Stealing the USB drive from under Xie Youlin’s nose was no easy feat, but fortunately, Xie Youlin trusted Mo Qingyun implicitly and would never have suspected that Mo Qingyun was colluding with Ou Yunchen to steal the drive.
Xie Youlin: "Xiao Yun, it's time to leave work, why aren't you going yet?"
Mo Qingyun's sign language: "Are you free tonight?"
Xie Youlin: "Yes."
Mo Qingyun put away the documents Xie Youlin had signed. She glanced at the USB drive plugged into the computer, relieved it was still there.
Mo Qingyun's sign language: "We haven't eaten together in a long time, want to go?"
Xie Youlin was flattered, yet disbelieving.
Mo Qingyun's sign language: "I heard our old dean is sick..."
Xie Youlin: "You were closest to the dean, you must be very upset."
Mo Qingyun's sign language: "Mm..."
Xie Youlin: "Okay, I'll pack up. You wait for me by the elevator."
Mo Qingyun nodded while walking out. She caught Xie Youlin about to unplug the USB drive out of the corner of her eye, and Mo Qingyun immediately clutched her stomach, scattering documents everywhere.
Xie Youlin: "Xiao Yun! What's wrong?"
Xie Youlin rushed over anxiously. Mo Qingyun’s expression was one of extreme pain, which terrified Xie Youlin.
Xie Youlin: "Does your stomach hurt?"
Mo Qingyun shook her head and pointed to her stomach.
Xie Youlin: "Is your stomach acting up again? Haven't you been eating properly? Where's your medicine? I'll get it for you!"
Mo Qingyun grabbed Xie Youlin's arm and painstakingly signed: "I ate, I was planning to buy some after work."
Xie Youlin quickly poured a cup of hot water and handed it to Mo Qingyun.
Xie Youlin: "I'll have the secretary buy it for you."
Mo Qingyun's sign language: "They've all left for the day. It's fine, I'll just bear with it."
Xie Youlin frantically helped Mo Qingyun to the sofa and then went to get dressed.
Xie Youlin: "When you were little and your stomach acted up, the dean would carry you to the hospital. Don't worry, I'll go buy you medicine and be back soon."
Mo Qingyun wanted to stop him, but Xie Youlin wouldn't listen. He put on his clothes and ran out, leaving Mo Qingyun curled up on the sofa alone.
It would take over half an hour to drive to the nearest pharmacy. In that time, Mo Qingyun could completely cut and transfer the contents of the USB drive to a prepared one!
Once Mo Qingyun confirmed Xie Youlin had left the building via elevator, she immediately got up and quickly exported the files. There was more than enough time, and she even formatted Xie Youlin's USB drive! All her worries were now gone!
When Xie Youlin returned with the medicine, Mo Qingyun was still lying on the sofa, pretending to be asleep.
Xie Youlin glanced at the computer. The USB drive was still there, so he didn't think much of it.
Xie Youlin: "Xiao Yun? Are you asleep?"
Mo Qingyun slowly opened her eyes upon hearing his voice, her acting skills truly remarkable. She even clutched her stomach.
Xie Youlin: "Quick, take the medicine. I also bought some powder to mix with water, drink it together."
Mo Qingyun obediently did as she was told, but appeared extremely weak, likely from the pain that had made her roll on the floor…
Xie Youlin: "Does it still hurt? Maybe we should go to the hospital."
Mo Qingyun's sign language: "No need. It's much better. I said I'd just bear with it and I got through it. Sorry to trouble you to go all the way to buy medicine."
Xie Youlin: "Taking care of you is no trouble at all!"
Mo Qingyun's sign language: "I don't feel well and want to go home to rest. I won't be eating with you today."
Xie Youlin looked a bit disappointed but was understanding and readily agreed.
***
When Mo Qingyun returned home, she handed the USB drive to Ou Yunchen.
Ou Yunchen, however, was more concerned about Mo Qingyun than the contents of the drive.
Mo Qingyun's sign language: "Don't worry, Xie Youlin didn't suspect a thing!"
Ou Yunchen hugged Mo Qingyun tightly, confessing how nervous he had been, fearing any mistakes. He vowed that if Xie Youlin dared to harm Mo Qingyun, he would rush over and fight him to the death, never letting him off easily!!!
