The White Moonlight is Both Competitive and Predatory - Chapter 3

“Falling in love is a matter of a single moment.”

The encounter with Ji Yueting was entirely unexpected for Yan Chi. That night, the raindrops fell into the pond, creating ripples that eventually faded into a seamless stillness. Although the other man had said “See you next time” before leaving, Yan Chi had not taken the words to heart. To him, Ji Yueting was simply being polite.

Yan Chi had a demanding work schedule. During his university years, he had told his mentor that he had little interest in expanding a “business empire,” but when responsibilities piled up, he could not simply shirk them. This sudden business trip was a perfect example.

The moment Yan Chi opened his eyes in the morning, he saw a message from France.

“Florian, I am going to City A for a gathering. Are you surprised? Haha, I look forward to seeing you in China.”

The message was from Professor Dion, Yan Chi’s Omega mentor from his time studying in Grasse, France. Dion was a world-renowned master perfumer employed by one of the world’s top fragrance corporations.

The perfumery industry is dominated by Alphas and Omegas because both genders are exposed to pheromones from the moment of their secondary differentiation, resulting in a highly sensitized sense of smell. This was precisely why Yan Chi, a Beta, stood out so significantly. He lacked the innate biological advantages of an Alpha or Omega, yet he possessed a sharper sense of smell, superior analytical skills, and a more disciplined memory.

In a foreign land, many curious gazes had converged on his elegant, Eastern face, which resembled a delicate ink painting. Yan Chi possessed a quiet pride. Despite his youth, he was not overly humble; upon entering the academy, he had decisively taken first place in the Grasse Institute’s blind smell test. From thirteen different varieties of rose essential oils, Yan Chi had accurately identified the Grasse Rose in just seven minutes.

The feat had stunned the room. Dion, who had been the examiner that year and was planning to step down, changed his mind instantly. Faced with a student whose talent was borderline supernatural and whose appearance was distractingly striking, Dion brushed aside the other eager professors and insisted on becoming Yan Chi’s mentor.

They spent a pleasant year together, and even after Yan Chi graduated and returned to China, they remained close mentors and friends. Since Dion had made a rare trip to China, Yan Chi felt he had to meet him. He sent a drowsy “Sure” in reply, took a deep breath, grabbed his luggage, and headed straight for the airport.

Because the flight was booked in a hurry and the boarding time was tight, Yan Chi did not check his phone messages. It wasn’t until the plane landed that he discovered a new contact had messaged him several hours earlier.

Ji Yueting: Are you free today?

“?” Yan Chi was puzzled. Why was Ji Yueting messaging him so suddenly? Was something wrong?

As he walked out of the airport, he typed: What is it?

Unexpectedly, the reply from Ji Yueting came almost instantly.

Ji Yueting: When I took your car last time, I accidentally left a cufflink behind. If it is convenient, should I come to find you?

Yan Chi’s car rarely carried anyone but himself, so if Ji Yueting had indeed dropped something in the back seat, Yan Chi wouldn’t have known.

Yan Chi: I am away on a business trip and won’t be in Haijing for the next two days. Is it very valuable? If you are in a hurry, I can have my housekeeper take a look.

This time, several minutes passed before Ji Yueting replied.

Ji Yueting: No rush. When you return, will you send me a message?

The strange, slightly unsettling feeling that Yan Chi had deliberately ignored that night resurfaced. After a moment of thought, he finally replied: Alright.

Yan Chi originally intended to ponder the matter further, but the long-awaited meeting with Dion was so energetic that he was quickly overwhelmed and pushed the thought to the back of his mind.

“Florian, it has been so long! You are still so beautiful, you haven’t changed a bit!” Dion was never stingy with praise and greeted him with a friendly kiss on the cheek.

Yan Chi, long since immune to such flattery, got straight to the point and began discussing the new fragrance he had recently developed. Dion pouted, resigned to his student’s work-centric nature.

