Ji Feng warned himself that no matter what, he must turn the page on that night, just like decisively closing a book he would never read again—either storing it away on a high shelf or burying it in a corner.
What else could he do? Ask her to be his girlfriend? She had already made it clear: forget that night.
Suppressing the inexplicable anger and irritation that surged within him, he reasoned with himself once more.
This was for the best. She wasn’t suited for him. Not in any way. So this outcome was exactly what he wanted.
He must not let a momentary instinctive impulse, amplified by alcohol, mislead his feelings.
There was only one correct feeling to hold onto: she was not right for him, not in the slightest!
She said she would keep her distance from him. Hah. Of course, he would keep his distance from her too. He would never again make the mistake of losing control like that.
In the days that followed, if Chef Xu wasn’t around, Ji Feng would rather eat tasteless, wax-like meals than ask Xu Miyu to come up and cook.
On gloomy, drizzly days when he couldn’t sleep, even if he stayed awake all night, he refused to listen to her soothing audio recordings.
No matter how much he needed fresh air, he avoided the terrace teahouse on the second floor.
He used to hate going down to the underground garage to get his car, disliking the dark, stuffy smell there. But now, just to avoid running into her, he didn’t even cross the lobby, willingly subjecting himself to the inconvenience of using the garage.
Yet, despite all these deliberate efforts to keep his distance, he couldn’t understand why her image kept intruding into his thoughts these past few days.
The memory of her from that night.
Even when preparing for bed, standing in his room and looking at the bed—one moment it was empty, just sheets and blankets.
But in the next moment, with a fleeting distraction, it was as if he could see her there.
Her eyes glistening with moisture as she gazed at him, cheeks flushed, eyelashes trembling slightly.
He held her slender, resilient waist, feeling as though his soul were slowly slipping away through his fingertips.
He seemed to hear her softly, melodiously calling his name.
Lost in these careless recollections, something began to stir in his chest. He quickly snapped back to reality, banishing the images from his mind.
Turning abruptly, he rushed to the fridge for water, aggressively adding ice cubes before drinking.
The icy water slid down his throat, its chill soothing the restless turmoil in his chest. Clutching the cold glass, he rationalized to himself, making peace with his thoughts: having such illusions didn’t mean anything. It was just that he had suddenly experienced that kind of intimacy, tasted its sensations, and been stimulated by the feelings. He was merely occasionally reminiscing about the act itself, not about her. So this didn’t mean he was attracted to her—absolutely not.
He told himself this with unwavering conviction.
He also reminded himself that he must restrain any thoughts of what had happened between them—whether memories or images—and ensure it never happened again.
It had already happened twice. Even though the first time left no clear impression, he had still faltered twice before meeting his future life partner. In the principles he had set for his life, this was an unacceptable transgression.
His entire being should belong to his future, perfectly matched partner—an outstanding, flawless woman. Such an unexpected indiscretion with an imperfect woman only filled him with self-disgust and embarrassment. He should resist and disdain it, never recalling or savoring it again.Ji Feng spent the entire evening sternly lecturing himself. After this internal reasoning, he finally reconciled with the twice-disgraced version of himself.
When the sun rose again, he would forget those two unexpected incidents, never to think or speak of them again. As for that woman named Xu Miyu, he would neither look at her, listen to her, nor pay her any mind.
After going upstairs to clarify things with Ji Feng that day, Xu Miyu had initially worried she might act unnaturally whenever she saw him passing through the lobby.
She soon realized her concern was unnecessary. The very next day after their conversation, Ji Feng left on a business trip with Xue Rui.
His eagerness to depart seemed almost as if he was avoiding something.
Xu Miyu chuckled wryly to herself.
Since Ji Feng took office, the hotel's management had undergone a complete reshuffle, with systems and regulations thoroughly refined. Now, whether he was physically present at the hotel or not, Sway operated flawlessly.
However, this particular day brought a guest who gave Xu Miyu an enormous headache.
That morning, she had gone to the Food and Beverage department to coordinate some work matters with the supervisor.
