My Alpha Has a Split Personality - Chapter 19

The two of them were fooling around, with Jiang Muning constantly nuzzling against Chi Yunhan’s neck, while Chi Yunhan dodged and laughed.

Mother Chi and Chi Yurong wore exceptionally unpleasant expressions. The three of them huddled in the kitchen like they were holding a secret meeting, whispering about who knows what.

Jiang Muning remarked, “Probably discussing what to cook. After all, this household is rather shabby—they can only show off through their culinary skills.”

Still that venomous tongue.

Chi Yunhan sat on the sofa, staring blankly at her before blinking. Jiang Muning crossed her long legs, her gaze deep and cold, her expression hardening once more.

As if all those earlier actions had been an illusion.

Was Jiang Muning really just acting along with her?

If so, Chi Yunhan wished Jiang Muning would keep up the act forever. This feeling of being cherished and protected was just too wonderful.

A sweet warmth blossomed in Chi Yunhan’s heart.

When it was time to eat, the family brought the dishes to the table. Jiang Muning held Chi Yunhan’s hand, preventing her from helping, as if the two of them were honored guests.

Though the family’s expressions darkened, they didn’t lose their temper again.

Only the family was present at the table—Fan Chaoming was nowhere to be seen.

Chi Yurong explained that Fan Chaoming was on his way, but Chi Yunhan suspected Chi Yurong was too embarrassed to invite him after Jiang Muning had thoroughly outshone him.

Thinking this, Chi Yunhan decided that no matter how clingy Jiang Muning was, she would stick close to her, leaving Chi Yurong no opportunity to interfere.

Chi Yunhan took her seat, and Jiang Muning immediately sidled up next to her.

Jiang Muning surveyed the table like a food critic, her sharp eyes scanning the dishes before shaking her head in clear dissatisfaction.

Chi Yunhan coaxed her, “Just make do with it.”

“Fine.” Jiang Muning ordered a steak.

The people across the table were furious, their plates clattering noisily.

“Yunhan, eat more meat,” Father Chi said, trembling as he placed a chicken drumstick in Chi Yunhan’s bowl. When their eyes met, the drumstick slipped onto the table.

He hurriedly tried to pick it up with his chopsticks but fumbled repeatedly. Mother Chi rapped his hand with her chopsticks and snapped, “What’s wrong with you? Are we eating or not?”

“I—I’m just nervous. It’s Yunhan’s first time bringing her girlfriend home, so I—I just…” Father Chi’s tongue was tied, let alone his chopsticks. He picked up the drumstick with a napkin and tossed it away.

Chi Yunhan looked at him in confusion. “What’s wrong with you today? Why do you seem scared of me?”

Her father had always served her food under her mother’s disapproving gaze, but he’d never trembled like this before.

Mother Chi said coldly, “He has something to ask you but doesn’t know how to bring it up.”

Chi Yunhan asked, “What is it?”

Mother Chi shot a glance at Father Chi, who kept his head down, looking too awkward to speak. Mother Chi straightened her back, her expression haughty, and said, “He wants to ask you what fragrance pairs well with tuberose.”

“Tuberose?” The word wasn’t unfamiliar to Chi Yunhan—she had used it in her previous design sketches. Moreover, something about it stirred a vague memory, as if someone had once whispered the word in her ear.

Her gaze instinctively flicked to Jiang Muning, who was calmly cutting her steak. With elegant movements, she brought a piece to her lips, took a bite, and frowned in extreme distaste. “Maid-level cooking,” she declared.

Chi Yunhan turned to look again, and her mother’s face had turned as stiff as a steak. Since all the meals at home were prepared by her mother, who took great pride in her culinary skills, believing she could excel both in the salon and the kitchen.

Chi Yunhan coughed lightly and said, “Dad, aren’t you a doctor? Why ask about this?” She then glanced at Chi Yurong and added leisurely, “It must be my sister asking, right?”

