The Person I Love Who Has Been Missing For Three Years - Chapter 29

Chapter 29: Her First Time with Song Xiangwan

At Ming Corporation, in the conference room, a regular meeting was underway.

However, the people present were visibly cautious, exchanging glances as if trying to read something in each other’s eyes.

But it seemed no one had the answer.

Sitting in the main seat was Xu Zhiyan, dressed in a dark gray suit. Her eyes were deep black with slightly raised outer corners, radiating a cool, reserved aura—sharp and incisive, like a sword drawn from its sheath.

Xu Zhiyan hadn’t been in charge of Ming Corporation for long, but she was a fast learner. Her authoritative presence, without needing to show anger, held a few similarities to the Ming Jin of the past.

However, she was still far from Ming Jin’s level.

Yet, it wasn’t just Xu Zhiyan’s presence that made them cautious. What confused them was why Ming Jin had come today…

She did not take a seat at the table, choosing a corner spot instead. A small end table next to her held a cup of hot tea steaming gently.

She wasn’t in formal attire, wearing a casual black knit sweater. A thin black blanket lay across her lap, and she had a book, which she was slowly turning the pages of.

Her dark, medium-length hair fell softly, creating an image of quiet serenity, yet somehow, on her, it carried a faint sense of pressure.

She hadn’t spoken since entering, but her presence was potent.

She seemed to not be listening to the meeting content, yet everyone was subtly careful.

The department director who was presenting finished his report, and the room instantly fell silent.

“Page six,” Xu Zhiyan said flatly, the tip of her pen tapping the table with a thud that seemed to land directly on their hearts.

The department director quickly flipped the PPT back to the page she mentioned.

Xu Zhiyan leaned back casually and said mildly, “Do you not see a problem with the data here?”

“This…” The director paused, quickly scanning the page.

“I know the marketing department has been very busy lately, but busy enough to make errors in basic data?” Xu Zhiyan said. “Director Liu, are you trying to fool me?”

Director Liu’s eyes narrowed. He looked at a certain board member present, but the board member didn’t look up at him, only down at the document in his hand, acting unconcerned.

“If this happens again, Director Liu should voluntarily request a transfer to grassroots training,” Xu Zhiyan tossed the pen onto the table. “Continue.”

Ming Jin’s lips curled into a faint smile. She slowly sipped the tea in her hand, suppressing the dryness in her throat.

Her head felt cloudy, as if something had been off since getting off the plane last night, but she had a crucial reason for being here today.

This young woman was indeed quite resolute.

A director would certainly not dare to mislead them. The only fear was that he had already colluded with higher-ups and tampered with the data.

She did not interject. Xu Zhiyan would face many more situations like this. She still needed time to slowly establish her authority.

The singled-out problem clearly made the subsequent presenters more nervous. Their voices were slightly strained, and when they finally sat down, their backs were slick with cold sweat.

Fortunately, Xu Zhiyan didn’t find any further issues. She closed the documents in her hand and scanned the room.

The Vice President next to her understood and also addressed the attendees: “The meeting ends here. Does anyone have any questions?”

A few people exchanged glances. Finally, one person raised their hand and said, “President Xu, I’ve reviewed the Investment Department’s proposal, and I have some concerns.”

“Ming Corporation did invest in the entertainment industry in previous years, but the financial data wasn’t impressive, and the profit wasn’t substantial.”

“Isn’t the investment amount for this sector in the next quarter a bit too high?”

Ming Corporation’s roots in the entertainment industry were not deep. Most of its business was conducted through Rongxing. The speaker was essentially saying that the budget for Rongxing was too high.

“Is President Xu perhaps looking to expand into the film and television sector? The water is deep there, and our advantage does not lie in this.”

“I initially thought the planning by the Investment Department colleagues might be problematic.”

“But when I asked the Investment Department colleagues, their reply was that this was President Xu’s decision…”

Someone else chimed in: “Yes, President Xu, venturing into new industries like this is a major decision. Why weren’t we informed earlier?”

Another agreed: “The entertainment industry’s risk resistance is still too low. President Xu, don’t think this industry is too simple.”

