The Person I Love Who Has Been Missing For Three Years - Chapter 38

Chapter 38: Let’s start over…………

“This wound is almost healed…” Song Xiangwan muttered, looking at the scratch on her arm.

“Don’t move,” a slightly cold voice commanded.

Song Xiangwan immediately stopped moving, extending her arm and grinning widely as she stared at Ming Jin.

If someone with an ordinary appearance made such a ten-toothed smile, they would look silly and foolish. But because she was beautiful, her silly grin was still bright and radiant.

Song Xiangwan simply stared at Ming Jin, afraid that she might vanish if she blinked.

She was treating an almost-healed scratch with such extreme caution. Sure enough, Ming Jin liked her. Her hunch was further confirmed.

Ming Jin leaned over to apply the medicine. When she straightened up, she slightly frowned, suppressing the pain in her eyes. Her tone was composed: “Don’t let it get wet for the next two days.”

She tidied the cotton swabs and put them back on the table: “Ah-Yan, let’s go.”

“Ah-Jin…” Song Xiangwan immediately grabbed Ming Jin’s hand.

Although she was psychologically prepared, the coldness that met her grasp still startled her heart. It was damp and cold, the feel of a layer of clammy sweat.

“What is it?” Ming Jin’s tone held a touch of helplessness. She took hold of Song Xiangwan’s wrist with her other hand, intending to pull her away.

Song Xiangwan merely looked at her pitifully, refusing to let go. Her eyes were slightly red, and she whined softly: “My stomach hurts…”

Xu Zhiyan pursed her lips and looked down, saying nothing. Yes, just like that, cling to her.

She had discovered that the more lively and troublesome Song Xiangwan was, the stronger her sister’s willpower and endurance became.

Ming Jin’s gaze landed on Song Xiangwan’s face, as if she were scrutinizing whether it was genuine pain or just the excellent acting of a skilled actress.

Song Xiangwan slid down the sofa, sat on the floor, and buried her head directly in Ming Jin’s lap, hugging Ming Jin’s waist. The familiar scent of her perfume gave her a sense of security.

She closed her eyes and whimpered softly again: “Ah-Jin, it hurts so much…”

Her voice was slightly muffled, but the embrace was very gentle, as if she were afraid of hurting Ming Jin.

She whispered: “I’ve been drinking for days for this banquet. You were right, this circle is just like that, all fair-weather friends.”

“No one cares if you drink yourself to death at a table.”

“In their eyes, I’m just a worthless actress…”

“I have to smile and toast people. They kept pouring drinks for me. I drank so much.”

“No one treats me like a treasure, Ah-Jin. They all dislike me.”

“If you hadn’t been there, that Miss Chu would definitely have destroyed me tonight. I wouldn’t even see the sun tomorrow.”

“No, you won’t,” Ming Jin knew she shouldn’t have seen Song Xiangwan. Seeing her would only lead to inevitable softening. “You won’t.”

The beautiful, glamorous cat she raised, why did she always look so distressed every time she left her sight?

“You don’t want me anymore either…”

“No one wants me anymore.”

“It hurts so much, Ah-Jin…”

She spoke half in a murmur, half in a tearful complaint. Tears fell one after another, soaking the blanket on Ming Jin’s lap.

Cao Xin had already informed Ming Jin about her drinking for several days.

Hearing this, Ming Jin couldn’t help but frown: “If you want something, tell Cao Xin, tell the company. Why do you have to put yourself through this?”

She had already signed the person back because she wanted to shield her under her own wings, but when she looked back, she realized she hadn’t protected her at all.

A few days ago, she had thought Song Xiangwan actually enjoyed the social drinking events.

Because, a few years ago, they had argued over this very thing—Jiang Lin’s drinking parties, her need to make friends, her need for freedom.

So, when Cao Xin told her, although she was displeased, she didn’t interfere.

But today, Song Xiangwan told her that she hated it, that she felt she was going to die in those drinking circles.

How dared those people treat her like that?

Ming Jin didn’t push Song Xiangwan away. Instead, she gently patted her back in comfort and said: “Ah-Yan, look into it. Who exactly was at those gatherings?”

“Understood,” Xu Zhiyan nodded, looking at Song Xiangwan with a hint of admiration.

