I was born with a nose that was far more sensitive than most. To be precise, I could literally *smell* the goodness or rottenness in a person’s soul. Kind people had a faint, fresh scent, while evil people reeked of decay. All my life, this ability helped me dodge a lot of trouble. For instance, in elementary school, my deskmate, Brad, who always bullied people? He reeked like something had crawled into a dark corner and died. In high school, Tiffany, the class beauty who acted sweet but spread rumors behind everyone’s back? She reeked of a sourness so intense it made my eyes water. And Mr. Davies, the foreign exchange professor who always tried to get a little too handsy with the female students at summer camp? He had a fishy stench that made me sick to my stomach. But today, I smelled a third kind of scent: bitter. At the freshman orientation, I sat in the back row, bored out of my mind, spinning my pen. The host announced loudly, “Next, please welcome Professor Julian Harrington from the Chemistry Department, to address the new students.” The hall erupted in applause. I looked up and saw a tall, imposing man stride onto the stage. He looked around six-foot-three, dressed impeccably in a suit, broad-shouldered and lean. Gold-rimmed glasses sat on his high nose bridge, and the eyes behind the lenses were deep, unfathomable. This was the legendary Julian Harrington? Oceanview University’s youngest professor, a genius in the academic world, and, according to students, the nightmare professor. They said his research group had an 80% attrition rate, and he’s rumored to have reduced enough grad students to tears to form their own support group. Curiously, I sniffed the air. Usually, strict p I was born with a nose that was far more sensitive than most. To be precise, I could literally *smell* the goodness or rottenness in a person’s soul. Kind people had a faint, fresh scent, while evil people reeked of decay. All my life, this ability helped me dodge a lot of trouble. For instance, in elementary school, my deskmate, Brad, who always bullied people? He reeked like something had crawled into a dark corner and died. In high school, Tiffany, the class beauty who acted sweet but spread rumors behind everyone’s back? She reeked of a sourness so intense it made my eyes water. And Mr. Davies, the foreign exchange professor who always tried to get a little too handsy with the female students at summer camp? He had a fishy stench that made me sick to my stomach. But today, I smelled a third kind of scent: bitter. At the freshman orientation, I sat in the back row, bored out of my mind, spinning my pen. The host announced loudly, “Next, please welcome Professor Julian Harrington from the Chemistry Department, to address the new students.” The hall erupted in applause. I looked up and saw a tall, imposing man stride onto the stage. He looked around six-foot-three, dressed impeccably in a suit, broad-shouldered and lean. Gold-rimmed glasses sat on his high nose bridge, and the eyes behind the lenses were deep, unfathomable. This was the legendary Julian Harrington? Oceanview University’s youngest professor, a genius in the academic world, and, according to students, the nightmare professor. eople aren’t necessarily bad, but they often have a pungent or cold scent. But Julian Harrington… He carried a heavy, bitter scent, like an over-brewed, forgotten coffee, a deep, acrid bitterness that, for some inexplicable reason, made my heart ache with a strange pang of sympathy. I froze. He wasn’t a bad person, but he wasn’t happy either. After the orientation, compelled by a strange impulse, I fo I was born with a nose that was far more sensitive than most. To be precise, I could literally *smell* the goodness or rottenness in a person’s soul. Kind people had a faint, fresh scent, while evil people reeked of decay. All my life, this ability helped me dodge a lot of trouble. For instance, in elementary school, my deskmate, Brad, who always bullied people? He reeked like something had crawled into a dark corner and died. In high school, Tiffany, the class beauty who acted sweet but spread rumors behind everyone’s back? She reeked of a sourness so intense it made my eyes water. And Mr. Davies, the foreign exchange professor who always tried to get a little too handsy with the female students at summer camp? He had a fishy stench that made me sick to my stomach. But today, I smelled a third kind of scent: bitter. At the freshman orientation, I sat in the back row, bored out of my mind, spinning my pen. The host announced loudly, “Next, please welcome Professor Julian Harrington from the Chemistry Department, to address the new students.” The hall erupted in applause. I looked up and saw a tall, imposing man stride onto the stage. He looked around six-foot-three, dressed impeccably in a suit, broad-shouldered and lean. Gold-rimmed glasses sat on his high nose bridge, and the eyes behind