Xu Miyu clearly felt that Ji Feng was rather unusual last night. Not only did he not send Jiang Zhichun home, he came back and drank with her and Xue Rui until late.
Then regarding his girlfriend candidate, or should-be girlfriend, or perhaps already girlfriend? —— She came to subtly probe her the next day.
Just what had happened? Or was currently unfolding?
Xu Miyu forcefully reined in her own thoughts. If she pondered any further, not only would her ideas run wild, but a certain throbbing sensation in her chest seemed ready to spiral out of control too.
But that absolutely could not be allowed to lose control. She absolutely must not be moved.
Because things without a possibility had no qualifications for losing restraint.
She didn’t wish to directly tell Jiang Zhichun that later the boss did in fact drink alone with us for a bit. Why interject such a meaningless detail between the destined couple? It would only transform into a small thorn that gnawed at the future lady during recollections, invariably ruining her mood.
Yet lying was also out of the question. Hence facing Jiang Zhichun’s query on whether Ji Feng drank a lot when leaving last night, she smiled and answered with another question instead — when Ji Feng saw you out, he wasn’t drunk right?
Clearly this response wasn’t the affirmation Jiang Zhichun hoped for. Too vague and ambiguous rather than definitive certitude. She wanted to ask more but just then a commotion erupted from the hotel entrance.
Xu Miyu hurried over to take a look.
Turned out an old granny passing the hotel exterior had suddenly fainted.
Xu Miyu swiftly called for people to support the elderly woman indoors. She turned questioning the subordinate who just got ordered out to clean the exterior — meeting Xu Miyu’s eyes, he instantly emphasized that outdoors was very clean without any water stains or smudges. The lady and granny’s falls were purely coincidental!
Hearing this Xu Miyu felt somewhat relieved, realizing the granny’s collapse wasn’t due to the grounds. At least her conscience wouldn’t be as heavily burdened.
After being assisted inside, the elderly woman gradually awakened though still appearing rather dispirited without much vigor.
Concerned that too much movement might aggravate discomfort, Xu Miyu directly requested fetching over a chair for the granny to sit on and some water for her to drink.
As the aged woman slowly sipped, Xu Miyu inspected her condition.
She looked to be at least 70 years old, face covered in wrinkles and complexion weather-beaten. Together with the washed-out clothes, life didn’t seem affluent.
A wisp of compassion swelled faintly in Xu Miyu’s heart.
Everyone in the lobby clustered around the old woman, monitoring her status.
Outdoors, a Rolls-Royce gradually approached.
Catching sight of it, Jiang Zhichun instantly rose from her cafe seat and limped towards the hotel entrance.
“What happened to the granny?” She asked upon arriving at the crowd.
The aged woman was still slowly drinking, swallowing with difficult sluggishness.
Overhearing Jiang Zhichun, she halted then looked up at her to rasp in a parched voice hoarse from dehydration, “The Ah Hua accompanying me is missing. I’ve been searching everywhere for her these last days. Have any of you seen my Ah Hua?”
Jiang Zhichun promptly responded, “Your daughter is lost? Then you can’t wander around yourself, hurry and report to the police!”
The elderly woman seemed to lack strength for explaining or correcting anything further. She only gave another heavy-hearted grieving bow of her head and continued drinking.
Nearby receptionist Deng Rong opened her mouth in a lowered volume for both Xu Miyu and Jiang Zhichun to hear, “I know this granny. She lives in the shanty houses right outside the building I rent, not far from here. She stays alone, seemingly widowed and childless, only accompanied by a yellow osmanthus flower cat. But her cat got hit and killed by a car about a week ago. Neighbors broke the news yet she refused to believe it, insisting the cat just went missing. She hasn’t been eating or sleeping properly for days, just wandering around searching for her cat. sigh At her age roaming like this every day, how can her health withstand it?”
Jiang Zhichun was extremely distressed, voice and demeanor softening in that delicate poignant way universally adopted by kind girls whenever their benevolent natures were touched. “This granny is truly pitiful!”
Right then Ji Feng entered through the lobby.
Surveying the clustered crowd, he darkened his face, furrowed his brows, and frigidly questioned, “What’s going on here? Messy clutter.”
