If It’s Wrong, Then It’s Wrong - Chapter 63

Chapter 63: The Twenty-Second Day

Wang Hongyang stood behind a pillar, a wine glass in one hand, his phone in the other, quickly typing a message.

He had been wandering around the expo for a while, trying to network, but no one seemed interested in talking to him.

The early arrivals were minor players, the later ones more influential, but none of them paid any attention to Wang Hongyang.

The entertainment industry was notoriously hierarchical, and Wang Hongyang, a second-rate model, wasn't considered important, despite his good looks.

Even the invitation to this expo had been difficult for his agent to obtain. Breaking into the entertainment industry as a model was challenging, even with his looks. He needed resources and connections.

And connections required networking.

When Yun Fei arrived, the other celebrities had been buzzing with excitement, not just to meet her, but also to connect with the brand representatives she was with.

However, the French perfumer had been looking around expectantly, seemingly waiting for someone.

Wang Hongyang hadn't approached him, having been rebuffed earlier. He didn’t want to be embarrassed again. Besides, even with all the celebrities present, none of them had noticed him, despite his confidence in his looks. He had other priorities now.

Wang Hongyang had recently taken on a new client, offering relationship advice. Driven by a newfound sense of purpose, he stood behind the pillar, typing guidance messages on his phone.

“Can I get a drink?” Wang Hongyang asked a passing server, taking a glass of wine, taking a few sips before resuming his messaging.

Suddenly, a notification popped up on his phone – a bank transfer of almost a hundred thousand yuan.

He was startled: Was this a scam?

Then a message arrived on his alternate QQ account.

Client #2: [You’re good. Cheng Liu is actually your client.]

Wang Hongyang was puzzled, but he replied: [Of course. I taught Cheng Liu everything she knows. Didn’t you believe me?]

He had received a hefty down payment, after all.

Client #2: [I didn't. I was just grasping at straws.]

Wang Hongyang: [And now you believe me?]

Client #2: [Cheng Liu’s trending online. Everyone finally knows who gave her that watch. Here’s the rest of the payment. Please help me find love!]

Wang Hongyang: [Certainly.]

He replied, then immediately opened Weibo, checking the trending topics. Unlike everyone else’s surprise, Wang Hongyang was simply shocked that Cheng Liu had actually succeeded. How was that possible? With her skills?

But…

Wang Hongyang scrolled through the news. Was Cheng Liu at this expo?

He put away his phone, placing his empty glass on a passing server’s tray, and, emerging from behind the pillar, scanned the crowd, looking for Cheng Liu.

She wasn't difficult to find. Most of the attendees were focused on Cheng Liu and Ji Chaozhou, ignoring Yun Fei, who should have been the center of attention.

Wang Hongyang looked at Cheng Liu, casually sitting at the high table, the silver snake ring with its emerald head gleaming on her finger, a captivating, almost otherworldly beauty.

Sometimes, Wang Hongyang wondered why Cheng Liu had ever liked him.

—He had actually dated Cheng Liu.

Wang Hongyang had boasted about it to his agent, who had looked him up and down, then said, “Don’t be ridiculous. I might believe it if it were anyone else, but you and Cheng Liu…hahaha.”

He had been planning to use Cheng Liu’s connections to boost his career, to finally prove his worth, but they had broken up after six months.

It was a good thing his agent hadn’t believed him.

Cheng Liu sat there, several celebrities approaching her.

Having been trending online recently, Cheng Liu was now a recognizable figure in the entertainment industry. The founder of Shenyin Technology, everyone wanted to be her friend.

But Cheng Liu, having come here for a “date” with Ji Chaozhou, ignored everyone, simply nodding in acknowledgement, not engaging in any conversations.

Wang Hongyang subtly approached her. He wasn't trying to win her back; he knew that would be futile.

He just wanted that gold plaque.

Wang Hongyang stood at the other end of the table and called out to Cheng Liu, who had been looking at Ji Chaozhou.

Cheng Liu, hearing her name, turned around and, seeing Wang Hongyang, was startled. She had just been thinking about him, and now he had appeared, like a hallucination.

CEO Cheng panicked: Did she still have feelings for Wang Hongyang?

“Cheng Liu, you’ve succeeded. Now, you have to give me the gold plaque,” Wang Hongyang said, looking at her. “You promised.”

Hearing his voice, realizing he wasn't a hallucination, Cheng Liu was relieved. “I’ll give it to you. After we’re together, I’ll even engrave it for you.”

Wang Hongyang was surprised: “You’re not together yet? You’re trending online.”

“We’ll be together soon,” Cheng Liu said confidently. “We’re already friends.”

“Then remember to engrave ‘Love Guru’ on the plaque, with your signature in the bottom right corner,” Wang Hongyang reminded her.

He could use a photo of it as his profile picture. Once he was successful, he would hang it in his office, a testament to his expertise.

“Okay, sure,” Cheng Liu said dismissively, turning back to look at Ji Chaozhou.

But Ji Chaozhou’s back was to her now, still talking to a group of people.

Cheng Liu waited, but he didn’t turn around.

“He was looking this way just now when we were talking,” Wang Hongyang said, taking two pastries from a passing server’s tray. “I think he might be jealous.”

