The Epoch of Miyu

After that sudden scream, no second cry followed.

But Xue Rui still leaned forward to ask Ji Feng: "Boss, should we check what happened? Besides that woman, Mr. Duan should also be inside—I saw him go in earlier."

Ji Feng lifted his eyelids to glance at him and said indifferently, "What's there to see?" After a pause, he added, "If something were really wrong, there wouldn't be just one scream. It's probably Duan Aoxiang's nasty habits acting up again—his hands getting restless." By now, his tone was full of disdain. After smoothing over these outward emotions, he continued, "But though he's quite the playboy, he wouldn't force anyone against their will."

Xue Rui thought it over and found it reasonable. If the woman had screamed to show unwillingness, Duan Aoxiang probably wouldn't push further. So she likely wasn't in any real danger.

After this reflection, he turned to observe Ji Feng's expression. Although Ji Feng had suppressed most of his emotions, entering a state where joy and anger weren't visibly displayed, a trace of annoyance at Duan Aoxiang's frivolous behavior still lingered between his brows upon closer inspection.

Xue Rui couldn't help but wonder if Duan Aoxiang did it on purpose sometimes. He knew full well that his boss was a perfectionist with extreme mysophobia, detesting sordid affairs between men and women and thus hating to conduct business in settings accompanied by female entertainment. Yet Duan Aoxiang seemed to test Ji Feng by toeing the line—this time, the meeting venue wasn't chosen in a club's private room, those decadent places, and was even held at the top floor of the Swire Hotel for Ji Feng's convenience. But Duan Aoxiang had still managed to make it feel like a lavish club room.

"If there's another scream from over there, I'll go check it out," Xue Rui said, remaining seated slightly behind Ji Feng for the moment.

Ji Feng heard him but didn't voice any objection or stop him.

Duan Aoxiang chattered away on a phone call in the dressing room. After hanging up, he sauntered out but changed his mind near the door, deciding he still needed to use the restroom.

So he turned back and pushed open the door between the dressing room and the bathroom.

As he entered, he saw a waitress half-crouching in front of the toilet, cleaning with her back to him.

At the sight of that figure, alcohol rushed to Duan Aoxiang's head, instantly igniting his interest.

It was an exceptionally graceful form—her back slender and elegant, her waist hugged by a well-fitted uniform, moving with a blend of softness and resilience. The shape of her legs below the waist was also appealing; though covered by uniform trousers, the slim, tailored cut made them appear slender and long.

Looking back up at the exposed section of the waitress's slender neck, her skin fair, she leaned forward to inspect an unsanitary blind spot, stretching her neck like a swan.

Duan Aoxiang was never one for abstinence; usually, when he saw a woman with a great figure, especially a nice waist, he'd feel stirred. Now, after drinking heavily, he was even more impulsive than usual.

Before he knew it, he found himself standing behind the waitress, his hand about to grasp her waist. In his mind, he'd already pictured how it would feel to hold that waist, and for a moment, he was tempted, thinking, "Since I'm idle anyway, why not tease her and have some fun with her, just for that waist."But just as he was about to make contact, a piercing shriek echoed in his ears.

The female attendant had suddenly noticed his approach. Screaming, she jerked her hand away and spun around, staring at him with a frightened expression as she demanded, "What are you trying to do?"

Duan Aoxiang was so startled he nearly lost his soul. When he finally regained his composure and got a clear look at the female attendant before him, his interest instantly vanished, replaced by disgust.

He had thought she was a young woman with a graceful figure and stunning beauty. Who could have imagined she would turn out to be a gaunt, haggard-looking middle-aged woman?

Feeling thoroughly disappointed, Duan Aoxiang spoke to Xu Miyu with contempt: "What are you screaming for? What do you mean, 'what am I trying to do'? How am I supposed to use the toilet with you blocking the way? I was just going to push you aside—that's all! Besides, take a look at yourself. Who's trying to take advantage of whom here?"

Just then, several people rushed into the restroom entrance, drawn by the commotion.

After assessing the situation—Duan Aoxiang's look of disgust and the weary, gloomy-faced attendant wearing rubber gloves—someone immediately pieced together what had happened.

They teased Duan Aoxiang while trying to comfort him: "Old Duan, had a bit too much to drink and misjudged, didn't you? Thought she was a young girl from behind, but turned out to be an 'incorrectly labeled' older sister? Regretting your lack of standards? Come on, pat your chest and calm down!"