Before Xu Miyu or anyone else could explain, Jiang Zhichun stole the lead to tell Ji Feng, “This granny fainted outside. I ordered them to carry her in. If this impacts the hotel, the decision lies fully with me too. Don’t blame the others!”
Brimming kindness and consideration for others shone in her eyes. She rushed to shoulder all responsibility.
Everyone else in the lobby traded looks between Jiang Zhichun and Xu Miyu, on verge of speaking up yet holding back.
Quietly receptionist Deng Rong whispered beside Xu Miyu, “Why do I feel something’s off? She acts like she’s covering for us but somehow took all credit?”
Although only audible to Xu Miyu, her murmuring nevertheless drew Ji Feng’s notice.
He looked over with a swivel of his head. Deng Rong instantly shrank back.
Xu Miyu met his scrutinizing eyes and swiftly said, “Manager Ji please don’t worry, we’ll swiftly handle things here without affecting hospitality service.”
Ji Feng appraised her a glance, frown between brows slightly smoothing out, displeasure upon entering evidently abating. Glancing past the crowd he instructed for the elderly woman, “If hospitalization is required, directly charge fees to the hotel.”
Having relayed instructions he then turned intending to head upstairs, taking for granted Jiang Zhichun and Xue Rui would follow.
But Jiang Zhichun called him to a halt.
When he looked back, Jiang Zhichun gazed pitiably at him. Smiling in that purely innocent apologetic way children do, she indicated her leg and said, “I also took a fall coming here…my leg really hurts!”
The insinuation of pain hampering unaided mobility couldn’t be more blatant.
She watched Ji Feng expectantly — expecting him to stride over under public eyes without further ado and sweep her straight into his arms princess-style before carrying her upstairs.
Yet Ji Feng merely quirked a brow and instructed Xue Rui, “The hotel should have wheelchairs. Bring one over.”
Xue Rui instantly obeyed. But swiftly returned with unhappy news — quite awkwardly all guest wheelchairs were already borrowed out, leaving none spare.
Jiang Zhicheng positively sparkled upon this report. Innocent maidenly anticipation glimmered in her eyes.
“The hotel should also stock crutches. Fetch a pair.”
—— No one anticipated Ji Feng’s next directive.
In no time Xue Rui retrieved crutches.
Helping wedge them under Jiang Zhicheng’s arms, he watched her features clearly transform from thrilled expectation to injured grievance.
Her ensuing silence brimmed with resentment. Resentful that Ji Feng preferred granting her wheelchair or crutches over personally princess-carrying her even once.
Xue Rui silently shook his head beside them.
This young lady truly didn’t comprehend Ji Feng enough.
This man put on lofty pretentious airs but in fact hadn’t even dated before. How could he understand maidenly sensibilities? Everyday public intimacy like hand-holding or hugging made his straight-man fibers cringe in disgust halfway to death. Let alone something like forcibly pinning against a wall or princess-style carrying under public eyes — thoseacts ranked nuclear warhead levels of greasy in his book.
Miss Jiang’s mistake lay in projecting romantic fantasies upon one of his tabs.
With crutches wedged securely, Jiang Zhichun trailed after Ji Feng and Xue Rui towards the elevator.
Not until all three figures disappeared did the lingering lobby crowd retract their gazes from the departure direction.
Confirming their entry into the elevator and ascent, whispers instantly bubbled forth.
“Heavens even I as a woman perfectly understand carrying the beauty was in order!”
“Right, yet Manager Ji actually told Assistant Xue to grab a wheelchair instead? With no spare wheelchair that was heaven-sent chance somen yet he not only didn’t seize it but made Xue fetch crutches? Crutches, I ask you! Can you even believe it?!”
“Then he really made the poor beauty hobble upstairs herself…God I can’t bear that mental image!”
“Truly wonder what kind of woman it’d take for Manager Ji to finally get a clue and use the princess carry card.”
This last sentiment immediately invited the crowd’s intelligence assessment.
“Are you daft? Manager Ji and Miss Jiang are patently well-matched. They’ll surely wind up together so what other woman stands a chance?”
That person disagreed, “Not necessarily! Who knows if some destiny-sent goddess might suddenly appear to awaken Manager Ji’s obtuse straight-man fibers and make him do everything he once refused for a woman, even willingly to boot? Ah, just imagining that twist already feels so gratifying!”
