Xu Miyu turned to look at Aunt Yan, wanting to understand what Uncle Qi meant by saying "what future days are there left." She saw Aunt Yan's expression turn somber.
It was Uncle Qi himself who spoke up, personally explaining to the bewildered Xu Miyu: "Xiao Xu, I've been diagnosed with an illness. Late stage, not much time left. So I've been thinking, while I'm still alive, I should quickly make up for the regrets of my youth—marry her and hold a wedding banquet for her. And coincidentally, my birthday is coming up soon. She thinks this might be my last birthday we'll celebrate together, so she insists on throwing me a birthday party. That's why we've been stubbornly arguing."
After hearing the reason behind their quarrel, Xu Miyu's heart grew heavy with sorrow.
She gathered her spirits, wanting to say something cheerful to encourage Uncle Qi and Aunt Yan, but Uncle Qi spoke first, comforting her instead.
"Xiao Xu, Uncle is fine. I've already come to terms with it. At our age, we've pretty much all accepted these things. Birth, aging, sickness, and death—they're unavoidable. Since it's come to me, I'll face it calmly."
After a pause, Uncle Qi shared with Xu Miyu the life insights he had gained through over twenty years of solitude: "So people must cherish the present and follow their hearts. Don't let inner demons hold you back and leave regrets. Xiao Xu, while you're still young, if there's someone or something you love, you must boldly fight for it. Never shrink back, or you'll surely regret it when you're old. Look at me—if it weren't for my pride when I was young, your Aunt Yan and I wouldn't have missed half a lifetime together."
As he spoke, he laughed and shook his head: "Looking back now, worrying every day about whether we were good enough for each other was really unnecessary. When people have too much pride, it makes both themselves and those around them unhappy."
After hearing Uncle Qi's reflections, Xu Miyu remained silent for a long time.
His words had touched her deeply, making her think of Ji Feng and herself.
By the end of their conversation, Uncle Qi said to Xu Miyu: "Xiao Xu, I should be honest with you too. The reason we were so fixated on holding just one event is because our budget is limited. Holding two events would cost quite a bit, and we were afraid we couldn't afford it, so we didn't dare to consider that possibility. It wasn't until you pointed out that we could combine them that we dared to think about it. But your hotel is very high-end with a good reputation. Holding both events together must be quite expensive, right?"
Xu Miyu immediately reassured Uncle Qi: "Uncle Qi, to be honest with you, I have some authority here. I can give you and Aunt the lowest possible discount. And please rest assured, I will personally oversee your combined wedding and birthday celebration."
Uncle Qi and Aunt Yan happily held hands, looking at each other and smiling.
Xu Miyu thought that seeing the way they smiled at each other made everything worthwhile—no matter how much money or effort she would contribute to their event.After the two elderly individuals left, Xu Miyu returned to her office. Zhou Qingqing, the event planner under her supervision who knew everything, was quite surprised. As Xu Miyu's assistant and protégé in the department, she always prioritized Xu Miyu's interests: "Mi Yu, the discount you offered those two elderly people far exceeds the lowest discount our hotel can provide. Are you planning to cover the difference out of your own pocket to help them host the event?" Zhou Qingqing couldn't help but ask Xu Miyu, "Besides, we currently have several large-scale events waiting for your approval—events that generate both revenue and reputation. To be honest, the elderly couple’s event is small and very personal, so it’s not a big deal. You can hand it over to me for practice..."
Xu Miyu immediately looked up at Zhou Qingqing. Under her gaze, Zhou Qingqing involuntarily stopped chattering.
The behind-the-scenes videographer continued tirelessly filming them nearby.
Xu Miyu looked at Zhou Qingqing and spoke. Though her eyes were sharp, her voice was gentle as she spoke candidly: "Qingqing, I actually believe that the value of each event to us isn’t measured by profit or reputation, but by the happiness and satisfaction of the participants afterward. When they feel happy and satisfied, we too will feel happy and satisfied."
She smiled and patted Zhou Qingqing’s shoulder. "I’ll personally handle the elderly couple’s event. I think if I take charge and they end up very satisfied, I’ll feel truly happy too."
