Old Master Xie the Second stroked his beard, finally understanding Xie Chen's meaning.
Or rather, he finally realized that Xie Chen had twisted his original intention.
Now that he had caused such a scene, attracting so many people, the matter of sending Yu Lian to his mansion was likely impossible.
After all, everyone now believed that Song Yu Lian was going there to be a maid.
Old Master Xie the Second forced a smile. "What great matter is this? If you don't like her, we can find someone else. I'll have the steward bring people over later, and you can pick whomever you please."
Xie Chen waved his hand. "Let's forget it. For years, I've been accustomed to traveling alone, handling everything myself. I don't like having someone serve me. I appreciate your good intentions, Old Master Xie the Second."
"Since that's the case, this old man won't worry about it. Alright, Zhi Lan's wife, aren't you going to tell your people to let Yu Lian go? Yu Lian is a guest, after all." Old Master Xie the Second turned to Wang Yue.
Wang Yue readily agreed. Song Yu Lian, who had been dragged all the way, was now free of restraint and collapsed to the ground, utterly weak.
This was the most humiliating moment of her life.
All the Xie family members had witnessed her disgrace. If she were to remain in the Xie family, this incident would never be forgotten.
The men of the Xie family had seen her pathetic state, and any affections they had for her would vanish.
The women of the Xie family would occasionally torment her with this incident in the future.
Furthermore, once this incident spread, her chances of finding a good marriage would be ruined.
Song Yu Lian knew that even if Old Master Xie the Second ordered the Xie family disciples to keep quiet, they would only pay lip service.
All of this was caused by Xie Chen.
Song Yu Lian had completely lost any desire to cling to Xie Chen.
This man didn't play by the rules. Even if she had ended up at his mansion, she would likely only be a maid.
All she could do now was to make Old Master Xie the Second feel guilty before leaving the Xie family, and then have him compensate her generously.
Therefore, Song Yu Lian suddenly got up from the ground and rammed her head into the corner of a table.
Amidst everyone's shock, she fainted.
Xie Chen took the opportunity to leave with Qin Ting Xue.
"Is it okay for us to just leave like this?"
"They're willing to act, but that doesn't mean we have to join in," Xie Chen said indifferently. "Coming back was already giving them enough face, and that's all the face they'll get. They're asking for too much because the Xie Corporation has been smooth sailing all these years, making them increasingly arrogant. If this continues, who knows what trouble they'll cause."
Knowing that Xie Chen had his own plans, Qin Ting Xue didn't say much more.
Meanwhile, Song Yu Lian woke up after being treated by a physician and attempted to take her own life again. Of course, she was being watched and was saved in time.
This made Old Master Xie the Second dote on her even more.
In private, he severely scolded Xie Chen, calling him ungrateful, blind, and foolish for discarding a watermelon to chase a sesame seed.
In the end, for reasons unknown, he promised Song Yu Lian that he would arrange a good marriage for her, have her married from the Xie family, and provide her with a respectable dowry.
The subsequent events were all conveyed to Xie Chen by Xie Zhi Lan's messenger.
Xie Chen was not concerned with the aftermath. As long as she didn't bother him, she could do as she pleased.
However, within two days, something happened.
Xie Chen's father was summoned back to the clan for a meeting. Somehow, Song Yu Lian's reputation was tarnished. Old Master Xie the Second loudly declared that the Xie family could not be unfeeling and unrighteous.
Therefore, he demanded that Xie Chen's father take Song Yu Lian into his household.