Duan Aoxiang snapped back, "Get lost! Stop talking nonsense. I just wanted to push her aside, alright? Instead of wasting your breath, why don't you do something useful and find me a 'correctly labeled' one to help me calm down!"

Another person clicked their tongue and commented, "What's going on with this hotel lately? Have they downgraded? How can they allow this kind of attendant on the top floor?"

Xu Miyu, standing at the center of the ridicule, tried her best to empty her mind and numb her emotions.

As long as she didn't think about what they were saying, no one could truly humiliate her.

The noise attracted the suite manager, who had been busy attending to guests in the main hall.

As soon as she entered, she saw the crowd in the restroom—some comforting Duan Aoxiang, others mocking Xu Miyu.

Spotting the manager, Duan Aoxiang immediately vented his frustration: "What's the matter with you? Since you're the manager of this suite, shouldn't you be responsible for everything here, including cleanliness? Why did you assign me this... this older sister?"

The hotel manager shot Xu Miyu a sharp, furious glare, quickly muttering under her breath: "Can't even clean a toilet without causing trouble!"

Then she immediately approached Duan Aoxiang to apologize.

"Mr. Duan, I sincerely apologize. With so many guests here today, I was concerned about being short-handed and possibly neglecting anyone, so I temporarily brought in staff from other floors to assist. If this has caused you any dissatisfaction or inconvenience, it is entirely our fault, and we offer our deepest apologies!"

After apologizing, she turned to Xu Miyu and said sternly, "Stop standing there and bothering Mr. Duan. Hurry up and finish cleaning this area, then go attend to the other restrooms!"

Her tone was harsh, completely different from the respectful and warm manner she had used with Duan Aoxiang. She seemed to be holding back a surge of anger, feeling that she had been implicated by an incompetent and tactless attendant.Xu Miyu felt too disheartened to explain or defend herself. In the current farce, she was actually the victim. Not only was she a victim, but she had become a guilty one, because everyone was saying it was her fault—that she was no longer a young girl yet used a youthful figure to deceive men.

She said nothing, even managing a faint smile.

The curve of her eyes and brows was filled with silent self-mockery.

But Duan Aoxiang stared at her and suddenly spoke up.

"Wait a moment!" He fixed his gaze on her face; her fleeting smile had already vanished. Yet it seemed that when she smiled, she became slightly different.

"Smile like that again!" Duan Aoxiang commanded Xu Miyu.

The people nearby looked at him with some surprise, unsure what was wrong with him or what he was doing.

The suite manager also voiced her confusion: "Mr. Duan..."

"Don't speak! This doesn't concern you right now!" Duan Aoxiang snapped irritably to stop her, then turned to Xu Miyu and demanded, "What was that smile about just now? Were you using that weird smile to curse me in your heart?!"

Xu Miyu looked steadily at him and said, "No, I wasn't cursing you."

"Wrong, there was something off about that smile. Smile like that again, exactly as you did before. You must!" Duan Aoxiang threatened bluntly, "If you don't smile, you'll lose your job right now!"

Xu Miyu felt utterly speechless and exhausted.

This time, she really did curse him in her heart, smiling as she did so—a smile that curved her eyes and brows as she looked at Duan Aoxiang.

When she smiled, it was as if she had transformed into a different person. The upturn of her lips echoed the curve of her brows and eyes. In that moment, the weariness and matronly appearance on her face were softened by her smile. Hiding behind her smile, she inwardly cursed Duan Aoxiang: You dog of a man.

After smiling, Xu Miyu composed her expression and asked calmly, "Is that enough, Mr. Duan?"

Duan Aoxiang narrowed his eyes at her. Then, gritting his back teeth in frustration, he said unwillingly, "Damn it! I'm sure you were cursing me, but I have no proof!"

Some of his dubious friends nearby couldn't hold back their laughter.

Duan Aoxiang grew even angrier and resorted to unreasonable antics out of sheer pettiness: "You!" He pointed at the suite manager and said, "You're my manager, so shouldn't you be the one handling the cleaning?... What? The lobby is short-staffed and you need to help entertain guests? No need! Here, put on this sister's rubber gloves and continue cleaning the bathroom for me. And you!" He pointed at Xu Miyu and said irritably, "Yes, you—take off those gloves and give them to her, now! Then come out and serve me tea and pour wine. Since you're cursing me in your heart, I refuse to believe I can't handle you!"

