The Person I Love Who Has Been Missing For Three Years - Chapter 28

Chapter 28: She Simply Picked Her Up (2k…)

“Can I help you undo it?” Song Xiangwan whispered, even as she spoke, her hand was already slipping beneath the clothes, reaching for the lumbar brace.

Her arm was instantly gripped. It was Ming Jin’s eyes, slightly tinged with anger: “Song Xiangwan, do you not understand what I’m saying?”

“Don’t push your luck, or I’ll give your seat away.” Her voice was cold, and her palm was even colder, a chill that could be felt through the fabric.

“I won’t. I absolutely won’t give it away.” Song Xiangwan raised an eyebrow at her. “If you try to move me over there, I’ll jump off the plane.”

“You… are absolutely lawless…” The force Ming Jin exerted on Song Xiangwan’s arm couldn’t help but tighten, causing Song Xiangwan’s heart to ache.

What are you doing? You’re in so much pain, can’t you just listen?

The word “obedient” didn’t exist in Ming Jin’s dictionary. In her world, everyone deferred to her, except for this pampered creature she had spoiled rotten.

Ming Jin felt so angry that her heart pounded chaotically, but the person in front of her, with those phoenix eyes, was still staring at her with stubborn defiance.

The hand looped around her waist probed further back, clearly pushing the boundaries.

She really was spoiled, defying her time and time again.

In her eyes, mixed with the stubborn defiance, was deep concern.

She was facing Ming Jin, her hands looped around Ming Jin’s waist, practically enveloping Ming Jin in her embrace face-to-face, their breaths almost mingling.

Ming Jin could feel her body temperature, slightly warm, and the gentle puffs of her breath.

She wasn’t wearing perfume, only the faint scent of rose shower gel, like the clean air brought by a breeze through a garden under bright summer sunlight.

Ming Jin closed her eyes gently, and the pressure on Song Xiangwan’s wrist relaxed slightly.

Forget it. She was already so vulnerable in front of Song Xiangwan… it didn’t really matter.

Ming Jin didn’t know what she was thinking, whether she was melted by this moment of worry or if she was completely abandoning herself, giving up all pretense of dignity.

Her eyelashes fell, obscuring the expression in her eyes, but judging by the relaxed resistance, she had tacitly agreed.

Song Xiangwan reached her hand in, feeling for the overlapping velcro of the brace. It was taut. She could almost feel the tight muscles underneath slightly trembling.

Song Xiangwan didn’t dare to fully unbuckle it all at once. She carefully tested it, tearing open a corner with a soft shhh.

The tightly bound pressure immediately loosened. Ming Jin’s spine, which had been rigidly held up, swayed slightly. Ming Jin’s eyebrows furrowed almost subconsciously.

Song Xiangwan only heard a slight, suppressed gasp beside her ear.

Song Xiangwan didn’t dare to move recklessly. She tightened her arms around Ming Jin, holding them almost in an embrace: “Does it feel better if you lean on my shoulder?”

She was already unsuitable for such a tiring journey. Song Xiangwan’s eyes were slightly red. Just how serious was her injury?

The car accident three years ago…

She had searched for the keywords online, but there was no mention of it in any report.

Ming Corporation’s influence could naturally clean up all news.

She didn’t know when the accident happened or the full details. Ming Jin’s previous comment about her “picking at old wounds” kept her from asking again.

Ming Jin didn’t lean over. She just lowered her gaze, suppressing the pain in her eyes, and said softly, “Hurry up.”

Undoing it inch by inch like this was torture. She would rather have it over with quickly.

“No way…” Song Xiangwan frowned, moving closer and offering her shoulder to Ming Jin, “Lean on me, okay?”

It was torture for Ming Jin, and it was torture for Song Xiangwan too.

Hearing the intermittent breathing sounds, she felt as if her heart was being roasted over an open fire.

At first, Ming Jin refused to lean over. She seemed determined to maintain a facade of calm.

In the end, she couldn’t resist and gently leaned on Song Xiangwan’s shoulder. Being so close, the faint scent was very obvious—dew, morning light, fresh flowers…

As the last restraint came off, Song Xiangwan immediately let go, and the brace fell. She instantly hugged Ming Jin securely.

