After I Was Gone, Mr. Song Said He Loved Me - Chapter 47 - The 'Truth' According to Chi Jin, and I Was Taken Back by Song Yu...

Chi Jin narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing me. His gaze made my heart race, but I didn’t regret what I had just said.

Song Yu’s current situation was far from optimistic. Even though I knew he wasn’t exactly a saint, I also knew that his achievements were the result of his own relentless efforts.

Imagine an orphan with no family ties, climbing to his current position-how much more hardship and effort must he have endured compared to others? How could anyone justify abusing power to oppress him just because he threatened their interests, turning all his hard work into nothing?

After a few seconds, Chi Jin smirked and asked, “Who told you that?”

I didn’t want to get involved in the conflict between him and Song Yu, so I kept silent and quickly headed downstairs.

But Chi Jin grabbed my wrist, stopping me, and asked again, “What else do you know?”

I swallowed hard, my mouth moving for a while before I stammered, “I don’t know anything. I just… I just think… what you’re doing… it’s not right.”

Chi Jin tilted his head and gave a cold smile, “We? You mean me and my father?”

I lowered my head, avoiding his gaze, neither confirming nor denying.

“So, what exactly did we do?”

I gulped, staring at my shoes, trying to figure out how to respond.

“Why aren’t you speaking?”

Chi Jin leaned closer, his face darkening. I watched his black boots stop in front of me, instinctively stepping back until I hit the stair railing, unable to retreat any further.

Taking a deep breath, I hesitated for a while before finally speaking, “No matter what, Song Yu has contributed so much to Huanya. How can you… how can you freeze his stock just because you’re wary of his abilities?”

“Isn’t that just using someone and then discarding them?”

I remembered learning about stock changes in my financial management tutoring course, where the teacher discussed classic cases.

Most involved family businesses trying to protect their stock from being controlled by the board directors, using various methods to dilute the shares of threatening major shareholders, stripping them of power. Song Yu’s situation was similar to what the teacher described; otherwise, he wouldn’t have returned to Z Country from so far away.

Chi Jin chuckled softly, leaning even closer, “Did Song Yu tell you this?”

Holding my breath, I turned my face away, glancing at him from the corner of my eye, and hesitantly replied, “…No, I heard it from someone else.”

Chi Jin pressed his tongue against his cheek, suddenly straightening up and continuing, “Did that ‘someone’ also tell you that I returned to Z Country to keep an eye on Song Yu, fearing he’d grow too powerful here?”

I stared at him in disbelief, dumbfounded.

“Are you wondering how I know this so well?” Chi Jin scoffed, glancing at me with disdain, “I’ve told you before, Song Yu is ambitious. My father, seeing him as a fellow alumnus and feeling sorry for him being alone abroad, took special care to nurture him, promoting him to the position of chief operating officer.”

“But instead of being grateful, he took advantage of my father’s illness to conspire with other shareholders, trying to turn Huanya into his own. It worsened my father’s condition, nearly costing his life. Fortunately, my father had a backup plan, so Song Yu’s scheme didn’t succeed. However, his stock was frozen in an international bank. Although he left no evidence, I know it was all his doing; I just don’t have proof yet.”

“Once I find even a shred of evidence, I’ll make sure he rots in jail.”

After listening to Chi Jin’s words, I was utterly bewildered. This was completely different from what Luo Yewen had told me.

In Luo Yewen’s version, Song Yu was a victim, ostracized due to jealousy of his talents. But in Chi Jin’s account, he was a scheming, ungrateful scoundrel.

Which one was the truth?

Although these matters had nothing to do with me, whenever Song Yu was involved, I couldn’t help but be curious.

“If things are really as you say, aren’t you afraid I’ll tell Song Yu since you revealed it to me so easily?” I probed deliberately.

Chi Jin let out a cold snort, seemingly unfazed by my implied threat. “I firmly believe that the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Song Yu toyed with your feelings, making you a laughingstock. I don’t believe you would still be devoted to him; otherwise, you wouldn’t have come to me for help to break away from him, right?”

I stood there, unsure of how to respond.

Chi Jin was right. Since I wanted to leave Song Yu, why should his situation matter to me?

Even if he truly needed someone’s care and help, it shouldn’t be from me, but from Nian Hua.

Why was I worrying unnecessarily?

It was ridiculous.

But even if Song Yu wasn’t a good person, Chi Jin was definitely not a simple character either.

“You actually wanted to find me for a while, didn’t you? Otherwise, why would you team up with me in the game for no reason and then pull off that public stunt with the crystal Crown?”

Although I didn’t understand the cutthroat nature of the business world, I was well-versed in the complexities of human nature, having spent so much time in the mixed environment of a bar. Chi Jin’s little tricks weren’t hard to see through.

