If It’s Wrong, Then It’s Wrong - Chapter 66
Chapter 66: The Twenty-Third Day
After Cheng Liu had worn Midu, He Bai had bought the same perfume, but he stopped using it when he learned it was created by Ji Chaozhou.
Having overslept due to his hangover, rushing to work, he had grabbed a random bottle of perfume. He hadn’t realized he had used Midu until Cheng Liu mentioned it.
He Bai almost took off his suit jacket, the scent clinging to it, but he was more focused on the mark on Cheng Liu's lower lip: “What happened here?”
Cheng Liu had been thinking that neither she nor He Bai, wearing Midu, carried the same subtle, warm, sweet fragrance as Ji Chaozhou. Hearing He Bai’s question, she snapped back to reality: “Nothing. Just a mark left by the man I like.”
Having heard those business partners boast for years, she had mastered the art of subtle bragging.
He Bai’s face paled. He could imagine what had happened. He clenched his jaw, taking a moment to compose himself before asking, his voice low, “Are you and Ji Chaozhou together?”
Cheng Liu: “…”
CEO Cheng thought dejectedly: They had kissed. Why didn't she have a title yet?
“I need you to investigate a few car companies in S City. We’ll need a new partner soon,” Cheng Liu said, smoothly changing the subject.
He Bai, not having received an answer, didn't press the matter.
The question hung over him like a guillotine blade, its eventual fall inevitable, yet every moment of delay offered a sliver of hope.
“Alright, I’ll investigate,” He Bai said, turning to leave.
Cheng Liu watched him go, then turned back to her computer screen, unable to focus. She kept replaying the morning’s events, wondering why Ji Chaozhou had kissed her.
Was he not angry anymore?
Cheng Liu sighed. She rarely regretted anything.
Regret, in her opinion, was a useless emotion, unable to change the past. But now, Cheng Liu regretted her casual relationship with Wang Hongyang, regretted not breaking up with him sooner, even though she hadn't felt anything for him, simply forgetting about him because of her busy schedule.
As for that fleeting moment of infatuation on the cruise ship, she couldn't regret that.
It had been a genuine feeling, however brief.
Cheng Liu sighed again. She felt like a terrible person.
The more she thought about it, the more frustrated she became. She decided to focus on work. Once everything was settled, she would have time to pursue Ji Chaozhou.
…
Ji Mushan paced outside the villa for a while before ringing the doorbell.
He had learned last night, from a friend, that Ji Chaozhou and Cheng Liu had attended the expo together and were trending online.
Ji Mushan had checked the trending topics and understood immediately. Ji Chaozhou had deliberately worn that pilot’s watch.
Ji Chaozhou was like his mother, Yun Ran, not just in his looks and talent for perfumery, but also in his preference for simple, yet unique accessories.
He rarely wore watches, but he owned quite a few, previously kept at Yun Se's place, later returned to the Ji family home.
Ji Mushan had sent over a small suitcase filled with watches, enough for every occasion.
From Ji Mushan’s perspective, there had been more suitable watches for the expo. Ji Chaozhou hadn’t needed to wear that particular one.
The only explanation was that he had done it deliberately.
Ji Mushan had come to see how things were progressing between them. Judging from the photos online, they were quite close.
After ringing the doorbell several times, the door opened. Ji Mushan walked into the living room and saw Ji Chaozhou blending a new perfume, its scent more mature and complex than the last time, a blend of bitter and sweet, a hazy, intoxicating fragrance.
“You…you went to the expo yesterday?” Ji Mushan asked, standing across from Ji Chaozhou.
Ji Chaozhou, putting down the dropper, said calmly, “I did.”
“How are things progressing with Cheng Liu?” Before seeing the photos of them holding hands, Ji Mushan hadn’t been able to picture Ji Chaozhou and Cheng Liu together.
Cheng Liu was too clever, too assertive. Ji Mushan doubted she would be willing to compromise for Chaozhou.
But after seeing the photos last night, he had started to think they might be a good match, if Cheng Liu truly liked Chaozhou.
After all, Cheng Liu knew how to make people happy.
Of course, she also knew how to make people miserable.
Ji Mushan wanted them to be together, hoping Cheng Liu could help Chaozhou, but he also worried about what would happen if she didn’t like his son.
“We just went to the expo,” Ji Chaozhou said casually, tidying up his workstation, as if nothing had changed between them.
“I think Cheng Liu likes you,” Ji Mushan said, sharing his observations from the photos.
“She also liked Wang Hongyang,” Ji Chaozhou said softly.
He hadn't realized Wang Hongyang would become such a persistent thorn in his side.
“She’s in her twenties. It’s normal to have liked someone before,” Ji Mushan said, slightly regretting not having met Cheng Liu earlier. He could have introduced her to his son.
But it wouldn't have worked earlier. Chaozhou had barely spoken to him back then.
“Chaozhou, don’t miss this opportunity,” Ji Mushan advised.
Ji Chaozhou looked down at his phone. Cheng Liu hadn't messaged him since he left that morning.
“I saw Yun Fei at the expo yesterday,” Ji Mushan continued. “She’s scheming. I had Yun Se warn her before, but it doesn’t seem to have worked. There were some people online speculating about your relationship with Yun Fei last night. I had it suppressed.”
