The Person I Love Who Has Been Missing For Three Years - Chapter 56

Chapter 56: Promise Me, Will You Stay with Me Forever?

After the show finished recording, Jiang Lin, as usual, organized a party and even mentioned celebrating Song Xiangwan’s birthday. Song Xiangwan immediately refused.

Jiang Lin’s gift was left on the table in the director’s lounge. The room was cleared, the lights were turned off, and the gift remained lonely on the table.

Song Xiangwan was a little tired. She looked listless once she got into the car, but she couldn’t help but worry about Ming Jin’s health: “Waiting for me for so long, are you tired?”

“I’m fine.” Ming Jin had been recovering well lately. Today, she didn’t feel particularly fatigued.

Song Xiangwan reached over and gently massaged Ming Jin’s shoulder. Her sleeve slid down, revealing the silver ring on Ming Jin’s wrist.

The ring was inlaid with small, delicate gems, making her hand look like a flawless piece of art.

“Stop it.” Ming Jin pulled her hand down and shook her head. “I’m really not tired.”

Her fingertips played and stroked the silver ring, unable to stop recalling the passionate scene in the lounge just now: the skin flushed with red marks from the chain, a captivating allure.

Her fingers slid from the silver ring to Song Xiangwan’s wrist, then to her palm, where their fingers intertwined, rubbing and lingering, as if sharing an intense passion.

“CEO Ming…” the driver suddenly spoke.

“What is it?” Ming Jin’s tone was calm and steady, completely betraying the intimate entanglement her hand was currently engaged in.

“That looks like Cheng Cheng up ahead,” the driver said. “She’s trying to flag down a car.”

Since they frequently interacted, the people around them knew each other.

Song Xiangwan lowered the car window. Sure enough, she saw the person flagging down a car by the roadside. Her face was anxious, and there were faint bloodstains on her clothes.

What happened? Didn’t I ask her to go home earlier?

The Rolls-Royce stopped in front of Cheng Cheng. Cheng Cheng was startled to see Song Xiangwan’s face, but she still walked over: “Sister Wan.”

“What’s wrong?” Song Xiangwan asked urgently, seeing the blood. “Are you hurt?”

“No, no…” Cheng Cheng seemed to have made up her mind. “I just rescued a kitten that was hit by a car, Sister Wan. Could you give me a ride?”

“I’ll make sure to watch it carefully. I won’t dirty your car.” She quickly explained, perhaps having been rejected too many times earlier.

“What’s a car compared to a life? Get in quickly.” Song Xiangwan was also anxious. Cheng Cheng was simply too mindful and was treating her like a stranger in this situation.

It was a black and white cow cat, small enough to be cupped in two hands. Its chest was still rising and falling, but its breathing was weak. The wounds on its body were unclear because they were already a bloody mess. It was barely clinging to life.

The car sped through the darkness, navigating to the pet hospital.

“I’m sorry, Sister Wan… did I mess up your birthday celebration…” Cheng Cheng was still uneasy and particularly afraid to look at Ming Jin’s expression.

“It’s nothing. It’s a life we’re saving.” Song Xiangwan looked at the kitten, feeling an inevitable compassion. Although she had never kept a cat, she still couldn’t bear to see it suffer.

After arriving at the pet hospital, Cheng Cheng got out of the car: “Sister Wan, you two go back. I can handle this myself…”

“Do you have any money with you?” Song Xiangwan asked, taking a mask out of her bag and putting it on. “I’ll go with you.”

If she left now without knowing whether the cat would live or die, she wouldn’t be able to rest easy.

Ming Jin didn’t object. After waiting for a while, when Song Xiangwan hadn’t returned, she also got out of the car and entered the pet hospital.

The doctor washed the blood off the fur with saline, revealing the underlying wounds. After careful observation, he said: “This might not be a car accident.”

“Not a car accident?” Cheng Cheng was surprised. “I found it in the middle of the road.”

“No,” the doctor looked again, confirming: “It’s not a crushing injury. It’s a sharp object injury. The wounds are regular. They look like cuts made by a fruit knife.”

“Who would do something like that…” Song Xiangwan’s heart clenched when she heard this. Looking at the kitten on the table, she couldn’t help but feel heartbroken.

“It’s likely cat abuse, followed by abandonment,” the doctor said. “There are many wounds. We need to check if any bones are hurt. We’ll take an X-ray and then stitch it up.”

“Go pay a thousand yuan deposit first.”

“It’s been paid.” A faint voice. Ming Jin’s wheelchair was pushed over to Song Xiangwan’s side. She raised her hand and gently held Song Xiangwan’s to offer comfort.

