“This is… the product launch event of little sister-in-law and Mingya Company, right?”
Zhen Han walked to the front, glanced at the TV, and immediately recognized Mingya speaking at the top. He sat down, propping his chin with his hand, curious about what gift Meng Ting had prepared for Yan Sui.
The others also turned their attention to the large TV screen in the Yan family’s living room. It was indeed Yan Mingya.
Having been in Haicheng for so long, he often attended various social events, and most people present could remember Yan Mingya’s face. Moreover, the rapid rise of his perfume company had made him increasingly well-known, and he was beginning to become a role model for the younger generation.
“Choosing to launch our latest perfume work from Tingya on this particular day has a reason. Today is the birthday of our chief perfumer’s beloved, and he wants to present this perfume as a birthday gift.”
Yan Mingya looked into the camera, seemingly anticipating the scene at the Yan residence where Meng Ting and Yan Sui were watching. He needed to convey Meng Ting’s intentions clearly. He paused briefly before continuing.
“As you can see, our product this time comes in only one type of bottle. That’s because this perfume will forever be handcrafted by our chief perfumer exclusively for his beloved. Apart from him or possibly gifting it to someone else, there will be no second bottle of the gold edition available on the market.”
“If you come across so-called gold editions online, don’t doubt it—they’re definitely fake.” Yan Mingya chuckled slightly at this point. Meng Ting, watching the TV, widened his eyes a bit, not understanding what was so funny.
Yan Sui turned his head to look at Meng Ting, about to say something, but Meng Ting quickly shook his arm, “It’s not over yet…”
Yan Sui could only turn back to watch, only to see a scene filmed in Meng Ting’s perfume studio.
“Can Yan Sui really see me?”
In the recording, Meng Ting blinked at the camera, puzzled. The person filming assured him, and he stood properly again, “Yan Sui, on your birthday, both of us will probably be very busy. I might not have time to prepare the perfume for you that day, so I asked Shishi to help me record this.”
“I named it ‘Yan Ting’, not for any particular meaning, but simply because it sounds nice. This is the perfume I’ve made for you, and I will only ever craft it for you.”
Meng Ting, speaking in front of the camera, initially felt a bit nervous and unnatural. But as he thought about Yan Sui watching, his expression gradually softened. His words were slow but sincere. Yan Sui, watching Meng Ting on the screen, tilted his head and met Meng Ting’s unwavering gaze. His heart trembled slightly, and a surge of intense emotions began to stir.
Meng Ting gently shook Yan Sui’s hand, urging him to continue watching the screen. Meanwhile, Meng Ting kept glancing back and forth between the screen and Yan Sui, wanting to make sure Yan Sui truly liked this gift, this surprise.
In the video, Meng Ting wore a mask throughout, but anyone watching could immediately recognize him. Even if someone couldn’t tell by his face, his voice would give him away.
The Meng Ting in the recording didn’t speak further. As the camera zoomed out, he began the process of blending the perfume.
Xu Siya shifted her gaze away, thinking there was nothing more to see, but the others’ eyes remained fixed on the TV screen. Puzzled, Xu Siya looked back and finally understood why everyone was still watching.
The Meng Ting blending perfume was completely different from the Meng Ting in daily life. Gone was the invisible wall that naturally hindered his communication with others. His eyes were focused, his movements deft, exuding the aura of a true master or grandmaster.
He was indeed the chief perfumer of Tingya Perfume Company, the real deal.
The video of Meng Ting blending perfume wasn’t played in its entirety before cutting back to the product launch event.
Yan Mingya smiled, knowing the audience was left wanting more. But playing the entire process risked someone deciphering their formula, and Yan Mingya would never take such a risk.
“Thus, the name of this perfume is ‘Yan Ting’, and its English name is ‘BestLove‘,” Yan Mingya announced, clicking on his computer to play a TV commercial. Even the promotional tagline read, ‘To My Beloved’.
This wasn’t just a product launch; it was more like a personal declaration from the chief perfumer to his lover.
