Lu Yan lowered his eyes, looking at the side profile of Ning Anmiao lost in thought. His gaze swept over her casually, yet all his love was silently conveyed.
When the last drop of distilled essence was purified and poured into the bottle, Dong Muzhi turned around and happened to witness this scene. She couldn't help but smile knowingly.
"I've always heard that General Manager Lu is always cold and aloof towards others. But I think that's not true. One has to meet the right person for their heart to be sincere."
Hearing this, Ning Anmiao looked up.
It seemed to be the case.
The two of them had been together for such a long time. Their understanding and knowledge of each other had become increasingly profound, and she herself had changed a great deal.
Just as Dong Muzhi had said, in the past, Lu Yan was cold and kept people at a distance. He was like an iceberg, or rather, an isolated island floating on the vast sea.
Ning Anmiao pursed her lips, constantly pondering over Dong Muzhi's words in her heart. Suddenly, she spoke up, "How about we call it 'Island'?"
As soon as she said this, both Dong Muzhi and Lu Yan looked at her, waiting for her to continue.
She pinched her fingers and slowly voiced her thoughts, "I think Miss Dong's analogy is very appropriate. I believe that love is about two lonely islands gradually approaching each other."
"In the process of getting closer, the two constantly get to know each other, recognize themselves from each other's eyes, and then run in with each other, become familiar, and finally become the most familiar lovers and the best versions of themselves."
After Ning Anmiao finished speaking, Lu Yan's eyes grew even deeper, and his gaze on her became even more intense.
She was always like this.
She made him fall in love with different sides of her again and again in the mundane days.
"Miaomiao is truly worthy of being the daughter of Old Mr. Ning. Your literary talent is unparalleled," Dong Muzhi said with a smile. "However, this name has already been used for a perfume."
As soon as she finished speaking, a look of disappointment flashed across Ning Anmiao's eyes.
She had finally come up with a perfect name, only to find out that it had already been taken.
Lu Yan lowered his eyes and said in a deep voice, "Then let's add a few words. How about 'Naked Island'?"
"This name is quite bold," Dong Muzhi said with a smile. "It seems that General Manager Lu has a new idea?"
"Yes, let's call it this," Lu Yan said calmly, seemingly not intending to explain further.
If a lonely individual could be compared to an island, then his feelings for Miaomiao were undoubtedly naked and sincere.
This lonely island of his had always been sincerely in love with another island named "Ning Anmiao."
Ning Anmiao looked up, carefully savoring these four words in her heart.
"Since both of you have decided, according to General Manager Lu's previous arrangement, we will start mass - producing this perfume and release it as the new spring collection for the coming year," Dong Muzhi said.
Lu Yan nodded, "Okay."
Ning Anmiao raised her eyebrows and said in a sarcastic tone, "You're really a capitalist. You even want to make money from a wedding perfume."
"Xinghe doesn't do charity," Lu Yan retorted casually, his tone matter - of - fact. "If we gave it away for free, wouldn't we lose a lot of money?"
"Don't forget, half of the assets I own now belong to you."
Ning Anmiao thought for a while and found his words reasonable. "Well... okay."
Lu Yan took a step back. "On the day of its launch, we can offer a 50% discount with unlimited sales."
Because the day of its launch was the day of their wedding.
Watching the two bickering as they left, Dong Muzhi smiled brightly. She turned around and handed the prepared perfume and its formula to the staff beside her.
She also wrote down the name of the perfume on the back of the card.
Naked Island.
---
During the period of wedding preparation, Yin Yiyan was also very busy.
When she received Ning Anmiao's call, Yin Yiyan was extremely busy. She answered the phone in a flurry, "Be your bridesmaid?"
Ning Anmiao laughed, "Yes. You're my good friend, so of course you have to be my bridesmaid."
"Sure, but tell your husband that if he wants me to be the bridesmaid, there has to be an appearance fee."
Yin Yiyan clamped the phone between her shoulder and ear while typing on the keyboard non - stop. "My time is very precious now. Every minute and second is worth a fortune."
"You're so money - minded!" Ning Anmiao couldn't help but complain. "Didn't Gong Ming say he would invest in your company? Why are you still so concerned about money?"
"Isn't Gong Ming's money real money?" Yin Yiyan said matter - of - factly. "Moreover, even among brothers, accounts should be settled clearly. What if the company incurs losses? I'll still have to pay for it."
Ning Anmiao's ears hurt from listening. "I'll talk to Lu Yan about it later. I'll arrange everything for you, including the bridesmaid dress. Just remember to come."
"Okay. You're the most considerate, Miaomiao."
Yin Yiyan kissed the phone receiver. "Oh, by the way, at the end of December, my company will open. There will be a ribbon - cutting and plaque - unveiling ceremony, as well as a cocktail party. Would you and your husband do me the honor of attending?"
Ning Anmiao pretended to be solemn. "Ah? So soon? Lu Yan and I also need to prepare for our wedding, and it will be very cold at that time..."
"Come if you want, but if you're late, you'll have to sit in the last row and won't even get to eat. Don't blame me," Yin Yiyan said without giving in.
"Okay, okay. I'll go," Ning Anmiao said, unable to resist her. "See you at the end of the month."
"Okay. I'll hang up first. I'm still busy. Running a company is really not easy. Now I finally understand why those entrepreneurs are so irritable in the early stage. They're like they've seen a ghost all day long..."
After informing Yin Yiyan, Ning Anmiao thought for a while and decided to call Jiang Xixi.
Although she had sent someone to deliver the invitation last time, it would be more appropriate to call and invite her as a sign of sincerity.
"Miaomiao, I... I'd better not go," Jiang Xixi's voice on the phone was a bit low. "I'm not feeling well, and I may go abroad next year."
For her physical and mental health, Jiang's parents had decided to take her abroad for a while to relax.
Ning Anmiao was a bit surprised to hear this news. "So suddenly? When will you leave? How long will you be gone? When will you come back?"
The concern in her words made Jiang Xixi feel even worse. "It should be in February. I won't be able to make it to your wedding."
After saying that, she quickly added, "But I will definitely send you a gift. Don't worry."
Ning Anmiao said, "I invited you to my wedding not for the gifts."
Jiang Xixi froze and didn't know what to say for a moment.
She didn't want to go not because she didn't want to, but because she didn't know in what capacity she could go.
When she saw Ning Anmiao, she would only feel ashamed. How could she have the nerve to attend her happy wedding?
"If you really can't make it, then forget it," Ning Anmiao's voice sounded. "Xixi, I know you feel bad about what happened before."
"But you've already paid the price, so let's just wipe out all the past. Just let it go," Ning Anmiao's voice was gentle and soothing.
"Whether you can come or not, you'll always be my good friend since childhood."