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

Song Yu’s English was impeccable. Despite my efforts to eavesdrop, I couldn’t glean any useful information from the conversation. It was moments like these that made me regret not studying harder.

A foreigner had called Song Yu, mentioning the account book, which immediately brought to mind what Chi Jin had said about it. Could it be true?

I had been skeptical about Chi Jin’s claims, but now it seemed almost certain that Song Yu did indeed possess that incriminating ledger.

He probably took the call right in front of me, assuming I wouldn’t understand the content. But he forgot that sometimes, even a small slip can reveal a crack.

Song Yu’s ambition was undeniably vast. He had a knack for coveting things that weren’t his, a trait that perfectly aligned with his modus operandi. If he wanted something, no matter who it belonged to, he’d employ any means necessary to seize it.

That was the ruthless and cunning side of him.

Noticing my gaze fixed in thought, Song Yu asked, “What’s on your mind?”

I snapped back to reality, replying coolly, “I was wondering why you’re not spending the New Year with Nian Hua¹. Aren’t you worried about upsetting him?”

“That’s between him and me. It’s none of your concern.”

I scoffed, switching gears, “Song Yu, have you been in cahoots with Ren Hechuan all along?”

“Yes.”

“So you knew I’d try to curry favor with Ren Hechuan, letting me flaunt his business card like a fool, only to prove how naive I am, right?”

Song Yu raised an eyebrow, glancing at me, “Huanya and the electric company have been discussing the Blue Ocean Ventures project for two months now. As for you and Ren Hechuan, that was your choice. No one forced you.”

“No one forced me?” I laughed bitterly.

“If it weren’t for clearing Lu’s record, why would I go to Ren Hechuan for corporate credentials? And why would I…” My voice trembled.

The memory of being violated by Ren Hechuan for over two hours made my skin crawl, as if infested by countless insects-disgusting and unbearable.

Song Yu, this scoundrel, spoke with such righteousness, yet his actions were nothing but deceitful.

What disgusted me most was his feigned indifference when I presented Ren Hechuan’s card, only for him to later chase after the same person.

Hypocrite.

“Bai Yu, do you think getting Ren Hechuan’s card and slapping a state-owned label on Huanya makes you a hero? That you’re the savior?” Song Yu asked indifferently.

“Why not?” With so many companies vying for it, I couldn’t believe it was worthless.

Song Yu shook his head with a bitter smile, “Bai Yu, I overestimated you.”

“What do you mean?” I frowned.

“A private company with state-owned credentials seems to enjoy various benefits-low tax rates, participation in domestic and international projects, and no risk of a broken financial chain. But have you considered what a private entrepreneur must sacrifice?”

“…What?” I was confused. Song Yu had just listed all the advantages, which were precisely why people were scrambling to get close to Ren Hechuan. What was there to sacrifice?

“The decision-making and control as a manager, that’s what it means. Having the status of a state-owned enterprise is certainly beneficial, but as a manager, I wouldn’t be able to make any decisions about Huanya at will. All major policies would have to be executed according to national standards and requirements.”

“In other words, I would become the next Ren Hechuan, a manager working for the state. Do you understand?”

“As for those small companies, whether private or state-owned, it wouldn’t make much of a difference. They might even leverage this to enhance their business value, going from 1 to 100. But for Huanya, it’s just the distance from 98 to 100.”

“So rather than wearing a fancy hat and handing over control to others, it’s more practical to aim for a win-win cooperation. Although it might take longer, the outcome will definitely be positive.”

“Do you get it?” Song Yu glanced at me with disdain.

I sat rigidly in my seat, my face alternating between hot and cold. A sense of indescribable shame made my throat dry, and I couldn’t utter a single word.

Song Yu had truly taught me a lesson, showing me just how ignorant and arrogant I had been.

I had tried to curry favor with Ren Hechuan for a business qualification, even at the cost of compromising myself, and it turned out to be worthless.

Thinking back to when I had approached Song Yu with Ren Hechuan’s business card, believing it was enough to negotiate with him, it was utterly foolish and laughable.

“Why so silent?” Song Yu asked with a smile.

“What do you want me to say? A speech about getting slapped in the face?” I retorted with a stiff expression. “I know I’m foolish and can’t outplay you, but so what? Song Yu, do you really think you’re that great? Can you honestly say that the Blue Ocean Ventures contract you signed today had nothing to do with me?”

Though I didn’t understand the intricacies of business, I could still discern basic human interactions.

