The Person I Love Who Has Been Missing For Three Years - Chapter 35

Chapter 35: How did she get here?

It was time to leave for the banquet, and only then did Ming Jin realize there was an extra person in their group.

The young sales assistant was wearing a champagne-colored mermaid-style gown, holding a white crocodile-skin clutch bag. She was adorned with a set of dazzling diamond jewelry, but… her eye makeup was strikingly similar to Song Xiangwan’s.

Song Xiangwan liked to wear shimmering eye makeup, as if a layer of fine gold foil had been sprinkled on. Her eyeliner wasn’t heavy, but the wing flicked slightly upward, outlining the charm of her phoenix eyes.

Now, this young assistant’s makeup was entirely in that style.

Only then did Ming Jin realize that the assistant, whose name was Yin Yu, bore a slight resemblance to Song Xiangwan.

Yin Yu looked over, a little uneasy, but her smile was gentle: “Ms. Ming, tonight, I will be your companion…”

“My name is Yin Yu. You can just call me Xiao Yu…”

With that smile, the resemblance to Song Xiangwan immediately faded.

Song Xiangwan never smiled so softly. She was flamboyant and unrestrained, dazzling like a flower blooming under the fierce sun.

Ming Jin’s eyes darkened, pressing down with the force of an icy chill. A silent, heavy aura descended upon the space.

Yin Yu’s heart sank, and she looked toward Xu Zhiyan for help.

She felt that the Ming Jin before her had transformed. Yesterday, she was cold but somewhat gentle; today, she felt like a sharp, cold blade.

“Xu Zhiyan.” The full name, spoken lightly, without overt anger, but enough to make one’s heart clench.

“Sister…” Xu Zhiyan was a little scared, but she braced herself and said, “I might not have time to watch over you all night. Xiao Yu is meticulous…”

“Don’t think I can’t see through your messy thoughts.” Ming Jin’s cold voice cut off Xu Zhiyan.

“You said you wanted me to go out and have fun, but if no one is by your side, how can I…” Xu Zhiyan didn’t dare to finish, glancing quickly at Ming Jin’s expression.

“Stop.” Ming Jin felt her heart pounding rapidly, fueled by anger. She hadn’t expected Xu Zhiyan to pull such a trick.

She didn’t need a counterfeit.

All counterfeits felt offensive in the presence of the original.

Ming Jin’s breathing was ragged. Her health was poor, and she was facing surgery soon. She shouldn’t be getting this angry, but she couldn’t suppress her fury, nor could she tolerate the insult to Song Xiangwan.

She briefly closed her eyes, tightly furrowing her brow, trying to control her racing heart.

But it was no use. Her heartbeat only seemed to accelerate, and her forehead felt slightly damp and cold.

She gritted her teeth and remained silent. Xu Zhiyan didn’t dare to look up, feeling that the surroundings had become terrifyingly quiet.

A soft touch gently rested on Ming Jin’s forehead, and a gentle voice asked: “Ms. Ming, Ms. Ming, are you alright?”

Ming Jin instinctively flinched backward and opened her eyes. There was a faint mist in front of her. In the haze, the eyes looked even more similar.

A flash of disgust surged in her eyes, and Yin Yu didn’t dare to approach further.

The mermaid dress was snug, making her squatting posture somewhat awkward, yet she maintained it, looking at Ming Jin with concern.

But Ming Jin also pulled away from Xu Zhiyan’s hand and looked at the girl opposite her: “How much did you take from her? I’ll give you double. You can leave.”

“I…” Yin Yu was stunned for a moment, then whispered, “I didn’t take any money.”

“The things I’m wearing were lent to me by Ms. Xu. I will return them after use.”

“Please don’t be angry. If I’ve upset you, I’ll leave now.”

“I just hope you take care of your health and don’t take your anger out on Ms. Xu. She only meant well for you.”

“Meant well for me?” Ming Jin felt her fingers trembling slightly from anger.

“Yes…” Yin Yu quickly said, “She’s worried about you. She said you’ve been depressed lately, and since I resemble your ex-girlfriend, she asked me to come…”

She was genuinely helping as a friend. Xu Zhiyan offered to pay, but when she heard it was for Ming Jin, she refused to take a penny.

