Mr. Prayuth from Thailand, whom they had been waiting for the entire night, had finally arrived.
Quickly pulling someone in front of him as a shield, Duan Aoxiang rose from the floor, swiftly composed himself, and went out to greet the guest.
Ji Feng, no longer insisting on leaving, followed suit with Mr. Prayuth’s arrival.
Yet, he didn’t cast another glance at Xu Miyu, as if her inadvertent touch had deeply disgusted him, and he needed to ignore her to quell the irritation in his heart.
The hall was too noisy, so Duan Aoxiang led Ji Feng and Mr. Prayuth to the meeting room of the suite, each accompanied by an assistant.
The suite’s butler had already tidied up the bathroom. Seeing new guests, especially distinguished foreign ones, he promptly joined Duan Aoxiang, standing outside the meeting room to inquire if they needed tea or refreshments.
Duan Aoxiang gestured for her to step outside, pointing towards the large living room and instructing, “Go out there and attend to them.” He added, “Bring that person from earlier, make her come quickly to serve me properly.”
The butler’s smile, already well-trained to the point of muscle memory, slightly stiffened after hearing Duan Aoxiang’s instructions. Summoning a service staff from a lower floor was usually her command, and they assisted her. Now, the roles were reversed, and she found herself assisting the disheveled lady.
With a slightly strained smile, the butler walked away. Soon, Xu Miyu brought tea and hot towels.
Knocking on the door and entering the room, she saw Ji Feng and Mr. Prayuth sitting face to face on the sofa, with Duan Aoxiang in between. Their assistants sat in chairs behind them, backs straight, poised to follow orders.
Duan Aoxiang, acting as a mediator, was translating between Ji Feng and Mr. Prayuth, conveying Ji Feng’s words in Thai and then translating Mr. Prayuth’s responses to Ji Feng. Xu Miyu was surprised that Duan Aoxiang could speak such a niche foreign language.
She handed out hot towels one by one, followed by serving hot tea. After completing her service, she intended to retreat to the room’s entrance.
However, Duan Aoxiang stopped her.
“Hey, you, where do you think you’re going?” He glanced around the room and noticed Ji Feng’s slight frown upon hearing him call the service staff. Seizing the opportunity, Duan Aoxiang changed his mind about letting her leave.
“Come here, stand next to me. Keep your eyes sharp, be ready to bring me tea, water, or towels at any moment, understood?” Since she seemed to make Ji Feng uncomfortable, he decided to keep her close between him and Ji Feng on the sofa.
As they would be discussing crucial matters in Thai, which she couldn’t understand anyway, it wouldn’t be a problem.
Xu Miyu glanced at the position Duan Aoxiang indicated for her.
Right next to Ji Feng.
She quickly raised her eyes once again.
Ji Feng, expressionless, lowered his eyes coldly.
His demeanor suggested that even a mere glance from her might tarnish his eyes.
She hadn’t done anything overly intrusive, just absentmindedly tugged at his sleeve.
How could he act as if he found her repulsive to the core?
She had grown somewhat numb over the past period, almost indifferent to whether others liked her or not. However, Ji Feng’s attitude shattered her numb protective shield. She was forced to awaken her former people-pleasing self, the Xu Miyu who feared making others angry or disliked.
Duan Aoxiang urged her, “Hey, you, what are you standing there foolishly for? If our hotel had a contest for the most foolish and silly employee, you’d definitely win first place! Hurry up and come over!”
Xu Miyu lifted her foot and walked to the gap between Duan Aoxiang and Ji Feng on the sofa.
Duan Aoxiang began his diplomatic role, turning into Duan, the translator.
Addressing Ji Feng first, he asked, “Lao Ji, how was my Thai just now? Fluent, right? I told you tonight you didn’t need a translator; I’m enough for you!”
Ji Feng looked at him, lifted the corner of his mouth, and smiled, “You said it, if I insist on bringing a translator after what you’ve just said, wouldn’t that be slapping you in the face?”
Duan Aoxiang continued, “Exactly! Lao Ji, let me tell you, these years of being sent to Thailand for transformation by the old man haven’t been in vain. I’ve mastered the local language quite well. You, on the other hand, have studied in the US, UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan, but skipped Thailand. This is perfect; I’m here to complement your skills!”
