The Person I Love Who Has Been Missing For Three Years - Chapter 39

Chapter 39: The Three-Year Contract

“Very unhappy…” Song Xiangwan answered almost without hesitation.

She tightly embraced the person in her arms, greedily trying to feel Ming Jin’s body temperature.

“Ah-Jin, can we start over, please?” Song Xiangwan’s voice was filled with a subtle plea.

“Wanwan, what you said before was very true,” Ming Jin’s voice was flat. “Your being with me was fundamentally unfair.”

“Everyone will see you as my kept mistress. In this circle… everyone will look down on you…”

“Just like at the banquet today, those strange looks are real. Although I can make them shut up, it’s not fair to you.”

“And it is the same now…”

Bringing her back into this circle, only to be pointed at and whispered about by others…

Song Xiangwan was also a proud person with backbone. She didn’t like this.

In the past, when she held a high position, Ming Jin didn’t understand what Song Xiangwan was being stubborn about.

But when she suddenly lost her status, going from being a powerful figure to being inferior to others, she felt those different looks around her…

Sympathy, pity, or even contempt. Though unspoken, it was all visible in their eyes.

She suddenly understood Song Xiangwan’s insistence a few years ago. Song Xiangwan hadn’t done anything wrong; she just didn’t want to feel inferior to anyone.

But Ming Jin had never given Song Xiangwan a choice, forcing her to stay by her side, mistakenly believing that as long as their hearts were together, they could resist everything.

They couldn’t. They truly couldn’t.

People cannot truly ignore the gaze of the outside world.

Whether it was because she had spoken so much or because of the emotional fluctuation, Ming Jin only felt her throat was dry and itchy.

She tried to suppress it, but failed. The light cough escalated severely, causing the fingers pressed against her mouth to tremble slightly.

She tried to turn her body away, but her paralyzed legs completely disobeyed her. Her upper body twisted, but her lower body remained at the original angle.

She was left in a painfully awkward position, stretching her entire spine. A fierce, intense pain, like being twisted tightly.

Song Xiangwan scrambled to climb out of bed, reached out and turned on the bedside lamp, and got off the bed.

She rushed to Ming Jin’s side, knelt halfway, and wrapped her arms around Ming Jin’s body, supporting most of her weight.

She lightly patted Ming Jin’s back. Song Xiangwan’s voice was very soft and slow, but full of worry: “Are you feeling better? Shall I help you lie back down properly?”

Ming Jin suppressed the metallic taste in her throat, looked down, and said softly: “Put on your slippers.”

“It’s fine…” Song Xiangwan instinctively replied, then quickly backed down, “Okay, I’ll put them on right away. You lie down first.”

Beneath her lowered eyelashes, a flash of self-loathing and disgust crossed her light brown eyes, but she didn’t show it.

It was just the simple movement of lying back down, but her entire spine was stretched. The acute pain from the pressure points made her face turn slightly pale.

The feeling was like old, poorly maintained mechanical gears grinding and squeezing during forced movement. Every collision between the bones caused waves of black haze before her eyes.

Her breathing was sometimes shallow, sometimes heavy. Although she tried to control it, it was completely audible to Song Xiangwan.

Song Xiangwan said nothing, suppressing the bitterness in her eyes. She straightened the pillow, stood up: “I’ll go get you a cup of honey water…”

Her wrist was gently grasped. Ming Jin’s calm gaze fell upon her: “Get into bed and sleep. It’s very late. Don’t fuss. Doesn’t your stomach hurt?”

“It’s fine, it doesn’t hurt anymore.” Song Xiangwan was only filled with concern now. How could she worry about those little aches?

“Come here,” Ming Jin insisted. Song Xiangwan couldn’t argue, so she climbed back under the blanket.

“Are your feet cold?” Ming Jin asked.

“No.” Song Xiangwan wanted to hug her, but was afraid of her slight chill. She rubbed her hands together before tentatively reaching out.

This time, Ming Jin didn’t resist. She simply closed her eyes, letting Song Xiangwan embrace her.

