The Person I Love Who Has Been Missing For Three Years - Chapter 83

Chapter 83: #Lin Corporation Chairman Lin Shan Falls to Her Death…

The corridor behind the in-patient department was covered in reddish-brown ivy. The leaves, semi-transparent under the autumn sun, rustled and dropped tiny red fragments when the wind blew.

In the small garden around the corner, a thin layer of ginkgo leaves covered the long bench under the trees. Sunlight filtered through the sparse branches, leaving patches of light on the stone floor.

Though it was autumn, the sun was bright today, and there was no wind in the afternoon, making for a clear and refreshing day.

Occasionally, people in patient gowns walked by slowly, the soles of their shoes crunching softly on the ginkgo leaves.

Just then, a single leaf fluttered down from the tree and landed on the soft thin blanket, where it was gently picked up by long, fair fingers.

The leaf was cool to the touch, carrying the distinct scent of autumn.

Ming Jin twirled the leaf by its stem a few times, then lifted her hand, watching it drift down to the bluestone slab beside her wheelchair, to be rolled away by the wind.

The ginkgo tree was beautiful in the sunlight, shining golden. Ming Jin turned her head, intending to share the sight with Song Xiangwan.

But she saw her standing by the wall, deeply engaged in a phone call.

Ming Jin took out her phone, adjusted the lighting to the best angle, and took a picture of the ginkgo tree.

After taking the photo, she looked down to pick up the hair tie that had slipped out as she reached for her phone.

Picking things up while sitting in a wheelchair was somewhat inconvenient. Before her fingertip could touch it, someone with quicker steps picked it up and offered it to her.

“Thank you,” Ming Jin took it and casually expressed her gratitude.

The person who helped her didn’t leave, maintaining her squatting posture. After hearing the thanks, she hesitated before speaking: “Why are you here alone?”

Ming Jin looked up, fixing her gaze on the person’s face opposite her, frowning slightly, her eyes filled with a thoughtful expression.

“It’s me, Yin Yu,” the other person said. “I haven’t had a chance to thank you in person. Because of you, my sales figures have soared, and this month I’ve already been promoted to store manager…”

She remembered, the young sales associate.

Ming Jin leaned back slightly, keeping some distance between them before speaking: “You don’t need to thank me. You seized the opportunity yourself.”

She didn’t consider herself Yin Yu’s benefactor. Yin Yu had earned this opportunity through her own ability.

Among all the clerks in the store at that time, her ability to catch Ming Jin’s eye was her own talent to begin with.

“You look… somewhat more weary than you did back then…” Yin Yu slowly spoke, her gaze fixed on Ming Jin’s face.

“Are you doing well recently?”

Today was just a chance encounter.

From a distance, she recognized her immediately.

The person in the wheelchair was looking at the tree through her phone camera. The person outside was looking at her from afar.

Despite her illness, she was as steady as ever, sitting quietly with a calm and dignified demeanor, aloof and noble, like the bright moonlight.

“Very well,” Ming Jin replied lightly, changing the subject. “You must have important business at the hospital. I won’t take up any more of your time.”

“Yes, it’s just a small matter…” Yin Yu responded softly.

She had been incredibly busy with her promotion this month. A few days ago, she had a minor issue found during a check-up.

She had initially thought that coming to the hospital was a bad omen, but she hadn’t expected to run into Ming Jin.

In the early autumn weather, she was dressed very casually: white straight-leg trousers paired with a plaid knit cardigan, her long hair casually draped over her shoulders.

It was an ordinary person’s casual attire, but it immediately highlighted her exceptional temperament, long legs, body proportions, and bright facial features. Even without makeup, she was remarkably beautiful.

Song Xiangwan walked over, took the hair tie from Ming Jin’s palm, casually gathered her long hair, and tied it into a low ponytail.

She took Ming Jin’s hand and looked at Yin Yu: “Hello, I’m Song Xiangwan, Ah Jin’s girlfriend. And you are?”

“I’m just an acquaintance of CEO Ming’s, here to say hello,” Yin Yu’s smile was somewhat forced. “I have things to do, so I won’t bother you both.”

She always kept her position very clear.

Ming Jin was the moon in the sky, unreachable. She never had any extravagant hopes and wouldn’t do anything inappropriate.

