The Epoch of Miyu

【Twelfth Chapter: The Honeyed Words Chapter of Life】

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Xu Miyu felt both surprised and delighted. She quickly stepped forward to greet Qi Yunguang and led him to the front where the newlyweds stood.

Uncle Qi was clearly emotional but tried hard to maintain composure as he asked, "Why are you only arriving now?" Yet the tremor in his voice betrayed his inner joy.

Aunt Yan watched Qi Yunguang from the side, letting out a sigh of relief before her face softened into a gratified expression.

Qi Yunguang explained to Uncle Qi, "I took a taxi, but the traffic was terrible, so I'm late." Then he urged, "Now that I'm here, let's get on with it!"

With trembling fingers, Uncle Qi slipped the ring onto Aunt Yan's finger. She then placed a ring on his hand as well, patting it gently before asking, "Is everything complete now?"

Tears welling in his eyes, Uncle Qi nodded. "With my beloved and my son both here, it's perfect!"

Xu Miyu was watching from below, deeply moved, when she suddenly heard Qi Yunguang speak to her.

"Those daily messages you sent me were driving me crazy!" Qi Yunguang said with a frown.

Hearing this, Xu Miyu immediately turned to apologize. "I'm sorry! Actually, I—"

Qi Yunguang cut her off with a sudden smile. "I didn't want to come at first, but your message last night struck a chord. You said that while my father is still here, if I want something from him, I should tell him directly. I hesitated at first, but when I read about how you and your ex-boyfriend grew apart because you never spoke up about what you wanted—how misunderstandings piled up until it was too late—I was really moved. I realized I don't want to live with regrets. So I agree with what you said at the end: I hope that between lovers or between father and son, such regrets never happen again."

"Your words moved me. That's why I thought it over this morning and decided I had to come."

Xu Miyu looked at Qi Yunguang and smiled warmly.

"Thank you for coming," she said sincerely.

From the back row, Ji Feng watched Xu Miyu and the man who had just rushed in—the son of the elderly couple on stage—talking and sharing smiles. He suddenly felt restless. Squinting slightly, he instructed Xue Rui, "Find out what Xu Miyu and that man were just discussing, and do it quickly."

Xue Rui immediately texted the behind-the-scenes videographer near Xu Miyu.

The videographer sent a recording of the conversation to Xue Rui, who passed the phone to Ji Feng.

As Ji Feng watched the video and listened to Qi Yunguang recount the contents of Xu Miyu's messages, a pang of bitterness struck his heart.

So after the breakup, that difficult woman hadn't been as resolute or detached as she seemed. She had been reflecting, carrying regrets of her own. She, too, was grappling with the aftermath of their separation.

Amid the slight ache in his chest, a faint sense of solace and uncontrollable emotion welled up.

On stage, after exchanging rings, Uncle Qi took the microphone. He said he wanted to make a heartfelt confession to Aunt Yan.

The audience chuckled.

But as he spoke, their laughter faded, and soon everyone's eyes grew moist.

Uncle Qi gazed at Aunt Yan and began, "Xiao Yan..." Just those two words carried a soft choke in his voice."Xiao Yan, when we were young, I felt I wasn't good enough for you. I thought you should find someone from a similar background, so I let you go. But that separation lasted thirty years - you spent over twenty years as a lonely widow, and I spent over twenty years as a lonely widower. Neither of us ever found true happiness. Now that we're old, I truly regret not having had the courage back then. So what if my circumstances weren't as good as yours? Since I liked you more than anyone else, and you liked me more than anyone else, what did being 'matched' really matter? I deeply regret choosing my useless pride over you, causing both of us to waste half our lives in loneliness and unhappiness."

Uncle Qi's hand trembled as he held the microphone, matching the slight tremor in his voice.

Steadying himself, he continued: "It took me until this old age to finally understand - what we loved was each other's true selves, what does background have to do with it? It's just a pity that we have so few days left now. But that's alright - from today onward, I'll spend every day happily with you, and we'll never be apart again!"