Song Xiangwan was a little surprised, but afraid this fleeting opportunity would pass, she quickly drew closer, wrapping her arms tightly around Ming Jin.

Then, she pulled her a little further into her embrace.

Her palm pressed against Ming Jin’s lower back. Sure enough, she felt a cold, hard sensation, like steel dampened by water, a chilling wetness.

When she applied a light pushing force, Ming Jin’s body visibly tensed. Her fingers gripped Song Xiangwan’s forearm: “Don’t mess around.”

“I’m not messing around. You’ve been sitting for too long today. Your muscles are stiff. If I don’t massage them, how will you sleep tonight?” Song Xiangwan’s voice was worried.

It was her flowery words that had made Ming Jin stay.

If that meant Ming Jin had to suffer all night because of her, Song Xiangwan truly felt like slapping herself twice.

Ming Jin didn’t let go. Her grip on Song Xiangwan’s arm was tight: “I said you don’t need to learn these things.”

“Isn’t it right for me to take care of the person I love?” Song Xiangwan’s voice floated in the dim night.

Ignoring Ming Jin’s restraint, the motion of her palm continued.

She had studied very diligently in the hospital and had recently found a rehabilitation therapist to continue learning from.

The force wasn’t heavy, just a light press, using the heel of her palm in circular motions, gently kneading away the cold stiffness that had knotted up.

“You…” Ming Jin tried to say something more, but her voice was already slightly incoherent. “You are simply… presumptuous…”

“Then once I’m done being presumptuous, you can punish me. I’ll accept it all.” Song Xiangwan tightened her arm, drawing Ming Jin fully into her embrace.

The scent of flowers, a warm embrace, combined with the intermittent pain in her lower back, made Ming Jin feel a slight dizziness, a kind of dreamy vertigo.

Song Xiangwan was very careful, mindful that Ming Jin’s heart condition wasn’t good. She didn’t dare to use too much force, only massaging lightly and repeatedly.

By the time she could feel warmth returning to Ming Jin’s body, her own wrist was aching.

The sound of the person in her arms breathing, sometimes shallow, sometimes heavy, caused her heart to tense and release. She didn’t have any messy thoughts, only… worry.

Her body felt completely relaxed. While not as effective as physical therapy, her back felt subtly relieved. Both the pain and numbness were somewhat lessened. She should be able to get a good night’s sleep tonight.

“Let go,” Ming Jin’s voice was slightly breathy.

The earlier bout of pain had already drained most of her energy.

She was somewhat reluctant to leave this warm, floral embrace, but rationality gained the upper hand, forbidding her from sinking further.

“Let go,” she repeated sternly. She felt a bit like a scumbag who used someone and discarded them, but there was no other way.

Song Xiangwan was very bold, but she was also worried about upsetting Ming Jin’s heart, so she reluctantly let go, helped her lie down, and then tightly hugged Ming Jin’s arm.

Like a small animal, she nestled against her, obedient and docile.

Her wrist was encircled. Ming Jin’s fingers gently rubbed her wrist.

“Don’t do this again next time. I have doctors around. You don’t need to do these things.”

“But I like it,” Song Xiangwan mumbled softly, pressing tightly against Ming Jin with heavy force, as if afraid she would run away.

Tonight, there were no nightmares. She woke up as if she had had one, shooting up straight.

The bedding beside her was cold. Where was she? Had she disappeared again?

She quickly rolled over and stumbled getting out of bed, almost tumbling off the sheets.

She heard a voice, slightly strained: “Take it slow.”

Ming Jin’s face was pale, startled. If Song Xiangwan had tumbled from that angle, wouldn’t she have hit her head on the wardrobe?

Ming Jin was still there. The curtains were drawn, and the room was dimly lit, which was why Song Xiangwan hadn’t seen her immediately.

Shrouded in the dim light, she sat quietly, whether in a daze or watching the person in the bed, she couldn’t tell.

Song Xiangwan ran over barefoot, knelt in front of Ming Jin, hugged her waist, and buried her head in her lap: “I thought you left…”

Her hair was slightly disheveled. The skin on the back of her neck was fair with a slight pinkish hue. Her shoulder blades were clearly visible beneath the thin homewear. She lay nestled in her lap, so docile.