As she finished speaking, she turned her head and noticed the behind-the-scenes videographer still diligently filming.
She couldn’t help but advise him: "Sir, you’ve been filming all day and must be exhausted. Please pack up your equipment and head home. Look, the behind-the-scenes videographers from other event teams have already finished and are resting."
That night, Ji Feng, tormented by the incessant autumn rain, couldn’t sleep and, as usual, pulled up the behind-the-scenes footage to watch.
As he watched the daytime recording and came across Xu Miyu’s conversation with her subordinate, he couldn’t help but rewind and listen again, and then again.
She said the value of each event shouldn’t be measured by profit or reputation, but by the happiness and satisfaction of the participants afterward, which would in turn make the event organizers feel happy and satisfied.
Unconsciously, the corners of his lips lifted.
He thought, this troublesome woman, everything she does seems aimed at capturing his heart. Her smile, her words, her attitude—all of it made it increasingly difficult for him to shake off her lingering effect.
Incidentally, he also became very interested in the elderly couple’s event. He began paying close attention to its progress daily, instructing Xue Rui to direct the planning department to have the behind-the-scenes videographer continue filming in greater detail and to submit the day’s footage promptly before each day’s end.
After detailed discussions with Uncle Qi and Aunt Yan to understand their preferences and requests, Xu Miyu began designing the banquet process, arranging the venue, finalizing the menu, creating invitations, and other related tasks.
Once the invitation style was confirmed, Xu Miyu started helping the elderly couple draft the guest list for the banquet event.After finalizing the guest list, Xu Miyu double-checked it before looking up to ask Uncle Qi: "Uncle Qi, what about your son? Should we send him an invitation? Some guests requested invitations for their parents or children, saying they wanted a sense of ceremony; while others preferred not to, feeling invitations might seem too formal. What do you think? Should we send one to Mr. Qi?"
At this question, Uncle Qi's expression visibly darkened.
"Let's forget about my son. Whether we send an invitation or not, he won't come anyway."
Xu Miyu was surprised by this response. She cautiously inquired why Mr. Qi wouldn't attend the event.
Uncle Qi glanced at Aunt Yan, who told him: "It's fine, go ahead and tell her. Xiao Xu has been working tirelessly to help us—she's not an outsider."
Uncle Qi then turned back to Xu Miyu and sighed. "Because he doesn't approve of me being with Xiao Yan. He's given me an ultimatum: either her or him. He said if I choose Xiao Yan, he's out of my life, and if I choose him, then Xiao Yan has to go."
The ultimatum was indeed harsh, almost like a life-or-death declaration. Xu Miyu couldn't help but widen her eyes in shock.
Uncle Qi's tone suddenly shifted. "To be honest, he's being unreasonable. I've been there for him for thirty years—raised him single-handedly without bringing a stepmother to mistreat him, bought him a house. I don't think I owe him anything. Now that my time is limited, I want to live for myself for a change, so I've chosen Xiao Yan."
As he spoke, Uncle Qi reached for Aunt Yan's hand.
Aunt Yan turned to Xu Miyu with a gentle smile. "Don't listen to this old fool's tough talk. He's always been like this since he was young—says one thing but means another. He makes it sound easy, but deep down, he can't let go of his son."
She sighed before continuing, "I've thought about reaching out to Xiao Qi privately, to encourage him to talk things out with his dad, especially given his father's illness... But this stubborn old mule won't let me contact him, and he forbids me from mentioning his condition. So his son still has no idea, and the two hardheaded mules are stuck in this endless standoff."
Uncle Qi interjected, "Why bother with that stubborn donkey? Wait for him to yell at you? I can't stand that."
Hearing this, Xu Miyu began to understand the situation.
She observed how Uncle Qi claimed not to care about his son, but his eyes betrayed his words—they revealed his genuine hope that his son would attend the banquet.
Seeing Aunt Yan's desire to mediate between father and son, yet feeling powerless to do so, Xu Miyu tentatively suggested, "What if I try talking to Mr. Qi?"
