The Person I Love Who Has Been Missing For Three Years - Chapter 82

Chapter 82: A Little Cat

Where the wind blew, the yellowing leaves rustled down. The sycamore-lined avenue was bathed in warm golden autumn sunlight, and the air was mixed with the faint, sweet scent of osmanthus.

Through the wrought-iron fence, one could see the emerald green lawn and the blue-gray flagstone path, so quiet that one could almost hear the light sound of a leaf dropping.

This was a private sanatorium, located on a secluded sycamore avenue. At this moment, a black Rolls-Royce was parked on the side of the road opposite the gate, its back window lowered.

The warm sun fell on a fair face. Her expression was faint, her long eyelashes casting small shadows. The faint cinnabar mole at the corner of her eye was like a drop of blood in the snow, and her lips were gently pressed, giving her whole demeanor a sense of cold indifference.

The gatekeeper opened the sanatorium’s main gate. A woman in high heels walked out and immediately saw the Rolls-Royce parked by the road.

Her eyes, beneath her delicate eyebrows, paused slightly. She turned back to say a few words to the person beside her, then walked toward the car across the road.

“Xiangwan, what are you doing here?” Lin Rong frowned, looking at Song Xiangwan, then at the sanatorium.

“I wanted to see… how Auntie’s health is?” Song Xiangwan’s tone was very light. She looked into the sanatorium through the open gate.

Green lawns, trees, white clouds, a lake… it was indeed a quiet, clean, and relaxing place suitable for recuperation.

Lin Rong’s expression became more serious: “What do you intend to do?”

“Nothing, just came to look around.” Song Xiangwan’s lips curved slightly. “When I’m in a bad mood, I come here to look.”

“The lawyer told me that CEO Lin was released on bail for medical treatment. I thought she was sent to one of those mental hospitals full of iron doors and bars. Turns out it’s such a nice place.”

“She did something wrong, yet she doesn’t have to pay any price, just enjoy a comfortable retirement.”

Song Xiangwan was struggling to suppress some negative emotions, the suppressed darkness surging like layer after layer of waves threatening to drown her.

This wasn’t her first time visiting here. Every time Ming Jin’s condition relapsed, she couldn’t help but come here to look.

But today was the first time she had shown up in front of Lin Rong.

“Then…” Lin Rong’s tone was hesitant. “What price do you ultimately want her to pay?”

Lin Rong’s fingers, hanging by her side, couldn’t help but tighten slightly.

“Dr. Lin, can you bear it?” Song Xiangwan’s lips paused, her tone slightly cold. “You come here three times a week, visiting regularly. It doesn’t sound like the mutual hostility you claimed. Were those words you spoke all lies to Ah Yan?”

“I didn’t.” Lin Rong instinctively denied, then added, “I didn’t lie to Ah Yan.”

“My visits here are not necessarily to see her…”

“Is it that she refuses to see you?” Song Xiangwan chuckled. “How could a strong-willed figure like CEO Lin be willing to see you when she’s constrained by you?”

“It’s her unwillingness, not your lack of desire.”

“In the past, you were suppressed by her, unable to escape, so you hated her and treated her as your nightmare.”

“But now that you hold the initiative, and she has to live at your mercy, you’ve started to cherish your mother-daughter bond.”

“Dr. Lin, is there anything wrong with what I’ve said?”

Lin Rong was silent for a moment, some emotion in her eyes was suppressed, and then she spoke: “She… is my mother, after all…”

“Xiangwan, please, I beg you. I will diligently participate in CEO Ming’s treatment, and you can make any demands of me. I can make amends for her, and apologize on her behalf.”

“I promise you, for the rest of her life, she will not have freedom. That should count as punishment for her.”

Song Xiangwan was right. While planning this scheme, she had considered what she would do after gaining control of Lin Shan.

She had thought she would leave this person forever, disown this mother, sever all ties with her, and ignore her life or death.

These words had rolled through her mind countless times…

But when this moment truly arrived, she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

She would recall the memories of her childhood.

