The Person I Love Who Has Been Missing For Three Years - Chapter 54

Chapter 54: The Little Bird Cried Her Eyes Out

Due to the various complications, the time was already late when they arrived at Haicheng Hospital.

Fortunately, they used the VIP channel, and the procedures moved quickly.

Ming Jin’s black shirt was buttoned all the way to the top, revealing only her cool, pale neck. However, when she occasionally lifted her head, a faint, pink ring of teeth marks, like a private seal, was vaguely visible along the edge of the collar.

Feeling a slight discomfort, Ming Jin raised a hand and gently pressed her throat, her brows furrowed as she looked at the culprit.

The culprit cat looked utterly innocent, her eyelashes fluttering as she blinked her eyes innocently.

This visit required a dynamic X-ray examination. The machine was quite high, and Ming Jin certainly couldn’t get onto it by herself.

Naturally, she looked at the cat.

Song Xiangwan smiled smugly, leaned over, wrapped her arms around Ming Jin’s back, and lifted her into the air with force.

The examination table, which lacked the softness of a mattress, was torturous for Ming Jin to lie on. The moment her lumbar spine touched the hard, flat surface, a straightening, electric-like stinging pain shot up her spine to her brain.

The smile instantly vanished from Song Xiangwan’s face. Her hands didn’t fully let go; she half-hugged Ming Jin and gently comforted her: “Bear with it, be good…”

“I’m here, I’m here. Don’t be afraid…”

She gently and slowly lowered her, slightly smoothing down her clothes, but her upper body remained inclined, almost completely shielding Ming Jin in her embrace.

Her tone was like that of soothing a child. Their figures were nearly overlapped, radiating a deep, tender intimacy.

The doctor nearby cleared his throat softly, averted his gaze, and his eyes met Lin Rong’s.

After lying down, the pain subsided, and she could cope. Ming Jin closed her eyes, letting the acute pain pass.

She couldn’t bother to worry about whether Song Xiangwan’s tone treated her like a child or not…

However, seeing Ming Jin’s unsupported neck, Song Xiangwan was worried. She reached over and cradled the back of her neck: “Are you dizzy?”

Ming Jin shook her head, not speaking, but she was already unable to speak.

“There are lead aprons. You can stay here and keep her company,” Lin Rong said.

“Go out.” Ming Jin’s voice was faint, very soft and light, but with an undeniable firmness.

“Can I stay with you?” Song Xiangwan softened her tone.

Ming Jin opened her eyes and saw the anxiety in the cat’s eyes. In the end, she couldn’t bring herself to say anything harsh: “There’s radiation. Be obedient.”

Song Xiangwan looked at those eyes and knew that no amount of coaxing or tantrum would work. This was Ming Jin’s bottom line.

She stepped back, and the metal door closed in front of her.

Song Xiangwan stood right outside the door, staring anxiously at the iron door, a hint of sourness welling up in her eyes.

In the past three years, how many checks, how much suffering, did Ming Jin endure alone…?

The doctors had retreated to the small room on the other side, operating the equipment via computer. Only Ming Jin was left in the entire examination room.

She saw the bright white lights of the ceiling moving. They were dazzlingly bright. She was surrounded by cold metal equipment, like a fish lying on a chopping block.

The fingers of the hand resting by her side couldn’t help but slowly tighten. Her breathing also became strained.

She was somewhat afraid of being left alone in a hospital space like this. The sound of the machinery and the smell of disinfectant made her feel like she was back in the ICU.

Her consciousness was sometimes clear, sometimes hazy. She felt her body being manipulated, unable to control herself, unaware of the future, like being preserved in formaldehyde.

She closed her eyes, and the humming of the machinery in her ears seemed infinitely amplified.

Her senses seemed blocked.

She didn’t know how long it lasted. Just when she thought it would be much longer, a warmth enveloped her. It was Song Xiangwan’s voice: “Ah-Jin, Ah-Jin, I’m here…”

She felt like she had found salvation, falling from an ice cave into a warm hot spring.

