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

Chi Jin tossed a menu onto the table to claim a spot, then pulled me along to the dining area to get our meals.

Trailing behind Chi Jin, I felt like a fox borrowing the tiger’s might. Everyone we passed nodded and smiled politely at me.

This stark contrast in treatment was something I wasn’t used to, yet I found myself enjoying it.

As I was engrossed in selecting my food, my phone suddenly buzzed in my pocket…

Honestly, before I even saw the screen, the first person who popped into my mind was Song Yu. Perhaps that brief encounter while waiting for the elevator had left me with a lingering illusion.

But when I pulled out my phone, the name displayed was none other than Sun Shengju, the electric company’s manager who had previously been indifferent to me.

Clearing my throat, I answered in a sweet, sing-song voice, “Hello, Mr. Sun.”

“Oh, I got the right number, it really is Mr. Bai,” the man’s voice sounded distant, as if he was speaking to someone else.

I let out a couple of awkward laughs, thinking about the hot spring party days. With so many people there, it was impressive he remembered the out-of-place me and managed to call me directly.

“Yes, it’s me, Mr. Sun,” I replied softly, with a hint of coquettishness.

“Mr. Bai, are you free tomorrow evening?” Sun Shengju asked politely.

My mind raced to analyze his intentions. This man had previously ignored me, and now he suddenly wanted to meet in the evening. It couldn’t help but raise my guard.

“Evening? Hmm… it might not be convenient.”

Having attended countless social gatherings, mingling with influential figures from all walks of life, I wasn’t afraid of any potential situations. I could always leave unscathed if I wanted to. At this moment, I was just playing coy, not wanting to appear too eager.

After I spoke, I vaguely heard Sun Shengju mention to someone else that “Mr. Bai isn’t free in the evening.”

Then there seemed to be a male voice saying something I couldn’t quite catch.

Sun Shengju continued, “Then how about we change it to lunchtime?”

“Hmm… let me think…” I pretended to hesitate, not giving an immediate answer.

“Oh, don’t overthink it, it’s just a casual meal,” Sun Shengju quickly added, sensing my hesitation.

“…Is that so? Alright then,” I agreed after a moment of feigned consideration.

“Great, I’ll send you the time and place. Don’t be late,” Sun Shengju reminded with a chuckle.

“Okay!”

After hanging up, I began strategizing for the possible scenarios I might encounter at tomorrow’s gathering, aiming to minimize any potential harm.

Just then, Chi Jin approached and noticed my tray only had a bowl of pumpkin and red date porridge. “Is that all you’re having for lunch?” he asked.

I snapped back to reality and nodded, “I’m not very hungry.”

Lately, I’ve been cautious about eating too much. Even a little extra would make my stomach feel bloated and cause me to burp. To avoid discomfort, I’ve been sticking to soft, easy-to-digest foods in small portions.

Chi Jin gave me a once-over. “What are you doing, dieting? You’re not even fat.”

Not wanting to explain too much, I simply said I had eaten a lot in the morning.

Chi Jin didn’t press further and led me back to our seats.

Compared to the feast on Chi Jin’s tray, my bowl of porridge seemed rather pitiful.

Suddenly, a spoon appeared in my bowl of porridge. Chi Jin scooped out a spoonful and unceremoniously shoved it into his mouth.

After drinking it, he smacked his lips with a look of disdain and said, “It’s not particularly tasty.”

Then he reached for another spoonful from my bowl, but I quickly hugged my bowl and dodged, “If it’s not good, why do you keep drinking it?”

Chi Jin scoffed, withdrew the spoon, and stirred his oxtail soup, taking a large gulp in front of me as if to prove a point.

I smiled to myself and took a sip of my porridge. But as soon as it hit my stomach, a familiar sourness started to rise.

I quickly covered my mouth, trying to suppress it, but within seconds, the acid seemed to have reached my esophagus, and I couldn’t help but burp and gag.

Chi Jin’s face turned green at the sight and he mocked, “Seriously? I just took a sip of your porridge, and you feel sick?”

I knew Chi Jin misunderstood, but I couldn’t explain because opening my mouth would only unleash the stomach acid.

I took deep breaths to ease the nausea, but within two seconds, a burning wave of acid surged up my throat, unstoppable.

Feeling the urgency, I stood up and quickly headed to the toilet.

Chi Jin noticed something was wrong and hurriedly followed me.

Once inside, I pushed open a stall door and started dry heaving.

The breakfast substitute bread I had eaten earlier was long digested, so there was nothing to vomit, just a few spits.

Chi Jin entered the toilet and patted my back, handing me a bottle of mineral water with the cap already unscrewed, “Rinse your mouth.”

I glanced back at him, took the bottle, and sipped some water. But before I could swallow, another wave of acid rose, and I bent over, vomiting water and mucus together, followed by a series of coughs.

Chi Jin quickly patted my back, helping to expel the excess stomach acid, saying, “If you weren’t a guy, I’d think you were pregnant.”

