For several consecutive days after work, Xu Miyu had been going up to the top floor suite to cook meals for Ji Feng.
It was rather amusing to think back on. Based on Ji Feng’s initial level of dislike and disdain towards her, it seemed he wished she didn’t exist in this world.
Who could have expected that now not only did he rely on her to sleep, he relied on her for meals as well.
Her presence had never felt stronger.
It had to be said, although Ji Feng was icy-faced and sharp-tongued, when it came to people working for him he didn’t hold back at all. As his part-time cook Xu Miyu was making very good pay per day, which left her quite satisfied.
After leaving the top floor suite last night, Xu Miyu received a call from Yin Xiang. There was urgency and panic in Yin Xiang’s tone as she told Xu Miyu, “Manager Feng just told us to go be scene fillers at another one of his dinner parties. None of us want to go, what should we do Sister Mi?”
Xu Miyu told them to have everyone say no to Yin Xiang. Just make the excuse of work arranged by the supervisor that prevents them from leaving.
Having only recently been borrowed to work at the top floor suite, Feng Kaixing probably wouldn’t dismiss her outright due to consideration for Ji Feng’s face. If he wanted to get rid of her it would take some time first, to avoid seeming like opposing Ji Feng.
Indeed after the girls used the excuse of work arranged by the supervisor that they couldn’t get away from, Feng Kaixing did not force them anymore. The administrative department girls were relieved that night. But Xu Miyu heard that girls from other floors had suffered misfortune the next day.
With the administrative floor girls now declined, Feng Kaixing called up girls from other floors instead. Among them one girl was plied with so much alcohol she ended up hospitalized.
After hearing about last night’s events the next day when Xu Miyu arrived at work, she thought over it for a long time. Mustering tremendous courage she carefully wrote a letter, spending a lot of time deliberating over the wording before sending it to Sway Hotel Chairman Wei Siyuan’s email.
She had found Chairman Wei’s email when tidying up the study in the top floor suite, taking advantage when she was cleaning up for Ji Feng. That was the first time she had more closely observed the belongings of others. She felt it was highly inappropriate but had no other choice.
She could only silently apologize while memorizing Chairman Wei’s email address from his name card case.
She hoped the content she sent would capture Wei Siyuan’s attention, if he wished for Sway Hotel to become even better.
Before the email was sent she had been rather nervous. But oddly, after it was truly delivered she instead felt lighter, as if relieved.
She carried on working as usual. Around the time when she was nearly off work that afternoon, Xu Miyu suddenly received a call from Guest Room Manager Feng Kaixing in the office.
Her heart gave a thud, uncertain if this was good or bad news.
Feng Kaixing asked her directly over the phone, “Xu Miyu, you think someone is backing you now right? Just you wait, I’ll get even with you soon enough! Right now, get your housekeepers to tidy up the best executive suite on the administrative floor immediately! Fruit, hot towels, tea water, get it all prepped and ready! Then take some people to wait by the elevators to receive the guest! Let me tell you, the people I’m welcoming today is the newly instated Vice President of Majestic Tours. If you cause me any trouble I won’t let you off!”
Xu Miyu didn’t even get the chance to respond before he hung up.
She didn’t know if she should let down her guard for now.
But when Feng Kaixing mentioned Majestic Tours her thoughts couldn’t help wandering for an instant. That was Nie Yuchen’s company.
Shaking her head to dismiss these stray thoughts, she placed the handset back on the phone and swiftly began taking action, calling Ke Wenxue, Yin Xiang and Luo Qingping. The few of them together swiftly tidied up the best executive suite, preparing fruit plates, fresh flowers, hot towels and hot tea until everything was perfectly arranged. She then informed the front desk they were ready to check the VIP guest in at any time.
With the supervisor away today she led the few service girls to stand by at the elevator entrance to await and welcome the guest.
When the elevator doors slowly slid open and the occupants walked out, Xu Miyu was stunned for a full second.
The newly instated vice president Feng Kaixing welcomed so enthusiastically turned out to be Nie Yuchen.