“Why… are you crying…” Song Xiangwan picked her up and settled her in the wheelchair. Ming Jin raised her hand and touched the tear stains near Song Xiangwan’s eyes.

Song Xiangwan looked at her with tearful eyes, gently rubbing against Ming Jin’s fingertip: “We won’t be separated. Never again.”

During that brief time, separated by the iron door, she felt like she had suddenly lost her target and direction.

Lin Rong walked over: “CEO Ming, let’s go to the patient room first. I need to send the images to Germany and arrange a consultation meeting here.”

“Okay.” Ming Jin nodded. Although she was answering Lin Rong, her gaze remained fixed on those tear-filled eyes.

She cried so much, it broke my heart.

After waiting in the patient room for a while and eating lunch together, Song Xiangwan was full of reluctance when it was time to leave for rehearsal.

She had already walked out the door, then turned back, hugged and kissed Ming Jin several times. She only rushed off when she was almost out of time.

Ming Jin pressed her finger to her lips, sighing helplessly. What am I going to do? This cat seems to have separation anxiety.

Her repeated reluctance resulted in her being the last person to arrive at the rehearsal studio, just making it on time.

“Sorry, sorry, I’m late,” Song Xiangwan apologized to everyone as she took off her mask.

“It’s fine, it’s fine. It’s just time to start rehearsing,” Zhou Xintong walked over, took the bag from Song Xiangwan’s hand, and placed it on a nearby cabinet.

“Everyone in the group is waiting, Teacher Song, please hurry up.” The tone was not very pleasant. It was Su Chenxing.

In the third round, by some twist of fate, she was grouped with Su Chenxing through a draw, and also with Zhou Xintong.

Everyone had seen the dress-stomping incident and knew that these two didn’t get along well.

Yet, no one stepped forward to mediate. Su Chenxing was the most popular person on the show, and Song Xiangwan was notorious for her sharp tongue and difficult nature. Getting involved would only lead to trouble.

Fortunately, the dance instructor stood up: “Alright, everyone is here. Let’s start the rehearsal.”

Su Chenxing walked forward and naturally stood in the center of the first row, right in front of the dance instructor.

This was for the behind-the-scenes footage, and standing in the C position meant more screen time.

There was no formal ranking, but as if by tacit understanding, no one competed with Su Chenxing for that C spot.

Su Chenxing seemed to be looking straight ahead, head held high, acting as if nothing concerned her, but she was secretly watching Song Xiangwan in the mirror in front of her.

However, contrary to her expectation, Song Xiangwan didn’t compete with her. Instead, she pulled Zhou Xintong and stood at the back row.

“We’ll be together,” Song Xiangwan said with a smile.

“Teacher Song, there are no cameras here,” Zhou Xintong quickly reminded her.

Based on seniority, she could only stand here, but Song Xiangwan standing here was definitely a disadvantage.

“Wherever I stand, the camera will be there,” Song Xiangwan curved her lips. The brilliance in her eyes made Zhou Xintong feel momentarily dizzy.

She was so confident, and yet, it was strangely convincing.

The dance instructor was only responsible for teaching the group choreography today, not the arrangement, so she didn’t interfere much.

“Alright, everyone look at me first.” She began to demonstrate the moves in front.

This dance was a bit seductive. A wave traveled from the shoulder to the waist, then down to the hips. Fingers traced from behind the ear, across the collarbone, then the chin lifted slightly. Hair swung with the music, followed by a turn and twist, arms raising in a fierce movement.

There were five people in this group. Their dance foundations varied, so their learning speeds differed significantly.

Once the isolated movements were learned, they began practicing continuously with the music.

Zhou Xintong managed to perform the whole routine after two or three attempts. Korean dance was her basic skill, as an idol who had been in a girl group for several years.

Song Xiangwan had done less Korean dance, so she followed attentively. She was coordinated, and her learning speed was decent.

Su Chenxing, however, struggled a bit. Because the rhythm was too fast, she inevitably fell behind. Feeling inferior to Song Xiangwan, she became frustrated and broke out in a sweat.

