Also known as: Indole
Childhood friends | Marriage before love | Long-planned romance | Bickering couple
Contract marriage between rivals | He falls first and gets his wish; she realizes it later
“Sharp-tongued hot pepper x poisonous-tongued, aloof flirt”
“Perfumer x scent researcher”
From childhood to adulthood, Cen Nian and Qin Xiangyu have been sworn enemies.
They fought over the swings in kindergarten, first place in elementary school, and a recommendation for university in high school.
She thought they would go on fighting like that forever, never taking a break.
She never imagined that one day, they'd end up in the same bed...
To keep Qin Xiangyu from getting revenge with that mouth of his, Cen Nian had no choice but to take responsibility for him.
After secretly marrying by agreement, she began a nerve-racking life of staying under his roof and worrying that someone would discover their secret.
In front of others, they pretended not to know each other, putting on a show in public and bickering in private.
Until one day, the truth came out.
*
After they were caught:
Cen Nian snapped, “Qin Xiangyu, don't call me your wife in front of other people!”
“Sure thing, wife.”
“You're still calling me that?!”
He wore a wicked smile. “I said it to your face. You're not someone else.”
“That's not what that means!”
“I'm just stating a fact.”
When they were talking about divorce:
“Qin Xiangyu, I want a divorce...”
Before she could finish, he kissed her passionately, and she immediately stopped bristling.
“Wife, do you still want a divorce?”
Cen Nian gritted her teeth and rubbed her aching waist. “Yes!”
If they didn't divorce soon, she was sure she'd lose her life here.
Seeing Qin Xiangyu lean toward her again, she shoved him away in frustration.
“Qin Xiangyu, what exactly do you want?”
“Isn't it obvious? I'll keep kissing you until you don't want a divorce anymore.”
She flushed with embarrassment. “You shameless scoundrel!”
He smiled. “Thanks for the compliment. I only make an exception for you.”
From childhood onward, Qin Xiangyu had been the center of everyone's attention. But Cen Nian was the one and only exception in his world.
*
Cen Nian had always liked describing people by their scent.
For Qin Xiangyu, she chose “indole.” It isn't a perfume, but an aromatic compound.
It has two extremes: it can be the source of a foul odor, or the very essence of a fragrance. Just like her complicated, contradictory feelings for Qin Xiangyu.
[Bonus scene]
“Qin Xiangyu!” Cen Nian shouted.
“What is it now, my lady?”
He was sprawled on the sofa, dark circles under his eyes, sounding rather helpless.
“I order you to get in here and go to bed right now!”
“As you command, wife!”
Qin Xiangyu tossed aside the thin blanket and hurried into the soft, fragrant bed.
“Qin Xiangyu! I never said you could touch me!” Cen Nian tried to dodge his wandering hands.
“Taking care of my wife is only right and proper.” He lifted his head from her waist and snuggled close to her.
[Reader's guide]
* One-on-one romance, happy ending, both leads have only had each other
* The descriptions of the leads' professions aren't professionally accurate, so please don't scrutinize them.
Theme: Love means choosing each other, both ways
Congratulations on the new business [Cat Claw] Happy Mid-Autumn Festival