If It’s Wrong, Then It’s Wrong - Chapter 58
Chapter 58: The Twentieth Day
The porridge simmered until soft and fragrant.
Even before tasting it, Cheng Liu knew it would be delicious. She took out her phone and started taking photos of the porridge, Ji Chaozhou’s hand occasionally appearing in the frame as he reached for his spoon.
Cheng Liu didn't bother choosing the best shots, simply posting all nine photos.
As she scrolled through her Moments feed, showing off her culinary adventure, Ji Chaozhou also picked up his phone. He watched Cheng Liu, then, seeing her stop, he looked down at his own phone, checking her Moments.
As expected, there was a new post from Cheng Liu.
A faint smile appeared in Ji Chaozhou's eyes. The nine photos were casual, unposed, but his hand appeared in three of them.
He didn't like Cheng Liu's post. Instead, he scrolled down to He Bai’s post from that morning and liked it.
Having done that, Ji Chaozhou put down his phone and looked up at Cheng Liu, who was eating her porridge.
He didn't want her affection; he wanted her favoritism.
“Delicious,” Cheng Liu said after taking a bite, looking at Ji Chaozhou.
Ji Chaozhou, slowly stirring his porridge, said, “If you like it, we can make it again tomorrow morning.”
“Really?” Cheng Liu asked, her face brightening. That meant she could spend more time with him!
Ji Chaozhou’s expression didn’t change: “There are still ingredients left. We can use them tomorrow.”
“Then I’ll come over tomorrow morning,” Cheng Liu said eagerly.
Although it was just because he didn't want to waste food, CEO Cheng was overjoyed, secretly planning to buy extra ingredients next time, so they could have two meals together.
She was a quick learner, adept at adapting and applying new knowledge.
…
That night, He Bai sat in his living room, dressed in a sapphire blue silk robe, no glasses, his handsome features even more prominent, less scholarly, more alluring.
He swirled the deep red wine in his glass.
His family had a large wine collection. He Bai had once offered Cheng Liu a few bottles, but she wasn't interested, having refused them.
“I can drink, but I don’t enjoy it, and I don’t understand it.”
Those had been her exact words.
For a long time after that, He Bai had observed Cheng Liu, realizing that she excelled at everything, but only truly showed passion when she was working.
She had an innate ambition for her career.
A workaholic, in the truest sense of the word.
He Bai knew that Cheng Liu only cared about her work, so he had remained by her side, never overstepping his boundaries.
—Because it would have been pointless.
Six months ago, when He Bai had learned that Cheng Liu was seeing Wang Hongyang, he had been surprised, but not worried.
Cheng Liu was too ambitious, her focus solely on her career. Wang Hongyang, a model, couldn’t offer her any advantages, and apart from his looks, he had nothing to offer, a known flirt.
Only he, He Bai, had remained by her side all these years, his family background impeccable, his looks no less striking than Wang Hongyang's.
Eventually, Cheng Liu, after weighing her options, would realize that he was the most suitable partner.
He Bai hadn’t expected Cheng Liu to reciprocate his feelings; she had never even looked at him that way. But he had hoped they might be together.
Now, things were different.
Ji Chaozhou was a significant threat.
His looks, his family background, everything about him was top-tier, and his father, Ji Mushan, controlled Tianqi Automobile, a key player in Cheng Liu’s most important upcoming project.
He Bai took a sip of wine, sometimes even suspecting that Cheng Liu’s involvement with Ji Chaozhou was because of his father.
He sat at the bar, scrolling through his phone, then unconsciously opened WeChat, a smile appearing on his face as he saw the notification icon.
Had Ji Chaozhou finally given in?
He Bai opened his Moments feed. The top post was from Ji Chaozhou. He Bai, taking another sip of wine, his eyes sweeping down, suddenly choked.
“Cough! Cough! Cough!”
The wine caught in his throat, and He Bai coughed violently, staring at Cheng Liu’s post, his grip on the glass tightening, almost crushing it.