She couldn’t remember whether to step left or right. Her foot slipped, and she bumped into the person on her right.

Slap! Their arms collided. Both women gasped in pain.

The dance instructor quickly called a halt and stopped the music.

Everyone present stopped and looked over simultaneously.

“Why were you so close to me?” Su Chenxing was annoyed, shaking her arm.

The person next to her was a little-known stage actress. She was startled and quickly apologized: “I’m sorry, Teacher Su.”

Su Chenxing was already irritable. Her expression turned cold, and she ignored the actress, only looking down and rubbing her arm.

“Teacher Su, I’m sorry, I’m sorry…” The actress continued to bow and apologize.

“Stay away from me. You reek of sweat,” Su Chenxing said disdainfully.

When they were with the big seniors, Su Chenxing was not like this. She was humble, polite, and a pure, little white flower.

She had been promoted too quickly in the last two years and no longer paid any attention to these minor roles.

“Xia Qiao, I’ll switch places with you,” Song Xiangwan walked over and patted the actress’s shoulder. “Xintong is a great dancer; she can help you out.”

Su Chenxing felt a slight distaste for Song Xiangwan standing next to her.

But before she could speak, Song Xiangwan continued, “Teacher, let’s start.”

They resumed practicing the same segment. Song Xiangwan watched herself in the mirror and also kept an eye on Su Chenxing beside her.

When Su Chenxing messed up a dance step again, Song Xiangwan quickly sidestepped, avoiding her. Su Chenxing stumbled and nearly fell to the ground.

“Teacher Su, be careful,” Song Xiangwan’s tone was flat, forcing a smile that wasn’t a smile, sounding quite sarcastic.

“Continue,” the anger bottled up in Su Chenxing’s chest grew even more unbearable.

Taking advantage of the next dance step, she deliberately messed up, reaching out to hit Song Xiangwan’s face. Song Xiangwan turned and avoided it.

With a sudden, firm grip, she grabbed Su Chenxing’s arm and tugged, then immediately released it. But that momentary force made Su Chenxing lose her balance, and she fell down with a thud.

Su Chenxing looked up, the fury in her eyes almost solidifying.

“You lost your balance. Whose fault is that?” Song Xiangwan folded her arms, watching her leisurely. “What? Are you trying to stage an accident?”

“Alright, alright, teachers, that’s enough for today.” The dance instructor quickly intervened, sweating profusely from anxiety.

Why did I have to be assigned to this group? I’m just a working stiff, can’t afford to offend anyone.

Song Xiangwan immediately made a video call. It was answered almost instantly.

The screen showed darkness, presumably in a bedroom. It was pitch black, and nothing could be seen. Then the bedside lamp turned on, and Ming Jin’s face appeared in the center of the screen.

“Are you resting?” Song Xiangwan asked, worried, seeing the slight pallor on her face.

“Mhm, just lying down for a bit,” Ming Jin said, her eyes showing a deep tiredness.

The trip to the hospital today had indeed been exhausting. She had been lying down for a while, but hadn’t fallen asleep.

She always felt a sense of emptiness in the bed, as if something was missing.

When Song Xiangwan was beside her, she felt insecure like a thief was near. When she wasn’t, she still felt insecure.

“Does your shoulder still hurt?” Song Xiangwan wished she could pass her eyes through the screen.

“It’s alright. Don’t worry,” Ming Jin changed the subject. “Is rehearsal over?”

“Mhm,” Song Xiangwan nodded.

“Come back soon. I’ll be waiting for you at home,” Ming Jin’s tone was calm, but her eyes held a soft tenderness.

Song Xiangwan’s heart instantly softened. The word “home” seemed to linger in her mind, filling her with joy.

Their home.

Not just Clear Water Bay, but now the Ming Family residence was also their home…

No, it should be said that wherever they were together was home.

Song Xiangwan put her phone back in her bag, eager to return home. She pushed the door open and saw the young girl, Xia Qiao, standing by the door.

She looked timid, gripping her bag strap, and bowed: “Thank you, Teacher Song.”