Uncle Qi immediately dismissed the idea. "It's no use. That kid is even more stubborn than I am."
Aunt Yan, however, looked pleased, though she restrained her enthusiasm. "But wouldn't that be too much trouble for you? This isn't really part of your job, is it?" Despite her words, Xu Miyu could sense the hope in Aunt Yan's voice.
Encouraged by this, Xu Miyu replied, "It's no trouble at all. Since I'm in charge of the event, I want to do everything possible to ensure there are no regrets. Aunt Yan, could you give me Mr. Qi's contact information?"
Xu Miyu managed to get in touch with Uncle Qi's son, Qi Yunguang, and arranged to meet him at the coffee shop in the Sway Hotel.The behind-the-scenes videographer dutifully followed through to the end. After obtaining Qi Yunguang's permission, he quietly set up his equipment nearby and began filming.
Qi Yunguang was in his thirties and quite tall. After hearing Xu Miyu explain why she had asked to meet him, his originally gentle and polite demeanor abruptly changed—he seemed to have transformed into a younger version of Uncle Qi, full of anger and speaking in a sharp tone.
"Manager Xu, please don’t bother trying to persuade me. I won’t be attending my father and that old lady’s wedding banquet or birthday celebration."
Before Xu Miyu could ask why, Qi Yunguang couldn’t hold back and began venting his grievances: "Do you think I’m against them being together for no reason? It’s because I feel that old man has never cared about me. From the time I was a child until now, he’s never spoken a gentle word to me—he’s always been angry and irritable! Since I’m not in his heart, I don’t want him to have an easy time either!"
Xu Miyu carefully chose her words as she replied to Qi Yunguang, "Perhaps Uncle Qi’s constant irritability isn’t directed only at you. Maybe that’s just his personality?"
Reflecting on her interactions over the past few days, Xu Miyu felt that Uncle Qi’s grumpy demeanor was the same with everyone. He spoke as if he were perpetually angry, but his true feelings were often the opposite. He was a classic example of someone whose words didn’t match his heart.
Qi Yunguang immediately retorted, "Whether it’s his personality or not, that’s not the point. The point is, he and that old lady are both in their seventies or eighties. Since he’s been a widower all his life, he should have long been at peace with his emotions at this age. So why, after meeting that old lady, does he suddenly lose all self-control? Why must they be together? Why must they get married?"
As Qi Yunguang spoke, he grew more agitated, his exclamations becoming increasingly emphatic: "You know, ever since these two finally got together, wow, it’s been an eye-opener! The old man has turned into her personal servant—serving her food, massaging her shoulders. In all my years, ask him if he’s ever served me food or massaged my shoulders!"
At this point, Qi Yunguang slammed the table in anger, causing the coffee cup to jump. "Since he only has eyes for that old lady, let him and her celebrate their banquets together. They won’t miss me, and they certainly won’t need me!"
He finished with a furious declaration.
Hearing this, Xu Miyu finally understood completely. She realized the root of the son’s refusal to accept his father being with his first love.
Qi Yunguang deeply yearned for his father’s love, but compared to Uncle Qi’s attitude toward Aunt Yan, he felt his father cared only for her and not for him, leading to resentment and anger.
She now thought that Uncle Qi and Qi Yunguang were truly father and son—both equally incapable of expressing their emotions.
After Qi Yunguang’s emotions had settled somewhat, Xu Miyu shared her own family story with him. She told him about relatives who had exploited and even illegally confined their own daughter and sister—relatives who truly had no regard for their children.
Qi Yunguang listened in stunned disbelief, even asking with some skepticism, "Illegal confinement?!"Until the day before the banquet, Xu Miyu still hadn't given up hope. She spent a long time carefully wording her thoughts and drafted a lengthy message. But just before sending it, she felt that at this point, such a long explanation was unnecessary. So she deleted the lengthy essay and only sent a brief message instead.
On the day of the banquet itself, Uncle Qi and Aunt Yan's old friends, former classmates, longtime neighbors, ex-colleagues, and everyone else who had received invitations gradually arrived.