“Are you…” Ming Jin held Song Xiangwan’s hand, gently rubbed the back of her hand, and asked with a hint of a smile, “Showing off your power?”

“Of course! You were barely out of my sight and already attracting attention, CEO Ming,” Song Xiangwan lightly snorted, squatting down to tuck the blanket over Ming Jin’s knees.

“That gesture of yours carries quite a bit of resentment,” Ming Jin’s lips curled up, noticing the slight force in her movement.

“Is that a problem?” Song Xiangwan’s hand rested on Ming Jin’s knee. She looked up at those light brown eyes: “Why are you so unaware of how attractive you are?”

“Am I?” Ming Jin didn’t think so.

“Yes, you are,” Song Xiangwan frowned, thought for a moment, and began counting on her fingers.

“That second daughter of the Tang family who owns the beauty salon, that CEO You who runs the clothing business, the famous opera singer Boss Zhou from the Peking Opera Troupe…”

As she counted, Song Xiangwan became annoyed: “Every single one of them keeps clinging to you.”

“That was ages ago…” Ming Jin couldn’t help but chuckle.

That was years ago. She would receive a box of résumés every week from people who wanted to be her boyfriend or girlfriend.

Some were persistent, sending flowers and inviting people out to dinner, making it quite a nuisance.

“I can’t believe you remember every single one so clearly,” Ming Jin looked at Song Xiangwan with a smile. “I remember someone saying she didn’t care at all.”

“I…” Song Xiangwan realized she had let something slip.

But she didn’t deny it, stating matter-of-factly: “I just hold grudges.”

At that time, Song Xiangwan indeed adopted a carefree attitude. How could a canary control who her sugar daddy dated?

Ming Jin looked at Song Xiangwan and laughed softly, genuinely amused. After a good moment of laughter, she said: “So you started holding a grudge back then.”

If she truly didn’t care, how could she list them all clearly, like precious family possessions…

“I do hold grudges.”

“It drove me crazy. Some people have no manners and even sent flowers to Clear Water Bay.”

“I was grinding my teeth in anger, but in the end, I still had to dutifully hand the flowers over to you.”

“I was so mad.”

Song Xiangwan stared intensely at Ming Jin, extending her hand: “Compensate me for my emotional distress.”

“All my cards are with you. I have no money left,” Ming Jin’s tone was somewhat helpless. She blinked, looking innocent. “How can I compensate you?”

“Like this…” Song Xiangwan leaned forward, kissed Ming Jin on the lips, her eyes smiling, her tongue gently tracing Ming Jin’s lips.

She broke the kiss and looked at Ming Jin with a cheerful smile: “Stamped. You’re mine from now on.”

“If anyone sends flowers in the future, I have the supreme right of disposal. All gifts go into the trash bin.”

“No one will,” Ming Jin reached out and pinched her nose. “What are you thinking? No one will send me flowers.”

Those pursuits were when she was at her peak, standing at the highest point in Haicheng, looking down and controlling everything.

And now… she was covered in scars, couldn’t walk properly, and rarely looked in a mirror herself… She didn’t think…

Just as the thought reached this point, her lips were kissed again, a light but firm nip: “Didn’t you see the way that girl was looking at you just now?”

She was truly unbelievable.

Song Xiangwan felt that this person had absolutely no self-awareness. The observer, however, clearly saw the admiration practically spilling out of that girl’s eyes.

“Don’t say that,” Song Xiangwan expressed her displeasure.

“Alright, alright,” Ming Jin nodded, but Song Xiangwan didn’t know if she genuinely agreed with her assessment.

Ming Jin asked: “Who was on the phone just now?”

“Director Cheng…” Song Xiangwan was vague.

“Pressuring you to go back?” Her fingers, resting on the armrest, couldn’t help but tighten slightly.

Song Xiangwan was the lead actress. She had already been on leave for nearly a month. The entire crew was stalled. She should definitely go back.

However… Ming Jin felt a slight emotional fluctuation, but then heard Song Xiangwan’s voice: “I told her, I’m not going back.”

A bit willful.

But also justified.

The losses from the stalled production weren’t being borne by Cheng Yu. The losses incurred over these days had already been compensated with money.