“Thank you, CEO Ming.” Cheng Cheng didn’t mention repaying the money. Given Ming Jin’s character, since she had paid, she certainly wouldn’t ask for this small amount back.

“You two please go back first. I’ll stay here.” Cheng Cheng dared not delay their time any further.

Ming Jin didn’t speak. She looked at Song Xiangwan, indicating she would defer to her.

X-rays, stitching… it would probably take a long time. Song Xiangwan couldn’t bear to make Ming Jin wait here.

“Okay.” Song Xiangwan nodded. Seeing the bloodstains on her hands, she asked: “Doctor, where is the restroom? I need to wash my hands.”

The doctor pointed out the direction to Song Xiangwan and then went to prepare the necessary equipment.

Only two people and one cat remained in the consultation room. On the table, the light in the kitten’s eyes was dim. It only moved its head slightly and let out a faint “Meow~”

Ming Jin’s gaze fell upon it. She seemed lightly moved. She reached out and gently touched the cat’s head with her fingertip.

Seemingly sensing the touch, the kitten moved and rubbed against Ming Jin’s fingertip.

Although it had been abused, it was still a very affectionate cat.

The atmosphere was quiet. Cheng Cheng spoke: “CEO Ming, you like cats too?”

“Mhm,” Ming Jin answered faintly.

“Have you kept a cat before?” Cheng Cheng was a little surprised because Ming Jin appeared unapproachable, not someone who would like cats.

“I do,” Ming Jin said. She didn’t say she had kept one; she said she does keep one. “I keep a… very beautiful cat…”

“She’s very aloof. When she’s angry, she stares at me, but she’s also very obedient. If I reach out my hand, she’ll roll over to show her belly…”

Ming Jin looked at the cat in front of her and spoke softly, a faint curve of a smile on her lips.

Song Xiangwan happened to return after washing her hands and overheard this sentence. She paused.

She keeps a cat?

How come I don’t know?

Song Xiangwan quickly told Cheng Cheng that she didn’t need to come to work tomorrow, advising her to stay with the cat. Then, she left with Ming Jin.

Once in the car, she was still curious: “You keep a cat? How come I don’t know? I’ve never seen any cat photos at home.”

“Mhm,” Ming Jin just nodded, offering no explanation.

Song Xiangwan didn’t think too much about it. She continued: “Cats are really cute. What are those people who abuse cats thinking?”

“I wanted to keep a cat when I was little, but for various reasons, I never did.”

“If you like one, we can adopt one now. Cheng Cheng knows many cats up for adoption.”

“No need.” Ming Jin curved her lips and said softly: “One is enough.”

The birthday gift was more than just a chain. Ming Jin was always generous.

A ten-million-dollar garden villa property, and… four percent of Ming Group’s equity…

The previous contract was for two percent. Now it was doubled. Once the public notice period ended and the transfer was completed, Song Xiangwan would also be a multi-millionaire in her own right.

But Song Xiangwan wasn’t too interested in these things. She glanced at the documents and put them in a drawer, fiddling with the silver ring on her wrist, completely infatuated with it.

She didn’t even take it off to shower, sleeping with it on.

The sleeping cat was curled up, hugging Ming Jin’s arm. Her hair fell along Ming Jin’s neck. Her waist curved gracefully. Her sleeping face was peaceful, with long eyelashes. Her lips were flushed with color, and her warm breath puffed onto Ming Jin’s arm.

The silver ring was still on her wrist.

Ming Jin’s fingertips couldn’t help but caress her cheek, stroking gently. Her cat is the most beautiful cat in the world.

With the collective lodging approaching, Song Xiangwan became even more clingy. Unless it was absolutely unavoidable work, she wanted to be stuck to Ming Jin.

Today, she had a magazine cover shoot. She was incredibly reluctant to leave, rubbing against Ming Jin in her arms for a long time.

In the end, Ming Jin relented and suggested accompanying her to work.

Song Xiangwan immediately vetoed the idea. The shoot would take who knows how long, and the set would be chaotic. She absolutely didn’t want Ming Jin to wait for her boringly.

She had worn high heels all day, making her ankles ache. Song Xiangwan changed into a pair of comfortable slippers as soon as the shoot ended.

When she got home, it was already nine in the evening. She pushed open the bedroom door quietly. Ming Jin was sitting at the desk and looked up: “Come here.”

There was a chair next to Ming Jin, presumably prepared for her. As she sat down, she heard: “Lift your feet over here.”

