Ji Feng’s rare praise made Xu MiYu feel suddenly dizzy, as if struck on the head. Unexpectedly, even acknowledgement from such a fault-finding man elicited tingling delight.
Beside, Xue Rui also reacted astonished by Ji Feng’s reversal. He had never heard his boss compliment any mundane home cooking, always nitpicking even famous chefs imperfectly.
Burning with curious appetite, Xue Rui secretly snatched chopsticks off the table to sample slices of the braised beef on the sly, thoughtfully chewing…
He promptly lit up, eyes widening in realization! No wonder such an unexpected review from Ji Feng – incredibly delectable indeed!
After initial taste, self control vanished. Under guise of Ji Feng asking Xu MiYu about spice combinations, he deftly kept shuttling chopsticks into the takeout box, rapidly transporting pieces into his own mouth…
With the last few slices left, reaching mid-swipe Xue Rui got abruptly smacked on the hand by Ji Feng.
“Still going at it? Two slices should’ve sufficed. Did I imagine things just now?” he intoned frostily.
Sheepishly laying the utensils down, Xue Rui reluctantly licked his lips before bestowing an enthusiastic thumbs up towards Xu MiYu. “Heavens, MiYu sis! Your braises put Chef Chen’s completely to shame!”
Ji Feng mocked disdainfully at once, “One bite of food and casual address comes spewing out? No sense of propriety?”
Xue Rui’s sudden form of address also briefly astonished Xu MiYu before shy smiling blossomed.
Spurred by contraband tastes, Xue Rui shamelessly fawned again, “Please MiYu sis! Share your sublime beef secrets! With such braising talents, open up shop!” Utterly sincere exhortations.
Xu MiYu smiled quietly to herself while slowly shaking her head… For likes of Ji Feng and Xue Rui, launching eateries probably just two simple words. But ordinary commoners like herself faced steep hurdles merely selecting premises and registering licenses first, not yet broaching capital requirements.
“Actually I casually prepare small batch braises, just hoping loved ones can happily eat their fill. Adopting my time intensive methods for efficient sustainable scalability essential for shop ventures simply unfeasible… Factoring all costs, required profit margins would push pricing beyond sane affordability. And truthfully, nothing uniquely proprietary whatsoever! Simply extended patience during preparation enables anyone identical replication after sufficient home trials. So not viable competition either! As long as personal efforts delight those I care about, commercial aspirations hold little attraction for now!” Xu MiYu softly chuckled while steadily explaining to Xue Rui.
He found her unhurried cadences somehow pacifying, himself lulled into comfort hearing her words.
Ji Feng the nitpicker boss remained unsettled as always, actively seeking faults. Noticing her verbose tendencies acting up, brows arched challengingly. “Explaining so much, your real message – spent lavishly on costly top notch ingredients, exhaustive personal exertions and selfless dedication creating such masterpieces? Xue Rui, tally up her accrued costs plus interest later as compensation.”
Xu MiYu frantically waved her hands, denying vehemently, “No no! Please don’t misunderstand! I didn’t mean emphasizing extravagant costs or efforts whatsoever! And I certainly don’t expect any form of payment either! Just, just trying to convey heartfelt gratitude for yesterday’s appreciated assistance! And uh…some other matters…”
Ji Feng just cocked his brows skeptically again, instantly negating. “Don’t recall having excess time for random assistance rendering. Your mother the actual nuisance irritating me yesterday.”
Xu MiYu paused briefly before telltale laughter bubbled up, seeing through his convoluted evasions clearly.
Features dipping modestly, teeth capturing stray strands of hair near gently fluttering lashes. Her transformed countenance seemed infused by some maverick enticement, unexpectedly captivating…
As Xue Rui admired her vision, sudden musings struck – physically just thirties yet with brighter smiles, many younger misses would envy, effortlessly ensnaring helpless throngs.
Redirecting his attention hastily aside before impropriety took root, unwittingly his gaze met Ji Feng’s – he too had been arrested by that singular smile.
Sensing Xue Rui’s glance, Ji Feng promptly narrowed his eyes, veiling all hints of prior affinity. Unhurriedly lifting bowl to lips, the final slivers of beef between thoughtful chews. Yet peculiar disruptive thoughts blindly meandered towards glimpses of Xu MiYu’s radiance amidst fireworks under starry skies.
