The Person I Love Who Has Been Missing For Three Years - Chapter 51

Chapter 51: Relax, Okay, Just a Bath…

Song Xiangwan returned wearing a change of clothes—casual long sleeves and pants, very modest.

The comments in the barrage started again:

Having slept with someone, now acting innocent. She was so uninhibited just now, and now she pretends to be conservative.

That was for art. Don’t you understand? Stop talking nonsense.

Exactly, it looked great. It didn’t expose much. It was a TV-broadcastable scale. I don’t know what this group of people is barking about.

Did someone report it? The fancam still hasn’t been released.

Are the same people who reported ‘Pleasant Goat’ for being bloody and violent following the scent?

Isn’t showing off meant to be seen? So ridiculous. Isn’t it just to seduce men?

Mr. Lu Xun was right. Seeing an arm makes one think of…

I really hope all these toxic men go extinct, with their heads full of filthy thoughts.

It’s an all-female show. What are they barking about?

Here they go again, feminist arguments. Tsk tsk tsk.

The comments had erupted into an argument. The show itself was no longer enough to attract their attention; all their energy was focused on typing.

Charming H City: A glance, a smile, captivating the nation. Ink-wash painting scroll, Charming H City. @SongXiangwan

Central Dance Official Media: The artistic conception of ink-wash landscapes, the ultimate art of dance. Alma mater is proud of you. @LuPeiling@SongXiangwan@ZhouXintong

H City Bulletin: The beauty of Chinese aesthetics, passed down through millennia.

New Media Online: A detailed analysis of the professionalism in this dance.

Ming Jin put down her phone and sighed softly. She raised her hand and slowly buttoned her shirt, one button at a time. Her fingertips rested on her lips, her eyes slightly darkened.

It wasn’t until the show was over that Song Xiangwan learned about the storm of controversy.

It was ridiculous… she hadn’t exposed much at all…

Ming Jin restricting her was because Ming Jin loved her.

Why were these strangers here complaining?

The car ride home was quiet. Ming Jin seemed to have fallen asleep. Song Xiangwan adjusted the direction of the air vent and pulled the blanket higher over her.

In the dim light, Ming Jin’s eyelashes trembled slightly.

Song Xiangwan was surfing social media. The insults had mostly been suppressed. Once the official media took a stance, the public opinion shifted overwhelmingly.

However, the fancam had still not been released.

How disgusting. Why are they specifically targeting Song Xiangwan’s fancam for reporting? Even the official media think it’s fine, so what’s their problem?

Song Xiangwan wasn’t paying much attention. She viewed these things quite lightly now.

Rain began to fall outside the window. Her focus was entirely on Ming Jin’s expression. She gently cupped Ming Jin’s cool hands, protecting them in her palms.

Lin Rong and Xu Zhiyan were playing a video game in the living room, having connected the home theater’s console to the living room TV.

Playing ‘It Takes Two,’ the screen was split down the middle. Lin Rong controlled the male character, and Xu Zhiyan controlled the female character.

A saw blade rolled down, requiring the game characters to execute several consecutive jumps to leap over the gaps and the blade.

Lin Rong was quick, making several long jumps in succession to reach the other side.

But since it was a cooperative game, they had to wait for Xu Zhiyan to jump over too.

“Hurry up, I’ve been waiting for eight centuries,” Lin Rong controlled her character, making it spin in circles.

“I’m not playing,” Xu Zhiyan gave up, tossing the controller onto the sofa.

Seriously, why did I agree to play a game? She was terrible at games and was embarrassing herself in front of Lin Rong.

“Give me the controller, I’ll help you,” Lin Rong reached out, smiling. “But, I’ll need compensation…”

“I said I’m not playing,” Xu Zhiyan scoffed, throwing the controller directly at Lin Rong. “Play if you want, or don’t.”

Xu Zhiyan completely ignored Lin Rong and walked over to Ming Jin: “Sis, you’re back.”

Ming Jin and Song Xiangwan arrived together. Ming Jin’s complexion wasn’t good. She had a slight fever backstage, and her temperature had risen during the journey.

Furthermore, because of the rain, the continuous pain in her lower back was like her spine was being ground down inch by inch, twisting her nerves with agony.