the lenses were deep, unfathomable. This was the legendary Julian Harrington? Oceanview University’s youngest professor, a genius in the academic world, and, according to students, the nightmare professor. They said his research group had an 80% attrition rate, and he’s rumored to have reduced enough grad students to tears to form their own support group. Curiously, I sniffed the air. Usually, strict people aren’t necessarily bad, but they often have a pungent or cold scent. But Julian Harrington… He carried a heavy, bitter scent, like an over-brewed, forgotten coffee, a deep, acrid bitterness that, for some inexplicable reason, made my heart ache with a strange pang of sympathy. und myself trailing Julian. He walked quickly, nodding curtly to the many students who greeted him along the way, stingy even with his smiles. I hid around the corner of the corridor, watching him enter his office. The door hadn’t closed properly. After a moment of hesitation, I pulled out a box of matcha nougat crackers I’d made last night. I’d planned to snack on them myself, but now… he looked like he needed something sweet more than I did. When the hallway was empty, I tiptoed in, placing the nougat crackers on the most conspicuous spot on his desk. I even attached a sticky note: “A little sweetness always helps. – Willow, Chemistry.” Done, I turned to leave, then suddenly remembered my USB drive was still plugged into the office computer. I quickly rushed back to get it. When I returned, the office door was ajar, and low voices drifted out. “Professor Harrington, this collaboration benefits both parties. Why be so stubborn?” It was a middle-aged man’s voice. My steps faltered, and instinctively, I sniffed. An intense, putrid stench, more acrid than rotting fish. A dangerous smell. I held my breath, peeking through the crack in the door. Julian Harrington stood by the window, his back to the door, and said coldly, “Mr. Hayes, experimental data is not within the scope of negotiation.” The man, referred to as Mr. Hayes, sneered, “Young man, don’t be ungrateful. Do you really think you can hold onto such a huge project alone?” Julian Harrington remained silent. Mr. Hayes leaned in closer, whispering, “I heard… your father hasn’t been well lately? I might be able to help with the Harrington family matters.” The air instantly chilled. Julian Harrington slowly turned around, his eyes behind the glasses cold and terrifying. “Are you threatening me?” Mr. Hayes grinned, “Oh, I wouldn’t dare. I’m just reminding you.” They faced off for a few seconds. Mr. Hayes snorted, then turned and left. I quickly hid behind a potted plant in the hallway corner, my heart pounding so fast I thought it would burst out of my chest. Only after his footsteps completely faded did I let out a sigh of relief. Just as I was about to sneak away, a low male voice suddenly spoke behind me. “Seen enough?” I froze instantly. Julian Harrington held the box of nougat crackers, a slight curve on his lips, but no humor in his eyes. “Sending me so many sweets, are you trying to make sure I don’t flunk you out even if I need insulin?” He asked slowly, “Hmm? Willow?” 2 I froze, my mind flashing with frantic thoughts: *Oh no, oh no, oh no…* Caught eavesdropping, then busted red-handed delivering the nougat? This was a top-tier social suicide moment, straight out of a reality show. Julian Harrington stood right in front of me, looking down with a half-smile on his face. I swallowed, and managed to stammer, “P-Professor Harrington, hello…” He raised an eyebrow, saying nothing. The air solidified. Bravely, I pointed to the nougat crackers in his hand: “Um… are they good?” As soon as I said it, I wanted to slap myself. What kind of idiotic question was that?! Julian Harrington seemed surprised by my question. He paused, glanced down at the nougat, then looked back at me: “Haven’t tasted them yet.” “Then… would you like to try one?” I chuckled awkwardly, “I made them myself, I promise, it’s seriously so good!” He studied me intently, his gaze so deep it felt like he could read my every thought. His scrutiny made my scalp tingle. I instinctively took a step back, only to hit my heel against the wall and almost trip. Julian Harrington reached out a hand to steady me. I quickly regained my balance, my heart racing like I’d just run a mile. “Why did you bring me sweets?” he asked. “I…” My mind went blank. I could only stammer out a few words, “I want to use my sweetness to make sure you’re not bitter anymore.” The moment the words left my mouth, I froze. Julian Harrington froze too. In that instant, I thought I smelled the heavy bitterness on him lessen just a tiny bit. But quickly, he resumed his usual indifferent, ice-cold expression. “Bitter? You know me that well?” “I do!” I nodded, “Your name is Julian Harrington, you’re the nightmare professor in the Chemistry Department, your research group has an 80% attrition rate, and you once made an entire class of grad students cry. You’re also rated as the top campus crush by all the female students, with an eight-pack…” Mid-sentence, I clammed up. *Crap, I said everything I shouldn’t have!