A woman sat across from him, her eyes sparkling with starlight, her red lips moving as she spoke.
It seemed that this blind date had gone halfway to success—at least the woman appeared quite satisfied with him.
Tang Qianmiao didn't rush to call him. Instead, she naturally pulled out a chair at the table behind him and sat down.
The waiter approached, and she casually ordered a cup of coffee.
From the table behind her, a soft voice floated over. "In my free time, I like to paint. Though I'm not particularly talented, I've held several exhibitions. I heard that Mr. Feng enjoys collecting artwork. Would you take a look at my work and tell me how it is?"
The voice was delicate and sweet, like candy, and Tang Qianmiao could hear the mixture of longing and confidence in it.
A longing for praise.
Then, she heard the man's response—
"Ugly."
The woman's voice faltered. "Uh… excuse me, what did you say?"
"If this painting represents your current level, I'd advise you not to hold any more exhibitions. Apart from embarrassing yourself, the only purpose it would serve is to give others something to laugh about after dinner."
The man's voice was cold, distant, yet tinged with a casual disinterest.
The woman, clearly angered, retorted, "Mr. Feng, what exactly do you mean? From the moment we sat down, you haven't smiled once. Everything I've said has been met with indifference. Fine, but painting is something I excel at, and yet you dare to insult my work? Do you even realize this piece has won awards, and many people want to buy it, but I refused to sell?"
A soft scoff brushed past Tang Qianmiao's ears as the man's calm voice sounded again, "Winning an award only proves your competition was weaker than you. And if someone wanted to buy it, it only proves their poor taste."
"You! You're just not interested in me, are you?!"
"Not entirely dim-witted, I see."
Tang Qianmiao slowly savored the coffee in her hand, the faintest hint of a smile playing at the corners of her lips.
The woman fell silent, clearly furious.
Just as Tang Qianmiao thought she might grab her purse and storm off, or perhaps throw water at Feng Xian, she heard the woman's voice again—
"If that's the case, then why sit with me for so long?"
"Waiting for someone."
"Waiting for someone? Don't make excuses. You've been sitting here for ages. Where is this person? Hah, I think you should stop defying your grandfather. We're at the age to get married. Let's follow our families' arrangements and get engaged. In Country G, who else but me is worthy of you?"
Her voice had lost its hard edge, replaced with a trace of hope.
Clearly, she truly had feelings for this man.
Unexpectedly, the man replied, "She's already here."
Hearing this, Tang Qianmiao's brows lifted slightly.
"Hah, is that so? Where?" The woman didn't believe him.
Then, Tang Qianmiao heard the sound of a chair moving. The next second, she saw the man standing before her.
He was incredibly striking, particularly his eyes. Though they radiated cold detachment, they were undeniably captivating, drawing attention despite their frosty exterior. When he stood, every woman in the restaurant cast admiring glances his way, their eyes filled with affection.
His indifferent gaze landed on Tang Qianmiao's face. "Let's go."
"Wait!"
Unwilling to give up, the woman walked over, glaring coldly at Tang Qianmiao, and asked Feng Xian, "Who is she? What's your relationship with her?!"
The man's icy gaze shifted away, clearly unwilling to answer her.
Yet, she blocked Feng Xian's path, persistently questioning him.
Tang Qianmiao remained silent, watching the scene unfold with a spectator's detachment.
Suddenly, a sharp pain seized her chest, causing her to furrow her brows.
Her eyes snapped up, locking onto the man.
It was time to confirm it.
"Hey."
The man turned at her voice, his gaze cold as he looked at her.
Her red lips curved into a smile. "Do me a favor."
Without hesitation, she reached out, grabbed his wrist, and pulled herself into his embrace.
Her arms circled his waist, her face resting on his shoulder.
He wasn't wearing any cologne, but there was a unique scent about him—a refreshing mix of mint with a hint of creamy sweetness.
Tang Qianmiao had encountered countless fragrances, but none had ever made her body relax so completely.
Gradually, the pain in her chest subsided, and her breathing steadied.
A comforting warmth radiated from the man's firm body, enveloping her completely.
She opened her eyes, catching sight of the woman's heartbroken figure as she walked away.
"Have you hugged enough?" A cool male voice sounded near her ear.
Tang Qianmiao released him, her expression unnervingly calm for the situation. "Just helping you out with the rejection. Don't overthink it."
With that, she turned and walked toward the exit.
For the first time, the man's cold face revealed an emotion other than indifference, his gaze darkening slightly.
Don't overthink it? Hah.
The two got into the car, sitting in the back seat, though separated by a noticeable distance.
Tang Qianmiao was still contemplating the strange reaction her body had just had. She was shaken—eighteen years of life, and she had never experienced something so peculiar.
She sent a message to Qian Ru, "Confirmed. It wasn't a coincidence."
[Qian Ru: If possible, confirm it two more times. If the pain disappears even when he's not around, it means it's unrelated to him.]
[Tang: The two aren't the same. When it's on my own, the pain eases slowly—it takes at least three minutes. When I'm near him, it vanishes immediately.]
[Qian Ru: Confirm it twice more. Better safe than sorry.]
[Tang: We'll see.]
Ending the conversation, she started playing a game to pass the time in the car.
Feng Xian didn't pay her any attention either, focused on his laptop, occasionally taking brief phone calls.
The assistant, sensing the icy atmosphere, wanted to say something to lighten the mood.