“Good,” the tension in Ming Jin’s heart immediately eased.

But what neither of them expected was that the next day, Cheng Yu appeared in Ming Jin’s hospital room.

Song Xiangwan lowered her head to peel an apple, pretending to be an ostrich with its head buried in the sand, hiding behind Ming Jin.

Cheng Yu was also a bit reserved: “I heard that you weren’t well, CEO Ming. I should have come to visit earlier, but the production schedule has been so busy.”

“No need to be so polite, Director Cheng,” Ming Jin’s tone was light. “Wanwan is young and a bit willful. She must have caused you trouble on set.”

“No, no…” Cheng Yu quickly shook her head. “No trouble at all. Xiangwan gets along very well with everyone, and the crew is very fond of her.”

“I hear Director Cheng has another script that’s still in the funding stage?” Ming Jin reached out, took the apple from Song Xiangwan’s hand, and handed her an orange instead.

She also took the fruit knife away from her.

Not only was the apple peeling uneven, but her technique was unprofessional. The knife was pointed toward herself, and any improper force could lead to injury. Ming Jin was watching with dread.

She didn’t say it outright, only saying, “Peel the orange. I feel like having an orange.”

“Oh.” Song Xiangwan didn’t realize anything and dutifully lowered her head to peel the orange.

“I do have a script…” Cheng Yu paused, then spoke. “But the main characters are elderly, so Xiangwan certainly couldn’t play a supporting role.”

“It’s not about the role. Wanwan definitely can’t play a supporting role,” Ming Jin slowly said. “What I mean is, I can invest in this movie.”

“No need to read the script. I trust Director Cheng’s ability and aesthetic judgment.”

The orange peel was thin, one of those varieties that sticks tightly to the flesh. Song Xiangwan slowly picked at it with her head down, causing the juice to splatter.

Ming Jin: “…” She reached out and took the orange again, pulling out two wet wipes and putting them in Song Xiangwan’s hand.

“Forget it. You don’t need to peel it. Just stay here.”

“Thank you, CEO Ming,” Director Cheng immediately beamed, quickly saying, “I will send you the script in a few days.”

Not many people dared to invest in her.

Because the name Cheng Yu almost always brought controversy.

Cheng Yu was also selective. She would rather not have investment that interfered with her artistic creation. She had a strong personality.

But if Ming Jin said she wouldn’t interfere, she genuinely wouldn’t. Such an investor was a rare find.

Ming Jin offered the benefit first, then stated her goal: “Money is not an issue. Director Cheng can quote up to the maximum budget, and the profit sharing is negotiable.”

“However, as you can see, I am currently in the hospital and need someone nearby to take care of me. So, I hope you can give Wanwan a few more days off.”

“You’re not chasing me away?” Song Xiangwan’s eyes immediately brightened.

Since Ming Jin called her willful and insensible earlier, she thought Ming Jin was going to push her to the set.

“Your lips are pouting up to the sky, clearly showing your displeasure. Do you think I can’t tell?” Ming Jin said helplessly. “If you don’t want to go, then don’t go.”

Turning to Cheng Yu, she said: “I will have to trouble Director Cheng to coordinate the work of the crew.”

“Thank you, Director Cheng,” Song Xiangwan also quickly chimed in, happily, as if afraid Cheng Yu would change her mind.

Cheng Yu: “…” She felt like she had been set up by the couple.

What need for someone to take care of her? She wasn’t blind. She had just seen Song Xiangwan fail at peeling an apple and an orange. How could she take care of anyone?

“Ahem…” Cheng Yu organized her thoughts and said, “Since that’s the situation, there’s indeed nothing we can do. We understand Xiangwan’s circumstances.”

“Actually, there’s another solution.”

“One-third of the filming for Wild Rose takes place in Haicheng. It was originally scheduled for the later stages, but we can shoot that part first now.”

“We’ll only schedule half a day of scenes for Xiangwan each day, and she can travel between the set and home on the same day. That would be quite convenient.”

Song Xiangwan blinked and whispered, “Director Cheng, did you already plan this before you came?”

“Of course not…” Cheng Yu quickly prevaricated. “Isn’t it because I see you working hard?”