But as the banquet was about to begin, Qi Yunguang still hadn't appeared.
Xu Miyu decided to let it go. At this moment, her primary task was to take good care of the guests who had already arrived.
Suppressing a hint of regret in her heart, she began earnestly coordinating the final preparations before the banquet commenced.
Ji Feng quietly arrived at the banquet venue with Xue Rui, sitting at the very back of the hall.
Recently, the hotel had been thriving. Other banquet halls and venues were also hosting events, all large-scale business functions that generated much higher profits than this private banquet. Numerous reporters, influencers, and media personalities from new, traditional, and self-media outlets had crowded into those halls hosting major events, hoping to capture breaking news that would attract public attention and traffic.
Xue Rui asked Ji Feng why he didn't first check out the other banquet halls, where each event could be described as grand and bustling with excitement.
But Ji Feng showed little interest, telling Xue Rui: "Although those events earn both reputation and money, they become quite boring after you've seen enough of them. They're all uniformly grand and impressive, but numbingly similar without any real emotional impact."
Xue Rui nodded emphatically. Actually, he somewhat felt the same way.
They quietly sat at the back of the hall, waiting for the banquet to begin.
But soon, they noticed two more people sneaking in through the back door, carrying camera equipment - they appeared to be reporters.
They took empty seats beside Ji Feng and Xue Rui, and while waiting for the event to start, began chatting in hushed tones.
"There are so many people in the other banquet halls - feels like there are more people there to cover the event than actual attendees," said the younger reporter.
"Exactly, we couldn't find any space to set up our equipment. We arrived too late," added the older reporter.
"But it's okay, brother - look, there aren't any colleagues in this banquet hall. We might actually get an exclusive here," the younger reporter comforted himself.
"What's worth recording here? Seems like just an ordinary family wedding or birthday banquet," the older reporter poured cold water on his enthusiasm.
The younger reporter immediately responded: "But what I heard is that this event is personally handled by the hotel's gold-standard planner - someone named Xu... ah yes, Xu Miyu. They say she's now the core figure for events at this hotel. So think about it - she's not personally managing any of those major events next door, but she's here overseeing this one in person. That's why I think there must be something special about this banquet hall's event."
The older reporter immediately became interested too: "So should we try recording here then?"
"Let's give it a shot!"
Ji Feng and Xue Rui overheard their entire conversation clearly. Ji Feng silently curled the corner of his mouth in a slight smile.
That woman at the front of the venue had now become such a success that she'd turned into a gold-standard brand herself.Soon, the event officially began.
The first item on the agenda was the wedding banquet ceremony.
After the preliminary procedures were completed, the host invited the officiant and the two elders to the stage to prepare for the ring exchange.
Uncle Qi was dressed in a suit, while Aunt Yan wore a wedding gown. Though their faces were lined with wrinkles, to Xu Miyu in the audience, they appeared as radiant young people today, earnestly making up for a youthful dream of first love—for themselves and for each other.
It was such a beautiful moment. The only regret was that among the witnesses to this moment, Uncle Qi's son, Qi Yunguang, was missing.
After the officiant's speech, it was time for Uncle Qi and Aunt Yan to exchange rings.
Before placing the ring on Aunt Yan's finger, Uncle Qi turned and scanned the audience. The crowd below thought he was seeking interaction and immediately erupted in enthusiastic cheers, everyone turning into atmosphere boosters.
Only Xu Miyu knew that Uncle Qi wasn't looking for interaction—he was actually making one last, desperate attempt to search the crowd for his son. Deep down, he still hoped that such a moment could be witnessed and blessed by his son.
Xu Miyu felt a pang of sadness in her heart. In that instant, she truly wished she could rush out and, even if she had to tie him up, drag Qi Yunguang there.
But at that very moment, she suddenly seemed to hear Qi Yunguang's voice—
"Old man, I'm here!"
Xu Miyu immediately followed the sound, and it was indeed Qi Yunguang who had spoken. He had just rushed in through the main entrance, standing by the door leaning against the wall, panting heavily.
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