When she was little, Lin Shan had been very, very good to her. She was a mother who loved her daughter very much.

No matter how rushed her business trips were, she always remembered to bring her a gift; she never missed parent-teacher conferences, school sports days, or any of her competitions, cheering her on from below and giving her an encouraging bouquet of flowers; no matter how busy she was, she would rush back to have dinner with her…

She had many friends from similar family backgrounds who complained that despite having a lot of money, their parents were too busy to be seen and offered no affection.

She never felt that way. She had always felt a tangible, real motherly love.

Lin Rong didn’t know when things had changed. That love stopped being her driving force and became a suffocating weight, pressing down on her until she couldn’t breathe.

She is my mother… Lin Rong’s heart softened.

She came here three times a week, hoping to repair her relationship with Lin Shan, but so far, there had been no progress.

“Please, what other compensation do you want? Whatever I can give, no matter the price,” Lin Rong’s voice softened.

“I never wanted financial compensation,” Song Xiangwan lowered her eyelashes and whispered, “If everything could be exchanged for money, I would be willing to pay any price to exchange it.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t do anything. You’ve protected this place very well, like a solid fortress.”

“Besides, you are Ah Jin’s doctor. I won’t take any risks.”

Lin Rong sighed in relief but then suddenly thought of something else: “Ah Yan… Ah Yan, does she know?”

“Can you please not tell her that my mother is here…”

“If I can find out, do you think Ah Yan can’t?” Song Xiangwan gently shook her head and said lightly, “Dr. Lin, you can’t have your cake and eat it too.”

“I guarantee that I won’t tell Ah Yan about what happens here.”

“But if she puts her mind to investigating, you won’t be able to hide it.”

“And you can’t hide it from her forever.”

“That’s enough, thank you. I just need some time,” Lin Rong’s tone was low and dispirited.

She knew that if she wanted to continue her relationship with Xu Zhiyan, she couldn’t hide this matter. She couldn’t think of a solution, so she could only delay it for now.

The Rolls-Royce started up, heading towards the end of the sycamore avenue. Lin Rong stood there, taking two deep breaths.

Despite clenching her hands tightly at her sides, she could still feel them slightly shaking, and the suffocating tightness in her throat.

“CEO Lin…” The attendant saw the car leave, and Lin Rong still hadn’t moved, so he quickly walked up to her.

He immediately noticed Lin Rong’s distress. Her lips were pale gray, her whole body was slightly trembling, and her breathing was rapid, like a dense drumbeat.

“Ambulance,” the attendant thought of something and quickly reached for his phone, just as the standing figure suddenly collapsed. “CEO Lin…”

Song Xiangwan sat by the bedside, meticulously wiping Ming Jin’s hands with a damp, warm towel.

A person suffering from long-term illness was already thin, but in the past few days, she had become even leaner. Her wrist, which could be circled with one hand, had a distinct bony feel.

Yet, her hands were still beautiful, with faintly defined, long, fair, and flawless knuckles, like clean white porcelain.

She didn’t dare to grasp too hard, only gently enclosing them, interlocking her fingers with hers, and kissing her fingertips.

“I went to see Lin Rong. I feel like I might have been a bit irrational, letting my emotions get the better of me.”

“But I’m just a little angry. Why is it that Lin Shan did all those things and can still be fine like this?”

“You need to wake up quickly, or I really don’t know what I might end up doing.”

“I know you definitely want me to live well.”

“But…”

“But, I can’t move on.”

“You are such a wonderful lover. This relationship… I will never get over it for the rest of my life. I will never be able to look at anyone else.”

Song Xiangwan was accustomed to talking about her thoughts and events of the past two days when she was alone with Ming Jin. It was just rambling, words she could only say to Ming Jin.

“Oh, right, I found that ring. Such an expensive ring, and you just left it on the oil painting in the basement?”

“Sister Qiu thought it was a craft item. If she knew how expensive that ring was, she would be terrified.”