“In that case, we will trouble Director Cheng,” Ming Jin saw through the lie but didn’t expose it.

Cheng Yu had likely prepared a contingency plan before coming. But because Ming Jin spoke first, she gained sponsorship for an entire movie for free. Now, she was barely suppressing her delight.

Except when she had business at the company, Xu Zhiyan spent most of her time at the hospital, rushing back and forth.

As she entered, she instinctively reached to take off her jacket, but seeing a guest in the room, she stopped, walking forward to shake hands: “Hello, I’m Xu Zhiyan.”

“Hello, CEO Xu. I’m Cheng Yu.” Cheng Yu stood up and shook hands with Xu Zhiyan.

“You are…” Xu Zhiyan’s tone was hesitant.

“Director Cheng is the director of my new movie. She came to visit,” Song Xiangwan said.

“A director, I see. Thank you for taking care of my sister-in-law,” Xu Zhiyan was no longer secretive, casually referring to Song Xiangwan as her sister-in-law.

“CEO Xu and I have even spoken on the phone. CEO Xu might have forgotten,” Cheng Yu didn’t mind and said with a smile, “I’ve been wanting to meet you for a long time.”

“On the phone?” Xu Zhiyan was surprised and quickly apologized. “I’m sorry, I might have a lot going on and my memory isn’t what it used to be.”

“It was three or four years ago. It’s normal to forget,” Cheng Yu didn’t mind at all.

“Three or four years ago?” That time frame made Song Xiangwan slightly confused.

Three or four years ago, Xu Zhiyan was studying abroad. Ming Jin protected her very well. She had almost no exposure to any demanding or worrisome domestic affairs; she was just an overseas student.

How could Xu Zhiyan have randomly been in contact with a director in the entertainment industry?

“Yes,” Cheng Yu nodded. “That was the first year of preparing for Wild Rose, when we first started soliciting investment.”

Xu Zhiyan’s eyes showed clear confusion, but she still nodded and agreed: “Then I really can’t recall it.”

She simply continued: “Did Director Cheng come this time to urge my sister-in-law back to the set?”

“I was originally…” Cheng Yu briefly explained the contingency plan she had just discussed, and Xu Zhiyan also thought it was excellent.

Having achieved her goal, Cheng Yu didn’t stay too long. After a brief chat, she stood up and left on her own accord.

Xu Zhiyan personally saw her off. When she returned, she saw the unevenly peeled orange on the table. As she reached for it, Ming Jin took it back: “It’s mine. If you want one, peel it yourself.”

Xu Zhiyan: “…” When did her sister become so stingy, not even giving her an orange?

Song Xiangwan almost couldn’t hold back her laughter. Seriously, the dignified CEO Ming was being so petty. It was just an orange; she could peel another one.

Ming Jin’s gaze turned to her: “Don’t waste oranges, and don’t ruin your hands.”

“Isn’t it your fault?” Song Xiangwan argued defiantly. “You’ve made me useless and incompetent. It’s all your fault…”

Back in the day, she was from a poor family and could do everything, from washing clothes to cooking.

Now, she had been spoiled into uselessness.

“Being useless is quite nice,” Ming Jin’s tone was light.

Accustomed to a life of luxury and privilege, if she couldn’t handle hardship, then she would just have to stay by her side.

“You’re making fun of me,” Song Xiangwan was unconvinced and reached out to pinch Ming Jin’s nose.

Before Ming Jin and Song Xiangwan could say anything else, Xu Zhiyan hurried out. However, just as she pulled the door open, she bumped squarely into someone coming in.

Xu Zhiyan instinctively grabbed the person to steady herself. After seeing who it was, she backed up several steps.

“What are you doing here?” Xu Zhiyan’s tone was cold.

She had no pleasant words for Lin Rong now.

Yesterday, the new private doctor had been settled. According to procedure, Lin Rong no longer had any connection with the Ming family.

“I… I have something important to say…” Lin Rong looked into the room, meeting Ming Jin’s eyes. “My mother is missing.”

“The caregiver checked on her an hour ago, and she was still there. Now, she’s gone. We don’t know how she got out.”

“I came to tell you so you can be careful. Her emotions are a bit extreme, and she might pose a danger to you.”

