‘Too much of a good thing’ is perhaps the most meaningful idiom in the world. It can summarize all existing emotions. Love is a beautiful thing, but if it crosses too many lines, it becomes terrifying.
“What are you thinking?” Yue Linze asked.
Tao Yu shook her head, nestling somewhat aggrievedly into his arms, muffling, “This isn’t fair. I’m already uncomfortable being sick, and you’ve made yourself like this, making me physically and emotionally uncomfortable.”
Yue Linze was silent for a long time, lowering his eyes, “You’ll feel sorry for me?”
“Of course. Who else would feel sorry for you if not me?” Tao Yu’s voice was aggrieved, but her eyes were clear.
This time Yue Linze was silent even longer, until Tao Yu was almost asleep, when he softly said, “I know.”
Tao Yu was alert for a moment, then quickly fell asleep. Just before completely dozing off, she hazily thought: What does he know? Probably that next time he self-punishes, he’ll need to hide it from her.
That night was like a stone thrown into a calm lake – creating ripples that quickly settled, as if nothing happened. And Tao Yu’s ‘dog collar’ returned to her wrist the next morning.
From that day, she was never allowed out again. Every time she suggested going out, Yue Linze ruthlessly refused.
She understood that Yue Linze wanted to keep her like a canary, meticulously cared for. She tried to understand and worked harder to please him.
But the task remained unaccomplished, and Yue Linze’s hostility seemed welded to his heart, showing no signs of disappearing. Gradually, Tao Yu became anxious, increasingly resentful of the chain on her hand. The psychological counseling she’d given herself seemed less effective.
Yet, no matter her inner resentment, she never showed it, continuing to please and indulge Yue Linze, trying to satisfy his every request, hoping to resolve the situation quickly.
However, a month passed, then two months, and Yue Linze only occasionally took her to the courtyard, never letting her step outside the Yue family home.
This was Tao Yu’s longest and most torturous stay in a patient’s mental world. She was confined like a prisoner, barely seeing anyone besides Yue Linze, yet having to appear happy.