Ming Jin’s heart softened slightly. She pressed her fingertips on Song Xiangwan’s back and gently patted her: “I didn’t leave. Get ready and let’s eat. Ah-Yan should be arriving soon.”

“Are you leaving too?” Song Xiangwan looked up at her, her phoenix eyes slightly red and pitiful.

Cool fingertips picked up a stray strand of hair near her temple and gently pressed it against her fair cheek. Her slightly parted lips were naturally moist and red.

She could barely hear what Song Xiangwan was saying, only seeing those moist, beautiful lips.

She withdrew her hand as if shocked by electricity. The dark turmoil in her eyes receded, replaced by rational clarity: “Ah-Yan is here. I’ll open the door. You go wash up.”

Clear Water Bay only had Ming Jin and Song Xiangwan’s fingerprints on file, so Xu Zhiyan could only wait outside the door.

But she wasn’t alone. Someone was following her. Lin Rong, wearing pajamas under her trench coat, looked lazy, but her two hands were full.

Xu Zhiyan glanced over. Lin Rong pursed her lips, her tone plaintive: “Are you really going to make me carry all this by myself…”

“Then don’t eat it,” Xu Zhiyan scoffed. “The hotel has breakfast. You insisted on following me.”

“What do you mean I insisted on following? My patient is here. I’m just being diligent.”

“How about I leave now?” Lin Rong asked with a raised pitch, handing over the breakfast.

She clicked her tongue: “If something happens to the patient, I won’t take responsibility, you know. Morning traffic is terrible. It would take me ages to get back…”

“Fine, fine, you win.” Xu Zhiyan took the breakfast from her hands. Her shoulder dropped; it was heavy.

“Alright, the little girl is being so obedient today. I’ll help you carry it.” Lin Rong smiled, reaching out to take it, her fingertips brushing Xu Zhiyan’s hand.

A slight warmth. Xu Zhiyan immediately withdrew her hand, taking a step aside, looking suspiciously at Lin Rong: “Don’t touch me. You have ill intentions.”

Lin Rong smiled, but before she could say anything, the door opened from the inside.

Xu Zhiyan crossed the threshold in one step: “Sister, did you sleep well last night?”

“I brought you breakfast. Also, let Lin Rong examine you later.”

“I’ve already handled the things you told me about this morning…”

Xu Zhiyan placed the breakfast on the table, turned back to push Ming Jin’s wheelchair, completely ignoring Lin Rong, and walked away, leaving her standing by the door.

A sister-complex. She has eyes only for her sister.

Lin Rong smiled slightly, not taking offense. She stepped inside, tore open the containers one by one, found what she wanted to eat, and began eating slowly.

It was indeed better than the hotel breakfast.

Ming Jin was looking down at the document Xu Zhiyan handed her. After reading through the clauses, Song Xiangwan also came out after washing up.

Seeing Song Xiangwan approach, Ming Jin closed the file folder, placed it casually on the table, and said flatly: “Let’s eat first.”

The wheelchair was pushed to the dining table. When she looked up again, there were two pairs of chopsticks in front of her.

Xu Zhiyan handed one pair over, and Song Xiangwan handed over another.

Xu Zhiyan was momentarily stunned. Before she could retract her hand, she saw Ming Jin take the chopsticks offered by Song Xiangwan.

Xu Zhiyan glanced at Song Xiangwan, her eyes full of admiration. It had only been one night. Impressive.

Song Xiangwan completely ignored Xu Zhiyan’s gaze. She just watched Ming Jin. Her eating seemed relatively normal this morning. She drank milk and had some sandwiches.

“Don’t just stare at me,” Ming Jin said flatly. “Eat. You have work this afternoon.”

“Oh…” Song Xiangwan nodded, took a bite of a xiaolongbao (soup dumpling), chewed it many times, but still couldn’t swallow.

She felt a little nauseous. The dull ache in her stomach hadn’t completely disappeared overnight. The more she ate, the more it seemed to hurt.

She ate very slowly. No one rushed her. The three people waited quietly for her to finish eating.

