The Person I Love Who Has Been Missing For Three Years - Chapter 71

Chapter 71: Find an Iron Room and Lock Song Xiangwan In…

A screenshot from a security camera appeared on Ming Jin’s computer screen. The surveillance footage from the clothing store showed the time as 4:30 PM, about an hour ago.

In the clothing store’s lounge area, on a brown leather sofa, a small coffee table stood between them with two cups of tea. Two people were seated opposite each other.

One was Song Xiangwan, and the other was Lin Shan.

In Ming Jin’s light brown eyes, a dark storm raged. Her fingers pressed on the desktop so hard that her knuckles were slightly white.

“What do you want?” Ming Jin’s tone was infused with coldness and full of aggression.

On the other end of the phone, Lin Shan gave a soft laugh: “I didn’t do anything. I just met with Miss Song and had a chat.”

“I’m warning you, stay away from the people around me.” Ming Jin couldn’t predict what Lin Shan would do. This lunatic would even drive her own daughter to death when she went crazy.

“CEO Ming, I haven’t broken any laws or regulations. It’s just normal social interaction. Your threats carry no weight with me,” Lin Shan said flatly.

“I hope CEO Lin can say those words to me with a smile tomorrow as well.” Ming Jin hung up the phone without waiting for the other person to reply.

Her breathing was heavy and uncontrollable. Her heart tightened slightly. She clutched the fabric at her chest, calming herself down for a long time until her emotions stabilized.

She dialed Deputy Mayor Liu’s number, her tone slightly softened: “Hello, Deputy Mayor Liu, it’s me.”

“I’d like to know the current progress of the Lin Group subsidiary matter…”

Lin Shan hung up the phone and immediately received a call from the company. A massive sell-off caused the Lin Group’s shares to plummet in a chain reaction.

However, it wasn’t the darkest moment yet. When the market opens tomorrow, retail investors will scatter at the sight of the fall, leading to consecutive drops.

The only way was to inject a large amount of capital now, gather these stocks, and stabilize the price. But the liquid capital…

All of the Lin Group’s liquid capital was earmarked for preparing the subsidiary.

“What a lunatic,” Lin Shan muttered to herself, looking at the K-line chart in front of her.

The Ming Group actually held so many of their shares, and selling off such a large batch meant a massive loss for Ming Jin herself.

Revenge, pure revenge.

How could someone barely in her thirties manage to wield such absolute power within a conglomerate, being the final word, and possess such ruthless decisiveness?

However, Lin Shan showed little distress. Instead, a slight smile appeared on her face. Her finger propped up her temple, lightly rubbing the arm of her glasses, and she chuckled softly.

A lunatic. Being a lunatic is good.

It proved that she had found Ming Jin’s Achilles’ heel.

“CEO Lin…” The secretary rushed in from outside, saying quickly, “The phone lines in the secretarial office are about to burst. Shareholders are asking what’s happening.”

“How should we respond?” the secretary asked tentatively.

“No rush.” Lin Shan took off her glasses, gently pressing her fingertips against her brow. She said flatly, “No need to reply. Ignore them.”

“But…” The secretary hesitated, then nodded: “Yes, CEO Lin.”

No need to reply… This one is also crazy. Doesn’t she fear causing public outrage? If the shareholders revolt, no one can control them.

The secretary dared not say anything, only pushed the door and left.

The hotel room was somewhat empty. Night had fallen. The light wasn’t on, plunging the entire space into darkness.

Only the faint light from the computer screen shone down, illuminating Lin Shan’s face. She leaned back in the chair, her eyes closed.

But she wasn’t asleep. Her fingers rested on the leather armrest, gently caressing it, letting the dark night engulf her layer by layer.

“No one can take Rongrong away from me, no one…” she whispered, seemingly talking to herself.

She took a deep breath, stood up, and opened the door to leave. The secretary quickly followed her, stepping ahead to open the car door when they reached downstairs.

Lin Shan got in the car, her tone calm and relaxed: “Let’s go. To the hospital. Rongrong must have been waiting for a long time.”

“Wait, no…” She seemed to recall something. “Where’s the nearest flower shop? Let’s buy some flowers. A bouquet of her favorite tulips.”

“She’ll be happy when she sees the flowers. When she was little, I even planted tulips with her…”

She watched the stream of cars outside the window. It was rush hour. Everyone was returning home after a day’s work.

