The Person I Love Who Has Been Missing For Three Years - Chapter 69

Chapter 69: Just Lock Me Up Like This

Song Xiangwan motioned to Sister Qiu to be quiet, then pressed her ear against the study door, listening intently to the sounds inside.

Ming Jin went into the study after dinner.

Her wheelchair was parked directly opposite the floor-to-ceiling window. From behind, she seemed to blend into the darkness outside. The light falling on her couldn’t melt the coldness surrounding her.

The sleeves of her shirt were rolled up, revealing her fair, beautiful wrist bones. Her fingers held the white phone, highlighting the frosty coldness of her knuckles.

Her lowered eyelashes watched the night view outside. Her eyes seemed to lack warmth, like slightly solidified cold ice.

“Mayor Zheng, I know this matter is difficult for you, but the culprit who made it difficult for you is not me.”

“The Lin Group has not even settled in Haicheng yet, and you are already clearly siding with them and coming to me as a lobbyist. Isn’t that a little unreasonable?”

“You may not know my temper, Mayor Zheng. If it were a business matter, I might back down for your sake, but this is different.”

“I made my stance clear at the summit today. Either Ms. Lin personally comes to the Ming family to apologize, or I will use all my efforts to obstruct the Lin Group’s attempt to establish a subsidiary in Haicheng. As for the consequences, that has never been a consideration for me.”

“Even if it costs the entire Ming family, my attitude remains the same.”

“Mayor Zheng, I am a pragmatic person. This is a conflict between me and the Lin Group. The Ming Group and you are still friends.”

“I hope you do not get too involved and harm the relationship between us. That would not be good.”

Song Xiangwan couldn’t hear very clearly, but she generally understood that Ming Jin was on the phone with Mayor Zheng, and her attitude was very strong.

When she heard the voice inside stop for a moment, the call should have ended. Song Xiangwan took the tea tray from Sister Qiu and pushed the door open, poking her head in.

However, she saw that the call hadn’t been disconnected. Ming Jin seemed to be quietly listening to what the person on the other end was saying. She turned her head, meeting Song Xiangwan’s gaze.

Song Xiangwan blinked, then blinked again. Not being chased out meant… she could come in?

She was always very bold. She pushed the door open and entered, placing the tea tray on the desk softly. She squatted down opposite Ming Jin, looking at her expectantly.

A cat who had done something wrong was always very good at acting cute. She didn’t speak. She just rested her chin on Ming Jin’s knee, rubbing gently, a strong gesture of appeasement.

“I understand. Mayor Zheng just told me all this about weighing the pros and cons.”

The person on the other end quickly explained: “CEO Ming, please don’t misunderstand. The purpose of my call… is actually an order from Mayor Zheng…”

“I actually think that Ms. Lin was indeed wrong in this matter, and your request for a personal apology is not demanding.”

“I have no connection with the Lin Group. Of course, I stand by you.”

“If there’s anything you need help with, just let me know.”

This Deputy Mayor Liu was very clear-headed. Ming Jin said, “Thank you for your concern. I imagine the pressure from Mayor Zheng must be significant…”

Since he wasn’t a lobbyist, the rest of the conversation was mostly polite small talk, but they chatted for a long time, and the call seemed endless.

Song Xiangwan’s legs were getting numb from squatting. She simply sat cross-legged on the floor. Her chin rested on Ming Jin’s knee, and both hands were busy inside Ming Jin’s lap, playing with her buttons.

Unbutton, button, unbutton… She quietly glanced at Ming Jin’s expression. It seemed unchanged. She unbuttoned one more.

Just as she unbuttoned the fourth one, her wrist was suddenly caught. Ming Jin’s light brown eyes looked down, carrying a slight sense of pressure.

Song Xiangwan was unafraid. Her eyelashes fluttered slightly, revealing a bright smile. Then she reached out and unbuttoned the fifth one.

“Alright, that’s enough for now. Thank you, Deputy Mayor Liu.” Hearing this, Song Xiangwan’s heart sank.

Ming Jin casually hung up the phone and caught Song Xiangwan’s restless hand: “Getting handsy?”

“I’m not bothering your phone call…” Song Xiangwan mumbled softly, raising her head, looking at Ming Jin with eager eyes. “I came to apologize, you see…”

“The wine at the bar today was handed to me. Normally handed. Nothing else…” Song Xiangwan said, feeling slightly guilty.

