This class mainly covered the foundational knowledge of spice and essence experiments. Professor Yan would also preemptively teach some second-year material, which meant their elite class progressed much faster than the regular classes. While the regular students were still learning how to classify spices and understand their properties, they had already moved on to smelling and identifying fragrances.
“Ji Huaixiang, Jiang Mengwan—both of you stay behind. Everyone else, class dismissed.”
“Professor Yan.” Ji Huaixiang and Jiang Mengwan walked to the front of the lectern together.
Professor Yan turned off the computer on the podium and said, “I asked you two to stay because both of you are exceptionally outstanding. I have a task here that I’d like you to participate in. You can treat it as an experiment, a challenge—whatever you like. If you succeed, each of you will get 20 extra credits. Are you interested?”
An elective course was only worth 5 credits. They needed to earn a full 20 credits per semester. If they got 20 credits from this, it would mean they wouldn’t have to take any more electives for the entire term. Jiang Mengwan smiled lightly and answered, “Professor Yan, I’m willing to give it a try.”
Ji Huaixiang had no interest in sitting through those elective classes either—they held almost no learning value for her at this point. She nodded. “I’d like to try too.”
“Very well. In a few days, I’ll arrange for you to join the project,” Professor Yan said.
Jiang Mengwan had already heard through the grapevine that Professor Yan had taken on some kind of special assignment—she hadn’t expected to be included. But what surprised her even more was that Ji Huaixiang had also been chosen. Compared to the beginning of the semester, she could now distinguish over 1,000 different spices. And aside from doing imitations, she had even created one original fragrance of her own—though it was still immature. She was already far ahead of her peers.
Her delicately drawn brows narrowed slightly as Jiang Mengwan glanced sideways at Ji Huaixiang beside her. What exactly had this girl done to catch Professor Yan’s eye?
Feeling the scrutinizing gaze settle on her, Ji Huaixiang turned her head and met the other girl’s eyes. She smiled and said, “Jiang, looking forward to working together.”
Jiang Mengwan nodded graciously, her tone gentle. “Looking forward to it.”
The lab on the eighth floor of the experimental building wasn’t open to students at all times—it was reserved exclusively for professors and faculty. Not only was it fully equipped, but it also housed over a thousand different spices and raw materials.
“Let me introduce you. These two are first-year students I’m mentoring. Starting today, they’ll be joining this project.” Professor Yan led Ji Huaixiang and Jiang Mengwan inside. The busy people inside paused and turned to size up the newcomers.
“Hello, everyone. My name is Jiang Mengwan. Please take care of me.”
“Hi, everyone. I’m Ji Huaixiang.”
“Professor Yan, this is incredible—two beauties at once!” Huang Weige was the first to recover, teasing lightly. “With beauties around, we’ll have way more energy to work.”
“You little punk, smooth talker. Listen up—take good care of your junior sisters. They’re just here to participate and learn this time, no pressure.” Turning to Ji Huaixiang and Jiang Mengwan, Professor Yan explained, “This project is about trying to recreate a hundred-year-old perfume formula as accurately as possible. You two don’t need to feel stressed. Your main role will be to assist the others.”
Both girls had great talent, but compared to the rest of the team, they still lacked experience and seniority.
“I understand what to do.” Ji Huaixiang nodded. She knew Professor Yan was giving them this chance to gain real-world practice.
After Professor Yan left, Huang Weige was the first to approach. “Hey, I’m Huang Weige, third year. Over there, the girl with long hair is your senior sister Yao Linlin. The one in black is Sun Yuanbin. And the tall, super cold-looking one is Wei Yuanhe. Quick heads-up: Old Wei may be handsome, but he rejects all female contact. So if you have any questions or need help, feel free to come bother me anytime, beautiful ladies.”
Jiang Mengwan was amused by his humor. “Then we’ll be troubling Senior Huang from now on.”
“No trouble at all, no trouble.” Huang Weige had neat, regular features. When he grinned, he gave off a bright, sunny vibe. “I’m more than happy to help.”