Cheng Liu slowly turned to him: “…”

She immediately stood up and walked towards Ji Chaozhou.

Wang Hongyang, having finished his pastries, felt his phone vibrating in his pocket. He took it out and saw a flurry of messages from his agent.

[What’s your relationship with Cheng Liu?]

[I received photos of you talking to Cheng Liu.]

[You’re the only one at the expo who can talk to her. Did you really date her?]

Wang Hongyang rolled his eyes. There were too many prying eyes at this expo. He replied, echoing his agent's earlier words: [Don’t be ridiculous. How could I possibly have dated Cheng Liu?]

Not just his agent, but also several other attendees, having seen him talking to Cheng Liu, now approached him, even the influential figures who had ignored him earlier.

Wang Hongyang maintained a polite smile, secretly thrilled. He hadn't gained anything from dating Cheng Liu, but now, after their breakup, he was basking in her reflected glory.

…

Cheng Liu walked over to Ji Chaozhou, listening to the conversation, not understanding a word. It was all about perfume.

She stood nearby, waiting for them to finish.

Then a perfumer, mistaking her for a celebrity, approached her, asking if she was interested in becoming their brand ambassador. Another, younger perfumer, even bolder, asked for her contact information, wanting to ask her out.

“I’m not a celebrity. I don’t do endorsements,” Cheng Liu said, pointing at Ji Chaozhou. “I’m on a date with him.”

Although she was standing a short distance away, and the expo wasn't too noisy, Ji Chaozhou heard her clearly. A smile appeared on his lips, then quickly vanished.

The two perfumers, hearing Cheng Liu’s words, turned and walked away, disappointed.

Ji Chaozhou, having ended the conversation, walked towards Cheng Liu.

“Are they done?” Cheng Liu asked, seeing him approach.

Ji Chaozhou looked at her for a moment before asking, “Are you done talking to your boyfriend?”

Boyfriend?!

Cheng Liu quickly clarified: “He’s not my boyfriend. We broke up!”

“Mm, ex-boyfriend,” Ji Chaozhou said calmly, correcting his words.

But Cheng Liu felt a chill run down her spine, a sense of foreboding. She hadn't explained it properly. Her path to happiness was about to be destroyed!

Cheng Liu raised her hand, as if taking an oath: “We did date, but, but…”

She struggled to find a suitable excuse. She had indeed dated Wang Hongyang, for six months.

Ji Chaozhou, standing across from her, took her hand, gently pulling it down, then leaned closer, adjusting the black satin ribbon around her neck, his fingertips brushing against her skin, a cool touch against her warm neck, a shiver of awareness.

He was so close she couldn't see his expression, unaware that he had glanced coldly at Wang Hongyang in the distance.

Wang Hongyang, surrounded by influential figures, suddenly choked on his wine: “Cough! Cough! Cough!”

Ji Chaozhou's gaze was terrifying!

Cheng Liu, tilting her head slightly so Ji Chaozhou could adjust the ribbon, asked, “What’s next?”

“Everyone gets a vote for their favorite perfume. The perfume with the most votes at the end wins the expo’s Best Perfume award,” Ji Chaozhou explained.

Yun Fei, seeing their intimate gesture, jealous and helpless, turned away, refusing to watch them.

She didn't believe their relationship would last.

Not only was Ji Chaozhou sensitive and aloof, but Cheng Liu, a successful businesswoman, was undoubtedly domineering.

“I’ll vote for you,” Cheng Liu said, smiling, a tickle on her neck where his fingers had brushed against her skin.

Ji Chaozhou, withdrawing his hand and taking a step back, reminded her, “Vote for the perfume you like the most.”

Cheng Liu, without hesitation: “I like the perfumes you blend the most.”

Ji Chaozhou turned away, not looking at her, a soft “Mm” escaping his lips.

…

The expo was filled with various fragrances, but Cheng Liu wasn't interested. She received her ballot from a server, went to Ranshan's booth, and placed it in the box under Midu.

Once most of the votes had been cast, the emcee appeared, the crowd gathering in the center of the exhibition hall, waiting for the award announcement.

Many classic and new international perfumes were on display, but Ranshan only had two classic fragrances, their other perfumes not particularly popular.

There was only one Best Perfume award.

Cheng Liu, looking at the emcee, felt a rare surge of nervousness, even though she didn’t know much about perfume.

Or rather, she was nervous for Ji Chaozhou.

Cheng Liu glanced at him. He was looking down, his expression unreadable, seemingly lost in thought.

“And the winner of the Luo Xiang Expo’s Best Perfume award is…” the emcee announced, pausing dramatically. “Ranshan Midu! Congratulations to Ranshan!”

Cheng Liu, her eyes smiling, clapped her hands, looking at Ji Chaozhou: “That’s you.”

Ji Chaozhou, not looking at the stage, his gaze meeting Cheng Liu’s, walked up to accept the award.

“I’m sure everyone here is familiar with the fragrance of Midu,” the emcee said, walking over to Ji Chaozhou after he received the award. “Many in the industry have been wondering what inspired you to create Midu.”

Ji Chaozhou’s gaze swept over the crowd, landing on Cheng Liu: “A moment of inspiration.”

He could no longer recreate a fragrance like Midu.

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