“Of course…”

“I also know I made a mistake by not reporting to you before going this time.”

“Please don’t be angry. I was truly wrong.” Song Xiangwan looked ready to admit her mistakes. She leaned her head forward, rubbing against Ming Jin’s chest.

Then, taking advantage of the distraction, she rubbed the loose shirt front open. A gentle kiss fell onto her chest—slightly wet, slightly ticklish. She gently licked the spot.

Ming Jin instinctively wanted to pull back, but Song Xiangwan hugged her waist, drawing closer abruptly. A loud kiss landed on her.

“Song Xiangwan…” Ming Jin’s mind felt slightly blank. Her nostrils were filled with Song Xiangwan’s floral scent. She was completely enveloped.

“I’m apologizing,” Song Xiangwan looked up, looking innocent. “Don’t you like it?”

Ming Jin: “…” She had never seen this method of apology.

She straightened up, rubbing her nose lightly against Ming Jin’s collarbone, and whispered, “Ah Jin, don’t you like me?”

Her breath puffed into the hollow of Ming Jin’s neck. Her hand was also restless, slipping into the gap between the buttons she had undone.

The kiss slid up, landing on Ming Jin’s earlobe. She gently bit it. The cat’s voice was tempting: “Ah Jin, don’t you like me?”

Ming Jin pressed her fingertip against Song Xiangwan’s brow bone, pushing the restless head away. She slightly steadied her breathing and whispered, “Don’t mess around.”

In fact, she had already watched the bar video. Song Xiangwan had indeed been restrained at the bar. Her intense emotion in the afternoon was an overreaction.

“Aren’t you going for your movie makeup fitting tomorrow?”

“Go back to sleep. I still have some documents to review.”

Given Xu Zhiyan’s state these past few days, she was certainly not fit to work at the company. Ming Jin was uneasy and naturally took over.

Song Xiangwan had only come over after watching Xu Zhiyan fall asleep. It was now past ten in the evening.

Random issues kept piling up, keeping her extremely busy. Ming Jin still remembered small details like the makeup fitting.

She kept track of everyone’s affairs in the family, but…

Song Xiangwan gently hugged Ming Jin. She didn’t stop her, just whispered, “Can’t you be kinder to yourself? How long has it been since you were discharged from the hospital…”

Such a major surgery often requires six months to a year for recovery. It had only been two months since the operation.

“Go to sleep,” Ming Jin didn’t answer her question. She just gently rubbed the top of her head, indicating it was time for her to leave.

Haicheng Hospital. The medical staff coming and going couldn’t help but lower their voices and respectfully walk around the woman with the sharp features.

The doctor was truthfully explaining Lin Rong’s current physical condition to Lin Shan.

After being admitted in the afternoon, she underwent a full physical examination. Lin Rong’s body was fine, but her rapid heart rate and full-body tremor symptoms…

This eventually led them to the psychiatry department. Sure enough, they found Lin Rong’s psychiatric consultation records.

“What did you say? Rongrong has a dependence on sedatives? She has several years of psychiatric medication records?”

“You are doctors. I trust you, but I won’t listen to your nonsense.”

“She is my daughter. She is healthy and outstanding. I watched her grow up. Would I not know what kind of person she is?”

“Now you open your mouth and say my daughter is mentally ill. Do you believe I won’t sue your hospital right now?”

Lin Shan’s emotions were clearly agitated, causing the surrounding medical staff to change their expressions slightly. But they didn’t dare to argue loudly with this lady.

“That is indeed the case… Ma’am, please calm down…” The doctor could only continue to explain.

“We have given her sedatives. Her vital signs are now stable. The abnormality this afternoon was a somatic panic attack.”

The doctor had seen many family members of patients who refused to believe the diagnosis, screaming and hysterical, but who deep down had already accepted it, just finding it hard to cope.

An excellent daughter, who turned out to be a mentally ill patient receiving several years of treatment—no one would accept that quickly.

“CEO Lin…” The secretary guarding the ward quickly walked out. “Miss is awake.”

Lin Shan stopped arguing with the person in front of her. She turned, her steps hurried and fast, rushing back into the ward.

Lin Rong was awake. Smelling the disinfectant, she knew she was in a hospital.

