After I Was Gone, Mr. Song Said He Loved Me - Chapter 60 - Dancing by the Floor-to-Ceiling Window

Although I never formally said the words “I like you,” I had more or less expressed my feelings. Yet, Song Yu heartlessly rejected me, and eventually, I gave up, never hoping for any emotional response from him again.

Over time, we both maintained a mutual understanding about our ambiguous relationship, never bringing up love or affection again.

Today, however, he brought it up, and I couldn’t help but feel a bit anxious.

Song Yu took a deep drag from his cigarette, the sudden glow illuminating his profile, casting a mysterious veil in the darkness.

The ticking of the clock filled the silence for what felt like an eternity before Song Yu finally spoke, “If I had no money, would you still like me?”

“I would!” I blurted out without a second thought. Even though I’m young, I can still distinguish between liking and not liking.

“No, you wouldn’t,” Song Yu said, standing up and walking to the window, exhaling a puff of smoke.

“How do you know I wouldn’t? You’re not me,” I retorted defiantly.

Song Yu curled his lips in disdain, casually remarking, “Without money, we wouldn’t have even met, let alone talk about liking each other.”

I was stunned, momentarily at a loss for words.

“Because of money, we met at the Royal Dynasty, but our identities changed-one a nightclub patron, the other selling drinks and smiles,” Song Yu continued, turning to look at me. His handsome face was bathed in the cold moonlight, ethereal and distant. “…Two people like that talking about love? Don’t you find it ironic?”

“But… but I…” I tried to argue, but my mouth opened and closed without knowing what to say.

I knew my feelings for Song Yu were passionate and pure. The fluttering of my heart was genuine, yet his words left me speechless.

Indeed, if Song Yu had no money, we wouldn’t have even started, let alone have any continuation.

Moreover, the first time I slept with Song Yu, I pretended to be a seasoned player in the game. Song Yu must think I’m someone who would sell myself for money at any time.

Someone so casual talking about love-it would seem like there’s an ulterior motive, wouldn’t it?

“Bai Yu, feelings aren’t about just saying you like someone. You’re young and easily swayed by a word or an event. That’s not love; that’s child’s play. Like fireworks, no matter how beautiful, they are fleeting. True love is like the lights of a thousand homes, enduring and unwavering.”

“Do you understand?”

Song Yu’s voice was calm, his words reducing my cherished feelings to nothing. Yet, I stubbornly retorted, “I don’t understand! Do you think everyone mixes interests into everything like you do? How can you know someone else’s feelings when you haven’t even experienced it yourself?”

Upon hearing my words, Song Yu laughed, and his laughter grew louder and louder until his shoulders shook uncontrollably.

“What are you laughing at?” I asked, unable to contain my frustration.

“I’m laughing because you remind me of my former self, filled with faith in love,” Song Yu finally toned down his laughter, but his voice was still laced with sarcasm.

“What do you mean?”

“I once gave my heart and loyalty to someone, just like you. And what did I get in return? Betrayal from a lover, manipulation from a boss. Each of them wanted me gone.”

“One abandoned me for money, the other persecuted me for gain,” Song Yu said, letting out a cold chuckle. “Back then, I couldn’t understand what I did wrong. Why did those I loved with all my heart and supported with all my might end up treating me this way?”

“It wasn’t until today that I finally realized there’s no such thing as pure emotion in this world.”

“If it exists, it’s always tied to interests.”

“But… but…” I wanted to prove to Song Yu that genuine feelings do exist in this world, but my limited experiences seemed so feeble in front of him.

“Bai Yu, you’re too young. There are things you can’t understand now. When you reach my age, after seeing and experiencing more, you’ll know that no one stays with anyone forever.” Song Yu took a drag from his cigarette and looked out the window, his tall figure elongated by the moonlight, appearing so desolate and forlorn.

I didn’t fully grasp what Song Yu had been through, nor did I completely understand his words, but one thing was certain: Song Yu didn’t believe in my feelings for him.

Could it be that he always rejected me because he thought I was too young, just playing around? Or did he think I approached him for money?

I threw off the covers and got out of bed, walking barefoot towards Song Yu until I stood before him.

Song Yu looked down at me, and I, breathing heavily, stood on tiptoe and pressed my soft lips to his.

I must have been crazy. I didn’t know why I did it.