Facing my suspicion, Chi Jin remained completely calm, showing no embarrassment at being exposed.

“So what exactly do you want?” I asked warily.

“No need to be nervous. I mean no harm. I’m simply feeling sorry for you,” Chi Jin said, suddenly smiling. “Or perhaps you could see it as me trying to save a lost soul.”

My face turned various shades of red and white at Chi Jin’s words, and I could only manage a cold scoff in response.

Chi Jin smirked, throwing a flirtatious glance my way, and with his hands in his pockets, he sauntered downstairs, saying nonchalantly, “Don’t worry, not everyone in this world is like Song Yu, putting personal gain above all else.”

I bit my lip, realizing I was indeed being overly suspicious. Even if Chi Jin intended to use me, I had no value to exploit. Someone whose feelings had been toyed with, someone mocked by everyone, was insignificant to Song Yu.

Moreover, this was a grudge between Chi Jin and Song Yu, unrelated to me. Once I figured this out, I felt much more at ease. I quickly descended the stairs, only to find Chi Jin waiting for me at the next landing.

“You didn’t leave?” I asked, surprised.

“You’re my public boyfriend now. How could I leave you behind?” Chi Jin replied, his face radiating smug satisfaction.

His words made my face flush, the heat spreading to my ears. I muttered under my breath, “Public boyfriend, my foot. It’s just to fool Song Yu.” With that, I hurried down the stairs, taking two steps at a time like a thief.

Chi Jin chuckled softly and followed me down.

As we reached the lobby on the first floor, we noticed it was drizzling outside.

In Hai City, rain during this time of year brings a biting chill.

Song Yu and Nian Hua stood at the entrance, seemingly engaged in conversation. Nian Hua wore a sweet smile, while Song Yu’s gaze was filled with affection.

From a distance, they indeed appeared to be a perfect match.

Nian Hua, with her looks, intellect, and social standing, was the epitome of perfection, truly deserving the title of “Mrs. Song.”

And then there was me, with nothing but a body that Song Yu once found convenient, though now he seemed to have lost interest in even that.

It was a sad realization, indeed.

At that moment, Chi Jin grabbed my hand and confidently strode towards the entrance. Just as I was about to resist, he murmured, “If you’re going to put on a show, do it properly. Instead of wallowing in your own discomfort, think about how to make others uncomfortable.”

I pondered for a moment, then let my hand fall back into his.

With fingers intertwined, Chi Jin and I swaggered towards the door.

Song Yu glanced at us casually at first, but his gaze quickly locked onto our clasped hands.

Feeling slightly awkward, I turned my head away, my heart pounding erratically.

Perhaps it was just my imagination, but I sensed a hint of anger in Song Yu’s eyes.

Which made sense, really. As his “former” personal public relations, here I was, mingling with someone he despised. It would be odd if he weren’t upset.

Suddenly, Chi Jin released my hand and draped his arm over my shoulder, pulling me into an intimate embrace.

“Hey, President Song, still here? Perfect timing! Bai and I are heading for some hotpot. Care to join us?”

I knew Chi Jin was deliberately provoking Song Yu, and since I had agreed to cooperate, I nestled obediently in his arms.

“No-”

Song Yu was about to decline when Nian Hua interrupted with a playful tone, “Sure! Yu, hotpot is perfect for this chilly weather. Plus, I have some work-related matters to discuss with Assistant Bai.”

Nian Hua smiled at Chi Jin and me, then flashed a pitiful look at Song Yu.

I wasn’t sure why Nian Hua suddenly agreed to join us for dinner. Clearly, Chi Jin’s invitation was meant to provoke Song Yu, not a genuine offer, yet Nian Hua seemed eager to participate.

Song Yu hesitated for a moment before reluctantly agreeing.

Nian Hua’s face lit up with joy, like a child who had just received candy.

Song Yu’s car pulled up in front of us, and Nian Hua invited us to join them, but Chi Jin declined.

“No thanks. Bai and I will head to my place after dinner, so it’s not on the way. Two cars are more convenient.”

Nian Hua’s smile faltered slightly, but she said nothing more.

Song Yu’s expression grew darker, as if a storm cloud had settled over him. He opened the back door and said to Nian Hua, “Get in the car first.”

After Chi Jin shared the hotpot restaurant’s address, we each got into our respective cars and headed towards the restaurant.

As we neared the restaurant, my phone suddenly lit up with an unfamiliar number. Without hesitation, I answered the call.

“Hello,” I greeted politely.

“Hello, this is Officer Lu from the Huainan sub-bureau.”

The mention of ‘Officer Lu’ sent a shiver down my spine, goosebumps rising on my skin.