So he had already been promoted to Vice President, Chairman Hu Tu had really taken good care of him. Fundamentally it was still her culinary skills maintaining that connection for Chairman Hu.
Beside Nie Yuchen was the extremely pregnant Lu Zhenzhen. She held Nie Yuchen’s arm, an arrogant and provocative expression as she glanced at Xu Miyu.
Feng Kaixing stepped back to make way and let them exit the elevator.
The moment he turned to look at Xu Miyu however, his earlier enthusiasm instantly cooled. He told her, “Still foolishly standing there, hurry and show the President and Madam Nie the way back to rest in the room!”
Xu Miyu greeted them perfectly in line with service etiquette, calm and unruffled.
Her unconcerned composure greatly displeased Lu Zhenzhen.
Lu Zhenzhen silently looked Xu Miyu up and down. It seemed she had been promoted for she was wearing a new uniform. The uniform cinched in her slender waist and outlined her straight, well-proportioned legs. She looked even better figured than before.
What was most infuriating was it appeared she had been resting well lately. The shadow of divorce also seemed to have faded from her state of mind and she looked to be in wonderful spirits. Her entire demeanor and expression seemed different from the past.
She actually looked even more vibrant compared to when Nie Yuchen kept her cooped up at home doting on her. This vitality somehow made her appear slightly more beautiful than before.
Previously her beauty had been shallow, merely skin deep. But now damned if an indescribable charm had been added. That charm made her seem more self-confident and determined, even more seductive.
As Lu Zhenzhen sized up Xu Miyu, she couldn’t help silently clenching her hands into fists.
She had deliberately sabotaged the furniture at home for an excuse to call someone over for repairs. Taking advantage she used worry for her unborn child as justification, asking Nie Yuchen to bring her stay at a hotel. Moreover she specifically chose the administrative floor where Xu Miyu worked.
She actually wanted to come flaunt things to Xu Miyu. To make that old woman who couldn’t give Nie Yuchen a child bear witness with her own eyes – the one she carried was a precious son, and Nie Yuchen had now been promoted to a high position as Vice President.
She wanted to swagger and show off to Xu Miyu, to let her see that with her replacement position she and Nie Yuchen were living even happier now.
Yet oddly, at this first meeting today she instead felt that the one outshone was her bloated, sallow pregnant self.
Her mood soured. Glancing at Nie Yuchen she discovered he was actually shamelessly staring fixedly at Xu Miyu. That gaze was attentive and suppressed ardor to the extent he forgot propriety.
Resentment and hatred churned in Lu Zhenzhen’s heart, her teeth nearly grinding audibly in anger. She forcefully suppressed her ill mood, smiling as she shook Nie Yuchen’s arm. Gentling her tone she said, “Dear, what are you spacing out for. I’m tired, let’s hurry back to the room.”
Nie Yuchen finally pulled his gaze away from Xu Miyu with difficulty at her prompting. He started walking forward.
Feng Kaixing hurried to keep up, chatting with Nie Yuchen as they walked.
“President Nie, anything you need just tell me. I can satisfy all your demands!” He threw Nie Yuchen a meaningful look.
He believed Nie Yuchen had his eye on Xu Miyu. He wanted Nie Yuchen to know that he was willing to help handle his desired woman. But at the same time he also needed their continued mutually beneficial cooperation.
“Now your company has grown huge with orders increasing every year. If you’re satisfied staying here this time, then bring your future guest reservations to me. You won’t need to go through the Marketing Department to sign anymore, just sign directly with me. I’ll give you the same terms as what the Marketing Department offered you before, plus I can provide kickbacks they can’t! Don’t worry, because of my special status at Sway Hotel I have this power. I can accomplish what I promise!”
Walking ahead to lead the way, Xu Miyu heard these words and suddenly understood why Feng Kaixing treated Nie Yuchen so politely. He wanted Nie Yuchen to send tourist reservations for the administrative floor’s suites under his jurisdiction instead, so that once this department’s revenue increased he would give Nie Yuchen a cut. He wanted to bypass the hotel’s Marketing Department and directly pocket commission that should have gone to them.