Then she heard the sound of high heels. Her eyes contracted when she met Lin Shan’s gaze.

“Rongrong, you’re finally awake. You scared Mommy to death.” Lin Shan sat down by the bed and held Lin Rong’s hand.

Lin Rong didn’t speak, but she struggled fiercely, trying to pull her hand away. It was useless. Lin Shan’s grip was as firm as cast iron, holding her hand tightly.

“Tell Mommy what you want. Mommy will help you.”

“Why did you faint for no reason…” Lin Shan said, tears welling up in her eyes, looking tearful.

“You…” Lin Rong opened her mouth. She seemed to have made up her mind, finally voicing her inner thoughts: “Can you please leave Haicheng?”

“Yes, of course, Rongrong. Come home with Mommy.” Lin Shan nodded without hesitation. “Establishing this subsidiary or not doesn’t matter.”

“That’s not what I mean…” A trace of despair was in Lin Rong’s eyes as she looked at Lin Shan. “What I mean is, you leave, and I stay.”

Lin Shan’s expression slightly solidified: “Rongrong, are you determined not to come back with me?”

“Mommy.” Lin Rong’s voice was slightly trembling. As she spoke, tears were already rolling down her cheeks. “Please, as if I’m begging you, okay?”

“Please stop following me.”

“Since childhood, from China to abroad, if I show even the slightest disagreement with you, you will chase me to the ends of the earth.”

“Please, please leave Haicheng, okay…”

“I leave Haicheng so you can be with that girl?” Lin Shan’s tone suddenly turned cold.

“I tolerated you ignoring your family responsibilities and humbly becoming a private doctor for someone. But what is this, living in someone else’s house?”

Lin Rong lowered her head, not speaking further. She gently bit her lip, which was utterly pale. She knew that some things couldn’t be explained clearly.

She had struggled before, but she couldn’t escape.

She was like a fish tossed onto the Gobi Desert, desperately flopping around, only to exhaust her moisture.

“I’m tired. Please leave.” Lin Rong lay down, closing her eyes. Her attitude was firm. She didn’t want to communicate further.

Lin Shan hesitated, then finally sighed. She helped Lin Rong tuck in the quilt and sat down by the bed.

She waved the secretary over and whispered, “Bring my laptop. I’ll stay here tonight and watch over her.”

“Yes, CEO Lin.” The secretary replied, softly walking out.

Lin Rong’s eyelashes trembled slightly. She didn’t speak, just turned over, giving Lin Shan her back, and curled up slightly.

Lin Shan’s gaze rested on her back, growing heavier and heavier.

She didn’t know when Lin Rong had changed.

When she was a child, she was an adorable, perfect little angel, sharing stories from school with a smile.

She would give her handmade gifts for every holiday, remember her mother’s birthday, and buy a cake in advance.

She would remember all the Valentine’s Days and buy flowers in advance…

She said that even without a father, Mommy could still receive flowers, because as long as she was there, someone would celebrate Valentine’s Day with Mommy.

But then… she didn’t know when she changed…

She didn’t know what kind of people Lin Rong met or what they taught her. She started locking her room door, stopped sharing her life, started having locked drawers, and wanted to study in other cities.

She investigated everyone around Lin Rong and had a deep conversation with her.

From the standpoint of a successful person, she told her which people had poor character, which ones weren’t worth befriending, and which ones to stay away from.

But it was useless. Everything was like a train out of control on the tracks. She tried desperately to pull it back but couldn’t.

Especially after meeting Xu Zhiyan in Germany, everything spiraled completely out of control…

She never thought that the heartwarming little darling everyone envied her for would do so many things that disappointed her.

But it didn’t matter. She could forgive everything. She could pretend it never happened.

Song Xiangwan tossed and turned on the bed several times but couldn’t fall asleep. What did Ming Jin mean just now? Kicking her out…

Was she really not angry?

She kept her eyes open until midnight, waiting, but Ming Jin never returned to the room.

She went out and checked the study again. The lights in the study were off. Sister Qiu whispered, “Miss Song, CEO Ming is resting in the guest room.”

No… Song Xiangwan’s mind buzzed. Oh no, oh no. She’s really angry.

Before, she would at least punish her. This time, she didn’t even punish her. She was just ignoring her directly.

“How is her mood?” Song Xiangwan asked softly.