“Additionally, I’d like to share some good news. ‘Yan Ting BestLove‘ has won the gold medal at the Fragrance Awards in Country F, and in Country D…”
As Yan Mingya shared the news, it became clear that ‘BestLove Yan Ting’ had swept nearly every prestigious award in the international perfume industry. The screen displayed glowing reviews from judges, filled with surprise and admiration.
One judge even addressed Yan Sui directly, “Yan, happy birthday! You’re truly blessed. If someone gave this to me, I’d be willing to marry them. Yan Sui, could you send me a bottle?”
The comment carried too much ambiguity. Meng Ting, watching the TV, shook his head firmly. “No way!”
Yan Sui was already married to him. If Yan Sui sent this judge a bottle, wouldn’t it only invite another admirer? Absolutely not.
“Yan Sui, you can’t send it to him.”
Meng Ting suddenly remembered this was just a recording, and the judge couldn’t see his refusal. He turned to Yan Sui, insisting that he absolutely couldn’t send it.
Yan Sui turned slightly, pulling Meng Ting into his arms and holding him close. “Alright, I won’t send it.”
This was the birthday gift Meng Ting had given him, a truly unique gift in every sense of the word. He would have to be out of his mind to give it to someone else.
“Mm,” Meng Ting nodded, the unease dissipating as his features softened once more. “I’ll put the perfume on the bedside table. Try it tonight and see if you like it.”
“I like it, I do,” Yan Sui replied, holding Meng Ting even tighter. He loved any gift Meng Ting gave him, but this thoughtful gesture moved him deeply, a feeling he couldn’t quite put into words.
“Mm,” Meng Ting responded, his voice tinged with even more happiness. He then said earnestly, “Happy birthday, Yan Sui.”
“With you here, I will be happy.”
Yan Sui replied, loosening his embrace slightly. Before Gu Lang and the others could start teasing, he leaned down and kissed Meng Ting on the lips. The atmosphere around them paused for a moment, then grew even livelier, though most of the onlookers wore expressions of blessing.
Gu Lang glanced at the happy couple and turned his head slightly, giving Zhen Han a sympathetic look. “Hanzi, don’t tell me you don’t have cavities. With all the sugar you’re fed every day, how can your teeth still be fine?”
As Gu Lang leaned in to inspect Zhen Han’s teeth, he was promptly kicked. “Get lost.”
Yan Manjia nodded in agreement. She was fed so much sugar every day that she could barely taste sweetness anymore.
“So, Little Sister-in-law is the mysterious perfumer,” Zhong Ming remarked, looking at Meng Ting, whose cheeks were flushed after Yan Sui’s kiss. He couldn’t help but think that appearances could be deceiving. However, Meng Ting had already released videos of his perfume-making process to dispel such doubts.
He was indeed the perfumer, despite his youth and apparent congenitally deficiency. But he was far from useless—he could create a one-of-a-kind perfume for Yan Sui.
“Yeah, who would have thought?” Many around Zhong Ming echoed the sentiment.
Yan Mingya was thriving in Haicheng, and his company naturally drew attention. The master perfumer behind his products had become a hot topic of discussion.
Xu Siyu and Xu Siheng looked at Meng Ting differently now, no longer daring to view him with the same condescension. Although his family background still paled in comparison to Yan Sui’s, he had his own talents. Upon hearing this, even Xu Shumin gave a slight nod of acknowledgment.
But his nod wasn’t just because of Meng Ting’s abilities—it was also due to the Xiao family backing him. Xu Shumin believed that was the real reason Meng Ting could stay by Yan Sui’s side.
As various discussions buzzed around him, Yan Sui frowned slightly. While he should have been happy to hear Meng Ting being praised, the praise had turned into a debate about whether Meng Ting was worthy of him, which he found displeasing.
Meng Ting, however, paid no attention to the discussions or the gazes directed at him, whether understanding or not. He reached up and gently smoothed out the furrow between Yan Sui’s brows, asking with concern, “Are you tired?”
Yan Sui met Meng Ting’s gaze and smiled, shaking his head. “No, I’m not tired.”
“I never knew our Nuo Nuo had such talent.”
