Some say this fragrance is innate to one’s genes. When the opposite sex smells it, they experience a sense of pleasure, indicating that your genes complement each other.
Another theory suggests it’s actually a pheromone or chemical signal, unconsciously released when attracting the opposite sex—similar to a form of “communication.” This fragrance tells you that this person has taken a liking to you.
The third explanation is akin to what happens when women use cosmetics over a long period, gradually absorbing the scent—commonly referred to as being “marinated” in it.
Of course, the scent in the third scenario tends to be much stronger compared to the first two.
The fragrance lingering on Nie Fuyao’s forehead was a very subtle and fresh scent.
“Do you use cosmetics?” Feng Zhan asked casually.
Nie Fuyao didn’t understand his meaning. “Rarely.”
Feng Zhan: “…”
It was fate.
Because of this question, the faint, lingering sense of enchantment in Nie Fuyao’s heart instantly dissipated.
After the two left, the young nurse who had witnessed the entire scene in the office had tears welling up in her eyes.
“My idol…”
The doctor from the lab department behind her adjusted his glasses and smiled helplessly. “Xiao Feng is only twenty this year.”
The nurse turned to look at the older man, tears streaming down her face. “Dr. Gao, dating younger men is very popular these days.”
Dr. Gao, in his sixties, was left speechless.
What did she mean by “these days”? It sounded as if he, an old baby, had been left behind by the times. There were plenty of relationships with older women and younger men back in his youth too.
But the key point was that this wasn’t even about dating a younger man.
After Feng Zhan finished Nie Fuyao’s check-up, everyone at the Capital General Hospital knew that Dr. Feng was “in a relationship.”
The hearts of over eighty percent of the young nurses shattered.
What could be more devastating than your idol falling in love?
Completely unaware, the two returned to the office, where Nie Lingchuan was scrolling through his phone.
Seeing his daughter return, he quickly stood up and asked, “How did it go? Everything alright?”
“The results will be ready in about an hour and a half. I have a surgery scheduled soon, so I’ll have to excuse myself for now.” Feng Zhan nodded to the two of them and turned to leave.
**
On the way back, Nie Lingchuan had his assistant buy a phone for his daughter.
“Yaoyao, what are your plans from here on out?”
He looked at his daughter. “My company is planning a reality show—traveling with family. Our first destination is a picturesque Jiangnan town in Nanyang City, nestled between mountains and rivers. Interested?”
Nie Fuyao raised an eyebrow. “I’m not interested in the entertainment industry.”
“Since you’re not interested, I naturally respect your wishes. It’s just…” Nie Lingchuan couldn’t bring himself to mention her online reputation in front of his daughter. His fans were usually well-behaved, and even though his daughter’s scandals were spreading everywhere, his fans remained calm. However, fans of other celebrities didn’t care—as soon as any negative news surfaced, they swarmed in, eager to drag his daughter into the mud and ensure she never rose again, as if she had dug up their ancestors’ graves in a past life.
Ning Sang knew that Nie Lingchuan was hesitant to bring up the online situation with his daughter, fearing her reaction.
“You’re being attacked by countless people online. Lingchuan wants to take you on the show to shut up all those haters.”
Nie Lingchuan looked up at his manager. “Eat your orange and talk less. No one thinks you’re mute.”
Nie Fuyao truly didn't know about this matter. She turned her head to look at Nie Lingchuan, "Does it affect you?"
"No," Nie Lingchuan answered bluntly.
Ning Sang glanced at the rearview mirror and rolled his eyes, "How could it not affect you? Your mindset has already collapsed, and what about the artists under the company? Yunhuang Yule has been developing smoothly over the past few years, with many competitors keeping a close eye on you, hoping you'll make a mistake so they can divide up our company's resources. Lingchuan, now is not like before. Back then, you were an artist—if you flopped, you could just leave the industry. But now you're the boss, with nearly three thousand people depending on you for their livelihood. If the company's performance declines, won't they have to jump ship? How many once-famous big bosses have committed suicide after going bankrupt? Why do you think they didn't start over again? The pie is only so big. Once someone else takes a bite, do you think they'll spit it back out? Starting over requires more than just courage and perseverance. After failing, if you try to stand up again, those people will be watching you like hawks. The moment you show even a slight sign of recovery, they'll push you back into the abyss."
He rarely spoke so seriously and at such length, hoping Nie Lingchuan wouldn't be too emotional.
Many people in the company have been by Nie Lingchuan's side since his debut. If he were to fail this time, would he let those people face unemployment in middle age?
Who doesn't have a mortgage to pay or a family to support?
The two in the back seat fell silent. Ning Sang knew his tone had been harsh. He truly didn't have high expectations for Nie Fuyao, but he couldn't bring himself to dislike her either.
Love for a person extends even to the crows on his roof—she was Nie Lingchuan's biological daughter, and for that reason alone, he was willing to help Nie Fuyao clear her tarnished reputation.
"I'm not asking you to enter the industry, but for everyone's sake, just accompany Lingchuan on a variety show. Let the netizens see that you're not as despicable as they claim. That alone would be a huge help to Lingchuan, and of course, to Yunhuang Yule as well."
Seeing the young girl's silent expression, Ning Sang continued, "The internet says you dropped out of middle school, skipped classes, had early relationships, and engaged in school bullying. I don't believe it, but I can't stop your so-called classmates and townsfolk from constantly slandering you online. Even if it's not for your dad or the company, just for yourself, you need to prove them wrong and shut those people up. Make them understand they shouldn't believe everything they hear without using their brains."
Nie Fuyao turned to look out the window. On the streets of the capital in midsummer, the vegetation on both sides was thriving, yet it was completely different from where she had lived.
In truth, the netizens' revelations were accurate—the original host truly was that terrible.
Growing up in such a stifling environment, Nie Fuyao had long given up on herself, as if using her own downfall to punish… punish whom?
In the end, she only destroyed herself, while others stood by and laughed at her.
"Then let's go through with it. But there's one thing I still need your help with," Nie Fuyao knew she could no longer remain detached from it all.
Nie Lingchuan looked at his daughter with a serious expression and said, "I am your father. You don't need to be so formal with me."
Her polite and distant attitude felt like a knife twisting in his heart.
If he had known about his daughter's existence back then, Nie Lingchuan would have insisted on bringing her and her mother to live with him. His daughter would never have had to face such a situation.
"Alright," Nie Fuyao nodded. "Back then, my mother sent me to my grandmother's house and gave her a sum of money meant for my upbringing. However, my grandmother pocketed that money and used it to buy an apartment in the city for her son. Moreover, she often mistreated me. When I was fourteen, she moved to the city to live with her son, leaving me alone in the village for three or four years without any care or concern."