City A was located in a neighboring province to Haijing. It sat at a lower latitude with higher temperatures. Yan Chi had left home wearing a light khaki trench coat, but feeling the heat, he took it off and hung it over the back of his chair, leaving him in only a thin white shirt. The cafe was not crowded, but every passerby couldn’t help but cast a glance toward their corner.

“Tsk, Florian. Although you will surely say I’m being improper, I am truly curious. Have you really not dated anyone in all these years?” Dion could not help but gossip. Though he was a senior in the perfume world, he was only in his early forties and possessed a boundless curiosity.

Yan Chi replied, “I am very busy and have little interest in such things.”

“I know. Back in Grasse, the line of people you rejected could have stretched from France to China. I just thought that returning home might change your lifestyle. I didn’t expect you to still be alone. Could it be that you are a celibate?” Dion was a romantic at heart and had his own Alpha partner, so he often worried about his student’s emotional life.

Yan Chi paused before denying it. “Not exactly. If I had to say… I suppose I just haven’t met the right person yet.”

“True,” Dion leaned his chin on his hand, looking thoughtful. “I understand. It’s like in the movies: your heart skips a beat, and it happens in a single moment.”

Yan Chi smiled and took a sip of water but said nothing.

“So, Baby, have you never felt that spark for anyone? Not even once?” Dion was persistent. A “racing heart” was a metaphysical thing; for some, it happened constantly, while others might never experience it in their lifetime.

Yan Chi thought to himself that he had experienced it, but the timing had been unfortunate. Looking back now, those feelings felt distant and out of reach.

“…I have,” Yan Chi admitted, not wanting to lie. He lowered his eyes and toyed with the tassels on the tablecloth. “But he probably didn’t like me back.”

“Oh my god! How could someone in this world have such poor taste?” Dion was incredulous. Looking at Yan Chi, he offered consolation. “Well, Florian, you must believe that there was something wrong with that person’s vision. You are perfect!”

Yan Chi blinked.

Dion continued, “Let the past stay in the past. I’ve read those Chinese novels; whether it’s a ‘White Moonlight’ or a ‘Cinnabar Mole,’ none of it matters. I believe you will definitely meet someone better in the future.”

The sun shone in, and Yan Chi squinted slightly, his amber pupils turning a golden hue. “I hope so,” he answered casually. Love was not a necessity for him, and he didn’t feel a strong need for it.

“Baby, I have a feeling that day isn’t far off. Also, if you ever do find a lover, don’t forget to tell me. I will definitely concoct a ‘Love Potion’ for you both.” Dion laughed and clinked glasses with him. Even though their glasses contained only pure water, they looked quite elegant.

Dion was a strict conservative regarding his diet; he viewed anything that might affect his sense of taste or smell as a “terrible beast.” Yan Chi was different; while he maintained self-discipline, he left a small opening for himself to indulge.

After staying in City A for three days, Dion finished his business, and Yan Chi gained new insights into his recent fragrance work. At their departure, Dion waved goodbye. “Florian, come back to Grasse when the roses bloom. If you can, it would be lovely if you brought your special someone.”

“Oh, and don’t think I didn’t notice! Eat less chocolate!”

Having his small secret exposed, Yan Chi looked away in embarrassment. A student being caught by a teacher was always the same. He agreed verbally, but in his heart, he planned to finish the rest of the chocolate in his studio once he got home.

It was already afternoon when he landed in Haijing. Yan Chi received a call from Liu Muqing and arranged to have dinner with him. Liu Muqing chose the restaurant. Exhausted from the trip, Yan Chi entered the private booth and collapsed into his seat like a wilted white cat. He was always unguarded around those close to him.

“How did one trip tire you out this much?” Liu Muqing marveled, then added, “Ah, I forgot. You and that teacher of yours are perfume fanatics. Put you together, and you’ll probably talk for three days without sleep.”

Yan Chi wanted to argue, but on second thought, Liu Muqing was right. His eyes felt sore, so he reached up to rub them. “Stop teasing me. Order the food quickly, I’m starving.”

