The Epoch of Miyu

Ji Feng's question left Xue Rui stunned.

"Huh?—"

Ji Feng was still reeling from the shock of having someone sit on his lap: "I'm asking you, is she deliberately trying to seduce me?"

Before Xue Rui could answer, he fired off a rapid series of questions: "Do you think she likes me? How dare she like me?!"

Xue Rui was dumbfounded, opening and closing his mouth repeatedly. He wanted to tell Ji Feng that Mi Yu probably didn't mean it that way and he might be overthinking it.

But it was rare to see Ji Feng so emotionally agitated, and in such moments, Xue Rui didn't dare voice his opinion for fear of accidentally redirecting that emotional turmoil onto himself.

"Why... why do you think so?" Xue Rui stammered after struggling to find the right words.

"Didn't you see how she blatantly sat on me?" Ji Feng said with a fierce glare.

"...She slipped and lost her footing. It wasn't intentional, right?" Xue Rui whispered in defense of Xu Miyu.

"Not intentional? Hah."

If it wasn't intentional, then why did she keep giving him chocolates over and over again? And why did she always flash that captivating smile at him for no reason? Wasn't that a clear hint and seduction? After the chocolates, she started throwing herself into his arms, blushing as she looked at him—how could that not be deliberate?

From the chocolates to the alluring smiles, and then to throwing herself into his arms, she was clearly testing him step by step, luring him bit by bit, and unsettling him! So, was this the tactic of a woman who had been in love and married before?

Fine. Very well.

Ji Feng raised his hand and brushed his lap repeatedly, trying to wipe away the sensation Xu Miyu had left there.

He thought irritably, who gave her the hint that she could seduce him? Even if she now looked completely different from before—her skin had improved, she was radiant, her eyes sparkled, especially when she smiled...

So what? She didn't meet any of his standards.

He had set his goal long ago: his partner must be a woman as perfect and outstanding as he was.

Ji Feng rubbed his forehead and decided that the next time he saw Xu Miyu, he would make things clear to her. He would tell her to stop wasting her time and to stop setting her sights on him.

The next day, while Xu Miyu was busy in the lobby, Ji Feng walked through with Xue Rui on his way out of the hotel.

Just before reaching the door, Ji Feng suddenly stopped. He turned sideways and called out to Xu Miyu, who was standing diagonally behind him:

"Xu Miyu, come out for a moment."

After saying this, he strode out of the hotel.

Xu Miyu quickly handed over her tasks to the receptionist and hurried toward the hotel entrance.

Outside, she saw Ji Feng's Rolls-Royce parked in a nearby spot, with Xue Rui and the driver standing outside the car. Seeing her, Xue Rui waved: "Mi Yu, over here!"

Xu Miyu jogged over, and Xue Rui opened the rear door, gesturing for her to get in: "Boss Ji is inside waiting for you. He said he has something to discuss."

Xu Miyu climbed into the car with uncertainty, and Xue Rui slammed the door shut, leaving both himself and the driver outside.

Xu Miyu slowly turned her head to look at Ji Feng beside her. After greeting him softly and tentatively, she cautiously asked, "Boss Ji, what did you need to see me about?"

Ji Feng turned his head slightly, his expression blank and his eyelids half-lowered as he glanced at Xu Miyu.

From his demeanor and gaze, Xu Miyu sensed a warning-like coldness.She couldn't help feeling somewhat uneasy inside.

Ji Feng sized up Xu Miyu before speaking, his voice carrying its usual indifference and a touch of mockery as always.

"Xu Miyu, whether it's chocolate, smiling seductively at others, or deliberately falling into someone's arms—I hope you'll do less of such things in the future. And these useless schemes, I hope you'll spend less effort on them too."

"...?" Xu Miyu was directly stunned by his words.