“It’s nothing. Just stay away from crazy people in the future,” Song Xiangwan said loudly.

Just then, Su Chenxing walked past the corridor, paused, and turned to look over.

Song Xiangwan lifted the corner of her eye and gave a bright, arrogant smile.

She, Song Xiangwan, was never afraid of stirring up trouble.

“Song Xiangwan, don’t think you can climb up by stepping on my shoulders a second time,” Su Chenxing said sharply, lifting her chin as she walked past Song Xiangwan.

A second time? What second time…?

Song Xiangwan didn’t catch the meaning. She made a call, intending to ask Cao Xin.

Cao Xin thought for a moment and said, “She’s probably talking about Pearl of the Azure Sea. That role of the third female lead was originally hers.”

“Then, somehow, the producer took a liking to you and replaced her directly.”

“There was that?” Song Xiangwan couldn’t remember at all. That was ancient history.

“It seems so. She didn’t get that role, and she didn’t have many good resources for several years after, going up and down. Things only got better for her in the last two years.”

“I see…” Song Xiangwan tutted. “How ungrateful.”

The drama didn’t even air, and the producer was a scumbag obsessed with the casting couch. If she hadn’t met Ming Jin, she would have been ruined.

It was a pity that Su Chenxing had held onto this grudge for so many years. She had such a small mind.

Song Xiangwan had no intention of repairing relations with anyone. She was vengeful: If someone offends me, I will punish them, no matter how far away they are.

The matter wasn’t over. Before Song Xiangwan even got home, the online public opinion had started to ferment.

The comments section was full of “Pity for Xingxing,” “My heart goes out to Sis,” and “Go, Sis, go.”

Su Chenxing didn’t reply, didn’t like, and didn’t deny, but somehow, her comment mysteriously shot up to the top of the comments section.

Song Xiangwan was half-asleep in the car when she received a call from Cao Xin. She mumbled, “Got it, got it,” and sleepily opened Weibo.

Four words, one punctuation mark. No subject, no specific target, just intense emotion.

When Cao Xin saw the post, she was so shocked she almost needed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Just as she was about to contact Song Xiangwan to gently persuade her to delete the Weibo post, she received a call from a high-ranking executive at Rongxing.

“Yes, yes, I’ll definitely figure out if Xiangwan was wronged.”

“Yes, yes, I know. She does what she wants.”

“I understand. The company will back her up.”

After hanging up, Cao Xin blinked. She’s a real fool for love. Song Xiangwan had Ming Jin so utterly infatuated that she didn’t care about anything.

However, this was also good news, wasn’t it…?

She was set for life now.

Since the company had already given its word, Cao Xin naturally didn’t intervene. She turned off her phone and closed her eyes to sleep.

#SuChenxingTwoFaces#

#SuChenxingSwearing#

#SuChenxingSmokingIndoors#

A series of blurry videos were uploaded—some were from this year, some were dirt from many years ago.

In the entertainment industry, the most unreliable thing was one’s public persona, especially the pure, little white flower image. It was too easy to collapse. Just the smoking video alone left her fans speechless.

Song Xiangwan slept the entire way. She got out of the car in a daze, walked into the house in a daze, saw Ming Jin in the living room, walked over, and rubbed herself against her in an embrace.

Her hair was a mess from sleeping. She was a ruffled little cat.

“What’s wrong?” Ming Jin’s fingers ran through her messy hair, her voice soft and full of indulgence.

“Someone bullied me,” Song Xiangwan’s tone was pitiful. She was tattling; she wanted to tattle. The cat was using her position to bully others.

“I know,” Ming Jin patted the cat’s back, a soothing tone. “It’s all taken care of for you.”

“Really?” Song Xiangwan looked up, her eyes sparkling.

She took out her phone and saw a continuous stream of Su Chenxing’s scandals. They hadn’t all been exposed yet, but new ones kept popping up.

Su Chenxing’s topic square was utterly devastated.

It was full of negative videos of Su Chenxing, and… Song Xiangwan’s fans…

Wife is Song Xiangwan: Yo, yo, yo, why are the dogs barking? Nothing good ever comes out of a dog’s mouth. Why play the green tea card every day?

