Chapter 22: Qin Xingwan Does Not Like You

Chu Li walked over.

This evening, Qin Xingwan was in a very good mood.

She never looked down on herself for not having received systematic training in perfumery, but receiving recognition and praise from a senior was a different kind of validation and approval.

She reflected inwardly that during her three years at the Chu Group, she had not wanted to cause Chu Li any trouble, so she had adhered to a principle of keeping a low profile and rarely attended industry events.

Looking back now, it was truly a great loss.

Fortunately, it was not too late.

"Master Fang is in a good mood today." Chu Li sat down composedly, his elbow brushing against Qin Xingwan's.

Like a couple with an excellent relationship.

Qin Xingwan calmly pulled her elbow back slightly.

Fang Yiwen had been quiet the whole time, but seeing Chu Li now, he smiled slightly and spoke: "Why has President Chu come over? Are you not looking after Director Qin?"

Chu Li never wore his emotions on his sleeve in public, and besides, Master Dashi was there.

He rested his arm on the back of the sofa, as if holding Qin Xingwan in his embrace.

"Xingwan is my wife; naturally, I have come to accompany her."

Qin Xingwan maintained a polite smile.

Master Dashi glanced at Fang Yiwen beside him, then looked at the couple opposite him with a chuckle: "President Chu and Miss Qin are so deeply in love; it is enviable."

Having lived for more than half a lifetime, he could see Chu Li's feelings for Qin Xingwan at a glance.

They were different from how he treated others.

The smile on Chu Li's face became a few degrees more sincere.

Qin Xingwan changed the subject, discussing perfume-related matters with Master Dashi, with Fang Yiwen occasionally chiming in; the three of them talked happily.

Chu Li did not understand this field, yet he did not feel awkward; he lightly twirled a strand of Qin Xingwan's long hair with his fingers, looking relaxed and content.

Later on, Master Fang became increasingly enthusiastic and invited Qin Xingwan to view his collection.

Qin Xingwan readily agreed.

This left Chu Li and Fang Yiwen sitting where they were.

Fang Yiwen spoke indifferently: "You should divorce her."

News of the marital discord between Chu Li and Qin Xingwan had long since spread, but because Chu Li always played the part of the loving husband in public, the news remained in a state of uncertainty.

But after getting to know Qin Xingwan, Fang Yiwen understood that their relationship as husband and wife had reached its end.

Chu Li's handsome features were overlaid with a faint sense of dominance: "My relationship with Xingwan does not permit outsiders to interfere."

Fang Yiwen was that outsider.

Beneath Fang Yiwen's gentle temperament lurked a hint of anger: "It is a tragedy for her to have a husband like you."

The first time he met Qin Xingwan, he truly could not imagine how a woman whose brow was filled with sorrow could create such spirited perfumes as the Twenty-Four Solar Terms.

Later, he understood it was because of her unhappy marriage, those trivial matters wearing down her spirit.

Fortunately, by their second meeting, she had already moved past it.

But what about next time, or the time after that? Could she still pull herself out of it on her own?

Fang Yiwen hoped Qin Xingwan would get a divorce.

Chu Li curled his thin lips into an arc of contempt and disdain: "Three years of marriage between Xingwan and me cannot be destroyed by a few words from Fang Shaoye."

"But the marital affection you so self-righteously believe in is wearing down her spirit."

Fang Yiwen was heartbroken; he often thought that if he had met Qin Xingwan first, he would have done everything in his power to support her in going further and further on the path of perfumery.

She should have a broader future, not be reduced to a man's accessory.

"She doesn't like you." Fang Yiwen presented the fact: "If you still care for this marital bond, you should divorce her and let her do what she loves."

"If she doesn't like me, would she like you? What do you have that is worth her liking?" Chu Li was dismissive.

He did not believe Qin Xingwan would choose a greenhorn like Fang Yiwen.

Fang Yiwen stood up, graceful and full of confidence.

"Master Dashi is my grandfather. My grandfather has studied perfumery his whole life; President Chu can see how much he likes Qin Xingwan—that is what makes me worthy."

He turned to go chat with other guests.

Chu Li sat where he was, his face dark, gloom like ink staining his eyes.