This time, she had written “friend,” not “neighbor,” but He Bai knew it was Ji Chaozhou. The hand in the photos was his.
Even the placement of the cutlery was identical to their breakfast that morning.
He Bai slammed his glass down, opened the notification, and realized that Ji Chaozhou hadn’t commented on Cheng Liu’s post, just liked it.
He Bai slammed his hand on the counter, looking down, a bitter laugh escaping him.
That like was clearly deliberate, meant to draw his attention to Cheng Liu's post, a subtle taunt.
He Bai's face darkened. Cheng Liu rarely posted on Moments. Each post marked a significant event in her life.
And now, she was posting about having dinner with Ji Chaozhou.
Was he that important to her?
He Bai couldn't suppress his jealousy.
It wasn't the lack of attention, but the uneven distribution of it that bothered him.
Before, Cheng Liu hadn’t cared about anyone, and he had been fine with it. Now, she suddenly cared about someone, and it wasn't him.
He Bai couldn't accept it, his resentment towards Ji Chaozhou growing.
Ji Chaozhou was far more calculating than the clueless Wang Hongyang.
…
The clueless Wang Hongyang was lying in bed, scrolling through his phone, having just finished reading the trending topics about Cheng Liu and Shenyin Technology. He picked up a small mirror and admired himself.
Who would have thought that the celebrated founder of Shenyin Technology was his ex-girlfriend?
He had captivated Cheng Liu with his handsome face, although she had later moved on.
Wang Hongyang looked at the photo of Cheng Liu’s watch, wondering if it was a gift from Ji Chaozhou.
Cheng Liu hadn’t asked him for any dating advice in days. His tactics must have been effective. He still had a whole arsenal of “master of love” techniques he hadn’t shared.
Wang Hongyang felt like a hidden gem, his brilliance unrecognized.
Even a dull stone like Cheng Liu could find love. His techniques must be incredibly effective.
Wang Hongyang sat up. Having been in the industry for several years, he had a wide network of contacts. He decided to capitalize on Cheng Liu’s trending popularity and promote himself as a relationship expert, helping couples find happiness.
The career of the entertainment industry's top love guru began in this moment.
…
“I wonder who CEO Cheng will end up with.”
“Didn’t Yun Fei do a live stream program with CEO Cheng? Maybe she knows something.”
“Let’s go ask her.”
Yun Fei sat in her dressing room, her eyes closed, leaning back in her chair as her makeup artist worked.
Having been on set filming, she hadn’t been following the news, until two actresses from the same production approached her, eager for gossip.
“Yun Fei, you interviewed CEO Cheng on that live stream. Did you hear anything about who she likes?”
CEO Cheng?
Hearing those words, Yun Fei immediately thought of Cheng Liu. She opened her eyes, looked at the two actresses in the mirror, and, maintaining a polite smile, asked, “Why are you asking? Is she interested in women?”
One of the actresses showed her a photo of Cheng Liu at the press conference: “We’re all trying to figure out who gave her that man’s watch.”
She knew who gave Cheng Liu the watch.
Yun Fei scoffed inwardly, maintaining her polite smile as she glanced at the phone screen, then froze.
She had seen that watch before.
Ji Chaozhou had worn it once, at his eighteenth birthday party. He didn’t own many watches and rarely wore them, so Yun Fei remembered it clearly.
The polite smile on Yun Fei’s face vanished. The other actresses continued their gossip.
“That watch definitely isn’t hers. If she had bought a man’s watch for herself, she would have adjusted the strap.”
“Anyone who can afford that watch must be wealthy.”
Yun Fei brushed their phone aside, her voice cold: “Shouldn’t you be getting ready for your scene?”
“Right, right, let’s go,” the two actresses said, oblivious to Yun Fei’s change in mood, hurrying out of the dressing room.
Once they were gone, Yun Fei turned away from the makeup artist: “You can leave too.”
The makeup artist, surprised, didn't ask why, putting down her tools and leaving.
Yun Fei scrolled through her phone for a while, then looked up at her reflection in the mirror, took a deep breath, and dialed a number.