Xu Miyu was inwardly shocked. Outwardly the hotel maintained an orderly, official appearance. Yet internally it had already deteriorated to the point the Guest Room Department could directly pilfer business from the Marketing Department?
The more she dug into things, the more shocking incompetence she discovered in this hotel’s management.
She even wondered, at this rate could the hotel even be salvaged?
But the present situation did not permit her to ponder excessively.
She warmly and properly settled Nie Yuchen and Lu Zhenzhen into the suite, the same as she would any unknown guest.
Extremely polite, neither servile nor overbearing.
Not gloomy and cowering like the past.
Feng Kaixing chatted a bit longer but saw Nie Yuchen disinclined to continue so he took his leave first. Before exiting he added, “Xu Miyu, you must take good care of President Nie and Madam. Otherwise I’m holding you accountable.”
These words seemed to grant Lu Zhenzhen courage and leverage.
After Feng Kaixing departed Lu Zhenzhen called Xu Miyu to a stop. She began venting the unhappiness in her heart, nitpicking all sorts of demands to order Xu Miyu around.
Yet unlike the past, Xu Miyu no longer yielded and acquiesced to everything in a servile, obsequious manner.
Whenever Lu Zhenzhen made excessive demands trying to humiliate Xu Miyu, she would calmly yet firmly refuse.
Lu Zhenzhen said her legs were swollen and feet hurt, demanding Xu Miyu massage them.
Xu Miyu promptly used the intercom to contact the Recreation Department. “Please send a massage technician up to the executive suite on the administrative floor. The guest requires massage service-” She turned to Lu Zhenzhen. “-Expenses charged to the room bill for settlement later, alright Ma’am?”
Lu Zhenzhen smiled. “No need for a technician to come up.”
Xu Miyu spoke towards the intercom. “The lady says it’s fine without one.”
Hearing this displeased Lu Zhenzhen. “What’s with acting like I’m making trouble out of nothing? I told you to massage me, not to call up some technician. Do you understand?”
Xu Miyu smiled. “My apologies Ma’am but professional services should be provided by professionals. I’m the Guest Room Chief Attendant, my duties revolve around cleaning up dirt. Massages are not within my job scope. Would you like me to include you under people requiring my cleaning services?”
Lu Zhenzhen’s expression darkened. “Are you mocking me as dirty?”
Xu Miyu maintained her smile. “Ma’am I believe you are overthinking. Will there be anything else? If not I shall take my leave first to avoid disturbing yourself and the President resting.”
Lu Zhenzhen called for her to stop. “Wait!”
She took a look at Nie Yuchen.
Ever since entering the room he had been completely silent. Yet he quietly watched everything occurring inside, his gaze lingering on Xu Miyu’s face more often than not.
Unable to endure it, resentment and hatred tortured Lu Zhenzhen’s heart. She decided she could not let Xu Miyu off so easily. She must find a way to humiliate her!
She found fault with the bedding being unsatisfactory, pulling it apart then demanding Xu Miyu remake the bed.
Xu Miyu showed no irritation. Peacefully she remade the bed anew.
Lu Zhenzhen said the bathroom was dirty, demanding Xu Miyu reclean it. Xu Miyu took off her uniform jacket, rolling up her sleeves as she went to clean up the bathroom.
Lu Zhenzhen instantly regretted this. She was simply giving Xu Miyu a chance to show off her figure! With only the white shirt on her upper body looked even better outlined. Her tiny waist cinched in by the shirttails appeared slender yet strong. And her chest remained high and full despite that.
Glancing down at her own unflattering pregnant figure, Lu Zhenzhen grit her teeth in frustration ordering Xu Miyu, “That’s enough! No need to clean the bathroom anymore. Pour me a glass of water, I’m thirsty.”
And so Xu Miyu went to get her water. The water dispenser was located beside the sofa where Nie Yuchen sat.
