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

After sending Song Yu a message, I got out of the car and headed home.

Since Lu had returned my previous apartment, I moved into the Yungang Garden apartment that Song Yu provided, living alongside many big celebrities.

Initially, I was reluctant to move in, but then I thought, living there doesn’t mean accepting it, so why hesitate?

Finding a new place is a hassle, even though I now have money and don’t need to run around comparing prices like before. The paperwork and evaluating surrounding facilities are still a headache.

So I simply closed my eyes, grabbed my few belongings, and moved in.

Back home, I activated the smart home service with a single button. Soft music, gentle lighting, temperature and humidity control, bath water, warm milk-everything was automated.

Even though this was my umpteenth time witnessing the power of smart technology, I couldn’t help but marvel at the force of innovation.

Of course, all of this is underpinned by money.

I shrugged off my coat, kicked off my shoes, and collapsed onto the sofa.

I hadn’t drunk much, just felt tired-not physically, but mentally exhausted.

Whenever I felt this way, I reminded myself that Lu’s issue wasn’t resolved, his record wasn’t cleared, and I had no right to feel tired. Once Lu’s matter was settled, I’d leave Hai City and start anew somewhere else.

After all the experiences, I seemed to finally understand my feelings for Song Yu. It wasn’t the undying love I imagined, but more of an obsessive pursuit.

When other men were vying for my attention, Song Yu remained indifferent, especially given his excellence. This disparity magnified my desire to conquer him.

But I overestimated my allure and underestimated Song Yu’s resolve, ending up utterly defeated.

Who could I blame?

Just then, a pleasant tune played, signaling the bath was ready.

I sat up, unbuttoning my shirt as I headed to the bathroom, nearly undressed by the time I arrived.

The bathroom was absurdly large, bigger than my previous rental’s entire area. Next to the tub was a massive floor-to-ceiling window with a spectacular view of Hai City’s twinkling night lights.

I took two pills, omeprazole and sucralfate, additional medications prescribed after a doctor’s visit.

Previously, I only took medicine when my stomach hurt, but lately, the pain was frequent, especially after drinking beer, leaving my stomach bloated like a balloon. So I started taking them daily.

Though the effect wasn’t as good as initially, it offered some relief. It was prescribed by a legitimate doctor, surely he wouldn’t harm me.

During a follow-up, the doctor suggested a gastroscopy for a clearer diagnosis, but I declined out of fear.

With no other choice, the doctor advised me to continue the medication and observe. If there was no improvement, a gastroscopy would be necessary.

I agreed.

That was over half a month ago.

I thought, if things weren’t better after the new year, I’d follow the doctor’s advice and get it checked.

My reluctance wasn’t solely due to fear of pain but also psychological avoidance.

I feared discovering something bad in my stomach, which would mean I couldn’t drink freely anymore.

Without drinking for socializing, I’d lose my value to Song Yu.

I’ll wait until I secure the electric company project, then I’ll have leverage to discuss Lu’s matter with Song Yu. Once Lu’s record is cleared, I’ll abstain from alcohol, focus on my health, and cherish myself.

I lay in the warm water, gazing at the night view outside the window, and somehow drifted off to sleep while my mind was occupied with thoughts.

In a haze, I felt someone wrapping their arms around my waist. Irritated, I waved my hand to break free from the embrace, but it seemed ineffective as my body was suddenly lifted out of the water.

The abrupt sensation of being airborne jolted me awake. I opened my eyes to see Song Yu’s face, and there I was, completely naked, held in his arms, the water soaking a large part of his coat.

“Song Yu!? How did you get in here?” I was stunned.

“Naturally, I came in through the front door,” Song Yu replied nonchalantly.

“…”

After a brief moment of shock, it seemed perfectly reasonable.

This was the apartment Song Yu had given me; it wasn’t surprising he knew the access code.

“Put me down,” I squirmed, trying to escape his embrace.

Song Yu ignored my request, holding me tightly as he carried me to the bedroom.

I was tense, my body rigid with nervousness, my heart pounding erratically.

Even though Song Yu and I had no secrets left between us, every time we faced each other openly, I couldn’t help but feel flustered and embarrassed.

Song Yu placed me on the bed, then returned to the bathroom to fetch a towel, gently drying my hair and body.

I felt like a doll with no will of my own, allowing him to maneuver me as he pleased.

Song Yu had a knack for displaying his tenderness in small, unexpected moments, and by the time you realized it, you were already deeply ensnared, unable to extricate yourself.

“The electric company project might take a while longer,” I attempted to break the false tenderness of the moment with work-related matters.

