Chapter 9 — Unique Scent

“Why don't you have a toast?”

“No need.”

Lam Vi burst out laughing. Her voice was neither loud nor soft, just loud enough for everyone around her to hear.

"That's right, I just heard something very interesting. Your little girlfriend Tham Niem, the smell on her body is very special, right? I asked the doctor, he said it was a rare physical type. To put it bluntly, it's like a human-shaped perfume bottle."

She stopped for a beat.

"Co Dien, are you really sure what you like is her personality? Isn't it her scent? If one day she loses this smell, do you still need her?"

The surroundings were silent. Some people looked curiously. Some people whispered loudly. Tham Niem stood still, his hands slowly clenched. She reflexively looked towards Co Dien. He was also looking at her. His eyes did not hesitate. Doesn't seem embarrassed about being "exposed in front of the crowd". There was not a single moment of hesitation. He just looked at her. His deep, inky eyes contained only one expectation: waiting for her to give an answer. Tham Niem suddenly understood. He didn't wait for her to nod. He was waiting for her to decide for herself — whether she wanted to trust him or not. Tham Niem nodded slightly. Very softly. But Co Dien saw it. He turned around and looked at Lam Vi.

“Are you finished?”

Lam Vi was stunned. Co Dien's voice is not loud, but very steady.

"You used to like me. Not because of who I am, but because my last name is Co. You gave me gifts, said you liked me, and found every excuse to get close to me. Every time I stopped you."

“So you think, is there any difference between liking a person's identity and liking a person's scent?”

Lin Vi's face turned pale. “You—” Her expression stiffened. Indignation still lingered at the corners of his mouth. But in those eyes, there was a moment of shock passing through. Extremely short-lived. Like being hit by something. Then his face regained its cold look. But at that moment, Tham Niem saw clearly. She suddenly realized that Lam Vi was probably not losing to her. But she lost a truth that she herself did not dare to admit - in this world, there really are people who don't need status, don't need scent, and can still be loved. But as for Lam Vi, I've never believed in that before. Co Dien didn't even look at her anymore. He walked towards Tham Niem. The steps are neither fast nor slow, each step is very steady. Coming in front of her, he bent down. One knee is on the floor. The entire hall took a breath of cold air. Tham Niem was also stunned. Co Dien reached out and picked up her slipped shoelace. Round by round. Movement is very slow. Be very careful. The entire banquet hall was silent. Not a sound. After tying his shoelaces, he stood up. Don't look at Lam Vi. Don't look at anyone. Just look at her.

“Let's go.”

Just those two words. Then he grabbed her hand and pulled her through the crowd, toward the door. Tham Niem was led away by him, her mind blank. Behind the hall, loud whispers and discussions began to sound. But Co Dien did not turn back. He pushed the door open, leading her into the night. It's very quiet outside. There are only street lights and rows of ginkgo trees. Tham Niem finally recovered.

“You just now — in front of so many people — tied your shoelaces —?”

“Yes.”

“Do you know what that means?”

“Know.” Co Dien stopped walking and looked Miss.

“I'm telling everyone, I'm satisfied.”

“Consent to what?”

“Be willing to bow down for you.”

Tham Niem's eye sockets immediately became wet. She raised her hand and lightly punched his chest, the force was as light as scratching an itch.

“Can you stop being like this all the time.”

“What is this?”

“Without saying anything, suddenly doing something that made me want to cry.”

“Then you cry.” Co Dien reached out and pulled her into his arms. “I don't criticize.”

Tham Niem buried her face in his chest, tears rubbing against his shirt.