Xu Miyu moved as if not seeing him at all. She bent down to fill up a cup. Her shirt stretched taut over her chest and cinched around her waist.
Nie Yuchen watched her, gaze scorching.
Unable to stand it, Lu Zhenzhen began mocking and ridiculing. “Can you put on your clothes! Stop brazenly seducing another woman’s husband!”
Only then did Xu Miyu turn an idle glance towards this other woman’s husband, as if only just discovering there was a man present in the room.
Within those eyes lay boundless scorn and mockery.
It clearly could cut straight to the heart, yet also somehow still came off coquettish.
Nie Yuchen shifted his sight painfully away.
Xu Miyu ignored him. She carried the refilled cup over to Lu Zhenzhen.
Yet the instant Lu Zhenzhen accepted it, she abruptly lifted a hand wanting to splash the water into Xu Miyu’s face.
It was as if Xu Miyu had predicted this would happen. She managed to grab hold of Lu Zhenzhen’s wrist just in time, preventing the splash.
“Lu Zhenzhen,” Xu Miyu smiled beautifully, smiling charmingly as she mimicked Lu Zhenzhen’s gentle tone of voice. “Have you become more retrogressive? Using the same old tricks over endlessly? And trying moves I’ve already discarded? Think of some fresh ideas ba. Keep gnawing on my discarded leftovers and soon you’ll lose all novelty.”
Lu Zhenzhen’s expression turn ashen.
Xu Miyu took back the water cup, placing it to the side. She picked up her uniform jacket preparing to take her leave.
Lu Zhenzhen promptly asked her, “Xu Miyu, is this how you serve people? Aren’t you afraid I’ll report to your manager and have him fire you?”
Xu Miyu looked at her watch. It was already much later than her usual hours. She had to hurry and change then go cook for that tyrannical master upstairs otherwise he would kick up a huge fuss. His temper far exceeded that of the lady before her now when roused.
Xu Miyu walked out calmly and peacefully.
No longer appearing miserable and self-loathing like the past.
After Xu Miyu departed, Nie Yuchen received a call from his company asking him to urgently return and deal with an emergency situation.
When he left, he specially admonished Lu Zhenzhen, “Stay here quietly, stop causing trouble for no reason. I can still tolerate you only for our child’s sake. If you keep making all this chaos then even the child can’t save you.”
Resentment filled Lu Zhenzhen but she obediently nodded in acquiescence.
After Nie Yuchen left, the resentment in Lu Zhenzhen’s heart came surging out, wantonly spreading across her face.
She refused to admit defeat to Xu Miyu just like this when she should have been the one glorying in her position! Xu Miyu was married for six years without children and now older too. What grounds did she have to compare with her? What justified having to swallow insult before that old woman?
Recalling Nie Yuchen’s harsh parting words she placed a hand on her protruding belly.
No matter. Although his words had been harsh he wouldn’t bear to abandon the child. After all he had agreed to marry her for this child’s sake. His treatment of her afterwards was decent too.
Having made her decision, a trace of maliciousness flashed over Lu Zhenzhen’s face. She got up taking her room key and exited.
Coming out from the changing room, the first person Xu Miyu saw was Lu Zhenzhen.
She stood there like a guardian deity lying in wait. One look and you knew she was there blocking Xu Miyu’s path deliberately.
Xu Miyu did not want to bother with Lu Zhenzhen. She had to get upstairs to earn her daily wages. It was already slightly later than her usual hours. Any further delay and who knew what sarcastic comments that difficult to please person would say.
She calmly told Lu Zhenzhen, “Excuse me please.”
Not only did Lu Zhenzhen refuse to make way, she took a step closer instead until she stood face-to-face before Xu Miyu.
She challengingly watched Xu Miyu. “Do you know, what I detest most is your current attitude. Worthless yet occupying the best things? Always making people feel grateful to you huh. You said it was you who helped me obtain Yuchen, what abilities does a useless housewife have that enabled you to help me? Even coming out to work you’re just a lowly service attendant. Yet you actually dare to stand there spine straight and proud. Tell me, what right does a servile attendant like you have to stand with such upright posture?”
