The Person I Love Who Has Been Missing For Three Years - Chapter 15

Chapter 15: This Cat Has a Picky Palate

Following behind Ming Jin and Xu Zhiyan, Cao Xin felt uneasy.

A manager must have eyes everywhere and ears on all sides, and of course, she knew the Ming family and the name Ming Jin.

The head of the Ming family stepped back from the front lines in recent years, which is why news about her had lessened in the last two or three years.

Cao Xin wondered, when did Song Xiangwan get acquainted with such a powerful figure?

She should have said something earlier.

With such a background, why was she playing a supporting female role? Why was she hyping up a CP? Why suffer this kind of grievance at Changning?

With a casual endorsement from Ming Jin, even a pig could become famous.

Ming Jin led her to her own ward: “Please, make yourself comfortable. Have a seat.”

Cao Xin didn’t dare to fully sit down, only perching on the edge of the chair, maintaining a perfectly formal posture.

“No need to be nervous, we’re just chatting casually.” Ming Jin signaled Xu Zhiyan to pour tea.

Seeing the setup for a deep discussion, Xu Zhiyan hadn’t forgotten how Ming Jin exerted herself to protect someone in the ward just a moment ago.

But as soon as she met Ming Jin’s eyes, she dared not say a word and obediently poured the tea.

Two hours later, Cao Xin walked out feeling dizzy and confused. She hadn’t quite grasped the situation.

Ming Jin asked her many questions, mostly about Song Xiangwan: her career and life over the past two years, and her future work plans.

To be honest, Cao Xin felt she had answered terribly…

Future work plans? What future work? She didn’t even know how to deal with the fallout from today’s stunt.

In the end, Ming Jin said nothing much, only instructing her not to mention anything about her presence to Song Xiangwan and to act as if she had not seen her tonight.

That last sentence, “President Ming, do you… know our Xiangwan?” Cao Xin never dared to ask, walking out in a daze.

Oh, right, President Ming also added one last instruction: “Raise the railing on her bed. She doesn’t sleep well, so don’t let her fall off.”

As Cao Xin walked back, she pondered this sentence over and over again.

She even knows that she doesn’t sleep well?

That was something even she, her manager, didn’t know.

Song Xiangwan had a great night’s sleep, though she still felt a little stuffy in her chest upon waking. The pneumonia symptoms hadn’t eased, and her voice was still nasal.

She had expected Cao Xin to be furious and was ready for a level-one confrontation.

However, Cao Xin only looked at her, hesitated, and then gently said, “Never mind. Just focus on recovering.”

The sun must have risen from the west; the fiery Sister Cao had turned into a little lamb.

No fighting was fine, as Song Xiangwan didn’t have the energy to argue. She was feeling low, leaning weakly against the headboard, completely lacking the vigor she had when climbing the wall yesterday.

“So… what does the crew mean? Are they going to replace me?”

Cao Xin: “…” She carefully looked at Song Xiangwan’s expression: “Why do I feel like you’re actually a little hopeful?”

“If they replace me, they won’t have to pay breach of contract fees. That’s great,” Song Xiangwan was candid.

“…” Cao Xin truly felt she must have done something awful in her past life to be stuck with this “living ancestor.”

Recalling Ming Jin’s face, Cao Xin’s anger subsided, and she felt a small flicker of hope: “Do you have a better opportunity, so you want to give up this drama?”

“Did you sign me up for a job?” Song Xiangwan looked over in shock. “Didn’t I tell you I wasn’t taking any work besides this drama?”

Cao Xin’s last bit of hope deflated: “No, no. Do you think you can still find work now?”

“Perfect, no work means retirement, leaving the industry,” Song Xiangwan yawned, looking even more languid.

Despite her haggard appearance, her face was slightly flushed from the fever, and her captivating phoenix eyes were faintly teary. Even a small yawn showed her as a lazy, delicate beauty, exuding a radiant elegance.

“You want to retire with conditions like yours?” Cao Xin sounded like she had heard something preposterous.

“I know I’m drop-dead gorgeous and naturally suited for this industry. Alright, alright, no need to praise me, I already know,” Song Xiangwan said carelessly.

Cao Xin: “…” That’s not what she was talking about. She was talking about the resources from knowing someone like Ming Jin.

But Ming Jin had sealed her lips last night, and she couldn’t ask directly, leaving her chest feeling stifled.

Fearing that continuing the conversation with this troublemaker would make her pass out from anger, Cao Xin made an excuse and stepped out to clear her head.

As soon as she pushed the door open, someone approached: “Ms. Cao, our President Xu requests your presence.”

President Xu… Cao Xin was momentarily confused. Only when she saw Xu Zhiyan did she realize that this was President Xu.

Last night, she was with Ming Jin and Cao Xin thought she was her secretary or assistant.

The Executive President of the Ming Corporation, Xu Zhiyan.

Good heavens, the current head of the Ming family was pouring her tea last night?

Below were the contact details for both of them.

Xu Zhiyan got straight to the point: “President Ming said it’s been hard on you monitoring things these two days. Please keep her informed of Song Xiangwan’s condition during her recuperation.”

“You can contact her directly for urgent matters.”

“However, her health is not good. I hope you are mindful and try not to disturb her. Inform me first if there’s anything.”

“Of course, this won’t be for nothing.”

“You will be given compensation, and in the future, if you wish to leave Changning, I will do my best to arrange a suitable job for you.”

The contact information and some of the things said were Xu Zhiyan’s own initiative.