With a slightly flushed face, probably from the alcohol, his cheeks still tinged with red, Duan Aoxiang’s words seemed to excite him even more.
Ji Feng raised his half-lidded eyes, looked at Duan Aoxiang, and smiled again, “Isn’t that a coincidence?”
This smile, though cold, exuded a mysterious charm.
Standing next to him, Xu Miyu could understand why Duan Aoxiang was assertive with everyone but actively sought approval from Ji Feng. Ji Feng seemed to possess a strange magnetism; despite the signals of cold detachment he emitted, he managed to attract others who wanted to break through that icy barrier and stand by his side.
“It’s getting late; let’s get down to business,” Ji Feng instructed.
Duan Aoxiang gestured okay and then, with a glance at Xu Miyu, said, “My tea is cold.”
Xu Miyu quickly bent down to replace his cold tea.
Without teasing him further, Duan Aoxiang turned to Prayuth, and the conversation between them resumed.
After serving Duan Aoxiang, Xu Miyu approached Prayuth to replace his tea.
After finishing with Prayuth, she hesitated on whether to replace Ji Feng’s tea. Given his disdain, she felt unsure even about fulfilling basic service standards, fearing it might turn into an unpleasant encounter.
However, an assistant behind Ji Feng gave her clear instructions, gesturing for her to come over and indicating that she should replace Mr. Ji’s cold tea.
Feeling like someone rescued from a predicament, she went over to replace Ji Feng’s tea.
Perhaps due to nervousness, she accidentally tilted the tea cup after pouring it. Tea and leaves flowed onto the floor, wetting the carpet.
Apologizing quietly, she knelt down to clean up the mess.
She could almost sense Ji Feng’s gaze filled with disdain without needing to look up.
Duan Aoxiang, Prayuth, and their conversation came to a pause. Duan Aoxiang turned to tell Ji Feng what Prayuth had just said, but in that brief moment, he noticed Xu Miyu kneeling and cleaning the tea stains. He couldn’t help but comment, “Quite clumsy!”
Xu Miyu swiftly cleaned up the mess, returning obediently to her original place.
Duan Aoxiang informed Ji Feng, “Lao Ji, just now, I confirmed with this Thai gentleman. He genuinely wants to sell his properties in Thailand to liquidate assets. If you’re genuinely interested in acquiring these properties, he won’t contact other buyers.”
Ji Feng raised an eyebrow, expressing interest in reviewing Prayuth’s property list and valuation.
Duan Aoxiang started conveying messages back and forth between Ji Feng and Prayuth.
After a lengthy discussion, Ji Feng informed Duan Aoxiang, “Tell Prayuth that I’ve decided to acquire his properties.”
Duan Aoxiang immediately translated this to Prayuth.
Then, turning back to Ji Feng, Duan Aoxiang continued, “Lao Ji, Prayuth says it’s settled. He’ll send over the written documentation of the properties. After you confirm, we’ll arrange another meeting to finalize the transaction details. How does that sound to you?”
Ji Feng nodded in agreement.
Duan Aoxiang turned to Prayuth and conveyed Ji Feng’s stance.
After a long string of words, Duan Aoxiang and Prayuth exchanged smiles. Xu Miyu glanced up at them.
Prayuth stood up, adhering to Thai etiquette, and bowed to Ji Feng, expressing his pleasure at the preliminary cooperation.
She glanced at Duan Aoxiang, who turned back to Ji Feng, eagerly awaiting Ji Feng’s praise.
Then, she looked at Ji Feng. His lips slightly curved, he smiled gently, eyes flickering with a blend of coolness and sensuality. He casually concealed his sharpness, thanking Duan Aoxiang, “Thank you for your efforts.”
After saying that, his gaze shifted, inadvertently meeting hers.
He quickly averted his eyes, as if she were the most unbearable existence, as if another second of looking at her would mean his demise.
Xu Miyu moved her lips, withdrawing her gaze.
The unspoken disgust and aversion in Ji Feng’s eyes rendered her speechless.
