The Person I Love Who Has Been Missing For Three Years - Chapter 75

Chapter 75: She Actually Has Separation Anxiety (…

At six o’clock in the evening, Song Xiangwan finished work and went home, but not to the Ming residence. She returned to Yujingshanzhuang, where Song Xiuyun and Zhou Ying currently lived.

The house, which was originally as empty as a show home, now had many vibrant decorations after the two elders had lived there for a while. As soon as she pushed open the door, she saw scented lilies in the vase in the foyer, and a small Maneki-neko (beckoning cat) figurine was smiling and waving at her.

Twilight crept through the window frames. The floor lamp in the living room was on, a warm yellow glow enveloping the entire room. An unfinished knitted blanket was draped over the sofa, and on the table lay a half-cup of warm milk and an open book. A gentle evening breeze blew outside the window, and the air inside was filled with the sweet aroma of stewing soup.

Hearing the sound of the door opening, Song Xiuyun, wearing an apron, peeked out from the kitchen, her face beaming: “Wanwan is home?”

“Hurry and wash your hands. I’ll quickly stir-fry a green vegetable, and then we can eat,” Zhou Ying called out without coming out.

Song Xiangwan was about to enter the kitchen, but Zhou Ying stopped her: “The kitchen is small, no room to turn around. Just sit and wait to eat.”

“You must be tired after a day of work,” Song Xiuyun agreed.

The soup brought out was Song Xiangwan’s favorite hawthorn pork ribs soup. A few hawthorns floated in the clear broth, which wasn’t too oily and tasted fresh and sweet.

All the dishes were also Song Xiangwan’s favorites. The steamed pork ribs with rice flour were fragrant and tender, the stir-fried chicken was fragrant with a strong wok hei from the pepper, and even the small green vegetables tasted sweet.

Although she was accustomed to exotic delicacies outside, this flavor was only found at home.

As if understanding her thoughts, Song Xiuyun served her a bowl of soup: “There’s no oil in the soup today. It absolutely won’t make you gain weight.”

“Yes, and green vegetables don’t make you gain weight. Eat more green vegetables for good health.”

With the two elders encouraging her to eat, Song Xiangwan ate until she felt full, something she rarely did, usually stopping as soon as she was no longer hungry.

They wouldn’t let her clean up the dishes. After she lay on the sofa for a while, feeling sleepy after the meal, Song Xiuyun came out with several plates, covering the coffee table.

Hawthorns were pitted, snow pears were cut into bite-sized pieces, and there were also shelled walnuts and macadamia nuts…

It seemed that in front of her mother, she could simply lie down after eating, and then eat again while still lying down, being a useless freeloader.

She didn’t need to act like a polite adult and could fully express her mood.

Song Xiangwan was self-aware and only ate two hawthorns, leaving the fruit and nuts untouched. She casually scrolled through social media on her phone.

Song Xiangwan and Cheng Yu, this combination is truly hilarious. Are they abandoning male audiences?

They found the traffic secret, haven’t they? They’ve completely lost face.

How can an infamous director like Cheng Yu still make movies? Isn’t there an industry ban?

Song Xiangwan should also be banned. She’s great at provoking gender conflicts, a pure element of social instability.

Song Xiangwan read a few comments, having a general idea. She knew about the director Cheng Yu.

Cheng Yu was one of the few female directors in the film industry whose box office performance wasn’t great but who was highly controversial.

Because every time she made a move, it caused an uproar.

Last year, a feminist film about a middle-aged woman divorcing and finding herself was almost reported and taken down by some triggered viewers.

The story was simple, without much artistic processing, filmed in a documentary style. The protagonist dropped out of school at sixteen, vaguely met a man through a blind date, entered into marriage at seventeen, held a wedding banquet at an age unsuitable for marriage, and became a mother.

She diligently managed the household for almost thirty years, enduring all hardships. On her forty-fifth birthday, she met a childhood friend.

The friend had persisted in her studies since childhood, testing out of the mountains, all the way to becoming a top-notch university Ph.D., returning home in glory.

The friend had climbed Mount Everest, seen the Great Rift Valley in East Africa, and witnessed the world’s most magnificent sights.