Because Ming Jin was present, their rhetoric was much more subtle than usual.

But they were still subtly implying that Xu Zhiyan was young, lacked judgment, and made decisions carelessly.

“I have reviewed the Investment Department’s proposal. There is no issue. The risk of loss is acceptable. This is a very normal and routine investment action,” Xu Zhiyan said slowly. “Are you suggesting that we shouldn’t pursue any investment with risk?”

“It’s not that we won’t pursue it, but we can reconsider,” someone said.

“If we delay this quarter’s timeframe, discussing this again will be next quarter,” Xu Zhiyan lifted her eyelashes. “Will it ultimately come to nothing?”

“President Xu, we don’t mean that. We are just being cautious.”

“Exactly. After all, the shareholders have entrusted us with this responsibility. We cannot recklessly spend the shareholders’ money.”

“A more detailed risk assessment is also a sign of responsibility.”

“Everyone…” A faint voice spoke. The tone was slightly cool and not very loud, but the talking immediately stopped.

All eyes turned to her. The book in Ming Jin’s hand was now closed, resting gently on her lap.

She had listened for a while and understood Xu Zhiyan’s predicament.

This young woman had lied to her. What she usually described was probably less than 30 or 40 percent of the truth.

These old foxes were setting traps with every sentence. If this proposal were to be rejected today, the perception of Xu Zhiyan being young, impulsive, and irresponsible to shareholders would be set in stone at Ming Corporation. It was clear that these people usually did not cooperate with Xu Zhiyan.

Loyalties were shifting. When Ming Jin was present, she could keep things steady, and everyone was well-behaved in front of her. Now, all sorts of messy ideas were surfacing.

Ming Jin continued slowly: “This investment budget was reviewed and approved by me personally. Do you still have any objections?”

Silence fell. It was as if a stone had been thrown into the ocean, and the ripples created were instantly smoothed out, with no sound remaining beneath the surface.

Only three years had passed, but Ming Jin’s residual authority still held sway.

“Good. If there are no objections, I can continue.”

“Rongxing has generated significant profits in recent years, and its return on investment is not low. It is more cost-effective and stable than forty percent of Ming Corporation’s investment cases.”

“Ming Corporation’s involvement in the film and television sector is not new. We are familiar with this industry through investments in films, TV series, and sponsorships as advertisers.”

“Furthermore, although the stated revenue is not exceptionally high, it saves a substantial amount of expenses.”

“The company’s products can use our own artists for endorsements. You can calculate how much money is saved on the books.”

“If anyone still has questions about this matter, I can promise here and now: if we profit, everyone gets their share. If we incur losses, I will personally bear the cost.”

She had spoken quite a bit, feeling a slight dryness in her throat. She pressed her fingertips to her lips and coughed twice faintly.

In the entire conference room, no one dared to speak except for her coughing.

“Alright, if there are no problems, the meeting concludes here,” Xu Zhiyan stood up. “Meeting adjourned.”

Xu Zhiyan wheeled Ming Jin out of the conference room. Everyone else quickly got up and dispersed in small groups.

Only the former Director Liu remained behind, approaching a middle-aged man and saying, “Director Lü, about that data issue…”

“We’ll talk later, we’ll talk later.” He waved his hand dismissively, clearly trying to avoid the topic.

Director Liu’s eyes darkened. If it weren’t for that kickback, how could the data have been so skewed?

What did this mean now? Was he abandoning him?

The matter was settled. After listening to the meeting all morning, Ming Jin felt her energy drained. The heavy, cloudy feeling intensified.

Xu Zhiyan wheeled her back to the office and spoke several sentences before realizing that Ming Jin’s condition was wrong.

“Jie…” She squatted down and reached out to touch Ming Jin’s forehead. Her brow instantly furrowed. “You seem to have a slight fever.”

“It might be a slight fever, it’s nothing,” Ming Jin said softly.

Dizzy and lacking strength throughout her body, she could roughly guess what was happening. She knew the score; it was probably a low-grade fever.

With the change of seasons and the flu spreading, her travel between Shancheng and Haicheng, compounded by fatigue leading to a weakened immune system, meant she was bound to catch something.