“What are you eating? The usual poached shrimp with asparagus?”

“Not today. Today I want steamed fish and chicken breast with spinach.”

Liu Muqing frowned at the menu and let out a sound of disgust. “If I had to eat that every day, I wouldn’t take the stairs or the elevator down. I’d just jump.”

Yan Chi sat up and blinked indifferently. “It tastes fine. You can use different flavored salts.”

“Alright, alright, stop casting your spell,” Liu Muqing interrupted. “Just eat more. Look at how thin you are. Even I, an Omega, am sturdier than you.”

This wasn’t Yan Chi’s fault. He wanted to gain weight, but his constitution made it impossible; no matter how much he ate, he stayed the same.

The restaurant atmosphere was pleasant. Yan Chi felt drowsy listening to the music, only perking up when the food arrived.

“By the way, there was something I wanted to tell you last time, but you left for your trip before I had the chance,” Liu Muqing began.

Yan Chi poked a piece of chicken breast, his cheeks puffing out as he chewed. “What is it?”

“It’s about that welcome party they threw for Ji Yueting. Do you remember?”

Hearing Ji Yueting’s name, Yan Chi froze. “I remember.”

“Let me tell you, you have no idea how hilarious it was. A group of young masters gathered together, swearing that Ji Yueting would definitely show up. In the end, they waited until eleven at night, and guess what? Not a single trace of him!” Liu Muqing told the story like a comedic performance.

Yan Chi tilted his head, his interest piqued. “So, Ji Yueting stood them up?”

“Not even! It turns out the whole thing was just those young masters’ wishful thinking. President Ji didn’t even know about it!” Liu Muqing’s tone was mocking. “Nobody could get through to Ji Yueting’s phone that night. Some people were still stubborn enough to ask the next day, but Ji Yueting ignored them all. They all got the cold shoulder.”

“Hey, Xiao Chi, do you think Ji Yueting became so cold after going abroad? They used to be on such good terms.”

Yan Chi didn’t know, but he felt he should offer a small defense for Ji Yueting. “I think Ji Yueting had urgent business at his company that day.”

“Hmm? How do you know?”

“I ran into him on my way home from work. He was probably on the airport road.”

“And…?”

“His car broke down, so I gave him a lift.” Yan Chi poked a piece of spinach, but in the next second, the spinach fell as Liu Muqing suddenly hit a high note with his voice.

“Holy crap!” Liu Muqing’s eyes widened. “Such a coincidence? You actually ran into him just like that? If that isn’t fate, what is?”

“…” Yan Chi didn’t give up and poked the spinach again. “Not necessarily. After all, that road is the fastest and most convenient way to get into the city from the airport.”

Seeing his reaction, Liu Muqing crossed his arms and huffed. “Xiao Chi, I’m telling you, when fate comes, there’s no stopping it.”

He was no longer hesitant to mention Yan Chi’s “White Moonlight.” Instead, he was excited and incredibly curious about what had happened in the car that night. Gossip was truly the primary driving force of humanity.

“It was nothing. He hitched a ride, I dropped him off at his company, we added each other’s contact info again, and he got out.” Yan Chi confessed everything under Liu Muqing’s burning gaze. “That’s it.”

Catching the keyword, Liu Muqing narrowed his eyes. “Added contact info again?”

“Yes, he changed his number.” Yan Chi wiped his mouth and looked down with a small smile. “But it’s just a contact. We probably won’t have much interaction.”

Liu Muqing looked skeptical.

Yan Chi affirmed again, “Really, believe me.”

Just as the words left his mouth, the phone sitting face-down on the table suddenly rang. The caller was unknown. Yan Chi stared at it for a moment before choosing to answer.

In the next second, a familiar, deep, and mellow voice resonated in his ear, as if it had been waiting for a long time.

“Yan Chi?”

Yan Chi’s eyes snapped wide open.