“She seemed unhappy when she returned today…” Sister Qiu quickly offered comfort. “Don’t worry too much. A spat in bed is resolved in bed. Your relationship is so good. Your arguments will be short-lived. You’ll be fine in a couple of days.”

“It’s getting late. You should go back to rest…” Sister Qiu said.

“Miss Song, Miss Song…” Sister Qiu quickly followed after her.

Song Xiangwan took a long stride and rushed to the guest room door like the wind, then stopped abruptly, turning back to her own room.

Sister Qiu: “…” Well, she’ll be fine in a couple of days.

The guest room bathroom hadn’t been modified, but Ming Jin’s recovery after the surgery was decent. As long as she wasn’t worried about falling, she could take a shower.

Then she got into bed, turned off the light, and lay down.

The night was quiet, but too many things happened today. They flashed through her mind like a revolving lantern.

Click. The door opened.

Someone came in and stood by the bed, stock-still. Ming Jin propped herself up to reach the switch. Click. The light came on. She saw a person with teary, blurry eyes.

“What’s wrong?” Ming Jin reached out to touch Song Xiangwan’s hand, but she took a step back, avoiding her touch.

She didn’t say anything, just looked at her and cried, tears streaming down her face. Her cheeks and nose tip were flushed, looking incredibly pathetic.

“Who bullied you?” Ming Jin reached out again to pull her closer. This time, she didn’t dodge but stubbornly stood in place, refusing to move forward.

Ming Jin gave a strong tug, but she didn’t manage to pull her over. Instead, Ming Jin’s body swayed slightly, almost losing her balance.

The person who had just been sobbing hysterically immediately rushed forward, catching Ming Jin and shielding her in her arms. The tears kept dripping down onto Ming Jin’s collar.

“Be careful. Your body hasn’t recovered yet…” She spoke while crying, worrying while crying, her voice choked with sobs.

“It’s okay, it’s okay.” Ming Jin didn’t know how she had upset her. She said gently, “See? I’m fine.”

“I know what I’m doing. I won’t hurt myself.”

“But you, why are you crying like this, not sleeping so late?”

Ming Jin reached out for the tissues by the bed, helping Song Xiangwan wipe her tears, but they seemed endless. As soon as she wiped them, more flowed out.

She pulled her down to sit by the bed and soothed her gently, like a child: “Tell me who bullied you. If you cry your eyes out, the photos won’t look good tomorrow.”

Song Xiangwan opened her mouth to speak, but she couldn’t stop crying. She sniffled, stabilized her emotions, and then mumbled.

“You bullied me.”

“How did I bully you?” Ming Jin felt her heart break from her crying. She hadn’t. The bar incident was left unsettled. She didn’t even punish her.

“You don’t want me anymore.” As Song Xiangwan said these words, tears immediately poured out again.

“You don’t want me anymore, Ming Jin. You’re a bad woman.” It was a completely childish accusation.

But it triggered Song Xiangwan’s intense emotions. She lost control and sobbed loudly, her shoulders trembling, looking incredibly wronged. Her beautiful phoenix eyes were completely red now, and she looked at Ming Jin with a heartbroken expression.

“I…” Ming Jin finally understood.

She reached out and embraced her, gently patting her back: “It’s okay. I don’t not want you.”

“I thought you were asleep. You have to get up early for work tomorrow. I didn’t want to disturb your rest, so I didn’t go back to sleep.”

“How could I bear to not want you?”

“You can bear it…” Song Xiangwan choked on her sobs. “You ignored me for three years. You didn’t want me. You’re perfectly capable of bearing it. Your heart is so cruel.”

“Bad woman, how could you treat me like this?” Song Xiangwan wiped her tears onto Ming Jin’s shirt.

She was truly scared. Scared of another argument, another cold war, just like before—no reconciliation, no follow-up, just a clean break.

“I was wrong, I was wrong,” Ming Jin confessed softly. “Three years ago… I thought you didn’t like me controlling you…”

“Besides… my condition…” Ming Jin sighed softly. Song Xiangwan wasn’t wrong. She had a cruel heart, leaving her behind for three years.

“No, no.” Song Xiangwan shook her head violently. “I like you controlling me.”

“Punish me.”

“I accept whatever punishment you give me.”