Mo Qingyun's sign language: "Now that I have the USB drive, will you do what you promised me?"
Ou Yunchen: "Of course!"
***
The next day, Xie Youlin discovered that everything on the USB drive was gone. He checked the office surveillance footage and immediately saw that it was Mo Qingyun who had accessed his computer after he left last night!!!
Xie Youlin stormed to the fund department, only to be told that Mo Qingyun was on leave today.
No matter how many times Xie Youlin called, Mo Qingyun's phone went unanswered. It wasn't until he saw Mo Qingyun's social media that he realized this mute girl was with Ou Yunchen!!!
Xie Youlin: "It's you again!!!"
Perhaps to celebrate Mo Qingyun having helped him immensely, Ou Yunchen used the excuse of client-gifted tickets that were about to expire to take Mo Qingyun to a recently opened five-star hotel for a day of fitness, swimming, beauty treatments, and a buffet.
And at this moment, they were playing in the swimming pool!
Ou Yunchen, having just finished swimming five hundred meters, surfaced and before he could even grab the towel from Mo Qingyun, he was struck senseless by a punch.
Mo Qingyun recognized the intruder and was about to intervene, but Xie Youlin's force was too great, pushing her to the ground.
Xie Youlin: "You dare to use even Mo Qingyun!!! Did you have her steal my USB drive!"
Ou Yunchen: "So what if I did? You shouldn't have..."
*Bang!*
Another punch landed. Unfortunately, Ou Yunchen was drenched and slipping on the ground, making it difficult to get up.
Mo Qingyun tugged at Xie Youlin, struggling to speak. She was so anxious she couldn't utter a sound.
However, Ou Yunchen, who was being beaten, was not one to be trifled with. He stood up and lunged, knocking both himself and Xie Youlin down, tumbling into the swimming pool.
Even the hotel staff ran in to try and stop them, incessantly blowing whistles at the poolside, fearing for their lives.
Ou Yunchen's strength far surpassed Xie Youlin's. As soon as they were in the water, he pinned Xie Youlin underwater.
But Xie Youlin was not to be outdone. He violently kicked Ou Yunchen’s stomach, escaping the water and then using his elbow to press down on Ou Yunchen’s shoulder, forcing him back underwater!
Ou Yunchen fiercely grabbed Xie Youlin underwater, causing them both to slip to the bottom. Ou Yunchen noticed Xie Youlin’s ear seemed to be in discomfort. As Xie Youlin covered his ear, Ou Yunchen noticed a long scar beneath his hair.
Xie Youlin was cunning. He took off his clothes and wrapped them around Ou Yunchen’s neck. As they neared the surface, he deliberately used his elbow to violently strike Ou Yunchen’s head.
Mo Qingyun stood at the edge of the pool, experiencing a fear she had never known. Her body trembled, her eyes fixed on the two men in the water. She didn't want anyone to get hurt.
Mo Qingyun: "Please..."
Mo Qingyun desperately wanted to call out, but as soon as she opened her mouth, it felt as if a force sealed it. She couldn't utter a sound.
Suddenly, she saw a vision of her brother being thrown from high above to the ground by men in black. Seeing her brother's head smashed and bleeding, she screamed in terror, but she also remembered her brother's instruction to cover her mouth and never make a sound again.
Mo Qingyun: "Bro..."
The two men in the water couldn't hear what was happening on the shore. They continued to wrestle and fight until hotel rescuers forcibly pulled them apart...
Dragged ashore, both men gasped for air. Ou Yunchen had nearly been strangled underwater, and neither had the strength to get up and continue fighting.
Rescuer: "Miss, miss, are you alright?"
Ou Yunchen got up and saw Mo Qingyun squatting in a corner, covering her mouth, her eyes vacant, making strange, unintelligible noises.
No matter how the rescuers questioned her, Mo Qingyun maintained the same posture, trapped in painful memories.
Ou Yunchen struggled to crawl towards Mo Qingyun. He knew she must have been reminded of her childhood, of the nightmare that had robbed her of her voice.
Ou Yunchen persevered and picked up Mo Qingyun. As they left the swimming pool, Xie Youlin was still lying on the ground, also clutching his ear in pain, but he couldn't hear anything.