The Retired CEO's Guide To Being Spoiled-Chapter 217: The Nemesis of the Lilac

"Individuals who dedicate their lives to the pursuit of art, particularly those who harbor a profound passion for meticulously painting landscapes and breathing life into still-life subjects just like I do, frequently develop a deeply ingrained habit. We constantly seek out and absorb a vast, eclectic array of real-world information from our surrounding environment. This exhaustive research is absolutely essential to ensure absolute consistency and to imbue a profound sense of authentic, tangible value into every single stroke of our brushes."

"The sheer breadth of our accumulated knowledge might not always delve into the most profound, scholarly depths, but it is incredibly vast, encompassing all sorts of seemingly random, fascinating trivia about the world we live in. For instance, we possess specialized knowledge regarding the fact that certain specific types of everyday foods and natural fragrances harbor an incredibly fierce, almost violent chemical clash with one another. We also extensively study the precise, traditional methods of arranging and displaying flowers, ensuring the placement strictly adheres to the ancient principles of feng shui while simultaneously safeguarding the physical health and overall well-being of the inhabitants living within the space."

As Julian Sterling spoke these measured words, he gracefully extended his hand to pick up the small, exquisitely crafted ceramic bowl shaped like a delicate forget-me-not flower, the very same object he had been playfully fiddling with just moments prior. He nestled the cool porcelain neatly into the center of his palm, carefully and appreciatively admiring its intricate details before continuing his explanation: "There is a multitude of minuscule, easily overlooked details that the vast majority of ordinary people usually never bother to pay any attention to. Take the magnificent tulip, for example. Even though it is undeniably beautiful, exuding an aura of pure elegance and high-class luxury, when one is preparing to arrange these blossoms, it is absolutely imperative to completely and thoroughly remove the bulb portion. Furthermore, one should absolutely never, under any circumstances, display them inside a tightly enclosed, unventilated room for an extended period of time. This is simply because the fleshy stem and the bulb of the tulip inherently contain a mild, hidden toxicity that slowly and stealthily diffuses right into the surrounding breathable air."

"Similarly, consider the alluring scent of the lilac blossom. Although its fragrance is famously enduring and capable of lingering for a remarkably long time, it is highly conditional. If it is proudly displayed in a spacious, wonderfully airy, and well-ventilated room, it can effortlessly create a delightfully natural, exceptionally soothing aroma. However, the exact moment those same fragrant blossoms are stubbornly trapped inside the completely sealed, heavily air-conditioned environment of a modern corporate building, the accumulated scent rapidly becomes overwhelmingly pungent and excessively concentrated. This overpowering floral density acts as a severe neurological depressant, directly causing intense psychological inhibition and a profound sense of physical discomfort for anyone forced to inhale it."

Julian Sterling paused for a fraction of a second, his gaze sharpening slightly as he emphasized his next crucial point: "Even more specifically, the lilac and the tulip are two distinct species of flora that must absolutely, unequivocally never be permitted to be arranged together within the exact same confined space. If this cardinal rule is broken, these two remarkably powerful, competing fragrances will inevitably trigger a volatile, invisible chemical conflict. Especially when trapped within a closed environment, their combined, clashing aromas will exponentially amplify the suffocating sensation of stifling oppression, directly inciting a wave of completely irrational, burning irritation and sudden hot-headedness within a person. In many severe cases, this specific floral combination can easily and swiftly induce agonizing, blindingly fierce migraines."

"Furthermore, these particular flowers are even more disastrously unsuited to be placed anywhere near a dining room or any location where food is actively being served. This rule becomes ten times more critical when the scheduled menu features dishes prepared with fresh seafood or any other ingredients that possess a distinctly strong, characteristic briny odor. This deeply unfortunate, nauseating combination will aggressively magnify the fishy scent of the seafood, amplifying it many times over. The resulting olfactory nightmare directly causes a sensation of extreme, overwhelming nausea and supreme physical discomfort, effectively manufacturing a highly convincing, artificial physiological response that perfectly mimics the dreadful symptoms of severe food poisoning or acute gastrointestinal distress."

