If It’s Wrong, Then It’s Wrong - Chapter 61

Chapter 61: The Twenty-Second Day

The living room was unusually quiet. Cheng Liu sat frozen on the sofa, not daring to move, Ji Chaozhou’s head resting on her shoulder, seemingly asleep.

She stared into the distance, replaying what had just happened.

He couldn’t have done it on purpose. He was just drunk and sleepy. It wasn't an act of revenge. It had to be a coincidence.

CEO Cheng desperately defended her beloved in her mind.

This close proximity made her feel uncomfortable.

Cheng Liu looked down at Ji Chaozhou, his warm breath on her neck, half of his face visible, his features calm and serene, a faint blush coloring his cheeks, a breathtakingly beautiful sight.

He looked very kissable.

CEO Cheng, her thoughts growing bolder, thought: Once they were married, she could kiss him whenever she wanted!

She remembered seeing him asleep in the hotel room, burning with fever, enveloped in a heavy gloom, so different from now.

Like this, he seemed…peaceful.

Ji Chaozhou, his head on her shoulder, suddenly stirred, nuzzling against her neck, his face now more visible.

Cheng Liu, seeing this, placed her hand on his back, gently patting him, like soothing a child.

Ji Chaozhou, having deliberately revealed his face: “…”

He waited, but Cheng Liu made no other move, simply continuing to pat his back.

Having drunk half a bottle of wine, already slightly intoxicated, soothed by her gentle patting, Ji Chaozhou finally drifted off to sleep.

He would never know what he had missed.

…

When Ji Chaozhou woke up again, it was dark outside. He was lying on the sofa, a thin blanket covering him.

“You’re awake?” Cheng Liu’s voice came from beside him.

Ji Chaozhou sat up, seeing Cheng Liu on the single-seater sofa, her phone in hand, several documents piled in front of her.

Cheng Liu stood up and poured him a glass of warm water: “Your phone rang a few times.”

“Thanks,” Ji Chaozhou said, taking the glass and slowly drinking the water before picking up his phone from the coffee table.

It was a message from Tang Fanglu. There was a perfume expo tomorrow, and she was asking if he wanted to attend.

Ji Chaozhou never attended the events Ranshan participated in, leaving them to Tang Fanglu and other employees.

This expo, scheduled months ago, was a major event in the industry, all the top perfumers would be there, a grand gathering.

Most of the exhibitors were leading international perfume brands, hoping to expand their influence in the domestic market, hence the expo’s location in S City.

Only two domestic perfume brands had been invited, Ranshan being one of them.

Midu had brought Ranshan back into the spotlight, its popularity soaring internationally in just a few years. The invitation wasn’t unexpected.

Tang Fanglu hadn't actually expected a positive response, knowing Ji Chaozhou usually declined such invitations.

But she felt it was a valuable opportunity for networking, a chance for Ji Chaozhou to meet other top perfumers.

Of course, Tang Fanglu also had her own agenda.

Which of those top perfumers were as young or as handsome as Ji Chaozhou? His presence alone would guarantee Ranshan's dominance.

Cheng Liu gathered her documents: “I’m heading back.” She hadn’t brought her laptop, not wanting to disturb him while he was asleep.

Ji Chaozhou looked at her.

“Tomorrow…” Cheng Liu coughed, quickly mumbling, “Are you free tomorrow? Let’s go out.”

She spoke quickly, her voice low, almost inaudible.

“I have an expo tomorrow,” Ji Chaozhou said.

“Oh,” Cheng Liu said, disappointed. She glanced at the single-seater sofa, thinking of an excuse to sit back down. Since he had plans tomorrow, she wasn’t in a hurry to finish her work.

“Do you want to come?” Ji Chaozhou suddenly asked.

Cheng Liu, after a moment, her face brightening: “Okay.”

This was the first time her beloved had invited her out!!!

Despite her excitement, CEO Cheng hadn't forgotten the pile of work waiting for her. With Shenyin Technology’s open-sourcing announcement, many companies were now contacting them, and she had a lot to deal with.

“I’ll go back and finish my work. See you tomorrow,” Cheng Liu said, hugging her documents and leaving.

Ji Chaozhou watched her leave, then picked up his phone and replied to Tang Fanglu: [I’ll be there.]

Cheng Liu, back in her study, focused on finishing her work, like a student eager to complete all their assignments before the holidays.

…

The expo wasn’t just about showcasing perfumes; it was also a major networking event. The organizers had invited several celebrities, everyone making a grand entrance on the red carpet.

He didn't need any new clothes, but Cheng Liu did.

So, early the next morning, Ji Chaozhou went next door.

Cheng Liu had just woken up, her hair a mess, as she came downstairs.

Halfway down, remembering her date, a sudden surge of excitement made her impulsive. She sat on the banister and slid down.

As her feet landed, she looked up, meeting Ji Chaozhou’s gaze at the door.

Cheng Liu: “!”

“I’m sorry!” she said immediately, raising her hands in a reflexive apology.

Ji Chaozhou glanced at her, his eyes sweeping over her messy hair: “We’re going shopping this morning.”

“Okay,” Cheng Liu said, nodding repeatedly, thinking she would never slide down the stairs again, her mind not on her messy hair at all.

…

Choosing a dress for the evening event at such short notice meant buying haute couture. Fortunately, Cheng Liu was tall and slender, she looked good in anything.

That afternoon, after they had both changed into their formal attire, someone from Ranshan arrived to pick them up.

As they approached the expo venue, Ji Chaozhou opened a black velvet box, revealing a thin silver snake ring, its head and tail inlaid with emeralds, the two coils of its body intricately carved with scales.

“Give me your hand,” Ji Chaozhou said, turning slightly.

Cheng Liu extended her hand.