For her smiles had somehow illuminated the night uniquely – outshining dazzling pyrotechnics perhaps, or invigorated by them… Abrupt stuttering halt jarred when deeper implications surfaced. He still deemed that fireworks show exceptionally stunning for some reason. Had repeatedly instructed Xue Rui’s reenacted balcony displays seeking to recapture associated magic and beauty. Yet later iterations all rang hollow, missing unspecified essence.
Surely absent vividness couldn’t correlate to lacking wide smiling eyes during those recap bursts?!…
Ji Feng finished breakfast and directed Xue Rui on documents retrieval errands back at his corporate office before lazily relaying, “Feel like playing hooky. Just bring work files for my perusal.”
After Xue Rui exited, Ji Feng sat scanning news on his tablet. Meanwhile Xu MiYu hovered uncertainly almost three meters from the sofa, hovering aimlessly. Unsure if dismissing herself rudely presumptuous or proper. Thoughts on proactively offering replenished tea got quashed by fears of disturbing his relaxation.
She found facing this man too emotionally conflicting without solid footing. First his blatant contemptuous disdain aside, even their single climactic encounter hadn’t thawed residual revulsion whatsoever… Quite the opposite. Everything in his scowling demeanor screeched utter mortification over temporary lapse in sanity with her. So very clearly conveying wishes for lifetime banishment from his sight to bury triggers of such disgust…
Yet slowly, subtly, she sensed him undergoing minute deviations beyond reflexive gag reflexes when sighting her. Wholly unexpected minute considerations somehow manifesting despite such deprecated lowly self…
When had the gradual imperceptible shifts really commenced?
Pondering deeply, Xu MiYu traced the pivots to right after informed of her divorce by Li KunLun. Since then vestiges of thawed callousness emerged, glimmers of selfless efforts awakening her from stunted mindsets not solely for selfish gains…
But why would her failed marriage matter to him at all?
Xu MiYu under no delusions whatsoever here! Never entertaining ludicrous pathetic fantasies like abrupt eligibility perking dormant hopes or anything laughable… She was just a failure divorcee lodged firmly at life’s bottom rungs while Ji Feng orbited regally at the apex peering down at existences beneath perfection. She literally estimated better odds of armageddon over Ji Feng glancing her way, ever!
So her divorce – what exactly prompted his minute shifts in assessments? This puzzle still utterly confounded her…
Just then, a familiar aloof voice pierced her meandering thoughts.
“Xu MiYu.”
She instantly started, asking if he needed anything.
Ji Feng regarded her peculiarly instead, no hurry in responding. “Daydreaming just now? Needed calling thrice before you registered?”
Flushing, she mumbled about pondering more ways expressing gratitude.
He quirked a brow. “Already pronounced yesterday’s events had zero to do with helping you. That nuisance mother simply aggravated me. So if thanks relate to that debacle, completely unnecessary.” Cool detached clarification.
“N-not just yesterday’s dispute,” Xu MiYu swiftly placated, turning earnest. “Also wanted to thank you for those candid harsh words during that furious rainstorm… No one ever gave me such blunt awakening jolts before then…”
Pausing briefly to steady sudden nervous breathing and twisting fingers, she mentally prepared herself for a long-overdue catharsis.
“My personality since youth… outsiders probably perceive lack of aggression as spineless. I badly crave familial warmth and recognition. To obtain crumbs, I perpetually acquiesce to their endless impositions without protest.” She inhaled sharply. “Truthfully, I do wish to escape their distorted smothering trappings. But lifelong immersion left me clueless on how to break free…”
“My ex-husband heavily criticized this harmful dynamic too. He loathed their escalating overreach and exploitation. Yet for all his complaints, nothing constructive either, beyond seething silently or tagging along, fulfilling their every whim anyway… right up until claims of no longer tolerating things before his affairs, then divorce…”
Xu MiYu’s breathing grew more labored. “Still, never once did he advise me on constructive approaches before the end. Even afterward, he insisted we could resume the old status quo of satisfying my family’s demands if I just canceled divorce proceedings…”
Words grew more impassioned the longer she spoke. Not daring to meet Ji Feng’s eyes, fearing his expressions might quell her courage midstream.
“But your harsh rebukes finally illuminated necessary paths for me. Chastising my spinelessness, commanding establishing personal limits on indulgences. Encouraging decisiveness cutting irredeemably harmful contacts… Reminding permissible self-prioritization…”
Xu MiYu paused here, short of breath. Agitation over long-stifled confessions colored her cheeks.
Mustering enough nerve to steal a glance assessing his reception so far, immense relief! No signs of impatience or disgust! Just tranquil open listening while she bared her soul bit by bit.