She also didn’t want any conflict between Xu Zhiyan and Ming Jin.

At this moment, she could only use her sales experience to smooth over the rift between the two: “Ms. Xu only has one sister. You are too important to her.”

“Even if she was confused for a moment and came up with some wild idea, it was only because she felt helpless.”

“I also think that if I had such an excellent sister, a sister who loved me so much, I would also do anything for her.”

“Worry breeds chaos. Ms. Xu’s eyes were red when she begged me.”

“She said if you didn’t want to live, she wouldn’t know how to live either.”

Ming Jin hadn’t considered Xu Zhiyan’s perspective before. Yin Yu picked up on this and managed to calm much of her anger with a few words.

Ming Jin frowned, looking at Xu Zhiyan: “You begged her?”

Xu Zhiyan’s eyes were slightly red, and she whispered: “I’m sorry. I won’t dare to do it again.”

The proud CEO Xu, at this moment, was like a quaking quail that had made a mistake, head bowed, feeling helpless.

She thought Ming Jin liked this assistant and treated her specially.

She hadn’t expected to make Ming Jin this angry.

“Never mind.” Ming Jin slowly exhaled, lifted her eyelashes to look at Yin Yu, and said, “I’m sorry. I wronged you.”

“It’s okay, it’s okay,” Yin Yu quickly replied, her smile still bright and poised. “I’m glad you’re not angry. I’ll leave now.”

“Stay. You will be compensated tonight,” Ming Jin still found the resemblance jarring. “Wipe off your eye makeup, please.”

Stay, she thought, was also to reassure the young Xu Zhiyan so she could go enjoy herself.

Ming Jin didn’t want to drag anyone down.

Yin Yu’s eye makeup was applied under Xu Zhiyan’s direction. She didn’t usually wear it that way, so she quickly wiped it off with a makeup remover wipe.

Her original eyes still had a slight, three-point resemblance to Song Xiangwan’s.

But when she applied her own heavy, all-around eyeliner, it added a touch of seductiveness, and the similarity was instantly diluted to one or two points.

The car was quiet. Aside from Yin Yu busy applying eyeliner, no one else dared to speak.

Occasionally, there was the suppressed, muffled sound of Ming Jin’s cough.

The banquet was held at Han Yingying’s villa. The whole villa was decked out with lights and streamers, and a crimson carpet was laid all the way from the gate.

On both sides of the carpet were neatly trimmed lawns, decorated with flower arrangements, tables, and chairs. Servants were bustling about, suggesting the birthday banquet would be held in the courtyard.

The car stopped at the villa entrance, and Ming Jin finally spoke: “Ah-Yan, go enjoy yourself. Xiao Yu is with me. Don’t worry.”

She didn’t dare to anger her sister again, but she still gave an instruction: “If you feel unwell, call me, or go home early. Don’t wait for me.”

“Understood. Go,” Ming Jin said, her tone no longer as cold as before. Xu Zhiyan felt relieved.

Ming Jin had indeed been clouded by anger. Now, listening to Yin Yu, she realized her mistake.

She had been in despair lately…

After cutting ties completely with Song Xiangwan, she felt indifferent to everything.

Xu Zhiyan must have been terrified, too, right?

This was the sister she had cherished and indulged for over twenty years. Of course, she felt protective of her.

She felt protective of her for abandoning her high-and-mighty demeanor and humbling herself to beg someone for her sister’s sake…

Today, Ming Jin had a touch of lipstick on her lips, making her complexion look not too bad.

She was dressed in formal wear: a dark suit, dark gold cufflinks. Under the unbuttoned blazer, she wore an apricot-white blouse, with a diamond necklace draped over the V-neckline.

The necklace was dazzling, but it couldn’t overshadow her own radiance. A subtle glance from her would make people forget the wheelchair she sat in.

It was as if the legendary CEO Ming, who once commanded the business world of Haicheng, had reappeared.

Han Yingying was momentarily stunned before stepping forward and shaking Ming Jin’s hand: “CEO Ming, long time no see. Your elegance is as captivating as ever.”