Xu Miyu shook her head. “Do yourself a favor and cut down on romance books and dramas during leisure lest real life fantasizing worsens. Alright everyone disperse, back to work.”
The crowd scattered. After the elderly woman recovered some, Xu Miyu arranged food for her, billed to herself. Then people escorted the granny home.
Perhaps Jiang Zhichun’s most aggrieved moment ever was hobbling behind Ji Feng on twin crutches.
This resentment peaked upon reaching the elevator, transforming into an inability to restrain vexation.
Once the doors sealed them alone inside, Jiang Zhichun peered up at Ji Feng, eyes downturned in grievance, voice equally soft and dimmed. “I actually hoped you might give me a piggyback ride or carry me earlier. I’m very lightweight, truly!”
Naive injury colored her complaint behind the boldness of vocalizing such an unspeakable request.
What man wouldn’t fall for such innocent aggrievement?
Yet the ever obtuse Ji Feng merely answered her literal question. “In public view it was improper.”
Jiang Zhichun puffed out her cheeks, holding back further words.
From the minute quirk of Ji Feng’s brows during his response, she grasped he was already growing impatient.
Further inquiry would cost more than worth.
Exiting the elevator, they headed together towards his suite. Suddenly Ji Feng threw her a fleeting indecipherable look.
Jiang Zhichun blanked, unsure what transpired in that split-second.
Ji Feng walked ahead by himself and sat on the sofa.
Compassionately Xue Rui lowered his volume to discreetly remind Jiang Zhichun, “Miss Jiang, the leg you were just limping on seems…different from the one you favored earlier in the lobby?”
Jiang Zhichun’s mind detonated at this revelation as mortification bombarded her into smithereens.
No wonder Ji Feng eyed her that way earlier.
She simply removed the crutches from her arms and returned them to Xue Rui, then strode briskly on fully functional legs right up to Ji Feng.
“I confess my head muddled earlier and nonsensically tried deploying some petty tricks hoping to gain your princess carry. Yet not only did they fail, my horrible acting even exposed and embarrassed me. No wonder you saw through it. Perhaps you had long noticed my little dishonest ploy?”
She gave a self-deprecating laugh then sincerely apologized, “Anyway I apologize for that shameful impulse of mine! But please don’t mock or disparage me for it afterwards…I really feel awful enough over my own silly behavior already…”
As Jiang Zhichun spoke, flushing embarrassment seemed on verge of seeping out from her fair complexion.
Witnessing this, Xue Rui silently applauded her acting skills far surpassing her little limping pretense.
Indeed Ji Feng’s mood cleared up tremendously, earlier displeasure also vanishing.
“If you kept up the act with me today, perhaps starting tomorrow I’d stop allowing you to come.”
Jiang Zhichun relaxed and blinked at Ji Feng radiantly. “Admitting the lie makes me feel much better too!”
Testing waters she sat herself next to Ji Feng on the sofa, projecting a pure innocent child seeking the adult’s approval after misbehaving.
Ji Feng watched her. His eyes shifted subtly as he unconsciously tried edging aside. But ultimately restrained himself.
Noting she hadn’t roused repulsion, Jiang Zhichun’s delight further bloomed.
The next time Jiang Zhichun visited she brought an exceptionally good-looking ragdoll cat.
Even Ji Feng who normally disliked furry creatures had to concede this exemplified a paramount beauty in cat form capable of toppling empires and ruining nations.
Yet true to character he remained apathetic towards the splendid cat, behaving coldly and even wanting to banish it from his territory.
“Why bring a cat here?” He questioned Jiang Zhichun.
Still nuzzling the back of the cat in her embrace, Jiang Zhichun reminded Ji Feng about the fainted granny she ordered carried in days prior. She specially selected this perfectly obedient darling today with intentions of gifting it to the granny for company.
When finished her eyes shone expectantly, waiting for praise like an obedient child.
Ji Feng merely gave an upward quirk of his brow at the cat. Cats and their holder were alike — pretty, indolent, also delicate.
Nor did he compliment Jiang Zhichun. Such inane couple banter disgusted his rationality, reducing both party’s intellect while nauseating others through saccharine intimacy.
He only indifferently grunted.