Just a few sentences, and Ming Jin was now filled with fighting spirit. At least until she had taken down those people, she would have to live strongly.

Her previous dislike of Song Xiangwan vanished in an instant.

What a great sister-in-law.

“Alright, stop sitting on the cold floor,” Ming Jin’s hand gently patted Song Xiangwan’s back. “Get up. We’re going to the hospital.”

“No hospital,” Song Xiangwan mumbled softly, tightening her grip on Ming Jin.

“No, absolutely not,” Ming Jin’s tone was serious. Her eyes were heavy, but she spoke slowly, “How long has it been hurting? You can’t just keep enduring the pain.”

“It doesn’t hurt… it stops hurting when I hug you…” Song Xiangwan’s voice was muffled.

“I hate hospitals. I’ve been hospitalized so much lately—stomach pain, injuries, pneumonia…” she whined softly, listing her complaints.

“I’ll be fine after a good sleep.” Song Xiangwan rubbed against Ming Jin’s embrace, holding on tightly.

This was what she had planned since going to Jiang Lin’s party. No matter what, she wouldn’t let go once she hugged her. She would just throw a tantrum.

She didn’t believe Ming Jin could be heartless.

Ming Jin was never a person who could be heartless.

Otherwise, that “Less Ice, Slight Sugar” account wouldn’t have existed.

“Wanwan, what exactly are you thinking?” Ming Jin’s tone was tinged with melancholy. She lightly patted Song Xiangwan’s back.

Her eyes were slightly unfocused and confused: “Before, you wanted freedom. I gave you freedom. Why are you unwilling to leave now?”

“I’m thinking that I really like you. I truly, truly like you,” Song Xiangwan said, tears streaming down.

“But…” Ming Jin’s tone darkened, and Song Xiangwan’s heart sank with it.

“Forget it,” Ming Jin didn’t continue.

“You don’t believe me?” Song Xiangwan looked up, her tear-filled eyes staring wetly at Ming Jin. Tears hung on her lashes, making her look incredibly pathetic.

“I believe you,” Ming Jin nodded, reaching out to wipe away the tears at the corner of her eye.

She doesn’t believe me. Song Xiangwan could see from those eyes that Ming Jin didn’t believe a word she was saying.

It was only after their reunion that Song Xiangwan realized how much Ming Jin loved her, how she had offered her whole heart to her.

But in the past few years, Song Xiangwan had been preoccupied with the ‘canary’ status and the idea of being forcibly taken, and a thorn had remained buried in her heart.

She thought that for Ming Jin, it was just a game, just a liking for controlling a mistress, just a passing fancy.

But now, she only felt like a scumbag.

Ming Jin had practically given her life for her. What was she needlessly making a fuss about?

Now, all this was deserved. Deserved to be pushed away repeatedly, deserved not to be trusted.

What did Ming Jin think?

Did she think Song Xiangwan was only back for her previous status, for fame and fortune?

No… Song Xiangwan’s throat felt slightly dry. She wanted to say, No, it’s really not. I don’t want those things anymore. I just realized it too late.

But now, any explanation seemed futile.

That beginning of a money-for-sex exchange hadn’t just become a thorn in her heart; it had become a thorn in Ming Jin’s heart too.

Ming Jin no longer believed her.

Xu Zhiyan sat in the corner of the sofa, wishing she could merge into the shadows, performing a live disappearing act right there.

The floor tiles were too smooth; there wasn’t a crack in the floor for her to crawl into.

“Ah-Yan, you should go back,” Ming Jin suddenly called Xu Zhiyan’s name. Xu Zhiyan came to with a start: “Huh?”

“Can Cao Xin make it back by tomorrow morning? If not, you have one night to contact the little assistant,” Ming Jin was not asking; she was giving an order.

“Tonight…” Xu Zhiyan’s tone paused tentatively, “Are you two really going to be okay?”

Ming Jin worried about Song Xiangwan being alone, with stomach pain late at night, and no one around. What should she do?

Since neither Cao Xin nor Cheng Cheng could come, she was the only one left.

“I’ll stay too…” Xu Zhiyan said. Although she felt like a third wheel here, she was still uneasy about leaving Ming Jin and Song Xiangwan alone.

