Chapter 203: Fight Poison with Poison

Gu Qichen's voice softened. "I've always felt indebted to Xiao Han and my sister. I failed to protect him as a child. He was so cheerful then, always laughing."

Xia Yangyang saw Gu Qichen's self-reproach and felt uncomfortable, but she didn't know how to comfort him.

The next day, Xia Yangyang and Gu Zhaohan cycled to school together in silence.

After afternoon classes, Xia Yangyang impulsively visited the school psychologist. That evening, she went to the East Hall to prepare for a rehearsal. The drama club members hadn't yet arrived; only Wen Xiaochu was there, cleaning.

Seeing Xia Yangyang's despondent look, Wen Xiaochu rushed over. "Have you figured out what's going on?"

Gu Zhaohan's secret prevented Xia Yangyang from revealing details. "It's about something from his childhood," she explained. "It's complicated. I consulted a psychologist this afternoon."

"What did the psychologist say?" Wen Xiaochu asked.

"That if positive interventions have failed, the only option left is forced intervention—overcoming the psychological barrier."

"You mean 'fight poison with poison'?" Wen Xiaochu asked. "Bombarding him with photographs to force him to confront his fear?"

Xia Yangyang nodded. "But it seems cruel, and we have no right to do it."

"But it's too late to change the play now!" Wen Xiaochu exclaimed. "What should we do?"

A cold, masculine voice cut through the air. "I agree to the forced treatment."

Xia Yangyang and Wen Xiaochu turned to see Gu Zhaohan.

"But you…" Xia Yangyang began.

Gu Zhaohan's voice was flat. "Just do it."

By evening, all the members had arrived. Xia Yangyang closed the hall doors, dimmed the lights, and borrowed DSLR cameras from the photography club. Each member stood below the stage, cameras in hand, while Gu Zhaohan stood alone onstage, almost expressionless.

Xia Yangyang's expression was serious. "Let's begin."

The cameras flashed, instantly filling the dimly lit hall with bright bursts of light.

Gu Zhaohan yelped, instinctively shielding his eyes. He stumbled, grabbing the prop table for support.

Xia Yangyang called out, "Stop!"

"No, continue!" Gu Zhaohan managed to say.

Everyone looked to Xia Yangyang. She nodded, and the photoshoot resumed.

Gu Zhaohan endured the ordeal, his hand on the table, his fingers white, his eyes squeezed shut. His body trembled uncontrollably, as if he were reliving a painful memory. Finally, he collapsed onto the table, unable to stand. He then fell to the floor.

Xia Yangyang rushed onstage. "Gu Zhaohan, are you okay?" She waved to the others. "That's enough for today. Stop shooting."

Gu Zhaohan sat curled on the floor, a childlike posture, his head buried in his knees, trembling. His vulnerability was striking.

Everyone was surprised to see this side of their usually cool "Prince."

Xia Yangyang told them, "You can all leave. I'll take care of him."

Understanding they should respect Gu Zhaohan's privacy, everyone left promptly. Only Xia Yangyang and Gu Zhaohan remained in the hall, bathed in a single, oppressive beam of grayish light.