Chapter 59: The Basement

Chapter 59

"In the tranquil living room, the curtains were tightly closed, with only the soft glow of the wall lamp illuminating the space.

The doctor prescribed sedative medication for Chen Huaixiao and used hypnotic therapy to make him lie on the recliner, entering a deep sleep.

Bai Yin gently draped a small blanket over him and then walked out of the room with the doctor, heading to the office.

Shen Bin had arranged for a psychologist to see Chen Huaixiao, which puzzled Bai Yin.

Until today, Bai Yin had never thought that Chen Huaixiao had any psychological issues.

Although he had a bad temper and sometimes inexplicably sullen, he had never behaved inappropriately.

Apart from losing control in bed, he always maintained his composure.

She couldn't wait and asked the doctor, "What's the matter with Chen Huaixiao?"

"It's specific situational bipolar disorder caused by past psychological trauma," the psychologist explained. "The enclosed and dark environment of the elevator likely triggered Chen's traumatic memories, leading to symptoms of agitation, anxiety, and even suffocation."

Suddenly, Bai Yin remembered the time she asked him during a rally why he liked such a dangerous sport like racing.

Chen Huaixiao answered, "By experiencing the fear of teetering on the edge of death, I can forget about even more terrifying things."

At that time, Bai Yin didn't pay much attention to his seemingly random remark, but the doctor's diagnosis reminded her of it.

"Doctor, what kind of traumatic memory could haunt him even after all these years?" she asked.

"These memories are deeply buried in the patient's subconscious, deliberately hidden and resistant to hypnosis therapy, so I have no way of knowing," the psychologist shook his head.

Bai Yin pondered for a moment and said in a low voice, "So... there's no way to treat it?"

"Psychological trauma treatment is far more complex than physical trauma treatment. Some patients can overcome their fear through their own strong will. But some people are unwilling to cooperate with treatment and may never find relief in their lifetime. And some may even choose suicide to end their suffering," the psychologist explained hastily.

"Suicide!"

Seeing Bai Yin's expression change, the psychologist quickly reassured her, "No, no, you don't have to worry. I didn't mean that Chen would commit suicide. Chen has stronger willpower than most people, and he rarely falls ill. This time it's only because of the elevator accident that..."

"But he enjoys extreme sports," Bai Yin said solemnly. "To some extent, it's a way to cover up or forget about the traumatic memories, right?"

The psychologist nodded, "There are indeed such cases."

Frowning, Bai Yin asked, "Can he fully recover through psychological intervention?"

"By using hypnosis therapy to induce the traumatic memories and guiding the patient to overcome those obstacles completely, it is a proactive treatment approach. However, Chen... he doesn't want to undergo hypnosis therapy," the psychologist shook his head.

Bai Yin recalled the years in high school when she would accompany Chen Huaixiao every year on the anniversary of his mother's passing."

Because of the Chen family's deep taboo regarding his mother's death, Chen Huaixiao couldn't express his longing or pain at home. He could only suppress his emotions and sneak out alone.

This must be related to his mother's untimely death.

The psychologist looked at Bai Yin's solemn expression and comforted her, saying, "In fact, Mr. Chen's condition is not severe. He doesn't have any problems unless specific triggers are present."

"That's because..." Bai Yin said sorrowfully, "His emotional control is stronger than that of an average person."

Chen Huaixiao presented his most normal side to everyone.

But he never shared his own joys and sorrows with anyone.

...

Chen Huaixiao didn't break his promise and gave Su Yecheng's entertainment media company to Bai Yin.

Not only did he give her the shares owned by Su Yecheng, but he also acquired the entire group and gifted it to Bai Yin.

Bai Yin couldn't understand Chen Huaixiao's unconventional behavior.

She even thought that Chen Huaixiao was really going to do something perverted, which scared her so much that she didn't dare to go home and stayed on the set for several nights.

But it turned out that she was overthinking.

Chen Huaixiao was still Chen Huaixiao, always the same Chen Huaixiao who was irresistible to Bai Yin.

Later, she stopped overthinking and simply regarded Chen Huaixiao as having a mental disorder or perhaps a guilty conscience.

