Chapter 932: Stitched Together Life

"Then, what do you mean by 'my memories are different from others'?"

"It refers to my entire life," Yan Zhichun said. "This isn't about a single event or a particular detail... but years of incredibly chaotic differences..."

"This..." Doctor Zhao pondered for a moment after hearing this, then quickly furrowed his brow. "In the real world, I haven't heard of such a case, but that doesn't mean it can't be explained."

"Can this be explained with medical knowledge...?"

"Well, it's not exactly medical knowledge," Doctor Zhao sighed. "Miss, whether you believe it or not, all the memories in everyone's minds right now are fake."

"Ah...?" Yan Zhichun and Jiang Ruoxue both exclaimed in confusion. "All of them are fake?!"

"No, no, no..." Doctor Zhao chuckled. "Maybe I put it too alarmingly, but the reality is like this. It seems our brains have stored many memories, like a library, but in truth, every brain introduces errors when storing information. Some unimportant details, or things we didn't observe, get subconsciously ignored."

"Errors...?" Yan Zhichun nodded. "So, how extensive are these errors?"

"Just some very minor details," Doctor Zhao continued. "Interestingly, when we retrieve these memories, the brain 'fabricates' them based on context, logic, and other factors to make them complete."

"What...?" Yan Zhichun paused slightly. "Are you saying the brain has the ability to 'self-repair' incomplete memories...?"

"Yes, 'self-repair'—that's a good term," Doctor Zhao laughed. "In fact, the so-called 'Mandela effect' is exactly how the human brain rewrites past memories based on current information and recent events, leading many people to think their memories are confused. But in reality, almost everyone's memories are wrong—it's just a matter of degree."

"This is too abstract..." Yan Zhichun said. "So, does that mean no one can trust their own memories? What's the difference from being insane?"

"No, no, no..." Doctor Zhao shook his head quickly. "Miss, you've got it backward. Precisely because our brains can repair memories, we don't turn insane."

"How so...?"

"Well... let me give an example," Doctor Zhao said, glancing at the can beside him. "I clearly remember taking the can from the shelf, but that shelf has five layers, and I only recall it being roughly in the middle—I forgot whether it was the second, third, or fourth layer. Does that make sense to you?"

"Yes." Yan Zhichun nodded. "I get it. You remember taking the can, but you didn't pay attention to its exact position."

"Exactly." Doctor Zhao smiled. "My brain might tell me later, when I recall this, that the can was on the third layer. Whether it actually was doesn't matter—it's just to make the memory whole. That's the 'reason' our brains give us."

"I'm still a bit confused..." Yan Zhichun slowly furrowed her brow. "If my brain didn't repair that shelf information, what would happen?"

"Of course something would," Doctor Zhao replied. "Think of the brain as a precise computer. If it lost the shelf's position info, every time you recalled this, it would just tell you 'you took the can from nowhere,' because you didn't remember the exact spot, and neither did your brain. If it couldn't make up a reasonable explanation, it would say it was 'nowhere' or 'unknown,' like a glitched computer game. Retrieving such incomplete memories every time would make you feel insane."

Doctor Zhao's example was straightforward, helping Yan Zhichun understand the principle of "memory repair" and even shed light on some of her own experiences.

"I think I get it..." Yan Zhichun said. "Because my memories have so many gaps, my brain stitched them together forcefully to keep me from going insane. It might look chaotic, but at least it's coherent... otherwise, I'd just recall wandering through 'nowhere'..."

She narrowed her eyes slightly, as in her memories, Qinglong had said something similar, though no one expected a madman like Qinglong to casually speak the truth.

"I guess that's the only way to explain it..." Doctor Zhao said. "Though I don't know exactly what happened to you, 'memory confusion' is entirely possible, especially with details..."

"It's not just about 'details' anymore," Yan Zhichun interrupted. "Doctor Zhao, what's the most extreme repair you've heard of?"

"I've seen cases where someone completely forgot a family member's existence," Doctor Zhao said. "The brain's ability to repair memories depends entirely on the individual's needs. Things like post-traumatic symptoms can also lead the brain to 'repair' away painful memories—it's all the same principle. Each person's brain is 'alive,' adapting the repairs based on different situations or the person's state."

Only then did Yan Zhichun realize that the doctor in front of her was truly capable, though she had underestimated him at first.

"I see..." Yan Zhichun nodded after listening. "Thank you... Doctor Zhao."

Now, she felt as if she had connected all those chaotic memories, including the time she discovered her own body in Baiyang's office...

That line from Baiyang at the time lingered in her mind:

"You... how are you here now...?"

Logically, she had been "copied" earlier due to certain reasons, which led her to see her own body and surprised Baiyang, prompting him to say that.

Not only that line was strange, but Baiyang's repeated claims of "There's nothing here; you must be mistaken" were also odd, especially since there was clearly a body there. Why would he lie so absurdly?

He was Baiyang, after all.

Thinking carefully, this must have been another hint he was trying to implant in her brain.

Unfortunately, it didn't work, because seeing her own body was too impactful.

Even if she didn't remember anything else in that room, she would remember her body lying there, so her brain didn't repair that scene.

"If I could repair normally, I'd link the memories together..." Yan Zhichun murmured to herself. "If I couldn't... I'd just feel like I 'zoned out' for a moment... It must be like that..."

Unbeknownst to the group chatting inside, Chutianqiu was leaning against the door outside, listening thoughtfully to their conversation.