* Julian Harrington, however, chuckled. “Looks like my reputation isn’t so good,” he said. I forced a laugh, “N-no, not really…” He looked down at the nougat crackers in his hand, then suddenly asked, “Your name is Willow?” “Yes, Willow from Chemistry.” I answered honestly. He pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses. “How much did you hear outside the door earlier?” My scalp tightened. I immediately shook my head, “Didn’t hear anything! My ears aren’t working right!” “Your ears aren’t working, but your nose is super sensitive?” He gave a half-smile. I: “…” *Seriously, how does this guy always nail the important stuff?* Julian Harrington didn’t press further. He slowly unwrapped a nougat cracker and took a bite. I watched him nervously. He chewed a couple of times, then nodded slightly: “It’s very sweet, indeed.” I sighed in relief. Just as I was about to speak, he continued, “However, eavesdropping on a professor’s conversation, and then sneaking into their office to leave sweets…” My heart leaped into my throat again. He said calmly, “By rights, this should result in disciplinary action.” My heart just sank. *Goodbye, scholarship!* “But…” He changed his tone, “I happen to have a project right now that requires someone with a sensitive sense of smell.” I blinked. “Huh?” “The potential application of specialized olfaction in chemical analysis.” He looked at me, “Interested in joining my research group?” I was stunned, unable to process it for a moment. Julian Harrington’s research group? That’s the absolute pinnacle of the Oceanview University Chemistry Department, a place countless people would kill to get into! “C-can I…?” I stammered. “Didn’t you say your sense of smell was sensitive?” he countered. “It is pretty sensitive…” I mumbled, “But aren’t you afraid I’ll be clumsy and mess up the experiments?” Julian Harrington gave a faint smile: “Don’t worry, if you mess up, I’ll just have to dissect your nose for science.” I: “…” *He has a dark, witty side, doesn’t he?* Seeing my silence, he added, “The research group offers good benefits, monthly stipends, and the lab has 24/7 access to coffee and desserts.” Huh? Desserts? Coffee? I immediately brightened, instantly forgetting my earlier nervousness: “Really?” He nodded: “Really.” “Then… then I’m in!” I agreed without hesitation. Julian Harrington seemed to have anticipated my answer. He chuckled softly, then glanced at his watch: “Tomorrow morning at eight, Experiment Building B. Don’t be late.” He turned to leave after saying that. I quickly called out, “Wait! What about Mr. Hayes… will he come bother you again?” Julian Harrington paused, turned his head, and said coldly, “That’s not for you to worry about.” I wanted to ask more, but he had already strode away with his long legs. My heart was racing, my hands trembling. My emotions took a long time to settle. 3 First thing the next morning, I went to the experiment building. Standing outside the lab door, I took more than ten deep breaths before mustering the courage to knock. The door opened. A guy with black-rimmed glasses poked his head out, scrutinizing me. “Hey, are you…?” “I’m Willow. Professor Harrington asked me to report today…” “Oh! You’re the genius girl with the super sense of smell?” The guy looked surprised, then enthusiastically pulled me in. “Hi, I’m Leo, a second-year grad student. I mostly slack off in this group.” The lab was spacious and bright. Leo gave me a quick tour, introducing a bunch of names. I was so overwhelmed I only remembered Chloe and Sam, the senior students. “Where’s Professor Harrington?” I asked. Leo pointed to the inner office, “He’s in there, but right now he’s…” Before he could finish, the office door opened, and Julian Harrington emerged. The lab instantly fell silent. Everyone stood up in unison. Julian Harrington scanned the room, then glanced at me. “You’re here?” I nodded, feeling a strange flutter of nervousness. He walked up to me and handed me a stack of papers. “First, review the experiment protocols. This afternoon, Leo will teach you the basic operations.” I took the papers and stared, dumbfounded. It was a thick stack, at least fifty pages. “That much?” The words slipped out. Julian Harrington raised an eyebrow. “Problem?” “N-no…” I answered softly. He nodded, then turned and left. “Willow, you recorded this data wrong!” “Willow, that’s not how you use a centrifuge!” “Willow, you can’t touch that reagent with your bare hands!” Three days later, I had officially become the group’s favorite and its resident target for teasing. “Willow! Come smell this sample for any odd smells!” Leo waved a test tube at me. I sighed, resigned, and leaned in to sniff: “Acetaldehyde is too high. Did you