"Mommy, wake up. My sister and I are going to miss the school bus."
Tian Bao shook the sleepy Tian Mi gently. She had just been immersed in a pleasant dream; she jolted awake, scrambled up, quickly donned her clothes, and hurriedly carried her two children outside.
"Mommy, our lunch boxes aren't packed yet!"
Tian Mi ran back into the house to get the lunch boxes and sprinted after the school bus, which was about to leave.
"Thank you, driver!"
Tian Mi exhaled as she got off the school bus. Day after day, she was exhausted from such a frantic routine, but luckily there had always been more scare than harm.
Tian Mi, the lobby manager of the Imperial Court Hotel, welcomed incoming and outgoing guests daily, ready to solve any problem for them.
"Sister Mi, Sister Mi, look there, it's Gu Panpan!" The receptionist, Little Jia, excitedly whispered to Tian Mi.
"And who is Gu Panpan?"
"She is a hot model now, the cover of five magazines in the last issue was her. There is a rumor that she's dating the president of Yukai Group."
Tian Mi looked off into the distance. The woman was wearing a tight long dress, showcasing her stunning figure. Although she wore sunglasses, they were ineffective at concealing her lovely face. Passers-by couldn't help glancing at them.
Tian Mi returned her attention to the hotel booking list on her computer. The name of Ling Yitian appeared on the list; he was going to check into the Imperial Court Hotel in three days.
He's back?
A headache coursed through Tian Mi. Just one month into her job, she was about to encounter the person she least wanted to see. Should she start considering another job change?
"Check in." A man's voice sounded above her.
Tian Mi had initially intended to have Jia handle the check-in procedures. However, upon looking up, she received a black card granting access to the 28th floor.
Instantly, Tian Mi put on a smile and looked at the guest.
A man wearing sunglasses, with clear-cut features beneath them, towered at least above 185 cm. The sharp suit bespoke of private tailoring. Each cufflink on the shirt he wore was embedded with a diamond. Such a man could not be of an ordinary status.
The Imperial Hotel operates a facial recognition system for its VIP clientele. Swiping the black card information into the computer, the overhead front desk camera captures a face. The computer display reveals the man to be You Xuan Yao, the CEO of Yue Kai Group, a Special VIP, with an exclusive room 2808. It also noted that he required the company of a manager or higher.
"Mr. You, this way, please." Tian Mi gingerly handed the black card back to You Xuan Yao. It was only right for Tian Mi, as a hotel manager, to personally attend to such a distinguished guest.
In her three-inch heels, Tian Mi guided You Xuan Yao to the private elevator. The private elevator was not usually in use and was only operational upon the arrival of a VIP guest.
Just as Tian Mi was about to close the elevator door, she noticed a sneaky man at the door with a stuffed backpack. Judging from her many years of experience, this man was definitely a paparazzo, making a living by snapping photos of celebrities and business moguls.
"Sir, you may go up first. I will be right up," she respectfully told You Xuan Yao while giving him a knowing look. What she was really saying was, "Enjoy the beauty upstairs, I will handle the pesky paparazzo for you."
"There's no need." Just as Tian Mi was about to step out of the elevator, she was pulled back by You Xuan Yao. The elevator doors slowly closed.
The private elevator was carpeted, with carved European-style walls. The glass backdrop added grandeur, while the dim yellow lights added an intimate feel.
You Xuan Yao didn't let go of her. Tian Mi felt awkward and tried to free herself, afraid to offend such a distinguished guest and potentially lose her job. As she was in a quandary, the elevator arrived on the 28th floor.
You Xuan Yao showed no signs of loosening his grip. He pulled Tian Mi into room 2808.
Upon entering the room, You Xuan Yao perched himself on the living room sofa, took off his sunglasses, and stared at the still standing Tian Mi near the entrance.
"Do you remember me?"