Yet, when they were little, they lay on the same bed, looking at picture books, and talked about going to Yunnan to see Cangshan and Erhai Lake.

Her friend had gone many times, but she had never been even once.

She didn’t have many extravagant wishes, only wanting to see the “Wind, Flower, Snow, and Moon” of Dali once.

To achieve this goal, she saved money for several years and put on her most beautiful clothes. But when she was full of anticipation, her husband snatched all her savings.

What are you doing? The family is too poor to cook. Are you trying to leave? Are you going to run off and find a wild man?

That money was saved by herself, collected coin by coin from scavenging waste. It ended up being gambling money at the card table.

She finally couldn’t take it anymore and filed for divorce…

Such a story, filmed in a simple style, instantly resonated with many people but also touched on the pain points of many.

If all mothers and wives weren’t willing to contribute, those who suffered the loss naturally became triggered.

Cheng Yu was cyberbullied, threatened, and reported for this film, causing a huge storm in the public opinion sphere.

And Song Xiangwan’s “infamy” goes without saying…

Song Xiangwan casually scrolled through the comments, finding these people as funny as clowns.

She had said it before: man-hater, man-hater, man-hater. Why did these people still consider themselves so important?

Wild Rose costume fitting. Looking forward to meeting Li Fangfei. Also, don’t get triggered. You look like a clown.

Cao Xin saw this Weibo post, her expression now serene: “…” Forget it, forget it. Pretend I didn’t see it.

Not only did Song Xiangwan post on her main account, but she also happily started arguing with people afterward.

Cao Xin finally couldn’t take it anymore and messaged Song Xiangwan: My ancestor, don’t you have anything else to do?

Song Xiangwan: How did you know I’m bored right now?

Cao Xin: …

Song Xiangwan: Don’t worry, I don’t have any male fans anyway. It’s just a way to purify my fan base.

Song Xiangwan: They’re all cursing me, which also serves to intensify my existing fans. See? Aren’t I a marketing expert?

Cao Xin: …

What kind of marketing expert are you? You just rely on CEO Ming’s backing to act recklessly.

“Wanwan…” Teacher Zhou’s voice made Song Xiangwan quickly flip her phone shut. She looked up: “Teacher Zhou, what’s wrong?”

“Are you in a bad mood?” Zhou Ying couldn’t help but worry.

But when she spoke, she heard Song Xiuyun gently cough. The rest of her words seemed to be forcefully swallowed back.

“No, why?” Song Xiangwan wasn’t in a bad mood at all. She actually felt quite smug, as if she’d just fought and won a battle.

Of course, she won. In her comment section, she blocked people right after cursing them, not giving them a chance to reply.

“It’s nothing, nothing,” Teacher Zhou smiled lightly and said, “It’s still early. Why don’t we go down for a walk?”

“Sure,” Song Xiangwan got up, went back to the bedroom to grab a hat and mask, and then followed the two elders downstairs.

It was the busiest time in the community after dinner. Many people were out for a walk, pushing baby strollers, and chatting in small groups.

When they saw Song Xiuyun, some people greeted her: “Out for a walk? Is this… your daughter?”

“Yes,” Song Xiuyun nodded, holding Song Xiangwan’s hand, her face filled with unspoken pride.

Although Song Xiangwan was wearing a mask and a hat, she still had a distinguished aura.

This prompted the aunties to praise her: “Such a beautiful daughter. Does she have a boyfriend?”

“No, no,” Song Xiuyun shook her head, quickly changing the subject. “Are you out grocery shopping? Are the prices cheaper at the evening market?”

“Yes, it’s cheaper in the evening. Look how good these ribs are, only 18.8 yuan.” The auntie’s attention was immediately diverted.

Song Xiangwan had noticed something was off. Usually, when the topic of boyfriends came up, Song Xiuyun would lecture her a bit, but today, she was deliberately secretive.

No lecture is best. My ears are spared the pain.

After a few laps, the parents with children went back, and the dog walkers started coming out. In Song Xiangwan’s eyes, these dogs were much cuter than the children.

She couldn’t resist squatting down to pet several dogs. Song Xiuyun said: “If you like them, we can adopt one too.”

