After a very long flight, it was already early morning in country Y when she finally arrived at the hotel. The people from Vance Perfume Company had been very considerate and had already booked a room for Ji Huaixiang in advance.
The single deluxe suite was extravagantly luxurious and clearly very expensive. Ji Huaixiang put down her luggage, tiredly lay down on the huge, opulent bed, took out her phone from her pocket, and the moment the signal connected, more than a dozen missed call notifications immediately popped up.
Her eyes suddenly widened. She sat up abruptly.
Gu Wujin had called her?
After being stunned for a second, she reacted and looked at the time. It was already morning back in the country. She quickly called back.
Gu Wujin was woken up by the vibration of his phone. His voice sounded lazy and hoarse:
“Hello? Speak!”
“Gu… Mr. Gu.” Ji Huaixiang felt a little embarrassed. “Did I disturb you?” He seemed to still be sleeping.
From the other end came a soft, gentle female voice. It was like very white, fluffy fur gently scratching his ear — extremely ticklish. Gu Wujin instantly opened his eyes. The sleepiness in his pitch-black pupils disappeared.
“Ji Huaixiang? Where the hell did you run off to?!”
The man’s voice was very fierce. Ji Huaixiang’s heart trembled slightly. She could hear the anger in it.
Silence on the other end.
Gu Wujin sat up, leaned against the headboard, his expression displeased, but his tone softened a little:
“Say something.”
“Mr. Gu… are you worried about me?” Ji Huaixiang lowered her eyelids. Her fingertips absentmindedly traced lines on the white bedsheet. The corners of her lips lifted high.
Even though the man’s tone was凶 (fierce/angry), Ji Huaixiang wasn’t angry at all. So this was what it felt like to be cared about by someone.
Gu Wujin choked.
Ji Huaixiang’s voice became even softer, even gentler, and carried obvious joy:
“Mr. Gu, did you go looking for me?”
“Mm.” Gu Wujin felt a bit annoyed and a bit helpless. He gave a short reply. “Where are you?”
“I had something to take care of. I’m in country Y right now. Did you need something from me?” Ji Huaixiang’s ears felt hot; even the tips had turned red. The man’s voice by her ear was low, elegant, and pleasant, still carrying the laziness of just waking up. In the deep quiet of the night, it was terribly seductive.
Gu Wujin realized he really knew nothing about Ji Huaixiang. He never expected her to have gone all the way to country Y.
“I’ll finish things quickly. I’ll be back in two days.” Ji Huaixiang thought he was unhappy and quickly explained. “Mr. Gu… did you want to see me?”
Gu Wujin hadn’t expected Ji Huaixiang to ask so directly. He pressed his hand against his mouth, coughed lightly. A trace of embarrassment appeared in his usually cold black eyes. Before he could speak to deny it, the girl on the other end continued:
“Mr. Gu, can you wait for me? I’ll finish handling things soon and hurry back.”
“Come back whenever you want.” Gu Wujin’s gaze darkened. He pressed the tip of his tongue against his teeth — he was starting to crave a cigarette.
“I know.” Ji Huaixiang blinked her shiny black eyes. Her gaze flowed like water. A thin blush spread across her fair little face. “It’s me… I want to come back quickly. It’s me who wants to see Mr. Gu…”
Mr. Gu, I really, really want to see you.
His heart was suddenly struck hard.
Gu Wujin picked up a cigarette and put it between his lips. The smell of nicotine swirled in his nasal cavity, clearing his mind a little. He tugged at the corner of his mouth:
“Ji Huaixiang, are you trying to bewitch me or something?”
“No, I’m not.” Ji Huaixiang laughed. She shook her head. Her ink-black long hair swayed behind her. “Mr. Gu, good night.”
With that, she hung up the phone. Only then did she realize that the palm holding the phone was already damp with sweat.
Mr. Gu… the one really brewing bewitching soup is you.
She met with the people from Vance Perfume Company the next afternoon. Unlike in her previous life, this time only the general manager’s assistant came. Ji Huaixiang didn’t mind at all. She knew that recently Vance had been locked in a fierce battle with their rival company — the loser would face the crisis of being swallowed up and acquired. Coincidentally, Vance’s in-house perfumer had run into problems, which was exactly why Ji Huaixiang had been so certain they would buy her formula.
Mr. Roth, the assistant, hadn’t expected the collaborator to be so young.
“Miss Ji, are you the perfumer?”
“Yes, I am.” Ji Huaixiang naturally noticed the surprise and disbelief in his eyes. She remained calm and spoke fluently: “I believe talent isn’t reflected in a person’s age, nor is it limited by it.”
Mr. Roth nodded.
“I remember there’s a saying in your country… something like ‘the younger generation is to be feared’?”
“‘The younger generation is formidable.’” (Hou sheng ke wei.)
Ji Huaixiang carefully read through the contract once more, signed her name, and handed it back.
“Yes, that’s it. This perfume formula — you created it yourself?”
Ji Huaixiang nodded.
“That’s right. This is just one of them. In the future, if your company wishes to collaborate again, feel free to contact me.”
She deliberately let slip that she had more than one perfume formula on hand. Once this fragrance hit the market, Vance Perfume Company would know exactly what to do.
Mr. Roth smiled and nodded politely, every bit the gentleman.
“Of course.”
His thoughts aligned perfectly with Ji Huaixiang’s. If this perfume turned out to be a success after production, Vance would be more than happy to continue working with her — they might even try to recruit her and make her one of their official in-house perfumers.
Each side kept one copy of the contract. Mr. Roth stood up, preparing to leave.
“Country Y has many beautiful ancient castles. Since Miss Ji has come all this way, you’re welcome to stay and enjoy some sightseeing. No need to worry about the hotel — the company will cover all expenses.”
