Chapter 2 - The Proust Effect
“Have you ever heard of the Proust Effect? It suggests that a person can rediscover long-forgotten memories through a specific scent.”
“You smell the fragrance of jasmine, and suddenly you are transported back to the potted plant your mother kept on the balcony when you were ten, or the aroma of the soup she used to simmer when you were a child.”
“Perhaps you once had a lover whose pheromones smelled of strong spirits. Years later, every time you step into a bar, your memory involuntarily traces its way back to those intimate moments you spent whispered against each other's skin.”
“Scent is the vessel of memory. In my heart, the Proust Effect is the most romantic, most tender phenomenon in existence.”
“And so—”
“My dear lady, would you like to catch a scent of this perfume? This is a new fragrance I’ve just blended this month. Currently, you are the only person besides myself to have smelled it. With it, you too can possess the scent of sweet pheromones.”
“This is our destiny, and yours as well. It is like an unnamed star, finally waiting for the master who will claim it...”
Jin Yan had no idea how long the two people beside him had been chattering away. Finally, the crisp chime of a mobile payment notification from the phone across from him jolted him fully awake.
*Scent is the vessel of memory.*
In his half-waking state, he hadn't even had time to savor the depth of that sentence before he was blinded by the sudden, flashy sales tactics. His dreaming mind fluctuated between confusion and exasperation, yet his physical form remained cold and indifferent, like a block of ice that refused to melt for anyone.
He had to admit, the man’s words had intrigued him—at least, before he started hawking his wares. In this world, aside from Betas, the other three genders could all perceive the scent of pheromones. The man across from him was clearly exploiting a biological loophole inherent to Betas. Yet, existence itself was a form of justification; even the most transparent scam could not withstand a soft heart. With just a few words, the girl had been coaxed into spending her money. It was a fundamental weakness in human psychology—everyone wanted their partner to remember their unique scent.
Jin Yan finished his now-cold coffee, listening to the exchange in silence. As it concluded, he caught a glimpse of moisture in the corners of the girl’s eyes.
“Apologies for the wait, everyone. The shuttle bus has been arranged. We hope you have a pleasant stay in Haicheng.” The airport ground staff’s voice broke the silence of those pretending to be asleep.
Jin Yan tossed his empty coffee cup into the bin, grabbed the handle of his suitcase, and followed the tail end of the crowd out of the airport’s VIP lounge. This was his first time returning to Haicheng in five years. He had been flying through the night, and when the plane circled over the city half an hour ago, he hadn't yet woken up, missing the first opportunity to revisit his memories.
Perhaps all the airports in the world looked more or less the same, because even now, sitting by the window of the shuttle bus, he felt nothing looking out at the runways. It wasn't until he stepped out of the Haicheng airport doors and the sea breeze, carrying the spray of the waves, surged toward him that the scent etched into the deepest recesses of his memory finally awakened his body.
*Scent is the vessel of memory.* That salesman actually had a point.
But when would he finally see the owner of that scent? He must be very busy lately; Jin Yan didn't even know if he would be back tomorrow. Five years had passed, and that person had become a world-renowned, award-winning Movie King. There were even rumors that he had a serious girlfriend now. He had always been like that since childhood—never lacking people by his side.
A sudden bitterness rose in the air, much like the helpless feeling of bark being stripped from a tree trunk.
“Hey, brother.” Someone spoke up beside him, untimely interrupting Jin Yan’s immersive reminiscence.
He turned his head slightly and saw a face that wasn't entirely unfamiliar. However, his gaze retracted after only a second. Staring straight ahead, he uttered only three words.
“I’m not buying.”
This reaction was truly unexpected. The man beside him froze for a moment before letting out an exaggerated laugh.
“Whoa, brother, you’re quite the blunt one. So you were faking sleep just now? You heard everything.” He stopped laughing and paused. “Sigh, but I suppose it’s no wonder...”
“No wonder?” Jin Yan was clearly alerted by the man’s trailing sentence.
“You don’t know what’s no wonder?” The man looked Jin Yan up and down. “If I’m not mistaken, you aren't an Alpha, are you?”
This time, it was Jin Yan’s turn to freeze. Two years had passed since his secondary differentiation, and in those two years, no one had ever questioned his gender. This was the first time someone had probed him like this, suspecting he wasn't an Alpha.
Jin Yan didn't answer. He simply narrowed his eyes, and the atmosphere suddenly turned cold and sharp, like the scent of an impending rainstorm in a silent forest.
The man instinctively frowned for a split second before his smiling face returned. “Brother, you’re way too guarded. I didn't mean anything by it. Since we’re at this point, let me be honest with you,” he said. “Judging by your reaction, I wasn't wrong. That makes us the same kind.”
*The same kind?* Was this salesman also an Enigma?
Jin Yan hadn't expected that the first time he met a fellow member of a gender with a one-in-a-thousand probability, it would be a traveling salesman.
