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

Noticing my prolonged silence, my dad asked suspiciously over the phone, “Bai Yu², are you listening to me?”

I took a deep breath, steadied my voice, and replied, “Dad, he’s a big boss. Why would he come to our house for New Year?”

“You silly child, why can’t a big boss come to our house for New Year? Besides, your boss seems quite eager to come. He said he wanted to ask you, worried it might be inconvenient.”

“You should tell him our family is just ordinary folks, no trouble at all. He can come if he wants. I haven’t properly thanked him for what he did for your grandpa. We can’t forget such kindness,” my dad continued on his own.

My breathing grew heavier, and a cold hostility clouded my eyes as I stared at Song Yu, my hand trembling as I held the phone. Song Yu glanced at me with a smile and continued chatting with Ren Hechuan about work matters.

“…Alright, I’ll talk to him,” I hesitated for a moment before agreeing.

My dad didn’t say much more, just reminded me to be safe on the road, not to get into scuffles with people during the crowded New Year, and then hung up.

Ren Hechuan saw me hang up and asked with a smile, “Family urging you for New Year?”

I forced a smile and nodded.

Ren Hechuan glanced at Song Yu and said to me, “Mr. Bai, I don’t want you to be so stressed. President Song agreed that everything depends on your wishes, so you…”

Ren Hechuan left the decision to me.

Song Yu remained silent, engrossed in his phone, not even glancing at me, as if he didn’t care what choice I’d make, or perhaps he already knew what I’d choose.

Yes, he knew. From the day I agreed to be Ren Hechuan’s companion, he had already planned everything.

Sending someone to visit my parents in advance seemed like a gesture of goodwill, but it was actually intimidation, forcing me to follow his path.

Song Yu is nothing short of a devil.

“Mr. Bai, what do you say?” Ren Hechuan asked, pulling my hand with a smile when I didn’t respond.

I couldn’t afford to offend Ren Hechuan, nor could I defy Song Yu. After much thought, I decided to delay as much as possible.

“Mr. Ren, I still have two projects unfinished. After the New Year, I’ll coordinate with my colleagues, and then I’ll consider what you said. How does that sound?” I negotiated sweetly.

Suddenly, a chill swept over me. Looking up, I saw Song Yu squinting at me.

I guessed my ingratiating demeanor with Ren Hechuan displeased him greatly.

But what could he do?

This was my job as personal public relations, and Song Yu knew it better than anyone. So, no matter how displeased he was, he had to endure it.

Ren Hechuan sensed my polite refusal, his expression slightly darkened but he didn’t react.

He rubbed the back of my hand, hinting to Song Yu, “I really like Mr. Bai. I hope President Song can take good care of him at Huanya, not let him be bullied. As for performance, I’ll help as much as I can.”

That “bullied” made my cheeks flush.

Ren Hechuan was subtly warning Song Yu not to let me go out and entertain clients just for the sake of performance.

Song Yu adjusted his glasses, a refined smile playing on his lips, though his tone carried a hint of confusion. “Mr. Bai, is someone at the company bullying you?”

At Huanya, the only person who dared to bully me openly was Song Yu, but I couldn’t admit that.

“No, everyone treats me well,” I replied, swallowing hard.

After hearing my response, Ren Hechuan could no longer maintain his calm demeanor and released my hand.

I knew Ren Hechuan was upset.

Earlier, he wanted me to leave Huanya, and I had politely declined, saying I would consider it after the New Year. Now, he subtly hinted to Song Yu not to send me out for entertaining clients, yet I had sided with Song Yu.

But I had no choice.

Ren Hechuan wasn’t Chi Jin; we didn’t share any mutual interests or enemies, so he wouldn’t help me against Song Yu. I had to stay at Huanya, remain by Song Yu’s side, to find his weaknesses and bring him down.

I wanted to see all his efforts turn to dust, to watch him fall from grace.

At this point, Song Yu put away his folder and stood up, smiling at Ren Hechuan. “Mr. Ren, I have some personal matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave. If the ‘Blue Ocean Ventures’ project is in order, I’ll send a business representative after the New Year to finalize the contract details. Looking forward to our mutually beneficial cooperation.”

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Song Yu left.

Seeing Song Yu leave, I felt a bit anxious. There were still many things I hadn’t asked him.

Ren Hechuan walked to his desk, his back to me, speaking in a deep voice, “Mr. Bai, I don’t like my people being too exposed. You should quit that public relations job soon. I’ll provide for you, so there’s no need for you to go out and negotiate business.”

He turned around, holding a black card in his hand. “This is a credit card, no password.”