“I’ll take you back immediately,” Xu Zhiyan instantly picked up her phone to call the driver.

But Ming Jin reached out to stop her: “First, call Sister Qiu and ask if she has left yet.”

Sister Qiu was the Ming family’s female housekeeper. Ming Jin wanted to confirm if Song Xiangwan had obediently left.

Xu Zhiyan nodded and made the call.

Ming Jin looked around the office. Xu Zhiyan had finished the call: “She has already left.”

“This office… hasn’t changed at all…” Ming Jin’s voice was distant.

It was exactly the same as three years ago: the wooden pen holder on the black tempered glass desk, the cluster of Yun Zhu bamboo by the window, and even… the order of the books on the shelf hadn’t changed.

It was just as it was when she worked in this office.

For the first two years, the company was managed by a professional manager, and this office was kept locked.

Last year, Xu Zhiyan took over and reactivated it, but she hadn’t moved a single item, keeping it completely original.

Ming Jin took a long breath and said softly, “I apologize. It brings back painful memories.”

It reminded her of when she was still President Ming, still in charge of everything, holding the world in her hands, everything under control.

Now, things and people had changed.

Seeing these decorations was a stark contrast between three years ago and the harsh present.

“I’ll replace these decorations tomorrow,” Xu Zhiyan quickly said.

She just wanted to keep a memory, not cause distress.

“No need. I won’t have many opportunities to come here in the future anyway,” Ming Jin said gently.

“How did she get here?” Xu Zhiyan frowned.

She instinctively wanted to say don’t see her, but stopped herself, cautiously checking Ming Jin’s expression.

Ming Jin spoke: “Don’t see her. Tell her to go back.”

“Yes, President Ming.” The secretary nodded, then quietly exited, closing the door.

Ming Jin’s return to Haicheng was intended to create distance between them, but she hadn’t expected Song Xiangwan to chase after her, nor the scene that unfolded afterwards.

She felt like she was being sucked into a whirlpool. If she lost control even slightly, she would fall into it, succumbing to Song Xiangwan’s attempts to reconcile.

Since she was facing her own uncertain fate, it was better not to involve people in pain.

She finally hardened her heart, acting as the heartless one.

Her self-proclaimed hardened heart.

The heart that hadn’t completely hardened had driven her to the office today for Rongxing, and her phone was filled with a list of new psychologists…

“Jie, I’ll take you back,” Xu Zhiyan said.

“Not yet,” Ming Jin shook her head. “Let me stay a little longer.”

“If you like it here, you can come back later. You have a fever now. You should go back and rest first,” Xu Zhiyan gently persuaded.

If Ming Jin liked this office, she could keep it forever. If she didn’t, she could demolish it immediately.

None of that mattered. Nothing was more important to her than her Jie.

“No,” Ming Jin gently shook her head. “You don’t understand her. No one can stop her from doing what she sets her mind to.”

“She won’t leave easily.”

Ming Jin was indeed very familiar with Song Xiangwan. After being refused, she had no intention of leaving. She simply sat on the curbstone outside the main gate of Ming Corporation.

Knowing Ming Jin was inside, she had to wait, to stand guard until she came out.

She was very patient.

“But you can’t keep running a fever like this…” Xu Zhiyan was immensely worried.

“I’ll be fine after I lie down for a while. Don’t worry about me. Go attend to your work,” Ming Jin said faintly. She wheeled herself into the lounge adjacent to the office.

The lounge was also exactly as it had been. Even the lavender-colored bedding was the same style as before, only replaced with new sets.

Xu Zhiyan was absolutely uneasy. After settling Ming Jin down on the bed, she stayed by her side.

“You have meetings this afternoon, and if you don’t handle the documents, you’ll have to work overtime tonight,” Ming Jin chuckled softly. “Go on. I’m fine.”

“Alright,” Xu Zhiyan nodded. As soon as she stepped out, she called Lin Rong.

The door closed, and silence returned to the lounge.

Ming Jin opened her eyes. The curtains were drawn, making the light dim. Her head felt cloudy, but she couldn’t actually sleep.