Qin Yun Shu stood not far away, her face deathly pale; so Fang Yiwen was Master Dashi's grandson.

When had her sister made such a connection? No wonder she had been so calm when she left the Chu Group back then.

Before today, Qin Yun Shu had never looked twice at her sister, Qin Xingwan; after all, a girl raised in the countryside, even if she shared the same blood, could not change the differences brought about by their environments.

But today, that sister from the countryside had shown another side of herself, dealing her a heavy blow.

She walked over slowly and said softly: "A Li, what's wrong?"

Chu Li came back to his senses, glanced at the time on his watch, and stood up: "I'll have the driver take you back."

Because of Master Fang's high regard for Qin Xingwan, there was no longer any point in Qin Yun Shu staying here.

Qin Yun Shu nodded obediently.

Once outside the door, however, she saw Qin Xingwan and Fang Yiwen.

Fang Yiwen said something, and Qin Xingwan laughed softly, her eyes and brows filled with a woman's tenderness.

Fang Yiwen opened the car door, seemingly intending to see Qin Xingwan off.

"It's sister..." Qin Yun Shu murmured.

Chu Li had already strode over, grabbing Qin Xingwan's wrist to pull her to his side, his cold eyes fixed on Fang Yiwen.

"There is no need to trouble Fang Shaoye."

Fang Yiwen gazed gently at Qin Xingwan: "What about you?"

He respected Qin Xingwan's wishes.

Qin Xingwan did not want to see Fang Yiwen and Chu Li come into conflict.

"I am going the same way as President Chu."

The driver brought the car over, and Qin Xingwan took the initiative to sit in the passenger seat, leaving the back seats for Chu Li and Qin Yun Shu.

Chu Li's eyes darkened, and he instructed the driver to take Qin Yun Shu home first.

Qin Xingwan said goodbye to Fang Yiwen.

The car drove away.

Fang Yiwen stood where he was, feeling very dejected.

The elderly man walked over and patted Fang Yiwen on the shoulder, "Qin Xingwan is one of the most talented people I have ever met."

Fang Yiwen feigned shock, "The 'one of' that Grandfather mentioned wouldn't be referring to me, would it?"

Fang Dashi rolled his eyes at his grandson and let out a long sigh, his expression filled with infinite longing, "That person... it is a pity."

Fang Yiwen knew that there had always been a hurdle in his grandfather's heart, so his tone became serious, "I will help you find that person Grandfather mentioned."

Fang Dashi had two disciples in his life; one was the internationally renowned Katherine, and the other... had disappeared for many years...

Upon arriving at the Qin Family, Qin Xingwan had thought she could leave directly, but she did not expect that Qin Jianguo, knowing Chu Li had come, would enthusiastically invite him for tea.

Chu Li stood by the car door, his dark, deep eyes looking only at Qin Xingwan.

It carried a strong implication of waiting to see what Qin Xingwan wanted to do.

Qin Xingwan did not want to return to the Qin Family and was about to tell the driver to leave.

Lady Qin walked to the car window and said softly, "You're already at the doorstep, won't you go see Qin Nainai?"

Qin Xingwan gripped her skirt with her fingers; even though she knew Lady Qin was only using this as an excuse to keep Chu Li, she could not refuse.

She also missed Qin Nainai.

She pushed the door open and got out of the car.

She lifted her skirt and walked inside.

Chu Li followed slowly behind.

Qin Xingwan asked a servant and, learning that Qin Nainai was in the Garden, walked over there.

Qin Jianguo invited Chu Li to the living room for tea, but was refused by Chu Li, who followed Qin Xingwan to the Garden instead.

Lady Qin was somewhat surprised, "A Li seems to have changed."

Qin Jianguo's expression was complex; one had to know that every time Chu Li came here, he would go straight to the living room and only greet Qin Nainai when he was leaving.

He thought back to the matter at the Yiyuan earlier, guessing in his heart what Chu Li's feelings for Qin Xingwan were.

In the Garden, Qin Nainai, with her silver-white hair, was very happy to see Qin Xingwan, and even more gratified to see Chu Li following behind her.

Seeing Xingwan happily married was the old woman's greatest hope now.