But in front of Xu Zhiyan, she didn’t allow her posture to slump even slightly, only stating calmly: “Mhm, have you eaten?”

Xu Zhiyan hadn’t returned when Ming Jin left for the show. Xu Zhiyan had practically been living at the company these past few days.

“I have,” Xu Zhiyan glanced at Lin Rong. “I was also blackmailed into playing a game with someone. It was so boring. I can’t get past this crappy game.”

The screen clearly showed ‘It Takes Two.’

Song Xiangwan was momentarily stunned. Xu Zhiyan doesn’t like playing games? Then how is the ‘Overcooked’ cartridge in a completed state?

“Cough, cough…” A suppressed cough immediately interrupted Song Xiangwan’s thoughts. She squatted down to look at Ming Jin’s expression.

Ming Jin slightly shook her head, signaling that she was fine, suppressing the concern that Song Xiangwan was about to voice.

If Ming Jin was eight-parts forcing herself in public, she was twelve-parts forcing herself in front of Xu Zhiyan. She absolutely hated showing weakness to Xu Zhiyan.

“How did she blackmail you?” Ming Jin asked faintly.

“She’s absolutely awful…” Xu Zhiyan was grinding her teeth but didn’t elaborate.

Ming Jin, however, likely understood. It must have been about her, as Xu Zhiyan only had this one weakness that could be exploited.

“Don’t listen to her next time. Do what you want, and don’t do what you don’t want. She wouldn’t dare not put her heart and soul into her work,” Ming Jin said gently.

“Hey, hey, hey, CEO Ming, I’m still here,” Lin Rong turned around, her eyes under her delicately arched brows expressing displeasure.

“Mhm, I said it for you to hear,” Ming Jin stated calmly. But after only two sentences, a sudden violent fit of coughing shook her shoulders slightly.

Song Xiangwan worried about her fever and her old injuries; her heart was clenched.

She said softly: “Okay, okay, let’s stop talking and go back to rest, alright?”

Ming Jin squeezed the back of Song Xiangwan’s hand in a gentle, reassuring gesture, then continued: “How are things at the company?”

She had indeed handed everything over to Xu Zhiyan, but she still felt a little uneasy.

“I’ve handled everything. I’ve penalized some and let some go. I’ll show you the results later…”

“No need,” Ming Jin interrupted Xu Zhiyan. “I trust you by handing it over to you.”

It was time to let Xu Zhiyan take the lead.

Now was the time to let Xu Zhiyan gain experience. If things went wrong, she could still step in to fix it.

In the future, she might not have the energy.

“You’ve been taking painkillers for several consecutive days. That stuff shouldn’t be overused. It’s rainy today, so it must be uncomfortable. I prepared a medicinal bath for you in the bathroom.”

Lin Rong spoke without looking up, holding the controller and guiding Xu Zhiyan’s character with several continuous jumps, clearing the saw blades and gaps.

“Hurry, hurry! It’s time to fight the BOSS,” Lin Rong called out to Xu Zhiyan.

“I’m not fighting,” Xu Zhiyan scoffed, not falling for her trick.

Song Xiangwan’s attention was instantly captured by Lin Rong’s words. She’s been taking painkillers for several days? Why didn’t I know?

She had been sleeping with Ming Jin all these days.

Was it to…

Avoid showing her pain in front of me?

Song Xiangwan’s breath hitched slightly. She felt like her heart was shattering.

“Ah-Jin…” she whispered.

But Ming Jin interrupted: “Don’t listen to her nonsense. I’ve always taken painkillers, I haven’t taken more recently.”

Regardless of whether it was always or recently, such medication should never be overused. It harmed the body and led to dependency.

However, given Ming Jin’s condition today, Song Xiangwan couldn’t bear to let her take a medicinal bath alone.

She followed Ming Jin into the bathroom with an anxious look, leaning down to test the water temperature. Song Xiangwan heard the voice from behind her: “Go out.”

“I…” Song Xiangwan looked at her with shimmering eyes. “Let me stay.”

“Go out.” Ming Jin’s tone was very firm.

A deep surge of violence flashed in her light brown eyes. The arm pressed across her abdomen tightened slightly.