“With so many people coming and going, what if it got lost?”

“That pink diamond is heart-shaped… When it was auctioned, it became a trending topic. Many people said a wealthy person must be proposing…”

“Were you… planning to propose to me?”

“Three years ago, I always thought you just treated me like a canary, and one day you’d get tired and throw me away…”

“But…” Song Xiangwan’s voice was slightly choked. Now, she realized that Ming Jin had been serious from the very beginning.

She thought it was a sponsorship game.

But Ming Jin never thought that way.

She was serious about this relationship, giving all her love, planning their entire future.

“Never…” A faint, light voice, yet it instantly interrupted Song Xiangwan’s thoughts. She raised her head in disbelief, meeting a pair of light brown eyes.

A light mist covered the oxygen mask, muffling Ming Jin’s voice somewhat.

She looked into Song Xiangwan’s eyes and slowly spoke, repeating: “Never a canary.”

“You’re awake?” Song Xiangwan was flustered, not knowing what to do. After a moment of frantic confusion, she remembered to press the call bell by the bedside.

The doctor came in to examine her. Song Xiangwan and Ming Jin’s tightly clasped hands never separated.

They didn’t speak, just looked into each other’s eyes, as if traversing a very long time, having been apart for so long, unwilling to look away for even a moment.

Ming Jin’s physical functions had been gradually recovering these past few days, and waking up was expected at any time. But it was such a coincidence that it happened precisely during Song Xiangwan’s visiting hour today.

The doctor didn’t take much time, leaving the space to the two of them: “The patient’s vital signs are stable for now. I won’t disturb you further.”

Song Xiangwan watched the doctor leave, then sat down by the bed.

The oxygen mask had been removed and replaced with nasal oxygen. Ming Jin’s voice was clearer: “My hand.”

Song Xiangwan was momentarily stunned. Before she could react, she felt Ming Jin use force to pull her hand, seemingly trying to lift it.

She quickly raised her hand and placed it in front of Ming Jin.

“The other one…” Ming Jin spoke, looking carefully at the smooth, fair wrist.

Her tone was gentle: “Your hand wounds are all healed. I don’t know how long I’ve been asleep…”

Song Xiangwan’s eyes couldn’t help but sting slightly. How could this person, after taking a trip to the gates of hell, care about a few scratches as the first thing when she woke up?

“It’s fine. It’s all fine,” Song Xiangwan turned her hand to show her, her tone reassuring. “It hasn’t been long. You didn’t make me wait long.”

“But I feel…” Ming Jin’s gaze fell on Song Xiangwan, and she said softly, “I feel like it’s been a long time.”

“I had a dream.”

“I dreamed you were crying by my bedside the whole time.”

“I wanted to hug you, but I had no strength. I could only listen to you cry, worrying helplessly.”

“I thought…”

“I thought I had died,” Ming Jin’s voice was light and faint. “It’s good to see you again.”

“Do you want a hug?” Song Xiangwan couldn’t help but want to cry, but she didn’t want Ming Jin to see. She leaned down, pressed against Ming Jin, and listened to her heartbeat.

She felt a slight force lift and wrap around her waist, gently embracing her.

An embrace with little strength, yet it felt like it used all her might.

Song Xiangwan buried her brow in Ming Jin’s neck and lightly inhaled. There was none of her usual pleasant fragrance, only the smell of disinfectant.

It was like a sharp, cold wind, instantly piercing into her heart and lungs through her nasal cavity.

Having been in the hospital for so long, she thought she would be repulsed by the smell of disinfectant, but she wasn’t. It smelled wonderful. Any scent from Ming Jin was wonderful.

“Were you crying?” Ming Jin’s voice sounded right next to her ear.

“No,” Song Xiangwan shook her head, lightly sniffing. “I wasn’t crying.”

“I haven’t cried at all this whole time. I’ve been very strong. I even comforted Ah Yan. I’m the sister-in-law, the head of the family,” Song Xiangwan murmured to herself.