Wanwan’s Visual Fan: Weren’t there a lot of people before? Very vocal? Why so quiet now? Oh, right, your leading lady has collapsed into ruins.

Bright Moon Towards Evening: With all due respect, anyone who still likes Su Chenxing has testicles that developed into a brain, completely lacking any depth.

Song Xiangwan’s Dog: How lively! Just passing by to step on something. Oh, sorry, I stepped on your leading lady’s face.

Song Xiangwan: “…” Who taught these people?

It’s just rival fans tearing each other apart. Everyone leave. It’s boring.

Song Xiangwan’s fans, just like her, are these women crazy? Who would dare to marry them in the future?

Don’t you have to pee? Go look in the dog kennel. You’re still talking about marrying or not marrying.

Need you to marry us? Seriously, I’m disgusted.

Incomplete brain development, completely undeveloped cerebellum.

Squeeze the two shoulders together and pop the pimple in the middle.

Su Chenxing looked at the tragic state of Weibo, so angry she almost fainted. She quickly called her agent: “Sister Jing…”

“What kind of trouble did you stir up outside?” Xu Jing’s opening line was furious.

She had more than one artist under her, and she had been busy these past few days. Now there was trouble here.

“Sister Jing, it must be Song Xiangwan. She must have exposed my scandals. I’ve only had a conflict with her recently.” Her tone was resentful.

As for minor roles like Xia Qiao, she didn’t pay them any mind. In her eyes, these people couldn’t make any waves.

Xu Jing usually pampered her, giving her whatever she wanted. Her tone was wronged: “She deliberately made me fall, Sister Jing. I can’t just let this go…”

“You have to let it go, even if you can’t,” Xu Jing’s voice was sharp.

“I’ll only tell you this: don’t provoke Song Xiangwan in the future. Don’t just complain about her deliberately making you fall. Even if she slapped you twice, you would just have to take it.”

Song Xiangwan looked at the negative posts from netizens and laughed gleefully. In any case, Su Chenxing’s public image was completely ruined now.

“Alright, are you satisfied?” Ming Jin asked.

“Satisfied,” Song Xiangwan nodded, then looked at Ming Jin expectantly. “Since my wife is so amazing, shouldn’t I get a reward?”

“What… Mmm…” Before Ming Jin could finish her sentence, Song Xiangwan kissed her.

Who is this reward for, exactly?

Ming Jin moved her head away and said softly, “Pushing your luck.”

“Wife~” Song Xiangwan’s voice rose and fell enchantingly, and she whispered, “You love me the most.”

“Next time, tell me immediately. Don’t let yourself get upset over such trivial things,” Ming Jin’s tone was full of doting.

“I wasn’t upset. I retaliated fully every time.”

“Last time she stepped on my dress, I gave her a kick.”

“This time, I didn’t let her off either.”

The little cat spoke proudly, like a victorious general, her face radiating arrogance.

But whether she won or not, in her owner’s eyes, she was always the one being bullied.

Seeing Lin Rong, Song Xiangwan’s expression instantly became serious: “Dr. Lin, when is the surgery scheduled?”

“This month…” Lin Rong began.

“The twenty-eighth,” Ming Jin’s soft voice cut across Lin Rong’s.

“That’s perfect,” Song Xiangwan counted on her fingers. “The collective lodging starts on the twenty-third, and it ends on the twenty-sixth. My schedule is perfectly free.”

The collective lodging was a small gimmick for the next stage of the competition.

At that time, all the finalists would be organized to live in a collective dormitory for three days to experience group life.

Truthfully, Song Xiangwan didn’t want to go. She wanted to spend every moment by Ming Jin’s side before the surgery.

But she had promised Ming Jin before that she wouldn’t give up her work…

She briefly suspected her mind was failing and that she had misremembered the date. She checked her phone schedule. No problem. It was the twenty-fourth.

She thought about how she had cried her eyes out just because of a check-up today.

Is Ming Jin… trying to keep her little bird from worrying?