Song Yu had been negotiating with him for so long, yet only signed at this critical moment. I don’t believe Ren Hechuan didn’t consider me in the equation. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have openly bargained with Song Yu. With Song Yu’s temperament, if he had nothing to gain, he would have rejected Ren Hechuan outright, but he didn’t. Instead, he let me choose.

Clearly, this was beyond his control.

“So, don’t you still need my so-called self-importance? You can’t influence Ren Hechuan’s decisions. It’s me, with what you deem worthless, who turned the tables.” I let out a mocking laugh. “President Song, no matter how you see it… I’ve won this round.”

Song Yu didn’t get angry at my mockery. Instead, he calmly analyzed, “Bai Yu, Ren Hechuan isn’t just anyone. He sees through your little schemes clearly. You want to use him, and he’s willing to be used. But have you thought about how to end things after you’ve used him?”

“He’s not Zhang Jishu. You can’t just use a bit of cleverness to get by. Have you considered all this?”

His words made my previously smug smile freeze instantly.

Indeed, I had thought about using Ren Hechuan to secure the project and exchange it with Song Yu, about using the ambiguous relationship to disgust Song Yu, and about having Ren Hechuan as my protector. Yet, I hadn’t considered how to extricate myself from Ren Hechuan once all this was achieved.

“A lover” is a fixed relationship.

Once established, it’s not something I can just end at will.

Song Yu looked at me, his lips curling slightly, refraining from saying anything more excessive. The words he had already spoken were enough to make me regret my decisions.

Agreeing to be Ren Hechuan’s lover was initially a strategy to secure a project to exchange with Song Yu. Now, with Lu gone, my desire to provoke Song Yu, to challenge him, had led me into another pit of fire.

Blinded by hatred, I was fixated on making Song Yu uncomfortable, recklessly opposing him, only to find myself losing far more than I gained.

In the aftermath, all that remained was shame and regret, my face stung by Song Yu’s swift and painful rebuke.

Utterly foolish.

…

Song Yu drove me back to Yungang Garden, instructed me to pack my bags, and then took me to the station, mentioning he would inform my father that he wouldn’t be joining us for the New Year celebration.

I understood he was pressuring me, forcing me to relent and let him accompany me home.

To ensure my father’s happiness and a peaceful family celebration, I had no choice but to agree to Song Yu’s plan, letting him come along. Song Yu accepted readily, seemingly pleased.

I couldn’t fathom his intentions for insisting on visiting my family, but I resolved that if he dared to scheme against them, I would go to any lengths to stop him.

We left Hai City around two in the afternoon, Song Yu driving swiftly, his memory serving him well, allowing us to reach the fishing village by eight.

As we entered the village, two black SUVs passed us by. I glanced at them, assuming they were also returning home for the holidays.

This time, Song Yu didn’t stop at the village entrance but drove leisurely to my family’s doorstep. As soon as we parked, my father burst out of the house, shouting, “You scoundrels, can’t you let it go even during the holidays? That’s my son’s hard-earned money, and you dare extort us?”

“If you keep spouting nonsense, I’ll have the police arrest you all!”

“Dad! It’s me, what are you talking about?” I called from the doorway.

Upon hearing my voice, my father stopped, calling for my mom and sister, “Honey, Fei, come see, Bai Yu’s back.”

My mom and sister emerged from the house, and Song Yu and I exchanged glances as we walked into the yard.

“Oh, I thought it was those people again,” my father muttered, coming out to greet us.

Song Yu politely wished my parents a happy New Year, and they smiled, leading us inside.

I, however, was too preoccupied to engage in pleasantries, my mind racing with questions. “Dad, what were you talking about earlier? Extortion, calling the police? What’s going on?”

I had overheard bits of the argument outside, sensing my father was in a dispute that somehow involved me.

Before my father could respond, my sister spoke up, “It’s about Grandpa’s burial ground! Those bad people claim we’re extorting them or something. It’s been going on for a while, and now they’re back even during the holidays.”

Her words left me puzzled. “Wasn’t the burial ground issue resolved? How come it’s…”

My father, still agitated, explained, “I don’t know. About a month ago, some people showed up, insisting I contact the current developers of the burial ground, claiming the promised money hadn’t been paid.”

“I don’t know any developers, so I sent them away after a few words. But they keep coming back, causing trouble, even during the New Year.”

“They just left, and then you arrived.”

I turned to Song Yu, waiting for his response.

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