Xu Miyu glanced up towards the sound of approaching leather shoes to see the Housekeeping Division manager, Feng KaiXin, walking over – the one who’d been subtly targeting her at every turn lately.
Her heart sank as a sense of impending gloom seemed to coalesce clouding over her.
“Xu Miyu right?” Feng KaiXin abruptly addressed her.
Rare for him to actually remember her name. His extreme irritation towards her was likely why her unimportant name as a low level staff got engraved clearly into memory.
“You brought private affairs causing a scene and immense negative impact on the hotel’s public image. I’m hereby notifying your formal dismissal!”
Hearing Xu Miyu was getting fired even Jiao Xiuwei momentarily went silent.
But she swiftly grasped this wasn’t the outcome she wanted at all.
She merely hoped accusing Xu Miyu before the masses would humiliate her daughter, destroying that inexplicable rebellious streak making her revert to the compliant Third Xu Sister of past who would obediently hand over pay and hidden savings towards younger brother’s debts.
If Xu Miyu got fired everything became empty bubbles.
This definitely wasn’t her desired result.
Jiao Xiuwei instantly released Xu Miyu, springing upright from the floor to confront Feng KaiXin: “On what grounds’re you firing my daughter?! Who d’ya think you are, the big boss?! I’ll have you know I understand laws! Random dismissals require compensation payouts!”
Feng KaiXin just smirked coldly down at her: “And who am I? Her direct superior! Is this groundless termination? Look around – how many eyes are watching you make a scene now? Calculate the reputational damages you’ve brought the hotel today! You dare mention compensation to me? Keep dreaming! If I carefully tally today’s reputation loss afraid you’ll have to sell ancestral lands to pay it off!” Another mutter followed.
“Country bumpkin biddies discussing terms with me, amusing stuff!”
Hearing this Jiao Xiuwei blew her lid completely: “Whatcha mean country bumpkin?! We country bumpkins dig up your ancestor’s graves?! Your dad’s generation were farmers too ain’t it?! That’d make you worse if landlords, I’ll report you for questionable thinking plus unhealthy influences!”
Clearly Feng KaiXin hadn’t dealt with someone so tiresome before. He too got enraged beyond coherent rebuttal, just standing there speechlessly jabbing fingers towards Jiao Xiuwei. Already whispers and mobile recordings began in the peripheries.
Mortified with anger Feng KaiXin urged observing crowds against filming and to disperse while venting everything onto Xu Miyu: “Xu Miyu can’t you control your insane mother here?! Still feel you’ve not shamed or troubled me enough?! Was I indebted you past life that you must torment me so this life?! Hurry resolve your family circus!”
He’d barely finished when Jiao Xiuwei’s voice rang out again: “How dare you speak like that! With your quality how’d you become a leader?! You call my family’s business circuses look who’s talkin’! Saying my daughter torments you, whatcha insinuating?! Got some affair going on?!
Her rambling grew increasingly nonsensical until Xu Miyu couldn’t stand it anymore, sharply cutting her off: “Jiao Xiuwei, you done making scenes?!”
First time ever she addressed Jiao Xiuwei by full name. Jiao Xiuwei immediately whipped around cursing “You little wretch, how dare…”
But meeting Xu Miyu’s expression caused her voice to subside on its own.
Xu Miyu’s eyes were bloodshot, face contorted hideously as if ready to violently explode any second. Never had Jiao Xiuwei witnessed her so enraged before. She was actually intimidated into silence by this Xu Miyu.
“Haven’t you thought at all about leaving me even a shred of dignity?! Or you just wanna torment me to death either way huh?! Fine, I’ll die before you then! But you can keep me company!”
Xu Miyu snarled these words while dragging Jiao Xiuwei outside. Right across was the busy traffic filled avenue. Just one impulsive dash would easily enable mutually ensured destruction.