Birds returning to their nests, people going home. A time of warmth and comfort under the lights of ten thousand homes. Yet, she always felt a cold loneliness surrounding her.

How could this be… She closed her eyes briefly. When she opened them again, the loneliness was gone, replaced by her usual razor-sharp focus.

She was never alone.

She had many people around her. Most importantly, she had Rongrong. How could she be lonely?

When Ming Jin returned home, night had already fallen. In the late summer evening, there was a slight cool breeze. Leaves rustled and fell.

The shadows of trees and lights danced, enveloping the entire house in a hazy filter. Warm yellow light streamed through the windows, casting shadows of the window panes across the yard.

The swing in the yard had stopped moving. The person leaning against the ropes of the swing seemed to be looking at the moon, or perhaps just quietly daydreaming.

The wind lifted her long hair at her waist. The swaying ends of her hair brushed against the white T-shirt fabric. The dim yellow light shone through her hair, making her look illuminated.

Hearing the sound of the door opening, she looked over, then happily stood up and walked toward her: “Ah Jin~”

Her hand felt slightly cool. Ming Jin held it, warming it in her palm, and said softly, “Why are you out here?”

“Waiting for you to get off work,” Song Xiangwan squatted down, leaning into Ming Jin for a hug, gently rubbing against her like a rolling kitten.

“You promised to get off work at six and be home by 6:30. Look, what time is it now?” Her tone was full of accusation and dissatisfaction.

“Was your shopping trip smooth this afternoon?” Ming Jin asked the question. Her fingers couldn’t help but tighten slightly. Her tone was normal, but she knew she was nervous.

“Very smooth. I bought a lot of clothes for Mom and Teacher Zhou. It’s just…” Song Xiangwan frowned slightly. “I ran into Lin Rong’s mother.”

Ming Jin’s heart felt momentarily suspended.

She didn’t know what Lin Shan had done, but judging by Song Xiangwan’s reaction, Song Xiangwan didn’t seem to be hiding anything.

“What did she say?” Ming Jin asked, following Song Xiangwan’s lead.

“She said some strange things. She said she wanted to know who Dr. Lin has been socializing with and what she’s been doing these past two years…”

“It’s strange, isn’t she Dr. Lin’s mother? Shouldn’t she know these things?”

“What would I know? How long have I even known Dr. Lin?”

“Besides, even if I did know, I couldn’t tell her, right? I can’t betray a friend.”

“So I didn’t say anything.”

“Mmm.” Ming Jin gently rubbed the top of Song Xiangwan’s head in a gesture of praise. “You’re good.”

“Of course I’m good.” Song Xiangwan’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Ming Jin, blinking. “So, is there a reward?”

“What do you want?” Ming Jin slid her thumb onto Song Xiangwan’s cheek, gently cupping the smooth, soft face, tracing her fingertip on the skin.

It felt as though even her own fingertips were instantly scented with a strong floral fragrance.

“Me, I…” Her phoenix eyes shifted. “I haven’t thought of it yet. When I do, I’ll definitely ask you for it.”

“Alright, let’s hurry inside.” Song Xiangwan stood up to push the wheelchair, whispering, “I came out to wait for you because I have something to tell you.”

“Ah Yan was acting off today. Sister Qiu also said she was glum all day, ate little, and didn’t speak.”

“She won’t get sick from being so gloomy, will she?”

“How about I play some games with her after dinner?”

“Wouldn’t shifting her focus help a little…”

The wheelchair was suddenly braked. Song Xiangwan blinked, looking down, meeting Ming Jin’s gaze. Her light brown eyes were calm, yet as deep as a sea abyss.

“What’s wrong…” Song Xiangwan leaned closer, kissing her brow and eyes. “You just complimented me on being good.”

She was quite daring. When Ming Jin looked at people so coldly, she was the only one not intimidated, even daring to lean in for a kiss.

“Since I got out of the car, you’ve either been talking about Lin Rong or Ah Yan,” Ming Jin shook her head. “I take back what I said. You’re not good at all.”

No, she’s going to nitpick this too?

Before Song Xiangwan could speak, Sister Qiu had come out to greet them: “CEO Ming, Miss Song…”

“Can we eat now?” Ming Jin asked. “If I return at this time, everyone at home must be hungry. Please tell the kitchen to hurry.”

