Sister Hong mentioned that Madam Xie was Tian Yu, and that necklace was likely given to Tian Yu by Xie Hongtian when he was alive.
It’s not uncommon for wealthy families who suddenly go bankrupt to pawn items for quick cash.
However, what Fang Qingyin found disturbing was her inability to comprehend how the Xie family, once so stable, could have the wife pawning jewelry given by her husband so soon after his death. It made her wonder how much she must have hated the man.
***
After hearing Sister Hong’s account, Ou Yunchen immediately drove to the Xie residence.
Meanwhile, Madam Xie and Shen Yuxuan were at home inventorying their valuables.
Shen Yuxuan: "Madam Xie, are you selling all of these?"
Madam Xie: "Let’s sell them. I don’t like them anyway."
Shen Yuxuan’s eyes widened as she looked at the designer bags, clothes, and almost brand-new designer shoes.
Madam Xie had practically emptied her walk-in closet. Even though she was in a daze, and perhaps even delusional, Xie Hongtian had provided her with everything she could possibly need during his lifetime, yet she rarely had the chance to wear them out.
As they were calculating how much these items could fetch, the front door of the Xie residence opened, and both women looked outwards simultaneously.
Shen Yuxuan: "What are you doing here!"
Xie Youlin was blocked by Shen Yuxuan at the doorway as soon as he entered, but Xie Youlin shoved her aside with force. Following him were an elderly couple.
Shen Yuxuan observed their rough skin, yet their luxurious attire. Despite being adorned in finery, they couldn’t hide their shock and timidity at seeing a mansion for the first time.
Shen Yuxuan: "Who are they?"
Xie Youlin: "Guests."
Xie Youlin gestured with sign language, which Shen Yuxuan couldn’t understand. The elderly couple simply nodded at Shen Yuxuan as a greeting.
When they reached the living room and saw the items spread all over the floor, Xie Youlin kicked them aside and tossed the bag in his hand onto the sofa.
Xie Youlin: "Your medicine."
Madam Xie: "Who are they?"
Xie Youlin: "You don’t need to know. I just brought them to see where I grew up and who I called mother."
Madam Xie stared at the old woman’s face, and a familiar sensation washed over her again.
But she couldn’t recall where she had seen her before. Perhaps it was just a fleeting glance, a vague impression.
Shen Yuxuan rummaged through the bag and discovered several bottles of medicine.
Xie Youlin: "Aren’t you a nurse? You should recognize them."
Shen Yuxuan explained to Madam Xie about the injectable medication prescribed by the doctor, emphasizing the importance of dosage and not mixing them up.
Xie Youlin pressed a light switch and smiled, then went to the kitchen and turned on the faucet. Hearing no gushing water, he chuckled. Now he understood why so many of Madam Xie's belongings were laid out on the floor.
Xie Youlin: "Are you planning to sell off everything that old man gave you?"
Shen Yuxuan: "Do you have to be so cruel? Not even paying the utility bills?"
Xie Youlin: "It’s a shame for such a big house to be occupied by just the two of you."
Shen Yuxuan: "This is Madam Xie’s house!"
Xie Youlin glanced at Madam Xie. She was clearly holding back, perhaps on the verge of a breakdown, unwilling to make a scene in front of these strangers.
Xie Youlin used sign language to ask the elderly couple if they liked such a large house. They both nodded.
Xie Youlin: "I will ensure you live in such a nice house too in the future."
The elderly couple quickly waved their hands, expressing their gratitude for Xie Youlin's overwhelming generosity.
Xie Youlin: "Then we’ll be leaving now."
Shen Yuxuan started to stand up to usher them out, but Madam Xie pulled her back. Shen Yuxuan could clearly feel Madam Xie's icy hands trembling.
Shen Yuxuan: "Madam Xie!"
Madam Xie: "Let them go..."
Xie Youlin had intentionally come to provoke Madam Xie. The elderly couple he brought with him were none other than the mute couple.