Upon returning to the front lobby, receptionist Deng Rong informed her: "The other presidential suite on the top floor has been occupied by a VIP guest who just called the front desk, specifically requesting your presence upstairs."
Xu Miyu approached the front desk and asked, "Who is the VIP summoning me to the top floor?"
Before even speaking, Shi Huanhuan grimaced dramatically. Seeing her expression, Xu Miyu felt a sinking premonition.
"It's that extremely troublesome Manager Duan," Shi Huanhuan said while making a sympathetic grimace.
Xu Miyu's heart sank. As expected—nothing good.
Shi Huanhuan continued curiously, "Supervisor, how did you catch his attention? You two shouldn't have much to do with each other!"
Xu Miyu smiled faintly and said, "I'll go up now. If anything happens in the lobby, just call me on the walkie-talkie."
As Xu Miyu stepped out of the elevator on the top floor, she took a deep breath to mentally prepare herself.
It's fine. Don't be afraid. She was no longer the old Xu Miyu.
The former Xu Miyu would endure Duan Aoxiang's ridicule and oppression in silence, too cowardly to fight back. It was precisely this weakness that made Duan Aoxiang intensify his bullying. But the current Xu Miyu had grown stronger inside—she would no longer fear his harassment and intimidation.
Xu Miyu clenched her fist, then relaxed it, and strode toward Duan Aoxiang's suite.
The door wasn't closed; both golden, ornate doors were wide open.
Duan Aoxiang was sitting cross-legged at the bar near the entrance, swirling a glass of red wine as he drank.
Seeing Xu Miyu, he curled his lips into a smile—a hollow, insincere grin that twisted his handsome face into something dark and menacing.
"How peculiar. Every time I see you, you seem to get younger? You're actually regressing in age," Duan Aoxiang remarked while swirling his glass, then beckoned her casually. "Come here."
Xu Miyu hesitated for a moment before walking over, stopping about a meter away from him.
This was her psychological safe distance.
Duan Aoxiang didn't force her to come closer.
He slowly drank, poured another glass, and drank again. He was deliberately wearing down her resolve.Xu Miyu truly had no idea what he was scheming. Initially flustered, she quickly reminded herself that it was broad daylight in a society governed by law, and she was no longer a timid pushover. Whatever Duan Aoxiang was plotting, she had no reason to fear him.
She stood calmly about a meter away from Duan Aoxiang, watching him slowly pour and sip his wine.
Surprisingly, it was Duan Aoxiang who broke the silence first.
"You're quite composed now. A few months ago, you'd have turned pale with fear in front of me," Duan Aoxiang said, his eyes scanning her up and down. "It hasn't been that long, yet you've changed so much."
Xu Miyu smiled politely and asked, "May I ask, President Duan, what instructions do you have for summoning me here?"
Duan Aoxiang swirled his glass and gave a sinister smile. "Xu Miyu, you're quite good at playing dumb with me. Fine, since you're pretending, I'll make things clear. Earlier this year, I was ambushed and beaten at 'Night Encounter.'" He glared fiercely at Xu Miyu. "Don't think for a moment I'd never find out it was you behind it."
Realizing Duan Aoxiang had thoroughly investigated the matter, Xu Miyu decided to admit it outright. "Yes, I hired someone to help me do it."
Duan Aoxiang chuckled darkly again. "You're quite protective of your accomplice." After a pause, his entire face hardened with menace. "Alright then, I'll oblige you. I'll settle the score with you alone. I've already checked—Ji Feng is away on business today. No one can help you now."
Hearing Duan Aoxiang's vengeful warning, Xu Miyu's heart sank heavily.
"Scared now?" Duan Aoxiang suddenly grinned at her. He downed the wine in his glass and commanded, "Come here and pour me another drink."
Xu Miyu hesitated briefly before stepping forward.
She picked up the wine bottle and poured red wine into the glass Duan Aoxiang held.
She could feel his unblinking gaze fixed on her. His stare felt like it was already exacting revenge, causing a phantom-like, slight burning sensation on her cheeks.
