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Dr. Liu responded with a reassuring smile. “It’s actually quite straightforward. While it’s common to confuse dreams with reality while asleep, most people can distinguish between the two once they’re awake.”

Curious, Lin Xian pressed, “Why is that?”

“Dreams often include familiar people but depict them acting out of character,” Dr. Liu explained. “When you wake up, you can simply compare their behavior in your dreams with their real-life actions to see the discrepancies. This is a simple yet effective way to differentiate.”

To illustrate her point, Dr. Liu gestured towards Gao Yang with her pen. “For instance, if you dreamt Gao Yang suddenly became a woman and proposed to you, would you still think that was real once you woke up?”

Lin Xian frowned. “Definitely not. That would be a complete nightmare.”

Dr. Liu chuckled before continuing, “Here’s another scenario: imagine waking up to find out your cosmetic company has switched to manufacturing rockets and spaceships. Would that seem plausible to you?”

“Not at all. I’d have to be out of my mind to believe that,” Lin Xian replied, catching on.

He realized that for most, distinguishing dreams from reality was simple. They just needed to wake up, reflect on the absurdity of their dreams, and immediately recognize the fiction.

However, Lin Xian’s situation was unique. His dreams never included anyone he knew from real life, a fact he hadn’t considered significant until now. Over two decades of dreaming, and not once had a familiar face appeared, not even his childhood friend, Gao Yang. Why?

Dr. Liu’s soft voice broke his reverie. “In all your years of dreaming, have you truly never encountered someone familiar?”

Shaking his head, Lin Xian replied, “No, everyone in my dreams is a stranger.”

With a thoughtful look, Dr. Liu pressed, “Not a single person? Think hard. Not even once?”

Lin Xian was certain. “Absolutely no one. My dreams are always populated with strangers, never friends, colleagues, or family.”

Gao Yang chimed in, pointing at himself in mock offense, “Not even me? We’ve been inseparable since we were kids. How could I not show up even once?”

“I swear, you haven’t,” Lin Xian assured him.

Puzzled, Gao Yang scratched his head. “That’s odd. They say you dream about what’s on your mind. You dream about the Rhine Cat, but not me? Am I less memorable than a cat?”

“You’re not,” Lin Xian reassured him.

Gao Yang recounted his own dreams, “I dream about you all the time. We’re always getting up to no good. Just last week, I dreamt we hit the jackpot and partied on a yacht!”

Dr. Liu paused her note-taking, her expression one of mild surprise. “It’s unusual not to dream about any familiar faces over such a long period. Even acquaintances or work colleagues… Have they ever appeared in your dreams?”

Lin Xian’s answer was a resolute “No.”

“And what about fictional characters or celebrities? Have they ever featured in your dreams?”

The room sunk into a thoughtful silence after the question, which now weighed on their shoulders.

Attempting to lighten the mood, Gao Yang joked, “Dr. Liu, don’t get the wrong idea. Lin Xian isn’t being difficult on purpose. I’ve known him a long time, and he’s usually pretty grounded in reality.”

Dr. Liu removed her glasses, cleaning them before looking warmly at the two. “I believe you both. Each case is unique, and it sounds like Lin Xian’s is particularly complex. A breakthrough is often needed to help patients distinguish dreams from reality.”

She continued encouragingly, “That breakthrough usually involves a memorable person from the dreams. Lin Xian, think back—carefully and thoroughly. Is there anyone who seems even remotely familiar?”

Taking a moment, Lin Xian closed his eyes, delving into his memories.

Then, it hit him—the masked girl, CC. He didn’t know her face, but her voice struck a familiar chord. He couldn’t pinpoint where he’d heard it before, amid the daily noise, but it was a clue.

Opening his eyes, Lin Xian declared, “There’s someone whose voice seems familiar. Tonight, in my dream, I’ll find out who she is behind that mask.”