Her fair feet were slightly swollen from wearing high heels all day. Ming Jin’s cool hands rested on her ankles, gently rubbing them, a touch of heartache in her eyes.

However, CEO Ming was different from before. She wasn’t as decisive in directly canceling Song Xiangwan’s work.

This was part of being a celebrity. She accepted it, suppressing her emotions to accept it.

It tickled a little. Song Xiangwan tried to pull her feet back, but Ming Jin held them firmly: “Don’t move.”

“Did you eat?” Ming Jin asked while gently massaging her feet. “I had Aunt Qiu prepare a late-night snack.”

“I had dinner. I won’t have a late-night snack. I’ve gained weight.” Song Xiangwan reached out and pinched her stomach, which was slightly soft.

The pressure on her ankles still felt a bit ticklish. Song Xiangwan didn’t try to pull away anymore. Instead, she pushed her feet further into Ming Jin’s embrace, leaning forward to look at the black and white chessboard on the table.

The board was about sixty percent full of pieces, densely intertwined in black and white. She couldn’t understand it at all.

“Why are you studying Go?” Song Xiangwan asked curiously.

“Tomorrow night, there’s a banquet. I need to meet a Go enthusiast, a partner of the Ming Group. She always liked to challenge me to a game.”

“But I haven’t played Go in two years. I’m out of practice, and I’m afraid of embarrassing myself tomorrow.”

She explained calmly, her fingertips gently massaging Song Xiangwan’s ankles, relieving the fatigue from standing all day.

“You have to go to a banquet?” Song Xiangwan frowned slightly.

“Are you starting to manage everything I do?” Ming Jin couldn’t help but smile, a teasing tone laced with heavy indulgence.

“Her personality is a little strange. Ah-Yan might not be able to handle her temper. I’ll go and come right back…” She paused, then asked Song Xiangwan: “Do you want to come along?”

In previous years, she had been invited, but Song Xiangwan had always refused without hesitation.

To be fair, it wasn’t Song Xiangwan’s fault. At such events, a female star was just a painting brought along for appreciation, unable to truly integrate into that class, subject to judgmental scrutiny.

According to the previous contract for the female companion, Ming Jin could demand Song Xiangwan to go.

But she still asked for Song Xiangwan’s opinion first.

“Can I?” Song Xiangwan blinked and asked. “I won’t embarrass you, will I?”

She was certainly willing to spend time with Ming Jin. As for those scrutinizing eyes, she didn’t know those people, so she could just pretend not to see them.

“No, you won’t.” Ming Jin’s fingertip pressed against her ankle bone. “Then let’s go together tomorrow. Go take a shower now.”

“Okay.” Song Xiangwan got up and went into the bathroom with her clothes.

With the sound of running water as background noise, the long, slender fingers picked up a white piece. Ming Jin looked at the board, thought for a long time, but hesitated to place the piece.

The piece dropped back into the box. Forget it. Without concentration, continuing to study was useless.

When Song Xiangwan came out, the pieces on the board had all been put away. Ming Jin was looking at her phone screen.

She leaned over to see that it was the raw footage from today’s magazine cover shoot.

The theme was midsummer. The entire set was surrounded by blooming flowers. She wore a white slip dress, lying among the flowers, eyes closed, enjoying the sunlight.

A small, golden sunflower was painted on her cheek. Her smile was content and blissful, as if she were melting into the sunshine.

This was one of the looks from today.

She watched Ming Jin press and hold the photo, then save it to her phone gallery.

“It hasn’t been edited yet…” Song Xiangwan mumbled.

“It’s already beautiful.” Ming Jin’s fingertip pressed against Song Xiangwan’s cheek, bringing her closer. She looked closely. The area where the sunflower had been painted was slightly red.

“Is it beautiful?” Song Xiangwan asked with a smile. “If you think it’s beautiful, I’ll draw it for you to see.”

“You’re having an allergic reaction,” Ming Jin frowned slightly.

She was displeased, but she didn’t say it out loud, suppressing her urge to interfere with Song Xiangwan’s work.

“It’s nothing, just a little bit. It will be fine tomorrow.” Song Xiangwan rubbed her cheek against Ming Jin’s fingertip and looked at the chessboard: “Why aren’t you playing Go anymore?”

“My mind isn’t focused…” Ming Jin said. Seeing the cat’s enthusiasm, she asked: “Want to learn? I’ll teach you.”

“No thanks. Go is too hard.” Song Xiangwan shook her head, but her eyes darted playfully. She asked with interest: “How about we play something fun?”

“Play what?” Ming Jin didn’t know what kind of trick this little imp was planning next.