Julian Sterling offered a soft, knowing smile before concluding his fragrant dissertation: "In complete and utter contrast to all of those suffocating, noxious elements, the exceptionally crisp, purely natural aroma of fresh mint possesses the unique, almost magical ability to perfectly counteract and completely suppress these monstrous, malicious scent conflicts."

Upon reaching this specific point in his explanation, Julian Sterling unhurriedly reached into the pocket of his tailored clothing and slowly withdrew a small, beautifully embroidered fabric pouch. Ethan Caldwell was already intimately and profoundly familiar with this particular little fabric accessory. Julian Sterling frequently harbored the charming habit of stuffing freshly picked, vibrantly green mint leaves, or perhaps a small handful of carefully dried, aromatic orange peels, deep inside the delicate lining of the pouch. He would then casually hang it from his personal bags or cleverly hide it within the deep pockets of his everyday attire. The primary, highly practical purpose behind this action was to constantly ward off and effectively neutralize any unpleasant, lingering odors emanating from the unpredictable surrounding environment.

Recently, Julian Sterling had suddenly developed a rather peculiar, utterly fascinating obsession with enthusiastically diving into the various, bustling roadside fast-food stalls and crowded street vendor tents. According to the specific way the young man enthusiastically phrased it, this unconventional activity was entirely meant to allow him to genuinely experience the most authentic, raw, and vibrant sensation of everyday human life, immersing himself in the literal smoke and fire of the mortal realm. There had actually been several distinct occasions where Ethan Caldwell had found himself helplessly dragged along, entirely unable to resist Julian Sterling’s sweet, wheedling demands and incredibly endearing coaxing. While the actual flavor of the street food at those chaotic locations was arguably acceptable and somewhat decent, the heavy, greasy scent of cooking oil and thick culinary smoke that stubbornly clung to their expensive clothing afterward was truly nothing short of an absolute, agonizing torture for a notorious, uncompromising clean freak like Ethan Caldwell.

And during those trying times, those small, meticulously crafted fabric pouches belonging to the young man were frequently utilized as a highly effective, secret weapon. They were the perfect tool to completely dispel the stubborn, clinging scent of heavy smoke and the persistent, lingering aroma of greasy food that viciously attached itself to their tailored suits and hair after every single one of those chaotic dining excursions.

"What an absolutely incredible, serendipitous coincidence this truly is..." Julian Sterling remarked, his voice practically purring with satisfaction: "It just so happens that I actually brought this little lifesaver along with me today."

As Julian Sterling spoke these words, he smiled so widely that his beautiful eyes crinkled up into two enchanting, crescent-shaped moons. He playfully twirled the small, aromatic fabric pouch between his nimble fingers, his movements brimming with a distinct, mischievous energy. It was glaringly obvious to anyone watching that he was currently flashing a radiantly bright, breathtakingly beautiful smile. However, that specific, narrowed gaze of his simultaneously harbored a deep, unmistakable well of hidden danger and profound, icy calculation.

"I have already finished completely delegating all the necessary tasks and instructions to the staff," Julian Sterling stated, his tone shifting slightly: "So, what exactly should the two of us do next?"

Helen Lloyd stood quietly off to the side, carefully observing the two deeply affectionate individuals openly flirting and interacting right in front of her. She then watched as Julian Sterling let out a remarkably soft, yet distinctly cold and chillingly mocking chuckle: "Since the unknown perpetrator has already expended such a tremendous amount of painstaking effort and valuable time to meticulously lay out such an incredibly sophisticated, elaborate trap for us, it is only fair that we act generously and allow them to taste a tiny, satisfying drop of sweet success, isn’t it? If both the final outcome of your important meeting down there and the situation up here with me, your beloved little partner, fail to yield the disastrous, chaotic results that they so desperately expect and desire, then the culprits will inevitably grow suspicious and realize their plot has been discovered almost immediately."

Seeing Julian Sterling smiling with such a wicked, mischievous expression, looking for all the world exactly like a cunning, brilliant little fox secretly brewing a masterful, devious plot, Ethan Caldwell simply could not help himself. He shook his head and let out a low, helpless, yet incredibly fond laugh, his heart overflowing with deep, boundless pampering and unconditional indulgence for the young man: "So, what exactly is my darling planning to do?"