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

I couldn’t quite grasp how I managed to hear Chi Jin’s words. My ears buzzed, my head grew heavier, and even as Chi Jin caught up to me, I couldn’t snap out of it.

“This whole matter is being suppressed by the entire Yuanguang Detention Center. I had to pull a lot of strings to get this information from someone I know,” Chi Jin said earnestly.

“No way, you’re lying to me. It can’t be… Song Yu said Lu went back to Guiyang, how…”

“I’m not lying. If you don’t believe me, go confront Song Yu and see if he dares to tell you the truth,” Chi Jin’s tone was unwavering, leaving no room for my fantasies.

The buzzing in my ears intensified, and my stomach twisted in pain, forcing me to hunch over slightly.

“Why? How could this happen? It’s impossible…”

“You’re lying to me, you must be lying!”

“Lu was just given a suspended sentence, how could he die? You’re lying!” I muttered repeatedly, eyes wide.

He hadn’t committed any heinous crimes, nor had he killed or set fires. Why would he die?

There must be a mistake somewhere.

I pushed past Chi Jin and ran towards the elevator. I needed to ask Song Yu, to find out if this was true.

No, it couldn’t be true.

Chi Jin was lying; Lu was definitely still alive.

I kept telling myself this, but tears flowed uncontrollably, as helplessness and fear engulfed me, consuming my very being, making even breathing painful.

No, I can’t cry.

“Lu is in Guiyang right now, preparing to celebrate the New Year with his family. Why are you crying? It’s so unlucky,” I sniffed, scolding myself.

I wiped away my tears, refusing to cry, because crying would mean accepting Chi Jin’s words.

I firmly believed Lu was alive. How could someone so kind and wonderful be dead?

No, it couldn’t be, absolutely not.

“Bai Yu, Bai Yu, wait, don’t go,” Chi Jin shouted behind me.

But I couldn’t hear anything anymore. I had only one thought: I needed to hear Song Yu tell me the truth.

Just as Chi Jin rushed over, the elevator doors closed.

My body trembled, my mind was a tangled mess, both terrified to face the truth and desperate to know it.

I didn’t believe Lu was dead. It couldn’t be, absolutely not.

The elevator doors opened on the thirty-third floor. The spacious president’s office area was clean and tidy, with a few executives occasionally passing by. Seeing me here was nothing unusual for them, and no one paid me any attention.

I hurried towards Song Yu’s office, my heart taut, each beat nearly exhausting all my strength. As the bronze double doors loomed closer, I suddenly halted.

Song Yu was behind those doors, the answer was right there, but I lacked the courage to face it.

I feared hearing a truth I couldn’t accept.

What was I afraid of?

Lu was alive and well, and Song Yu had promised that if I could offer equivalent benefits, Lu’s record would be cleared, granting him a clean, free identity.

Song Yu wouldn’t lie; he never did.

But why was I hesitating?

At that moment, the door opened, and Luo Yewen followed Song Yu out of the office.

Seeing me standing not far away, both of them paused in surprise. Song Yu said something to Luo Yewen, who nodded and left.

Song Yu walked towards me, one hand casually tucked into his pocket, embodying the same calm and gracious demeanor as always. Even the short distance he covered seemed to be illuminated by his presence. In the past, I was irresistibly drawn to this dazzling aura, unaware of my own eagerness to be near him. But now, it felt blindingly harsh.

I stood rigidly, watching his figure grow larger with each step, while the resistance in my heart slowly unfurled.

“Next time, let me know in advance if you’re coming over. Otherwise, you might miss me if I’m out,” Song Yu said with a smile as he stood before me.

His face remained as refined and handsome as ever, his voice deep and alluring, the curve of his lips perfectly measured-almost too perfect to be real.

Seeing my blank expression, Song Yu’s demeanor shifted to one of slight concern. “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell? Is your stomach acting up again?”

I shook my head slowly, keeping my gaze fixed on him.

“Then what is it…?” Song Yu’s smile faltered, his expression turning somewhat awkward.

I wanted to ask him something, but the words twisted and turned in my mouth without coming out. Instead, I handed over the business card Ren Hechuan had given me. “I’ve secured the electric company’s project. Huanya can now apply for the state-owned enterprise qualification anytime.”

“So… is this enough for you to risk everything for Lu’s sake?”

Song Yu had promised me that if I could offer something of equal value, he would ensure Lu’s safety. Now, I’ve achieved it-obtaining the state-owned enterprise qualification, a coveted asset for any private company. With this, Huanya could bid on projects domestically and internationally, earning profits beyond mere numbers.

This was surely something that would pique Song Yu’s interest.