She vaguely felt an odd sense of grievance in her heart. She had kindly given him chocolate because she was afraid he might get hypoglycemic from hunger; she had never intentionally smiled seductively at him—her smiles had always been genuine; her falling onto his lap wasn't deliberate either, there really was something on the floor that made her slip. Yet he seemed to view her as some scheming woman, afraid of being tainted by her, to the extent that he specifically called her out the next day with clear displeasure to warn her against deliberately playing such messy games.

With an indescribable sense of grievance weighing on her heart, Xu Miyu lifted her chin and told Ji Feng: "Manager Ji, I slipped because I stepped on an oil stain on the floor yesterday—it really wasn't intentional that I fell onto your lap. I apologize for unintentionally defiling your pure legs; and rest assured, from now on, whether it's accidentally bumping into you or the chocolate and smiles you despise, none of it will ever happen again."

After speaking, she looked directly at Ji Feng, mentally cheering herself on: Hold strong, don't lose your nerve. If you lose your nerve, he'll really look down on you as someone who deliberately fell into his arms.

Ji Feng watched as Xu Miyu spoke to him with an almost death-defying expression on her face.

Listening to her words, he clearly sensed that she had just been sarcastic toward him, and there was also a subtle undertone of defiance.

He wanted to challenge her—what right did she have to be defiant? But looking at her death-defying expression, he felt that if he continued to press her, given her current stance, she might say something utterly overwhelming without holding back.

In the end, he didn't press further, only frowned and told her: "Then remember what you just said, and watch your step."

Xu Miyu stopped looking at Ji Feng, said "Goodbye, Manager Ji," then pushed the car door open and got out.

Xue Rui watched Xu Miyu's back as she walked toward the hotel—she seemed somewhat angry.

He opened the passenger door and got in the car, then turned to look at Ji Feng, unexpectedly finding that Ji Feng also looked angry.

He quickly asked: "What's wrong, boss?"

Ji Feng pointed out the car window: "Has she grown wings? Before, she wouldn't even resist when slapped in the face, but now, after just a few words of criticism, she's the one getting worked up first!"

He lightly kicked the car door, venting his frustration through the action, then said to the driver in front: "Let's go."

Ever since being confronted by Xu Miyu, Ji Feng had carried a trace of resentment in his heart.

When had he ever been confronted like that by anyone?

He thought about finding some pretext to vent this resentment. And that pretext, of course, would be when Xu Miyu tried to scheme her way closer to him again—he would confront her then: Still saying you didn't mean it?

That should clear the resentment from his heart.

Strangely enough, after imagining this scenario, he seemed to have already vented his anger in advance.Xue Rui watched from the side as Ji Feng went through a series of expressions—clenching his teeth one moment, grinding them the next, seething with anger before suddenly looking as if he had achieved sweet revenge. He had never seen Ji Feng so... neurotic before, and it frightened him so much he hardly dared to breathe.

Meanwhile, Ji Feng remained lost in his boiling thoughts, waiting for an excuse that would allow him to vent his pent-up frustration.

Xue Rui noticed that Ji Feng had been acting a little differently lately.

In the past, Ji Feng avoided going downstairs whenever possible, delegating tasks for Xue Rui to handle outside. Even during company meetings, if he couldn’t be bothered to return to the office, he would simply hold video conferences with the management team from his hotel room.

Lately, however, he had become more hands-on. He attended meetings in person, returning to the hotel afterward. Tasks that could have been handled by his assistant were now done by Ji Feng himself, after which he would come back to the hotel. Even discussions that could have been handled over the phone were now conducted face-to-face, with Ji Feng making trips out and returning to the hotel afterward.

This change gradually led Xue Rui to realize that he was accompanying Ji Feng through the hotel lobby several times a day.

Each time they crossed the lobby, Ji Feng would stride through like an emperor, with everyone bowing and greeting him respectfully. But as they stepped out of the hotel or entered the elevator, Ji Feng would suddenly ask, "Did Xu Miyu bow and greet me just now?"