She was shockingly thin. Hugging her, Song Xiangwan felt like she could feel the shape of her bones.

Ming Jin’s faint voice fell into her ear, saying softly, “Let go.”

“I won’t.” Song Xiangwan’s voice was slightly nasal. She whispered, “Please don’t push me away…”

“Let go,” Ming Jin repeated.

The slight struggle was accompanied by a slight disturbance in Ming Jin’s breathing.

“Okay, okay, I won’t mess around.” Song Xiangwan immediately surrendered. Not daring to forcefully hold her, she let go.

After reclining the seat back, Xu Zhiyan instinctively wanted to come over and help Ming Jin, but Song Xiangwan quickly turned and blocked her.

Xu Zhiyan moved to a different angle, and Song Xiangwan changed her angle again, firmly using her back to block the way, preventing Xu Zhiyan from getting close.

After all the commotion, Ming Jin finally lay down, her face devoid of much color.

She didn’t speak to Song Xiangwan, her eyes slightly closed, her eyelashes casting small shadows, making her look particularly haggard.

Song Xiangwan didn’t dare to push her luck any further. She used the blanket to cover Ming Jin well, then sat back in her own seat, watching her eagerly.

Thinking about it, her heart felt sour after realizing the truth.

Ming Jin was the proudest person. She would never expose her vulnerability in front of outsiders.

When they first got together, whenever Ming Jin was sick, she would always send Song Xiangwan far away.

It took almost two years before Song Xiangwan gained the privilege of seeing Ming Jin’s vulnerable side.

Now, it felt like she was back to square one.

She would rather wear that torturous brace than show vulnerability in front of her.

It was as if she had been expelled from the inner circle of people close to Ming Jin.

But why could Xu Zhiyan be in it?

Had Xu Zhiyan been by her side for the past three years? Close care, hugging, attentive concern…

Xu Zhiyan felt a scorching gaze fixed on her. When she looked up, she saw Song Xiangwan’s eyes, looking as if she wanted to devour her.

What right did she have to stare like that? Xu Zhiyan wasn’t one to back down. She met the gaze with a cold expression.

The two stared at each other across Ming Jin, sparks flying between them, ready to pounce and claw at each other.

The scent of conflict suddenly dissipated. All four eyes immediately turned to Ming Jin.

Song Xiangwan, being closer, reacted faster. She quickly leaned closer to check Ming Jin’s expression and asked softly, “Are you uncomfortable? Do you want some water?”

“No need.” Ming Jin suppressed the slight tickle in her throat, not even opening her eyes.

Drinking water would require sitting up and moving again, and she truly had no energy left.

A cool touch pressed against her lips, followed by Song Xiangwan’s voice: “Open your mouth. Wet your throat.”

Her eyes opened, and Song Xiangwan’s face came into view. She had found a spoon and carefully brought the water to Ming Jin’s mouth.

Her eyes were full of ingratiation. Dark undercurrents churned in Ming Jin’s eyes, and she suppressed profound displeasure and sorrow.

Her pale lips pressed together. She closed her eyes and didn’t speak.

She didn’t want it. Rejection.

Song Xiangwan paused, withdrawing her hand… What did I do wrong to displease her again…?

It seemed like nothing she did was right.

Song Xiangwan was a little disheartened. She looked at the night outside the window, noticed Ming Jin moving slightly, and quickly turned back to tuck the blanket around her.

Ming Jin’s voice came through: “I have arranged a private car to take you back after we disembark.”

“What about you…” Song Xiangwan paused, her voice tinged with worry.

“A-Yan will be with me. There’s no need to trouble you,” Ming Jin said softly.

Song Xiangwan lightly bit her lower lip, her eyes slightly stinging. Taking advantage of Ming Jin’s inattention, she quickly wiped her eye with her fingertip.

She thought she wouldn’t be able to sleep while still in pain, but perhaps the prolonged pain had exhausted her strength. Ming Jin actually drifted into a hazy sleep later on.

She woke up again when the plane landed. The sudden deceleration caused her body to tremble slightly.

But she only tensed her body, not making a sound.

