Even in severe cases, depression cannot be accurately diagnosed through machines alone. At best, instruments provide auxiliary data. Chu Zhi underwent a comprehensive screening: brain function tests, EEG, cranial CT, ECG, chest X-ray, psychological scans, and various international evaluation scales. The primary goal was to rule out any organic causes behind the depression.
To put it simply, organic causes refer to structural issues in the body brought on by things like infections or infarctions.
Wang Yuan arranged all the necessary tests. Lao Qian handled registration and payments, while Niu Jiangxue coordinated and adjusted Chu Zhi's celebrity schedule. For example, they had an ad shoot scheduled on Guozijian Street that night, which now needed rearranging.
They had booked an appointment with a specialist. After analyzing the test results, the head psychiatrist spoke—not directly to the patient, but to Wang Yuan and the others.
"Ms. Wang, I need to ask again. Are you absolutely sure that the patient behaves in daily life as you described earlier? Capable of handling such intense workloads?" There was clear disbelief in the doctor's voice.
"Positive," Wang Yuan replied with a firm nod.
Even though the doctor wasn't particularly familiar with Chu Zhi, it was clear the patient was a major celebrity. The question came from genuine confusion.
"To put it plainly, based on the severity of depression and anxiety we've detected, it wouldn't just be difficult for the patient to work in entertainment. Even staying alive would normally require medication to keep things under control." The doctor, who had over twenty years of experience, had never seen anything like this.
Depression medications are classified and regulated substances, and hospitals have access to purchase records. Chu Zhi hadn't taken any for half a year, yet still managed to function as a full-fledged celebrity. If not a miracle, it was certainly something close.
"So… is this a good thing or not?" Wang Yuan asked directly.
The doctor fell silent for a moment, then answered, "It's hard to define it in terms of good or bad. The only reasonable explanation I can think of is that the patient has an extremely strong sense of duty toward their career."
"They're using sheer willpower to suppress the symptoms. If a patient is capable of this level of self-control, then our general recommendation is to avoid medication. But we do ask them to come in for regular monthly check-ups." Given that Chu Zhi was a celebrity, the doctor thought monthly evaluations were the most reasonable.
The same words meant different things to different people. Niu Jiangxue marveled at how strong Chu Zhi must be inside.
Wang Yuan turned away and quietly wiped away tears. She could see how Chu Zhi had endured everything alone, all for the sake of the fans.
"Let's not let this news spread. I believe Chu Zhi wouldn't want that," Niu Jiangxue instructed. They had to release an official explanation for the recent coughing blood incident. If they waited too long, some of the more intense fans from other provinces might rush straight to Shanghai.
But should they really stay silent? Chu Zhi had fought so hard. At the very least, Wang Yuan wanted a few trusted 'mom fans' to know.
As soon as they left the hospital, Chu Zhi canceled the "severe depression" setting. It was just too exhausting.
Turns out, no matter how much you think you understand, there's no such thing as truly sharing someone else's pain. Even though Chu Zhi retained memories from their original self, they had never truly grasped how unbearable severe depression could be. Until now.
How to describe it…? At times, it felt like the soul floated above the head. You could sense the pain with absolute clarity, but had no power to change anything.
"Being a sick leave simulator is a god-tier acting skill, especially for portraying characters with mental illnesses," Chu Zhi realized. Most actors spend time observing patients, living with them, shadowing them. But all of that was child's play compared to becoming one. What could possibly match firsthand experience?
Whether or not they stayed in the entertainment industry didn't matter. But if the right script came along, Chu Zhi could use this immersive acting style to take home Best Actor and leave behind a legendary legacy.
In other words, show off and vanish—a total thrill!
"There's also a big boost to singing. I can feel it. Songs will definitely carry more emotion now. But I have to use this carefully. This thing really sucks. Even if it leaves no long-term damage."
Why were titles like "Day King" and "Night King" considered legendary, while "Sick Leave Simulator" was only epic tier? Chu Zhi didn't quite get it.
"Take a good rest, A'Jiu," Wang Yuan insisted. "It's usually our birthdays when you give us time off. Today, it's your turn. You've lost your voice, you're exhausted, and you're still trying to work?"
Chu Zhi was forcibly made to rest and returned to the hotel in Beijing by five in the afternoon. Only after entering the room did they finally cancel the 'vocal inflammation' effect.
Leaving the CCTV ranking show was never a big deal anyway. Technically, they could have left earlier, but the system still counted it as an "early departure," marking five early checkouts and rewarding four Personality Coins.
They had 11 coins previously. Each use of "Sick Leave Simulator" cost 5 coins, and they just earned 4 more. Do the high school math—still 10 left!
"Still a bit of a gap before I can unlock eating spicy food, smoking, and bare-faced selfies. Only hangovers come close so far," Chu Zhi calculated. "I should find a chance to trigger a couple more."
With the "Drunken Immortal" title, it took drinking a full jin of alcohol to score a 10-point hangover. But once that happened… yeah, they were basically a real immortal.
[Have you ever thought about it? If you just followed the system step-by-step, you'd already be on track to becoming a superstar,] the system suddenly spoke up for once. It couldn't quite understand what Chu Zhi was doing.
"Before I transmigrated, my parents divorced when I was a kid. I lived with my father. Very early on, I understood that people wear masks. And not just one. They wear different ones depending on who they're with."
"At work, you're the agreeable coworker. At home, you're the strict parent. Around friends, you're the loyal brother. Maybe the only time you drop the mask is when you're playing a game, becoming a kid again." Chu Zhi paused. "But even that isn't the saddest part. The saddest part is how many middle-aged people don't even have games anymore. The only time they get to breathe without a mask is when hiding in their car after work or sneaking a smoke in the stairwell."
So, Chu Zhi asked, "If I have to wear a mask anyway, why can't I be the one who carves it myself? Make it a personal hobby?"
"Sure, sculpting a mask is hard work. But ask around. My secretary, my friends—who doesn't see me as the most dependable person in their lives?" Chu Zhi added. "That's because my masks are well-crafted. People like them. And I see that as my reward. Whether it's emotional or material, I earn something in return."
They wouldn't have said all this if the system hadn't brought it up.
"Besides, I'm a celebrity now. I can set a good example. Even when life is unfair, I can respond with kindness. Even with severe depression, I fight back. You know how many people I can inspire with that image?"
"Sure, I troll my fans sometimes. But the version of me I put out there is full of hope. I'll be a beacon for them, help them become better people, and heal the world with my songs."
"I am the sun," Chu Zhi declared with certainty.
[There's no arguing with you,] the system replied, speechless.
And to be honest—there was still one thing Chu Zhi hadn't said. They even hid it from the system. Being a celebrity was better when it came with a legend.
What is legend? Mika Nakashima's hearing loss, Beethoven's deafness—they both succeeded despite it. That's what created legend. Chu Zhi wanted not just legendary works, but a legendary life.
At exactly six o'clock, Chu Zhi's studio released an official statement on Weibo:
[Chu Zhi's recent coughing was due to throat inflammation. The swelling and dryness caused a rupture in the capillaries. Medication has been prescribed. We sincerely apologize for taking up public resources. #ChuZhiCoughingTruth #ChuZhiHospitalReport][Image] [Image] [Image]