After a moment, the call connected.
“Aunt Yun,” Yun Fei said. “Does…does Brother Chaozhou like that Cheng Liu? He gave her his watch.”
Yun Se, not having been following the news about Shenyin Technology, didn't understand: “What watch? Have you seen them?”
“No, I’m still filming,” Yun Fei said, her voice filled with grievance. “Cheng Liu was wearing Brother Chaozhou’s watch at her press conference.”
“What press conference?” Yun Se asked calmly.
Yun Fei sent her the link: “Check your WeChat.”
“I’ll look later,” Yun Se said, her illness keeping her awake at night. She sat in her wheelchair, looking out at the garden below. “Xiao Fei, you know Chaozhou won’t like you.”
“Then he shouldn't like Cheng Liu either,” Yun Fei said, her beautiful face filled with frustration. “I understand Brother Chaozhou.”
“Xiao Fei,” Yun Se sighed. “Stop your little schemes. If Ji Mushan finds out, I won’t be able to protect you.”
Yun Fei froze. She wouldn't dare to offend Ji Mushan.
“Focus on your filming. Don’t overthink it,” Yun Se said firmly. “As Chaozhou’s younger sister, and my adopted daughter, you’ll always have the Ji family’s protection.”
“Aunt Yun…”
“That’s enough,” Yun Se said, hanging up, exhaustion evident on her face.
A few nights ago, Ji Mushan had suddenly come to see her, just to warn her not to interfere between Chaozhou and Cheng Liu.
Yun Se didn’t understand what had made Ji Mushan so resolute, but she couldn’t force Chaozhou either.
Cheng Liu…Cheng Liu…how had she gotten so close to Chaozhou in such a short time?
Yun Se sat in her wheelchair for a long time before finally clicking on the link to Cheng Liu’s press conference.
She watched the entire video, then, forcing herself to stay alert, looked into the recent events surrounding Shenyin Technology.
She couldn’t deny Cheng Liu’s success as a young entrepreneur.
But precisely because of that, Ji Chaozhou wouldn’t be able to control Cheng Liu. In their relationship, he would always be the one at a disadvantage.
Yun Se looked up at the moon, bright and clear, yet lonely. She was dying, and if Chaozhou…couldn't cope…
…
Cheng Liu had just put down her spoon when He Bai called.
“Is something wrong at the company?” Cheng Liu asked, answering the phone.
“No,” He Bai said, his voice cheerful. “It’s Saturday tomorrow. You’ve been in your new villa for a while now. We should celebrate. Senior, you’re not going to refuse me again, are you?”
“Saturday…” Cheng Liu hesitated, glancing at Ji Chaozhou. “I have plans this weekend.”
“Is it Assistant He?” Ji Chaozhou asked casually, putting down his spoon, the gentle clink against the bowl echoing in the quiet room. He looked up. “What did he say?”
Cheng Liu explained: “He wants to celebrate my housewarming.”
Ji Chaozhou picked up his spoon, slowly stirring his porridge: “Then invite Assistant He over tomorrow.”
Cheng Liu instinctively refused: “But I…” She wanted to go on a date with him.
“I don’t have any friends,” Ji Chaozhou said, looking down, then suddenly asked, his voice low, “Can I celebrate with you tomorrow?”
He sat there quietly, his long eyelashes lowered, his long, pale fingers holding the spoon, slowly stirring his porridge, a lonely figure.
Cheng Liu’s world suddenly brightened. They were having a joint party!
A date was nothing compared to this! They were celebrating together tomorrow!
“Of course,” Cheng Liu said immediately. “We’ll have a joint party.”
She relayed the message to He Bai.
He Bai, who had just come up with this plan: “…”
“Will Assistant He agree?” Ji Chaozhou asked softly.
“It’s a joint party. He doesn’t have a choice,” Cheng Liu said to He Bai on the phone. “Just bring your appetite tomorrow.”
Omg thank you for picking this up, it's a real gem!
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