“You too, CEO Han. You’re becoming increasingly glorious,” Ming Jin’s fingers briefly clasped Han Yingying’s before releasing.

“CEO Xu,” Han Yingying greeted Xu Zhiyan, then looked at the woman pushing Ming Jin’s wheelchair. “This person looks unfamiliar.”

“She is my companion,” Ming Jin said slowly. “Xiao Yu, say hello to CEO Han.”

“CEO Han, my name is Yin Yu.” Yin Yu freed one hand to greet and shake hands with Han Yingying, while the other remained steadily on the wheelchair.

“Xiao Yu is also in the cosmetics industry. If there’s an opportunity in the future, please take good care of her, CEO Han.”

With Ming Jin’s words, Han Yingying had to look at this companion differently.

Yin Yu was also surprised. Having worked her way up in the social scene, she naturally understood that Ming Jin was helping her network and thinking of her.

Though she had only met Ms. Ming twice, she already felt that Ms. Ming was an excellent and kind-hearted person.

“Oh? May I ask which company you manage? We can exchange ideas in the future,” Han Yingying followed up.

“I don’t run a business. I’m just a sales assistant,” Yin Yu stated her counter brand. In this setting, she didn’t feel ashamed at all.

What was there to be ashamed of about earning money through her own hard work in the service industry?

“Then you must be a talent to have caught CEO Ming’s eye,” Han Yingying’s attitude became even warmer after realizing there was no competitive relationship. “Have you considered a career change? You can start with a management position here.”

She was trying to please Ming Jin. Even if Yin Yu was just an ornament, having Ming Jin’s person around would bring prestige.

“No, thank you.” Everyone present was surprised when Yin Yu outright refused. She said neither humbly nor boastfully, “I like my job.”

“Then we’ll see if the opportunity arises later. Here is my business card.” Han Yingying handed her card over, and Yin Yu accepted it.

However, she had no intention of clinging to anyone; it was merely out of courtesy.

For her, today was just about helping out, and she knew she wouldn’t have much interaction with this high society.

Han Yingying had other guests to attend to. Once inside the banquet hall, people from all directions surrounded Ming Jin.

The former legend of Haicheng still had many people trying to align themselves with her.

A woman walked up to Han Yingying, tapped her shoulder, and quietly asked, “What’s her background?”

The two were very close friends, and Han Yingying didn’t hide anything, quickly summarizing their conversation.

“Just a sales assistant?” The woman was a little surprised.

“Be careful not to offend her. Since CEO Ming brought her, it means she holds considerable weight in CEO Ming’s heart,” Han Yingying warned.

“I know that. I’m not stupid,” the woman paused, lowering her voice even further. “Didn’t CEO Ming bring out that canary before?”

In the past, Ming Jin never brought a male or female companion to banquets.

When she reached a certain age, people naturally tried to arrange marriages for her, hoping to win Ming Jin’s heart with their young talents.

Tired of the bother, Ming Jin openly declared that she would not consider marrying any man; she didn’t like men.

In this circle, such people were a minority. Ming Jin thought this would deter the matchmakers.

However, the enthusiasm didn’t wane; they switched to bringing their daughters’ information to Ming Jin, saying it was perfectly fine for them to marry into the Ming family.

Where in the world was there so much same-sex love? Whether these young women were straight or gay didn’t matter to their families; they were just pawns in a family game.

Ming Jin simply came clean: she had someone in mind and was in a passionate relationship, and hoped no one would disturb them.

After this statement, sending one’s daughter over would be positioning her as a mistress. Ming Jin finally found some peace.

But behind the scenes, there was no lack of discussion within the circle.

Ming Jin was never seen with a female companion. Did this person even exist?

If she truly existed, she must not be from this circle. Ming Jin was protecting her carefully, cherishing her with all her heart. Who exactly was this mystery person?

Some tried to investigate, but no information ever surfaced.

This was the first time Ming Jin had openly brought a female companion.

Han Yingying whispered, “Who knows…”

Who knows if this is the rumored canary?

Is there some new development? Regardless, she had already shown goodwill, and it couldn’t hurt.

Ming Jin dealt with the crowd around her for a while, her energy visibly flagging.

