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

Ren Hechuan, with a face devoid of emotion, instructed the three men by the bed, “This kid doesn’t know the rules. Teach him a lesson for me.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the man straddling my abdomen tore open my clothes…

The sound of fabric ripping was sharp and jarring, like a cold dagger slicing me open. I lay there like a fish on a chopping board, at the mercy of others, unable to escape. Fear consumed every cell, every bone, every inch of my skin, plunging me into utter despair.

The same scene, but a different outcome.

The last time Wang Li’an took me away, it was a scheme by Song Yu, but I was eventually rescued. This time, it was my own doing, and I had no means to save myself.

I knew there would be no miracle.

As my body was gradually exposed, I slowly closed my eyes. There were no curses, no struggles. I lay still like a corpse, with only the tears trailing down my face to show I was still alive.

If I could, I wished I could just die at that moment. But I couldn’t. I had to remain conscious and endure what was to come.

When people are vulnerable, they instinctively seek support. I was no different.

But I never expected that at this moment, my mind would turn not to my parents or the police, but to Song Yu.

I was startled by this thought.

Why would I think of him at such a time?

It turns out Song Yu’s influence on me… had become so significant.

I bit my lip hard, refusing to make a sound, knowing that no matter how much I pleaded, they wouldn’t let me go.

Yet, when my underwear was torn away, I couldn’t help but let out a low sob.

It wasn’t to elicit sympathy, but a cry for my own naivety. I always thought I understood society, that I could get away with things by acting cute or being clever, only to end up battered and bruised, dragging others down with me and harming myself.

Zhang Jishu’s wife had once half-jokingly told me that if it had been someone else’s wife I had tried to trap, I might have already “accidentally” fallen to my death.

I didn’t understand then, but now I realized she was hinting at the danger of offending the wrong people and knowing things I shouldn’t.

The darkness and ugliness of high society, where taking a life is as easy as squashing an ant.

Falling into Ren Hechuan’s hands today was probably heaven’s punishment for my impulsiveness and ignorance.

Just then, a commotion arose downstairs, followed by sharp screams.

I instantly opened my eyes, and the people in the room seemed to sense something was happening and stopped their assault.

Ren Hechuan slightly furrowed his brow and told the three men, “Go see what’s going on.”

The leading man responded and headed for the door. Just as he was about to reach the handle, the door was kicked open from the outside with a bang, sending him sprawling to the floor.

Song Yu, in a black shirt and pants, appeared like a demon descending upon us.

His shirt collar was casually open, his black pants wrinkled, and a few strands of his usually gelled hair hung loose, evidence of a recent battle.

I turned my head to look at him, tears instantly streaming down my face. Only heaven knew how relieved and grateful I was at that moment.

I wanted to call out Song Yu’s name, but found myself too ashamed to do so. My lips moved, yet no sound came out, and my tear-filled eyes remained fixed on him, afraid that if I blinked, he would vanish.

Song Yu looked at me, his expression a mix of pain, anger, and fear, all laid bare for me to see. He must be disgusted with me, or perhaps mocking my naivety, or even taking this chance to humiliate me. But none of that mattered now; as long as Song Yu could get me out of here, he could think whatever he wanted.

Just then, Luo Yewen hurried over, his clothes also rumpled, suggesting he had dealt with the situation downstairs. Song Yu approached me with a grim face, and the three men immediately moved to block him, but Luo Yewen stepped in to shield him.

Ren Hechuan raised his hand to stop the three men, calmly saying, “Let him through.”

The trio obeyed and stepped aside. Song Yu reached the bedside, silently untying the nylon ropes from my wrists and ankles, his jaw clenched so tightly it trembled, emitting a chilling aura that could freeze anyone in their tracks.

I shivered, too scared to speak. Song Yu glanced at the pile of torn clothes beside the bed, his brow furrowing even more deeply, then wrapped the bedsheet around me to cover me as best he could.

“Can you walk?” he asked.

I nodded, clutching the sheet, and got off the bed. The three men seemed ready to intervene as Song Yu prepared to leave with me.

Ren Hechuan, however, calmly dissuaded them, “No need, you can’t beat him.”

The men exchanged glances, unwilling but too intimidated to act.

“Song Yu, do you think taking him away today will end this?” Ren Hechuan chuckled, lighting a cigarette, “In Hai City, no one dares to challenge me head-on. I don’t want anyone to set that precedent.”

His threatening words sent a chill through me. Ren Hechuan’s background was unfathomable. I once asked Catherine why, among all the celebrity interviews, Ren Hechuan was conspicuously absent. She simply said he was too powerful to write about casually.

I had thought someone of his stature wouldn’t stoop to such vile acts, but it seemed his status was a license to act with impunity, unchecked by anyone.

So if Ren Hechuan didn’t willingly let me go, even if Song Yu took me away today, this nightmare could repeat itself.

I was terrified, deeply, profoundly terrified. I feared Song Yu might abandon me, as I wasn’t important enough for him to defy Ren Hechuan.