“I know,” Song Yu’s voice was calm, as if he had anticipated my difficulties.

“You know?” I questioned, puzzled.

Song Yu tossed aside the towel, removing his damp coat and hanging it up as he spoke, “Because you’re not Sun Shengju’s type.”

“He likes those who are proactive and open, with plenty of variety. Someone like you wouldn’t catch his eye,” Song Yu looked at me with a teasing smile, “If you push too hard, you’ll end up crying, which I find endearing, but he’d just find it annoying.”

My face flushed red, all the way to my neck, but I forced myself to remain composed, saying, “So you came over in the middle of the night just to mock me?”

Song Yu removed his glasses, smiling as he approached me. Instinctively, I scooted further into the bed.

“Has your stomach been hurting lately?” Song Yu asked gently, sitting on the edge of the bed.

“It’s manageable,” I replied softly.

“I’ve been really busy lately, preparing to negotiate an international energy project with Saudi Arabia after the New Year, so I haven’t been able to check on you.”

“You can see now, I’m doing fine,” I said, hopping off the bed barefoot and walking to the wardrobe under Song Yu’s intense gaze to grab a set of pajamas.

But just as I was halfway through putting on the clothes, Song Yu wrapped his arms around my waist from behind.

“What if I’m not good enough?” His voice was low and husky, filled with a heavy sensuality.

My spine instantly stiffened like a rod, unmoving, as my Adam’s apple bobbed up and down rapidly.

“I… how should I know?” My breathing was chaotic, elbows pushing back against Song Yu, trying to escape his encirclement. The intense pressure made my heart race, causing my legs to weaken involuntarily.

Song Yu lifted me slightly, pressing us even closer together. My back was practically glued to his chest, and I could feel the vibrations of his heartbeat resonating within my own chest cavity.

“You know very well; it’s part of your job description,” Song Yu murmured, brushing against my ear before suddenly pinning me against the wardrobe. I was squeezed between the wardrobe and Song Yu like the filling in a sandwich.

The hard door jabbed into me, making me stifle a groan. Song Yu’s hand gripped my neck, fixing my head in place. His towering height of 1.92 meters loomed over me like a boulder, leaving no room for struggle.

“Song Yu, did you come to me because Nian Hua couldn’t satisfy you?” My face was pressed against the wardrobe, almost distorted, and I had to gasp for breath to utter each word.

Predictably, this angered Song Yu, and his grip on my neck tightened.

I knew this would be the outcome, but I refused to give in to his demands.

Losing Lu had always been an insurmountable hurdle in my heart.

Previously, my humble attempts to please had some benefit, but now that Lu was gone and had completely erased me from his world, I had nothing left to fear. Since Song Yu mentioned that Lu’s criminal record depended on whether I was worth his risk, I might as well achieve something and negotiate with him directly, which felt more liberating.

I expected Song Yu to throw me aside, offended by his pride, but instead, he simply turned me around to face him.

“Are you jealous of Nian Hua?” He murmured, pressing his forehead against mine.

“No,” I replied, panting with my eyes lowered.

“Then what’s with the attitude?” He kissed my brow, my nose, and down to my lips, but I turned my head away.

Song Yu froze in place, neither continuing nor speaking, his deep gaze fixed on my profile as if trying to draw me in.

I stared blankly at a spot, as if discussing something trivial, “Song Yu, I think I don’t like you anymore.”

I felt Song Yu’s hand on my waist tighten fiercely, then slowly loosen, and he stepped back a couple of steps.

The oppressive weight lifted, and I exhaled in relief, but I still dared not meet Song Yu’s penetrating gaze. Although I had spoken from the heart, I feared he might see through me or manipulate me.

Perhaps my serious and indifferent demeanor prevented Song Yu from mocking me as he usually did, or teasing me for being childish. He simply watched me intently, his expression complex.

After a few minutes of tense silence, Song Yu said nothing, took a coat from the wardrobe, and walked toward the door.

I held my breath, afraid that Song Yu might return in a fit of rage and force himself on me.

Then I heard the sound of the front door closing, indicating that Song Yu had indeed left.

My heart, which had been suspended, finally settled, and my legs trembled slightly from the stiffness. I slid down to the floor, leaning against the wardrobe as if I had lost all support.

Though I appeared calm and composed, inside I was terrified. I knew all too well what Song Yu was like when angry, the punishments my body had endured still vivid in my memory.

Despite this, I felt no regret.

Because after uttering those words, I suddenly felt a great sense of relief, as if the tangled web between Song Yu and me had silently unraveled in that moment…