Jiang Houren's 24-Year-Younger Girlfriend Claims '3 Master’s Degrees and 1 PhD' — But No Thesis Found? Tong Xin Exposed for Allegedly Embezzling $11 Million, Responds Publicly

71-year-old veteran actor Jiang Houren recently publicly confirmed his relationship with his 24-year-younger girlfriend 'Tong Xin,' affectionately describing their bond as a 'seven-lifetime connection' spanning a 39-year age gap. He praised her for having an IQ of 146 and highlighted her impressive academic and professional background, claiming she holds 'three master’s degrees and one PhD' from National Taiwan University and worked as a researcher in the U.S. high-tech industry for 18 years.

However, as the relationship gained attention, her past came under intense public scrutiny. Not only were her academic credentials questioned, but serious financial disputes involving up to $11 million and multiple lawsuits also emerged, triggering heated discussions across the entertainment industry and social media.

The love confession quickly spiraled into a major scandal. While many netizens urged Jiang Houren to stay cautious, he fiercely defended his partner—deleting negative comments and personally posting to clear her name. He emphasized that her real name had only been changed once, and other names were merely stage names given by agencies or nicknames he himself created.

Was the Genius Academic Persona Fake? No Thesis Found Online, But 12 Court Records Uncovered?

Tong Xin, whose real name is Chen Pinyu, previously appeared on the variety show 'Guess Guess Guess' under the alias Xu Jiayu. Later, she briefly married a department chief at Yilan County Government using the name Yu Jiajing. In recent years, she changed her name to Chen Yili, while 'Tong Xin' is a nickname given by Jiang Houren.

Although she lists her academic credentials as holding master’s and doctoral degrees from National Taiwan University on Facebook, according to a report by Mirror Media, extensive searches across major academic databases revealed no trace of any thesis publications under her post-name-change identities. In contrast, the Judicial Yuan’s court ruling system shows at least 12 cases linked to 'Chen Yili,' mostly involving debt collection and promissory note disputes.

Moreover, Tong Xin once claimed to know a prominent figure in the entertainment industry. When media reached out for confirmation, the individual could barely recall her after prolonged thought and ultimately issued a stern warning: 'Stay away from her,' further deepening suspicions about her background.

Cancer Insurance Payouts and Savings Drained? Former Employee Loses Millions Selling Cakes—Court Ruling Revealed?

Beyond academic doubts, a Facebook user posted a detailed account revealing shocking details. A Mr. Liao, formerly an employee at Chen Pinyu’s company 'Sky Opening Co.,' said he devoted himself fully to work, believing her prestigious image as a graduate of both NTU and MIT. Yet during his four years of employment, he 'never received a single paycheck.'

When the company faced financial difficulties, Mr. Liao personally sold 'Tongtian Palm Cake' cakes at street stalls to keep operations afloat. He was repeatedly persuaded by Chen Pinyu, who cited reasons like 'MIT research funding being delayed,' to lend her over NT$4 million.

Even more shockingly, when Mr. Liao later began dating Wei-Shan (Ms. Jiang), a bladder cancer stage III survivor, Chen Pinyu allegedly took Wei-Shan’s NT$5 million+ insurance payout and NT$2 million credit loan—all under the same pretext. At the time, Wei-Shan managed front desk and accounting at the 'Tianxi Restaurant,' while Mr. Liao served as head chef. However, Chen Pinyu spent NT$700,000 on signage and NT$3 million on renovations, leading to the restaurant’s failure. Together, they lost over NT$11 million.

Although Chen Pinyu later issued promissory notes as debt collateral, Mr. Liao lamented that she now owns no assets. The couple has since filed lawsuits. In Hualien District Court Case No. 115-Su-5, Chen Pinyu’s counterclaim denying the existence of debt was dismissed. Meanwhile, in Taipei District Court Case No. 114-Si-Piao-29644, Ms. Jiang’s application for forced execution of the promissory note was approved by the court.

Facing Overwhelming Accusations? Tong Xin Breaks Silence on Social Media

Amid mounting accusations, Chen Yili (Tong Xin) finally responded on social media late on the 10th. Reflecting on childhood fears, she recalled adults warning that swallowing gum would leave it in your stomach for seven years. She noted how unverified misconceptions can linger in our minds for decades—longer than gum ever could.

She encouraged people to regularly 'clear cognitive waste' from their minds and cryptically admitted, 'In my life, I’ve accidentally swallowed 13 pieces.' This poetic metaphor was widely interpreted as her indirect response to the ongoing scandal.

Despite Jiang Houren’s steadfast support, as court documents and victim testimonies continue to emerge, this cross-generational romance remains a focal point of public attention.