Fortified by nonjudgment, she pressed boldly onwards. “It’s not willful sabotaging tendencies or masochistic clinging to toxicity! I simply lacked mentors demonstrating better coping mechanisms… With the slightest guidance, I can thrive beyond imagination!”
Xu MiYu’s eyes shone animatedly. “Thank you, Ji Feng! However much you disdained and despised me, it was precisely that aversion which jerked me awake when I desperately needed saving most!”
Once the floodgates split, her tongue only grew bolder. “Fine, I admit your methods were quite harsh, and you’ll surely rebuff lending assistance. But repudiation towards my worst self back then rendered the critical impetus spurring change! So in that sense, your distaste effected monumental awakening slaps for me! Thanks for forcing me to finally examine my being’s deepest recesses!”
Xu MiYu finally finished verbalizing her avalanche of bottled-up thoughts. After gradually reining lingering excitement under control, she consciously steadied wayward emotions. Although residual exhilaration still simmered through, tinting her visage in delicate florid hues.
Mild mortifications then surfaced over her minor loss of composure. Worrying she had monologued extensively without any remarks from Ji Feng, who just sat there steadily observing her.
Abruptly, he crooked a finger, beckoning her over. Flustered, she complied despite foggy confusion.
From his seated vantage, Ji Feng coolly pronounced, “Wasn’t meaning you.”
…Huh?
Whipping around, Xu MiYu saw Xue Rui had returned, standing just inside the doors clutching a stack of folders.
She promptly turned fiery crimson, hastily scurrying back to her original station. Then realized no need for embarrassment even if Xue Rui had overheard everything. Since it was her candid true feelings and beliefs laid bare.
This understanding finally helped calm her nerves completely.
Xue Rui greeted Ji Feng’s summons and presented delivered documents. Ji Feng started scanning the papers while cursorily discussing company matters.
Feeling commercial affairs beyond her purview, Xu MiYu discreetly tried slipping away. But sharp commands instantly rang out before she finished pivot turns.
“Stand there!”
She froze, uncertain if addressed to her.
“Yes, Xu MiYu, you! Did I dismiss you?” Ji Feng lazily drawled out.
“…..” Speechless, she scrambled back obediently.
Abruptly a file came flying over. She barely reacted fast enough, catching it against herself.
“Go translate this Thai corporate memo by the 3 pm deadline.” Curt instructions tossed out.
Xu MiYu stared blankly. He really meant those translation assistance offers literally?! She had assumed it just convenient excuses protecting her job…
Fingering thickness, butterflies swarmed anxiously.
“Just the main content please. Exclude attachments.”
She swiftly flipped through, relaxing slightly. The main body only spanned a few pages, the rest just supplements.
Exhaling in relief, sudden barks made her jump nervously again.
“Unclear on commands?”
She frantically shook her head – no lack of clarity; then nodded – perfect comprehension.
“Then what’s with the bobbling bird motions?”
“…..” Mortified, Xu MiYu instantly whisked the folder against herself making beelines towards the study.
After she disappeared, Xue Rui noticed Boss Ji promptly relaxing his deliberately maintained aloof facade. Unable to contain curiosity, he ventured, “You… meant that translation seriously?”
Still not glancing up, Ji Feng lazily retorted, “Provide some distraction task; otherwise, her standing around aggravated me.”
Xue Rui almost blurted she had tried leaving originally until summoned back against her wishes!
But he managed to swallow back the protests, focusing instead on just preserving his cushy job.
Suddenly, Boss Ji unexpectedly asked about probing Xu MiYu’s personality dimensions. The first-ever request assessing any woman thus!
Momentarily thrown, hasty unfiltered responses flew out. “I feel she’s the kind of woman defying all conventional assumptions – when anticipating collapse, she not only perseveres but brings unexpected reversals! Seeming weak and spineless yet truly enduring with hardy resilience. And later realize her perceived flaws merely stem from zero guidance on proper behavior…”
Noticing pensive reactions, Xue Rui threw caution to the wind, asking the urgent question burning inside. “Boss, may I boldly inquire when you started softening principles where she’s concerned?”
Ji Feng looked confused, rebutting cluelessly. “Softening principles? Regarding her? Oblivious on my part too it seems.”