Xu Miyu laughed. It turned out Lu Zhenzhen was so shallow. Too superficial for her to even want to reason much with.
The venting tirade she came to unleash precisely showed that things were not actually as wonderful as she wanted to boast.
Although disinclined to quibble over personal grudges, Lu Zhenzhen had just trampled over an entire profession. This was something Xu Miyu could not tolerate.
She straightened her tone informing Lu Zhenzhen. “There is no hierarchy between professions. All industries fundamentally exist to serve others. You comparing yourself to an attendant does not make you any nobler. So please rein in that baseless sense of superiority. Also, please excuse me. My shift is over.”
Yet Lu Zhenzhen still refused to budge. Not only refusing to move, her lips also quirked up tauntingly.
“Glib tongues are so annoying. No wonder Yuchen didn’t choose you but picked me instead.”
Xu Miyu sighed. She should make Lu Zhenzhen accept one fact. “Lu Zhenzhen, you need to understand one thing clearly. Nie Yuchen was someone I voluntarily gave up. While you, picked up another woman’s discarded man to treasure.”
Her gaze looking at Lu Zhenzhen brimmed with mockery.
Lu Zhenzhen was completely incensed by Xu Miyu’s gaze. Gritting her teeth maliciously she gave an ominous chuckle. “Xu Miyu, why are you trying to show off arrogantly before me? By what right? Fine, I’ll tear off that vicious face this instant. Let’s see how arrogant you can remain afterwards!”
As she spoke she took another step closer towards Xu Miyu, smiling the entire time. Then abruptly she swayed dizzily as if about to lose balance and fall.
Xu Miyu reflexively reached out to support her.
In that instant Xu Miyu distinctly saw a trace of malevolence flash through Lu Zhenzhen’s eyes.
The next moment, taking advantage of Xu Miyu’s supporting hand, Lu Zhenzhen’s entire body crashed backwards falling heavily onto the floor.
Xu Miyu watched her in disbelief as she lay half sprawled on the floor, clutching her belly with a pained expression.
She couldn’t imagine that just to frame her, Lu Zhenzhen would actually ruthless endanger her own unborn child.
In the next moment Xu Miyu heard Lu Zhenzhen yelling without dignity, “Help! Quick, someone call your manager here! Someone tried to harm me!”
Feng Kaixing had not left work yet today. Hearing the VIP pregnant lady had met with an accident, he promptly reappeared at the administrative floor.
He carefully helped the moaning Lu Zhenzhen up from the floor and supported her into his large office.
He ordered Xu Miyu not to leave work and to follow them into the office as well.
Clutching her stomach, Lu Zhenzhen put on an expression of enduring pain. Feng Kaixing loudly urged for an ambulance to be called immediately.
A number of people congregated curiously outside his office, stretching their necks trying to make out what exactly was happening inside.
Lu Zhenzhen stopped Feng Kaixing. Putting on an appearance of someone willing to endure wrong in order to smooth things over, she said, “Forget it. I don’t want to make a big deal out of things happening under Manager Feng’s jurisdiction either. No need to call an ambulance for now. I’ll sit for a bit and rest then I’ll be fine.” As she spoke she stroked her belly, seeming to be calming herself.
Yet Feng Kaixing remained uncertain if Lu Zhenzhen had truly avoided mishap or not. Afraid that any accident might occur leading to real trouble, without the extra income then he had no choice but to insist Lu Zhenzhen go to the hospital for an examination.
And so Lu Zhenzhen once more adamantly guaranteed that her earlier fall shouldn’t have impacted the baby. She was merely frightened and her heart wounded. But she needed an explanation for these mental and emotional hurts.
Feng Kaixing promptly asked what she wanted in explanation.
