765: Chapter 76 Can it really be sold?

An AI algorithm logic loop that he couldn't figure out before suddenly had a clear path forward at this very moment.

The system prompt sounded at the perfect time.

【Item Name: floating dawn (Complete Form)】

【Effect: Forces entry into an 'Absolute Focus' state, increasing brain activity by 30% and continuously repairing damaged neurons.】

【Side Effect: No matter how tired, the user will be unable to sleep for four hours after use.】

Shen Yan put the incense pill back into the box.

He snapped the lid shut with a 'clack.'

A trace of a genuine smile finally appeared at the corner of his mouth.

This wasn't just perfume.

This was a cheat code.

This was the key to the future.

For those in scientific research, finance, or even his sister who was still in a comatose recovery period...

This thing was life itself.

"Master He."

Shen Yan looked at He Jingzhong.

"Can you mass-produce this?"

He Jingzhong gave a bitter smile and shook his head.

"Mass-produce? Mr. Shen, you must be joking."

"That vine only flows like this once a year at most."

"Even if I have the technique, the raw materials are strictly limited."

"In a year, I can make thirty pills at most."

Shen Yan nodded.

Rare things are precious.

This was exactly what he wanted.

"Thirty pills is enough."

Shen Yan pulled out a pre-prepared contract from his coat.

He placed it on the table covered in incense ash.

"He Jingzhong."

Shen Yan changed how he addressed him.

He became formal and serious.

"I have already cleared the debts for this garden."

"I've also deposited one million for your wife's medical expenses."

"Sign this contract."

"From now on, Rosemary Dell will be a wholly-owned subsidiary under my banner."

"You will remain the master here and the sole Chief Perfumer."

"An annual salary of two million, plus a ten percent commission on the sales of this item."

He Jingzhong looked at the contract.

His hands trembled slightly.

It wasn't because of the money.

It was because of this feeling of being recognized.

"Mr. Shen..."

"Can this thing... really be sold?"

"After all, it's not the kind of perfume that people find pleasant-smelling..."

Shen Yan stood up.

He walked to the window and looked at the lush garden outside.

"Master He."

"Remember this."

"We aren't selling incense."

"We are selling time."

"We are selling that moment of inspiration for a genius."

"And the hope of waking someone from a vegetative state."

Shen Yan turned around and looked at He Jingzhong.

"Next month, there is a top-tier exchange summit in Fragrance Prefecture."

"Many powerful and influential people will be there."

"I want to light this 'floating dawn' at that summit."

"I want the entire Fragrance Prefecture, even the entire world, to know."

"The scent belonging to the East has returned."

He Jingzhong took a deep breath.

He picked up the pen.

He signed his name heavily on the contract.

This single stroke...

...cut through thirty years of his destitution.

It also carved out a new business empire.

"Boss."

He Jingzhong changed his form of address.

He said it willingly.

"Since this incense is going to be released, it needs a resounding name."

"The ancient books call it 'floating dawn'—is that a bit too obscure?"

Shen Yan picked up the lacquer box.

The black lacquer surface reflected his young yet profound face.

"No changes."

"It will be called 'floating dawn'."

"'Life is but a floating dream; the dawn is coming.'"

Fragrance Prefecture, Cloud-Top Clubhouse.

This was the most money-burning place in the entire Fragrance Prefecture region.

Tonight, it wasn't just burning money.

It was also burning brainpower.

The four large characters for 'Cloud-Top Business Summit' were projected onto the dozens-of-meters-high dome.

Shen Yan sat in a leather sofa in the corner.

He absentmindedly spun that unremarkable black lacquer box in his hand.

Chen Guangke sat next to him, tugging at his tie.

The tie was so tight it made him want to gag.

"Old Shen, this is a luxury goods special event."

Chen Guangke lowered his voice, his eyes darting around.

"The one on the left makes French perfume, the one on the right does top-tier red wine."

"We're software guys—what are we doing here with a charcoal ball?"

Chen Guangke felt apprehensive.

He didn't understand the so-called 'floating dawn.'

In his eyes, that thing was pitch black, no different from the mosquito coils his grandmother lit in the summer.

Shen Yan ignored his childhood friend's complaints.

He glanced at a few empty seats not far away.

Those were reserved for the true big shots.

Like Zhao Dequan, who was currently surrounded by a crowd of people.

The Vice President of the Fragrance Prefecture Chamber of Commerce, who held three top-tier agarwood supply chains in his hands.

"Oh, isn't this President Shen?"

Zhao Dequan walked over holding a wine glass.

His voice wasn't loud, but it was enough for the surrounding circles to hear.

"I heard President Shen has been making quite a splash in AI recently."

"What, does AI need to smell things now too?"

A ripple of low laughter broke out around them.

It carried a hint of contempt and the mockery of those who just wanted to see a spectacle.

In their eyes, Shen Yan was just a nouveau riche.

Knowing code didn't mean one understood class.

The threshold of this Cloud-Top Clubhouse couldn't be crossed with money alone.

One needed heritage.

Shen Yan lifted his eyelids.

He didn't stand up.

Nor did he touch the wine glass in front of him.

"President Zhao."

Shen Yan's voice was very flat.

It was as if he were discussing today's weather.

"I heard you bid on a piece of Kynam a few days ago for eight million."

Zhao Dequan was stunned for a moment, and then a look of pride appeared on his face.

"President Shen is well-informed."

"That was White Kynam from Nha Trang, Vietnam—top-tier stuff, good for calming the mind and refreshing the brain."

"In this day and age, good things don't wait for people."

Shen Yan nodded.

He tapped his finger twice on the black lacquer box.

"Eight million to buy some peace of mind."

"Quite a bargain."

"However, after tonight, that piece of wood of yours can probably only be used to prop up a table leg."

The air suddenly went still.

The surrounding laughter came to an abrupt halt.

The smile on Zhao Dequan's face froze, and then the corner of his eye twitched.

Arrogant.

Too arrogant.

A keyboard-warrior actually dared to spout such nonsense in front of an expert.

"Shen Yan, I know you are young and impetuous."

Zhao Dequan slammed his wine glass down on the table.

"But in this trade, it's the nose that matters, not the mouth."

"Since you're talking so big, why don't you show it and let everyone see?"

"Let's see what kind of treasure it is that can make my White Kynam fit for a table leg."

Everyone's gaze converged on them.

Some were waiting to see a joke.

Some frowned and shook their heads.

Chen Guangke was so anxious he wanted to pull Shen Yan's sleeve.

If this was botched, the company's stock price would drop tomorrow along with it.

Shen Yan stood up.

His movements were unhurried.

He didn't even walk toward the podium.

Right there in the corner.

In front of everyone.

He opened the lacquer box.

There was no flashy packaging.

Nor were there any complex rituals.

He took out a black incense pill and placed it into a portable electronic incense burner he had prepared beforehand.

He set the temperature.

Two hundred degrees.

"I don't understand anything about top notes or middle notes."

Shen Yan looked at Zhao Dequan, speaking very slowly.

"I only sell two things."

"First, absolute clarity."

"Second, efficient time."

As soon as he finished speaking...

...a wisp of extremely faint blue smoke drifted out from the mouth of the burner.

Zhao Dequan was just about to sneer.

But that sneer got stuck in his throat.