A slight ringing in her ears made her consciousness feel hazy. Sounds near her drifted away, then slowly came closer.

Ming Jin waited for the ringing in her ears to subside before opening her eyes. Her light brown eyes were expressionless, giving nothing away.

Song Xiangwan assumed she had been sleeping soundly and had just woken up.

Song Xiangwan and Xu Zhiyan both reached out to help her up, but Song Xiangwan’s hand met empty air.

Ming Jin supported herself on Xu Zhiyan’s arm and sat up, feeling an even stronger ringing in her ears, accompanied by waves of dizziness.

It must be due to low blood pressure. She paused, waiting for the dizziness to pass.

The assistant had already pushed the wheelchair over. Xu Zhiyan didn’t dare to move hastily, waiting for Ming Jin to use her own strength to transfer.

Xu Zhiyan wouldn’t move hastily, but Song Xiangwan would.

She reached out, looped her arms around Ming Jin’s waist, then threaded her hands under Ming Jin’s knees, and simply picked her up.

Ming Jin felt her vision swim. The dizziness intensified due to the change in posture, but her voice was stern: “What are you doing…”

Song Xiangwan had already placed her in the wheelchair, put the thin blanket on her lap, and stated self-righteously: “Carrying you over, of course.”

Xu Zhiyan was dumbfounded. Was this allowed?

In the past three years, except for the very beginning when she had no choice, Ming Jin never allowed anyone to carry her, at most borrowing a small bit of support.

Song Xiangwan’s audacity didn’t stop there. After carrying her and settling her into the car, she squeezed herself into the seat and quickly fastened her seatbelt.

Ming Jin pressed her fingertips to her temple, trying to suppress the dizziness, but it was fruitless. She eventually lowered her hand, her expression normal: “Your car is following behind.”

Xu Zhiyan said, “Miss Song, please get out. It will be late into the night if we drop you off at Clear Water Bay and then return.”

Her intention was clear: she was worried about Ming Jin and didn’t want the hassle, hoping Song Xiangwan would have the decency to leave.

“I’m going back with you,” Song Xiangwan said, her lips curling up, completely shameless.

Her goal wasn’t just to follow her back to Haicheng; she needed to know Ming Jin’s address, at the very least.

“We’ll have to send you back later, and the back-and-forth is too much trouble,” Ming Jin said flatly.

“Then I won’t leave,” Song Xiangwan looked at Ming Jin, her eyes sparkling. “Doesn’t the Ming house have a spare room for me to stay in for one night?”

A moment of silence fell inside the car after her statement.

She’s incredibly bold.

Ming Jin seemed to let out a faint sigh, her voice very light: “I recall you don’t like it.”

In the several years they were together, Song Xiangwan had never gone home with Ming Jin, because Song Xiangwan refused.

All their intimate moments happened at Clear Water Bay. The Clear Water Bay property was bought by Song Xiangwan with her own acting fees.

She disliked the title of “canary” and the feeling of a life being controlled. It was as if this was the only way she could seize a sliver of control.

This was the first time Song Xiangwan had suggested going home with her.

“I didn’t like it before, but I do now.” Song Xiangwan acted as if it were perfectly reasonable. “I’ll just stay one night and leave early tomorrow. President Ming, don’t be so heartless.”

“Get out of the car,” Ming Jin said flatly.

“I…” Song Xiangwan tried to argue again.

“Get out of the car,” Ming Jin repeated.

“There’s no one at Clear Water Bay, and Sister Cao and Cheng Cheng aren’t there… I’ll be all alone…” Song Xiangwan mumbled softly.

Xu Zhiyan: “…” When brute force didn’t work, she switched to finesse.

But her Jie was usually impervious to both softness and hardness. No matter how much those employees who made mistakes begged, she never softened…

“Fine. Just one night. Cao Xin and your assistant will be back tomorrow.”

Xu Zhiyan pursed her lips. Well, my understanding of my Jie is still too low.

Ming Jin remembered the nightmare Song Xiangwan had on the plane.

Leaving her alone to go back to Clear Water Bay was indeed a bit cruel.