Aunt Yan wept. Xu Miyu's eyes also welled up with tears. Watching Uncle Qi and Aunt Yan, she couldn't help but think of Ji Feng and herself. She seemed to see her future self as a gender-swapped version of Uncle Qi at this moment, leaving an indelible regret in life's journey. Her nose and eyes suddenly grew more sore with sadness.

At the back of the venue, Ji Feng watched silently, deeply moved as if something had touched his heart. He couldn't help but look at Xu Miyu. Her eyes were misty with tears she was desperately holding back from falling.

Ji Feng's heart suddenly ached with sorrow.

The wedding ceremony concluded perfectly. Next was Uncle Qi's birthday celebration.

The pre-prepared birthday cake was wheeled out, and everyone sang "Happy Birthday" to Uncle Qi.

Uncle Qi and Aunt Yan sat at the main table. Qi Yunguang was also at this table, seated across from them.

While cutting the cake, Xu Miyu signaled to Qi Yunguang with her eyes. Qi Yunguang stood up with his wine glass and said to Uncle Qi: "Old Qi, let me propose the first toast to you. But before that, I want to speak my mind."

Uncle Qi immediately straightened his back, looking attentive.

"Old Qi, you know, growing up, you were always so grumpy. It made me afraid of you, and I never dared to ask you for anything because I thought you'd just scold me angrily. But later, when I saw you with Aunt Yan, that grumpiness completely disappeared. You became completely devoted to her, agreeing to whatever she asked. That's when I thought - maybe you weren't actually bad-tempered, you just didn't love your son that much?"

By the end, Qi Yunguang's eyes had reddened.

Uncle Qi listened anxiously, wanting to speak.

Qi Yunguang stopped him: "Don't say anything yet, let me finish!" He looked determined, as if they would cut ties completely if Uncle Qi interrupted again.

Uncle Qi's face turned red with suppressed emotion, forcing back the words that had risen to his lips.Qi Yunguang turned to look at Aunt Yan, then turned back to Uncle Qi. When he spoke again, his voice suddenly rose sharply, filled with indignation: "That's why I really dislike this old lady! The more you want to be with her and treat her well, the more I dislike her! Old Qi, I just want to ask you one thing - every time we eat, you serve her food, every single meal you serve her food! Why have you never served me?"

His question took everyone by surprise. They found it somewhat amusing, but seeing Qi Yunguang's genuine anger and hurt, no one could actually laugh.

Uncle Qi's face turned even redder with frustration. After struggling for a moment, he roared back: "What kind of ridiculous question is that? I have nothing to explain!"

Hearing Uncle Qi's response, both Aunt Yan and Xu Miyu were shocked.

They had expected Uncle Qi might not answer properly, but they hadn't anticipated he would respond so harshly.

Aunt Yan quickly tugged at his sleeve: "Speak properly!"

Uncle Qi pulled his sleeve back while grumbling: "Stop poking at me!"

Xu Miyu took the opportunity to whisper to Qi Yunguang: "You see, your father isn't always gentle with Aunt Yan either - he's speaking angrily to her too." She immediately turned to persuade Uncle Qi, "Uncle, you need to explain, you need to communicate! Don't put on airs right now!"

She worked hard to mediate from both sides like a peacemaker.

Fortunately, Uncle Qi listened to her. He said gruffly: "I thought he was a grown man who didn't need me serving him food! Two grown men serving each other food - isn't that disgustingly sentimental?!"

Qi Yunguang immediately raised his voice nearby: "You're not me! How do you know I don't need you to serve me food?"

Uncle Qi was taken aback, then roared back even louder: "Then if you wanted me to serve you food, why didn't you ever say so directly?"

Qi Yunguang raised his voice another notch: "Should such a small thing need to be said? Can't you figure it out yourself? Since you can serve her food, can't you serve me some too?"

Uncle Qi refused to back down, stretching his neck to roar back: "Why are you comparing yourself to her? You're a grown man, she's a woman!"

Qi Yunguang roared out all his pent-up grievances: "So what if I'm a man? I'm still your son!"