guys forget to add the inhibitor?” The lab instantly erupted in cheers. “Genius! Just saved us half an hour on that chromatography analysis!” “Willow, you’re the GOAT!” Before I could even bask in the glory, someone lightly tapped the back of my head with a folder. Julian Harrington had appeared behind me. “Willow, your job is to assist with experiments, not to be a human detection device.” I hunched my shoulders. “Oh…” “And you all…” He scanned the room. The lab instantly became silent. “If I hear anyone shout ‘GOAT’ again, everyone gets an extra data set to analyze.” Everyone scattered like startled birds. I secretly sniffed Julian Harrington’s scent. I noticed the bitterness on him was much fainter today, replaced by a subtle hint of… caramel? *Strange, did he eat candy today?* “What are you staring at?” He suddenly turned, and I almost bumped into his chin. “N-nothing!” I quickly held up my lab notebook to hide my face. “I’m studying diligently!” He snorted softly, then tapped the instrument in front of me with his long, slender finger. “The centrifuge parameters are set wrong. Do you want to launch the sample into orbit?” I looked closely and almost fainted. I had accidentally added an extra zero to the rotation speed. “I’m sorry! I’ll fix it right away!” Julian Harrington sighed, reached out and took my wrist, guiding my fingers as he re-entered the parameters on the control panel. The caramel scent on him became even more distinct, so pleasant that for a moment, I forgot to breathe. “Got it?” He released my hand. I nodded, my mind buzzing with: *His hands are so nice… wait, no, I got the parameters!* “Professor Harrington!” Chloe poked her head out from the inner office. “The NMR results you wanted are ready!” He acknowledged her, then glanced at me again before leaving. “Make another mistake and you’ll write a ten-thousand-word apology.” I: “…” 4 *Is this the legendary nightmare professor?* *Alright, I’m in love.* Lunchtime arrived. Clutching the last serving of sweet and sour pork ribs I’d managed to snatch from the cafeteria, I was surrounded by the research group, subjected to an intense interrogation. “Spill it! What’s your relationship with Professor Harrington?” Leo slapped his fork on the table. “He personally teaches you how to operate instruments?” Chloe looked heartbroken. “Last year, when I made an operating error, he made me copy the safety protocols twenty times!” I stuffed a piece of pork rib into my mouth, mumbling indistinctly, “Maybe… because I’m clumsy?” Everyone gave me a look that screamed, “Do you seriously expect us to believe that?” “I know!” Sam slapped his thigh. “Professor Harrington must be craving your nougat! Last time, I saw his office drawer was full of those nougat cracker wrappers!” I nearly choked on my rice. *He actually ate them?* *And he collects the wrappers? Talk about a secret softie!* “But speaking of which…” Leo said mysteriously, “Do you guys know why Professor Harrington is so strict?” We all shook our heads in unison. “I heard he was screwed over by his own advisor back then. His experimental data was plagiarized, and he almost didn’t graduate. That’s why he has zero tolerance for academic misconduct now…” I suddenly remembered the conversation I’d overheard outside his office that day. *Mr. Hayes, was he also trying to…* “Willow.” A cool voice came from behind. I was so startled I dropped my fork. “P-Professor… good to see you!” Everyone instantly stood up. Julian Harrington gave a slight nod, then gestured for me to follow him. “Come to my office after you finish eating.” When I nervously arrived at his office, he was still buried in grading papers. “Sit,” he said without looking up. I obediently sat down, unable to resist secretly taking a deep breath. *This caramel scent, it’s really so good…* “Smelled enough?” he suddenly asked. I froze. “W-what?” He looked up, his eyes behind the glasses glinting with a hint of amusement: “Your little bloodhound nose has secretly sniffed around at least seven times since you stepped in.” My face instantly flushed hot. *Does this guy have a built-in radar or something?* “I… I just…” “Take a look at this.” He pushed a document toward me. I looked down. It was a non-disclosure agreement. “Starting next week, you’ll be involved in the development of a new type of molecular sieve. This project has a make-or-break agreement with the Hayes Group.” I sharply looked up: “That Mr. Hayes from that day…” “Clever.” He gave a slight smirk, “So, once you sign this agreement, there’s no backing out.” I signed my name without a second thought. When I looked up, our eyes met. “Aren’t you going to ask why I chose you?” “Because my nose is useful?” I ventured. He chuckled softly, and ruffled my hair: “Because you were the only one who said I was bitter.” The gesture was too intimate. My brain instantly short-circuited. Even more shocking, in that exact moment, the bitterness on him suddenly faded, and that caramel scent became incredibly prominent, intensely sweet, like freshly made toffee. By the time I came to my senses, I had, as if by some strange impulse, blurted out the words: “Professor Harrington, you just… smelled a little sweet?” The moment the words left my mouth, I wanted to bite off my tongue. *What was that audacious, almost brazen thing I just said, Willow?!