——Recollections of Xie Youlin——
Ever since Mrs. Xie's son died, Mrs. Xie had been in a state of madness, constantly searching for him.
In severe cases, four or five people had to stay home to watch her and prevent her from running out.
Seeing Mrs. Xie's deranged state, Xie Hongtian was filled with remorse, but he had to be heartless…
Four years passed. Xie Hongtian consulted countless experts, but none could cure Mrs. Xie's heartache.
Thus, Xie Hongtian made a decision: he would bring back Mrs. Xie's deceased son!
Through an introduction, Xie Hongtian found the orphanage where Xie Youlin had lived as a child. He stood outside the classroom for a long time, unable to pick a suitable child.
The院长 (Dean): "Mr. Xie, what do you think of that girl? Her name is Mo Qingyun. She can't speak, but she's very smart."
Xie Hongtian followed the院长's gaze. Indeed, it was a spirited little girl, but he didn't want a daughter.
Xie Hongtian: "I want a boy, a normal one, not disabled. Preferably seven years old, and a bit chubby…"
The院长: "Mr. Xie, forget about a seven-year-old boy. Look at the children here, where are the normal ones?"
The院长 shook his head. If a child were normal, who would give them up?
This orphanage housed children with some form of disability.
Xie Hongtian quickly handed some money to the院长.
The院长: "What are you doing?"
Xie Hongtian: "院长, I truly need a seven-year-old boy."
The院长 returned the money and continued, "Mr. Xie, those who come here need children. But you also need to see that these are the conditions we have. If you truly don't find the one you're looking for, then it's just not fate."
Xie Hongtian was very dejected. He cast one last glance at the children in the classroom and prepared to leave in disappointment.
But just as he got into the car and told the driver to drive, a frail boy and a teacher alighted from a small truck laden with fruits and vegetables.
Xie Hongtian immediately told the driver to stop. He watched from the car as the boy helped the teacher carry baskets, smiling as they entered the orphanage.
In that instant, Xie Hongtian felt as if this boy was the son he had been searching for!
He quickly got out of the car and intercepted them.
Xie Hongtian meticulously examined the boy.
Xie Hongtian: "Child, what's your name?"
The boy looked at Xie Hongtian timidly. Just as Xie Hongtian was about to reach out and touch the boy's face, the boy, frightened, dropped the basket and ran into the courtyard.
From then on, to have more contact with the boy and make him familiar with him, Xie Hongtian followed the院长's instructions and visited the boy every day.
It took Xie Hongtian half a year for the boy to go from initial fear and resistance to gradual acceptance.
And after half a year, Xie Hongtian finally got the result he desired.
The boy was very excited to be in a car for the first time, but he sat obediently inside, afraid he would damage it.
Xie Hongtian took the boy's hand and placed it on the window crank.
Xie Hongtian: "Child, crank it like this, and the window will open."
Perhaps having received permission, the boy slowly cranked the handle. As the window gradually lowered, he happily turned to look at Xie Hongtian, who, as if in reward, gently patted the boy's head.
Xie Hongtian: "Child, from today onwards, I am your father."
The boy tilted his head towards Xie Hongtian, his ears still faintly audible. Xie Hongtian pointed to himself and slowly repeated the word 'father' louder.
The boy was a little shy, but he bravely called out "Father."
Xie Hongtian excitedly hugged him. His eyes reddened, as if his son had finally returned.
Xie Hongtian: "Child, you have a name. Remember, your name is Xie Youlin. You are the son of Xie Hongtian. I will find the best doctors, and we will go abroad to treat your ears."
——End of Xie Youlin's Recollections——
***
As the car stopped at the hospital entrance, Xie Youlin gradually emerged from his memories.
He closed his eyes and repeatedly told himself that he had no choice, that he was desperate, and that he truly needed the Xie family's group to solve his problems…
He arrived at Xie Hongtian's ward. Besides Xie Hongtian, who lay in a vegetative state, no one else was there.
This was good; no one would disturb them.
Xie Youlin locked the ward door and walked heavily to the bedside. Yet, looking at the lifeless Xie Hongtian, Xie Youlin still felt as if he were being reprimanded by him.