Before Song Xiangwan could plead further, the tone grew even colder: “I said, go out.”

Song Xiangwan was startled. She rarely heard Ming Jin speak so harshly. She rarely used such a severe tone with her.

Just thinking about the scars caused Ming Jin’s emotions to violently surge. Her breathing became heavy and tight. In the steam-filled bathroom, she felt breathless.

“Okay, okay…” Seeing her reaction, Song Xiangwan didn’t dare to push, fearing it would trigger an episode. “Don’t be angry, I’ll go out.”

Song Xiangwan closed the door, but squatted down against the wall just outside, gently hugging herself, her fingers running through her hair.

Her throat tightened. She didn’t know why Ming Jin was so emotional… It felt like they were separated by this bathroom door.

She didn’t leave, just guarded the door, listening for sounds inside.

Ming Jin was always very self-sufficient. Today, she was simply too tired and let herself sink into the bathtub. Yet, her mind remained restless.

She looked down and saw the scar above her abdomen.

This scar had initially developed keloids and contractions, twisting into a grotesque shape. While overseas, she underwent anti-scar treatment.

But the scar was too severe. Eventually, they only managed to release the contracture so it wouldn’t interfere with normal life. Since it could be covered by clothes, she stopped focusing on it.

In addition to that, there were distorted scars on her arms and thighs… riddled with holes…

The water was quite hot, making her whole body feel warm. Immersed in the hot water, the scars that still had sensation began to itch, a sensation like a hundred bugs crawling inside her.

She lowered herself slightly, submerging under the dark medicated water, slowly covering the scars.

Ming Jin felt like she was burying her head in the sand, as if doing so would make them cease to exist.

The steam made her feel slightly drowsy. She reached out and splashed some water on her face.

The water soaked her hair, dripping down her pale jaw, drop by drop, landing on her collarbone, creating circles of ripples on the water surface.

The moment she heard the splash, Song Xiangwan instantly sprang up and burst through the door.

In the mist, Ming Jin’s light brown eyes narrowed instantly. Her semi-reclined body pressed against the edge of the tub.

“Get out.” Her fingers gripping the edge of the tub were trembling, water dripping from them, slightly shivering, but her tone was chilling.

The bottle of shower gel that fell to the floor, its cap detached, rolled a few times and stopped at Song Xiangwan’s feet.

She stepped over it, knelt on one knee in front of the bathtub, and held Ming Jin’s shoulder: “What do you need? I’ll help you.”

“I don’t need help.” Ming Jin’s tone was heavy. She reached out to push Song Xiangwan away. “Don’t come in. Didn’t you hear me?”

But the bathtub was slippery. This push failed to shake off Song Xiangwan. Instead, her body tilted. Since she couldn’t use her legs for balance, she stumbled and fell sideways.

Song Xiangwan immediately scooped her into her arms. The wet water completely soaked her own clothes.

“Ah-Jin, Ah-Jin…” Song Xiangwan’s voice was full of grievance, tears streaming down her face. “Please don’t push me away, okay?”

“What did I do wrong?”

“Tell me, please?”

“Nothing…” Ming Jin was trapped in Song Xiangwan’s embrace. It was a humiliating situation. She was rigid, with no room to fight back.

She closed her eyes, feeling she could escape everything: “You didn’t do anything wrong. It’s my problem. All my problems…”

Her voice was soft, laced with a self-deprecating melancholy that made Song Xiangwan feel a mix of emotions.

“Let me help you lie down, okay?” Song Xiangwan first spoke softly before starting to move.

The bathtub was specially designed with handles for support and a raised side tailored to the human curve, allowing for stable sitting.

But even at this perfectly seated angle, the scar across her abdomen was visible, faintly showing above the waterline.

Due to the steam, the scar looked particularly noticeable, with a faint, abnormal redness—grotesque and alarming.

As if sensing Song Xiangwan’s gaze, Ming Jin withdrew her hand, placing it across her abdomen, and whispered: “Don’t look…”

“Why?” Song Xiangwan gently encircled her wrist, trying to pull her hand away, but found it firmly blocking the view.

She seemed to realize something and didn’t apply more force. Instead, she knelt and leaned down, gently kissing the less noticeable scar on Ming Jin’s shoulder.

