Molecular Couple

Xi Ai also has another perfume endorsement to film. Of course, Chu Yiqi and Nie Chuiying also have one, and Meng Yike and Yu Nianxi just finished filming a few days ago.

It's like some kind of unwritten agreement, because the interests behind Shi Yunshan and Xi Ai are more intertwined and complex, so more endorsements always end up in the hands of other members of the team.

— Xi Ai, who wields power, is different from Miss Shi. Xi Ai will “abuse her power for personal gain” and apply endorsements of many of her subsidiaries to Chu Yiqi, as if she is playing Miracle Nikki with Chu Yiqi.

Of course, Xi Ai wouldn't let Chu Yiqi know on her own initiative.

So, to be honest, there was probably one percent of the reason why Chu Yiqi wanted to leave at that time.

However, this time it really wasn't because of the two young ladies.

Chu Yiqi and Nie Chuiying's endorsement deal and Xi Ai's relationship with Shi Yunshan are neither enemies nor friends.

Before Xi Ai's photoshoot was even over, people wearing staff badges came to give gifts to the other four people.

"Teacher Chu?"

Chu Yiqi was touching up her makeup after taking a set of photos. She raised her head slightly, but her eyes followed the person who spoke: "What's wrong?"

"This is one of the perfumes in Teacher Xi's series... Teacher Xi picked one out for all of you teachers."

What do you mean by "chosen"? You clearly designed it yourself.

Even when Chu Yiqi is abroad, there are always "busybody" people like Nadia who will broadcast some of Xi Ai's interviews live in front of her.

—But only after Chu Yiqi's doctor said that her mental state had stabilized a lot.

Therefore, Chu Yiqi knew half a month ago that Xi Ai had specifically discussed the fragrance with the perfumer team.

They even spoke with such conviction.

However, it contains ulterior motives.

"If we're talking about the main product, I think Teacher Xi would definitely like mugwort."

"And it suits Teacher Xi very well."

Up to this point, the perfumer sister has shown great ingenuity, cleverly referencing Xi Ai's fan name, and doing so in a way that closely resembles the idol herself.

But Xi Ai's next words inevitably led to speculation: "For the middle note, I think... how about bamboo leaves?"

This is very similar to a Q&A segment during their group variety show the year Chu Yiqi left.

The pre-interview Q&A session definitely involved asking about each other's impressions and evaluations, so the first question was: "You've known each other for several years now, how would you describe or metaphorically represent each other in one word?"

Xi Ai suddenly felt like laughing, so she looked away from the camera and looked at other people.

Oh my god, I saw Nie Chuiying trying to suppress a laugh right away.

Two female fans of doujinshi—oh, one a doujinshi creator, the other one of their creative themes—are inexplicably on the same wavelength right now.

Is this a request for me to reveal an ABO pheromone setting? Or perhaps a fanfic featuring an animal?

No, this isn't something very mainstream, so we can't laugh. We need to be serious.

Okay, let's look at other people's experiences instead.

So Nie Chuiying used her sleeve to cover herself as she reached out to pull Shi Yunshan, who gave her a brief look in response: I know what you're thinking, but don't think about it for now.

Xi Ai could only stare at Chu Yiqi, whose expression made it seem as if she was pondering the question. However, a few seconds later, Xi Ai caught Su Luojian's gaze out of the corner of her eye, quickly looked away, and then glanced at the others.

What a clever way to avoid suspicion by sharing everything equally.

The staff member sitting opposite seemed oblivious and continued to refine the question: "How about this, describe the other person with a flavor."

It's even more ridiculous.

Tang's has no limits.

That scared me to death.

If we follow the seating order, Xi Ai is first, so she goes in order and chooses Chu Yiqi as the first: "Teacher Chu, how about plum wine flavor?"

"Why? Because actually... people used to say in Teacher Chu's comment section that Teacher Chu gives people the feeling of peach blossoms paired with snow willow."

Nie Chuiying chuckled, and then Shi Yunshan reached behind her and gently pinched Nie Chuiying's hand. However, when Miss Shi withdrew her hand, she accidentally brushed against Nie Chuiying's waist.

Nie Chuiying immediately sat up straight and remained silent. If you looked closely and observed her closely, you would notice that her ears were slightly red.

