Hedonist Prodigy

Chapter 61: A Familiar Scent

After leaving the Xia residence, Jiang Feng took a taxi straight to the university. Old Master Xia’s strange behavior had puzzled him, but he didn’t dwell on it.  

Moreover, he had carefully observed the old man and found no obvious health issues. If Xia Dongxue hadn’t been lying, then whatever ailment her grandfather suffered from was beyond Jiang Feng’s current ability to treat.  

He decided to visit the university library. Mr. Shen’s appearance had made him realize that despite reading countless ancient texts, he might have overlooked crucial information. Even if the odds of finding useful clues were slim, he couldn’t afford to ignore any possibility.  

An hour later, Jiang Feng checked out several books and left the library. As he descended the stairs, a woman approached from below.  

The moment he saw her, he instinctively tried to avoid her—but she spotted him first.  

“Jiang Feng! Stop right there!”  

It was Ji Yan.  

Since that drunken night, Ji Yan had been restless, plagued by a nagging sense of impending doom. She had taken sick leave, isolating herself at home, but even there, she found no peace. Nightmares tormented her the moment she closed her eyes. Hoping to distract herself, she had come to campus, seeking solace in the bustling atmosphere.  

The sunny weather had inspired her to borrow a few lighthearted books and read on the lawn. But then—she ran into Jiang Feng.  

The last time they spoke, in her office, she had scolded him over the Liu Hong incident. Since then, Jiang Feng had skipped all her classes. At first, she assumed he was throwing a tantrum and planned to forgive him if he apologized.  

But he never returned. Frustrated, she filed a report demanding his expulsion—only for the academic director, Wang Hai, to dismiss it and reprimand her instead, accusing her of poor teaching methods and ordering her to write a self-criticism.  

Ji Yan knew Jiang Feng had connections, but she never expected Wang Hai to side with him so blatantly. Humiliated, she had argued with Wang Hai before storming out.  

That same evening, Chang Shan called, inviting her to dinner. In her miserable state, she reluctantly agreed.  

Her heavy drinking that night had been partly due to her foul mood—and if she hadn’t gotten drunk, none of the subsequent chaos would have happened. Now, seeing Jiang Feng, her anger flared anew.  

Jiang Feng noticed Ji Yan’s pallid complexion. She must have seen the news about the Lijing Hotel incident.  

Frowning, he asked, “Professor Ji, is something wrong?”  

“Something wrong?” Her voice was icy. “Jiang Feng, explain yourself. Why have you skipped class again? Look at you—do you even resemble a student?”  

Jiang Feng sighed. “If I don’t act like a student, why force yourself to tolerate me?”  

“You—!” Ji Yan felt her temper fraying.  

“Since you clearly despise having me in your class, why insist I attend? Out of sight, out of mind—ever heard of that?”  

“Don’t you dare lecture me!” she snapped. “Just answer me—will you return to class or not?”  

Jiang Feng had no patience for this. “Professor Ji, I have my own affairs to handle. Attending lectures isn’t a priority. If my presence bothers you so much, just expel me. Clean and simple.”  

Ji Yan gaped. She had assumed Jiang Feng, however rebellious, still operated under family constraints. But this—this was outright defiance.  

Her mind raced to Wang Hai’s reaction. Did Jiang Feng already know about my report? Is he mocking me?  

Her face darkened. “Fine. If that’s how you want to play. You think your family’s influence makes you untouchable? Go ahead—laugh at me. I’m just a joke to you, aren’t I?”  

Jiang Feng hadn’t meant to provoke her. He genuinely thought expulsion would simplify things for both of them. But her reaction puzzled him.  

“Professor Ji, are you alright?”  

“I’m fine,” she hissed, eyes reddening. She refused to cry in front of him—not again.  

Though Jiang Feng didn’t particularly like Ji Yan, he knew she meant well. Her distress unsettled him.  

“If my words offended you, I apologize. But honestly? A university degree means nothing to me. You’re a good teacher—don’t waste your energy on someone like me.”  

He reached for a tissue, found none, and shook his head before brushing past her.  

Ji Yan grabbed his arm. “Wait! What do you mean? Are you giving up on yourself? You’re so young—if not school, then what?”  

Jiang Feng smiled. “That’s my concern, not yours. You look exhausted—get some rest.”  

His sudden gentleness disarmed her. Maybe he’s not a complete delinquent after all.  

Swallowing her pride, she said, “Jiang Feng, if I was too harsh earlier, I’m sorry. And if you’re struggling with something, tell me. As your advisor, it’s my duty to help.”  

“I appreciate the sentiment,” he said.  

“Is this about Liu Hong?”  

Liu Hong? The name meant nothing to him. He shook his head, pulled free, and left without another word.  

Ji Yan stared after him, wanting to call out—but then, something stopped her.  

A scent.  

Familiar.  

She inhaled deeply, even bringing her hand—the one that had gripped his arm—to her nose. The more she breathed it in, the stronger the déjà vu grew.  

“What is this? Why does it feel… ingrained in my memory?”  

Had she been close enough to Jiang Feng before to recognize his scent? Had it lingered on her?  

She wracked her brain but couldn’t recall ever touching him before today. Shaking her head, she headed into the library.  

Later, as she passed the same spot, she inhaled again. Though the breeze had long carried Jiang Feng’s scent away, her mind clung to it.  

The memory of that fragrance—subtle, not unpleasant—strangely entranced her. Her cheeks warmed.  

‘Am I… ar0used? By Jiang Feng’s scent?’

The absurdity of the thought almost made her laugh—until realization struck like lightning.  

It wasn’t attraction.  

It was recognition.  

The fog of that drunken night lifted. Fragments returned: thirst, someone giving her water, the nausea, vomiting…  

And then—blurry vision. A figure by the bed. A face resembling Jiang Feng’s.  

At the time, she’d assumed it was a dream, her frustration manifesting even in sleep.  

But now she knew.  

Dreams didn’t carry scents.  

Yet Jiang Feng’s scent matched exactly what she remembered from that night.  

“Was it him in that motel room?”  

Her blood ran cold.  

Without hesitation, she sprinted out of the library.  

She had to find Jiang Feng.  

She had to know what happened that night.