“I can play Gomoku (Five-in-a-Row),” Song Xiangwan stretched out her hand, pressing her thumb against Ming Jin’s collarbone, lightly stroking it. Her voice was low and held a seductive quality: “How about we play… lose a round, take off an item of clothing?”

Ming Jin didn’t struggle, allowing her to take liberties. There was a playful look in her eyes: “How many items of clothing are you wearing?”

Summer pajamas, a top and shorts. Counting the inner wear, there were only three in total.

“Why are you so sure I won’t win?” The kitten snorted, a hint of arrogance in her eyes. “I’m very good at Gomoku. I’ll strip you naked.”

They set up the game. As the black and white pieces were placed, Song Xiangwan was utterly serious, lowering her eyes to carefully consider the placement of every move.

Ming Jin’s playing style was like her temperament: full of aggression and dominance, forcing Song Xiangwan to remain on the defensive.

But Song Xiangwan didn’t lose immediately. After a prolonged period of circling and blocking, the board became increasingly crowded with pieces.

Ming Jin picked up a piece with her fingers, looked up at Song Xiangwan: “Are you sure about this spot? Not changing your mind?”

Song Xiangwan immediately became alert. She quickly lowered her head to check again and hurriedly withdrew her move: “Change, change, change! I’m not playing there.”

“One withdrawal,” Ming Jin said flatly, placing the piece.

A faint smile curved her lips. She wasn’t seriously playing Go; she seemed to be deliberately teasing the cat.

Song Xiangwan’s skill was only amateur. After struggling with Ming Jin for a while, being warned to withdraw three times, she finally lost.

One by one, she unbuttoned her top. She didn’t hesitate at all, and a sudden glimpse of spring beauty was exposed.

“Continue,” she was quite energetic.

In this round, Ming Jin lost quickly, surrendering to Song Xiangwan in just a few minutes.

Song Xiangwan was very proud: “I told you I’m good! I’ll strip you naked soon.”

That was just an empty threat, because soon, she became crestfallen, losing again and again… two rounds in a row.

In summer, she was wearing so few clothes. Taking them off meant she would be naked.

Ming Jin collected the pieces one by one and said slowly: “Alright, abide by the rules.”

The last item… Song Xiangwan didn’t take it off. She padded over barefoot, rummaged through her bag, ran back, and stared eagerly at Ming Jin.

“What? Trying to cheat?”

With almost no clothes on, Ming Jin’s fingertip landed on her neck, sliding down, tracing over her collarbone, and continuing downward, gently stroking.

“Let’s change the punishment for the last round, okay?” Song Xiangwan knelt down and rested her head on Ming Jin’s shoulder.

Her hair fell down the beautiful butterfly bone, revealing her delicate, fair skin.

Song Xiangwan’s fingers pulled open the elastic waistband of her shorts, and her other hand slipped something into Ming Jin’s palm, squeezing it in.

A small, black remote control.

Song Xiangwan nestled against Ming Jin’s lap, her eyes glistening, her eyelashes trembling slightly as she looked at Ming Jin: “Ah-Jin…”

She spoke Ming Jin’s name softly. Her chin, resting on Ming Jin’s thigh, rubbed gently, her voice slightly shaky: “Ah-Jin, I want…”

“I want you…” Her hand gently circled Ming Jin’s wrist, tracing up her arm.

The stroking motion caused both of them to tremble slightly in their souls. Their breathing instantly tightened. Ming Jin’s fingers, clutching the remote control, tightened slightly.

Song Xiangwan couldn’t bear to see Ming Jin exert herself, but she also couldn’t suppress her own need. She stared at Ming Jin pitifully, her eyes full of moisture.

Pressing the button herself was completely different from having this person press it.

“Wanwan…” Ming Jin’s voice was soft. Her fingertip rested on the back of Song Xiangwan’s neck, gently stroking. The temperature beneath her thumb was slowly rising.

“Ah-Jin, cherish me…” She squinted, enjoying the caress. Although she was kneeling, she felt like her legs were too weak to hold her up.

She loved it. She loved Ming Jin’s touch. Her mere touch was enough to make her utterly captivated.

“Wanwan…” Ming Jin felt her own heart pounding wildly. Her voice was inevitably tinged with passion.

“Please, please…” Song Xiangwan whispered, her words slightly broken, her voice shaky and breathless.

“Mmm…” Tightening her lips, she pressed her chin heavily against Ming Jin’s knees.

Having abstained for too long, she was overcome by a slight, uncontrollable tremor. Her back stiffened, and her toes curled up involuntarily.