Yet my hand instinctively clutched Song Yu’s sleeve, silently pleading for his help, showing just how much I needed him now.

Song Yu, please, take me away, don’t leave me behind.

Song Yu looked down at my hand, his face still tense without uttering a word, giving me no assurances which left me feeling very uncertain. Yet, he didn’t move his hand away. Instead, he addressed Ren Hechuan, saying, “Mr. Ren, my person has caused you trouble, and I take responsibility for that. I am willing to give up all the profits from the Blue Ocean Ventures project for the first five years. Would that be acceptable to you?”

Hearing Song Yu’s words, I was completely dumbfounded.

Blue Ocean Ventures was a project that Song Yu and Ren Hechuan had taken a long time to finalize, and it was one of Huanya’s key development projects for the year 2022. The profits for the first five years were conservatively estimated to be over ten billion US dollars.

Was Song Yu really willing to give all that up?

He had put so much effort into planning; wasn’t it all to gain more benefits?

How could he give it all up for me?

Ignoring my shocked expression, Song Yu continued to speak to Ren Hechuan, “I hope, Mr. Ren, you can see my sincerity and let Mr. Bai go this time.”

Ren Hechuan lifted his somewhat sagging eyelids to glance at me and then chuckled, saying to Song Yu, “President Song might have misunderstood me. At my age, I’ve long lost interest in money. I’m just looking for some excitement.”

“Bai Yu is really quite exceptional, beautiful and clever. I genuinely wanted to treat him well, but this child thought he could play me for a fool, which is unacceptable.”

Standing to the side, I grew anxious as this old man played the victim first.

“I didn’t play you! I simply refused your invitation because I had other commitments, and then you sent people to kidnap me!”

Ren Hechuan raised an eyebrow, “Oh? So, I’m the one who has wronged you?”

“Yes!” I retorted confidently.

“And who was it that took my money while agreeing to be my lover, then sent me one seductive photo after another, yet always found excuses when it came to actual meetings?”

“Bai Yu, do you think I’m like those other people you’ve hooked? Ha, young lady, one must be honest in their dealings,” Ren Hechuan said, crossing his legs and curling his lips into a sinister smile that sent a chill down my spine.

I wanted to argue, but my mouth moved without producing a word. Because in a way, I had indeed played Ren Hechuan.

But that was no reason for him to kidnap me.

Song Yu looked at me, his black pupils seeming to frost over. I could clearly hear him breathing heavily.

“President Song, I…”

I knew Song Yu must be angry. Unable to out-argue Ren Hechuan, I could only try to explain to Song Yu, hoping he would believe that things were not as Ren described. But just as I opened my mouth, Song Yu cut me off with a stern ‘hmm.’

Song Yu removed his hand from where I was clutching at his sleeve and stepped forward to ask Ren Hechuan, “Mr. Ren, how would you like to resolve this to your satisfaction?”

Ren Hechuan smiled, his voice as chilling as the cold of March, “Usually, those who dare to play me, even if they don’t lose half their life, must lose an arm or break a leg. President Song, please handle it as you see fit.”

My face instantly turned pale, cold sweat soaking the bedsheet wrapped around me in an instant. Ren Hechuan wasn’t really going to cripple me, was he?

“President Song… President Song… I…” I stood helplessly behind Song Yu, trembling like a chick about to be taken out for slaughter, unable to utter a complete sentence.

After a long silence, Song Yu finally responded, “I understand.”

As Song Yu’s words fell, he gripped his left shoulder with his right hand, yanked it back with force, and there was a loud crack.

“Boss!” Luo Yewen shouted, quickly stepping forward to push me aside, concern etched on his face. “Boss, are you okay?”

Song Yu gritted his teeth and shook his head, but the beads of sweat on his forehead betrayed the pain he was in.

I stood there, dumbfounded, staring blankly, my mind unable to process what had just happened.

Song Yu… had broken his own shoulder for me!

This was supposed to be my burden to bear.

“Mr. Ren, are you satisfied now?” Song Yu panted, his voice trembling slightly from the intense pain.

I knew it was hurting him.

Even Ren Hechuan hadn’t expected Song Yu to go this far. He extinguished his cigarette and walked over to Song Yu with a look of amusement. “Song Yu, is it worth going head-to-head with me over such a trivial thing?”

Song Yu didn’t answer directly, instead giving a faint smile. “He’s my responsibility… I didn’t teach him well… It’s on me to handle it.”

“No one else… can lay a finger on him!” Song Yu took several breaths while saying this, indicating the severity of his arm injury.

Ren Hechuan laughed heartily, nodding. “Alright, you’ve got guts. Take him with you. Just make sure he doesn’t cross me again. The Blue Ocean Ventures project will continue, and I won’t interfere.”

“You can go.”

Song Yu didn’t ask for any guarantees from Ren Hechuan. People like them, once they gave their word, they stuck to it. Song Yu wasn’t worried about Ren Hechuan going back on his word.

As we were about to leave the room, Ren Hechuan suddenly called out to Song Yu.