Suddenly, the glass tilted in Duan Aoxiang's hand. He had deliberately shifted it.
Xu Miyu quickly pulled the bottle back, but a small amount of wine still splashed onto his trousers.
She promptly set the bottle on the bar and apologized, "I'm sorry."
Duan Aoxiang looked at her with a mocking smile, spreading his legs toward her and taunting, "Sorry? That's it? Come here and wipe it clean."
Xu Miyu pulled a few tissues from the box but hesitated to approach and clean the wine stain, given its location on his trousers.
Growing impatient, Duan Aoxiang suddenly reached out and grabbed her wrist.
Startled, Xu Miyu looked up and tried to twist her wrist free, but Duan Aoxiang tightened his grip until it hurt.
She frowned silently.
Holding her wrist, Duan Aoxiang pulled her closer.
Sitting on a barstool, he drew her in until she was pressed against his chest—Xu Miyu quickly used her other hand to push against his chest, resisting his malicious attempt to press her against him.
"President Duan, please let go," she said, her voice turning cold.Duan Aoxiang smirked with a roguish grin. "What if I don't let go? Are you going to call for help or the police? Here, let me help you!" He even arrogantly tossed his own phone onto the bar counter, convinced that Xu Miyu was all bark and no bite—no matter how calm she appeared on the surface, deep down she remained as timid as ever, too afraid to actually call the police.
Xu Miyu strained to keep her distance from Duan Aoxiang, swiftly reaching out to grab his phone. With one hand, she dialed 110 and made the call.
Duan Aoxiang froze for a second, then snatched the phone back with his other hand and hung up.
He flung the phone far across the room, gripping Xu Miyu's wrist tightly as he pulled her closer, his voice seething with frustration. "You actually called?"
Xu Miyu remained silent, exerting all her strength in an attempt to break free from his grasp.
Duan Aoxiang stared at her quiet yet stubborn face, then suddenly narrowed his eyes, his smile turning lecherous. "How about this? Spend one night with me, and I'll let the matter of you ambushing me slide. I'll let you off."
Xu Miyu wanted to slap him, but her other wrist was caught mid-air, twisted and forced behind her back.
Now, one of her wrists was trapped in his grip, while the other was pinned behind her. Her entire body was pressed tightly against his chest.
Suppressing her disgust and anger, Xu Miyu told herself to stay calm. Since he had disgusted her, she would disgust him in return.
"Could you even bring yourself to touch me? A divorced, older woman like me?" she asked coldly.
"It's just for fun. I'm not marrying you—what does it matter if you're divorced or not?" Duan Aoxiang replied flippantly.
Xu Miyu let out a scornful laugh. "You think you're playing me, but in my eyes, I'm playing you too."
The moment she finished speaking, Duan Aoxiang's expression shifted abruptly, his entire face darkening.
"What did you say?" He tightened his grip on her wrist, pulling her even closer, while his other hand pressed her harder against him.
Xu Miyu resisted with all her might, a thin layer of sweat forming on her forehead.
She decided to go all out. "Duan Aoxiang, is your entire life just about finding ways to torment Ji Feng and the people around him? Do you think by harassing him and those close to him, you're somehow better than him? Wake up! Haven't you realized you're always chasing after Ji Feng's shadow? But Duan Aoxiang, no matter what you do, you'll never become him, and you'll never beat him!"
Duan Aoxiang's eyes widened, and he roared in a muffled voice, "Shut up!"
But Xu Miyu didn't stop. Seeing his reaction, she knew she had hit the mark.
"You know you can't beat him, don't you? But you're too unwilling to accept it, so you try to destroy him instead. Duan Aoxiang, the harder you attack me, the more insecure you are in front of him! Look at you—you even made sure to come after me when he's not around. If that's not insecurity, what is?"
Duan Aoxiang was now on the verge of exploding with rage. He shoved Xu Miyu away, grabbing bottles and glasses from the bar and smashing them on the floor. "I said shut up!"
But there was one more thing Xu Miyu desperately wanted to say.