The first time he was asked, Xue Rui was caught off guard and replied blankly, "I didn’t notice..."

Ji Feng shot him a cold glare.

After that, Xue Rui paid closer attention to Xu Miyu’s behavior.

When Ji Feng asked again, "Did Xu Miyu bow and greet me just now?" Xue Rui promptly answered truthfully, "Yes, she bowed and greeted you."

"Was her voice loud?"

"...Huh? Oh, not too loud, not too soft."

After answering, Xue Rui noticed Ji Feng’s expression seemed both satisfied and dissatisfied. He couldn’t help asking, "Boss, does it really matter whether her voice is loud or soft?"

Ji Feng snapped irritably, "No matter how loud or soft, she’s deliberately trying to get my attention." After a pause, he asked again, "Are you sure her voice was neither loud nor soft?"

Xue Rui’s eyes widened, his mouth slightly agape as he slowly nodded.

He was utterly baffled by his boss. What on earth was he so preoccupied with these days...

Later, Xue Rui noticed another change in Ji Feng’s behavior. In addition to crossing the lobby multiple times a day, he had started working from the lobby coffee shop.

Previously, Ji Feng would spend his free time on the second-floor terrace, enjoying the sun and breeze. Now, he spent his downtime in the lobby coffee shop, sipping coffee and working.

They always sat in a secluded booth, from which they had a clear view of the entire lobby and its activities. However, from the outside, it was difficult to see into their corner.

Xue Rui accompanied Ji Feng as he worked there. At first, Xue Rui focused diligently on his tasks, but Ji Feng wasn’t satisfied. He instructed, "As an assistant, you need to be observant. Keep an eye on what’s happening in the lobby and report back to me."

So, Xue Rui had no choice but to follow orders and sneak glances at the lively scenes in the lobby, providing live updates to Ji Feng.

He also made sure to include updates on Xu Miyu’s status in his reports."Just now in the lobby, there was a child who kept crying, and no one could comfort him. Mi Yu walked over, took a piece of chocolate from her pocket and handed it to the child, then playfully teased him with a smile. The child stopped crying immediately and even laughed so hard that snot bubbles sprayed all over his face. That little dirty kitten look was really amusing!"

Xue Rui spoke excitedly while turning to ask Ji Feng: "Boss, do you think Mi Yu's clothes pocket is connected to the pocket on Doraemon's belly? How can she just pull out a piece of chocolate like that? Earlier I saw a bellboy feeling dizzy in the front hall, and she immediately pulled out a piece of chocolate too, telling him to eat it quickly."

Only after finishing did he notice Ji Feng's unpleasant expression.

Ji Feng looked up toward the lobby not far away, where the brightly laughing child revealed chocolate-stained teeth through his wide grin.

He frowned.

So her chocolate... was for anyone?

Xue Rui didn't notice his unusual reaction, still savoring Xu Miyu's smile when she had comforted the child.

"Boss, why don't we set up a Most Beautiful Smile Award for the staff!" Xue Rui turned to Ji Feng and said, "Or a Best Healing Award would work too."

Ji Feng asked him: "What nonsense are you spouting now?"

Xue Rui pointed toward the lobby direction while defending himself to Ji Feng: "I'm not talking nonsense, I'm just inspired by Mi Yu's smile. Look at her over there - no matter who goes to ask her questions, she always wears a bright smile. Even when someone goes to pick a fight, she smiles so sincerely and beautifully that she resolves the problem. Her smile really makes people feel better after seeing it. Isn't that kind of effect called healing? So I think we should set up a Smile Award or Healing Award and have everyone learn from her."

After his long speech, he suddenly realized Ji Feng's expression had turned even worse than before.

Ji Feng watched Xu Miyu in the distant lobby for a while.

She really would flash that brilliant smile at anyone. When someone went to ask questions, she answered with a smile; when someone went to nitpick and cause trouble, she could resolve it with a smile; when someone looked worried, she would approach with a blooming smile to comfort them, and actually managed to cheer them up somewhat.