Song Yu stopped but didn’t turn around. I followed closely behind, too nervous to even breathe, fearing Ren Hechuan might change his mind and cause trouble.

But Ren Hechuan simply said, “Song Yu, you’ve been in the business world for many years. Don’t let clever tricks and deceit trip you up, especially not with someone close to you.”

I knew Ren Hechuan was referring to me. He must have known about my relationship with Song Yu all along but chose not to expose it.

Song Yu said nothing in response, simply walking out of the room.

Luo Yewen and I followed him out. I was relieved that Song Yu hadn’t listened to Ren Hechuan’s attempt to sow discord and abandon me.

Song Yu walked briskly, even with his injured shoulder, and didn’t say a word until we were outside the mansion. Luo Yewen went to open the car door for him. I was at a loss for words, unsure of what to say or do, feeling that anything I did would be wrong.

But asking about his injury couldn’t be wrong, especially since it was my fault.

Just as Song Yu was about to get into the car, I took a few steps forward. “President Song, your shoulder…”

Smack—

Song Yu turned and slapped me with the back of his hand. It wasn’t very painful, but it left me stunned.

I stood there, wrapped in a sheet, shivering from the cold, my face burning, staring at him, forgetting to breathe.

“Get in the car!” Song Yu glanced at my body, then got into the passenger seat.

I felt like a puppet whose strings had been cut, unable to think, only able to follow orders. Song Yu told me to get in the car, so I got in.

Luo Yewen drove the car back to Song Yu’s villa.

I wanted to ask why we weren’t going to the hospital, given Song Yu’s shoulder was dislocated. It wasn’t until Uncle Zhang came out to greet us and led Song Yu to the basement that I realized Uncle Zhang was not just a household servant; he was also a skilled surgeon. The basement was equipped with advanced medical instruments, practically a mini-hospital.

Song Yu instructed Luo Yewen to take me back to the bedroom and not let me out.

I was still in shock, unable to defy Song Yu’s orders. I returned to the bedroom, changed into the clothes I had left there before, and waited obediently, ready to apologize and thank him.

About an hour later, Song Yu pushed open the door. His shoulder was wrapped in thick bandages, and he walked in with his arm bent.

I sat on the edge of the bed, head lowered, too afraid to look at him, my fingers twisting nervously.

Song Yu sat in a chair not far from me and said calmly, “Bai Yu, from today onwards, you don’t need to go anywhere. Just stay here.”

My fingers froze, and I looked up, bewildered. “What do you mean by that?”

“Exactly what it sounds like.”

“Are you planning to lock me up?” I asked, incredulous.

“You could say that.”

“Song Yu, are you alright?” I laughed, not taking his words seriously.

“From today, you can’t step out of this room. Aunt Zhang will take care of your daily needs.” Song Yu said, pulling out a phone from his pocket and tossing it onto the bed. “This phone can only dial my private number. You can contact me anytime, and I’ll respond.”

Song Yu’s face was expressionless, as if he were discussing something trivial.

I finally realized he wasn’t joking. He genuinely intended to keep me confined.

“Why?” I demanded sharply.

“No reason.”

I was getting restless. I admitted I had made mistakes and was grateful Song Yu had rescued me, but that didn’t mean he could restrict my freedom.

“No way!” I stood up abruptly, refusing him firmly.

“Do you still have the right to refuse?” Song Yu asked, his face darkening.

“I… I… Song Yu, you can’t do this. It’s illegal detention!”

Song Yu chuckled, indifferent, and stood up to leave the room.

No, I couldn’t let him leave like that.

I quickly blocked his path, demanding, “Song Yu, explain yourself. What gives you the right to confine me?”

Song Yu didn’t answer, pushing past me to open the door.

I panicked and blocked him again, angrily questioning, “Song Yu, you-”

Before I could finish, Song Yu pinned me against the door, his hand resting beside my head, leaning down. Without his glasses, his penetrating gaze made my mouth dry.

“You want to know why?” Song Yu’s voice was deep and husky, filled with an aggressive tone. “Because you can only be mine.” With that, his warm lips pressed against mine.

Song Yu’s words left my mind blank for a moment. It wasn’t until he captured my tongue that I snapped back to reality, shaking my head to avoid his kiss, my hands pushing against his chest, careful not to touch his injured arm.

“What do you mean, yours? I refuse to be locked up.”

“Song Yu, you’re crazy. I made mistakes, and you can scold me or even hit me, but you cannot confine me!”

Just as I was about to escape from under him, he caught me by the waist, like a briefcase tucked under his arm.

The next moment, my face was pressed against the mattress.

Just when I thought Song Yu might do something, he simply warned coldly, “Bai Yu, from today, you must not step out of this room. Don’t even think about escaping, or I’ll tie you up.”

“I mean it!” The last words thundered into my ears, announcing the impending loss of my freedom.

Tears instantly welled up in my eyes, and I choked out, “Song Yu, why are you doing this?”

Song Yu stared at me for a long time, then said weakly, “Bai Yu, it seems I’ve fallen in love with you.”