"I'd like to invite Ms. Qin to represent Qin Shi and Gu Shi in a collaboration, as the chief perfumer for a new brand."
Qin He narrowed her eyes.
"Mr. Gu, as I mentioned before, the investment in this industry isn't large; it relies primarily on skill. How can you be sure I possess such skill? What if I can only blend one type of agarwood? Furthermore, if I have the recipes and the skill, do you think Qin Shi couldn't undertake this project alone? After all, the investment isn't substantial."
"You must give us a reason to collaborate with Gu Shi, or rather, what advantages we would gain by partnering with Gu Shi that we couldn't achieve on our own."
Qin He's questions, though delivered in a soft voice, were sharp and hit their mark.
Gu Qi Chen's gaze softened.
He had spent a good deal of time lately reflecting on past events and had come to understand Qin He's temperament.
Just like with the West District reconstruction project previously, when matters involved official business or Qin Shi, Qin He could set personal feelings aside and handle things professionally.
"Gu Shi can be responsible for all raw material procurement, securing prices that Qin Shi absolutely cannot obtain."
Gu Qi Chen paused. "A significant portion of China's medicinal herb distribution market belongs to Gu Shi. So, simply put, this time Ms. Qin only needs to fill the position; Gu Shi will prepare everything else."
Qin He narrowed her eyes. She knew Gu Shi controlled a large part of the traditional Chinese medicine market. Collaborating with Gu Shi would not only mean low prices for raw materials but also easier access to rare herbs.
Even common herbs would be of superior quality, rarely found on the market.
Qin He pursed her lips. This was indeed a business with guaranteed profits.
What excited her most wasn't just perfumery. Besides blending scents, she was also proficient in traditional Chinese medicine. However, the herbs available on the market were typically of ordinary quality, and some smaller markets were even a chaotic mix of genuine and fake products. She couldn't personally go out to get medicine every time, and if she sent others, the purchased ingredients might not always meet her expectations.
Ming Yu Zhu, observing Qin He, interrupted her thoughts.
"We'll need to discuss this matter further. Mr. Gu, if you're not busy, please stay for lunch."
It was a polite way of asking him to leave, and anyone could tell.
Qin He stood up, intending to see him out, but saw Gu Qi Chen sitting calmly on the opposite sofa, his handsome face adorned with a cool smile.
"Then, thank you very much, Mrs. Ming."
Ming Yu Zhu: ???
Qin He: ??? Was he that thick-skinned, to have lunch at someone's house on the tenth day of the lunar new year?
But no matter what, words spoken were hard to retract.
Ming Yu Zhu managed a strained smile.
Gu Qi Chen didn't seem to mind and politely said, "Mrs. Ming, if you have urgent matters, you may attend to them. Ms. Qin can accompany me; we can continue discussing the matter of spices."
Ming Yu Zhu didn't object, leaving the space for the two young people.
Once she left, Gu Qi Chen turned to Qin He.
"What are your thoughts on what I just proposed?"
"I haven't given it much thought. This matter requires internal discussion and deliberation within the company."
Gu Qi Chen's gaze deepened.
"This time, I'm not collaborating with Qin Shi, but with you personally. So, your personal opinion is very important."
Qin He felt Gu Qi Chen's gaze was somehow captivating.
She avoided his eyes and picked up her teacup, taking a shallow sip.
"Mr. Gu, why are you suddenly interested in spices?"
As Gu Qi Chen had said, this art passed down for thousands of years was naturally far superior to perfumes. However, to truly open up the international market, the investment required was not small.
But if the goal was just to create a spice brand domestically, it was a minor endeavor for Gu Shi, hardly warranting his personal involvement.
Gu Qi Chen lowered his gaze. "If you agree, I can tell you about the future plans. He'er, aren't you always very clear about the distinction between personal and professional matters?"
Qin He frowned, remaining silent.
She was indeed clear about personal and professional matters, but the person opposite her was him.
Just him sitting there made her heart beat a few extra times than usual.
"You speak first, and then I'll consider," Qin He said.
Gu Qi Chen pondered for a moment. "Recently, there's an international perfume competition being held, covering a wide range. It's considered a highly authoritative competition in the industry. I thought, if you entered with traditional spices, this competition could open up international recognition and let the world know about China's ancient perfumery techniques."
Qin He frowned. This was an excellent idea!
However—
"Would a perfume competition allow traditional perfumers to participate?"
"I've already contacted the organizers. This competition is essentially a battle of the senses, regardless of the technique you use."
Qin He's heart began to stir. Such an opportunity was truly rare.
Even if she didn't collaborate with Gu Qi Chen, participating in such an international competition could help promote the traditional art of Chinese spices.
"So, what have you decided?"
"Your proposal is very appealing, but I'm still a bit hesitant," Qin He pursed her lips.
Gu Qi Chen's gaze deepened slightly.
"Since you're moved, what—what are you still hesitating about?"
His gaze held a probing quality, deep and profound, as if he could see into one's very soul.
Qin He looked up, meeting those eyes, and her heart skipped a beat!
She felt a pang of guilt and panic.
"What does this have to do with you!" Her voice was rapid and flustered!
Gu Qi Chen's lips curved into a gentle smile. He hadn't even mentioned that it had to do with him.
"He'er, is it because of me?"
Qin He looked up. "You're overthinking it. I agree."
Gu Qi Chen's goading tactic had succeeded. Seeing he had the upper hand, he stood up.
"I have a meeting today, so I'll be leaving now. Please convey my apologies to Auntie later."
"Didn't you say you were staying for lunch?" Qin He's brow furrowed, sensing she might have been tricked.
"If I stayed, you wouldn't be able to enjoy your meal, would you?" Gu Qi Chen took a couple of steps towards the door. "Won't you see me out?"
"No!" Qin He replied irritably.
Gu Qi Chen seemed to have anticipated this and chuckled softly before turning to leave.
Qin He sat on the sofa, frowning, her mind no longer on chatting in the WeChat group.
Collaborating with Gu Shi on a perfume brand—
From any perspective, it was a good thing. The only drawback was that the president of Gu Shi was Gu Qi Chen.
"Forget it. Since it's a good thing, let's do it!"
Qin He made up her mind. The last time Ming Xue had an incident, she needed to work with Gu Qi Chen to investigate the perpetrator, and at that time, she had already removed him from her blacklist on WeChat.
Opening Gu Qi Chen's WeChat, Qin He sent him a message.
【When is the competition you mentioned being held, and where?】
Gu Qi Chen replied quickly.
【Jiang Cheng, February.】
February?!
Qin He stared at the screen. Today was the tenth day of the lunar new year. By the solar calendar, it was already the end of January.
It was just around the corner!