Plop, plop. Tears began to fall, dropping down her jaw onto Ming Jin’s clothes, quickly soaking the hospital gown.

Ming Jin chuckled softly, gently patting her back: “Crying is crying. There’s nothing embarrassing about it.”

“Though it’s not good, I’m actually a little happy to hear you cried so sadly.”

“Very happy that you like me, you love me, and you care about me a lot.”

“Then I did cry…” Song Xiangwan’s voice was muffled, sounding like she was pouting. “I cried terribly. My eyes are swollen, and no one wiped my tears for me.”

“If you didn’t want me anymore, I would be a stray dog that no one wanted on the street.”

“Everyone would bully me, everyone would step on me.”

“You won’t,” Ming Jin said softly. “You won’t be.”

“Why not?” Song Xiangwan said, “I have a bad temper, and I like to show off. I’m arrogant, domineering, and unreasonable. I might offend someone at any time.”

“I mean…” Ming Jin spoke, seeming to chuckle lightly before continuing, “You won’t turn into a little dog.”

“You’re a little cat.”

When those three words came out, Song Xiangwan froze for a moment. She looked up, her red eyes meeting Ming Jin’s gaze.

In those light brown eyes, there was clearly a hint of… playful amusement.

A… cat?

Song Xiangwan blinked: “Fine, is that what you think of me…”

“You said before that you kept a cat,” Song Xiangwan leaned closer, their noses touching, their eyelashes practically brushing. “Were you talking about me?”

Ming Jin gently smiled, offering no reply, just looking at Song Xiangwan and softly smiling.

In the past, she would have been anxious.

What if Song Xiangwan was unhappy about being treated like a cat?

But now, she was certain that she wouldn’t be. Not only would this cat not be angry, but she would enjoy it.

“Bad woman…” Song Xiangwan grumbled, opening her mouth to nip her nose. “I’ll settle the score with you when you’re better.”

“What score do you want to settle?” Ming Jin’s tone was gentle.

“A thorough settlement,” she said with a fierce tone, yet smiling at the corners of her lips.

Ming Jin’s eyes paused, and she spoke: “My collar button… it’s fastened, right?”

She had a sense of nervous urgency, as if she was about to be taken advantage of before she had even regained her mobility.

“You reminded me…” Song Xiangwan’s hand went up, resting on her chest. Her fingertip lightly pressed down and hooked the button.

A smile lifted her lips. She lightly tapped the button once, then withdrew her hand: “Do you take me for a beast?”

“I like you being a beast to me,” Ming Jin’s eyes and brows were filled with a smile.

When a cat rubs against you, you never get tired of it, especially when this cat only rubs against you.

Upon hearing the news of Ming Jin’s awakening, Xu Zhiyan immediately finished her work and rushed to the hospital.

She didn’t even wait for the elevator, pushing open the fire escape door and clattering up the stairs in her high heels.

By the time she reached the correct floor, she was covered in sweat. She didn’t even have time to wipe it off. Her steps were quick and hurried, and as she brushed past someone, her arm was grabbed.

A strong smell of disinfectant. Xu Zhiyan looked up and saw Lin Rong.

Her expression was somewhat haggard, her face pale, and her lips lacked color. She looked like she hadn’t slept well these past few days, with noticeable dark circles.

“Ah Yan…” Lin Rong began. “Can you listen to me for a few minutes?”

“Okay, go ahead,” Xu Zhiyan stopped, but she brushed Lin Rong’s hand away. “Just talk, don’t touch me.”

“CEO Ming is awake,” Lin Rong said.

“I know,” Xu Zhiyan nodded, expressionless. “Thank you.”

Although Lin Rong wasn’t the attending physician, her dedication during this time was evident to everyone.

“If a verbal thank you isn’t enough, I can commission a banner or multiply your bonus for this month.”

“But I assume CEO Lin is not short of this money,” Xu Zhiyan’s tone clearly indicated distance, a professional detachment.