I quickly stood up, feeling a bit overwhelmed. “Mr. Ren, how can I take your money?”

Ren Hechuan came over, took my hand, and placed the card in my palm. “Keep it. You’ll find it useful someday.”

I stared at the card, stunned. This was Ren Hechuan’s way of asking for a commitment. If I didn’t accept it, it would mean denying our “relationship.”

But I couldn’t afford to fall out with him now. After all, having the support of someone like Ren Hechuan was beneficial.

Feigning shyness, I lowered my head. “Thank you, Mr. Ren.”

Ren Hechuan moved closer, wrapping an arm around my waist, speaking softly, “It’ll be a while before I see you again.”

I turned my head slightly, trying to hide my discomfort. “The New Year will pass quickly. We can always call each other.”

Ren Hechuan laughed and gave me a firm pinch on the backside. “I don’t just want calls. Send me more photos, especially when you’re in bed… wearing nothing.”

His blunt words made me uncomfortable, my face heating up. Despite his age, he was more forward than younger men.

Just then, Ren Hechuan’s secretary knocked on the door, saying someone from the Sanitation Department was waiting in the meeting room.

Perhaps because the New Year was approaching, many people were visiting Ren Hechuan. He didn’t press me further, instead calling his driver to take me home. I quickly declined, claiming I had plans to shop with friends who were waiting for me.

Seeing that I didn’t seem to be lying, Ren Hechuan didn’t insist on sending the driver. He just reminded me to call and send videos often before letting me go.

The moment I stepped out of his office, I took a deep breath, feeling as if I had been granted amnesty.

For some reason, even though I used to do similar work at the bar, dealing with all sorts of people, it never felt unbearable. I lived each day carefree and relaxed.

Now, as I mingled in more upscale circles and had transformed into a corporate employee, not only did I not feel happier, but I also grew increasingly resentful and resistant.

Perhaps it was because I had seen too much. What once went unnoticed now felt utterly disgusting to me.

If I could turn back time, I would never work at the bar, nor would I serve as Song Yu’s public relations manager. I would choose a normal job and live each day honestly and steadily.

But it’s too late for regrets now. All I could do was try my best to make up for the rash and impulsive mistakes I made in the past and protect those I needed to protect.

…

After leaving the electric company’s building, I was about to hail a cab to go home, pack, and head to the train station when a car, shiny as a bullet, suddenly rushed in front of me, screeching to a halt.

Instinctively, I closed my eyes, and when I opened them again, the passenger-side window was half down, and Song Yu, wearing sunglasses, slightly tilted his head: “Get in.”

He hadn’t left?

Was he waiting for me all this time?

“Get in!” Song Yu repeated, emphasizing his command.

I swallowed hard, not wanting to get in, but it seemed like I had no other choice at the moment.

After hesitating for a moment, I stepped forward, opened the car door, and no sooner had I settled into the seat than the car roared off aggressively.

I fastened my seat belt and said sarcastically, “Thanks for sending the New Year’s goods to my family. It was very considerate of you.”

Song Yu, keeping his eyes on the road, hummed in response.

“My dad asked you to come over for the New Year. I declined on your behalf.”

Song Yu still didn’t look at me but just chuckled, “Declined for me? How do you know I won’t go?”

I didn’t want to argue with him and snapped back, “Because it’s my home, and I have the right not to let you come.”

Song Yu nodded in agreement, “Alright then, I’ll call your father later and tell him I won’t be able to come, thanking him for his invitation.”

I immediately sat up straight, displeased, “If you’re not going, then don’t. Why call my dad?”

If Song Yu really called my dad, with his persuasive skills, my dad would definitely be swayed. Not only would Song Yu end up visiting my home, but I might also end up getting scolded by my dad.

Song Yu took off his sunglasses and glanced at me, a casual look that sent a shiver down my spine.

“Your father is an elder to me. If an elder invites me for the New Year, I should at least inform him whether I can attend or not. It’s common courtesy.”

“Ha, Song Yu, do you find this amusing?” I scoffed sarcastically.

Song Yu just smirked, “Didn’t think so before, but now, I find it quite interesting.”

“You!” I was so angry I almost choked. How could he turn being a scoundrel into an art form?

Just as I was figuring out how to retort, the car’s Bluetooth suddenly rang.

Song Yu, unguarded, answered the call.

The caller was a foreigner, rattling off in a language I barely understood.

But one key term caught my attention, “account book,” a word I learned in middle school, along with a few simple phrases like “with me,” “bank,” “as soon as possible,” “board of directors.”

This immediately made me think of the account book that Chi Jin had mentioned…

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