Lu Zhenzhen raised a hand pointing straight at Xu Miyu standing nearby. “This attendant has offended me several times but I didn’t hold it against her. Yet today she directly pushed me to the ground, trying to harm me and my child! Manager Feng, I ask that you give me an explanation this instant. I demand your hotel immediately fire her!”
Sitting in the top floor suite, Ji Feng checked his watch for the second time.
By this hour that woman would usually have already come up to begin preparing dinner. But today she was much later and still no sign of her. She also didn’t inform Xue Rui ahead of time if something had come up.
Ji Feng did not have the habit of waiting for anyone, nor would anyone dare make him wait for no reason.
So very soon he became impatient. Irritably he told Xue Rui to call Xu Miyu.
Only the call kept ringing with nobody picking up. Calling several times it was always the case.
Ji Feng instantly flared up in a fit of temper. He blamed Xu Miyu, “How can she be so unprincipled and disregard punctuality like this? Has my treatment of her been too good recently so she thinks I won’t take issue? Not only is she late but gave no notice ahead of time. Now she won’t even answer calls after the fact. What is she playing at? Thinking I won’t take her to task?”
The crankier he became from annoyance, the more Xue Rui didn’t dare chime in, afraid of accidental injury.
But Ji Feng’s vexed and fiery temper still impacted him.
After Ji Feng finished scolding Xu Miyu from afar, his verbal assault suddenly switched targets right onto Xue Rui. “Assistant Xue, are you a wooden dummy just standing there like an idiot? Why don’t you go find out what’s going on and bring that person up to me? Trying to starve me to death or something?”
Xue Rui instantly fled the suite in panic, diving into the elevator. He didn’t even dare dally one bit, afraid Ji Feng’s wicked flames might scorch his bottom at any time.
Not long after, Ji Feng received a call back from Xue Rui.
Xue Rui spoke at rapid fire speed. “Boss! Or how about you personally come take a look yourself down in the Guest Room Manager’s Office? Whoa! The situation is way too chaotic now. Sister Mi is getting attacked from both flanks!”
Ji Feng’s brow furrowed slightly. He asked what happened.
Xue Rui went on, “From gossip information I previously got from the hotel whisper vine plus what I’m currently seeing, I suspect it’s Sister Mi’s ex-husband’s uppity new favorite joining forces with Guest Room Manager Feng Kaixing. They seem bent on kicking Sister Mi out of the hotel! The accusation is Sister Mi pushed a pregnant woman down!”
He didn’t even get to finish expressing feeling shocked before Ji Feng’s cold voice cut in. “If you keep hem-hawing, won’t my meal ticket successfully get fired already? Just directly tell me the crucial final bit next time. Cut out all the unnecessary setup!”
Xue Rui choked on his words at the scolding.
Meanwhile as Ji Feng spoke he was already swiftly walking to the elevator. He hung up, swiped his card, pressed floor number and the Close Door button. Kept pressing it to speed up door closure.
His entire set of actions fluidly executed at top efficiency.
By the time Ji Feng arrived outside Feng Kaixing’s office, he saw a number of people already gathered there rubbernecking.
Feng Kaixing had an extremely stately office. It used double doors that were currently wide open. It seemed someone deliberately wanted everyone to see what a vicious woman Xu Miyu was.
From among the crowd of spectators at the entrance Ji Feng located Xue Rui. He was currently engrossed in watching the lively scene, completely oblivious to his arrival.
Ji Feng walked over to stand beside Xue Rui. He suddenly clapped Xue Rui’s shoulder.
Xue Rui jerked back to his senses. Turning his head he saw Ji Feng. Lowering his voice he called out, “Boss!”
After looking over the situation inside, Ji Feng asked Xue Rui, “Just watching the show out here? How come you didn’t go in to support Xu Miyu?”
Xue Rui blinked. He truly understood now that the boss was anxious over losing his meal ticket. However—
“Don’t need me in there! Sister Mi isn’t timid anymore. She can hold out the fort for a good while herself. I’ll just watch from out here first.”
Ji Feng couldn’t help quirking a brow. “Then why did you ask me to come down?”
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