The Ji family had invested in Yun Fei’s career, but Ji Mushan didn't want to continue supporting someone who constantly bothered his son.
…
Yun Fei didn’t know about the Ji family’s decision to stop their support. The trending topics that should have been about her yesterday had been completely overshadowed by Cheng Liu. At the expo, Ji Chaozhou hadn’t even spoken to her.
After leaving the expo, Yun Fei had asked her manager to promote the video of her calling out “Brother Chaozhou” on the red carpet, even hiring people to speculate about their relationship online.
But it hadn’t worked.
Then a friend had told her about a “love guru” who could offer dating advice. This guru had apparently helped her friend’s relative, and even he had praised the guru's skills.
After some inquiries, Yun Fei had obtained the guru’s QQ number and sent a friend request, which had been accepted immediately.
Guru: [Hello, client. Please describe your current predicament. I guarantee success.]
Yun Fei was skeptical, but she had heard the audio recording of her friend’s relative praising the guru's ability to make even the most unyielding hearts soften.
Guru: [Please don't withhold any information. The more details, the better.]
Yun Fei thought for a moment, then, omitting her name and age, described her situation.
…
After the expo last night, Wang Hongyang had been summoned by the company’s executives, who had been unusually polite, asking about his relationship with Cheng Liu.
Wang Hongyang had learned his lesson. He wouldn’t say he had dated Cheng Liu again.
Not only had they broken up, but if it affected Cheng Liu’s relationship with Ji Chaozhou, he was certain she would destroy his career.
Someone like Cheng Liu, who had finally found love, wasn't to be trifled with.
Actually…
Wang Hongyang remembered Ji Chaozhou’s cold glare at the expo. He wasn’t someone to be trifled with either.
So, Wang Hongyang told the executives: “We’re friends.”
They clearly didn't believe him.
Wang Hongyang decided to play his trump card: “Actually, Ji Chaozhou and Cheng Liu are together because of me.”
The executives were startled: “You played matchmaker?”
Wang Hongyang thought, although they had misunderstood, it wasn't entirely wrong. It was because of him, after all.
He even showed them the message where Cheng Liu had promised him the gold plaque, as proof.
By the time he left, the executives had decided to give him several high-profile projects, promoting him to A-list status.
Wang Hongyang went home and slept soundly. When he woke up in the afternoon, he saw a message from a new client on his alternate QQ account.
“Love life in shambles, career booming,” Wang Hongyang muttered, accepting the friend request, adding the note "Client #3."
He needed the client to explain the situation first, so he could offer his expert advice.
Client #3: [I grew up with this guy, practically childhood sweethearts. He's always kept to himself, his own world. I’ve liked him for a long time, but he’s rejected me every time I confessed.]
Wang Hongyang, reading the first message, immediately replied: [Men need to be pampered. What’s your financial situation? If you’re well-off, buy him a car, a watch, shower him with gifts. Any man would fall for that.]
Client #3: [I earn a lot, but he doesn’t need my money. His family is wealthier than mine.]
Wang Hongyang cursed inwardly. Why was every man richer than him? He replied: [What about your looks? If you’re average, work on other skills, improve yourself.]
Client #3: [Many people say I’m beautiful. Could it be he doesn’t like…the glamorous type, like Yun Fei?]
Wang Hongyang: [You look like Yun Fei? If that's true, and he still doesn't like you, there's something wrong with his taste.]
Client #3: [He’s very talented, and incredibly handsome, better looking than any celebrity.]
Wang Hongyang picked at his toes, wondering if it was because the client had mentioned Yun Fei, but he suddenly thought of Ji Chaozhou. He had to admit, Ji Chaozhou was breathtakingly handsome, even Yun Fei paled in comparison.
Wang Hongyang: [Relationships take time. You need to be patient.]
Client #3: [I can't wait. He seems to like someone else. She’s beautiful, very wealthy, higher social status than mine, and she’s even…taller than me.]
That sounded a lot like Cheng Liu.
Wang Hongyang, using his toes to retrieve an open bag of chips, then grabbing a handful, munched on them.
Since becoming a love guru, he had relaxed his strict diet.
Wang Hongyang: [Does the man you like have any hobbies?]
Client #3: [He’s…into perfume.]
“Pfft!” Wang Hongyang spat out his chips, staring at the message. Could this be about those three? Cheng Liu was his meal ticket, his golden goose!
Wang Hongyang quickly messaged Cheng Liu on WeChat: [Is Yun Fei Ji Chaozhou’s childhood sweetheart?]
Cheng Liu, about to leave for her villa, her heart skipping a beat at the mention of Wang Hongyang: [Why are you asking?]
Wang Hongyang: [She might be your rival.]
Cheng Liu: [She is my rival.]
She opened the car door, then changed Wang Hongyang’s contact name to “Wedding Stumbling Block.”
Wang Hongyang, finally understanding, quickly replied to Client #3: [I’m sorry, but I can’t take your case.]
He couldn’t afford to offend Ji Chaozhou and Cheng Liu!
That girl is so annoying like please 😭 if it hasn’t worked for decades then why would it work now
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