Xie Youlin already knew that they were the ones who had abandoned him at the orphanage, yet he couldn't bring himself to hate them, as all his remaining kindness was reserved for pitying this couple.
Shen Yuxuan: "Madam Xie, why do you still tolerate this? Who are those two people? How could he bring such individuals to the Xie residence!"
Madam Xie: "I'm fine... Go and get me a glass of water."
Shen Yuxuan immediately got up, but as she turned around, she heard a crash.
Shen Yuxuan cried out for Madam Xie, but Madam Xie, lying on the floor, had a pale complexion, was foaming at the mouth, and her eyes were rolling back.
Shen Yuxuan, exclaiming, "This is bad," began to administer emergency aid. She had seen Madam Xie have fits of madness before, but this was her first time witnessing an epileptic seizure.
Shen Yuxuan: "It's okay, don’t be afraid, I’m here. Madam Xie, I’m here, I won't leave you."
Just as Shen Yuxuan was about to call for an ambulance, Ou Yunchen's car pulled up outside the Xie residence.
When the doorbell rang, Shen Yuxuan felt a sense of relief.
Shen Yuxuan: "Madam Xie, it's your son. He's back, he must be back. Relax now, I'll go open the door."
As Shen Yuxuan opened the door, she found Ou Yunchen very familiar but couldn't recall his name.
Before Ou Yunchen could even speak, Shen Yuxuan pleaded with him for help, urgently pulling him into the house.
Shen Yuxuan: "Help me, quickly!"
Ou Yunchen was also startled by Madam Xie's condition. He followed Shen Yuxuan's instructions, opening all the windows, fetching water, and bringing a towel, until Madam Xie gradually calmed down.
Only when they heard Madam Xie's steady breathing did they finally relax.
Ou Yunchen: "Let me take her."
Ou Yunchen carried Madam Xie to the bedroom. The weak Madam Xie mumbled incoherently in her daze.
Madam Xie: "Son, you're back?"
Ou Yunchen stood up, and Madam Xie seemed to become more agitated. Fearing she might have another episode, Shen Yuxuan begged Ou Yunchen to play along.
Shen Yuxuan: "It's him. Madam Xie, please rest. Let Xie Youlin go back to his room to rest too."
Madam Xie: "Son, don't go, Mom is scared being alone at home..."
Ou Yunchen: "I won't go."
Madam Xie muttered to herself, but after hearing this, she peacefully grasped Ou Yunchen's hand.
Shen Yuxuan quickly handed Madam Xie her medicine.
Madam Xie: "I'll take it when my son comes back."
Ou Yunchen: "I'm here."
Taking the medicine from Shen Yuxuan, Ou Yunchen fed it to Madam Xie. The medication quickly took effect.
Watching Madam Xie fall asleep, Shen Yuxuan led Ou Yunchen downstairs.
Shen Yuxuan: "Thank you for your help just now."
Ou Yunchen: "What is Madam Xie's illness?"
Shen Yuxuan: "Epilepsy."
Ou Yunchen: "She can't recognize that I'm not Xie Youlin?"
Shen Yuxuan: "After an episode, it can trigger mental illnesses, like cognitive impairment..."
Ou Yunchen nodded.
Shen Yuxuan: "Right, who are you?"
Ou Yunchen: "My surname is Ou. We've met before, outside Xie Corporation Media."
Shen Yuxuan: "Yes, I remember now. You were with that mute child."
Ou Yunchen: "Yes, and I know Xie Youlin."
Shen Yuxuan: "He doesn't live here anymore. If you're looking for him, go to Xie Corporation Media!"
Mentioning Xie Youlin made Shen Yuxuan very agitated. She didn't want to talk about anything related to him!
Ou Yunchen: "Actually, I came to find you."
Shen Yuxuan: "To find me?"
Ou Yunchen: "You pawned a diamond necklace at the pawn shop not long ago, and that necklace belonged to Madam Xie, didn't it?"
Shen Yuxuan: "Madam Xie asked me to sell it. You don't suspect I stole it, do you?"