So she looked straight at Duan Aoxiang and asked him clearly, word by word, "The truth is, you actually want to be friends with Ji Feng, don't you?"
Duan Aoxiang's emotions completely shattered, as if his deepest secret had been exposed, leaving him furious and flustered.
"I told you to shut up, and you keep talking?" he snarled, raising his arm to slap Xu Miyu.Xu Miyu stood there, neither moving nor dodging.
She stood quietly watching Duan Aoxiang, as if making a bet with him.
Duan Aoxiang’s hand stopped just ten centimeters from her face, then he withdrew it resentfully and unwillingly.
Xu Miyu thought to herself that she seemed to have won this bet.
“Are you fucking stupid? Why didn’t you dodge?” Duan Aoxiang cursed outright.
Xu Miyu knew that from this moment on, the situation had reversed in her favor.
She shook her head with a smile. “I made a bet in my heart. I bet that no matter how bad or rogue-like you acted, you wouldn’t actually hit a woman.”
Duan Aoxiang pointed at her nose and cursed, “Who do you think you are? Do you think you know me well?”
Xu Miyu continued to smile, speaking unhurriedly, “After all, you didn’t give the delivery guy who scratched your luxury car too hard a time. So maybe you’re not as bad as you make yourself out to be.”
Duan Aoxiang froze in astonishment at her words.
After a long pause, he sat back down on the barstool, propped his elbows on the counter, and laughed heartily, his hand covering his forehead.
“Damn it! To think that in this lifetime, someone telling me I’m not that bad would come from your mouth. What the hell!”
When he finished laughing, he looked up at Xu Miyu. “Are all you women so soft-hearted? Can you judge whether someone is good or bad based on just that? Let me tell you, I’m not a good person. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have framed you and Ji Feng for sleeping together.”
Xu Miyu knew this was Duan Aoxiang’s last struggle. He had his pride and wanted to cling to his image as a bad guy and a rogue.
She still spoke calmly, her voice and tone carrying a soothing power. She told Duan Aoxiang, “That night, after beating you up outside ‘Night Encounter,’ I suddenly thought that maybe you weren’t as bad as you seemed. Maybe you were using this extreme persona to deliberately provoke someone or get someone’s attention. After all, someone who doesn’t give a delivery guy a hard time probably isn’t that bad to others either.
“So after I came back that night, I found a way to retrieve the surveillance footage from our hotel’s monitoring room from the night I got drunk. And I discovered that you were actually drunk that night too. The one who really did the bad things was your former assistant, A Ni. He took it upon himself to do everything, and he was the one who tricked me into going to Ji Feng’s room. But the next day, you took the blame for it all yourself.”
As Duan Aoxiang listened to Xu Miyu’s words, he grew quieter and quieter.
“So,” Xu Miyu smiled again and asked Duan Aoxiang, “why do you always act like a troublemaker? If you want to provoke someone, why not use a more positive approach? If you want to be friends with Ji Feng, why mess with him instead of telling him directly?”
Duan Aoxiang felt as if each of Xu Miyu’s words struck his eardrums like thunder.
He stared at her without blinking for a long time, then said hoarsely, “Get out! Get lost!”
Xu Miyu quickly walked out and thoughtfully closed the double doors behind her, giving him space to be alone with his thoughts.
When Ji Feng returned from his business trip, he heard that Duan Aoxiang had stayed a night on the hotel’s top floor and had specifically called Xu Miyu up there to cause trouble.Ji Feng was momentarily stunned, then furrowed his brows tightly. "Duan Aoxiang came to see her? Why didn't she mention a single word about it? That good-for-nothing is clearly here to skin her alive."
Xue Rui, standing nearby, informed him, "But what would mentioning it have accomplished? You weren't here at the time."
Ji Feng raised his voice to cut him off, his tone almost scolding. "So she just shouldn't have mentioned it? Even if I wasn't here, couldn't I have arranged for someone to handle it?"
Xue Rui fell silent.
He couldn't understand why Ji Feng had become so irritable after the New Year.