But it really is only a tiny bit.

Shi Yunshan smiled to hide her embarrassment and made no further move.

Xi Ai paused for a moment before answering, "I suddenly thought of this while watching Chu Yiqi just now. It feels like... when it's snowing lightly, the snow melts and is used to make wine. The taste is a bit sour and astringent, gradually spreading, but when you get close, you find that it's warm, and then it actually has a bit of sweetness, hidden behind the initial bitterness. So I thought that this feeling is the most suitable for plum wine."

Chu Yiqi listened to Xi Ai's answer in a daze, her gaze unconsciously following Xi Ai's eyes, so that her eyes would always linger on Xi Ai's before Chu Yiqi could react.

It was like a kiss that didn't actually happen.

"Could you also describe Xi Ai based on what Teacher Xi said?"

They really know how to create something interesting.

Chu Yiqi hesitated for a long time, as if he had overturned the answer again and again and rethought it. But everyone was willing to wait.

Finally, Chu Yiqi looked into Xi Ai's eyes and came to an answer: "Probably... after the rain, in the bamboo forest, brew some lotus leaf tea, and burn the fragrance of mugwort."

It's probably because of a lack of language skills; she couldn't describe it in more detail, nor could she think of a more fitting description.

So, half a month ago, Xi Ai followed up with her description: "The smell isn't strong; it's probably like autumn dew or the feeling of lingering morning fog."

“Oh, I love this vibe!” Eileen, the main person in charge, nodded repeatedly while taking notes. “Then let’s choose a light, leafy base, like white tea? Or lotus leaf or something.”

Xi Ai hesitated for a moment, then asked with a smile, "Can I have both?"

A good-looking appearance is practically a passport among girls, right? Eileen nodded with a smile: "Of course. Right now we're just discussing the direction; we can work things out gradually later."

Xi Ai blinked and asked about the new perfume Eileen handed her, "Does it have a lemon scent?"

"Yes, you could smell it?"

The younger sister next to her spoke up quietly: "Sister Eileen, isn't lemon the main flavor of that one?"

Xi Ai smiled and saw Eileen nod.

"Wouldn't it be strange to add lemon to the main ingredient?"

“There’s absolutely nothing to worry about.” Eileen changed the subject, saying, “You’re questioning my abilities!”

"Absolutely not!"

"Teacher Chu?"

"Other flavors are available if you want to change them."

These two sentences brought Chu Yiqi back to her senses. She quickly lowered her head to take the gift box, glanced at it, and said, "No need to trouble yourself, the taste is just fine. Thank you."

After Chu Yiqi and the others left, I finished touching up my makeup and stood up to take another set of photos. So I finally took a closer look at the note.

It's a butterfly with a blush of pink.

[Plum Wine and Green Plum - Chu]

It's really concise and clear.

You're not hiding it at all, are you?

I wonder how fierce the battle between CP fans and solo fans will be on the day it's officially announced. I can only be thankful that they didn't mention any other items during that hour-long live stream, and no one will know about the gift-giving.

But it seems like it's tough enough—just dilute it with water and it'll last for six months.

As for the main product, Chu Yiqi quickly learned its name.

"What's yours?" Nie Chuiying came over carrying something. Chu Yiqi had just finished work, so the two of them went to the dressing room together to change their makeup for the magazine.

Chu Yiqi gave it to Nie Chuiying, but Nie Chuiying didn't even want to look at the name: "No, why is mine a leaf and yours a butterfly?"

"oh."

Nie Chuiying gritted her teeth again: "What's the point of you two matching so perfectly? Are the brands going to cooperate with Xi Ai's troublemaking?"

Chu Yiqi knew some inside information, so she said, "Oh, the brand and she have a very good relationship."

After all, Nadia is indispensable here—this circle isn't very big to begin with.

"Wait, why is the parallelism so perfect?" Chu Yiqi realized the important question.

Nie Chuiying handed the gift box back to Chu Yiqi, saying, "Oh, I just passed by and took a look. Plum wine and bamboo forest rain. Ah, I remember now!"

Chu Yiqi was stunned by the slap: "What's wrong with you?"

"Isn't this the impression and smell you two were talking about before? Someone mentioned it in the last interview!"