Ou Yunchen chuckled. He knew this girl wouldn't have the guts.
Shen Yuxuan pointed at the items on the floor waiting to be sold, desperately explaining.
Ou Yunchen: "The Xie family isn't bankrupt. Why are you selling these valuable items?"
Shen Yuxuan: "Because Xie Youlin is a scumbag! An unfilial son! A devil! A piece of trash!"
Ou Yunchen: "Why do you say that?"
Shen Yuxuan: "Can't you see? He has no intention of taking care of his sick mother!"
"He not only abandoned Madam Xie here alone, but he also fired all the household staff. He also took all of the Xie family's money from Madam Xie!"
Ou Yunchen surveyed the empty house, its desolation sending shivers down his spine.
Shen Yuxuan: "If I didn't sell these items for money, would Madam Xie starve to death?"
"A few days ago, Xie Youlin deliberately didn't pay the utility bills, and the house was cold and dark. He wanted to freeze us to death!"
Ou Yunchen: "Is what you're saying true?"
Shen Yuxuan: "Are you Xie Youlin's friend?"
Shen Yuxuan finally became wary, but she still had so much to vent!
Ou Yunchen: "No, I am now someone who sympathizes with Madam Xie."
Shen Yuxuan: "Who knows why Xie Youlin treated his mother like this after inheriting the Xie family!!! It’s simply outrageous, don't you agree?"
Ou Yunchen nodded in agreement. He didn't care about other people's family matters at all, and whether Madam Xie was doing well or not was irrelevant to him!
What Ou Yunchen cared about was whether Madam Xie knew that Xie Youlin was not her biological son. Could a madwoman remember past events?!
However, this trip wasn't in vain. At least he learned that this Xie Youlin was skilled at burning bridges!
After Xie Hongtian died and Madam Xie went mad, he could monopolize Xie Corporation. Perhaps no one could truly control him!
Ou Yunchen: "How long have you been taking care of Madam Xie?"
Shen Yuxuan: "For quite some time."
Ou Yunchen: "Have you ever heard Madam Xie mention a woman named Song Yuan Dong?"
Shen Yuxuan: "No, why do you ask?"
Ou Yunchen: "Oh, don't be nervous. I heard that Song Yuan Dong had a good relationship with the Xie family."
"I was thinking, in this situation, shouldn't someone who has a good relationship with Madam Xie offer some help? She can't be bullied by Xie Youlin like this forever, can she?"
Shen Yuxuan: "I've never heard Madam Xie mention anyone. I only know that Madam Xie has been ill for many, many years."
"She fell ill when Xie Youlin was very young, so she didn't socialize much with others. Besides her son and husband, now that Xie Hongtian is dead, only her son is left..."
Ou Yunchen: "Then perhaps you should ask Madam Xie. A relative could also take care of her."
Shen Yuxuan: "It's all because Madam Xie is too kind! She gave all her assets to Xie Youlin!"
"It's a blessing in disguise that Xie Youlin didn't kick her out of the house!"
Ou Yunchen immediately took out a business card and handed it to Shen Yuxuan.
Ou Yunchen: "Keep my card. You can call me anytime if you need anything."
Shen Yuxuan: "Are you really not someone sent by Xie Youlin to harm us?"
Ou Yunchen paused. This young girl was quite cautious. However, it was evident that she, an outsider, was the only one capable of helping Madam Xie in this household.
Ou Yunchen: "Keep the card. Perhaps one day you'll need my help."
After leaving the Xie residence, Ou Yunchen drove his car to a dilapidated red car.
Ou Yunchen rolled down his window, and the person in the small, worn-out car quickly and clumsily rolled down theirs.
Ou Yunchen didn't even look at the driver. He knew this paparazzo was sent by Fan Zhijie to keep an eye on the Xie family.
Ou Yunchen: "You don't need to keep watching anymore. Let's go."
Paparazzo: "And not in the future either?"
Ou Yunchen: "No need."