Xie Youlin: "Dad, I've come to see you."
Xie Youlin: "Dad, I've thought a lot. I'm very grateful that you chose me at the orphanage…"
Xie Youlin recalled the little things after Xie Hongtian brought him home.
He thanked Xie Hongtian for the wonderful life he provided, which he had never imagined in the orphanage, and for curing his deafness, allowing him to live a normal life…
But as he spoke, Xie Youlin's eyes welled up, and he cried…
He hadn't cried in front of Xie Hongtian for a very, very long time.
Since he became an adult, Xie Hongtian had been exceptionally strict with him. If he cried, Xie Hongtian would only scold him more harshly.
Xie Youlin: "Dad, please don't blame me. I really have no choice. The Xie family's group is my only lifeline…"
Xie Youlin: "Give me the group… Don't worry, I won't let you down…"
As he cried, Xie Youlin seemed to make a great decision. He took out a syringe and a small vial from his pocket.
When the liquid was drawn into the syringe, Xie Youlin trembled. He confirmed again that Xie Hongtian showed no signs of waking up, and then injected the entire syringe into Xie Hongtian's neck.
As he frantically pulled out the needle, he repeatedly apologized.
He took one last look at Xie Hongtian, and in an instant, his expression became nonchalant. He picked up his suit jacket from the stool, put it on, and quickly left.
On the other side of the corridor, Mrs. Xie and Shen Yuxuan had just exited the elevator. They had narrowly missed Xie Youlin, who had left through the safety passage.
Mrs. Xie: "Xuanxuan, thank you so much. I'm bothering you again to accompany me."
Shen Yuxuan: "Auntie, please don't say that. I also want to see Uncle."
Shen Yuxuan pushed open the ward door for Mrs. Xie. Mrs. Xie looked at Xie Hongtian lying in bed, seemingly unharmed, and began to mutter to herself.
Mrs. Xie: "Old man, look who I brought to see you. It's Xuanxuan. Do you remember the girlfriend you introduced to our son?"
Mrs. Xie sat down on a chair and stared intently at Xie Hongtian's face for a while. Perhaps after living together for more than half their lives, Mrs. Xie felt increasingly uneasy as she looked.
Mrs. Xie: "Xuanxuan, quickly, come here. Look at your uncle, is he…"
Shen Yuxuan hurried over. She felt Xie Hongtian's hand from beneath the blanket; the slight warmth instantly made Shen Yuxuan nervous.
She quickly pressed on acupuncture points and began to take his pulse. Within seconds, she touched Xie Hongtian's neck again.
Shen Yuxuan immediately pressed the emergency call button by the bed and then rushed to the doorway shouting for a doctor.
Mrs. Xie collapsed by the bed, tightly gripping Xie Hongtian's arm, and repeatedly called out his name.
When the doctors and nurses rushed in, they confirmed that Xie Hongtian had stopped breathing and began resuscitation.
Shen Yuxuan pulled Mrs. Xie back, comforting her. But Mrs. Xie anxiously watched the respiratory monitor, seeing no hope.
More than ten minutes passed. Doctors and nurses took turns performing chest compressions until they were covered in sweat…
Mrs. Xie fell to her knees in despair, crying. She couldn't understand how Xie Hongtian had passed away so suddenly…
When the doctor informed Mrs. Xie that they could do no more, Mrs. Xie completely lost control and collapsed onto Xie Hongtian.
Shen Yuxuan comforted her while urging her to accept her loss.
Although Xie Hongtian, in a vegetative state, was no different from being dead, Mrs. Xie could not bear the fact that her husband, who had a breath yesterday, was now a cold corpse today.
She tried to stop the doctors from covering Xie Hongtian with a white sheet, unable to believe that Xie Hongtian was gone.
Mrs. Xie: "You all can leave now. Let me be alone with my husband for a while. I want to talk to him."
The doctors and nurses left, leaving only Shen Yuxuan, who was accompanying Mrs. Xie.
Mrs. Xie: "Xuanxuan, call Youlin. Tell him to come and see his father one last time."
Shen Yuxuan did as she was told. Mrs. Xie remained alone in the ward.