Ji Chaozhou took her right hand, his other hand holding the ring, carefully sliding it onto her index finger.

“Like exchanging rings at a wedding,” Cheng Liu thought, then accidentally mumbled it aloud.

Ji Chaozhou’s hand paused: “What?”

Cheng Liu, avoiding his gaze: “I said, the ring is beautiful.”

By then, it was already evening, but the red carpet arrivals hadn't ended yet.

Tang Fanglu, stepping out of the first car, saw Ji Chaozhou emerging from the second. Before she could fully appreciate his handsome face and tall, slender figure, someone else stepped out from the other side of the car.

She wore a black satin dress with a deep V-neck and long sleeves, a loungewear-inspired design, the fabric shimmering in the light. Her hair was pulled back, a wide black ribbon tied around her neck, its embroidered ends dangling. Black lace and sheer fabric adorned her shoulders and forearms, the silver snake ring on her index finger, its emerald head gleaming, completing the look.

Her casual demeanor, every detail, exuded a captivating, almost ethereal allure.

Tang Fanglu, stunned, looked at the woman beside Ji Chaozhou: “Cheng…Cheng Liu?”

Wasn’t she the founder of Shenyin Technology?

Tang Fanglu rarely saw a woman stand beside Ji Chaozhou and not be overshadowed. This was the first time.

Hearing her name, Cheng Liu nodded at Tang Fanglu.

Tang Fanglu instinctively glanced at Ji Chaozhou, suddenly understanding. Had he been blending those perfumes…for her?

The red carpet was lined with reporters and photographers. The celebrities paused for photos, while other attendees slowly made their way inside.

Ji Chaozhou and Cheng Liu walked onto the red carpet together. Cheng Liu instinctively reached for her pockets, twice, then realized her dress didn't have any.

Of course, this minor detail wouldn't faze CEO Cheng. Just as she was about to casually lower her hands, Ji Chaozhou reached out and took her hand.

“!”

CEO Cheng’s heart started to race.

She felt Ji Chaozhou had been unusually attentive these past few days.

CEO Cheng was overjoyed.

As they walked, lost in her thoughts, she suddenly noticed a familiar figure among the reporters.

Kong Zhouyun, pushed to the edge of the red carpet, was diligently photographing the celebrities, but they hadn’t stopped for photos earlier, so he hadn't gotten any good shots.

Yun Fei, the last celebrity to arrive, escorted by the renowned perfumer from the brand she was endorsing, had already walked past, signaling the end of the red carpet arrivals. Many photographers had already put away their cameras.

Kong Zhouyun, not having captured anything noteworthy, decided to take a few more photos, hoping to salvage something.

Then he saw Cheng Liu and the young man beside her, his heart leaping.

These two always looked picture-perfect together.

Cheng Liu, meeting Kong Zhouyun’s eyes, gave him a look, then, with her free hand, subtly pointed at herself and Ji Chaozhou, signaling for him to take photos.

Kong Zhouyun, understanding immediately, raised his camera and started snapping photos.

Compared to the other photographers, who had either put away their cameras or were reviewing their photos, the rapid flashes from Kong Zhouyun’s camera were noticeable, attracting Ji Chaozhou’s attention.

But he pretended not to notice, stepping forward slightly, revealing their clasped hands.

Kong Zhouyun, looking at the two of them through his camera, his hand trembling with excitement, thought: Weren’t they more captivating than the celebrities?

Even if he couldn’t publish the photos, just looking at them would make his day.

Having taken enough photos, Kong Zhouyun discreetly gave Cheng Liu an “OK” sign.

Cheng Liu, seeing it, resumed her normal pace.

By the time the other reporters reacted, the two of them had already moved on.

The celebrities were still posing for photos, the photographers calling out to them, asking them to look their way.

Then someone noticed Ji Chaozhou and Cheng Liu.

“Who are those two? I don't recognize them,” one photographer said, drawn to their beauty, instinctively adjusting his camera.

He would take photos first, ask questions later.

As Ji Chaozhou and Cheng Liu walked towards the entrance, more and more photographers noticed them.

“Isn't that Cheng Liu?”

“Cheng Liu? Is she a celebrity? I’ve never heard of her. Is she new? I bet she’ll be famous.”

“She’s not a celebrity. She’s the founder of Shenyin Technology, the one trending online.”

“Her! No wonder she looks familiar!”

“But who’s the man with her? He’s…striking.”

“Never seen him before. You wouldn’t forget a face like that.”

…

Yun Fei had taken a day off from filming to attend the expo. She was the spokesperson for a major international perfume brand, and given her current popularity, she was the last celebrity to arrive.

Escorting her was the renowned perfumer from the brand she was endorsing. As they walked onto the red carpet, all cameras flashed, the spotlight on her.

But halfway down the carpet, the reporters suddenly started buzzing, turning to look behind them.

Was some minor celebrity trying to steal the spotlight? But she was the main event. There was no one else after her.

The cameras turned away, the flashes now directed elsewhere. The smile on Yun Fei’s face faltered. Since her debut, she had always been favored by the media. This was the first time she had been ignored like this.

The perfumer beside her also stopped, turning to look. She had no choice but to follow their gaze.

“Brother Chaozhou?” Yun Fei said, seeing Ji Chaozhou. Her mind raced. Ignoring the cameras, she called out to him.

The French perfumer beside her, hearing her, asked, “You know him?”

“Yes, he’s…” Yun Fei wanted to say he was the man she loved, but remembering Yun Se's warning, she changed her words. “He’s the perfumer behind Ranshan Midu.”

The French perfumer, clearly familiar with Midu, looked at Ji Chaozhou with renewed interest.

But the smile on Yun Fei’s face vanished as she saw Cheng Liu behind him, their hands clasped together.

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