Was I trying to prove something? Or was I seeking something? Or perhaps… was I trying to conquer something…

In an instant, a simple collision of souls, a transmission of feelings from heart to heart.

Thud-

The sound of my back hitting the glass.

“Didn’t I say not to tease me again?” Song Yu murmured hoarsely, pressing his forehead against mine.

“You don’t trust me!” My breathing quickened, my chaotic breaths carrying a hint of stubbornness.

“So what?” Song Yu asked with a smile.

I bit my lip, stood on tiptoe again, and mumbled, “I want you to know, even kids can be serious.”

Song Yu smiled, and like a whirlwind, he pulled me into a vortex, leaving me unable to escape…

Sigh-

A wave of regret washed over me.

I had made up my mind not to get entangled with Song Yu anymore, so how did I end up here again?

I gave my head a hard knock. Why was it so easy for Song Yu to lead me by the nose?

Just then, Aunt Zhang knocked on the door. “Mr. Bai, breakfast is ready.”

I lifted my head and responded.

When I reached the dining room, I was greeted by a table full of dishes I had never seen before. I couldn’t help but click my tongue. “So lavish?”

Aunt Zhang ladled a bowl of cordyceps pigeon soup, the only dish I recognized, and said with a chuckle, “President Song said you’re too skinny and asked me to make sure you eat well these days.”

My ears burned, and I coughed to hide my embarrassment. “I’m not skinny. I just look slim, but I’m actually all muscle.”

Hearing this, Aunt Zhang’s smile grew even more knowing, as if she could read my thoughts.

I sat quietly in my chair, obediently drinking the soup without another word.

But after just a couple of spoonfuls, my stomach started to cramp painfully.

Aunt Zhang noticed the change in my expression and, thinking it was the soup’s taste, quickly asked, “Is it not to your liking? This kind of herbal soup can be…”

Before she could finish, I abruptly stood up and rushed upstairs. I had some stomach medicine in my pocket, and Aunt Zhang, puzzled, followed me.

Back in my bedroom, I hurriedly dug out the omeprazole from my clothes, unscrewed the cap, and poured two pills into my palm.

Aunt Zhang quickly fetched me a glass of water, her voice anxious. “Mr. Bai, what’s wrong?”

I took the water and swallowed the pills, clutching my still-twisting stomach. “It’s nothing, just a bit of a stomach ulcer. It flares up now and then, but it’s been better with medication.”

“Shouldn’t we go to the hospital?” Aunt Zhang suggested, reaching into her apron for her phone. “I’ll call President Song right away.”

“No need, really. I’ll be fine after the medicine kicks in.” I waved her off, trying to reassure her.

Aunt Zhang looked at me doubtfully, still worried. “Are you sure you don’t need to see a doctor?”

“I’ve already been checked. It’s just an ulcer, nothing serious.”

“Alright then…” Aunt Zhang reluctantly agreed, then asked, “What about the food downstairs?”

My stomach was churning, sour and hot, making it impossible to eat. “I’ll skip it for now. Maybe later.”

Aunt Zhang opened her mouth to say more but, seeing my firm stance, decided against it. She just reminded me to call her if I felt unwell. I nodded, and she left the room.

I curled up on the bed, knees drawn to my chest, cold sweat pouring down my back. Even after half an hour, the pain didn’t ease. I took two more pills, tossing and turning on the bed.

After another ten or twenty minutes, the medication finally took effect, and my stomach settled, though my clothes were soaked through.

Exhausted from the pain, I lay there, not wanting to move, fearing any motion might upset my unpredictable stomach again.

The door opened, and without opening my eyes, I said, “Aunt Zhang, I don’t want to eat. I just want to sleep for a bit. Let’s talk at noon.”

“Why didn’t you go to the hospital for your stomach pain?” Song Yu’s deep voice filled the room, tinged with a hint of reproach.

I opened my eyes instantly and turned to see Song Yu standing at the door, still in his cashmere coat.

“Why are you back?” I blurted out, then added, “Did Aunt Zhang tell you?”

I knew my words in this house were as good as nothing. Aunt Zhang would never listen to me.

“It wasn’t Aunt Zhang,” Song Yu replied coolly.

I raised my eyebrows in surprise. “Then how did you know about my stomach pain?”

Did he have some kind of supernatural sight and hearing?

Song Yu chuckled and pointed to a red signal receiver in the center of the television. “I saw it there.”

I was speechless.