But she never lost her composure. Her back was straight, her posture seated like a pine, and she spoke to people with a polite smile, yet tiny beads of sweat were starting to form on her temples.

Yin Yu seemed to notice and took the initiative to step forward and shield Ming Jin from others.

After a round of interactions, everyone knew that Ming Jin had brought a clever and articulate female companion.

Yin Yu had a slight resemblance to Song Xiangwan and was naturally good-looking. With her graceful, tall figure and excellent speaking skills, she held her own among the socialite crowd.

However, some were secretly disappointed. They had expected the rumored canary to be astonishingly beautiful, but she was just an attractive, ordinary person.

When the area around them cleared, Yin Yu crouched down, looking at Ming Jin’s face, and softly suggested, “CEO Ming, why don’t we go upstairs and rest? CEO Han saved a lounge for us.”

Ming Jin didn’t want to overexert herself and nodded, allowing Yin Yu to push her into the villa. Under the guidance of a servant, they went up to the second floor.

The lounge was a guest room, decorated in soft off-white, with a neatly made bed, a set of creamy-white leather sofas, and sheer curtains billowing at the window.

It was completely different from the dark, fashionable she-devil style Han Yingying herself projected, soft like a piece of cotton candy.

Yin Yu quickly closed the window, then turned back: “CEO Ming, would you like me to draw the curtains so you can lie down for a bit?”

“No, thank you.” Ming Jin refused. Lying down to rest in someone else’s house was highly improper. Though tired, she wouldn’t indulge herself that much.

“You go downstairs and enjoy yourself,” Ming Jin said.

“I won’t,” Yin Yu crouched in front of Ming Jin. “I don’t know any of those people. I’ll stay here with you.”

“You’ve met CEO Han, CEO Li, CEO Zhao… Go downstairs and spend time with the younger people. It will open up more paths for you in the future.”

“Being a sales assistant is youth work. Though you like it, it’s not sustainable.”

“If you can get into management, that would be good.”

“Of course, this is just a suggestion. I won’t interfere with any of your decisions.”

“Even if you don’t want to for now, meeting these people won’t do you any harm.”

“At the very least, they’ll buy things from your counter more often, out of respect for me.”

Ming Jin was paving the way for her. Although she only made one appearance today, Ming Jin was finding ways for her to benefit.

For a moment, Yin Yu felt a pang of jealousy for the ex-girlfriend mentioned by CEO Xu.

A gentle person like CEO Ming must have been meticulously attentive to her. Why did they break up? She had her doubts but knew she shouldn’t ask.

Ming Jin had spoken quite a bit downstairs, and her voice was now slightly hoarse. She pressed her knuckles to her lips and coughed twice.

She watched as Yin Yu quickly poured water, settled it on the side table by Ming Jin’s hand, adjusted the lighting in the room, and tucked the light blanket over Ming Jin’s legs.

She crouched in front of the wheelchair, looked at Ming Jin, her eyes flickering, and whispered: “If…”

She seemed uncharacteristically timid, but finally ventured to ask: “If, CEO Ming, you have broken up and don’t plan to reconcile, would you consider someone like me?”

She had never dated and hadn’t thought about it before, but today, she couldn’t help but feel a flutter in her heart.

Despite being disabled, Ming Jin was the kind of person—in appearance, character, and conversation—who made one’s heart skip a beat.

This might be the last time they met. She couldn’t resist asking this somewhat bold question. If she didn’t ask now, she might never have the chance again.

“No.” Ming Jin gave the answer Yin Yu had already anticipated almost without hesitation.

But perhaps worried about hurting the girl’s feelings, Ming Jin explained: “I’m afraid I won’t live long. Burdening Ah-Yan is unavoidable due to blood ties, but beyond that, I don’t want to burden anyone else.”

“It’s not a burden. You wouldn’t be a burden to anyone,” Yin Yu shook her head. She didn’t understand why Ming Jin thought that way.

“Go enjoy yourself. You don’t need to worry about me.” Ming Jin had leaned back and slightly closed her eyes, indicating she didn’t want to continue the conversation.

It was a gesture of dismissal.