Jiang Zhichun was somewhat disappointed at the lack of admiration. In her imagination Ji Feng would flatter her kindheartedness, thoughtfulness, or marvel at her considerateness despite wealthy upbringing…
Swiftly she boosted her own morale and said while cuddling the cat, “I don’t know where the granny resides so I figured I’d call up Manager Xu to hand her the cat for delivery. That alright?”
Hearing Jiang Zhichun wanted Xu Miyu, Ji Feng’s eyes shifted. But his tone remained detached, “Up to you.”
Jiang Zhichun promptly asked Xue Rui to summon Xu Miyu from the hall.
Xu Miyu quickly arrived. Very properly she first greeted Ji Feng, posture extremely reverent. During the greeting she even modestly lowered her sight, not directly meeting his eyes.
Then she went to return Jiang Zhichun and Xue Rui’s acknowledgment.
Ji Feng watched Xu Miyu. His eyes gradually narrowed.
Jiang Zhichun hugged the cat and walked over to Xu Miyu, explaining her intentions of gifting it to the elderly woman for companionship.
Xu Miyu was somewhat dumbfounded.
The cat’s eyes were as blue as the ocean, fur sleek and lustrous — clearly a valuable pricey breed. This sort of cat was suitable for pampering in a young lady’s embrace but ill-matched to a penniless granny’s side.
Just as she ruminated, Jiang Zhichun was on verge of unilaterally declaring, “It’s decided then Manager Xu will send kitty to granny after work today right? Having this darling’s company tonight will surely ensure the granny a good rest!”
Xu Miyu hesitated for a second before calling, “Miss Jiang…”
Jiang Zhichun beamed, interrupting brightly, “Trying to thank me on granny’s behalf? Please don’t stand on ceremony. I’m happy enough doing this tiny thing for granny.”
Xu Miyu blanked. She hadn’t intended expressing gratitude though…
“Miss Jiang…”
Jiang Zhichun cut in again, “Oh right I haven’t elaborated the kitty’s condition! Please assure granny its extremely docile personality plus I brought it for shots just yesterday. Completely healthy and gorgeous.”
Xu Miyu was rendered speechless from the repeated interjections, by now barely resisting an urge to laugh.
“Miss Jiang,” this time she resolutely spoke her full piece without pause for further interruption or grandstanding from Jiang Zhichun, “the thing is yesterday after work I went with two colleagues to the animal rescue shelter and adopted a kitten that we already delivered to granny. So your current…”
She just took a breath when Jiang Zhichun snatched the conversation again.
“Huh? You already gave granny a cat yesterday? But how can random stray kittens compare to this sweet obedient darling ragdoll…?”
She insisted Xu Miyu deliver the ragdoll to granny. “This embodies genuine thoughtfulness after personally visiting multiple catteries to select a beautiful enough cat that granny would love at first sight!”
Xu Miyu didn’t wish to overstay here pointlessly, further delaying the pile of work awaiting her downstairs — her proper jobscope. Tarrying to humor the boss’s girl hardly qualified.
So she directly informed Jiang Zhichun, “Miss Jiang, however cute and pretty, this breed truly doesn’t suit granny’s conditions. She can’t afford raising such a valuable cat.”
Jiang Zhichun peered at her in that pure innocent confusion unique to children. “
“Granny can’t afford a cat?”
Xu Miyu explained, “Because granny can’t afford cat food.”
Jiang Zhichun’s eyes instantly rounded in astonishment. “Can’t afford cat food? Then what does granny feed the cat? Don’t all cats eat cat food?”
Xu Miyu educated her that countryside cats typically ate leftovers like rice, congee, buns etc, plus some affordable small fish. Despite city residence, granny’s conditions resembled the countryside.
Jiang Zhichun was shocked. “Heavens, how can cats eat like that? They’d risk malnutrition! No matter how poor, surely granny can’t be so lacking she can’t even afford a tiny bit of cat food?”
Xu Miyu sighed, “Granny belongs to the low-income group. Simply feeding herself is already challenging enough. She indeed can’t afford cat food.”
Jiang Zhichun was even more flabbergasted. “How could that be possible in this 21st century! Someone can’t even buy cat food?” Seeing no agreement from anyone, she finally calmed herself and said, “Fine then, even if granny can’t buy cat food, no issue, I’ll sponsor her!”