It seemed that the psychologist wasn’t good enough. She needed to find a few more to help Song Xiangwan.

Song Xiangwan entered Ming Jin’s house for the first time. It was a standalone villa in the most expensive area of the city center, offering peace amidst the hustle. The greenery was lush, with towering ancient trees. Although in the city center, entering the community felt like entering a quiet park.

As soon as the car stopped, Song Xiangwan quickly jumped out and rushed over to carry Ming Jin.

Perhaps she had gotten used to being carried around, or maybe she was too weak to argue with Song Xiangwan. Ming Jin didn’t resist much.

The living room lights were on. Servants came forward to take their belongings. Xu Zhiyan pushed Ming Jin into the ground-floor bedroom.

Song Xiangwan originally wanted to follow, but a female housekeeper blocked her: “Miss Song, your room is this way.”

Ming Jin had made all the arrangements on the way back.

The housekeeper stood in front of Song Xiangwan, not allowing her to follow. She watched the door to Ming Jin’s bedroom close.

The guest room on the second floor was neatly prepared. The bed was tidily made, new toiletries were placed out, and a white silk nightgown was laid out.

The housekeeper said, “A small nightlight and aromatherapy diffuser have been prepared by the bedside.”

“A private car will take you away tomorrow morning at nine.”

“There are clothes suitable for tomorrow’s temperature in the closet. You may choose.”

“We have prepared various phone chargers for you, placed by the bedside.”

“If you need anything else, Miss Song, please call me anytime. My number is on the note by the bedside.”

The service was thoughtful and meticulous.

When Song Xiangwan pulled open the closet, her eyes subtly moved.

A row of clothes was lined up, categorized by color, from light to dark: long dresses, short skirts, trousers, trench coats… an entire closet meticulously organized.

Opposite the closet was a shoe rack with dozens of pairs of shoes: high heels, sneakers, flats…

The bag cabinet was also full, containing a whole cabinet of bags.

She had initially thought they would only prepare one or two outfits. Here, she had enough to stage a fashion show.

They were all clothes from brands she liked, and bags she would typically favor.

It was only an hour’s drive back from the airport. Could all of this have been prepared so quickly?

Song Xiangwan picked up a trench coat in the corner, held it up to examine it carefully, and recognized that this one… was not from the current season.

As an actress, she had the professional knowledge to recognize fashion trends. The gold buttons, embroidery, lapel… this was the most popular style three or four years ago.

This entire closet of clothes was spotlessly maintained.

The skincare products on the dressing table were new and unopened, all her preferred brands.

The pure white vanity and stool, with a leather cushion on the stool, and a long wool rug underneath—the kind she most loved to step on barefoot.

This room didn’t feel like a guest room. It felt like… her room.

In all the years she had refused to come to the Ming house, there had always been a room prepared for her, meticulously tailored to her tastes.

Song Xiangwan felt a slight tightness in her chest.

When Ming Jin had repeatedly suggested she come home with her before, had she been hoping that Song Xiangwan would be happy to see such a carefully prepared room?

But she had always refused vehemently.

She had even said harsh things: “I don’t want to go back with you. That’s your home, not mine. I know my place.”

“I don’t want to play various games with you, and I’m not interested in your home at all.”

“I’m content being your bed partner here. Do you want me to be on call anytime, anywhere?”

Their first time had happened in the lounge attached to Ming Jin’s office.

She felt like a toy being played with, extremely sensitive to such things, and absolutely refused to be intimate anywhere outside of Clear Water Bay.

She was like a porcupine raising its quills, completely unwilling to listen to Ming Jin’s explanations, nor did she believe Ming Jin when she said nothing intimate would happen, they would just be going home.

Song Xiangwan didn’t sleep well that night.

The bed was soft, the aromatherapy was comfortable, and the nightlight was just right, but her heart was constantly constricted, and she never truly settled into sleep.

Song Xiangwan didn’t set an alarm. She held her breath, unwilling to believe they would actually wake her up early in the morning just to rush her out.

The soundproofing was excellent. The morning was perfectly quiet.

Song Xiangwan only pushed open her door at ten o’clock. The living room outside was also quiet.