“It’s beautiful,” she whispered, her lips pressing briefly, a touch and release, yet tender and lingering.

“Everything about Ah-Jin is beautiful. I love everything about you,” Song Xiangwan whispered, rubbing her brow against Ming Jin’s shoulder. “Ah-Jin…”

A soft call, the tail of her voice slightly drawn out, carrying a sense of dependence and a gentle lingering tenderness.

“Is this why you pushed me away?”

“I feel so wronged. How could I be misunderstood like this?”

“Didn’t you just promise me two days ago that you wouldn’t push me away?”

“Ah-Jin, how could you be so mean to me…”

Her voice was soft, like a kitten whining affectionately, rubbing its head against her body repeatedly.

“Don’t you… find it scary?” Ming Jin’s tone was hesitant, a little nervous.

She knew her scars were ugly. Early on after the car accident, she even had a shallow scar on her jawline.

While hospitalized, Xu Zhiyan pushed her downstairs. It was midsummer, and she wore a short-sleeved shirt, exposing the scars on her jaw and arms.

She overheard a few children pointing and whispering.

The children thought that because she had an Asian face, she wouldn’t understand Italian.

Those scars look like centipedes.

The raised scars are so ugly.

So scary, like a snake. When she comes out at night, she looks like a demon.

Since then, she had never worn short sleeves outside.

Fortunately, the wound on her jaw was very shallow. After a period of scar treatment, it was now completely invisible.

But the ones on her body… were still ugly… still scary…

“No, I don’t,” Song Xiangwan stared into Ming Jin’s eyes with the most sincere gaze and tone. “I love everything about you.”

“So, can I stay now?” she tentatively asked, reaching out to brush aside Ming Jin’s stray hair at her temples. Her fingertips grazed Ming Jin’s cheek, feeling a slight itch and a slight warmth.

Ming Jin’s eyes trembled slightly but she didn’t flinch.

The next moment, Song Xiangwan quickly stripped off her own clothes.

A patch of pristine soft white skin immediately filled the view. Ming Jin’s eyes narrowed: “You…”

“My clothes are all wet,” Song Xiangwan said righteously, lifting her leg and stepping into the bathtub. Her slender, pale foot pressed against Ming Jin’s skin.

Before Ming Jin could refuse, Song Xiangwan sat down, pressed close to Ming Jin, and wrapped her arms around her, a smooth, silken sensation.

“I’ll hold you, so you won’t fall,” Song Xiangwan leaned close to her neck, sniffing gently. “Ah-Jin, you smell so good.”

Ming Jin put one hand over Song Xiangwan’s lips, but Song Xiangwan captured it and kissed the back of her hand: “Very delicious.”

Ming Jin: “…” She’s a complete enchantress. I feel like I’ve been molested.

“Alright, I won’t mess around,” Song Xiangwan ultimately didn’t push her luck. She just held her, sinking into the water.

The two of them were slightly crowded in the tub. The displaced water splashed onto the floor, creating steam.

There was a slight sense of weightlessness, but they managed to hold each other tightly.

Ming Jin felt like she was truly insane, that she would literally die in this person’s arms.

Only this cat dared to be so bold in front of her.

Song Xiangwan didn’t misbehave, but she couldn’t suppress the rising temperature around them. Their closely pressed skin felt like a hot iron.

Song Xiangwan wrapped her hand around Ming Jin’s waist, gently using the heel of her palm to massage in slow circles.

She was becoming skilled, knowing exactly what pressure would make her comfortable.

This is going to be the death of me. The spreading, dull pain, combined with the scorching heat, caused Ming Jin’s breathing to hitch.

Her fingers gripping Song Xiangwan’s arm tightened abruptly, then reflexively loosened.

“It’s okay, it’s okay…” Song Xiangwan said softly. “If you feel uncomfortable, you can grab me. Your strength is tiny; it doesn’t hurt at all.”

“My strength is tiny?” Ming Jin’s eyes narrowed, a trace of displeasure showing in her expression. But she suddenly felt the massaging pressure on her back deepen. The lips she hadn’t closed couldn’t help but let out a soft, airy sound—a faint “Ah…” It barely escaped her lips before she forcefully suppressed it.

