After I Was Gone, Mr. Song Said He Loved Me

As I was digesting Luo Yewen’s words, the door to the hospital room swung open. Song Yu entered, clad in a sharp black suit, his steps steady and composed.

Perhaps feeling guilty, Luo Yewen stood up, greeted Song Yu, and quickly made his exit.

Song Yu approached me, and I pulled the blanket up, turning my gaze elsewhere, avoiding eye contact.

He settled into the chair beside the bed, observing me for a moment before asking, “How’s your recovery going?”

I kept my face taut and said nothing.

“Have you had dinner?” Song Yu continued, trying to engage me in conversation when I remained silent.

I let out a breathy sound tinged with emotion, replying coolly, “Yes, I have.”

Perhaps my stiff demeanor made the atmosphere awkward.

Song Yu paused briefly, then took a key from his pocket and handed it to me. “This is the key to the apartment at Yungang Garden. The property has been transferred to your name, and you can move in anytime.”

I glanced at the black key adorned with a blue floral pattern, scoffing with a forced smile, “President Song, is this compensation or a reward?”

Song Yu’s expression faltered momentarily but quickly regained composure. “You can see it as whatever you wish.”

I took the key, twirling it between my fingers. “An apartment in Yungang Garden must be worth at least eight figures. Seems like my suffering has earned President Song quite a bit.”

Song Yu’s face darkened, but he held back his temper.

Despite Luo Yewen’s explanation of Song Yu’s situation, my heart remained unsettled.

I understood that my discomfort wasn’t solely from the physical ordeal but from emotional turmoil. I knew I shouldn’t harbor such feelings, yet the more I suppressed them, the more my heart ached.

Finally…

I couldn’t keep pretending any longer.

Song Yu was the first person I resented yet couldn’t let go of.

Even though he didn’t like me, even though he had someone else in his heart, I still recklessly fell for him.

I knew I was being irrational, perhaps even exhibiting some Stockholm syndrome.

But what of it?

Youth is meant to be wild and free.

I refused to believe Song Yu felt nothing for me. Every reaction he had was so genuine, the fervent heartbeat connecting our souls, every word and gesture so sincere.

So, even if I ended up utterly defeated, I was determined to take a gamble.

That’s what I thought, and that’s exactly what I did.

Without warning, I hooked my arm around Song Yu’s neck, pulling him closer.

Song Yu was momentarily stunned but quickly took control, wrapping his arm around my waist, drawing me even nearer, our faces almost touching.

My breath was ragged, eyes lowered to his delicate lips, and without a second thought, I kissed him.

How many men can resist in such a moment?

Especially when the other person is someone they like.

“I’m fine!” I murmured softly, my chest rising and falling.

Song Yu’s deep eyes darkened, and he suddenly pushed me down onto the bed. I inhaled the icy scent of his cologne, as if enchanted, completely lost in the moment…

Between Song Yu and me, it’s like water and fish; I am submerged in his gentle waves, unable to extricate myself for a long time. He wipes away my tears, sweats off my brow, and softly calls my name, his voice distant yet magnetic, pulling me into this unreal madness.

Even though the waves are turbulent, they eventually calm down, especially since we’re in a hospital. My chest wound hasn’t fully healed, and I’m drenched in sweat, with the patient gown clinging uncomfortably to my skin, irritating the wound.

Song Yu washed up briefly in the private bathroom of the hospital room, then carefully wrung out a hot towel to wipe the sweat off me.

I lay listlessly on the bed, half-open eyes watching him as he wiped my body.

“Song Yu, do you truly love Nian Hua?” I suddenly asked.

Without looking up, Song Yu continued wiping, “That’s none of your concern.”

Unwilling to give up, I asked again, “If you truly love her, why are you with me?”

“So you lied to me.”

Song Yu paused and looked at me, his gaze as calm as a deep spring, “You and her are two different matters.”

“My affection for her doesn’t conflict with my relationship with you.”

“Do you understand?”

I shook my head; how could someone engage in intimacy without liking the other person? I once thought I could do anything for money, without any bottom line.

But when I realized the person wasn’t Song Yu, I knew I couldn’t compromise; it was a visceral disgust and resistance.

It’s not something money can sway or compensate for.

“Then why do I feel so repulsed when interacting with someone I don’t like?”

“Besides you, I don’t want anyone else.”

I candidly confessed my feelings, since Song Yu and I had laid everything bare, there was no need to hide. I spoke my mind as it was.

Song Yu looked at my stubborn expression, slightly dazed, then stood up and said, “I’ll get you a clean set of clothes.”