Xu Miyu moved too swiftly and decisively for anyone to react preemptively. Even Feng KaiXin couldn’t react swiftly enough to have Xu Miyu restrained.
But just as she was about pulling Jiao Xiuwei to dash out a shadow flitted rapidly to Xu Miyu’s side, seizing hold of her.
Xu Miyu struggled violently trying breaking the person’s grasp, still hoping to charge out. Her mind set on ending everything decisively for both herself and Jiao Xiuwei right here right now.
A cold voice tinged with disgust sounded then.
“This is your so called desire towards change and cutting family ties? Through suicide? That your limit of capabilities?”
Like sledgehammer those words heavily slammed her ear drums.
She calmed, no longer struggling or rushing outside. Jiao Xiuwei also snapped out of shock hurriedly shaking loose before fleeing back into lobby. Shaken, she jabbed fingers cursing whether Xu Miyu was now mentally deranged.
Glancing up Xu Miyu realized it was Ji Feng who had grabbed her.
Looked like he hadn’t left at all, standing by watching the entire spectacle unfold until her rash decision to pull Jiao Xiuwei mutual suicide when he rapidly reacted first, seizing her back.
Xu Miyu couldn’t decide whether this man counted as lifesaver now.
Mutely she let Ji Feng tug her off to the side.
She then heard him crisply issue arrangements: “Go inform those recording to delete their footage. Use excuse my presence there violates privacy rights. If resistant warn Legal Affairs can pursue them directly.”
“Next relay to that woman unless she wishes daughter unemployed or dead, cease making trouble immediately. Here, wear my watch meeting her. Find some chance dropping it before her and claim she did it. Recite original value plus repair fees demanding compensation. She’ll likely scram soon as you pretend dialing the police.”
Speaking Ji Feng removed his watch handing it over to Xue Rui.
Xu Miyu watched numbly on the sidelines as Xue Rui dispersed recording crowds then smoothly handled the once intimidating Jiao Xiuwei.
Everything hotel lobby management should have resolved yet was helplessly stumped by now easily settled courtesy of some VIP guest’s assistant instead.
Dispute resolution accomplished Ji Feng glanced over at the stupefied Xu Miyu ordering her: “Come with me.”
Xu Miyu didn’t understand his intent through the cryptic phrase.
“Why should I go with you?”
“If you’re not coming then keep waiting to get fired?” Voice still icy, even tinged with impatience.
Xu Miyu remained rather unclear regarding Ji Feng’s actual meaning.
Just then Feng KaiXin strode up declaring towards Xu Miyu: “You’re staying put! Sorting your family spectacle upending things inside out, I want you promptly completing termination procedures this instant!”
Only now did Xu Miyu comprehend what Ji Feng had meant by “come with me” earlier. He’d already expected the imminent outcome she was soon facing next and preemptively strategized solutions to intervene on her behalf.
Unfortunately she failed grasping his foresight capacities. He seemed unlike anyone else, able seeing ten steps ahead when most saw only one. Calculating accurately everything about to happen and preplanning seamless countermeasures.
No wonder his wealth and vantage perspective high above ordinary from the top floor.
Who else possessed such capabilities?
Regrettably her slowness resulted botching his overt goodwill setup.
Xu Miyu thanked Ji Feng and prepared following Feng KaiXin for resignation processing.
Yet Ji Feng seized her again pulling her back behind him before directing Feng KaiXin instead: “Your administrative floor Supervisor, her Thai is rather decent. I will require her at my penthouse assisting me translate documents plus receive Thai clients for these upcoming days.”
Sensing Feng KaiXin on the verge of protest Ji Feng swiftly headed him off: “Any difficulties arranging that over there? Let me call your owner directly then.”
Right before dumbstruck Feng KaiXin he instructed Xue Rui ringing the hotel magnate himself. Without personally getting on the line himself Ji Feng simply stood aside, aloofly overlooking the shorter Feng KaiXin as he had Xue Rui liaise everything on his behalf.