“Yes, understood.” Cao Xin secretly put the business card away, her heart slightly ecstatic.

The overworked laborer had finally seen a glimmer of dawn. No matter what, she had managed to attach herself to a big tree.

Ming Jin didn’t personally meet Cao Xin today, not to maintain the formality of a CEO, but because she was genuinely too ill to get out of bed.

The continuous strain from yesterday had finally landed her in the hospital bed, admitting her on the spot.

A series of tests showed that there was no cure for her old waist injury other than scheduled physical therapy and rest.

Xu Zhiyan had learned massage techniques, but Ming Jin usually refused, not wanting to trouble people too much, even if that person was her own sister.

Such trouble would constantly remind her that she was now disabled.

Lin Rong was adjusting the physical therapy machine, while Ming Jin’s gaze remained calm. She said softly, “Ah Yan, you have things to do; go take care of them first.”

“What does she have to do? This little girl was so scared she postponed all her work today…” Lin Rong said casually.

“Alright, I’ll go out now.” Xu Zhiyan interrupted Lin Rong, turned, and gently closed the door.

The time spent waiting outside the door was agonizing. Xu Zhiyan felt a slight emptiness in her mind. After a long while, she finally heard Lin Rong open the door.

Lin Rong was startled: “Didn’t you have things to do? Sitting here like a sister-gazing rock?”

“If you’re really worried, go in and watch. I’m not afraid of you secretly learning my skills,” Lin Rong said with a hint of teasing.

“She doesn’t like it.” Xu Zhiyan’s voice was very soft. Rarely did she not snap back at Lin Rong.

She looked through the glass window on the door. The person on the bed was already asleep.

Her face was pale from the pain, utterly bloodless, fragile like a piece of paper that would crumble at a touch. The face that was usually so imposing showed no sign of life.

Every physical therapy session for her old injury was excruciating, but from start to finish, Ming Jin never uttered a sound of pain.

Especially when Xu Zhiyan was present…

Xu Zhiyan’s eyes were distant. Her sister, who had integrity and composure ingrained in her soul since childhood, had always shielded her.

She didn’t allow herself to break down, especially in front of Xu Zhiyan. She didn’t like to show her vulnerable side.

Not since that horrific car accident.

Aside from the time she was in a coma, Ming Jin never cried out in pain or shed a tear. To everyone, she was still the authoritative President Ming who held the power.

Xu Zhiyan didn’t know if she was tired, nor did she know what she should do.

As she thought, her eyes couldn’t help but turn slightly red.

“Alright, crying like a little rabbit. It’s not that painful…” Lin Rong said, reaching out to rub Xu Zhiyan’s head.

Xu Zhiyan grabbed her wrist and immediately shook it off: “Don’t touch me! Also, you haven’t experienced it, so don’t talk nonsense.”

Lin Rong: “…” Hey, this little girl. She was clearly trying to comfort her, so why did she get angry?

How was she talking nonsense? Was her art of speaking that poor?

Fearing that Song Xiangwan, this “ancestor,” would cause trouble again, Cao Xin had stayed at the hospital with her for the past few days.

Consequently, all of Song Xiangwan’s daily check-up data and three meals passed through Cao Xin’s hands before being delivered to Ming Jin.

For the first two days, Cao Xin didn’t see Ming Jin. She only delivered the items to the door, where someone else took them in.

Today, on the third day, she was quite surprised when the person at the door opened it directly: “Please come in.”

This was Cao Xin’s second time seeing Ming Jin.

Her complexion seemed unwell. She was wearing a dark gray casual knit sweater, and a black cashmere knit blanket covered her legs.

However, the peace and composure in her eyes, her upright and elegant posture, and her every move still exuded an air of aloofness and refinement.

Cao Xin sat down across from Ming Jin and heard a faint voice: “I apologize for not seeing you in person these past two days. I was remiss.”

“Not at all. President Ming is busy, I understand,” Cao Xin quickly replied.

She felt a little worried: “Did I do anything wrong, or was any information not delivered these past two days?”

“No. You are very meticulous. Thank you for your careful attention to her. I’ve read all the reports from the last two days; she’s recovering well.”

“However…” Ming Jin’s voice changed, and Cao Xin’s heart couldn’t help but sink slightly.

Then she heard Ming Jin continue: “I noticed she hasn’t been eating much these few days. Is she still on a diet?”

Eating with Song Xiangwan, the unavoidable topic was dieting.

She was already so thin a gust of wind could blow her away, yet to ensure she looked good on camera, she ate less than a cat.

Ming Jin was very displeased about this, and the two had even argued over it.

To get Song Xiangwan to eat a little more, Ming Jin had truly gone to great lengths: highly-paid exclusive nutritionists, air-shipped ingredients, personalized recipes, and hand-picked chefs…

“No, she hasn’t been dieting recently. The character in the drama requires her to be a bit more robust, so she hasn’t been fasting,” Cao Xin explained.

“Good, I understand.” Ming Jin nodded, her lowered eyes thoughtful for a moment.

Then a faint voice conveyed: “Starting tomorrow, I will prepare meals for her here. When you take them to her, just say you bought them outside, don’t say too much.”

If she wasn’t dieting, then the hospital food must be too unappetizing.

This cat has a very picky palate.

Cao Xin nodded: “Yes, I understand.”

She was increasingly puzzled. This President Ming, who was too busy to even see her for two days, had the time to worry about such a small matter as Song Xiangwan not eating enough… it was absolutely unbelievable.