Over on the other side, Yao Linlin was sizing up Ji Huaixiang and Jiang Mengwan with a slightly displeased expression. She had no idea why Professor Yan had brought in two pretty vases—what were they supposed to do? They were already swamped; who had time to babysit freshmen? “Weige, hurry up and come record the data. I think I’m finally getting somewhere here.”
“Coming!” Huang Weige flashed a smile at Ji Huaixiang and the others. “There’s nothing for you two to help with right now. Why don’t you just watch how we operate for a while and get familiar with the perfume-making process?”
Jiang Mengwan was very considerate. “Senior Huang, go ahead and get busy. Ji and I will stay on the side and observe. If you need any help with small tasks, just call us anytime.”
The junior was pretty, poised, and spoke in such a soft, gentle voice—Huang Weige’s face actually turned a little red. “Okay.”
“Ji, shall we go over and take a look?” Jiang Mengwan suggested.
“Mm.”
Ji Huaixiang stood not far from Yao Linlin’s workbench, watching her skillfully add cedar essential oil. Had this already been adjusted in the base notes?
The base notes—also called the dry-down or lingering scent—only begin to emerge about an hour after the perfume is sprayed. Typically, longer-lasting materials are chosen as fixatives, and the scent isn’t overly strong. Sandalwood, cedar, and similar notes are commonly used.
“Ji, here.” Jiang Mengwan walked over and handed her a smelling strip. “This is the fragrance we’re trying to recreate for this project. Senior Huang gave it to us.”
What she didn’t mention was that the collaborator was a perfume company that had long-term ties with S University. They had acquired a seventy-year-old bottle of perfume at an auction and provided a small sample to S University, hoping the school could analyze and recreate the exact formula and scent. If successful, the company was prepared to purchase the formula for thirty million yuan. She knew this because she had overheard her uncle mention it casually once.
“Thank you.”
Ji Huaixiang took the smelling strip and inhaled. She couldn’t help closing her eyes.
The scent had faded quite a bit, yet it was still incredibly beautiful.
With her eyes closed, she felt as though she could sense fresh grass and soil after a storm had passed, rain-soaked leaves that had fallen from trees, and a small lake restored to calm… The perfume’s thickness, its depth—it suddenly felt tangible, as if she could reach out and touch it.
A scent that could be touched?
Ji Huaixiang frowned slightly, sinking deep into thought.
“Isn’t this fragrance really special?” Jiang Mengwan spoke up, interrupting her thoughts. She had smelled it too—the perfume’s scent was still remarkably clear. For it to remain this well-preserved after so many years showed just how carefully the original owner had stored it.
“Mm. The owner must have really loved perfume.” Ji Huaixiang loved fragrances herself, but she didn’t have the energy to collect them obsessively.
There were plenty of collectors of antiques, calligraphy, paintings, and handbags, but perfume collectors were relatively rare. Many people didn’t know that perfume could actually be preserved for a very long time—decades, even over a century. Preservation depended entirely on the storage conditions: perfume needed to be kept in a dark, cool place, away from light.
After spending the whole day there, Ji Huaixiang and Jiang Mengwan had mostly just observed. Since they had only just joined, everyone was still unfamiliar with them, and the others were too busy to pay much attention to the two newcomers.
Ji Huaixiang didn’t mind at all. She was deeply interested in recreating this hundred-year-old perfume. After smelling it, the fragrance had stirred a lot of feelings in her. She felt that if she could successfully recreate this ancient scent, it would bring her brand-new inspiration for creating original fragrances.
Just as she stepped out of the lab, Ji Huaixiang received a call from Gu Wujin. He was waiting downstairs at the girls’ dormitory.
“Jin-jin, wait for me. I’m coming right now.”
Ji Huaixiang hung up and anxiously watched the elevator. She hated making him wait.
“Was that Wujin?” Jiang Mengwan tilted her head toward Ji Huaixiang, a smile playing at her lips.
“Mm.”