Ji Feng tightened his grip on the pen in his hand.

So she really didn't just smile that beautiful smile for him alone.

He withdrew his gaze and lowered his head to continue working.

But soon he heard Xue Rui's excited shout again: "Boss, boss, there's a situation in the lobby! Some talented young man, after checking out and preparing to leave the hotel, suddenly went over to ask Mi Yu for her WeChat and personal number! Wow, Mi Yu is blushing!"

Ji Feng abruptly looked up toward the lobby.

Sure enough, Xu Miyu's cheeks were flushed red. But she was politely declining the customer's request.

Ji Feng narrowed his eyes.

So blushing doesn't mean anything either?

So in the end, was it all just him overthinking and misunderstanding?

So she didn't like him, right?

"What taste? No aesthetic sense!"

She actually treated him no differently than she treated others.

How utterly unreasonable.

Things in this world are strange.

After Ji Feng basically confirmed that Xu Miyu had no special feelings for him, he actually felt even more uncomfortable inside.

But he didn't understand what this discomfort was about. It seemed like unwillingness, yet also like imbalance.

He thought she liked him, but apparently she didn't.He thought she treated him differently from others, but apparently not.

Yet if she truly liked him and treated him specially, he felt how dare she entertain such presumptuous thoughts about him.

So what exactly did he want? He couldn't figure it out himself at the moment.

But he wanted to quickly understand the reasons behind this, so he continued frequently working from the lobby café.

That day, shortly after he settled at his usual spot with Xue Rui, he noticed two people entering through the main door—a man and a woman, both in their thirties, dressed like ordinary office workers.

They walked straight toward Xu Miyu in the lobby.

After an exchange of words, Xu Miyu gestured toward the café direction and began leading them over.

Ji Feng immediately shook open a newspaper, holding it up as if reading to shield himself.

Glancing at Xue Rui beside him, who sat obliviously like a fool, Ji Feng sharply elbowed him and shot him a stern look.

After a moment of confusion, Xue Rui seemed to understand and squeezed closer to Ji Feng, ducking under the spread newspaper to intimately "read" it together.

Ji Feng stared at him coldly and speechlessly.

Under that glare, Xue Rui shrank back, then shook out his own newspaper to cover his face.

Through the newspaper barrier, they sensed Xu Miyu and the two newcomers sitting at a table not far in front of them.

Peeking discreetly past the edge, Ji Feng saw Xu Miyu had her back to them. He lowered the tall-held newspaper slightly, revealing only his eyes while covering half his face.

Xue Rui observed this and copied the move.

They overheard Xu Miyu addressing the pair as "Sister" and "Sister-in-law" as their conversation began.

The previous day, her eldest sister Xu Mizi had called Xu Miyu, insisting she come to their home over the weekend for an important discussion.

But every call went to a busy signal. The sister then tried calling from Sister-in-law's number, still getting only busy tones.

Realizing Xu Miyu had blocked them, they grew furious.

Cursing angrily, Xu Mizi went out and got a new number. This time, the call went through.

As soon as Xu Miyu answered, her sister demanded, "Are you crazy? Why did you block me and your Sister-in-law?"

Xu Miyu prepared to hang up without a word.

Sensing trouble, Sister-in-law urged Xu Mizi to calm down and state their business.

Before the call could drop, Xu Mizi hurriedly said, "Third Sister, you must come to our place this weekend. I have something to discuss."

Xu Miyu coldly asked what it was. Xu Mizi stammered that it was still about the stewed meat matter, adding that Lu Zhenzhen had given them an ultimatum: if the stewed meat supply wasn't restored, they'd both be fired.

Xu Miyu immediately replied, "This is not up for discussion. If you lose your jobs over this, then find new ones."

She decisively hung up and blocked the new number as well.