Xu Miyu sighed again, no longer wishing to continue this futile exchange.
What the elderly woman needed was a hardy feline companion, not some high-maintenance furball — however adorable — that demanded meticulous feeding, grooming, litter-cleaning and constant pampering.
Explaining this to a rich young lady oblivious about impoverished lives seemed difficult. Xu Miyu chose to give up.
Just then Ji Feng spoke up. To Xu Miyu it almost felt like he was extricating her from spot.
“Forget it. Since the old woman already has a cat, take yours home as your own pet.” He told Jiang Zhichun.
Jiang Zhichun turned to Ji Feng with a soft acquiescent “oh”.
Behind the obedience hid a wisp of self-preserving cajolery that tended to tug heartstrings.
Yet Ji Feng’s straight-man syndrome relapsed. Ignoring the girl’s need for some comfort he cursorily checked his watch instead and informed Jiang Zhichun, “I’m taking Xue Rui out later to a meeting. I’ll have the chauffeur wait for your ride after lunch.”
Jiang Zhichun gave another faint “Mn”.
Then while Xue Rui gathered documents, she approached Ji Feng cuddling her cat and gently said, “She’s really adorable, truly! Just pet her a bit, it’s very healing!”
As she spoke she lifted the cat towards Ji Feng.
He looked down at the proffered feline and knitted his brows.
He genuinely disliked such trivial furry things.
Perhaps sensing his antipathy, the cat swiftly retaliated with a swipe of its paw — taking advantage of everyone’s assumption that it was harmless, it suddenly stretched out a tiny claw towards Ji Feng’s outstretched hand.
Jiang Zhichun was so shocked she released her hold. The cat leapt down and nonchalantly began licking itself as if nothing occurred.
The instant Jiang Zhichun freed the cat she grabbed Ji Feng’s hand, repeatedly inspecting it from all angles while anxiously asking, “How is it, did she scratch you badly? Heavens what’s wrong with this wretch today, why so disobedient all of a sudden, scaring me to death! Did she hurt you?!”
Oddly Ji Feng exceptionally tolerated her manhandling his limb as he evenly responded, “Unharmed.”
But only Xue Rui detected his reply to Jiang Zhichun was quite distracted.
Glancing up, Xue Rui reaffirmed his earlier speculation — from earlier till now, Ji Feng’s eyes had consistently followed Xu Miyu.
When the cat swiped at Ji Feng, Xu Miyu sharply inhaled.
She discovered a strange fear within herself, afraid Ji Feng might get injured. Yet why would such alarm exist? She prevented herself from pondering it.
Then she saw Jiang Zhichun grabbing his hand and repeatedly scrutinizing it.
Somehow it instantly evoked reminisces of her first unintentional clutch of Ji Feng’s sleeve. He had been nowhere as tranquil then. Her memories remained crisp on how livid and repulsed Ji Feng looked at her, as if she were filthy grime that dared taint him. He even icily yelled whether she had permissions to touch him!
Yet now he perfectly welcome Jiang Zhichun’s touches.
She disallowed any budding emotion in her heart to bloom, forcefully curbing her burgeoning thoughts.
Lifting her sight, she caught Ji Feng watching her. She hastily smiled then followed with a bow, stating no further business so she’d take her leave first. Then she turned to exit.
Ji Feng eyed Xu Miyu’s retreating back, frown slightly returning.
From the moment she appeared in his suite today, his attention seemed to subtly, fleetingly encircle her.
He kept feeling as if she now housed two personalities. One the consummately professional employee, courteous and sensible nearly to the point of stiff woodenness. The other was that captivating woman from the bar — uninhibited, interesting, vividly charismatic.
Yet once away from that bar her other self was packed far out of sight.
So whenever she reemerged before him, he perpetually sought glimpses beneath that façade of propriety, straining to catch when her unrestrained alter ego from “Night Encounter” might slip through the cracks.
But impeccably she betrayed no lapses. Nearly deluding him into believing the woman who drank with him that night was some other person named Xu Miyu altogether.
Ji Feng watched Xu Miyu’s figure fade from view before retracting his own eyes.
Glancing down he discovered Jiang Zhichun was still clutching his hand, repeatedly surveying it at varied angles.
He promptly withdrew it from her grasp.
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