“You have a meeting tomorrow,” Ming Jin interrupted her. “Go on. Don’t worry. Don’t let me delay your matters.”

Ming Jin’s nature was to dislike burdening anyone, including Xu Zhiyan. Xu Zhiyan knew this well.

She didn’t have the guts to act spoiled and refuse to leave like Song Xiangwan.

After stepping out the door, she still felt uneasy.

After thinking for a moment, she made a phone call.

After waiting for nearly an hour at the complex gate, a purple Porsche finally pulled up.

The driver’s door opened, and a long leg stepped out. Lin Rong was wearing a trench coat over a set of pajamas, indicating her haste.

Her eyes looked tired, with dark circles that could rival a giant panda. She yawned: “I work for you guys, not die for you. Who calls someone late at night? Look, it’s one in the morning. I was finally getting some early sleep…”

“Fine, don’t bother then.” Xu Zhiyan clicked her tongue and turned to walk away.

“Don’t go.” Lin Rong reached out and grabbed Xu Zhiyan’s wrist.

The temperature was still scalding hot, making Xu Zhiyan’s fingertips retract slightly. She turned back to meet a pair of smiling, flirtatious peach-blossom eyes.

“I’m already here. Are you trying to fool me by telling me to leave now?” Lin Rong yanked hard, pulling Xu Zhiyan back.

She practically pulled the person completely into her embrace. The thin pajamas couldn’t block the body heat, a scorching warmth.

Lin Rong had just showered. There was no floral scent, only a faint rose fragrance from her shower gel.

Xu Zhiyan immediately pushed her away: “Lin Rong, stop messing around.”

“I’m not messing around.” Lin Rong leaned back against the Porsche door, crossing her arms, her posture lazy. Her delicate eyebrows raised slightly: “Tell me, what should I do?”

Xu Zhiyan rummaged through her bag and pulled out a room key card: “This…”

“Oh, booking a room for me?” Lin Rong took the card between her fingers, twirling it.

“That will cost extra,” Lin Rong looked at Xu Zhiyan with a half-smile.

Xu Zhiyan: “…” She knew this person couldn’t be serious for more than three seconds.

However, she needed her help right now. Xu Zhiyan suppressed her anger, refusing to let it show.

She pointed to a traffic light ahead: “The hotel is there. You’ll stay at the hotel tonight. If anything happens to my sister, you can be contacted immediately.”

“She won’t be going back tonight; she’s staying in this complex. I’m worried.”

At this point, Xu Zhiyan’s tone became more sincere: “Thank you for coming all this way. Thank you.”

“As for the price, you can name it after the matter is resolved.”

“The kitten lives here?” Lin Rong looked at the residential complex behind her and clicked her tongue. “Wow, that was fast. She’s finally moved in. It’s truly a burning passion.”

“Even with her health condition, the passion is unstoppable… I wonder if something is going to happen tonight…”

“Dr. Lin,” Xu Zhiyan interrupted her, speaking seriously, “Stop talking nonsense. Did you remember everything I just said?”

Whenever Ming Jin was involved, Xu Zhiyan became exceptionally serious.

Lin Rong smiled slightly, not taking offense. She raised the room card in her hand and reached for the Porsche door: “Alright, it’s a deal.”

“You owe me a favor. As for how you’ll pay it back, I haven’t figured it out yet. I’ll tell you when I do.”

It turned out that, contrary to Lin Rong’s expectations, nothing happened under the same roof.

After Xu Zhiyan left, Song Xiangwan took out stomach medicine from a drawer and swallowed the pill under Ming Jin’s watchful eye.

Ming Jin was still uneasy: “If it doesn’t get better later, we still need to go to the hospital.”

“Okay, okay,” Song Xiangwan nodded, but mentally disagreed. The medicine didn’t work yesterday. She wondered if it would work today.

But she absolutely would not go to the hospital. This hard-won time alone, this two-person world, she had to make the most of it.

“Tonight…” Song Xiangwan hesitated.

“I’ll sleep in the guest room. Call me if you need anything.” Without needing Song Xiangwan to say more, Ming Jin pushed her wheelchair toward the guest room.