Xu Mizi had colluded with outsiders to deceive her, and even after being caught, showed no remorse—still stubbornly believing there was room for negotiation.

Xu Miyu laughed bitterly to herself. Such foolish, absurd, and heartless relatives were better off discarded.After putting away her phone, she once again felt that rejecting others wasn't actually that difficult. After daring to refuse unreasonable demands, there was indeed a sense of growth and strength within herself.

This feeling invigorated her greatly.

What she didn't expect was that the next day, her elder sister and brother-in-law actually came to the hotel in person.

Xu Miyu thought it might be better to settle everything clearly with them face-to-face. She led them to the coffee shop next to the lobby.

It was still early, and there were only two customers in the coffee shop, both engrossed in reading newspapers.

Xu Miyu let Xu Mizi and her husband choose their seats, then sat opposite them.

Once seated, the brother-in-law suggested, "Since you work here, you should be able to charge the coffee to your account, right? Order us some coffee. Waiter!" He waved to call the waiter.

Xu Miyu directly told him, "This coffee shop has nothing to do with me. If you want coffee, you'll need to scan the code and pay for it yourself."

The brother-in-law's expression turned sour. "So stingy?" He turned to the approaching waiter and said, "Bring us some water. By the way, other hotels usually have free snacks or something. Do you have any here? If so, bring us some too."

The waiter maintained perfect etiquette and replied to the brother-in-law, "I'm sorry, sir, we don't offer free snacks here. Also, if there are no other purchases, there is a basic charge for water. I'm letting you know in advance. Would you still like to proceed?"

The brother-in-law's face immediately changed. "Water costs money? Why don't you just rob people? What's so great about a coffee shop in a five-star hotel?"

Xu Miyu quietly watched her brother-in-law make a fool of himself. Seeing the waiter's troubled expression, she said to her, "No need to bring water for now. You can go back to your work." The waiter quickly hurried away.

Xu Miyu then turned back to her brother-in-law and said, "Alright, why are you giving her a hard time? You take it for granted that water shouldn't cost anything, but don't they have to wash and wipe the cups after you drink? Aren't the water and labor costs?"

After a pause, she changed the subject. "Hurry up and get to the point. I still have to work and can't waste too much time."

Xu Mizi then got straight to the point. "Here's the thing. Third Sister, ever since you refused to come to our house to continue making braised beef, Lu Zhenzhen and Nie Yucheng haven't been able to send it to their top boss's family. The boss's wife is very unhappy, so lately, the boss hasn't been giving Nie Yucheng any good assignments. Because of this, Lu Zhenzhen is upset. She's blaming everything on me and your brother-in-law, giving us a hard time. She’s making Nie Yucheng overload us with work and overtime, docking our bonuses, and even threatening to fire us next week if we can’t supply the stewed meat. But what does any of this have to do with us? Ultimately, this is a matter between Nie Yucheng, Lu Zhenzhen, and you. Your brother-in-law and I are just innocent victims caught in the crossfire!"

Xu Miyu felt she should change her name to Xu Speechless.

"No, this isn't a matter between me, Nie Yucheng, and Lu Zhenzhen. This is the result of each of you pursuing your own interests. Since you formed an alliance to deceive me into making the braised beef for your own gains, you should have expected that one day the deception would be exposed and there would be consequences."She retorted with neither humility nor arrogance, no longer accepting whatever faults others pinned on her as she used to.

Xu Mizi was taken aback for a moment, wanting to change her expression but forcing herself to hold back. After all, she still had something to ask of her.

"Forget it, forget it. It's impossible to determine whose fault this mess ultimately is. Let bygones be bygones. But the urgent problem now is that Lu Zhenzhen keeps giving me and your sister-in-law a hard time, making our lives at the current company unbearable. It looks like we won't be able to stay there much longer."

Xu Mizi paused at this point.

Xu Miyu raised an eyebrow: "So?"