“Everything is ready. We were just waiting for your return. We can start eating anytime.” Sister Qiu didn’t dare try to take over pushing the wheelchair.

Song Xiangwan ran lightly and quickly, like a cat, darting away after committing a misdeed, like a gust of wind, tail held high, triumphant and brazen.

Ming Jin’s hair was messed up by her. Sister Qiu smiled helplessly and came over to push the wheelchair: “What’s wrong now?”

“A naughty little cat, still throwing a tantrum,” Ming Jin replied flatly. She wasn’t angry; in fact, the corner of her lips lifted slightly.

A total outlaw, even daring to mess up her head. I wonder who spoiled her like this.

At the dinner table, Song Xiangwan and Ming Jin chatted, trying hard to involve Xu Zhiyan in the conversation.

But Xu Zhiyan only nodded occasionally, said “mmm,” and spent most of the time looking down, counting the grains of rice in her bowl.

Her chopsticks poked at the bowl, but she didn’t eat much.

“Ah Yan, how about we play some games later?” Song Xiangwan put a chicken wing on her plate, smiling. “A little entertainment is good.”

“Games…” Xu Zhiyan froze for a moment. “Shall we play It Takes Two?”

The last time she played It Takes Two was with Lin Rong.

To avoid painful memories, Song Xiangwan quickly changed the subject: “No, not that one. How about Overcooked? You must be very good at Overcooked.”

“I saw the game console record last time. You finished all the levels, many with three stars.”

“I’m terrible. You can carry me.”

“That…” Xu Zhiyan looked slightly embarrassed. “Actually, I’m bad too.”

“That record wasn’t set by me.”

“Ah?” Song Xiangwan was surprised. She seemed to realize something and looked at Ming Jin: “Was it your sister?”

There were only the two of them in the house.

However, this was a surprise. How could CEO Ming enjoy playing games? She used to beg Ming Jin just to play with her.

“I only know how to play It Takes Two,” Xu Zhiyan continued, pausing in her speech. “Lin Rong taught me.”

“Then forget it, we won’t play games…” Song Xiangwan quickly changed the subject again. “How about we watch variety shows? There are several comedy shows recently that are really good.”

“Do you watch stand-up comedy? Several female comedians are amazing this year, both funny and insightful.”

“Sister-in-law, thank you. I know you’re trying to comfort me.” Xu Zhiyan stood up. “I’m sorry, I really don’t have the mood. I’ve finished eating. I’m going back to my room.”

Song Xiangwan felt a little defeated. She looked at Ming Jin, who also shook her head and whispered, “Give her some time.”

Xu Zhiyan must be in turmoil right now. She didn’t know what to do with herself.

“Was that game really you…” Song Xiangwan rested her chin on her hand, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Ming Jin. “Was it for me?”

“You must have been thinking of me when you played.”

“Wuwuwu, how is this so shippable? I can’t help but ship us myself…”

“Mmm…” A piece of pork rib was stuffed into her mouth.

Ming Jin said flatly, “Even food can’t shut you up. Eat properly. The dishes are getting cold.”

The cat kept secretly smiling at her. Ming Jin’s eyes were calm, but her heart was slightly soft. The cat was right.

She spent those long, boring hours confined to her bed playing this game. In the lonely nights, it felt as though Song Xiangwan was right beside her, screaming and shouting.

Ahhhhhh, it’s on fire! Ah Jin, what do we do?

Ahhhhhh, the tomatoes! The tomatoes aren’t chopped! Ah Jin, Ah Jin, Ah Jin.

Ahhhhhh, it’s over, it’s over! Time is almost up.

She screamed and yelled the whole time while playing the game, and most of the time she was calling her name: Ah Jin, Ah Jin, Ah Jin…

It seemed that whenever she encountered difficulty, the first name she thought of was that one.

She actually really liked Song Xiangwan’s reliance on her like that.

After dinner, Ming Jin went into the study. She still had some documents to process. It was destined to be a late night.

Song Xiangwan knew she would be busy taking over Xu Zhiyan’s work, but she hadn’t realized how busy. How could her recently discharged body handle this much overtime?

Song Xiangwan watched the time tick by. Finally, she couldn’t resist and went to the study to fetch her.

Ming Jin didn’t even lift her head, her gaze still fixed on the documents in her hand. Her voice was flat: “Come in.”

“You knew it was me.” Song Xiangwan closed the door and snuggled up next to Ming Jin.

