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

After the game awards ceremony, everyone began to enjoy the meal freely.

Song Yu didn’t linger for long. He changed his clothes and left the venue with Nian Hua.

Chi Jin pulled me along towards the venue’s main entrance.

As he dragged me, my steps were uneven, and I asked in a shaky voice, “Where are you taking me?”

Without turning his head, Chi Jin replied, “You’ll know when we get there.”

I had no choice but to follow him out of the venue, unable to break free.

We arrived at the VIP elevator area, coincidentally encountering Song Yu and Nian Hua, who were also waiting for the elevator.

At that moment, I finally understood Chi Jin’s purpose in bringing me here.

I swallowed nervously, and sweat began to form in the palm of my hand clasped with Chi Jin’s.

“Chi Jin,” I called out to him anxiously.

He didn’t respond, merely tightened his grip on my hand.

I was both apprehensive and somewhat excited about Chi Jin’s actions. I wanted to see if provoking Song Yu would elicit any reaction from him.

I admit, I hadn’t completely given up hope.

He had kissed me in the darkened venue earlier, yet now he seemed so indifferent. Either he was pretending, or he was hiding something from me.

Chi Jin led me towards them, humming a tune with a clear sense of provocation.

Nian Hua was the first to greet us with a smile, “Mr. Chi, Assistant Bai, congratulations.”

Song Yu didn’t look at us, instead keeping his gaze fixed on the descending numbers above the elevator.

I forced a smile and replied with a simple thank you.

Chi Jin stopped beside Song Yu, also looking ahead, and said, “Bai Yu will no longer be your personal public relations. I’ve requested my father to transfer her to the Marketing Department.”

Song Yu paused, then his gaze shifted past Chi Jin to me. His stare made me shiver, my heart raced wildly, and I swallowed the saliva that had flooded my mouth.

I wanted to flee, but my feet felt nailed to the ground, unable to move.

Song Yu stepped forward, towering over me, his commanding presence compressing every cell in my body.

After a moment, he asked, “Is this what you want?”

“Song Yu, don’t be too much,” Chi Jin interjected, positioning himself between us.

Song Yu’s deep eyes glanced at Chi Jin, and he coldly retorted, “I’m speaking to my personal public relations, move aside!”

Chi Jin stood firm, refusing to budge, “I’ve already requested my father to transfer Bai Yu. She will no longer be your personal public relations.”

Song Yu chuckled disdainfully, “Personal public relations is my private asset. Even if you’ve requested it, your father has no authority to interfere.”

“And isn’t it laughable to trouble your father over such a trivial matter?”

Chi Jin scoffed incredulously, “Song Yu, are you out of your mind? Bai Yu works at Huanya, which makes her an employee of Huanya, earning Huanya’s salary. And you’re telling me my dad has no authority to intervene? Do you really think my dad values you so much that you can do whatever you want? I’m his son, after all. Who do you think he’ll listen to, you or me?”

Song Yu shrugged indifferently, “I don’t think your father would override the CEO’s decision for a regional manager.”

“You!” Chi Jin glared at Song Yu, his teeth clenched in frustration, unable to catch his breath.

Song Yu’s face darkened as he pushed Chi Jin aside, his sharp gaze piercing through his glasses with undiminished intensity. “I’ll ask you again, is this your own decision?” His deep voice carried a dangerous undertone.

My eyelids twitched, and my shoulders shivered uncontrollably. I thought I would firmly answer ‘yes,’ but at this moment, I couldn’t utter a single word.

Seeing my hesitation, Chi Jin pulled me behind him, his brows furrowed as he warned Song Yu, “Does it really matter? Bai Yu may be your personal public relations, but don’t forget, I’m his boyfriend now.”

“So-”

“You have no right to boss him around anymore, got it?”

The eyes behind the glasses narrowed slightly, like a lion on the savannah, giving a death stare before pouncing on its prey. Chi Jin wasn’t intimidated by Song Yu’s murderous gaze, standing firm like a tiger in the rainforest, ready to strike back at any moment.

I subtly tugged at Chi Jin’s sleeve, signaling him not to escalate the situation.

Ding-

“The elevator’s here!” Nian Hua forced a smile as she pulled Song Yu away, temporarily defusing the tension.

Chi Jin held onto my wrist and followed them into the elevator.

We stood at the front, with Song Yu and Nian Hua behind us.

A heavy, oppressive atmosphere filled the elevator. Despite the spacious VIP elevator accommodating the four of us comfortably, I felt as if my chest was constricted, making it hard to breathe.