She opened the door, turned on the light. The bed was made with clean sheets, and two pieces of clothing were casually draped over a chair inside the room.

Cao Xin and Cheng Cheng had both stayed here, so it was kept quite neat, and various supplies were prepared.

But… Ming Jin didn’t like sleeping in a bed someone else had used…

Song Xiangwan knew this, of course, and quickly walked over to open the closet: “Wait a moment. I’ll change to a new set of sheets.”

The bedding was on the top shelf of the closet. Song Xiangwan stood on her tiptoes to pull it down. It fell on her head, and she quickly hugged it in her arms.

But perhaps the sudden force was wrong; the pain in her stomach immediately flared up. Clutching the bedding, her face turned pale, and she bent over instantly.

“I’m fine, I’m fine…” she quickly told Ming Jin.

“Don’t bother making the bed. Get some rest early,” Ming Jin sighed softly, pushing her wheelchair out. “I’ll sleep in the master bedroom.”

“What about me?” Song Xiangwan asked loudly.

“If you like the guest room, you can sleep in the guest room,” Ming Jin said flatly.

Song Xiangwan’s eyes lit up slightly. She dropped the bedding and happily followed Ming Jin into the master bedroom.

In the master bedroom, a framed photo hung above the bed. The warm yellow light shone on the picture of the two women in white gowns looking at each other, their eyes filled with deep, hidden smiles.

It was a photo with a red background and white gowns, like a marriage registration photo.

Ming Jin’s gaze paused briefly, then withdrew.

Song Xiangwan rummaged through the wardrobe, found a set of her pajamas, and handed them to Ming Jin: “Yours aren’t washed. Wear these.”

Watching Ming Jin enter the bathroom, Song Xiangwan hesitated, then quickly followed: “Do you need my help?”

“No,” Ming Jin closed the door.

But as she closed the door, her brow furrowed slightly. She glanced around the bathroom.

It had a wet/dry separation, a glass shower stall, and a white ceramic bathtub—a normal bathroom, but for her, everything was a hassle.

There were no grab bars or assistive facilities, the sink was too high, and the floor was slippery. For her, one slight misstep could lead to a fall.

Ming Jin’s gaze fell to her legs. She abandoned the idea of taking a shower tonight.

She definitely didn’t want to fall here, to be so clumsy in front of Song Xiangwan…

She simply washed up and managed to change her clothes.

Song Xiangwan was practically squatting outside the door, listening to the sounds from inside.

As expected, she heard a crash. Song Xiangwan was so anxious she almost jumped up, grabbing the doorknob and turning it down.

“Ah-Jin, Ah-Jin…” Song Xiangwan called out, her heart pounding. “What’s wrong? Open the door. Let me in to help you, please?”

“I’m fine, no need…” The faint voice was mixed with heavy breathing, yet there was an indescribable persistence and stubbornness.

It was only a slight bump against the radiator next to the toilet when she stood up.

Ming Jin’s eyes were heavy and dark. She reached out and pressed the bruised area, pushing down hard. A sharp, intense pain instantly surged through her.

Her brow furrowed deeply, but she didn’t utter a single cry of pain. She just clenched her teeth, feeling a slight metallic taste in her mouth.

She grasped the red, swollen area almost masochistically, a dark undercurrent surging in her eyes.

Outside, Song Xiangwan was still anxious: “Ah-Jin, Ah-Jin…”

After calling a few times, she remembered and hurriedly turned to the cabinet in the entryway to find the spare key.

There was a string of keys. She couldn’t remember which was which anymore. Song Xiangwan’s hand trembled as she tried them one by one.

Finally, the key went into the keyhole. But at that very moment, the door clicked open from the inside.

Ming Jin had changed into her pajamas, her expression normal. She looked up, her eyes calm: “It’s fine. I’m done washing up.”

Seeing Ming Jin’s still-dry hair, Song Xiangwan seemed to realize something.

“I’ll find someone to renovate it tomorrow…” Song Xiangwan quickly said.

“No need,” Ming Jin’s tone was indifferent. With her back to Song Xiangwan, she whispered, “I’ll leave tomorrow.”

She had stayed to take care of someone, but ended up being looked after instead. What did that make her?