After that big purge, along with Chi Jin’s help, the nausea in my stomach eased significantly. I tried to sip a little water to rinse my mouth and spat it out.

“Phew-” I straightened up slightly and exhaled deeply.

“Feeling better?” he asked.

“Much better, thank you.”

Chi Jin shrugged nonchalantly and left the stall.

I rubbed my stomach to make sure I wouldn’t vomit again before heading to the sink to wash my hands.

Chi Jin stood nearby watching me, suddenly saying, “Is it worth it?”

I didn’t immediately grasp what he meant and casually replied, “Worth what?”

“For Song Yu, is it worth it?” Chi Jin continued.

I paused my handwashing, my face darkening, “Can we not talk about him?”

“If you don’t want to talk about him, why work so hard for him?” Chi Jin stepped closer with a forceful presence, “Bai Yu, I told you, if you have trouble, you can tell me. I’ll help you.”

After hearing Chi Jin’s words, I managed a faint smile, “You’ll help me solve my problems? What’s the catch?”

“Do you want me to deal with Song Yu, or get the information you want?”

“Mr. Chi, if we’re friends, I’d be happy to continue our relationship. But if you want me to be your tool, sorry, I can’t do that.”

I’ve had enough of these transactions with ulterior motives. Being used as a tool by Song Yu was one thing-my own fault for not understanding the depths of the business world at the time. I deserved to be taken advantage of. But now Chi Jin wants to rope me in, and even if I’m foolish, I won’t fall for the same trick twice.

Besides, I’ve already connected with the electric company. As long as I can get Huanya involved, I’ll have the leverage I need to negotiate with Song Yu. Although I know the electric company project is extremely challenging, I have to give it my best shot.

I remember back in the tutoring course, the teacher once said that doing business is essentially a process of bluffing-if you can bluff, and dare to bluff. At first, it sounded crude, but upon reflection, it really is true. As long as I dare to think and dare to act, the results might exceed my expectations.

Chi Jin’s face turned dark from my retort, and he stared at me silently. I lowered my gaze and noticed his fist gradually clenching, and suddenly felt a bit uneasy. “Mr. Chi, let’s head out, or the food will get cold,” I said, and started walking out of the toilet.

“Bai Yu!” Chi Jin called after me.

I could clearly hear the footsteps approaching from behind, and my heart jumped into my throat. Chi Jin walked slowly up to me, his heavy breathing revealing just how angry he was.

“Bai Yu, remember how defiant you are today, because your future will be just as miserable. If you don’t believe me, just wait and see.” With that, Chi Jin scoffed and strode out of the toilet.

I stood there, stunned, unable to shake off Chi Jin’s words for a long time. I couldn’t understand why others could so easily manipulate my life-Song Yu did it, and so did Chi Jin-as if my future was within their predictions.

This feeling made me extremely uncomfortable, and the rebellious spirit within me grew like wild grass. Why should my path be defined by others when we’re all human?

The more it happened, the more I wanted to break free from it all. It won’t be long now; once Lu’s situation is resolved, I’ll be completely free. No one will be able to bind me, physically or mentally. I’ll be a free person.

When I returned to the dining area, Chi Jin had already left. I quietly cleared away both of our trays and took out the stomach medicine I always carried, swallowing two pills.

At that moment, two female colleagues sat down across from me. One had big waves in her hair and wore a low-cut V-neck blazer. Although I wasn’t familiar with her, I knew about her.

She was a supervisor in the Finance Department and had an ambiguous relationship with President Xu, the finance manager. This President Xu was one of the people who had slandered Song Yu behind his back the first time I went out to dinner with Song Yu. Although both of them denied it, everyone at Huanya knew about their relationship, and they’d been caught in the act several times in the office.

I wasn’t eating anymore, thinking of leaving to give them some private space. But just as I was about to get up, they smiled and asked me to wait.

It seemed I wasn’t familiar with them, but they seemed to know me. This wasn’t surprising, given Chi Jin’s public confession at the Christmas party was still fresh in everyone’s minds. It was hard not to be recognized.

“Is there something you need?” I asked politely as I sat back down.

The two female colleagues exchanged a mysterious glance, and the one with the high ponytail laughed, “Assistant Bai, I wanted to ask what brand of cosmetics you use. Your skin looks amazing!”

“Uh?” I was taken aback by the question, feeling a bit amused, “I don’t use cosmetics.”

The one with the big waves didn’t seem to believe me, raising an eyebrow as she scrutinized my face. “Come on, we’re all sisters here, what’s there to hide? I can tell you’ve had work done on at least five areas, plus a session of photorejuvenation.”

“We’re just asking about your cosmetics, not trying to steal your man. What’s there to hide?”

The high ponytail burst out laughing.

I instantly understood. Their questioning was just a guise; they were using the opportunity to sarcastically insinuate that I was homosexual.