Her face buried in Ming Jin’s lap, she couldn’t help but inhale softly, whispering: “Ah-Jin, I want… I want lots and lots of your love.”

“I’ll give it. I’ll give everything. Everything to you.” She gently caressed the back of Song Xiangwan’s head, as if soothing a frightened cat.

Ming Jin hadn’t expected Song Xiangwan to prepare this today. She really is completely infatuated with this cat.

She couldn’t feel her legs, but she could see Song Xiangwan’s soft kisses falling onto her trousers. Tears dripped down her cheeks, dampening the fabric.

The back of the neck beneath her palm was already slightly sweaty.

Song Xiangwan turned her head and kissed Ming Jin’s fingers, gentle kisses, one after another. Her lips gently held Ming Jin’s fingertips.

“Wanwan… be good…” Cool fingertips wiped away the tears on her cheeks, cupping her face in her palm.

She cried beautifully, evoking pity.

The hand resting on the button paused for a moment, then slowly relaxed its grip.

But a pair of soft hands wrapped around hers, holding Ming Jin’s fingers, and pressed the button down fiercely.

“Ah-Jin…” She couldn’t suppress the sound that escaped her lips. She collapsed onto Ming Jin’s lap, all her strength gone.

It was as if she was crying out all the grievances of the past three years, pouring it all out, allowing herself to be completely wanton for once.

The moon hung in the willows. The weather was nice tonight. The room was silent in the deep night. Ming Jin’s hand soothed the back of Song Xiangwan’s head, gently stroking, one touch after another.

“I’m sorry. I can’t hold you…” There was a faint pain in her eyes.

In the past, after their intimate moments in the bathroom, she would always be the one to carry Song Xiangwan. Now, she could only wait for Song Xiangwan to regain her strength herself.

“It’s okay. Ah-Jin loves me. That’s enough.” Song Xiangwan squinted. She really enjoyed the feeling of resting in Ming Jin’s embrace.

The faint scent of spices from Ming Jin’s body surrounded her, lingering in her nose, giving her a inexplicable sense of security.

Song Xiangwan got up, lifted Ming Jin, settled her on the bed, lowered her head, and gently kissed Ming Jin’s forehead.

The fine, soft ends of her hair brushed against Ming Jin’s neck, making her instinctively clench the bedding beneath her palms.

“Shall we continue?” Song Xiangwan moved closer, her ear resting on Ming Jin’s shoulder, softly kissing Ming Jin’s earlobe.

“I don’t think I can…” Ming Jin bit her lip. Her breath, sometimes shallow, sometimes deep, was suppressed. Finally, she managed to squeeze out a broken sound: “Medication… medication…”

Her heart felt tightly clenched. Her vision darkened. A feeling of impending death, inability to breathe—the symptoms of a heart attack suddenly overwhelmed her.

For her, this intense moment was still too much to bear.

Song Xiangwan instantly sobered up. She quickly grabbed the pills from the bedside, placed them under Ming Jin’s tongue, lay down, and held Ming Jin in her arms, gently soothing her back.

“Ah-Jin, Ah-Jin… take your time, take your time… slowly…”

The feeling of near death slowly receded. Her mind was still dizzy. Ming Jin closed her eyes, slowly relaxing in this embrace.

“I’m sorry. I was reckless.” Song Xiangwan was incredibly distressed, her voice full of apologies.

“Wanwan…” Her voice was very soft, carrying an unspeakable tenderness and deep affection. She said, “I love you so much. Even dying in your arms would be worth it.”

“No! I want you alive. You must live well. You have to stay with me until we’re old and grey and give me lots and lots of love.”

“I can’t live without you.”

“Ah-Jin, promise me, will you stay with me forever?”

“Just, for my sake, live. For my sake, try a little harder.”

The crybaby cat was crying again, tears flowing endlessly, splashing onto Ming Jin’s shoulder. She gently kissed the scars on Ming Jin’s shoulder: “Live. I beg you.”

“Mhm, okay…” Ming Jin felt a pang of sadness in her eyes too.

She knew, of course, that as the surgery date approached, the cat’s panic was escalating. To avoid worrying her, Song Xiangwan wouldn’t even mention her nightmares.

But Ming Jin knew everything about Song Xiangwan’s conversations with Wu Qingyi. Song Xiangwan was terrified, afraid that she would die.

Tonight was probably the release of long-suppressed fear.

Even if Ming Jin did die, Song Xiangwan would have this night to cherish and remember for a lifetime.

I cannot die. This determination was more resolute in Ming Jin’s heart than ever before.

But even with this desire, what difference did it make? Fate was whimsical, and humans had little control.