She squatted down, hugged Ming Jin’s waist, and rubbed against her: “Ah Jin, it’s late. I’m sleepy. Shall we go to bed, okay?”

“You go to sleep first. You don’t have to wait for me.” Ming Jin’s tone was gentle. She reached out and grasped the back of Song Xiangwan’s neck, gently rubbing it.

The kitten lay on her lap, relentlessly whining: “No, no…”

“If I fall asleep, you won’t come back to sleep, and you’ll abandon me again, bad woman…”

“Is your frequency of calling me ‘bad woman’ a little high recently?” Ming Jin’s fingers steadily signed her name at the end of the document, then opened the next one.

“Is it?” Song Xiangwan’s hand fiddled with Ming Jin’s waist, finally resting on the previously strained area, slowly massaging it with the heel of her palm.

“I’m the best girl. How could I… You have no evidence…” she mumbled softly.

“Your note for me is ‘Bad Woman’,” Ming Jin was multitasking, circling the errors in the document with her pen and casually tossing it into the pile to be redone.

“Then what note do you want?” Song Xiangwan stuck her head out from under her arm, blocking her view of the document.

Her nose brushed lightly against Ming Jin’s nose, then she kissed Ming Jin’s lips softly, her voice warm and smiling.

“Wifey Ah Jin?”

“Sister Ah Jin?”

“My Baby?”

“Or Mommy Darling?”

Ming Jin’s fingers holding the pen paused. She put down the document, gathered the person in her arms, and pinched the soft flesh at her waist: “Where did you learn all this nonsense?”

“It’s all from the bottom of my heart.” Song Xiangwan took her hand and placed it on her chest: “Feel it. It’s what this says.”

As she spoke, she quickly pulled up her shirt. Ming Jin’s hand slipped beneath her clothes, pressing against her skin. Song Xiangwan smiled brightly: “Did you hear it now that it’s closer?”

She leaned in, biting Ming Jin’s ear, whispering: “Sister? Mommy? Baby?”

“Mommy, won’t you spoil me? Let’s go to sleep. These documents can’t smell as good as I do.” Her lowered voice was utterly seductive.

Her hand was also restless, reaching out to unbutton Ming Jin’s shirt: “Mommy, I’ve let you touch me. You can’t be stingy, you know.”

Her waist swayed slightly, incredibly soft, rubbing against Ming Jin’s embrace, messing up both their clothes.

The cat rolled over. Ming Jin’s eyes flickered slightly. Her hand gripping Song Xiangwan’s waist tightened, pulling Song Xiangwan fully into her arms.

She instantly tumbled down, practically lying in Ming Jin’s lap. Her nose pressed against Ming Jin’s chest. She took a deep sniff: “Mommy, you smell so good.”

She was nestled in Ming Jin’s arms, her hand tracing the metal hook-and-eye clasp of the bra. Her tone was playful: “Is it okay?”

“You smell so good. Can I have a bite?” she whined, her fingertips already restlessly unhooking the top clasp.

Ming Jin’s breathing tightened. She caught Song Xiangwan’s misbehaving hand, gave her a threatening look, and asked aloud: “Who is it?”

Song Xiangwan’s hand was restrained, but her head was still restless, nuzzling around in Ming Jin’s chest.

It was only through the fabric, but the fabric was very thin. Her breath could penetrate and land on the skin.

Then, her teeth and tongue began to move restlessly, gently biting her.

Ming Jin’s eyes narrowed. She raised her hand and slapped Song Xiangwan’s lower back as a warning.

Song Xiangwan pouted, completely unafraid. She leaned her head up and bit Ming Jin’s collarbone again.

“Sis, it’s me,” Xu Zhiyan’s voice came from outside. “Can I come in?”

“Wait a moment.” Ming Jin’s voice was strained. Thankfully, Xu Zhiyan was the child she raised. She was very polite and wouldn’t just push the door open.

Otherwise, if she pushed the door, she would see her usually composed and unshakable sister being pinned down, kissed, and bitten, looking disheveled and passionate.

“Be good. Don’t mess around,” Ming Jin warned in a low voice.

“Okay…” Although Song Xiangwan said so, she was still sniffing around Ming Jin’s neck.

Finally, after another warning slap on her lower back, she reluctantly backed away and obediently buttoned up Ming Jin’s shirt one by one.