Unable to squelch his curiosity, words kept spewing forth. “Yes, you do maintain one inviolable habit possibly without conscious awareness! Upon discovering deficiencies eliciting aversion or disgust in others, you judge them unworthy of bothering over henceforth. I assumed identical attitudes towards Xu MiYu initially. But clearly you not only actively meddle in her affairs, it’s nothing stemming from affection either, since repugnance still starkly evident. So… why interfere on her behalf at all?”
His candid analysis perplexed even Ji Feng himself momentarily over his own illogical actions.
After careful reflection, he traced the deviations back towards a singular realization – his mother faced an identical scenario with an adulterous husband. Yet for all her outward bluster, she ultimately lacked the courage to demand a divorce.
In contrast, Xu MiYu seemed a pathetic putty, acquiescing meekly to all exploitation. But that seemingly insignificant speck exhibited far more guts, separating decisively despite foreseeable hardships.
Something Xue Rui said held water. She did own resilient steel. Outward humility and deference completely masked formidable tenacity.
With multitudes crumbling from just half her oppressions, only the purportedly weakest one not only withstood crushing hostility but managed repeated spectacular counterstrikes! Beyond tenacity, she also cleverly leveraged advantages benefiting herself against overwhelming odds…
Most vitally, the singular reason he had dedicated precious efforts towards her awakening – she maintained proactive self-improvement mindsets without self-pitying laments. Merely required guides on concrete steps for achieving amazing outcomes.
Like an oasis sprout staunchly weathering fierce sandstorms, silently yet doggedly clinging onto slender hints of budding life against deprivation. Because even that barest green lifeline meant everything for her survival.
This jarring epiphany shocked Ji Feng – realizing his excessive waste of mental abilities dissecting someone so tremendously flawed!
He promptly aborted further analyses. Nobody should be occupying his thoughts to such magnitudes, she or anyone else. Even hypothetical future partners.
Witnessing his mother’s plight engraving cautionary wisdom – permitting others influence over his emotions too dangerously foolish and insecure…
Hastily withdrawing, he corrected Xue Rui. “My principles and habits refrain fluctuations for anyone. But you raise fair points. I may dislike her marginally less presently.”
Inside the study, Xu MiYu worked translating Ji Feng’s Thai corporate memo alongside provided online databases assisting professional terminology. Although business contexts flowed over her head, steady patience afforded accuracy.
She deliberately marked every unfamiliar term for exhaustive lookups to guarantee utmost precision. If lending language services here, flawlessness was mandatory.
Gradually, it emerged as a property ownership transfer memorandum. Ji Feng had acquired a mixed-used estate in Thailand – an art museum with valuable collections – now negotiating a sale to a Japanese consortium.
Inventory digital cataloging with photographed samples plus artistic and era backgrounds. Interspersed within several pieces, telltale symbols marked particular entries – clearly Ji Feng’s handwritten demarcations. Just indicating unique unspecified attributes warranting attentions for unclear reasons.
Combing through attached authentication reports revealed detailed provenance elaborations on representative materials, techniques, meanings, valuations and artists’ identities. But minimal expanded coverage on creators themselves.
With ample time left, Xu MiYu systematically researched those paintings bearing annotations.
One salient commonality surfaced swiftly – every designated piece had ethnic Han Chinese artists! After repeated verification, their backgrounds showed Chinese nationalities indeed.
Reviewing the selection logic, Xu MiYu deduced nationalist repatriation motivations.
Admiring his David recovering Goliaths approach immensely while also turning anxious – her earlier confirmation sweeps indicated additional undeserved oversights!
Right when mutual agreements neared finalization between Ji Feng and the Japanese envoy, Xu MiYu hastily bustled tea refreshment offerings as a pretext for discreet low murmurs. “Mr Ji, please forgive my presumptions. But further scrutinizations revealed one mis-categorization from upstairs. Aside from already marked twelve cultural salvages, an additional one authored by Chinese hands after all! Just obscurations from an unusual name and mistaken foreign attributions initially. But I’ve verified proper ancestry – he still qualifies for heritage preservation!”
Noticing his unwavering attentions steadfastly tracking her, she whispered self-consciously, “Maybe just… one extra for repatriations?”
She trailed off when his scrutiny persisted, wondering if overstepping bounds.
His mouth lifted, hinting almost a smile but not quite defined enough. “Followed everything just now? Beyond Thai, Japanese fluency too?”
In mute admission, Xu MiYu slowly nodded.
Ji Feng looked pleasantly astonished. Xue Rui echoed similar reactions. Then Xu MiYu clearly glimpsed curved lips – he had absolutely smiled this time!
“Never cease upholding that element of surprise.”
Leave a Reply