Ji Huaixiang gave a polite smile and declined.
“Thank you for your kind offer, but there are important matters waiting for me back home. I need to hurry back.”
Even though Gu Wujin hadn’t said what he wanted to see her about, she was desperate to find out.
“Very well then. Looking forward to our next collaboration.”
Mr. Roth didn’t press further. He took the contract and hurriedly left to return to the company.
This was an ancient, elegant city. Churches, theaters, red telephone booths… everywhere carried the breath of history — refined, peaceful, making people unconsciously slow their pace and stroll leisurely.
But not Ji Huaixiang.
She passed through quickly, rushing back to the hotel to pack and head straight to the airport.
The flight from country Y back home took nearly thirty hours. When she finally stepped off the plane, Ji Huaixiang’s face was a little pale. The schedule had been too tight, and combined with jet lag, she hadn’t rested properly.
She took out her phone and sent Gu Wujin a WeChat message:
[Mr. Gu, I’m back.]
The next second, her phone rang.
“Where are you?”
Gu Wujin’s low, deep voice came through the phone.
“I just got to the airport.”
“Wait there. I’m coming to pick you up.”
On the Gu family side, Gu Lü watched as Gu Wujin stood up and headed for the door. He quickly stepped in to block him.
“A-Jin, where are you going? We need to head to the banquet venue soon.”
Gu Wujin raised an eyebrow.
“Brother, are you afraid I’ll run away?”
“A-Jin, Grandfather specifically instructed that you must be there tonight. Don’t make him angry.” Gu Lü’s tone left no room for argument.
“Don’t worry. I’ll attend the banquet tonight. Right now, I’m going to pick up my friend.”
Gu Wujin had a cigarette between his lips. He sidestepped past Gu Lü with his tall frame exuding an even stronger presence than his older brother.
Gu Lü didn’t try to stop him again. He watched the retreating figure, his gaze lingering on Gu Wujin’s feet for a moment before slowly pulling back.
Near dusk, the sun gradually softened its fierce rays. The lingering golden light spread across the ground like a layer of golden gauze draped over everything, creating a strangely beautiful glow.
The black car pulled up outside the airport. Gu Wujin looked toward the entrance and spotted her immediately — the girl standing beside her suitcase, slender and graceful. The scattered fragments of sunset light fell on her body. Her ink-black hair caught dreamy golden highlights, and her porcelain-white skin seemed coated in a soft sheen of radiance. She was so stunning that passersby kept turning their heads to look again.
Gu Wujin got out of the car and walked toward her.
The moment the girl’s clear black eyes met Gu Wujin’s, they instantly sparkled, reflecting the golden sunset glow — dazzling and breathtaking.
“Mr. Gu.” Ji Huaixiang greeted him with pure joy.
Gu Wujin took the suitcase from her hand.
“Get in.”
Having learned from last time, Ji Huaixiang obediently walked around to the passenger side and slid into the seat.
“Mr. Gu, what did you need me for?” Ji Huaixiang stared at the man’s profile, eyes wide and unblinking, full of eager curiosity.
Gu Wujin closed the car door with a firm click. He turned to look at Ji Huaixiang and slowly leaned toward her.
“Ji Huaixiang.” He called her name in a low, quiet voice.
The man’s tall frame drew closer, bringing with it the faint scent of cedarwood and tobacco. Ji Huaixiang pressed her back tightly against the seat, her whole body tensing up. She was at a complete loss, heart pounding wildly — thump, thump, thump — loud enough that she could hear it herself.
“Mr. Gu?”
They were so close now. She instinctively placed her hand against his chest to stop him from coming any nearer. Her fair face flushed hot. In a soft, pleading voice she said:
“Can you… if Mr. Gu wants to get intimate, can we wait a little longer? Not right now… I smell terrible.”
Gu Wujin lowered his gaze to her. Because of her nervousness, the girl’s thick black lashes fluttered rapidly. Her adorable, flustered little expression completely clashed with her usually bright and beautiful features — and yet it was so captivating it could tear someone’s heart to shreds. One eyebrow arched. Gu Wujin suppressed the strange ripple that stirred in his chest.
“You thought I was going to kiss you?”
Ji Huaixiang froze, confused.
“Huh?”
A flash of amusement passed through Gu Wujin’s dark eyes. His long fingers reached beside her, pulled out the seatbelt, and buckled it securely for her.
“I was just trying to be a gentleman with some class.”
His thin lips curved in a wicked, teasing smirk.
“And besides, you shouldn’t be constantly lusting after my good looks.”
Ji Huaixiang’s mind exploded. Crimson instantly flooded her burning cheeks.
Was it really that obvious?
Didn’t he understand the unspoken rule of seeing through something but not saying it out loud?
So mean! What should she do — she really wanted to scratch him right now.
“Ji Huaixiang.”
Gu Wujin’s expression turned serious again. He started the car and said, “Tonight is my older brother’s birthday banquet. Would you like to be my dance partner?”
“I don’t know how to dance.” Ji Huaixiang pressed her lips together. Besides, she smelled bad right now — if others caught the scent, Gu Wujin would become a laughingstock. She didn’t want to embarrass him.
“So, you’re not willing?”
Gu Wujin turned the steering wheel casually, sounding completely indifferent.
“No problem. Anyway, the old man at home has already arranged for the Bai family’s young lady to be my dance partner tonight.”
Ji Huaixiang lowered her eyelids, hiding the disappointment inside them.
“The Bai family’s daughter is an idiot. The old man thinks she’s a perfect match for a cripple like me.” Gu Wujin’s voice was very light, almost detached.
“Mr. Gu… actually, dancing probably isn’t that hard. I’m pretty smart — I can learn just by watching a few times.” Ji Huaixiang looked at him with eager, pleading eyes. “I want to be your dance partner.”