In the living room, Gu Qichen noticed that Qin He’s conversation became more animated whenever business was mentioned.
From her words, he could glimpse some of her true self.
They discussed the future planning for the West District. Gu Qichen’s expression was calm, and he occasionally interjected, asking for Qin He’s opinions.
Qin He answered each question, and the distance between them seemed to shrink considerably.
Gu Qichen gazed at Qin He, feeling for the first time that their thoughts were so in sync.
Many of their ideas for renovation were serendipitous.
Gu Qichen’s pupils deepened, and a peculiar sensation arose in his heart, like tiny vines slowly growing from his core, making his throat feel slightly ticklish.
On the sofa, Qin He frowned. “The ancient clock tower in the West District dates back to the Qing Dynasty and holds significant historical and cultural value. I intend to restore this area, but the clock tower contains a vast amount of mortise and tenon joinery, requiring the expertise of a craftsman.”
Gu Qichen withdrew his deep gaze. “Gu Corporation used to collaborate with a master of mortise and tenon. Perhaps we can show him the blueprints this time.”
Qin He, always interested in mortise and tenon joinery, immediately perked up. “A master of mortise and tenon? Could you introduce me to this master?”
When she got excited, a radiant glow appeared on her fair complexion. Gu Qichen stood up. “Let’s talk in the study. His contact information is in the study.”
With the mortise and tenon master occupying her mind, Qin He quickly followed him.
Gu Qichen’s study in the old house was on the second floor. Upon entering, Qin He was somewhat surprised.
This was a study? It looked more like a private library.
The study spanned over a hundred square meters with a ceiling height of seven to eight meters. Bookshelves lined all four walls.
The wall directly opposite the door featured a large window, its seven to eight-meter height offering a view of the setting sun.
In front of the window stood a minimalist desk, spotlessly clean and organized.
“Your study is quite impressive,” Qin He complimented.
Gu Qichen glanced at her discreetly. The arrangement of this study was her redesign.
She truly didn’t remember a thing.
“Have a seat.”
They approached the desk, and Gu Qichen took out a booklet from a drawer, searching through it.
“Wouldn’t it be faster to ask Yu Jing directly? Doesn’t he know the master’s contact information?”
Gu Qichen flipped through the booklet and found a piece of paper. “The master has a peculiar temperament and no contact number; he only accepts mail at a given address.”
The study was quiet. Qin He propped her chin on her hand, a familiar scent wafting to her nose.
She raised an eyebrow and walked towards an incense burner nearby.
The incense burner was antique, shaped like a stylized black tortoise with intricate hollowed-out floral carvings on its shell.
Lifting the lid of the burner, the familiar scent intensified.
Gu Qichen looked up. “Can you discern the ingredients of this incense?”
Qin He nodded. “Agarwood as the sovereign, dragon’s brain incense as the minister, cloves as an adjuvant, and then steeping tulip petals in the juice for half a day.”
She picked up a small pair of tweezers meant for separating incense layers and examined it, then chuckled. “Indeed, there’s another layer of saffron on the separation sheet.”
Gu Qichen gained some understanding.
No wonder the butler at Sen Yuan had said the agarwood was the same, but the scent was different.
He narrowed his eyes. Traditional incense making was incredibly intricate, and even in ancient times, it was only practiced by high-ranking young ladies.
In modern times, much of it had been lost to time, yet Qin He seemed to know it well, able to describe it so clearly just by its scent.
“The purpose of this incense is to induce sleep, and after using it, one will have fewer dreams at night,” Qin He said with a smile. “The person who concocted this incense for you was very attentive, and a professional perfumer at that. Incense blending also considers the five movements and six qi, the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches, and the inter-restraint of the five elements—”
She became animated, carefully examining the grinding of the incense materials, explaining as she spoke.
Gu Qichen focused on Qin He, her confident yet calm words filling his ears. His heart seemed to settle, and his eyes and ears were filled only with Qin He and her voice.
Perfume creation was an art that appeared simple but became increasingly profound the more one studied it.
“When the Lesser Yin Lord Fire governs the sky, and the Yang Ming Dryness resides in the earth, agarwood indeed carries less dryness than sandalwood. By blending the sovereign, minister, and adjuvant ingredients, one can harmonize heaven and earth, benefiting both body and mind.”
Qin He turned to look at Gu Qichen, her dark and bright pupils sparkling. “This perfumer understands your body very well, and the patience they invested in making this incense is remarkable. Could you introduce me to them?”
Gu Qichen’s throat bobbed, and his voice deepened. “You know this person.”
“I know them?” Qin He paused.
Gu Qichen shifted his gaze. “You made it.”
Qin He: “……”
Had she just praised herself extensively? And said this perfumer was very attentive to Gu Qichen?
Qin He’s face felt a little hot, and she coughed awkwardly.
Most importantly—
Qin He silently turned to look into the incense burner. When had she ever had such patience?
What was her mindset during those two years of amnesia that she could calmly blend incense?
Before Qin He could finish her thoughts, Gu Qichen spoke. “I’ve been using the incense you made for the past two years, and it has indeed been very effective for my insomnia.”
Qin He curved her lips. “Mm, no need to thank me.”
“Can you continue to make these incense materials for me?” Gu Qichen asked earnestly. “I’m willing to pay for them.”
Qin He shook her head. “I don’t have that kind of patience anymore.”
Gu Qichen’s heart felt as if it had been pricked by a small needle, causing a pang of pain.
Qin He sat back down at the desk. “However, I can write down the detailed steps of the process. You can find another perfumer to make it.”
“Forget it, others might not be able to replicate it,” Gu Qichen said, finding the address of the master and handing it to her.
After Qin He took it, she felt a slight embarrassment. “Shouldn’t Grandma Gu be waking up soon? I’ll go check on her.”
She turned to leave, but Gu Qichen, unhurried, followed close behind.
As they reached the study door, Qin He was still feeling strange when the door was pushed open forcefully.
Distracted, she didn’t have time to dodge and was knocked off balance, stumbling backward.
Qin He’s heart leaped. Realizing she couldn’t regain her footing, she instinctively shielded her stomach!
Gritting her teeth, ready to brace herself, a strong arm circled her waist tightly.
Gu Qichen held her with one hand, and the other quickly supported her shoulder, steadying her.
They were incredibly close, Qin He’s face pressed against his chest.
“Th… Thank you.”
As she looked up, she could sense each other’s breaths.
Qin He’s heart pounded. This man’s face was even more captivating up close!
She composed herself, her voice growing calmer. “That’s enough, you can let go now.”
The hand Gu Qichen held on Qin He’s shoulder moved slightly. He suddenly didn’t want to let her go.
Before they could take another step, Qin He heard a scream from the doorway.
Qin He frowned, turning to see Song Nuan charging in fiercely.
“Qin He, you’re trying to seduce Qichen!”
Qin He: “……”