“Where would I find the time to raise one?” Song Xiangwan rubbed a small Corgi’s head. The Corgi jumped, trying to reach Song Xiangwan’s legs, looking cute and lively.

“We can raise it for you. You can play with it when you want,” Song Xiuyun said.

“You…” Song Xiangwan paused. “Didn’t you two talk about moving back to your hometown a while ago?”

“If you’re like this… how can we go home?” Song Xiuyun sighed softly, finally unable to hold back, and asked, “Tell Mommy, did you break up?”

“Me?” Song Xiangwan was a bit slow to react. “I broke up? Where did you get that idea?”

“You usually don’t come back when we call you, but today you came back so early, and you’ve been glued to your phone since you got back…” Zhou Ying said.

Song Xiangwan: “…” She came back today because Ming Jin was away on a business trip, Xu Zhiyan was also abroad, and there was no one at home.

“Wanwan, don’t think too much. With your qualities, you can definitely find someone better.”

“That Xiao Jin…”

“Wait a minute,” Song Xiangwan interrupted, looking at them suspiciously. “You know?”

“You know about my relationship with Ming Jin?” Song Xiangwan always thought she had hidden it well. Although she had tried to bring it up a few times, she never actually said it out loud.

So, both of them knew?

“Yes, we guessed…” Song Xiuyun tentatively said, “We weren’t wrong, were we?”

Song Xiangwan’s mind buzzed: “Did you say anything to Ming Jin?”

Ming Jin had always held back, unwilling to go public. Now, she seemed to have found the answer…

“No,” Song Xiuyun shook her head. “We haven’t seen her many times, and you were always present.”

No, that’s not right. Something is definitely wrong. Ming Jin must have heard something.

Song Xiangwan suppressed her thoughts. When she video-called Ming Jin that night, her expression was still normal, her eyes smiling: “Ah Jin~”

“You’re home?” Ming Jin’s background was a hotel. She had already showered and was in bed.

There was a soft, steamy haze around her, which softened the usual coldness in her eyes. There was a slight smile in her eyes when she looked at Song Xiangwan.

“Yes, you’re not home, so I thought I’d come back and spend time with the elders,” Song Xiangwan said, leaning closer to the screen to look.

The screen was instantly filled with just one eye. Ming Jin was slightly helpless: “What are you looking at?”

“I’m checking if you’re resting properly,” Song Xiangwan mumbled, insistent. “You promised me you’d take good care of yourself when you’re away, or I’d be angry.”

“If you get angry, what will happen?” Ming Jin’s tone was slightly teasing.

“I won’t talk to you anymore,” Song Xiangwan glared fiercely, but it was just a glare. She quickly deflated, “That sounds like a punishment for me.”

Ming Jin couldn’t help but chuckle softly, gently tapping the screen with her fingertip. Her eyes were clear, displaying an inexpressible tenderness.

“Is it raining?” Song Xiangwan rested her chin on her hand, lying on the bed, staring at Ming Jin on the phone screen.

“Yes, but not heavily. Just a drizzle,” Ming Jin said. “I’m fine. Don’t worry.”

How could she not worry? Although Ming Jin had an assistant and a secretary, she wasn’t a person who liked others to get too close. She insisted on doing everything herself, which must be tiring.

Plus, it was raining, which would definitely make her uncomfortable.

“Ah Jin~” The kitten’s soft voice. “I miss you.”

“It’s only been one day. Be a good girl,” Ming Jin said softly, her voice carrying a soothing tone.

“Just one day? I feel like many days have passed…” Song Xiangwan whispered. “Do you miss me? Hurry, hurry, say you miss me.”

“You’re acting spoiled,” Ming Jin couldn’t help but feel a strong urge to reach through the phone and rub her head.

The kitten was incredibly well-behaved, acting as though she had separation anxiety, even clingier than when she was physically present.

Ming Jin’s lips couldn’t help but curve into a smile. She was immensely pleased.

“I’m just spoiled… Humph…” Song Xiangwan blinked. “I’m in trouble. You won’t let me be spoiled. Is there someone else with you?”