Ning Zhou walked over, arm in arm with Xiao Huimin, her eyes suddenly welling up with tears. She should have been happy for Meng Ting, but now she just wanted to cry.
“Mom, why are you crying again?” Meng Ting took a tissue and walked over, gently wiping the corner of Ning Zhou’s eyes. He was careful not to ruin her makeup, handling it with great delicacy.
“Mom, don’t cry. I’ll also make you some perfume in the future.”
Actually, the new product that Tingya Company was set to release the next spring would be perfect for Ning Zhou, but it wouldn’t hurt to prepare it for her in advance.
“Mm,” Ning Zhou responded, unable to resist reaching out to hug Meng Ting. “My baby is so amazing. Mom is just too happy.”
“Mm,” Meng Ting gently stroked Ning Zhou’s hair before letting her go, but the people around them were utterly stunned.
“What’s going on? Has the little sister-in-law’s family been found?”
Gu Lang asked Zhen Han, seeing how calm he was, he must have known, but there hadn’t been a single hint of it.
Zhen Han gave a soft ‘Mm’, but didn’t elaborate. Meanwhile, Yan Sui took Meng Ting’s hand and led him inside, where a cake was being wheeled out by the servants. Yan Sui had something to say first.
“Today is my birthday. Thank you all for taking the time out of your busy schedules to be here. Both my wife and I are very happy.”
After speaking, Yan Sui slightly bowed and then straightened up to continue, “I am especially grateful for the presence of two particularly important elders. I would like to invite them to cut the cake with Meng Ting and me.”
Yan Sui went to assist Xu Shumin, while Meng Ting helped Old Master Xiao. Given the face Yan Sui was giving them, they couldn’t possibly refuse.
They sang the birthday song, cut the cake, and distributed it. The Xiao family, along with Yan Manjia and Zhen Han, stood at the innermost circle, their identities now clearly revealed.
“Dad, this is for you,” Meng Ting handed the cake to Xiao Huimin, calling out obediently.
Xiao Huimin happily accepted it, “Thank you, Nuo Nuo.”
As for Old Master Xiao and Xu Shumin, Yan Sui personally handed them their slices. After serving the important elders, they let the servants take over to continue distributing the cake.
Meng Ting was eagerly watching. How could he not eat Yan Sui’s birthday cake?
Yan Sui pulled Meng Ting over. On the table behind them, he had already cut a piece for Meng Ting and set it aside.
Meng Ting looked at it in surprise. He scooped up a spoonful but first fed it to Yan Sui, then looked at him and asked, “Is it good?”
“It’s good,” Yan Sui nodded in response. Watching Meng Ting scoop up a spoonful for himself, he reached out to wipe the corner of his mouth and reminded him, “Eat slowly.”
“Mm,” Meng Ting pursed his lips, swallowing the cake. A smile reappeared on his face as he sighed, “I’m so happy today.”
Yan Sui also knew why Meng Ting was so happy. He didn’t respond, just reached out to smooth Meng Ting’s forehead, then couldn’t help but lower his head to kiss his brow.
Yan Sui naturally knew that every move he and Meng Ting made was under scrutiny, but he didn’t feel the need to care about their opinions anymore. At least on a day like today, he wanted to follow his own heart.
[dropdown title=”List of Idiom in Chapter 078.3″]
人不可貌相 (rén bù kě mào xiàng): one cannot judge someone by his or her appearance; you can’t judge a book by its cover; appearances can be deceiving; don’t judge a man by his looks; one should not judge a person based on his appearance. Often in combination 人不可貌相，海水不可鬥量 (rén bù kě mào xiàng, hǎi shuǐ bù kě dǒu liáng), you can’t judge a person by appearance, just as you can’t measure the sea with a pint pot (idiom); a person cannot be judged by his appearances/exteriors/looks, the sea cannot be measured with a bushel.風生水起 (fēng shēng shuǐ qǐ): lit. a breeze springs up and creates waves on the water (idiom); fig. to be flourishing; to be blooming; thriving; prosperous; spring up.
一舉一動 (yī jǔ yī dòng): each and every move; every single action; every movement; every act and every move; whole behaviour; one’s every action.
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