She didn’t eat much before putting down her chopsticks: “I’m full.”

Ming Jin slightly frowned. Like a cat, she ate even less than her. How could she continue like this?

“No dieting,” Ming Jin poured a bowl of congee and placed it in front of her.

“I really can’t eat any more,” Song Xiangwan looked at Ming Jin pitifully.

Ming Jin seemed to sigh softly, then opened the file folder, pushing the document toward Song Xiangwan: “Sign this.”

“This is…” Song Xiangwan skimmed through it.

“Didn’t you want to be by my side?”

“You saw last night, I sometimes have to attend banquets and need a female companion.”

“Sign this, and you will be my female companion from now on.”

“It’s not…” Song Xiangwan paused, “Girlfriend?”

She had thought that after last night, they would be reconciled, but apparently, they weren’t.

Before, Ming Jin would sincerely tell her that they were dating. But now, she coldly told her that this was an agreement, merely an employment relationship as a female companion.

“After signing, you will have free access to the Ming Corporation and the Ming residence.”

“No one around me will stop you.”

“You can accompany me to banquets and events as my girlfriend.”

“Also, the compensation specified in the contract will be given to you within half a month. If you need anything in the future, you can also ask me.”

“If you are unwilling, we can stop here.” She pretended to reach for the contract in Song Xiangwan’s hand. Song Xiangwan quickly pulled back, hugging it to her chest.

“Willing, willing, I am willing,” she nodded repeatedly like a chick pecking at rice.

Song Xiangwan was about to sign without reading, but Ming Jin reminded her: “You can reconsider.”

“No need to reconsider.” Song Xiangwan immediately signed her name.

Free access to the Ming Corporation and the Ming residence. That was enough. That was enough.

“The equity transfer requires public announcement and must go through a process. Ah-Yan will coordinate the specific steps with you.”

“Equity?” Song Xiangwan was stunned.

She quickly flipped back a few pages, her fingertip tracing the text.

Monthly compensation settlement of five million…

Two percent of Ming Corporation shares, settled in a single payment…

Shares in the Ming Corporation.

Even if Song Xiangwan decided to be a freeloader forever, the dividends would be enough for her to live comfortably for a lifetime.

Moreover, with capital in hand, she would no longer be an actress whose fate was held by others. She would be a shareholder in Ming Corporation, wielding capital.

Song Xiangwan felt her fingertips were slightly burned by those words.

“The contract period is three years. I hope you fulfill the duties of a female companion within these three years.” Ming Jin’s eyes showed no discernible emotion.

“It is impossible for us to start over,” Ming Jin retrieved the file folder and said flatly, “Ah-Yan, let’s go.”

“I also…” Song Xiangwan suddenly stood up, wanting to say she would go with them.

“You have other work scheduled today,” Ming Jin looked over, her eyes unfathomably deep. “An additional clause: I can terminate this contract at any time.”

“I have given you everything you wanted. No one will bully you. You will live well.”

“Go pursue the dreams you want. Don’t waste your time needlessly.”

“If you insist on following me, I will terminate this contract right now.”

Female companion, just a female companion.

She would protect Song Xiangwan well and also give her the confidence to pursue her dreams.

She didn’t want to jeopardize Song Xiangwan’s future. An actress’s peak period is not long, and she didn’t want Song Xiangwan to give up her dreams.

Watching her leave, Song Xiangwan understood the meaning behind her words.

Cao Xin called. Song Xiangwan irritably pressed her slightly agitated stomach. Her mood was also becoming restless.

She regretted not having said those messy things during their argument back then.

Now, Ming Jin didn’t believe her at all. She didn’t believe that Song Xiangwan loved her. Ming Jin thought she was only trying to pursue her dreams, which was why she was humbling herself to please her.

But…

That’s not it.

Song Xiangwan clearly knew her own thoughts. She didn’t like those things.

In the past, she saw them as the only way out of a gilded cage, so she desperately struggled.

Now that she had finally struggled out, she realized that what she had always wanted was just her own obsession.

If she told Ming Jin now that she didn’t want freedom or dreams, she wouldn’t gain any trust.