The veins on Uncle Qi's neck bulged: "Then if you wanted me to serve you food, you should have told me directly! If you don't say it, I really don't know! I just think why should grown men be so disgustingly sentimental!!"

Qi Yunguang's voice began to crack: "You're not me! How do you know what I think? You're my father - if I don't say it, can't you ask? Can't you ask what I want? I just want you to serve me some food too - is that so difficult?"

Uncle Qi was so frustrated his head and neck both turned red.

Then he roared again: "If you want something, you should say it!"

Qi Yunguang roared back: "If I don't say it, can't you ask?"

The banquet spectators were made so nervous by their shouting that they hardly dared to breathe, their emotions climbing like ascending a mountain section by section.

Uncle Qi was getting exhausted, unable to shout anymore. Panting, he asked: "Fine, I'll ask! Tell me, what exactly do you want?"

Qi Yunguang's eyes were completely red-rimmed as he said: "Okay, I'll tell you - I just want you to serve me food! Is that acceptable?"Choking up, Qi Yunguang asked with tears welling in his eyes: "I just want to know—after you serve Aunt Yan, will you serve me too?"

Uncle Qi's voice grew hoarse as tears shimmered in his eyes: "Of course! I'll serve you! If you wanted this, you should've said so earlier!" He roughly wiped his eyes with his sleeve, stubbornly brushing away his aged tears.

Xu Miyu, Qi Yunguang, and Aunt Yan all found themselves caught between tears and laughter. Qi Yunguang likewise wiped his tears with his sleeve—the gesture and expression so identical to Uncle Qi's that no one could doubt their father-son bond.

Everyone present breathed a collective sigh of relief. The family drama they'd witnessed had reached an intensely emotional climax, culminating in a profoundly moving resolution.

It seemed that genuine familial love, regardless of circumstance, always possessed this effortless power to move people.

Xu Miyu felt deeply affected by the recent confrontation between Uncle Qi and his son Qi Yunguang.

In their clash, she seemed to glimpse echoes of the issues that once existed between herself and Ji Feng.

Seated further back, Ji Feng was equally stirred. He too thought of Xu Miyu and himself—how similar their situation had been: one never speaking their desires, the other never asking what was truly wanted.

Lacking direct communication, they'd gradually built barriers between them despite caring deeply for each other.

Ji Feng gazed intently at Xu Miyu, feeling a surge of impulse to rush forward and confront their past issues directly, just as the father and son had done moments earlier.

At the main table, Qi Yunguang raised his wine glass with feigned annoyance and addressed Uncle Qi irritably: "Old man Qi, here's to your birthday!" After a choked pause, he forced back tears to continue, "Even though you're terminal, if you fight hard enough, I want to celebrate your birthday again next year! Don't... don't leave us so soon!" His voice grew so hoarse it nearly failed him. Though he held back the tears, every word dripped with emotion.

Uncle Qi's tears fell instantly. Reaching out to clink glasses with his son, he rasped: "Just wait—I'll serve you enough food to cover this whole table!" His voice was equally strained. Aunt Yan turned away to wipe her tears.

Everyone present was deeply moved.

Xu Miyu couldn't hold back her own tears. She wept bitterly yet smiled joyfully—for this reconciled father-son bond, for this familial warmth she'd never experienced herself.

Sitting at the very back, Ji Feng felt his own eyes growing moist. Meanwhile, Xue Rui had already dissolved into tears beside him: "Heavens, decades-lost romance is moving enough, but who knew father-son relationships could be this heartbreaking! I can't handle tough guys showing tenderness, and these two just had to argue with the toughest words while revealing the softest, most genuine bond—it's too much! Boss, could you pass me the tissue box next to you?"

Ji Feng ignored him.

He feared any movement would reveal his red-rimmed eyes. How embarrassing.

A journalist nearby handed Xue Rui several tissues: "Brother, here, take mine!"

Xue Rui turned to see both journalists weeping uncontrollably.

The younger one sniffled to his senior colleague: "You were right, brother—this is way more worth recording than those big events next door. So warm and touching, I can't stop crying!"