Soon Xue Rui passed the phone to Feng KaiXin: “The boss wants you directly.”
Accepting the phone snatches of deep male voice could vaguely be discerned lecturing Feng KaiXin about esteemed Guest Ji’s utmost importance and ensure absolute satisfaction towards every requirement lest dog legs get broken! Too busy to entertain more, quickly comply and that’s it!
The previously single handed Feng KaiXin unconsciously returned phone call finished with both hands fully cupped together now.
Post handover his glower lingered heavily on Xu Miyu for several protracted seconds. Myriad messages transmitted through that look.
Sheer dumb luck encountering this Ji Feng! Just you wait, soon as he checks out I’ll handle you proper!
Next his gaze shifted onto Ji Feng. Formerly hateful with vows of protracted vengeance now transformed into cordial fawning.
“Esteemed Mr Ji please know that after owner instructions your needs hold top priority for us! Absolutely guaranteed best efforts assisting you from Housekeeping Division! Oh right, you mentioned needing Supervisor Xu Miyu for penthouse translation support an entire week correct? By all means take her fully at your disposal, I will ensure her optimal cooperation on your behalf!”
Ji Feng completely ignored him.
Instead he looked straight at Xu Miyu once more.
Same remote voice as earlier, still edged with impatience. Uttering identical previous phrase.
“Come with me.”
Only difference was by now Xu Miyu understood these words from him had safeguarded her job.
With orders issued to Feng KaiXin, Ji Feng directly exited the hotel with Xue Rui and Xu Miyu following.
Ji Feng’s car was already parked by entrance. Xue Rui opened the doors allowing Ji Feng’s entry before settling into shotgun seat himself.
Xu Miyu hesitated whether boarding alongside.
Before overthinking herself into awkwardness she decisively yanked the rear handle entering the vehicle.
The instant door pulled open she was met by Ji Feng’s quirked brow clearly questioning her intent.
“I’ve got business dealings to attend, surely you’re not coming along too?” His tone contained traces of disbelief.
“Didn’t…didn’t you say back there to come with you?” Xu Miyu mumbled confusedly.
One lifted lip corner later he retorted, almost derisively amused: “Just because I dared saying it you actually dared believing too?”
“Can’t you distinguish which among my words were truthful or merely expedient excuses helping you keep that job?”
Xu Miyu lowered her head.
His true false flip flopping words plus mercurial moods really made him so hard deciphering…
“Oh forget it, go mind your own affairs.” Ji Feng curtly dismissed her after, watching Xu Miyu to voluntarily shut the doors afterwards.
Standing outside stupefied Xu Miyu remained stationary until Ji Feng quirked his fingers at her impatiently.
She shuffled forward again blankly expecting instructions.
“Before scurrying off could you shut the door first at least?” He asked flatly, as if slightly exasperated over needing clarifying such basic step.
Xu Miyu swiftly backed up before heavily slamming the door close.
Bam!
Seated inside Ji Feng silently massaged his temple.
Up front Xue Rui fiercely suppressed laughter.
Sensing herself overexerting force Xu Miyu grew somewhat flustered. Impulsively she moved compensating by promptly reopening the car door again.
Ji Feng gave a small start glancing up, about to ask what she wanted.
Bam! Once more the door got firmly shut. Though lighter than earlier the abruptness still made him twitch slightly.
By now Ji Feng’s brows were tightly bunched.
Rolling down the window he snippily asked her: “Something against my car having doors or what?”
Xu Miyu swiftly bent over apologizing before hurriedly spinning around towards hotel.
Ji Feng kneaded his brow, on verge losing all remnants of tolerance.
“Xu Miyu get back here!”
She halted, spinning back around nearing his window awaiting instructions.
“Did your ma knock you silly just now or something? Where’s your brain? I helped excuse your departure to protect that job and you wanna just prance back continuing throwing yourself freely into the tiger’s jaws? Are you afraid he still can’t find pretext firing your ass?! How exactly do you think?!”