...

Su Yecheng lost the entertainment media company he had built from scratch, but he gained a considerable amount of money by selling his shares.

However, unexpectedly, people from a Macau casino came looking for him and demanded immediate repayment of his debts.

Su Yecheng was dumbfounded. He had never been to a casino. How could he have debts?

After a thorough investigation, it was revealed that Zou Meizhi had repeatedly used the excuse of going shopping in Hong Kong but ended up going to the Macau casino, accumulating a debt of over a hundred million.

At first, the casino treated her as a valued customer and didn't press her too hard on the debt. But when news of Su Yecheng's bankruptcy spread in the industry, the casino hurriedly approached him, forcing Zou Meizhi to repay the debt immediately.

Su Yecheng used the money he received from selling his shares to cover Zou Meizhi's losses.

But it wasn't enough. He even mortgaged the newly purchased villa to the bank.

The Su family was now completely bankrupt.

On the day the bank repossessed the property, Bai Yin got out of the Bentley. She was wearing an elegant black suit with a straight skirt and a small white flower pinned to her chest. In her hands, she held a small black urn.

Most of her mother's ashes were buried in front of their house in the small town of Jiangnan, as per her mother's wish in the will.

There was still a small urn that had been with Bai Yin all these years.

Everyone needs a mother, even if they can no longer see her. As long as the ashes are still with her, Bai Yin feels like her mother is always by her side, watching over her.

Bai Yin held her mother's ashes and walked step by step to the front gate of the mansion.

The sky was drizzling with a continuous rain. Tang Ka opened a black umbrella and stood behind her.

Bank staff were inventorying and liquidating the property inside the mansion. Zou Meizhi and Su Yecheng walked out with their suitcases, looking disheveled and dejected.

Zou Meizhi, no longer adorned with her former splendor, dressed simply and looked haggard. Under the urging of the bank staff, she walked out of her house in a state of disarray.

Su Yecheng, no longer the confident CEO, was now filled with regret.

When he saw the white flowers on Bai Yin's black dress, he was suddenly lost in thought and wanted to catch up with her and talk.

But Bai Yin didn't give him the chance. With a desolate smile, she turned and left.

Su Yecheng stood in the rain, gazing at her lonely figure for a long time.

They owed their mother a debt of life, but Bai Yin didn't want their lives. How easy it would be to die.

To live was to endure purgatory in this world.

She wanted them to remember her mother whenever they faced hardships in the second half of their lives.

They had to spend their whole lives atoning for their sins.

...

Bai Yin took some time to visit Old Master Chen's house. Chen Jingye happened to be there, accompanying the old master as they fished by the lakeside villa.

Bai Yin sat on the edge of the sofa, about to speak, but Chen Jingye hurriedly said, "Don't ask me anything. I know nothing. I'm leaving first. Good luck on your own."

After saying that, he dashed up the stairs and made his escape.

...

Once out of the basement, Chen Jingye took out his phone and dialed Chen Huaixiao's number.

Chen Huaixiao ignored the call twice before finally answering, his voice filled with impatience, "I'm in a meeting. What's the matter? Talk to me tomorrow."

"I can't wait until tomorrow. Your precious wife, who knows no bounds, has been locked in the basement by Grandpa."

"..."

A few seconds later, Chen Huaixiao's voice turned cold, "I'm coming over right now. You stay with her."

"Stay with her? I've been tired all day..."

Click. Chen Huaixiao had already hung up the phone.

...

Chen Huaixiao drove back from Lin City overnight and arrived at Grandpa Chen's lakeside villa in the middle of the night.

After getting out of the car, he walked swiftly through the front gate.

Chen Jingye yawned and stood by the gate, saying, "Don't use the main entrance. Grandpa is already asleep. Come in from the back; he won't know you're here."

"And Yin? Where is she?"

"She's locked in the basement."

Chen Huaixiao's expression turned cold, "Did you lock her up?"

"It wasn't me!" Chen Jingye led him to the basement door in the backyard, "It was Grandpa's decision. Sister-in-law is stubborn. Originally...I told her Grandpa wouldn't mind if she softened her tone, but she insisted on confronting Grandpa head-on."