Yin Yu only wanted to ask; she hadn’t expected to force the issue. There was a gulf between them. She hadn’t deluded herself into thinking she could catch a swan.

She didn’t argue further, only saying: “You can call me anytime if you need anything. Tonight, I am still your companion.”

With that, she stood up and quietly left the room.

There were two of Ming Jin’s personal assistants standing by the door. Yin Yu still reminded them to call her if anything happened, and then she headed downstairs.

Ming Jin opened her eyes. The light in the room wasn’t very bright, a soft glow. The sky outside had already darkened.

In front of her was a large floor-to-ceiling window, through which she could see the courtyard, the lawn, and the crowd.

Downstairs, cars came and went, guests flocked in, gathering in lively groups, laughing and talking. The commotion accentuated the silence of her location.

It was shockingly quiet, save for the faint sound of the ventilation system.

She saw Yin Yu had gone downstairs. Han Yingying was being flattering, holding Yin Yu’s hand, talking, and introducing her to newly arrived guests.

Ming Jin had never thought about starting a new relationship.

Her heart was already full, only for Song Xiangwan, and only Song Xiangwan.

She had also never considered finding a replacement for Song Xiangwan.

A silent, desolate wilderness was not a suitable place for vibrant life to enter. It would only lead to scars and no resolution.

Ming Jin had assumed that tonight was just a typical banquet, and after it was over, she would go home with Xu Zhiyan and have no further contact with Yin Yu.

Until, within her line of sight, that black Rolls-Royce appeared.

Among the array of luxury cars, it wasn’t particularly noticeable, and Ming Jin hadn’t even seen it at first.

The rear door opened, and someone stepped out of the back seat. A red dress instantly invaded her vision, like a red butterfly fluttering through a flower thicket, immediately capturing her gaze.

Her knuckles on the wheelchair’s armrest tightened instantly. Ming Jin’s eyes never moved away.

How did she get here?

This banquet shouldn’t have invited anyone from the entertainment industry… How did Han Yingying know Song Xiangwan?

Song Xiangwan walked in on thin high heels, her phoenix eyes shifting, the smile blossoming on her face instantly outshining all the surrounding flowers.

With refined makeup, a string of ruby beads hung on her fair swan neck, resting lightly on her collarbone, highlighting its delicate paleness and a bold, rich charm.

Though the guests were all socialites, the female celebrity seemed to exist on a different plane. Meticulously dressed, she was instantly and strikingly superior in beauty.

Song Xiangwan’s fame in the entertainment industry required no introduction; seventy to eighty percent of the people around recognized her.

She walked up to Han Yingying, smiling as she presented a gift and exchanged some customary congratulations and pleasantries.

Her gaze couldn’t help but sweep across the crowd.

She was desperately anxious to know: would she have a chance to see Ming Jin today?

She couldn’t ask directly; after all, officially, she had no connection to Ming Jin.

Her eyes circled the area and naturally spotted Xu Zhiyan talking with someone, and the light in her eyes dimmed.

Xu Zhiyan was here.

Ming Jin probably wouldn’t come.

As this deflating thought surfaced, Song Xiangwan felt her stomach clench, and the cramping pain intensified.

From last night until now, the medication hadn’t helped, and now, perhaps due to emotional turmoil, the pain was subtly spreading.

Since she was already here, she had to show respect to CEO Han. She accepted a glass of champagne from a servant’s tray and touched glasses with Han Yingying.

The person upstairs was watching her through the floor-to-ceiling window.

Knowing it was like drinking poison to quench thirst, a toxic lure one couldn’t help but fall for, Ming Jin’s gaze still hadn’t moved from that red dress.

Holding the champagne flute, her skin, fair with a blush, looked like an exquisite piece of art. The lines of the red dress were perfect, outlining her smooth waist.

She followed Han Yingying, moving through the crowd, smiling as she greeted and chatted with people, like a deeply vibrant rose.

Occasionally, she raised her phoenix eyes and seemed to glance toward the second floor, causing Ming Jin’s heart to leap violently. She instinctively retreated slightly.

However, she shouldn’t be able to see her. The light on the second floor wasn’t very bright, and there were many windows here. Song Xiangwan was probably just glancing around.