“Just don’t ignore me. Please don’t ignore me. I’m begging you, don’t leave me alone.”

She hugged Ming Jin’s waist, burying her entire body in Ming Jin’s arms: “I can’t endure another three years alone, Ah Jin. I’m not that strong…”

“Please punish me. I know my mistakes now. I’ll change everything. Just don’t not want me.”

Ming Jin could feel that Song Xiangwan was genuinely having an emotional breakdown. Just the simple act of sleeping apart for one night instantly broke Song Xiangwan’s limits.

Just as she had discussed with Wu Qingyi, she was deeply afraid of loss, truly afraid.

During those three years, she tried hard to tell herself she could manage without Ming Jin, but in truth, she lived in a daze.

She had said things like this to Wu Qingyi many times.

But this was the first time she had such a full emotional outburst in front of Ming Jin.

“I don’t not want you. I don’t not want you. Never… Wanwan… it won’t happen again.” Ming Jin’s eyes also felt slightly sore.

Song Xiangwan heard the explanation and had vented her emotions. She slowly calmed down, looking up at Ming Jin: “Really?”

Tears still clung to her eyelashes. She stared fixedly into Ming Jin’s eyes, stubbornly waiting for Ming Jin’s answer.

Ming Jin gently lowered her head and kissed her red nose tip, saying seriously, word by word, “Really. It won’t happen again. Only you will leave me; I will never leave you again.”

“No…” Song Xiangwan immediately shook her head, her eyes wide with disbelief. “Why would I leave you?”

“I won’t. You are the most important person to me.” Song Xiangwan leaned in and gently kissed Ming Jin’s lips.

Then she finally realized their current position. She quickly propped herself up on the bed, trying to pull away from Ming Jin’s arms: “Why are you hugging me like this? Does your waist hurt? Did I press down on you? Why didn’t you say anything…”

A rapid, continuous string of words gave Ming Jin no room to answer.

She was indeed under some strain, sitting without back support while holding Song Xiangwan in her arms.

But she just shook her head: “It’s alright. I like holding you.”

“Then…” Song Xiangwan’s eyes darted around. She leaned in and kissed Ming Jin’s lips again. “Let’s go back and sleep.”

Before Ming Jin could speak, she abruptly threw back the covers on Ming Jin’s bed, leaned down, wrapped her arms behind Ming Jin’s back and under her knees, and lifted her in a bridal carry.

“You…” Ming Jin instinctively hugged her neck. The embrace instantly brought them closer.

“I pressed down on you just now. It’s only right that I carry you back now,” Song Xiangwan said matter-of-factly. “I’ve picked you up. I won’t let go.”

Ming Jin was somewhat helpless but yielded to Song Xiangwan’s strength, leaning into her embrace. She kissed Song Xiangwan’s cheek: “Then hold me steady.”

“I’ve entrusted myself to you.” A faint smile was in her eyes, like melting ice and warming spring air.

In the room, the bedding was a mess. Clearly, someone had been rolling around on the bed, hugging the blanket.

Song Xiangwan settled her down, then fumbled around in her pocket.

While Ming Jin adjusted her pillow, she heard a click behind her. She turned around to see the cat holding something, offering it to her eagerly.

Silver handcuffs were attached to her fair ankle, and the other end was cuffed to the end of the bed.

Song Xiangwan had cuffed herself, then placed the key in Ming Jin’s palm: “Here. Lock me up. You have to control me well.”

“Nonsense.” Ming Jin frowned slightly. Cuffing her like this all night would restrict blood circulation.

“It’s not nonsense.” Song Xiangwan’s feet were chained to the end of the bed. She crawled over, only able to reach Ming Jin’s waist. She hugged her and rubbed against her: “I like it.”

“Ah Jin, I like being controlled by you.” She looked up at Ming Jin, her phoenix eyes sparkling, full of intimate dependence, tinged with joy.

“Just lock me up like this. I won’t run around anymore. I am yours. I will always be yours.” Song Xiangwan smiled at her like that.

She clenched her hand. The cold key was pressed against her palm, gradually warming from the temperature of her hand.

“Do you really… like it?” Ming Jin’s voice was hesitant. Her eyes were slightly dark.

The possessiveness buried deep in her heart was about to burst forth. Those dark secrets—she didn’t dare let anyone discover them. She didn’t dare risk even a slight possibility.