Last night’s rest hadn’t restored her energy. Even lying down now, the area of her spine was throbbing intermittently.

This was the true sight of painful memories.

Her first time with Song Xiangwan had been in this very lounge, on this very bed.

At that time, Song Xiangwan was a poor college student in her sophomore year.

She had originally planned to have a late-night snack with Ming Jin after her evening class.

However, Ming Jin’s meeting hadn’t ended, and Song Xiangwan had fallen asleep in the lounge, drowsy.

When Ming Jin returned after the meeting and opened the door, she saw a lazy cat on the bed.

She slept restlessly. The blanket was tucked between her legs, one leg exposed. She wasn’t wearing pants, only a white shirt.

The white shirt was Ming Jin’s, a spare one kept in the lounge.

The short shirt barely covered anything, and with her restless sleeping posture, the loosely fastened buttons came undone, offering an unobstructed view.

Ming Jin felt a slight tightness in her throat. She sat by the bed and gently touched her cheek: “Wake up. Supper is here.”

“Is it here?” She was half-asleep. Opening her eyes, her phoenix eyes smiled at Ming Jin.

She didn’t get up, just rolled over, hugged Ming Jin’s waist, and rubbed her head against her: “You lied to me.”

With an intimate, natural movement, Ming Jin embraced her waist, following her motion, and gently patted her: “Why are you wearing my clothes?”

“It rained. My clothes got soaked. I only found this one.” Song Xiangwan then realized she wasn’t wearing pants and quickly tried to hide under the blanket.

She couldn’t escape. Her ankle was suddenly grabbed.

The warmth of Ming Jin’s fingertips transferred through her ankle, feeling slightly hot.

Song Xiangwan’s eyelashes fluttered slightly, and she whispered, “It tickles…”

She was exceptionally fair, and her skin was incredibly delicate. Just that grab left a faint red mark.

The mark, like red plum blossoms on snow, stirred a subtle feeling in Ming Jin’s heart.

Ming Jin didn’t force the issue and let go. She watched Song Xiangwan retreat into the covers like a cat, only a small part of her head visible, staring at her.

“Did you take a taxi?” Ming Jin asked.

“Mhm,” Song Xiangwan nodded.

“I arranged a driver for you. Why didn’t you use him?” Ming Jin was slightly helpless.

The private car could drive into the company premises and wouldn’t get wet at all, but a taxi could only stop by the roadside, still some distance from the company entrance.

“No one else has one… only I do… they might notice something…” Song Xiangwan whispered.

She hadn’t told the whole truth. There were plenty of luxury cars coming and going at the art school.

But whenever a beautiful girl got into a luxury car, there were always rumors. Beautiful girls, art schools, luxury cars—the combination of those words always suggested a sugar daddy.

Song Xiangwan was known to be from a poor family, and being associated with a luxury car would almost certainly lead to rumors.

“Do you not want people to know you’re dating?” Ming Jin’s eyes slightly dimmed.

“We’re not dating…” Song Xiangwan mumbled softly.

“We’re not?” Ming Jin frowned, leaning closer until their eyes met, “I told you before, we are dating.”

In her light brown eyes, there was a faint, cool pressure. The distance was very close; they could feel each other’s breath.

Song Xiangwan instinctively tried to pull back, but she was already pressed against the soft headboard, with nowhere to hide.

Ming Jin’s hand pressed against the side of her face, and then a heavy kiss descended, landing on her lips. Her tongue gently probed, slipping in, rolling with a slight wet sound.

Song Xiangwan was breathless from the kiss. Her hands came out from under the blanket, wanting to push Ming Jin away.

But her wrists were immediately grabbed and pinned to the bed. The kiss didn’t stop, lingering and long, marking each other’s taste on their lips and teeth.

Ming Jin’s thumb gently rubbed the inside of Song Xiangwan’s wrist. Their lips parted slightly, but remained touching.

“Wanwan, we are dating.” As she said this, she leaned in again and kissed Song Xiangwan’s lips.

Song Xiangwan was dazed by the kiss. Usually, Ming Jin’s kisses were light and brief, never like this, as if she intended to devour her in small bites.