Jiang Mengwan’s fingers tightened around the strap of her bag. She looked a little stunned. “You two are still together?” Everyone said Gu Wujin’s girlfriends never lasted more than a week before he dumped them.
Ji Huaixiang’s eyes darkened slightly. She tugged at the corner of her mouth and smiled. “What can I do? I’m this pretty, and Gu Wujin is this handsome. There’s no better match than the two of us together. I can’t just let someone else benefit.”
The smile on Jiang Mengwan’s lips faded a few degrees. “You’re really funny, Ji. By the way, are you two going out for dinner? I haven’t seen Wujin in a long time, and I was just thinking of grabbing something to eat too. If you don’t mind, why don’t we all go together? It’ll be more lively with more people.”
The elevator arrived.
As they stepped inside, Ji Huaixiang’s fair, delicate face was reflected clearly in the mirror-like elevator doors, carrying a trace of coldness. She replied, “No thanks. I do mind.” She smoothed the long hair beside her ear; a faint, clear fragrance drifted over and slipped into Jiang Mengwan’s nose. “Don’t take it personally. I’m actually very petty and possessive. I only like having quiet dinners alone with my boyfriend.”
The elevator doors opened on the first floor. “I’m here. See you.” With that, she walked straight out, her steps quick.
Watching the slender figure hurry away, Jiang Mengwan’s expression turned somewhat unpleasant.
Summer nights came late; the sky was still tinged with sunset, and full darkness hadn’t yet fallen.
Ji Huaixiang walked fast—almost running. The lab building was very far from the girls’ dormitory, practically at opposite ends of campus. The usual ten-minute walk now felt unbearably long.
Finally reaching the crossroad, she looked up and immediately spotted the man leaning against the black car—tall, handsome, and powerfully built. He wore a white shirt, arms crossed, a cigarette between his lips, eyes lowered. In that instant, Ji Huaixiang felt that even if she ran herself half to death, it was worth not missing a single second of this sight.
Behind him stretched an orange-red sky; the gentle glow of the setting sun bathed everything in soft, warm light, impossibly beautiful. The man, outlined by that orange radiance, looked breathtakingly magnificent—handsome to the point that no one dared look directly at him.
She slowed her pace and walked over quietly, her voice soft and gentle. “Have you been waiting long?” She could hear her own breathing, still uneven and a little heavy, along with the thump-thump-thump of her heartbeat pounding like a drum. She wasn’t sure if it was from running or from being completely captivated.
Gu Wujin saw the girl approaching. He immediately stubbed out the cigarette and walked over to open the car door for her. “You ran all the way here?” He noticed her breathing wasn’t steady.
“Yeah.” Catching the faint smell of tobacco on him, she unconsciously wrinkled her nose, though the smile on her lips didn’t fade. “I was afraid you’d get impatient and leave. If that happened, I’d regret it for the rest of my life.”
Gu Wujin got into the driver’s seat. His expression looked a little unhappy. “I may be precious, but I’m not fragile.” Seeing her hair slightly messy from running, he couldn’t hold back—he reached over and gently smoothed it for her. “Next time, just walk slowly. I’ll stand right here and wait for you.”
Ji Huaixiang blinked. Looking at the man’s refined face, a warm surge rose in her chest, urging her to do something. So she grabbed the hand he had just used to fix her hair and pressed it against her own cheek.
She rubbed her face against his palm again and again. “So rough,” she complained after a moment.
Her skin was very fair and smooth. Even when looking in the mirror, she sometimes couldn’t help admiring herself—but it was also too delicate. When she washed her face with a towel, she always did it gently. Gu Wujin’s hand clearly didn’t belong to someone pampered; there were thin calluses on his knuckles that scraped painfully against her tender skin.
Feeling the soft skin rubbing against his palm, Gu Wujin’s arm went slightly numb. Suddenly being complained about, his breath hitched. He wanted to pull away. “You’re the one who wanted to rub against it.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Ji Huaixiang’s eyes were watery and bright; her brows lifted in a teasing, seductive curve. “I just love these rough hands.” She pressed his hand tighter, refusing to let go, and rubbed her cheek against it again, savoring the heat of his palm.