“I don’t want any of that,” Lin Rong immediately said. “Ah Yan, I wanted to say that CEO Ming is awake and her physical condition is recovering very well.”

“Between us…” She wanted to say, Is there still a possibility for us to continue our relationship?

But Xu Zhiyan interrupted her: “Yes, my sister is awake.”

“I have something to tell you. I am already looking for a new private doctor. CEO Ming can return to Shenzhen in half a month at the latest.”

“CEO Lin, I hear the Lin Corporation is without a leader, and the Shenzhen headquarters is in chaos.”

“I will try not to waste your time, so you can return in time to take charge of the overall situation.”

After saying this, Xu Zhiyan ignored Lin Rong’s response, lifted her leg, and walked past Lin Rong. The clack-clack of her high heels brought a slight gust of wind.

It was as if she had drifted away.

And would never return.

No lingering attachment, just a farewell.

Lin Rong reached out to grab her, but grasped only air. Her hand fell, as if she had grabbed through a gust of wind, leaving nothing behind.

“Sis…” Xu Zhiyan had tried a thousand times to control her emotions, but she couldn’t help it, and her eyes instantly welled up.

“Ah Yan has grown up,” Ming Jin said. The young girl, who used to be a small, sticky rice ball crying hysterically in her arms, had become CEO Xu.

Dressed in a suit, wearing high heels, her long hair neatly pulled back, her demeanor was sharp and capable, with a commanding presence.

But upon seeing Ming Jin, that facade shattered: “No, I haven’t grown up. I still need you, Sis.”

“Stop that,” Ming Jin laughed helplessly. “My body can’t handle it.”

“I’ve been thinking about handing over all company matters from now on and not worrying about anything.”

“Don’t even think about asking me to solve your problems again.”

“Okay,” Xu Zhiyan blinked. She held Song Xiangwan’s hand with one hand and Ming Jin’s hand with the other, stacking them together. “From now on, the two of you live your lives well. Don’t worry about anything else. Just leave it all to me.”

Ming Jin smiled, gripping Xu Zhiyan’s hand: “It’s the three of us.”

“Yes, the three of us…” Song Xiangwan also chimed in.

“No, no, no,” Xu Zhiyan frowned, looking completely unconvinced. “I definitely won’t be a third wheel for you two.”

They all laughed, and a gentle breeze seemed to ripple through the sterile white ward.

After chatting and laughing for a while, a doctor came in to remind them: “The patient has just woken up and needs rest. Visiting hours are almost over. Family members can leave.”

In fact, visiting hours had long passed; they had been given special permission to stay together a little longer.

Hearing that the patient needed rest, neither Song Xiangwan nor Xu Zhiyan intended to linger and quickly got up.

Just then, they heard Ming Jin’s voice: “Ah Yan, are you really sure?”

She didn’t specify what she was referring to, but everyone present seemed to understand instantly.

Earlier, Ming Jin had mentioned the ‘three of them,’ avoiding Lin Rong’s existence.

Xu Zhiyan pressed her lips together and said softly: “Mhm, I’ve decided. Don’t try to persuade me, either of you. When it’s over, it’s over.”

“I won’t try to persuade you, Sis. As long as you don’t regret the decision you’ve made,” Ming Jin replied.

Logically, she should have obstructed her because of Lin Shan, but she didn’t. She wasn’t a rigid patriarch. Now that Lin Shan couldn’t do anything to harm Xu Zhiyan, she wasn’t determined to demand an eye for an eye.

If Xu Zhiyan loved her, she could put aside their grievances.

But now, it was clear that Xu Zhiyan was unwilling, so she wouldn’t persuade her further.

“And…” Ming Jin looked at Song Xiangwan. “Wanwan, one more thing.”

“What is it?”

“Can you pretend you didn’t see that ring?” Ming Jin sighed lightly, her expression slightly troubled. “I haven’t proposed yet.”

If she had known, she would have hidden the ring. Now, it seemed there was no surprise left.

She had been planning for a long time to give Song Xiangwan the most perfect proposal.