The hand resting on her chest undid the few remaining buttons of the white shirt, one by one.

Song Xiangwan’s heart tightened. She was so nervous that she bit down slightly, catching Ming Jin’s lip.

Song Xiangwan was tense, her eyelashes trembling violently: “Didn’t you say the late-night snack was here? Let’s eat.”

“It hasn’t arrived yet…” The temperature of Ming Jin’s palm was scorching, making Song Xiangwan feel like her entire body was on fire. “Wanwan, by wearing my shirt, are you being the initiator?”

“I…” Song Xiangwan didn’t have time to speak before the kiss returned.

The white shirt on her body had long been crumpled and tossed aside. Her hand pressed against Ming Jin’s collar: “Your clothes are neat, I… it’s not fair…”

“You can take them off,” Ming Jin said, their noses touching, as she looked at her.

“We are dating. I can initiate with you, and you can initiate with me…”

“Today?” Song Xiangwan’s fingers tightened.

She had been psychologically prepared for this day since she first came to Ming Corporation, but now that it had arrived, she couldn’t help but feel nervous.

As for Ming Jin saying they were dating, while she no longer denied it, she didn’t take it to heart.

How could they be dating when their statuses were so unequal?

The other person controlled everything. She was like a fish raised in a puddle, relying on a few drops of rain to survive, not even having the right to bargain.

“Take them off,” Ming Jin’s voice was faint, but her breathing was becoming ragged.

Button by button, the buttons were undone. Ming Jin’s clothes were also tossed onto the floor. The bed became infused with the scent of both of them.

Hugging, intertwining, kissing… Kisses descended from her eyes to her lips, slid from her lips to her cheeks, then dissolved into her neck. Her fervent breath warmed her neck, making it slightly red.

Song Xiangwan never imagined that this intertwining would make her breath feel hot, leaving her mind blank in patches.

She wrapped her arms around Ming Jin and couldn’t help but kiss back, on her lips, on her fingertips.

“Am I beautiful?” Ming Jin asked softly.

Song Xiangwan paused. Ming Jin pressed again: “I mean, is my hand beautiful?”

“Yes, beautiful.” Song Xiangwan was not lying.

She had never seen such a well-maintained, beautiful, long hand. Even the hands of the most meticulous art students around her weren’t this lovely.

It wasn’t just the shape that was beautiful. The cool, fair skin was like warm jade, smooth to the touch, like a work of art.

The lounge had an attached bathroom, where they could wash off the sweat.

But they were somewhat cramped together.

The shower poured down from above. The water temperature was adjusted to be slightly scalding, making their skin feel hot and their minds slightly dizzy.

The glass door was misted up with steam. Their slightly red skin glowed in the mist, suffused with red, like the color of crushed morning clouds.

After the late-night snack, she was dressed and returned to school.

It was already past curfew. She pleaded with the dorm supervisor for a few minutes before the supervisor opened the door and let her in.

Her roommate, Lin Xin, was still awake, wearing headphones and watching a drama. Hearing the door, she took off her headphones and looked over: “Why are you back so late?”

“I was at my part-time job,” Song Xiangwan offered as her excuse. She gave this explanation every time she went to see Ming Jin, so Lin Xin didn’t suspect anything.

“That outfit is nice. I haven’t seen you wear it before,” Lin Xin was always interested in fashion.

She looked her over and clicked her tongue: “It’s a brand name, too. Your sense of style has improved lately. Good job.”

Song Xiangwan’s poor family background was well-known. She quickly explained, “It’s fake… a high imitation…”

“Everyone else is asleep, so I’m not going to talk anymore. I’m going to bed too.” Song Xiangwan hurried past Lin Xin.

She felt uneasy all over, like she had done something wrong.

But what she didn’t know was that Lin Xin didn’t suspect anything.

The whole dorm knew that Song Xiangwan was acting as the third female lead in a web series. In Lin Xin’s mind, it was simply that Song Xiangwan had money now and was dressing herself better.

The only thing weighing down Song Xiangwan was the low self-esteem that still resided in her bones at the time.