As he was about to leave, I suddenly sat up and grabbed his hand, looking at him with a humble gaze, “Song Yu, you do like me a little, don’t you?”

Song Yu stood still, and the room fell into an unusual silence, where even the sound of a hair falling could be heard.

Holding his hand, I was sweating nervously, feeling both anxious and hopeful, wishing Song Yu would say what I wanted to hear, even if it was just a vague reassurance; it would make me happy.

Time ticked away, and Song Yu removed my hand, muttering a brief “I’m sorry” before leaving.

Watching his retreating figure, I smiled self-mockingly, as two salty, warm streams slid down my cheeks, dripping onto the blanket.

I wasn’t surprised by the outcome, just unwilling to accept it, wanting to hear it directly.

I thought my body and tenderness could elicit some sympathy and reluctance from this man, even if it wasn’t love, just a moment of pity; I would accept it.

But in the end, I didn’t hear a single word from him.

Lost my body, and lost my heart.

At that moment, the door to the hospital room opened slightly, Luo Yewen stood half inside, half outside, asking, “Assistant Bai, the boss asked me to bring you a new patient gown.”

I pulled the blanket up, wiped away the tears, and replied, “Come in.”

Luo Yewen entered the room, placing the patient gown on the bedside table. “The doctor told me you can be discharged tomorrow and continue your recovery at home,” he said.

I nodded.

“The boss said you could take a two-week break, no need to rush back to work.”

I smirked, murmuring to myself, “Two-week break, no need to rush back to work…” Then I sighed, mocking myself, “What work do I have? Just eating, playing, and sleeping.”

Luo Yewen stood there, opening his mouth but saying nothing.

“Tell President Song I’m fine, no need to rest. I’ll quickly reconnect with the bosses of the projects I was handling before, won’t delay his matters.”

I sat up to grab the patient gown, and the blanket slipped down to my navel. Luo Yewen quickly turned his head away, avoiding looking at me.

I glanced at him from the corner of my eye, then slowly put on the clothes and pants.

Luo Yewen coughed twice, covering his mouth. “I’ll… I’ll head back now. I’ll come tomorrow to help with the discharge paperwork.”

With that, he hurriedly left the room, head down.

I leaned against the headboard, staring blankly at a spot.

The emotions that had been building up felt like a snowball, growing larger and larger, stuck in my chest. Song Yu’s decisive coldness seemed etched in my mind.

I couldn’t shake it off.

I knew I was trapping myself, aware of the outcome yet unwilling to let go.

I felt like I was suffocating.

Holding my chest, I ran to the window, not even bothering to put on slippers.

By early November, Hai City was already quite cold.

As soon as I opened the window, the cold wind, carrying moisture, rushed in, clearing the suffocating feeling in my chest considerably.

I let out a long breath.

My room was on the third floor, facing the hospital’s rear parking lot.

Under the streetlights, I immediately spotted Song Yu’s Rolls-Royce.

And the man leaning against the car door, smoking.

He was looking at me too.

Through the layers of night, our eyes met.

The little bit of freedom I had just found was once again tightly gripped.

With just that glance, I knew all my efforts were in vain.

I could never escape Song Yu’s web.

At that moment, Luo Yewen walked towards Song Yu, opening the rear car door for him.

Song Yu extinguished his cigarette and got into the car.

Luo Yewen took the driver’s seat, and in an instant, the car lights turned on. The Rolls-Royce drove out of the hospital gates without a hint of hesitation, disappearing from my sight.

That night, I couldn’t sleep.

I had never been in love before, didn’t know what it felt like to like someone.

Song Yu showed me what it meant to have my heart race, to be consumed with thoughts. He also taught me what it meant to love without reciprocation, to toss and turn.

Song Yu and I were destined for an end without resolution.

The next day, Luo Yewen arrived early to handle my discharge. The doctor checked my wound again, ensuring there were no major issues before signing off on the medical records.

With heavy dark circles under my eyes, I followed Luo Yewen to the parking lot.

“Didn’t sleep well last night?” he asked.

I casually replied with a “Hmm.”

“President Song said to put the projects on hold for now, let you rest well at home.”

I didn’t pay much attention to Luo Yewen’s words, responding coldly, “I know my own body, thanks for President Song’s concern.”

Luo Yewen stopped, looking at me with a peculiar expression for a while. “Bai Yu, I really don’t know what the boss sees in you, to tolerate you for so long.”

Hearing this, my anger flared up, and I retorted, “Yeah, I’d like to know why your good boss has someone he likes yet still gets involved with others!”

Luo Yewen: “!!!”