If he agreed, it would mean Lu was safe.

As for what Chi Jin said earlier, it must have been a malicious attempt to retaliate against me. Just the other day in the employee cafeteria, Song Yu had used our fake relationship to oust President Xu, and someone like Chi Jin would certainly hold a grudge, using this opportunity to sow discord between Song Yu and me.

It had to be that.

Song Yu looked at the gold-foil business card in my hand, his brow furrowing. “How did you get Ren Hechuan’s card?”

“Don’t worry about how I got it. I just want to know if this can clear Lu’s record!” My tone was urgent, my breath quickening.

Song Yu, I’m begging you, please say it can.

Please.

I stared at Song Yu, silently pleading with him not to reject me.

After what felt like half a minute, Song Yu finally spoke.

“It can’t,” he said calmly.

Those two simple words sent me spiraling into despair.

I stood frozen, unable to detach myself from those words, as if all warmth had drained from my body. A chill seeped from the soles of my feet into my chest, leaving my heart trembling with cold. My mouth felt sealed by ice, making speech nearly impossible.

“…Why?” I barely moved my lips, my voice barely audible.

“No reason,” Song Yu replied, expressionless, unwilling to offer further explanation.

“What do you mean, no reason? You promised me before. How can you…”

“My promise doesn’t mean you can assume something like this would sway me.” Song Yu pushed the card back into my hand, his eyes cold and indifferent, as if he intended to consume me.

“Song Yu, you…” I gritted my teeth, unable to express my frustration.

“I have a meeting to attend. You should head back,” Song Yu said, his face stern.

I stood frozen in place, a self-mocking laugh escaping me as a sour sting climbed up my nose and blurred my vision.

“Is it because of Lu he…”

“Bai Yu-”

Before I could finish my sentence, Chi Jin’s voice cut through from afar.

Song Yu and I both turned to look as Chi Jin approached us quickly. Song Yu stepped forward, positioning himself in front of me to shield me.

“Move, I need to talk to Bai Yu.” Chi Jin said, reaching for my wrist, but Song Yu blocked him beforehand.

Chi Jin glared at Song Yu, his voice laden with threat, “What do you mean by this?”

Song Yu’s expression remained calm, his words forceful, “Leaving your post during work hours, what do you think I mean?”

“Song Yu, have you forgotten that Huanya bears the name Chi, not Song? You’re just a high-level employee working for my dad, what’s there to be proud of?” Chi Jin snapped, shrugging off Song Yu’s hand as he adjusted his sleeve.

Song Yu’s lips curved in a slight smirk, his eyes full of disdain, “Chi Jin, even your father wouldn’t dare speak to me like that. Where are you getting this courage from?”

“I own 40% of Huanya’s shares, plus the liquid assets in the Asian region. My total market value has long surpassed your father’s. What are you still struggling for?”

“If you behave, I might still respect the bond I shared with your father as fellow disciples and grant you the dignity of a Huanya young master. Otherwise, you wouldn’t even match the least of our department managers in this building.”

“You get that?” Song Yu pushed up his glasses, his smile gentle.

“You!” Chi Jin’s retort was choked off, his index finger pointing fiercely at Song Yu, “Fine, Song Yu, we’ll see who gets kicked out of Huanya.”

“Bai Yu, come with me.” Chi Jin shoved Song Yu aside and grabbed my wrist, pulling me towards the elevator.

My mind was still swirling with the possibility of Lu leaving, their words fluttering around me like a runaway train, my feet involuntarily stumbling as Chi Jin dragged me along.

When I finally snapped back to reality, I found myself standing in the elevator with Chi Jin.

“Where are you taking me? I still have something to ask Song Yu!” I reached to press the elevator stop button.

Chi Jin grasped my hand to stop me, his tone serious, “Bai Yu, think about it. If you and Song Yu bring this to light, what will the consequences be?”

I frowned, puzzled, “What do you mean? One moment you tell me to ask Song Yu, the next you stop me. What are you really up to?”

Chi Jin’s contradictory actions only made me more suspicious of his deceit.

“I’m not up to anything. I’m just worried that knowing the truth might lead you to do something rash.”

I was tired of Chi Jin’s evasiveness and shook off his hand to press the elevator button.

All I wanted now was to hear from Song Yu himself that Lu was in Guiyang. I didn’t believe a word of the nonsense about Lu being dead.

“Your friend’s death was connected to Song Yu.” Chi Jin suddenly said.

I slowly turned to look at him, my voice dull, “What did you say?”

“I said your friend’s death was orchestrated by Song Yu. Did you understand that?” Chi Jin articulated each word clearly and distinctly.