Without waiting for Xu Miyu to act, he strode forward, pulled several tissues from the box, wrapped them around the handle of the toilet brush she was holding, snatched it away, and handed it to the suite manager. Then, using the tissues, he yanked the rubber gloves off Xu Miyu's hands and flung both tissues and gloves directly into the suite manager's arms, not caring whether the moisture on them would splash onto anyone.

The suite manager let out a pained, low cry.

Xu Miyu very much wanted to go over and help the manager wipe the water splashed on her face and offer some comfort.But Duan Aoxiang stopped her, pointing at her nose and saying, "Get out right now. Wherever I go, you follow me. Serve me wine and pour water properly, and nothing will happen tonight. If you don't serve me well, I can make you pack up and go home tomorrow!"

Xu Miyu stood where she was, looking up at Duan Aoxiang's face without moving.

Duan Aoxiang grew irritated under her gaze. "What are you staring at? Keep staring and I'll slap you!"

He really raised his hand, as if genuinely embarrassed and angry.

Xu Miyu didn't know what had come over her, but a rebellious streak suddenly surged within her—so rebellious that she felt utterly hopeless.

She didn't understand why she, the victim, had to endure the mockery and blame from these spoiled rich people.

Both the suite butler and she were hotel employees, and both were women. So why couldn't they stand together and support each other when trouble arose? Why was the suite butler's first reaction to blame her without asking for details, without defending her at all?

She hadn't done anything wrong. If there was any fault, it was that at thirty years old, she had been mistaken for a young girl, which led to someone taking an interest and harassing her.

And now this person was threatening to make her life difficult.

Fine, she thought as she looked at Duan Aoxiang's face. Let him make her life difficult. Her life was already like this—how much worse could it get?

Xu Miyu remained silent, unmoving, and unflinching, just staring at Duan Aoxiang.

Her lack of fear made Duan Aoxiang's half-raised slap awkward, shifting from initially not intending to actually hit her to feeling compelled to do so.

If this slap didn't land, all the authority he had just shown would seem like a paper tiger, too humiliating. But hitting a woman wouldn't be honorable either.

Still, the former seemed more shameful.

Steeling himself, Duan Aoxiang decided he had to teach this bold woman a lesson for daring to stare him down.

The slap in mid-air became more determined.

Xu Miyu stared at Duan Aoxiang without blinking, quietly waiting to see how this slap would fall.

But the slap stopped just a few centimeters from her cheek.

The wind from the swing had already brushed her face.

She turned her head and saw someone gripping Duan Aoxiang's wrist.

It was the man she had seen before, the one whose private elevator she had taken—Ji Feng.

Duan Aoxiang had made up his mind to teach Xu Miyu a lesson.

He swung his palm toward her face. The force wasn't actually strong, but he made sure it sounded intimidating.

He just wanted to give her a lesson that was more insulting than harmful, to vent his anger.

But just as the slap was about to land, his wrist was suddenly caught.

He turned his head and saw it was Ji Feng.

"Duan Aoxiang, you're really something now, hitting women?" Ji Feng looked at Duan Aoxiang, his thin lips curved into a mocking smile that could make anyone want to dig a hole and hide.

Duan Aoxiang instantly grew extremely agitated.

He shook off Ji Feng's hand and retorted irritably, "Did I hit her? I was just scaring her! Wait, Old Ji, aren't you the one who hates getting involved? What's gotten into you? Why are you butting in?" Duan Aoxiang shot back, taunting Ji Feng.Ji Feng cast a cold glance at him, then swept his icy gaze over the others. "Get out. I need to use the restroom."

His voice carried a certain intimidating force that compelled the others to involuntarily move toward the exit.

Ji Feng shot a look at Duan Aoxiang, who immediately raised his hands in a gesture of surrender. "Alright, alright, I'm going too!"

Finally, Ji Feng's gaze settled on Xu Miyu.

He stared at her and asked coldly, "I said I need to use the restroom. Are you planning to stay and watch?"

Xu Miyu instinctively hunched her shoulders.

"Still not leaving?"

She hunched her shoulders again and quickly stepped out.

As she pushed the door open, she thought to herself: Somehow, in those three words—"still not leaving"—she distinctly heard undisguised disdain.

That man made no effort to conceal his contempt for her.

So his timely intervention to rescue her from the awkward situation must have been nothing more than a coincidence.