Ji Feng instructed Xue Rui to go and find out whether Xu Miyu had suffered any losses from Duan Aoxiang that day.
Xue Rui asked, "Who should I ask about it?"
Ji Feng glared at him coldly. "What do you think?"
Xue Rui caught on. "Oh, right, the person involved! But boss, wouldn't it be easier to just call Mi Yu up here and ask her?"
Ji Feng interrupted him again, his voice filled with unmistakable reproach. "Is my top floor someplace she can just casually come up to whenever she wants? Who does she think she is? Does the lobby not need staff? Can't you go down and ask her yourself?"
Unable to withstand this inexplicable outburst, Xue Rui quickly made his way downstairs with his tail between his legs.
After a while, he returned to report to Ji Feng. "Mi Yu said nothing happened that day. She also mentioned that President Duan might seem bad on the surface, but deep down, he doesn't seem all that terrible."
Ji Feng, who was in the middle of lifting a water cup, paused at these words. "What did she say? Duan Aoxiang isn't bad? Has she lost her mind?"
He had Xue Rui hand him his phone and dialed Duan Aoxiang directly.
He warned Duan Aoxiang, "Xu Miyu has nothing to do with me. Don't keep thinking that harming her will upset me."
Duan Aoxiang laughed on the other end of the line, his laughter surprisingly devoid of its usual sarcasm. "Old Ji, if you could have some kind of relationship with this woman, it might actually be a blessing for you. She... she's really good, honestly. Don't worry, I won't trouble her anymore in the future."
With that, he hung up.
Ji Feng held the phone, mulling over Duan Aoxiang's last two sentences.
The more he thought about it, the more unsettled he felt.
Xu Miyu and Duan Aoxiang—one said the other wasn't so bad, while the other said this one was truly good.
What exactly had happened between the two of them?
Ji Feng gripped his phone and water cup tightly, feeling increasingly displeased.
Then, calmly, he brought the phone to his mouth as if taking a sip of water.
**
After returning from his business trip, Ji Feng found himself in a strange state.
He didn't want to run into Xu Miyu too often, so he started using the underground garage—a route he thoroughly disliked—holding his nose as he came and went.
Yet, when he didn't see her, he found himself wondering how Xu Miyu would react if she suddenly saw him after not catching sight of him for a long time.
So, he deliberately walked through the lobby once.
He made a point of not looking to see where Xu Miyu was or what she was doing. Only after crossing the lobby and stepping into the elevator did he ask Xue Rui, "What was Xu Miyu doing just now?"
Xue Rui replied, "Mi Yu was helping a guest check in."
Ji Feng raised an eyebrow. "Did she not see me pass by?"
Xue Rui answered, "No."
Ji Feng felt a pang of displeasure, though he couldn't quite explain why.
By the afternoon, he deliberately passed through the lobby again.When he passed through the lobby on his way out, Xu Miyu noticed him this time. Yet her gaze held the same detachment as when looking at any stranger or ordinary person. With polite distance, her voice neither too loud nor too soft—flawlessly professional—she greeted him: "Good day, President Ji."
Her eyes only reached the collar of his shirt, never lifting to his face, let alone meeting his gaze.
When he returned and crossed the lobby again, her avoidance became more pronounced. He had spotted her through the glass doors as he approached the hotel, but the moment he stepped past the revolving doors into the lobby, she vanished.
She had deliberately hidden herself, intentionally evading him.
This was exactly what he had wanted. He ought to have felt satisfied.
For some reason, whenever he thought about it late at night in the quiet, he would become somewhat stifled and irritable.
He simply continued to avoid seeing what annoyed him, deciding to use the underground garage from then on and never go through the lobby again.
After a few days like this, he felt he was gradually settling down, as if his state of mind could return to how it was before that night.
But just at this moment, Xue Rui happened to bring up news about her again.
"Boss, yesterday when you went home to have dinner with your mother, you missed something. Mi Yu's family of vampires came to our hotel again yesterday to cause trouble for her."
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