Chapter 12.1 (1/2)

Deep in the Act

Translator: Kotoni

Editor: Isalee

First Published on Chaleuria

Chapter 12.1

Grabbing Gao Zhun's wounded hand, Fang Chi asked in a tone filled with displeasure, ”So, you're saying that you did this to yourself?” The large abrasion on the knuckles of Gao Zhun's right hand had begun to bruise, and a livid purple showed through the reddened flesh.

”I broke the mirror in the toilet at work.”

”There is a technical term in psychology known as 'psychological reversal',” Fang Chi began to say, the harshness of his glare reflecting the genuineness and extent of his rage. ”Others may hurt you, but you inflict even more harm upon yourself in the worst ways possible.”

Gao Zhun dropped his head and replied cautiously, ”I won't do it again.”

”Tell me about this colleague of yours.” Fang Chi released Gao Zhun's hand and sat back in his chair.

Seeming somewhat reluctant to talk about this particular person, Gao Zhun's response was rather vague, ”He's a subordinate, not a colleague. Just another kid.”

Fang Chi lifted an eyebrow. ”What's he like?”

”He specializes in sculpture, and is very talented. But his father - who is my business partner - doesn't want him to become a full-time artist. He wants his son to take over the reins from him in the future, so the kid has begun shadowing me recently.”

All of a sudden, Fang Chi recalled an incident that Zuo Linlin once mentioned to him. Some disagreement between him and a colleague which escalated into a physical conflict of some sort. ”Has there been any friction between the two of you?”

”Yes,” Gao Zhun sighed.

”What happened?”

”Pretty much the same as what happened this time,” Gao Zhun replied, his face colored with embarra.s.sment and distress. ”The problem… probably lies with me.”

Self-blame. Fang Chi noted it down his book.

”It wasn't anything specific, really. It's just that… his presence gives me a lot of pressure.” Gao Zhun locked his fingers together; their tips began to turn white from the sheer force of his grip. ”He's very tall, and very well-built. Sometimes, he would sling his arm around my shoulders out of the blue. You know about my fear of physical contact - especially when it comes from someone as invasive as he is. I told him not to touch me, but he… I feel that he does not respect me at all.”

”What do you mean by that?” Fang Chi probed. ”In what sense does he not respect you?”

”He… he would give me frights from time to time.” Gao Zhun blushed, as if he was unwilling to appear useless before Fang Chi. ”He's still young, so he is probably just doing it for fun. But I… I really can't take it at all.”

Watching as Gao Zhun dug his fingers deeply into the flesh of his palms, Fang Chi was seized by a sudden sense of agitation that sharpened into an urge to pry those hands apart. ”How about this? Let's…” He paused, momentarily confounded by his feelings. ”Let's try out an exercise. It's called the 'empty chair' technique.”

He stood up and moved his chair so that it was facing Gao Zhun directly. Then, he stepped away to observe the proceedings from the side, at a distance from Gao Zhun. This seemed to calm him down a little. ”Try imagining that your subordinate is sitting in the chair before you, and tell him everything you'd like to say to him.”