* Julian Harrington froze. The office was so quiet I could hear my own deafening heartbeat. Just as I was considering whether to jump out the window and escape, he suddenly took off his gold-rimmed glasses. *Oh no, they say when Professor Julian takes off his glasses, things are about to get serious!* “Willow.” He slowly leaned in, close enough for me to count his eyelashes. “Do you know what happens in a lab when you tell your professor he’s sweet?” I frantically shook my head. He grinned mischievously: “You get penalized by having to sort through all the experimental data, alone.” I: “…” *Help! This professor is both sweet and utterly shameless!* 5 Monday morning, I sneezed the moment I walked into the lab. “What’s wrong, Willow? Catch a cold?” Leo handed me a tissue. I shook my head, wrinkling my nose as I looked around: “Don’t you guys smell it? A… rotten smell, it’s awful!” The lab members exchanged confused glances. Chloe sniffed hard: “No, I don’t smell anything.” The sickening stench of decay grew stronger. I followed the scent to the doorway. A girl in a tight black dress stood there, looking around. That smell, it was exactly like Mr. Hayes, who had threatened Julian Harrington in the office that day! “Excuse me, is this Professor Harrington’s research group?” She said in a high-pitched voice, “I’m Skylar Hayes. My dad is Mr. Hayes from the Hayes Group. Professor Harrington specially approved me to join the group.” I rolled my eyes. *How could Julian Harrington agree to let someone like her join the team?* At lunch in the cafeteria, I poked at the rice on my plate, completely losing my appetite. I couldn’t help but ask Leo, “That Skylar, why is she suddenly in our group?” “I heard she’s an exchange student. Her family donated a building to the university.” Leo looked gossipy. “Her dad seems to know Professor Harrington.” My fork clattered. *Know him? Mr. Hayes was threatening Julian Harrington!* Back in the lab that afternoon, Skylar had already made herself at home, mingling with everyone. She handed out popular lipstick shades to the girls and the latest game skin redemption codes to the guys. “Hi, Skylar.” Chloe enthusiastically greeted her. “Let me show you around the lab? We…” “No need.” Skylar smiled, cutting her off, then glanced at me. “Excuse me, would you mind showing me around?” She walked towards me, that putrid stench washing over me. I instinctively recoiled. “I… I’m busy! I have an experiment…” I turned to flee. “Willow, project done?” Julian Harrington walked towards me. Before I could even speak, Skylar latched onto him like a shark smelling blood. “Professor Harrington!” She resumed her high-pitched voice. “Long time no see, you look even more handsome!” Julian Harrington frowned, then gave me a cold glance. “Show the new student around the lab.” I gritted my teeth and walked over, suppressing my disgust as I stood next to Skylar. Her cheap perfume, mixed with that putrid stench, was absolutely suffocating. “Let’s go,” I mumbled, walking quickly ahead. Skylar jogged to catch up: “You’re Willow, right? I heard your sense of smell is super sensitive?” I ignored her, heading straight for the lab bench. “Oh dear, how do I use this instrument?” She reached out to touch the centrifuge. “Don’t touch that!” I slapped her hand away. “It’s dangerous!” Skylar’s tears came instantly. She looked at me pitifully, “Why are you being so mean… I just want to learn…” The lab fell silent. Everyone stared at us. My head buzzed with anger. *Her acting skills, they’re wasted if she’s not an actress!* “What’s going on?” Julian Harrington walked over. Skylar immediately teared up, “Professor Harrington, Willow seems to dislike me…” Julian Harrington looked at me. “Explain.” “She touched the instrument without permission!” I pointed at the centrifuge, “And she…” I abruptly stopped myself, almost blurting out “She smells awful.” “And what?” Julian Harrington raised an eyebrow. “And… she…” I stammered, then suddenly had an idea, “She’s wearing nail polish! Lab Safety Rule #9: No nail polish when handling instruments!” Skylar’s face changed. She instinctively hid her hand behind her back. Julian Harrington gave a faint smile: “Skylar, go wash it off.” After Skylar reluctantly left, Julian Harrington quietly asked me, “What’s really going on?” 6 I couldn’t help but complain in a low voice, “She stinks!” “How does she stink?” He suddenly leaned closer. “Like her dad?” My eyes widened in shock: “How did you know…?” “A guess.”
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