“Tidy your own clothes too…” Ming Jin instructed.

“No.” Song Xiangwan directly squatted down and ducked under the table. She hugged Ming Jin’s legs, resting her chin on her knees: “Like this…”

Ming Jin: “…” Making it seem like we’re having a clandestine affair in our own home.

The cat’s eyes were rolling around, full of mischief.

Fine. Anyway, Xu Zhiyan won’t turn around, so she won’t see.

Ming Jin checked again to make sure the top button of her collar was fastened before confidently telling Xu Zhiyan to come in.

“Sis…” Xu Zhiyan sat down in the seat opposite Ming Jin.

She didn’t notice anything unusual.

But Ming Jin’s body visibly tensed because the person who had been obediently lying there suddenly reached out her hand.

She slipped it through the gap between the shirt and pants, instantly touching the skin of her waist. She pressed in and gently pinched her.

“What’s wrong?” Ming Jin’s voice was flat as she asked Xu Zhiyan.

“I thought about it for a long time after I went back. I don’t think I’m in a state to make decisions right now. I want to go out and travel.”

“That’s good too…” Ming Jin’s eyes narrowed slightly. She said slowly, “Where to?”

“Not Germany. Anywhere else is fine.” Xu Zhiyan’s fingers nervously intertwined. She was clearly anxious. “I just want to go out and walk around.”

“Go somewhere where no one knows me and have a good think.”

“Before, I was worried about you, but now you’re recovering well, and with Sister-in-law here, I can be at ease.”

“When do you leave?”

“Tomorrow,” Xu Zhiyan said.

“That fast?” Ming Jin frowned slightly, but nodded. “Alright, tomorrow it is.”

“Nothing is more important than safety. Be careful, and remember to call me to let me know you’re safe,” Ming Jin instructed.

Traveling was a good idea. With Lin Shan and Lin Rong both in Haicheng, they might run into each other, and that lunatic could do anything.

The security camera screenshot Lin Shan sent today made Ming Jin feel uncomfortable.

Lin Shan was clearly threatening her.

That was all Xu Zhiyan wanted to say. Once she said it, she left.

Ming Jin reached down and immediately caught the misbehaving hand, holding it tightly. She said sternly, “Song Xiangwan…”

“It’s good that Ah Yan is going to travel. Don’t be so unhappy,” Song Xiangwan blinked, whispering.

“Is that what I’m talking about?” Ming Jin stared at her eyes, a deep sense of pressure emanating from her.

Song Xiangwan was completely unafraid. She leaned up and kissed Ming Jin’s lips: “Ah Jin, do you need to change your underwear too?”

She was grinning, not showing any worry or fear about what she had just done.

A spoiled cat.

Ming Jin’s hand cupped the back of her head, her fingertips pressing into her scalp, firmly pulling her head down.

A deep, entangled kiss. Their lips were pressed tightly together. Both of them opened their mouths, their tongues lightly touching, then fiercely drawing closer. The instant churning sound of saliva. Their throats tightened slightly. The air felt scarce. Their hearts pounded violently in their chests.

“Wanwan…” Ming Jin’s voice was low, her lips pressed against Song Xiangwan’s.

“Mmm?” Song Xiangwan lightly bit her lip, smiling faintly. “I’m here, Mommy. Do you want to spoil me now?”

“You truly are a temptress.” Ming Jin instantly reclaimed her lips, completely suppressing the sound inside.

She felt a surge of restlessness: “Wanwan, Lin Shan, she really didn’t say anything?”

“No, she said some random things. I ignored her and just left,” Song Xiangwan said softly. She was already aroused by the kissing.

She was telling the truth. She didn’t understand what Lin Shan’s strange words meant, so she simply stood up and left.

“Wanwan…” Ming Jin’s hand gently caressed her waist. Her voice was deep.

She felt an intense sense of insecurity.

Xu Zhiyan was going abroad, so she was safe, but what about Song Xiangwan…

She wanted to find an iron room, lock Song Xiangwan inside, hide her away, and prevent anyone from seeing or touching her.

The thoughts in her mind kept surfacing, almost drowning her.

But she had already agreed that she would join the film crew in ten days. She couldn’t lock her up.

The intense insecurity in her heart swelled up, almost consuming her.

And yet, this fatal temptress was biting her ear, whispering softly, “Mommy, Ah Jin, won’t you spoil me, please…”