Chef at the University Canteen-Chapter 233 - 211: I Heard the Food You Make Can Cure Illnesses?

Although Jiang Yu doesn’t pay much attention to the happenings in the entertainment circle, Hu Zhihai and Lu Shuwu are quite interested in the gossip, and they often talk about these things in the kitchen.

Pan Jingchen is one or two years older than Liu Xining and debuted earlier as well. She initially started as a singer, producing several hit songs before transitioning to acting, taking on supporting roles in a few dramas.

Who would have thought that even though Pan Jingchen didn’t come from an acting background, she was quite talented, with acting skills far superior to some of the young idols, gradually establishing a foothold in the acting industry.

Speaking of which, although her influence in the entertainment circle is slightly lesser than the dedicated singer Liu Xining, she definitely counts as an A-list celebrity.

The problem now is that Pan Jingchen’s starring drama, "Three Lives of Fortune," is still airing, and she herself has fallen ill. Moreover, it seems quite troublesome?

This piqued Jiang Yu’s interest.

"Yeah, it’s her. Chenchen and I are very good friends, almost like besties."

Liu Xining sighed lightly on the phone and continued,

"Even though you’re not in the entertainment industry, you must have heard somewhat that the pressure there is immense. Chenchen didn’t come from a well-off family, so after debuting as a singer, she continued to develop her career in acting.

She has to release songs periodically and act non-stop, rarely getting any days off throughout the year. The pressure she faces is much greater than what I experienced as simply a singer.

Last year, when I met her at a gathering, I noticed something was off. She seemed devoid of energy, gloomy, and I thought it was because she was too tired from filming, so I just advised her to rest more.

But a while ago, I heard that Chenchen was diagnosed with depression, and it was quite severe. She often locks herself in her room, ignores everyone, and cries secretly inside.

Just a few days ago, I went to her house to find her, and she seemed like a different person. She didn’t respond to anything I said, as if she had shut herself off. The way she was, I was really scared..."

As she talked, Liu Xining couldn’t hold back and choked up on the phone.

"Um, Senior Sister, don’t worry too much. Can’t depression be alleviated with medication?"

Hearing this, Jiang Yu didn’t know how to comfort Liu Xining, so he said,

"As long as she takes her medication on time, undergoes some psychological counseling, and helps herself alleviate stress, she should gradually get better.

Aren’t there quite a few celebrities in the entertainment industry who have overcome depression by working hard themselves?"

But Jiang Yu actually knew that there are more celebrities in the industry who couldn’t bear the suffering and ended their own lives.

However, he dared not say such things out loud, otherwise, he didn’t know how much more Liu Xining would cry!

"Sorry, I got too emotional."

Liu Xining, worthy of being a big star accustomed to major scenes, quickly calmed herself, took a deep breath a few times, and continued,

"The issue now isn’t this. What I’m worried about is that Chenchen doesn’t want to come out of it herself."

Perhaps knowing that Jiang Yu wouldn’t understand, she explained,

"There are some things I can’t quite tell you, but Chenchen is actually very pitiful. Her mother passed away early, and her father is a terrible gambler who not only neglects her, but also beats her every time he loses money outside.

From childhood to adulthood, she hasn’t come across anyone who is truly good to her. She’s either used or deceived by others, so she’s been carrying quite a bit of emotional pain internally.

Probably these past experiences, combined with work stress, are what led her to depression in the end?

Maybe she’s shut herself in because she doesn’t want to face those unbearable pasts?"

"Senior Sister Liu, for this problem, you probably do need to find a professional for advice."

Jiang Yu smiled wryly and said, "I’m just a cook. I know about cooking, but I really don’t understand patients’ matters."

"Maybe you could give it a try?"

Liu Xining didn’t intend to give up; her tone was hopeful,

"If a person has hope for the future, might she not gain more confidence in life?

The food you cook is superbly delicious, truly. I’ve never tasted anything so good before, and even though it’s been half a year, I still miss it when I think about it.

It’s not just me; Xie Siqi even more so. She’s been bugging me several times to take her to the Jiang University Seventh Dining Hall to find you, but because I’ve been so busy, I really haven’t found the time to go.

If Chenchen could taste the food you cook, wouldn’t she be like me and Xie Siqi, wanting to eat it again and again?

Once she has a longing for this world, would she not find that life isn’t as awful as she imagined?

Because at least there’s your delicious food in the world that’s worth savoring!"

"..."

Hearing Liu Xining getting more and more excited on the phone, Jiang Yu was taken aback. Could a cook like him be connected to dealing with depression?

And it seemed like there was indeed some truth to what Liu Xining was saying.

Isn’t depression about losing hope and confidence in life?

If it was possible to reignite someone’s hope in life, maybe it truly could help them overcome depression.

But the key issue now, as Jiang Yu understood it, is that depression patients might lose their appetite, become uninterested in food they once loved, and not even want to mention eating...