His words remained as unsavory as always yet for some reason Xu Miyu felt obscure warmth instead of the usual inferiority or vexation.
Her own flesh and blood sought bleeding her bone dry. Superior was prepared axing her soon as she gave cause. Yet the man before her utilized harshest wordings helping her retain employment and urging her back resting.
Through the window Xu Miyu bowed towards Ji Feng in heartfelt gratitude.
Caught off guard by her sudden gesture Ji Feng swiftly cranked the window up, woodenly commanding the driver depart immediately.
Xu Miyu watched the car merge into traffic before turning around towards dormitories.
Lying exhausted atop her bunk post events felt temporally distant already somehow.
Jiao Xiuwei’s hotel lobby spectacle thoroughly chilled her heart.
Her determination towards decisively severing all ties grew firmer. Never again would she compromise principle or boundaries merely due to Jiao Xiuwei’s wailing threats.
She figured fearing potential lawsuit over that watch Jiao Xiuwei likely wouldn’t reappear soon.
Even if eventual return she already decided handling things herself through direct police intervention next time. Jiao Xiuwei clearly knew no shame so why should she? If escalating chaos eventually made retaining hotel position untenable she would under no circumstances compromise again. Simply resign moving elsewhere instead. But she absolutely refused enabling any further greedy ambitions from Jiao Xiuwei in the slightest ever again.
Because she yearned living with dignity like an actual human from here onwards.
Seeking to live with basic human dignity only at thirty…hopefully not too late a start.
After resting awhile sorting out thoughts and soothing nerves Xu Miyu rose from bed.
First visiting the market purchasing premium beef cuts plus some fruit. Then the grocery store for spices and ingredients. Lugging everything back to dormitory building. The door guard auntie downstairs had a portable induction cooker with cookware letting Xu Miyu charm her way into polite borrow after showering praises towards the amenable auntie’s receptive ears.
Returning upstairs she began preparations braising meat.
Fortunately everyone still hadn’t gotten off work. Only door guard auntie received scent wafts from her floor, nimbly pattering up steps tracking Xu Miyu’s room through sheer aroma.
Soon as meat finished braising Xu Miyu first presented two slices to elated auntie who accepted with gleeful grin, nearly insisting on permanently gifting over the cooker and cookware hypocritically wanting routine future recipe shares.
Xu Miyu promised distributing portions to auntie whenever she cooked anything else in future. The auntie was soon trying dragging Xu Miyu along facing the cooker together making worship kowtows.
Before bedtime Xu Miyu received call from supervisor Yang notifying administrative coordination of her penthouse translation assist duties for the upcoming week, everyday tasks temporarily delegated towards other supervisors as proxy.
Some acidity still lingered in departing words right before supervisor Yang disconnected though: “Quite capable aren’t you Miyu, even possessing such specialized skills. You’ll likely get headhunted for rapid ascension soon, administrative level unable to retain you at this rate!”
Xu Miyu swiftly uttered streams of gratitude towards supervisor Yang’s substitution support.
After hanging up Xu Miyu pondered Ji Feng’s dedication maintaining the facade’s integrity right down to even informing administrative level’s side over there.
Early next morning Xu Miyu packed away the braised meat into tiffin carrier bringing it over to hotel.
Instead of administrative housekeeping section she went straight upstairs towards penthouse.
Her singular remotely noteworthy skill was this braising so she wanted expressing thanks for yesterday’s assistance through a meat gift.
Approaching Ji Feng’s suite both doors were flung wide open. A breakfast cart was parked outside. She softly rapped twice without response so peeked inside. Ji Feng sat on the spacious living area’s sofa, brows tightly bunched staring at the coffee table. A bowl of congee and small plate of braised meat laid atop the surface not unlike some toxic potion instead of meal from his scrutinizing manner.