“You’re keeping a mistress! You bad woman! You unfaithful bad woman!”

“When did I keep a mistress?” Ming Jin had endless patience for the spoiled cat.

“Then give me a 360-degree view of your bedroom, and let me see if there’s anyone else,” Song Xiangwan’s eyes widened, looking at her fiercely.

“Alright, alright,” Ming Jin switched to the phone’s rear camera, slowly rotating a full 360 degrees around the hotel room.

“Did you see clearly? Do you want me to open the closet and let you look, to check thoroughly if there’s any other woman in this room?” Ming Jin’s tone was gentle.

“Slower, spin one more time,” Song Xiangwan pressed her luck.

She didn’t really think Ming Jin would keep a mistress, but as the camera rotated, she noticed the lumbar support and the salt pack on the table, and her eyes paused slightly.

Lying bad woman. She said everything was fine. She must have back pain, but she’s toughing it out.

“Do you want me to get up and show you the closet?” Ming Jin hadn’t realized she had given herself away.

“No, you lie down and rest well,” Song Xiangwan’s voice was faintly worried, her eyes glued to the phone screen.

Ming Jin suddenly noticed something else, seeing the embroidery on Song Xiangwan’s collar: “Wanwan, don’t you have to explain the pajamas you’re wearing…”

“They’re yours,” Song Xiangwan admitted without hesitation, self-righteously. “What’s wrong with me wearing your clothes? I’m wearing them, I’m wearing them.”

“Not only am I wearing them, I’m also going to…” she said, pulling the collar to her nose, inhaling deeply with a satisfied sigh, “Ah, the smell of my wife.”

Ming Jin: “…” She had a strange feeling she was being molested through the phone.

“Didn’t you notice?” Song Xiangwan’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Ming Jin. “There’s also a pair of my pajamas in your suitcase.”

“No,” Ming Jin found the four suitcases headache-inducing. A two-day business trip, and somehow four suitcases were packed.

This cat clearly wanted to pack up the whole house for her.

“Mmm…” Song Xiangwan took a deep breath of the scent on the clothes. “Wife, baby, you smell so good.”

“I miss you so much. I want to hug you to sleep. What should I do? I miss you so much. I can’t live without you, Wife…”

“Next time you travel for business, pack me in the suitcase and take me with you.”

“I’ll be very well-behaved. I absolutely won’t cause you trouble. I’ll wait quietly for you in the suitcase.”

Song Xiangwan whimpered softly. Ming Jin felt her heart melting: “No, I can’t do that. It’s too stuffy in the suitcase. What if you get suffocated?”

“Then I’ll follow you and be your little assistant,” Song Xiangwan rubbed against the pillow, muttering, “Ah Jin, do you miss me?”

“I miss you,” the faint voice replied.

Song Xiangwan’s head snapped up like a kitten who had found meat: “Hurry, hurry, say it again. I didn’t hear clearly.”

“I said…” Ming Jin’s voice softened slightly, and she spoke slowly, “I miss you. I miss you very, very much.”

“Mmm… mm…” Song Xiangwan’s voice was slightly nasal, with a slight tremor. “Keep talking.”

“What are you doing?” Ming Jin’s throat tightened slightly. The phone screen shook, revealing a pair of moist, slightly reddened eyes looking over at her.

Ming Jin’s lips felt slightly dry. She said softly: “Wanwan, you really… leave me with no choice…”

“Then come back quickly. I miss you…” The soft voice, with a slight nasal tone. Song Xiangwan’s lips were pressed against the phone’s microphone.

The sound was incredibly clear. Every inhale and exhale was audible. The screen was already tilted, at an unknown angle, swaying somewhat chaotically.

“Ah Jin, say something.” Her voice was accompanied by deep breathing. “Ah Jin, say… say you love me, say you miss me…”

The intense sound of breathing, through the headphones, felt like a blast of hot air rushing to the deepest part of her ear.

Despite the distance of thousands of miles, she felt she could sense Song Xiangwan’s scorching temperature.

“Wanwan…” Ming Jin spoke, her voice also carrying a thick, lingering quality.

“Hmm?” The kitten’s voice, gently falling into her ear. “Are you calling me?”

