be a guide, or a vessel that enables her to face these answers."

Were psychiatrists really this useless? Shen was disappointed. He'd had higher hopes, especially after Dr. Yoshi's insistent reference.

Before Shen could intimidate or further interrogate the doctor, he had already stood up.

"I will see your wife next week on Monday at 9 am at my clinic. Please be there punctually."

Shen was dumbfounded at how gutsy and commanding Dr. Hayama's words were. There was nothing wrong with what he was actually saying, but Shen was used to people grovelling at his feet.

Lina needed him right now. He would have to hold his tongue. Once his wife was well, he would deal with this disrespectful doctor.

"Fine."

After walking the doctor out, Shen finally gave Ayu the time she'd been clawing for in his tight schedule.

The moment he saw her in the hallway waiting for him, he groaned straight to her face.

"You again? Weren't you supposed to be handling someone's office cafeteria disputes or something?"

Shen's cavalier attitude to the seriousness of the issue Ayu had come over to talk about pissed her off no end. She was the one doing her job seriously and efficiently, and he was being a spoilt devil again.

"Sir, I'm just here to report a matter of utmost urgency in relation to James, the hacker."

Even though his eyes focused on Ayu and his mind became more attentive, he couldn't help but treat Ayu like a nagging mother.

"All work and no play will make my sweet wife bored of me, Ayu. I don't want to turn into you."

Ayu wanted to hit his perfect face now. Tiresome mongrel! Even though she respected him the most, she wanted to hurt him for demeaning her hard work!

"Sir, he wants you to include madam in the deal-"

"WHAT?"

Now he would definitely shoot the messenger.

After what he heard next-

"....for one night"