So after Feng Xian finished a call, he seized the opportunity to speak, "Young Master, I've received word that the Eldest Young Master has already assembled his team to start developing the new product. We should hurry as well."
"What's the rush?" Feng Xian remained indifferent.
The assistant continued, "Young Master, I don't believe that Bai Mi exists. If such a genius perfumer really existed, why would they stay hidden? I've heard of undiscovered talents, but never of those who deliberately stay in the shadows."
Recently, Old Master Feng had announced his intention to hand down the company. He'd set a challenge: whichever grandson could make the next season's fragrance from Weisi the top-seller nationwide would inherit the company.
The Eldest Young Master had moved quickly, assembling his team and beginning product development. But this Young Master Feng was taking his time, all while searching for a so-called genius perfumer who might not even exist.
"Drive," Feng Xian responded coolly.
The assistant pursed his lips, not daring to say more.
While they were speaking, Tang Qianmiao didn't lift her eyes from her game. She swiftly defeated a small boss, but when the assistant mentioned Bai Mi, her fingers paused for a moment.
A flicker of interest flashed in her eyes.
The next second, she returned her focus to the game.
At that moment, Feng Xian closed his laptop and gestured for the assistant to hand him a bottle of water.
The assistant quickly passed the water over, breathing a sigh of relief. So the Young Master did have some gentlemanly manners, he thought. At least he knew to offer the young lady a drink.
Surely, this would warm the atmosphere.
The assistant glanced back and saw Feng Xian unscrewing the cap. He smiled. See, the Young Master isn't so cold after all—he's even opening the bottle for her.
The next second, the assistant watched through the rearview mirror as the Young Master lifted the bottle to his own lips and elegantly took a sip, not touching the bottle's mouth.
The assistant's expression cracked.
Okay, maybe he had overthought things.
Just then—
"Are you thirsty?"
The assistant's ears perked up in shock. Was that… the Young Master's voice?
The "cold-faced demon" of the Feng family was actually asking someone if they were thirsty?
He couldn't believe his ears.
Tang Qianmiao wasn't as expressive, though she too was surprised for a second.
She glanced at the water in front of her, then at Feng Xian, silently noting how strange this was.
If she remembered correctly, this was only the third time he had spoken to her since she had entered the Feng family.
Such a cold person, asking if she was thirsty?
Her eyelids lifted slightly, and she gazed into his dark eyes for a few seconds before gracefully accepting the water. "Thanks."
She tilted her head back and took a sip, the clear stream pouring into her mouth. A single drop splashed onto her chin, gliding down her flawless curve and settling on her delicate collarbone.
She drank water with the flair of someone savoring fine wine.
Just as she was about to put the cap on, Feng Xian reached out, took the bottle from her, and personally sealed it.
Suddenly, her phone vibrated, drawing her attention away.
[Da Bai: Do you have any books suitable for intermediate perfumers? Lend me a few.]
[Tang: I'll send them to you tomorrow.]
[Da Bai: OK! As expected from my most charming junior sister O(∩_∩)O.]
Tang Qianmiao glanced at the time and said, "Stop at the intersection ahead."
"Huh? You're not going back to the Feng family?" The assistant was surprised.
Feng Xian's gaze flicked toward the girl.
She had already unbuckled her seatbelt. "I have some personal matters to attend to. I'll return later."
"But... the Old Master said he wanted to see the Young Master personally bring you home..."
"Stop the car," the man instructed in a calm tone.
The assistant had no choice but to comply, watching as Tang Qianmiao got out of the car.
He turned back to Feng Xian and said, "Young Master, won't the Old Master blame you for failing to complete the task if he doesn't see Miss Tang?"
Feng Xian's expression remained indifferent. "I've picked her up. Whether she returns or not is her own choice. Turn around and head to the office."
The assistant cowered, "Understood."
"Wait."
The assistant quickly turned, awaiting further instructions.
"You, drink some water too," the man ordered.
The assistant was momentarily stunned. Looking at his own lips in the mirror, dry and chapped, he suddenly realized what was going on!
His Young Master had obsessive tendencies—he couldn't stand seeing anything out of place and felt the need to correct it.
Among his pet peeves? Dry, cracked lips.
That's why the assistant always carried lip balm to prevent any discomfort that might trigger the boss.
And now, it seemed Tang Qianmiao's lips were a bit dry too?
So, was the boss merely acting for his own peace of mind?
The assistant chuckled to himself but then realized—this was exactly his boss's style.
Suddenly caring about a woman? Absurd.
From the backseat, Feng Xian's phone rang again.
"Grandfather."
"You little brat! What's going on with the blind date? How did you manage to make the girl cry again?"
"Take care of your health, Grandpa. There's no need to get worked up."
"Bah! I'll die from anger because of you! Tell me, how many girls have you made cry this month?"
"Those who don't truly love me won't understand me. If they can't, that's why they're upset," the man's voice flowed lazily.
"Bah! Don't try to twist the truth with me! The girl said you already have a girlfriend. What's going on? Where is she? Where are you hiding her?"
Feng Xian casually switched the phone to his other hand. "She was talking about Tang Qianmiao."
"W-what?! You scoundrel! Miao Miao is still in high school! How could you even consider this? Are you trying to raise her up yourself, is that it? Grooming her for the future?"
Feng Xian chuckled softly, "If I start dating someone, will you stop arranging blind dates for me?"
"Yes!" The old man shouted angrily.
Feng Xian: "Good. Then just think of it as me raising her."