Clearly, the salesman didn't mind Jin Yan’s coldness and began to chatter away to himself. “Man, you have no idea how hard it is to find one of our kind these days. I only had a slight suspicion at first, but your reaction was so intense that I’d be doing our gender a disservice if I wasn't sure by now.”
Enigmas were currently the most powerful gender among the known classifications. Whether it was their level of control, innate leadership, or pheromone intensity, they stood at the very peak of the gender pyramid. They were even capable of marking Alphas. After their secondary differentiation, a mysterious and steady aura became ingrained in their very bones. Aside from their own kind or those with extremely high compatibility, no one could influence them.
The difference was that the instinct toward their own kind was one of aggression.
Consequently, Jin Yan’s reaction had immediately made this "fellow" feel a sense of oppression. Fortunately, this man wasn't some kind of warmonger.
“Lower your hostility for a second. Let me introduce myself. I’m Gou Feifei. As you can see, selling fragrance is my side hustle, but my side hustle is doing better than my main job. I’ve made quite a bit of money over the years.” As he spoke, he pulled out his phone, opened an app, and flashed his savings. “Look, brother, do you want to invest? Let’s partner up, make this big, and aim for an IPO in two years.”
The usually composed Jin Yan actually felt his mind go blank for a few seconds after hearing this. He didn't know whether to laugh or cry. After all that, the man was still trying to sell him something—it was just that the product had been upgraded to a higher tier.
“Hello, I’m Jin Yan. First, thank you for the offer. Second, it’s a pleasure to meet a fellow Enigma. Finally, I’m sorry.” He gave a polite smile and said, “I’m not interested.”
“Aww, look at you. You’ve got such great genetic potential and you’re not using it. You’re missing out on a golden opportunity to make bank.” Gou Feifei waved his hand, seemingly not too bothered. “It’s fine, it’s fine. I won't force you.”
Jin Yan nodded slightly in apology, then looked away to answer a ringing phone.
“Mom, I just got out of the airport. Yeah, just wait for me at home. See you in a bit.” He hung up and said to the man beside him, “Goodbye.” He then walked toward the taxi stand.
Gou Feifei laughed heartily. “Sure thing, bye-bye!” He shouted toward Jin Yan’s retreating back, “By the way, really do think about it again!” Of course, he received no further response.
Jin Yan got into the car and set off on a road he hadn't traveled in five years. His heart felt a mix of bitterness and trepidation. During his five years studying in Country A, he hadn't returned home once. His parents had visited him several times and urged him to come back for a visit, but nothing had come of it. If it hadn't been for his father’s illness, he didn't know when he would have returned. He also didn't know if he had the courage to look at that person again.
After a thirty-minute drive, Jin Yan finally arrived home. As he stepped through the gates, a familiar scent rushed to meet him, throwing his heart into disarray.
The reunion with his parents was joyful but not overly intense; after all, they had seen each other in Country A just six months ago. Furthermore, this time he had decided to return for good. After exchanging pleasantries and confirming that his father’s post-operative recovery was going smoothly, the weight on Jin Yan’s heart lifted slightly.
The family matters were settled, but he still didn't know where to begin sorting out his own emotions.
After lunch, Jin Yan returned to his room. He pulled back the curtains and looked at the window opposite his, his heart feeling as though it were being repeatedly soaked in bitter wine. Just lying on this bed brought back memories of the day of his first differentiation at eighteen.
Jin Yan had differentiated late, holding out until he was eighteen. The later the differentiation, the more dangerous it became. That day, he had been in such a state that he couldn't even make it to the hospital; they had to call a doctor to the house. He had been unconscious for two full days during that first differentiation. Those two days had been just like today—the air filled with the inescapable scent of sea salt, wrapping around him tightly, leaving no room to breathe.
But who would have thought that the differentiation he had anticipated for eighteen years would turn out to be a joke?
Well, there was more than one thing more ridiculous than that.
Jin Yan gave a bitter smile and sighed, finally picking up his phone, which had vibrated several times. Swiping the screen, he saw a flurry of messages in a group chat. He had an appointment to have dinner with two juniors tonight; he had almost forgotten.
At the appointed time, Jin Yan arrived at the restaurant early. While at the entrance, he received a message saying the juniors would arrive in two minutes, so he decided to wait for them outside.
“Eh? Isn't this the big brother from the airport?” Two minutes later, the naturally sociable salesman appeared before Jin Yan again. Walking beside him was Jiang Rong, a junior Jin Yan had met once before. “Huh? Brother Jin, you two know each other?”
Jin Yan blinked, nodding to Jiang Rong. “We ran into each other at the airport today.”
Jiang Rong’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Wow! What a coincidence! I guess we really are cut from the same cloth, being under the same mentor and all.”
“It is a coincidence. I didn't expect it either.” Jin Yan smiled and replied casually as the three of them entered the reserved restaurant.
The three had been introduced by their mentor. Their field of study was most famous in Country A, so it was common to encounter fellow countrymen from the same lineage. The first priority for Jin Yan upon his return was to establish his career; he planned to open a pet hospital, and these two juniors were potential candidates for partnership.