Suddenly, Chi Jin turned to me and asked, “Bai Yu, what did you say you wanted to eat earlier?”

I stared blankly at Chi Jin, momentarily lost, before quickly realizing the implication of his words.

Chi Jin continued to look at me, as if he wouldn’t let it go until I gave an answer.

I cleared my throat and replied earnestly, “I want to eat hot pot, but with the way we’re dressed… wouldn’t it be a bit odd?”

We had rushed out without changing into casual clothes.

Chi Jin chuckled dismissively, “What’s the big deal? You’re not dressing for them. As long as I like it, that’s all that matters.”

I awkwardly grinned, not entirely agreeing.

Suddenly, the elevator lights flickered twice as we descended to the seventh floor. My heart skipped a beat, and images of elevator accidents from horror movies flashed through my mind.

Nian Hua exclaimed in fear from behind, “Is it going to be another power outage?”

Her words heightened my anxiety, and cold sweat began to seep from my palms.

At that moment, a long arm reached in front of me, Song Yu’s chest pressed against my back as he quickly pressed the elevator buttons and alarm bell.

But the elevator didn’t stop at the sixth floor; it continued to descend steadily. I was so frightened that my breathing became tight, and my shoulders trembled.

“It’ll be fine,” Song Yu’s deep voice resonated above me.

I stared blankly, frozen in place. Though I wasn’t sure who his words were meant for, I instinctively felt they were directed at me, and my unsettled heart calmed instantly.

Chi Jin pulled me closer, refusing to be outdone, “No worries, it’s not free-fall, just the elevator sliding on its tracks. Nothing to fear.”

Thud-

The elevator finally halted on the third floor, and we quickly exited.

The hotel manager, accompanied by several staff members, rushed down the fire escape.

“President Song, President Song, wait…” The manager gasped for breath, waving frantically from afar.

Song Yu stopped, his expression dark and intimidating.

The manager approached, bowing apologetically, “President Song, I’m terribly sorry. Huangpu Avenue’s bridge construction severed the cables, and the hotel has been relying on its own power supply. The voltage is unstable. The monitoring room detected the elevator sliding, so I immediately had workers stop it on each floor.”

Chi Jin scoffed, “A hotel this size, and you let an elevator slide? You might as well shut down.”

The manager wiped sweat from his forehead, nodding repeatedly in apology, then looked pitifully at Song Yu, “President Song, I’m truly sorry for the fright caused to you and your staff. I’ll apply to the leadership to give tonight’s expenses the lowest discount possible. Would that be acceptable?”

At an intercontinental hotel like IHG, hosting a ball incurs significant costs for venue, band, and food and drink. Even a modest discount would slash five figures, and a larger one could easily start at six figures.

Seeing the manager’s sincere attitude, Song Yu didn’t press further, simply saying “Forget it” before leading Nian Hua toward the emergency exit.

Chi Jin, initially ready to explode, saw Song Yu’s restraint and decided not to pursue the matter, leaving with me in tow.

As soon as Chi Jin and I entered the corridor, we heard Nian Hua complaining, “Yu, where were you when the venue lost power? I searched for you forever. You know I’m terrified of the dark, yet you weren’t by my side. You have no idea how scared I was.”

“Sorry, it was too dark inside. I’m glad I found you later.”

“Hmph, you found me only after the lights came on. That’s just an excuse.”

“Alright, it won’t happen again,” Song Yu chuckled softly.

“…”

Listening to their conversation, I paused on the stairs, my thoughts spiraling uncontrollably.

Nian Hua mentioned Song Yu wasn’t with her during the blackout. Then who danced with me and kissed me if not Song Yu?

Though he remained silent and I didn’t see his face, I knew I couldn’t be mistaken.

It was Song Yu.

But why would he do that? He claimed he didn’t like me, yet he left Nian Hua to find me, only to act cold and distant afterward.

Why?

Chi Jin noticed my hesitation on the steps, asking curiously, “What’s wrong?”

I snapped back to reality, smiling, “Nothing.”

“Thinking about Song Yu?” Chi Jin probed.

I lowered my gaze, staying silent.

Chi Jin leaned against the railing, sneering, “I advise you not to dwell on him. Song Yu is deeply calculating, ruthless, and excels at manipulating people’s trust to achieve his goals.”

“Staying by his side will leave you with nothing.”

“Why do you always speak ill of Song Yu? You forced him back to the country, isn’t that enough?” I retorted, tense.

Chi Jin: “…”