Finally descending from the top floor after completing everything, it was already very late.
Duan Aoxiang enjoyed translating and didn’t bother troubling Xu Miyu again. Seizing the opportunity, Xu Miyu hurriedly descended the stairs.
As she descended, the housekeeper of Duan Aoxiang’s suite didn’t give Xu Miyu a friendly look. Even the muscle memory of forming a smile seemed reluctant.
She said to Xu Miyu, “Miss Xu, right? You’re quite something, replacing me the first time you come up. You’re indeed talented.”
Amidst her sarcasm, Xu Miyu entered the elevator.
She leaned against the elevator wall, feeling mentally exhausted.
Even though she hadn’t done anything wrong, why did it feel like everyone in that upper world hated her and accused her?
When the elevator reached her floor, she let out a sigh, walked out after putting down her face, and took a deep breath. She went to the locker room, ready to change out of her uniform and leave for the day.
Just as she finished changing, her phone, lying in the locker, vibrated.
Xu Miyu sighed. The locker room was silent, and her sigh echoed against the walls.
With no one around, she answered the call.
Xu Mibao, without any pleasantries, dove straight into the matter.
He asked Xu Miyu for money, claiming it was their mother’s request, and both elder sisters had contributed. Since their elder sisters had already paid their share for his mortgage, now it was her turn.
This night had been too exhausting for Xu Miyu.
She was tired to the point of almost lacking the energy to be angry.
Holding the phone, she, in a cold laugh, asked Xu Mibao, “What misfortune have I encountered? Why am I tied to a man like you for a lifetime? How can you have the audacity to ask me for money? As a grown man, are these the actions befitting a man? You still rely on me to live even now; don’t you have any self-respect?”
After saying this, she hung up the phone, firmly pressed the power button, and turned off her phone.
Leaning against the cabinet, she took a breath and felt the anger and fatigue subside from the scream that was about to burst out.
Her hand shook a bit as she reached into her pocket and pulled out a piece of chocolate, tearing open the wrapper and placing it in her mouth.
The taste of bitterness followed by sweetness spread in her mouth, gradually calming her emotions.
She breathed out, stood upright, locked the locker, and walked out of the dressing room.
As her footsteps gradually faded away, behind the row of lockers, there were faint rustling sounds.
The two who had been lazily lying on the bench in the dressing room, hiding behind the last row of lockers—Ke Wenshui and Yin Xiang—had both sat up. They exchanged a glance.
Ke Wenshui spoke first, “Xu Jie has it tough enough. No wonder she looks so haggard. It turns out there’s such a scoundrel at home needing her to support!”
Her tone held sympathy, but that sympathy, nourished by clandestine gossip, seemed very excited.
Yin Xiang, more rational and indifferent, said, “What’s tough about it? What kind of path isn’t walked by one’s own feet? With such a rotten man, she should have kicked him out long ago instead of keeping him around to share life. That’s her own choice.”
Ke Wenshui, rolling her eyes at Yin Xiang, said, “Yes, yes, yes. If it were you, Miss Yin, a man with no money and no abilities, you would have kicked him to the western heavens long ago!”
Yin Xiang didn’t let Ke Wenshui have the upper hand, retorting, “How am I inferior to you? If the head of the dining department, Li Kunlun, were the head of the dining department and not just a delivery guy, you would have long been in a relationship with him!”
Ke Wenshui immediately corrected her, “Don’t talk nonsense. Li Kunlun and I are pure gossip friends, not like what you’re suggesting.”
Yin Xiang continued to taunt her, “I’m really in awe of you, Li Kunlun, and, oh yes, Lu Xiaoyan from the front desk. The three of you are like the gossip department of the SWI Hotel. Each one of you is the chief of the gossip department. Your department monopolizes all the gossip in the entire hotel!”
Ke Wenshui laughed and playfully hit her. The two of them exchanged words and laughs, both having changed and finished their shifts.
The next morning, Xu Miyu emerged, looking worn out, engaging in the dirty and tiring work that a rotten man who couldn’t support himself required her to do. Thanks to the efforts of the gossip department members, this news had already spread throughout the entire hotel, from top to bottom.
Even the top level.
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