The fingers resting on her knee couldn’t help but clench suddenly. The red, swollen spot on her elbow ached again.

The window didn’t seem to be completely closed. A breeze blew in, causing the curtain to sway gently, like a light movement across someone’s heart.

Ming Jin had taken a step forward, but now instantly retreated.

What was she thinking? Did she really believe that with Song Xiangwan’s return, they could go back to how things were?

How much longer must she burden people…?

How many more people must she burden…?

When Song Xiangwan returned after her shower, Ming Jin was already sitting on the bed, the blanket over her knees, looking down at the screen in her hands.

But the screen of her phone was merely fixed on the home page.

Only Ming Jin knew that ninety-nine percent of her attention wasn’t on the screen in front of her. She was listening to the sound of the water inside. Her mind was racing with countless thoughts.

She had seen it before—water droplets sliding down her pink-tinged skin, slightly damp hair clinging to her neck, drops falling onto her collarbone, causing ripples that made one’s breathing quicken and become unsteady.

Like a rosebush covered in morning dew, fragrant and beautiful. When the spring breeze blew, the branches swayed, and the dew fell, making her lovely and desirable.

Ming Jin’s eyelashes were lowered, her expression composed, as usual. It was as if the last three years hadn’t happened. They were living under one roof, and she was waiting for her.

After a shower, Song Xiangwan would roll into her arms and act spoiled. Perhaps there would be a fiery kiss, and activities that would further heat things up.

But now, those light brown eyes merely looked over calmly and said softly: “You’re done. Get some rest early.”

She couldn’t remember how long it had been since someone slept beside her.

In the darkness, Song Xiangwan clearly heard their breathing. She had been drinking, but now felt no effect of alcohol. She couldn’t fall asleep at all.

Song Xiangwan felt a pressure on her chest. Since staying here, Ming Jin hadn’t let her help even once.

She could see Ming Jin’s pretense and knew the extent of her pride. Her heart felt heavy. She was hurting for her, but didn’t know how to show it.

Tonight…

She still had to be brave.

Ming Jin opened her eyes. She felt the force of someone clinging to her side. An arm gently wrapped around her waist.

“Ah-Jin…” A soft, kitten-like voice.

Song Xiangwan pressed her forehead against Ming Jin’s shoulder, lying on her side, holding Ming Jin in her arms.

“Let go,” Ming Jin’s voice was very faint. Her hand pressed down on Song Xiangwan’s wrist.

She seemed ready to gently exert force to pull Song Xiangwan’s hand away.

“I don’t want to…” A faint sob entered Song Xiangwan’s voice. She wrapped her arms tightly around Ming Jin and rubbed against Ming Jin’s shoulder.

“I hurt so much. Please don’t push me away, okay?” Song Xiangwan whispered.

“Hurt?” Ming Jin’s brow instantly furrowed. She turned her head, trying to see Song Xiangwan’s face in the darkness. “Does your stomach hurt? We should go to the hospital…”

“My heart hurts, Ah-Jin. I feel like I’m going to die from the pain.” Song Xiangwan couldn’t control her tears as they streamed down.

The pajamas were thin. The tears soaked through them immediately, a cold dampness that pressed onto Ming Jin’s shoulder.

“I looked for you at Ming Corporation, I looked for you at the Ming residence, but I couldn’t find you anywhere. I thought you would see me if I made a fuss about breaking the contract.”

“But you still didn’t. Rongxing didn’t want me, and you don’t want me either.”

“Every day, I have nightmares. I dream that you disappear in front of me. I dream… I dream… that you die.”

“I want to be by your side. Don’t you understand what I’m thinking?”

“If you don’t want to keep a mistress, I won’t cause trouble anymore. I’ll be good. Please let me stay by your side, okay?”

“Just… let’s start over…”

She had originally planned to feign pity in front of Ming Jin, acting helpless and tearful, so Ming Jin would soften.

But unexpectedly, from the start of her speech, she completely lost control of her emotions, crying uncontrollably.

All the planned acting went out the window. She felt like her words were rambling and illogical.

A light force patted Song Xiangwan’s back. Ming Jin listened to her for a long time, then finally whispered: “Were you… very unhappy after you left me?”