"..."

Alright, Mrs. Zhenquan realized it too; it was time to distribute disaster relief supplies again.

"Who knows?" Chu Yiqi turned the conversation to Nie Chuiying. "What about you?"

"Hey, I really think it's weird that we're here cricketing and giving each other gifts—oh, three words, 'Snow on Clouds'."

Chu Yiqi silently turned her head away and smiled quietly.

I've finally witnessed what it means to be blinded by one's own involvement; it's both surprising and funny.

Chu Yiqi suppressed her laughter and decided to do Shi Yunshan a good deed: "Okay, although I don't think the publicity team would be so bold as to associate this with something else, there must be other descriptions, but..."

Chu Yiqi paused inexplicably, and Nie Chuiying was just wondering what was going on when Chu Yiqi continued, "Isn't this... what you said about your teacher Shi's house after the snow, with clouds and pines lining the stream?"

"What do you mean, my home... No, how did you know?"

Chu Yiqi couldn't help but laugh: "Why shouldn't I know?"

"How did she know?"

Chu Yiqi laughed as she carried the bag, then turned back to give Nie Chuiying a particularly smug look: "How would I know how she knows?"

"How annoying."

"I'm going to tell Sister Shi that you said she can't stand the light of day."

Shi Yunshan sat in the dressing room, looked up and saw the two of them laughing as they followed her in. She also heard Chu Yiqi's words, but she wasn't surprised that she and Nie Chuiying had been exposed to her: "What happened?"

Nie Chuiying immediately accused, "You told her that?"

"I didn't?"

"Then what about Qiqi, this kid who has no talent in matters of the heart..."

Chu Yiqi's eyes widened, unsure whether to be speechless or amused. Then she finally realized that her speechlessness was actually a form of irritation turned into laughter.

"If I remember correctly, you were still questioning your sexual orientation when I started dating, right?"

Nie Chuiying remained silent.

Shi Yunshan couldn't help Nie Chuiying refute him either.

— Chu hoped for a diplomatic victory.

Let's celebrate by checking out the spruce perfume.

"Wow, the moonlit jujube!" Chu Yiqi and Nie Chuiying exclaimed almost simultaneously before going their separate ways.

"You two have matching names, right? 'Gentle Breeze and Clear Moon'."

"Ask Xi Ai if she really won't get scolded?"

Shi Yunshan: "..."

OK, it's best if no one mentions my subjective descriptions of my unrequited love period.

When she formed her impression of Nie Chuiying, she already knew that she liked him. But it was terrible; Miss Shi always liked the wrong person.

So, based on her subjective feelings, she thought of the trifoliate orange. It tastes sour and bitter, but the result is still far off.

Shi Yunshan said with a smile, "That's why I always say Xi Ai knows how to handle things..."

"I told you my eyelids had been twitching, and sure enough, something unexpected happened."

Chu Yiqi glanced at Nie Chuiying and said calmly, "Actually, you just have intermittent, involuntary clonic twitching."

What a great belief in science!

Nie Chuiying: "Aren't you surprised?"

Chu Yiqi and Shi Yunshan said in unison, "You're not used to it."

Nie Chuiying: "..."

When three people are together, one of them will always remain silent; that's a theorem.

Thankfully, the makeup artist hasn't come back yet.

"I hope that your handwriting... was written by Xi Ai, right?"

Nie Chuiying hadn't noticed before, but as soon as Shi Yunshan mentioned it, she immediately went over to take a look.

Wow, I've never seen anyone else write like this before.

Xi Ai's calligraphy wasn't practiced, but it had a certain charm and was quite pleasing to the eye.

Shi Yunshan looked at Nie Chuiying's bag and her own bag: the words were the same.

"Wow, this is a really good standard... for someone I don't know."

Chu Yiqi stared at them numbly.

Although I know Shi Yunshan wasn't a good person to begin with, has it been too long since I've seen her? Why does she talk like this now?

"Okay, let's stop talking, you two."

Nie Chuiying frowned: "What nonsense are you talking about? Don't learn bad things from Xi Ai."

Chu Yiqi selectively ignored the second half of the sentence: "Yes, a couple who thought they were invisible and very secretive."

"..."