Chapter 41: Jun’s Scent
The atmosphere in the L’Aura suite had settled into a strange, high-tension equilibrium. Jun sat comfortably in his chair, casually managing the livestream. He handled the chat with an effortless precision, his responses a mix of dry wit and commanding authority. Whenever a comment became too uncouth or overly aggressive, the moderators—now fully subdued by Jun’s earlier “roasting”—acted with lightning speed, banning the offenders before they could clutter the feed. The chat had transformed from a chaotic storm into a well-ordered audience, all eager for the next revelation.
The silence of the room was broken by the soft rustle of a curtain.
Mei Lin was the first to emerge from the fitting rooms. She was wearing a high-fashion ensemble that blended avant-garde style with effortless luxury, her silhouette striking and sharp. However, as she stepped into the light, Jun noticed something was wrong.
Mei’s face was unusually pale, almost translucent, and she was holding a silk handkerchief pressed firmly over her nose and mouth. Her eyes, usually so sharp and calculating, looked glazed and strained.
Jun stood up immediately, his instincts kicking in. “Mei? Are you alright?”
Mei blinked, her gaze focusing on him. She lowered the handkerchief slightly, her voice sounding thin and strained. “I’m fine… just a sudden, sharp headache. The lights in there… they were a bit much.”
As she attempted to take a step toward him, her balance betrayed her. A sudden wave of dizziness hit her, and her foot caught on the plush carpet. She gasped, her body tilting forward, her balance completely gone.
Before she could fall, Jun moved. In one fluid motion, he stepped forward and caught her, his strong arms wrapping around her waist and pulling her flush against his chest.
The impact was sudden, and Mei’s face was pressed directly into the fabric of Jun’s shirt. In that instant, the world around her vanished. The sharp, stabbing pain in her head didn’t disappear, but it softened, replaced by a flood of a familiar, intoxicating scent. It was the same aroma she had detected in the viewing room—a blend of warmth, masculinity, and something uniquely Jun.
Without thinking, Mei pressed her nose deeper into his chest, inhaling deeply. She felt a surge of calm wash over her, the scent acting like a narcotic, soothing her frayed nerves and easing the pressure in her skull. For a moment, the calculating heir of the China Hospitality Group disappeared, replaced by a woman who was simply, viscerally drawn to the man holding her.
The scene was captured perfectly by the camera.
The chat erupted in a fresh wave of adoration. The sight of the tall, elegant Mei Lin collapsing into Jun’s protective embrace was a visual that sent the internet into a frenzy.
【OH MY GOD!! Look at him! So gentle!! 😭❤️】
【He caught her so naturally! He’s a total gentleman!!】
【Look at the way he’s holding her! My heart can’t take this!!】
【Jun-sama is the perfect man! Caring, dominant, and handsome! I’m officially obsessed!!】
Jun, oblivious to the digital meltdown, gently guided Mei toward the sofa. He didn’t let go immediately, ensuring she was steady on her feet before easing her down. He remained close, his presence a grounding force that kept her from slipping back into that dizzying void.
As Mei settled onto the cushions, her face remained pale, but the tension in her shoulders had vanished. She looked up at Jun, her eyes shimmering with a new kind of intensity. She had always viewed him as a strategic asset, a Prime Candidate of high value. But in the warmth of his embrace, she realized that the attraction was far more visceral than she had anticipated.
The moment of intimacy was interrupted by the sound of a curtain sliding open.
Hana stepped out, wearing a polished, soft-luxe ensemble that matched the upscale atmosphere of the suite. She wore a soft brown wrap-style blouse with a V-neckline that hugged her fitted bodice, layered under a crisp white cropped bolero jacket with slightly puffed cuffs. Completing the look was a high-waisted tan mini-skirt that clung to her hips before ending at mid-thigh, emphasizing her toned legs. She looked perfectly polished, the picture of innocent charm. However, as she emerged, she caught the tail end of the scene—Jun holding Mei, the intimacy of the embrace, and the way Mei had leaned into him with a dazed, needy expression.
A surge of jealousy flared in Hana’s chest, sharp and hot. She wanted to storm over and push Mei away, to reclaim her position as the center of Jun’s attention. Her “soft yandere” instincts screamed at her to mark her territory.
But as she looked at Jun, she saw the way he was looking at Mei—with a genuine, protective concern. She realized that if she reacted with aggression now, she would look petty in front of the millions watching.
With a practiced effort, Hana smoothed her expression. She pushed down her irritation and shifted her weight, her face instantly transforming into the “Nation’s Sweetheart” persona. She beamed a bright, radiant smile toward the camera and then turned to Jun, her voice bubbling with artificial sweetness.
“Oh, Mei-chan! Are you okay?” Hana chirped, gliding toward them with a graceful, idol-like stride. “You look a bit pale! Do you need some water? I’m so worried!”
She reached Jun and leaned in, her movement a calculated attempt to displace Mei’s influence. She presented her dress to the camera with a playful twirl, her voice returning to its melodic, engaging tone.
“Anyway, look at this outfit, everyone! Isn’t it just the cutest? I feel so chic today!” she giggled, flashing a peace sign to the lens while giving a playful twirl to show off the coordinated colors of her bolero and skirt.
Jun watched her, a small, knowing smile on his lips. He could see the gears turning in Hana’s head, the way she was fighting her own jealousy to maintain the image of the perfect, harmonious circle. He appreciated the effort, but he also loved the raw, possessive energy that lay just beneath the surface.
The chat, unaware of the internal war, was in love with the scene. The contrast between the dazed, pale Mei and the bubbly, energetic Hana created a dynamic that was irresistible to the viewers.
【They’re all so beautiful!! Jun is so lucky!!】
【Hana-chan is so sweet! I love how she cares for Mei!】
【This is like a real-life romance drama! I can’t stop watching!!】
As the women settled in, the atmosphere in the L’Aura suite remained charged. The superficial harmony of the “Nation’s Sweetheart” and the “First Wife” was in place, but beneath the surface, the competition had shifted. It was no longer just about status or history; it was about who could truly soothe the man at the center of it all.