She felt momentarily defenseless in front of Song Xiangwan, and then immediately tense again to preserve her dignity.

“Ah-Jin, you’re so tempting…” Song Xiangwan felt her heart tremble along with that faint sound.

“You…” Ming Jin didn’t speak again, pursing her lips tightly, afraid of making any more undignified noises.

Song Xiangwan kissed those tightly closed lips, gently licking them, and whispered: “Wife, baby, relax, okay? It’s just a bath…”

Resisting those instincts had used up all of Ming Jin’s strength.

Song Xiangwan couldn’t stop rubbing against her, which only added fuel to the fire.

Finally, Ming Jin couldn’t hold back and pushed her chest: “You… behave yourself…”

“Ah-Jin.” A pair of eyes, shimmering like spring water, looked at her through the steam. Song Xiangwan softly said, “Ah-Jin, I want you. I want you.”

Hearing her heavy breathing, hearing those soft and harsh sounds, Song Xiangwan’s legs felt weak.

Enchantress, she really is an enchantress.

Ming Jin tried to say something, but felt her throat tighten, and she turned her head, letting out a few muffled coughs.

Song Xiangwan’s lustful feelings instantly subsided. She held Ming Jin in her arms, full of tenderness: “Okay, okay, I won’t fool around anymore.”

Considering Ming Jin’s physical condition, she didn’t let the passion reach its climax. After the medicinal bath, they showered, and then Song Xiangwan tucked Ming Jin into bed.

Ming Jin had no choice but to sigh softly and wrap herself tightly in the blanket. She still felt a lack of security.

The medicinal bath had an obvious effect. The fatigue in her body dissipated. While Song Xiangwan was blow-drying her hair, listening to the humming sound, Ming Jin fell into a deep sleep.

When Song Xiangwan returned, she saw a peaceful sleeping face. Ming Jin, when asleep, was always softer than when she was awake.

She leaned over, pressing her forehead against Ming Jin’s, checking her temperature with her head.

It was fine; it hadn’t risen any further.

She quietly climbed into bed, wrapped her arms around Ming Jin, and lay down.

However, her mind was restless. The emptiness in her heart hadn’t been soothed. Smelling the faint medicinal fragrance on Ming Jin, she felt her thoughts wandering.

She cupped Ming Jin’s fingers, rubbed them against her cheek, pressed them to her lips, and gently inhaled.

Then, she opened her lips and gently bit the fingertip, grinding and rubbing it lingeringly. Her tongue traced around the finger.

“Ah-Jin…” she whispered softly.

In the darkness, Ming Jin’s eyelashes couldn’t help but tremble. What exactly was this cat doing to her hand?

She didn’t open her eyes. She was truly struggling to endure this torment, afraid that if the temperature rose again, she wouldn’t be able to suppress anything and they would go all the way.

Song Xiangwan wasn’t overly persistent. After playing for a while, she held Ming Jin’s hand and fell asleep pressed against her.

She thought she would sleep well tonight, but she was awakened again by a nightmare.

Again, the violent sound of brakes, a scene full of blood… Although she had never been in a car accident, it felt as gruesome as if she were in the thick of it.

Startled awake, the surroundings were dark. Only the faint medicinal scent lingered around her, gently soothing her heart with every breath.

But Song Xiangwan knew that a sharp sword was always hanging over her heart.

A sword that could strike at any time, making her lose her beloved forever.

She quietly got out of bed, as usual, pouring a glass of cold water in the kitchen and washing her face to calm her agitated emotions.

As always, when her mind was calm, she quietly returned.

She wouldn’t alarm anyone.

But this time, as soon as she pushed the door open, she looked up and met a pair of light brown eyes.

The bedside lamp was dim. Ming Jin’s eyes quietly watched her. She spoke: “Come here.”

Song Xiangwan hesitated for a moment, then walked over, climbed into bed, and hugged Ming Jin: “How did I wake you up again? It’s so late. Let’s sleep.”

The cat was trying to gloss over it.

Ming Jin was unmoved. She just looked down at the person clinging to her, resting her knuckles against Song Xiangwan’s smooth jaw: “Where did you go? Tell me the truth.”