*Everyone was first moved by the elderly couple's wedding, then had their eyes moistened by the emotional reconciliation between a father and son.

The regret of loving but not daring to love in their youth had been mended, and now the estrangement between father and son had been resolved.

Everything seemed to have reached a happy conclusion, with everyone immersed in joy and harmony.

Only Xu Miyu noticed something amiss with Uncle Qi amidst the sea of happiness.

He appeared to be in great discomfort yet was forcing himself to pretend everything was fine.

Seeing Uncle Qi's face suddenly turn pale, Xu Miyu quickly moved toward him.

Aunt Yan finally noticed her husband's abnormal condition and immediately recognized the signs from experience—

"Old Qi, are you going to be sick? Hold it in, I'll help you to the restroom right away! Don't vomit here, it wouldn't look good!"

Uncle Qi dared not nod or speak, afraid that opening his mouth would cause him to vomit uncontrollably. He struggled to hold it back.

But Xu Miyu could see Uncle Qi had reached his limit, and he clearly didn't have the strength to walk to the restroom.

She hurried over to Uncle Qi and Aunt Yan, stopping Aunt Yan: "Don't move him now!" Then she turned to the panicked Qi Yunguang and said, "Call an ambulance!" Before instructing a nearby server, "Bring me a trash can immediately and call the hotel doctor!"

But before the trash can arrived, Uncle Qi could no longer hold back.

Without hesitation, Xu Miyu calmly and swiftly took off her uniform jacket, holding it under Uncle Qi's mouth just in time to catch what he could no longer contain.

Uncle Qi vomited until tears streamed from his eyes.

After he finished, Xu Miyu wrapped up the soiled jacket, handed it to a server for disposal, then took the trash can and helped the elderly man rinse his mouth.

Once Uncle Qi had rinsed his mouth, he leaned weakly against Aunt Yan, grasped Xu Miyu's hand, and gasped his thanks: "Xiao Xu, what a pity about your uniform! Thank you, thank you for preventing me from soiling this banquet that holds such important meaning in my life, thank you for helping me preserve my dignity!"

He panted, his breath growing increasingly short, but still remembered to remind Aunt Yan and Qi Yunguang: "Don't let everyone know I'm unwell. Let them continue to eat, drink, and be merry on my behalf."

Xu Miyu felt a pang in her heart.

The hotel doctor arrived, assessed Uncle Qi's condition, and said: "We can't wait for the ambulance. He needs to be taken to the nearest hospital immediately."

Xu Miyu immediately contacted the transport team, but the result was both anxious and disappointing—all vehicles were booked for events in other banquet halls, and no cars or staff were available at the moment.

Putting down the walkie-talkie, Xu Miyu turned to Qi Yunguang: "Mr. Qi, did you drive here?"

Qi Yunguang shook his head in a panic: "I don't have a car, I took a taxi!"

Anxiously, Xu Miyu turned to Aunt Yan: "Aunt Yan, could you ask if any of the guests here drove? Could someone please take Uncle Qi to the hospital?"

Aunt Yan agreed, but just as she was about to hand Uncle Qi over to Qi Yunguang, Uncle Qi began convulsing. Aunt Yan didn't dare move or leave his side.

Uncle Qi's condition was critical, and there was no time to waste. Xu Miyu decided to ask herself and requested Aunt Yan to point out a few reliable relatives or friends who might have driven.Aunt Yan was being leaned on by Uncle Qi and couldn't move much, so she strained her neck upward to look for someone to help.

Xu Miyu was extremely anxious inside. Qi Yunguang was even stomping his feet beside her.

Just then, Xu Miyu saw someone walking straight toward them from the back of the venue.

When she clearly saw the person's face, Xu Miyu froze in place.

It was actually Ji Feng.

He strode along the central aisle of the banquet hall, with light falling all around him, making him appear as if bathed in golden radiance along the way.

He walked over, stopped in front of her, and told her: "Let me take the elderly gentleman to the hospital."

Xu Miyu stared blankly at Ji Feng.

Aunt Yan quickly asked Xu Miyu: "Who is this..."