After a long moment, Gu Wujin’s ears were flushed red from her constant rubbing. His gaze darkened. Only then did he finally pull his hand free—but the lingering warmth of her soft skin stayed in his palm, refusing to fade.
By the time they reached the restaurant, every seat in the main hall was already taken.
“Mr. Gu, this way please. We’ve prepared a private room for you.” The manager smiled warmly, practically bowing.
“Mm.”
As soon as they stepped into the lobby, Gu Wujin’s sharp brows furrowed tightly. He noticed numerous hot gazes turning their way.
He glanced sideways at Ji Huaixiang’s legs, lips pressed into a thin line. Today she wasn’t wearing a skirt or heels—instead, she had on short denim shorts. The design was plain, but on her body, they were outrageously eye-catching.
Those legs were slender, long, and glowed white—impossibly attention-grabbing.
“Why aren’t we moving?” Ji Huaixiang tugged at his finger.
“After dinner, I’m taking you to buy some clothes. We’re changing that outfit.” Gu Wujin’s eyes were very deep.
Ji Huaixiang tightened her grip on his fingertip and tilted her face up. Her dark, shiny eyes looked at him pleadingly. “Are you… disliking me? Do I not look good like this?” Today she wore a white short-sleeved top and short denim shorts.
A woman dresses to please the one she loves.
She no longer needed to hide in long sleeves and long pants like before. In the past, she hadn’t cared because there was no one she wanted to impress—and conditions didn’t allow it. Now that she was in love, she wanted to dress up beautifully.
Just earlier in the elevator, she had even checked herself in the reflection—red lips, white teeth, radiant and captivating, long legs. Overall, she thought her outfit looked really good.
Gu Wujin didn’t answer. He simply pulled her along and walked into the private room the manager had guided them to.
The manager probably sensed the unusual atmosphere between them. His heart trembled nervously—he couldn’t afford to offend Young Master Gu of the Gu family, not even a little.
“Here’s the menu. Please take a look. If you need anything, just ring the bell.” With that, the manager quickly retreated and wiped a bead of sweat from his brow outside the door.
The private room was very quiet. Compared to the noisy main hall, it felt peaceful and spacious. There was likely an incense burner in the corner; the fragrance was very faint—sandalwood.
The man stayed silent, his refined jaw clenched tight.
Ji Huaixiang sneaked a glance at him and said pitifully, “Earlier when Jiang Mengwan said those things, I didn’t believe her. I didn’t expect you to start disliking me so soon… Are you going to break up with me soon…?”
Gu Wujin’s mouth twitched. “What nonsense are you talking about? Who’s breaking up!”
“You are. We’ve only just started holding hands—we haven’t even kissed yet—and you’re already starting to dislike me.” Ji Huaixiang bit her red lip and blinked hard. A layer of water quickly gathered in her dark eyes; they looked watery and pitiful as she gazed at him.
“When did I ever dislike you?” Gu Wujin stared at her.
“Just now outside. Your face changed, and when I asked you questions, you ignored me.” Ji Huaixiang quietly accused him of his “crime.”
Gu Wujin closed his eyes for a moment. Suddenly he leaned over, one arm braced against the back of her chair, pressing close enough that he was almost on top of her. His other hand landed directly on her bare thigh—full of smooth, silky skin. He gave it a firm, heavy squeeze and growled fiercely, “What do you want me to say? That I’m burning with jealousy inside, wishing I could gouge out all those people’s eyes?”
Ji Huaixiang froze for a second. Then her red lips lifted high. “Jin-jin, you’re hurting me. Be gentler.”
Author’s note: (Note: The information about perfume preservation in the text comes from online sources.)
Even if the packaging states an expiration date, unopened perfume can be preserved for fifteen years. Even if you buy expired perfume, as long as there are no signs of discoloration, off odors, cloudiness, or sediment, it can still be used.