Thus, Jin Yan’s day shifted from being the "target of a pitch" to being the "pitchman" himself.
Although the roles had swapped, when it came to discussing their profession, none of them were vague or flippant. It was the first time Jin Yan saw the serious side of his junior, and he also learned his full name: Gou Feifei.
Gou Feifei was highly skilled in his field and had a long-term vision. However, the man clearly hadn't forgotten his side hustle; during dinner, he actually managed to sell his products to the neighboring table. Jiang Rong, with his lively personality, was also very supportive, even offering to invest in Gou Feifei’s business.
Jin Yan listened to the grand blueprints of the two "children" beside him like a parent, feeling a bit worried about the future of his pet hospital. But the other two clearly hadn't talked enough and decided to move to another venue to continue the session. Jiang Rong claimed that "angels in white" get tired easily and need to relax. Gou Feifei agreed wholeheartedly.
Although Jin Yan preferred quiet, he valued talent. Wanting to keep these two juniors on board, he followed them into a bar that was already shrouded in mist even at the entrance. The place was called "Mist on the Sea," a rather pretentious name for a bar, but it suited Jin Yan’s mood perfectly. He gave the bar a decent mental score and followed the others inside.
At that moment, a person sitting in a private booth within "Mist on the Sea" suddenly frowned. The weather forecast had said Haicheng would be sunny for the next week; why did he suddenly smell the scent of dampness in the air?
The person sitting next to him had been laughing brightly just a second ago, but now leaned back, instantly putting on a face of genuine concern.
“What’s wrong, Brother Shu? A headache?”
“Yeah, a bit.” Zhou Shu pinched the bridge of his nose twice before asking the person beside him, “Zhu Lili, do you smell the scent of approaching rain?”
Zhu Lili didn't bother correcting him. Rolling her eyes, she said, “No.” After finishing her eye-roll, she added, “If your head hurts, let’s head back first.”
Zhou Shu thought for two seconds and gave a grunt of agreement. Understanding the cue, Zhu Lili waited a moment before getting up to settle the bill.
As she passed the bar counter, she saw the silhouette of a man drinking alone. Her "Sea Queen" instincts immediately picked up the scent of prey. She settled the bill as quickly as possible, took a moment to touch up her red lipstick in the restroom, adjusted her shoulder straps, and sashayed over to the bar.
“Hey handsome, want to hang out?”
Jin Yan froze at the sound. Turning his head, he saw an Omega who could be described as stunning, blinking at him. Unfortunately, her efforts were wasted on him.
Out of politeness, Jin Yan responded, “Hello. No, thank you. I’m here with friends; they’ve stepped out for a smoke.”
Zhu Lili wasn't embarrassed. Her eyes curved into crescents as she smiled, brushing a stray lock of hair from her shoulder to reveal a neck as white as a swan’s. She leaned in closer and lowered her voice. “But it’s been a long time since I’ve smelled such a top-tier Alpha. I’m a bit reluctant to let you go.”
Jin Yan gave a gentlemanly smile. “ I’ll take that as a compliment. Thank you.”
Then, Jin Yan caught the scent of the Omega’s pheromones—at a level only he could perceive. It was like a fiery, gorgeous red water lily blooming by a lakeshore. To have such control, she must be a top-tier Omega.
She had truly hit a wall with him. After all, he was an Enigma, standing at the very top of the food chain.
Jin Yan’s expression didn't even flicker. He simply adjusted the frame of his glasses. “It’s still unsafe to release pheromones in a public place. As an Omega, you should be careful.” He stood up, nodded, and said, “Excuse me.” With that, he headed toward the restroom.
“He’s got moves,” Zhu Lili murmured, propping her hand on the bar and tapping her fingers twice before sashaying back to the private booth.
Acting as if nothing had happened, she returned and took Zhou Shu’s arm, whispering a few words in his ear before indicating her intentions to the people sitting opposite them. She said she had already settled the bill and they were leaving first.
The benefactor had specifically changed his itinerary to come to Haicheng for Zhou Shu, so he was naturally unhappy that they were leaving early. Fortunately, Zhu Lili was skilled in the art of persuasion; with a few choice words, she smoothed things over and secured their release.
Zhou Shu’s headache was growing increasingly severe, and his patience had long since worn thin. While Zhu Lili and Xiao Zhang were placating the others, he stood up and walked out of the booth.
He didn't know why, but the scent of a heavy rainstorm was exceptionally strong today, even though it had been sunny lately. He splashed some water on his face, trying to clear his head. However, in the next second, he saw a face in the mirror that should only have appeared in his dreams.
For a few moments, Zhou Shu truly believed he was dreaming. Until that familiar voice, after a gap of five years, reached his ears once more.
The voice called out to him, “Ge...”
As soon as the word left his lips, a sudden rainstorm broke out within the few cubic meters of that narrow space. Raindrops fell into the ocean, kicking up layers of waves.
The Proust Effect was reborn at this very moment.
***