"That's just how Yin is."

Chen Huaixiao descended the long corridor stairs and arrived at the entrance to the basement, saying, "Open the door."

"But...Grandpa said not to open it for anyone."

Bai Yin hadn't been asleep. Upon hearing Chen Huaixiao's voice, she walked to the door and asked uncertainly, "Is it my brother?"

"Bai Yin, don't be afraid. I'm here."

"I...I'm not afraid. Weren't you attending the financial summit in Lin City?"

"It's over. I came back overnight. When I didn't see you there, Chen Jingye said you were at the lakeside villa."

"I didn't expect Grandpa to be so angry." Bai Yin whispered, "You should go back now. It's late, go rest. I'm fine."

"Chen Jingye, open the door."

Chen Jingye hesitated and said, "Brother, please don't make it difficult for me."

"I'm telling you to open the door." Chen Huaixiao's tone brooked no argument.

Sighing, Chen Jingye finally took out the key and opened the door.

The door opened, and Chen Huaixiao walked in, wearing a black designer suit.

Clearly, he had just returned from the summit, disheveled and hadn't even had time to change his clothes.

He looked around the room, which was poorly furnished with minimal furniture and no heating. There was only a thin blanket on the sofa. Bai Yin was sleeping, her long hair in disarray, and her delicate face showing signs of fatigue. Her makeup was still intact, but her eyeliner had smudged.

"Bai Yin, are you cold?"

"Not really."

Chen Jingye sat on the sofa and chuckled, "You used to be called 'Ayin' all the time outside, but now that you're inside, it feels strange."

Chen Huaixiao glanced at him coldly. "Get out."

"No, Third Brother... You don't mean to..."

"I'm staying with your sister-in-law."

Chen Jingye jingled the keys in his hand. "I'm going to lock the door. There's no signal in the basement. Are you sure you want to stay?"

Chen Huaixiao was already sitting on the sofa. "You should leave."

Chen Jingye sighed helplessly and had no choice but to leave the basement and lock the door.

Bai Yin sat on the sofa with Chen Huaixiao, feeling both guilty and helpless. "Look, there's only a small sofa. Now that you're here, we don't have a place to sleep."

"After causing such a big trouble, do you think you can sleep peacefully?"

Bai Yin curled up on the sofa, covering her legs with a linen blanket. "I don't think it's a trouble."

"Grandpa treats you better than his own grandchildren. You probably think he's a kind elder." Chen Huaixiao sighed. "Chen Jingye, if he had entered the entertainment industry earlier, his bones would have been broken by now."

"No wonder he's so afraid of Grandpa." Bai Yin held her knees tightly and muttered, "I didn't receive strict education from elders when I was young, only disdain and indifference. So, I don't have the same reverence for elders. Just consider me as a rebellious child who doesn't follow rules."

Chen Huaixiao glanced at her for a long time and said lightly, "Come here."

"Come where?"

Chen Huaixiao didn't bother to explain. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her closer, resting her head on his lap. "Sleep for a while. Tomorrow morning, we'll apologize to Grandpa and then go home."

Bai Yin lay on her side, whispering, "I won't apologize."

"If you don't apologize, I'll have to stay with you in the basement."

"You can leave, too. I didn't ask you to stay."

"I'm your husband."

Finally, Bai Yin stopped arguing with him.

That sentence brought her an indescribable sense of reassurance.

Chen Huaixiao gently patted her back, tenderly stroking her silky hair.

Bai Yin closed her eyes and asked in her gentle voice, "Brother, what did you call me just now?"

"What?"

"When we were outside, Chen Jingye said you called me something."

"Sleep."

Bai Yin turned over and lay flat on his lap, her pair of dark and clear eyes gazing at him. "If you say so, I'll sleep."

Chen Huaixiao pursed his lips and, somewhat shyly, smiled and covered her eyes with his hand. "Sleep, and stop talking."

Bai Yin obediently closed her eyes. "Goodnight, Brother."

"Goodnight, Ayin."