The housekeeper greeted her: “Did you sleep well, Miss Song? Breakfast is ready. I will set it in the dining room now.”

“Good,” Song Xiangwan nodded. She glanced toward Ming Jin’s bedroom door, which was closed, and couldn’t help but ask, “Is President Ming up?”

“President Ming has already gone out,” the housekeeper said.

“Gone out?” Song Xiangwan was surprised. “Where did she go?”

After the tiring journey last night, her face was as pale as a sheet when she got off the plane. Why was she going out again instead of resting at home?

Did this person really treat herself like an iron woman?

“I don’t know that,” the housekeeper’s instruction was to serve Miss Song as the most honored guest. She didn’t know Song Xiangwan’s identity.

She continued, “She went out with President Xu this morning. She should be heading to the company.”

“To the company?” Song Xiangwan’s eyebrows furrowed immediately.

Given her physical condition, what urgent matter required her to go to work so early? Couldn’t Ming Corporation function without her?

“Miss Song, I will prepare breakfast now.” The housekeeper said no more, nodded slightly, and withdrew to the kitchen.

She had rushed back to her room to sleep last night, so she only had time to examine Ming Jin’s “home” today.

One side of the living room wall was dominated by a large floor-to-ceiling window. The window frame was a cool black. Outside the window was a lush banyan tree. The entire living room was decorated in shades of black, white, and gray: light gray marble floors, a metal-framed coffee table, and deep brown leather sofas. Aside from a short-pile rug, there were no other soft areas.

Geometric ceramic art pieces were placed on the corner wall, simple white, and minimalist in style, giving a cool, detached impression.

It was very much in line with Ming Jin’s personal style—aloof and impersonal.

But… there were two framed photos on the living room’s TV cabinet…

Ming Jin’s face was in the frame with Xu Zhiyan’s. Ming Jin’s lips carried a faint smile, and her hand was naturally and lightly holding Xu Zhiyan’s hand.

Ming Jin was not in a wheelchair yet. They stood shoulder-to-shoulder, and behind them was the roof of a European-style building, seemingly in a square in a certain Western country.

They were very close, an almost intimate closeness.

Had Xu Zhiyan… known Ming Jin that long? Song Xiangwan paused slightly.

The car accident was three years ago, and they had been having their cold war for three years. Was this photo taken between their cold war and the car accident? She was in a cold war on one side, while Ming Jin had seamlessly found new love on the other?

No… Song Xiangwan seemed to notice something.

She jogged over, picked up the photo, and examined it closely.

The watch on Ming Jin’s wrist… She had given it to her…

Ming Jin’s birthday in the first year they were together, she had given her this watch.

The following year, during an outing, Ming Jin lost it. She had been furious then, and it took Ming Jin a long time to soothe her.

This watch appeared in this photo. The date of this photo was…

Song Xiangwan’s fingers instantly clenched.

“Miss Song, breakfast is ready,” the housekeeper’s voice interrupted her thoughts.

Both Western and Chinese breakfast options were prepared, covering half the table. Song Xiangwan didn’t have much appetite and only slowly ate a few bites of steamed egg custard.

Seeing her put down her chopsticks, the housekeeper stepped forward two steps: “Are you finished, Miss Song?”

“Mhm.” Song Xiangwan nodded. To maintain her figure, she usually didn’t eat much, and her appetite wasn’t large.

The housekeeper’s next sentence was: “Miss Song, the car arranged for you is waiting at the entrance.”

Song Xiangwan slightly frowned: “Are you trying to rush me out?” Her tone was a mix of dissatisfaction and grievance.

“I wouldn’t dare,” the housekeeper quickly said. “It is President Ming’s arrangement.”

Getting into the car prepared for her, Song Xiangwan raised her voice: “Driver, please go to Ming Corporation.”

The driver was startled and quickly said, “Miss Song, President Ming’s instruction was to take you back to Clear Water Bay.”

“I’m not going back. I’m going to the company.” Song Xiangwan’s expression darkened. “If you won’t take me, I’ll take a taxi.”

“To Ming Corporation.” She repeated the three words carefully, one by one.

The driver’s eyelid twitched. He nodded: “Yes, Miss Song.”