Cao Xin’s voice came through the phone: “Tonight is the first live broadcast of Dancing with the Stars. It’s just an introductory meeting and task assignment. It’s not expected to be long.”

“I’ve already sent you the guest profiles. Remember to take a look so you won’t be speechless when you meet them.”

“This show fits your persona well and utilizes your strengths, so you must take it seriously.”

“I don’t want to go…” Song Xiangwan mumbled.

She was feeling a little rebellious right now. She wanted to quit all work and express her feelings to Ming Jin.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Cao Xin was used to it, and gently advised. “This show is fully funded and sponsored by a Ming Corporation subsidiary. Its sole purpose is to promote you.”

“If you back out now, all that investment will be wasted.”

“Promote me?” It had been a long time since Song Xiangwan had heard such direct words.

“Yes. I spoke with the production team today. They said this show was planned three years ago, but some unexpected event caused a temporary halt.”

“Now, Ming Corporation has put significant effort into getting this show started again.”

“Xiangwan, you are truly lucky…”

“How many ordinary people have it this easy?”

Song Xiangwan pursed her lips. She was truly lucky to have met Ming Jin. She just hadn’t appreciated it before.

“Okay, I’ll go,” Song Xiangwan said softly.

She had to cherish her good fortune now.

She couldn’t give up. She had to perform well, reclaim her position, and even climb higher.

When she was crowned with glory, she would tell Ming Jin sincerely that she didn’t need any resources, but she still loved her. She wasn’t humbling herself for those resources.

At the peak of her brilliance, she would clearly tell Ming Jin that all this glory couldn’t compare to her.

During morning rush hour, the car speed wasn’t fast, but the driving was kept as smooth as possible.

The morning light from outside spilled through the window, coating Ming Jin’s cold, pale face with a thin layer of golden light. Her light brown eyes gazed out the window at the passing traffic. Early summer brought a bright, beautiful day.

Under the azure sky, large white clouds, seemingly reflecting the ocean blue, looked like soft cotton candy.

Ahead was a kindergarten school bus playing children’s songs. The crisp voices of the children singing along were faintly audible. The flowerbeds lining both sides of the road were in full bloom.

It was a time of vigorous life in Haicheng. The sea was blue, the sky was clear, the sun was bright, and seabirds flew across the horizon.

Even one’s mood seemed to lighten slightly.

Ming Jin’s face had a rare trace of color. She had slept well last night and eaten some breakfast this morning. Xu Zhiyan’s worries eased.

She had originally thought Song Xiangwan was unreliable.

Looking at this, her idea of bringing the two together was wise.

That three-year contract…

Xu Zhiyan thought for a moment and said: “Sister, the surgery is scheduled for next month. Should we tell Rongxing to give Song Xiangwan some time off…”

She meant to let Song Xiangwan accompany Ming Jin through the surgery.

“No need.” Ming Jin lowered her gaze, her fingers touching the cover of the file folder on her knees. “Don’t tell her.”

“I know your concern, but she can’t help with this kind of thing. There’s no need to make her worry.”

“I know what you are anxious about. Don’t worry, I will try hard to survive.” Her tone was very faint, yet it was like driving a nail into a wooden board, final and subtly firm.

“Alright,” Xu Zhiyan nodded softly.

The car turned right. Xu Zhiyan realized something: “Uncle Tai, this isn’t the way home.”

“Ms. Xu, CEO Ming said to drop you off at the company first,” the driver replied.

Ming Jin’s gaze was fixed on the window, on the faces of the people passing by. Her calm eyes held a subtle longing and absent-mindedness.

She didn’t speak, and Xu Zhiyan didn’t insist. She knew that when Ming Jin made up her mind, no one could change it.

As always, she wrapped herself up, not wanting to trouble anyone.

Including dropping her off at work first.

Including not wanting Song Xiangwan to worry.

She seemed accustomed to bearing everything alone.

However, at least Song Xiangwan had walked back into her world. Xu Zhiyan felt reassured. She knew that for that little cat, Ming Jin would try hard to hold on, and would have strong willpower.