“Are you done?” Xu Zhiyan raised her voice, cutting her off. “If you’ve said what you came to say, leave.”

“Ah Yan…”

“Can’t even keep track of one person,” Xu Zhiyan slammed the door shut.

At this moment, Song Xiangwan and Ming Jin didn’t feel like flirting either. Song Xiangwan frowned: “She’s missing. Where could she go?”

“I don’t know,” Ming Jin shook her head, ate a piece of orange, and put a segment into Song Xiangwan’s mouth. “Don’t wander off. This floor of the hospital is safe.”

Since Song Xiangwan was abducted at the hospital last time, Ming Jin had been extra vigilant. Besides themselves, everyone on this floor was a bodyguard.

The surveillance system was also fully integrated into the Ming family’s internal system, ensuring absolute security.

“Okay,” Song Xiangwan nodded obediently, looking at Xu Zhiyan. “Ah Yan, you shouldn’t wander off either.”

She still felt lingering fear of the crazy woman.

Xu Zhiyan nodded, somewhat distracted, and sat down on the sofa, taking off her jacket. She felt like it still carried Lin Rong’s scent.

Song Xiangwan lay next to Ming Jin, scrolling through social media while letting Ming Jin feed her.

She didn’t look like she was here to take care of a patient; she almost took over the hospital bed.

The patient didn’t seem to mind at all.

Since Song Xiangwan was filming recently, there wasn’t much public discussion about her online. She was purely there to gossip.

It was very lively.

At last night’s entertainment gala red carpet, the big and small stars were competing fiercely. Su Chenxing, who had always been the finale since she debuted, was given no status at all this time, and her face was black.

She bought several articles claiming she overshadowed everyone, but most of the comments were mocking her.

Wanwan’s Visual Fans: Oh, oh, oh, overshadowed everyone again. I’m dying of laughter. Beauty only visible to fans.

Mingyue Xiangwanqing: Black face! How can she have a black face at an event? No manners.

Song Xiangwan’s Dog: A response, is the dating news true?

My Wife is Song Xiangwan: Are you with him for his age, or for his lack of bathing?

A couple of days ago, Su Chenxing trended after being photographed holding hands with an old man with male pattern baldness on the way home. It was revealed that the man was a real estate tycoon.

Song Xiangwan sighed, switched to her official account, and posted a message in her fan group: Please stop attacking her. Let bygones be bygones.

My Wife is Song Xiangwan: Wanwan! You’re here!!!

Instantly, the entire screen was flooded with the words “My Wife.”

Song Xiangwan: “…” She remembered that Ming Jin was also in this group.

Song Xiangwan: Let’s focus on ourselves. Other people’s business is none of ours. Please do not cyberbully or attack. Thank you, everyone.

When Song Xiangwan was at her lowest, Su Chenxing’s fans were the most vocal in insulting her, constantly bombing comment sections and photoshopping pictures of her being deceased.

But Song Xiangwan didn’t want to do the same.

She didn’t view Su Chenxing as a rival, nor did she want to utterly destroy her.

But whatever choices Su Chenxing made were none of her concern.

In Song Xiangwan’s group, the screen was instantly filled with “Understood.”

These fans were very obedient. When she looked again, they had basically deleted the negative comments.

As she scrolled, Song Xiangwan’s fingers paused. She turned the screen to Ming Jin: “Ah Jin, this is…”

There were some blurry photos taken by people at the scene. Because it was in a busy area, quite a few photos were circulating. The faces were censored, making identification difficult.

But in one photo, Song Xiangwan clearly saw Lin Rong’s figure. She was standing in front of a body, her head bowed, her expression unreadable.

“This…” Song Xiangwan dared not speak out, glancing at Xu Zhiyan from the corner of her eye.

“Is it suicide?” Song Xiangwan murmured softly.

“Do you think, given Lin Shan’s personality, she would commit suicide?” Ming Jin slowly spoke, her eyes on the screen, also slightly uncertain.

Missing, falling to her death.

Who was Lin Shan? She managed the Lin Corporation, held power, possessed an extremely strong psychological fortitude, and was highly capable. Such a person would also have a very strong ability to withstand setbacks.

Moreover, she loved Lin Rong so much. How could she… just let go like this?

She felt that there was another hidden story in this matter.