“Yes, I’m calling you.” Ming Jin’s voice couldn’t help but press down slightly. Her fingers gripping the phone tightened. She whispered, “I like you very much.”

“Wanwan, I truly like you very much. I miss you very much. I wish I could go back now and be by your side.” The typically rational CEO Ming would always lose her composure when dealing with this cat.

The slightest touch of her fingers could make Song Xiangwan feel soft and weak, let alone hearing Ming Jin’s voice in her ear. Song Xiangwan felt like she was about to cry.

However, just then, a light knock sounded on the door.

“Wanwan, it’s Mommy.”

Song Xiangwan immediately squeezed her legs together, and the tearful sob she had been holding back vanished instantly. Her mind instantly cleared.

She quickly got up, threw the finger sleeve into the trash can, buttoned up her pajamas one by one, making sure they were tightly fastened, and then opened the door.

“An shen (calming) tea,” Song Xiuyun offered a cup, her expression slightly worried. “You… are you really okay?”

“No, I told you, I didn’t break up. Nothing is wrong,” Song Xiangwan took the cup and drank it in one gulp.

She had just broken out in a light sweat. Stimulated by the hot tea, she felt a slight flush on her cheeks.

“About you and Xiao Jin…” Song Xiuyun started.

“I’m going to sleep. Let’s not talk about this. Okay, okay, I’m fine. You should go to bed too. I have work tomorrow morning.”

“I said no more,” Song Xiangwan closed the door with a thud!

She was still on the phone with Ming Jin and was afraid Song Xiuyun might say something disapproving of their relationship.

Song Xiuyun paused, sighed, and went to the kitchen to wash the cup, standing there in a daze for a long time.

“Why aren’t you sleeping yet?” A voice from behind interrupted her thoughts.

She turned around and saw Zhou Ying: “It’s nothing.” Her tone was flat, but her expression was not. She was clearly worried.

“Worried about Wanwan?” Zhou Ying said reassuringly. “Children have their own fortunes. Don’t take it too much to heart…”

“It’s not that…” Song Xiuyun’s thoughts were also confused.

After a moment of silence, she said: “Wanwan looked like she was crying just now.”

When she opened the door, she had noticed. Song Xiangwan’s eyes were slightly red, clearly indicating she had been crying recently.

This child always only reported good news and kept bad news to herself. She wouldn’t talk about being in love, and she wouldn’t talk about breaking up. She carried it all herself.

“Didn’t you dislike her being with Xiao Jin before?” Zhou Ying asked. “Shouldn’t you be happy now?”

“I just feel that if she has to spend the rest of her life taking care of others, it will be too difficult.”

“And the other party is powerful and influential. If she suffers a grievance, there’s nothing we can do.”

“But seeing her cry, my heart is troubled.”

Song Xiuyun sighed: “I don’t know what I’m thinking anymore.”

She didn’t know what had happened between Ming Jin and Song Xiangwan, but since she cried, Song Xiangwan must take this relationship very seriously, right?

Song Xiangwan was unaware of this beautiful misunderstanding.

The interruption came at the peak of their intimacy, and now she had lost the mood. She urged Ming Jin to go to sleep quickly.

The video call ended. Ming Jin turned off the room light and lay down. The surroundings were silent, the soundproofing was excellent; she couldn’t even hear the rain outside the window.

In the pitch-black room, her ears were filled with Song Xiangwan’s breathing from just moments ago. Her mind couldn’t settle down no matter what.

Twenty minutes later.

The assistant opened the suitcase, searched for a while, and found a set of creamy white silk pajamas, asking: “CEO Ming, is this the one?”

“Yes,” Ming Jin nodded, reaching out to take it. “Thank you. I’m sorry to bother you so late.”

“It’s my job,” the assistant quietly walked out and closed the door.

These pajamas were filled with Song Xiangwan’s scent, the fragrance of her floral bath products. Holding them close, she felt a strange sense of peace.

The surrounding emptiness seemed to take on a warmth.

Ming Jin closed her eyes, sighing softly and helplessly. She truly had been infected by that cat…

Even CEO Ming, the one whose rationality always prevails, can suffer from separation anxiety.