Xu Miyu briefly replied: "He's the owner of our hotel."

Aunt Yan, Qi Yunguang, and even the weakened Uncle Qi all showed surprised expressions together.

"How can we trouble the owner to personally take him?" Aunt Yan said somewhat apprehensively.

Ji Feng told her: "Who takes him isn't important. Getting him to the hospital quickly is what matters most." After speaking, he stepped aside to let Xue Rui, who was pushing a wheelchair behind him, come forward. Together with Qi Yunguang, they helped the old man into the wheelchair.

The entire process was swift and efficient, with minimal disturbance. A few guests noticed the situation, but Ji Feng only had the waitstaff explain that the elderly gentleman was tired and needed to rest next door, asking everyone to continue eating, drinking, and enjoying the lively atmosphere.

Xue Rui pushed Uncle Qi out first, with Aunt Yan and Qi Yunguang closely following. Ji Feng stayed behind to instruct Xu Miyu: "You stay and take care of the venue. Don't let the atmosphere become subdued. The elderly gentleman probably wouldn't want this important banquet in his life to be interrupted because of him. He'd likely want everyone to enjoy themselves on his behalf."

Xu Miyu felt each of Ji Feng's words striking her heart.

She thought he was remarkable - easily resolving difficulties, remaining calm and unhurried while arranging everything in an orderly manner.

She nodded firmly at Ji Feng.

Before leaving, Ji Feng glanced at her again and said: "You look good wearing just the blouse too." Then he turned and followed the others out.

Xu Miyu stood frozen in place for several seconds as if her system had crashed.

She understood that he actually wanted to tell her that he had seen her using her jacket to catch Uncle Qi's vomit. He was praising her actions.

She collected herself and turned to attend to the venue. That's when she noticed two people carrying cameras, filming everything that had happened from beginning to end. They both wore work badges around their necks identifying them as media reporters.

Xu Miyu smiled and nodded at them, inviting them to sit down, rest, and have something to eat.

"There aren't any earth-shattering events in this hall. Why don't you two put down your heavy equipment and sit down to have some food!"

But the two responded: "Yet we feel what we recorded in this hall is much more moving than the sensational events in other halls."

Ji Feng took the elderly man to the hospital without a moment's delay.

After everything was settled, he immediately returned to the hotel. He knew Xu Miyu must be waiting for news about Uncle Qi.

When he returned, the banquet had already ended. Looking at the now empty banquet hall, Ji Feng suddenly felt somewhat emotional.

He said somewhat pensively to Xue Rui: "Now this was a banquet worth holding."Xue Rui nodded, wanting to say something, but Ji Feng had already instructed him: "Go attend to your own matters. There's no need to follow me—I have some personal affairs to take care of."

After Xue Rui left, Ji Feng went directly downstairs to the first floor of the hotel, where several newly opened luxury brand stores and high-end clothing shops were located. He entered one of the stores and carefully selected a women's coat.

With the coat in hand, he went upstairs and headed toward the planning department office.

The office door was slightly ajar, and it was quiet inside.

He had intended to knock, but just before his knuckles touched the door panel, he paused and instead gently pushed it open.

Only Xu Miyu was in the office, asleep with her head resting on the desk.

A light rain fell outside, pattering softly against the windowpane. She lay peacefully asleep on the desk. The overcast sky cast a dim light in the room, making her profile appear exceptionally gentle and serene.

On such a gloomy day, the room felt chilly. She must have been exhausted to have fallen asleep at her desk wearing only a white blouse.

He tried to muffle his footsteps as he approached her and gently draped the coat in his hand over her.

Then, without making a sound, he carefully pulled over a swivel chair, sat down, and quietly watched her.

Her long eyelashes cast shadows under her eyes, veiling the weariness there. The skin of her cheeks was as pale as jade—a tranquil piece of white jade set against the gloom and rain. Her lips were pressed lightly together, as if she were worrying about something even in her sleep. Unconsciously, he raised his hand and, as if enchanted, reached toward her lips, gently brushing them with his fingertips.