Chi Yunhan wasn’t foolish. This family had never treated her well, practically wishing she’d die outside. Suddenly calling her back could only mean they were scheming something.

Chi Yurong smiled. “What use would I have asking you? I’m a perfumer myself. Maybe Dad encountered some issue, right, Dad?”

“Ah… yes, I did run into a problem,” Father Chi stammered, chewing on a chicken leg. “It’s like this—our hospital recently started a project involving flavoring medicinal granules. We’re just stuck on what scent to pair with them, so I thought I’d ask you casually.”

Chi Yunhan scoffed. “Dad, don’t you know tuberose is toxic? Adding it to medicine—aren’t you afraid of poisoning children?”

Tuberose flowers are intensely fragrant, but their scent is toxic. Prolonged exposure can cause dizziness and headaches, while excessive inhalation may lead to suffocation or shock.

Father Chi replied, “Well, I know. It’s mainly for liver-clearing and vision-improving medicine. Precisely because the scent is unpleasant, I thought I’d ask you. Your sister works with perfumes, but that doesn’t quite fit here.”

“Can you just casually add materials like that?” Chi Yunhan still didn’t believe him. Perfumery wasn’t about random mixing—it required considering whether the scent was toxic or addictive.

Father Chi was left speechless by her retort. Mother Chi slammed her hand on the table. “Why must you talk so much? Just tell him! Whether it’s toxic or not, he can test it later. A simple question, and it takes you forever to answer. What a waste raising you.”

“No need, no need…” Father Chi mediated. “If Yunhan doesn’t want to say, forget it. Don’t pressure the child. I’ll figure something out.”

Chi Yunhan pressed her lips together. So, they just wanted to extract perfume formulas from her, to help Chi Yurong impress Twilight, didn’t they?

Hah.

Well, go ahead and try to impress Twilight then.

Chi Yunhan lifted her gaze to the three across from her and said calmly, “Sure. Tuberose is actually quite easy to blend. You might want to take notes—there’s a lot to cover.”

All three looked over at once, especially Chi Yurong, who shifted slightly, fingers brushing her phone screen. Though she pretended indifference, Chi Yunhan knew she was definitely recording.

Jiang Muning set down her fork, about to speak up for Chi Yunhan, but Chi Yunhan gave her a look that said, “I’ve got this,” and added, “Keep eating.”

Then, clearing her throat, she began, “Tuberose is rich, a primary note, often used in sensual fragrances. Perfumers like to pair it with orange, lemon, jasmine, and neroli… but that’s so basic. Have you ever tried adding oakmoss?”

Oakmoss is also a primary note, not only extending a perfume’s longevity but also adding a hint of forest aroma. And tuberose isn’t a domestic flower—it thrives outdoors, complementing the woods. Wildflowers and forests.

Now that’s a killer combination.

Everyone presents turned their gaze toward Chi Yunhan, even Jiang Muning listened attentively, unconsciously popping a piece of steak into her mouth and chewing slowly.

“And not just forest notes—we should also add indole, sage, and a heavy dose of civet. Wow… just imagine it. The forest has grass, flowers, lush greenery, rich scents, and animals. It’s truly marvelous.”

Chi Yunhan raised her hand, signaling for them to envision the fragrance.

The three people across from her were swept up in her description, nearly transported to the serene forest—until a sudden “Ugh!” shattered the illusion. Their interest vanished instantly as all three turned toward the sound, only to see Jiang Muning clutching her chest before another “Ugh!” escaped her.

“Sorry… this steak is terrible.” Jiang Muning quickly excused herself and rushed to the restroom to vomit.

It wasn’t the steak that made her sick—it was Chi Yunhan’s description of those ingredients. Individually, when diluted and used in perfumery, they could indeed be unique.

But combined? One smelled like stink bugs, another like body odor… and with the overpowering civet, it reeked of animal musk.

If this fragrance were actually blended—

Ugh—

Not only would it utterly ruin Tuberose, but it would also suffocate people with its stench.