Beside him the despondent Xue Rui pleaded fruitlessly: “Boss, just choke down a few bites please! Chef Chen’s off duty today so it can’t be helped. This meat he personally seasoned though, the apprentice’s skills might not match his standards completely…but shouldn’t fall too far off…probably…”
Wilting instantly when Ji Feng lifted cold eyes towards him mid false assurance.
“Let’s try again shall we.” Ji Feng suggested, tone lightly mocking.
At once Xue Rui’s face morphed into utter righteous indignation: “What’s with this place?! Only Chen Laoshi’s* meat is edible, everything else from these chefs just what exactly are they doing?! Call this stuff even fit for humans?!”
Hearing desired response Ji Feng’s visage gradually smoothed out in satisfaction.
Watching this exchange by the doors Xu Miyu was partially dumbstruck yet also partly regretting her audacity bringing self made braised goods before such persnickety character.
This extremely finicky eater turned up nose at even the hotel chefs’ cooking. What prospects could her humble fare face…
Musing this she unconsciously hid behind herself.
The box bumping against door resounded clearly.
Both men glanced her way.
“What’re you hiding back there for?” Ji Feng watched her askance, tone vaguely mocking. “If you don’t wanna bring it then don’t, but hiding stuff after lugging it over, what’s that about?”
Xu Miyu got somewhat flushed from the verbal jab. She wondered how Ji Feng managed conferring such sharp piercing effect using not a single vulgar word.
Bringing container before the two men she placed it onto the table rather timidly explaining: “This…these are braised beef I made myself but probably not very good… P-please don’t feel obliged trying any Manager Ji…”
The self deprecation was simply habitual inferiority complexes making habitual appeasing utterances.
Yet Ji Feng merely quirked a brow derisively parrying: “Not very good then why expect me sampling shoddy wares?”
Once more Xu Miyu found herself wordlessly stumped.
Witnessing her simultaneous blow towards confidence and self esteem Xue Rui sympathized a bit before bending over lifting container lid.
The instant seal broke the confined aroma exploded outward enticingly.
Inhaling the fragrance Xue Rui had to admit it compared well against the chefs’ renditions.
But Ji Feng’s preferences were extraordinarily nitpicky while Xu Miyu was merely an unremarkable full time housewife before. However skilled her efforts they still couldn’t surpass hotel chefs with professional culinary certificates.
So even just humoring a taste would already give Xu Miyu much face from him.
Mind made up Xue Rui selected a pre sliced braised piece depositing it into the congee bowl for Ji Feng’s reluctant attempts coaxing at least one bite Boss, just one.
Ji Feng’s mien overflowed disgust and refusal.
Yet he didn’t explicitly reject, eventually half consenting conveying the morsel along a congee spoonful past reluctant lips.
But the instant it entered expressions drastically transformed.
Beside him Xue Rui observed series of changes, heart lurching as he figured uh oh, imminent explosive rage and flung projectiles declaring even chicken feed superior etcetc.
He witnessed Ji Feng’s arm extend, bracing himself – here comes the cutlery weaponry!
Yet what happened next nearly bulged his eyeballs out their sockets.
Instead of discarding utensils Ji Feng merely lowered them towards the tiffin box spearing up another slice before direct consumption!
Then repeating action stabbing for additional pieces…
Simply continuing eating sizable chunks.
Xue Rui watched this surreal development stupefied. Did he genuinely find it delicious or was forcibly ingesting?!
Meanwhile Xu Miyu’s earlier elevated heart now cautiously redescended natural position.
Suddenly Ji Feng glanced over questioning her: “You close with Chen the chef?”
Xu Miyu blanked then shook head. Sensing impending speech he talked over her: “No…that’s not right. Careful savoring yours tastes differently from his. Less chewy than his renditions.”
Again Xu Miyu’s heart shot upwards.
After brief pause Ji Feng stared straight at her adding: “But more lingering flavors compared to his.”
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