If It’s Wrong, Then It’s Wrong - Chapter 71
Chapter 71: The Twenty-Fifth Day
Cheng Gui stayed the night, sleeping in the guest room on the first floor.
He entered the guest room, then quickly came back out: “Sister, is the guest room the one on the left?”
“That’s the one,” Cheng Liu said. She had only furnished and cleaned the second floor and that particular guest room.
Cheng Gui, standing in the hallway, a strange look on his face: “Why is the bed vibrating?”
Ji Chaozhou, still in the living room, hearing his question, glanced at Cheng Liu.
“It’s a massage bed. The salesperson recommended it for people like me, who spend a lot of time working on computers,” Cheng Liu said, her back straight, her expression serious. “Cheng Gui, your mind is in the gutter.”
Cheng Gui looked slightly embarrassed: “I’ve never seen a massage bed before.”
“Now you have,” Cheng Liu said seriously. “You can try it tonight.”
“Okay, Sister. I’ll go get some rest,” Cheng Gui said, returning to the guest room.
As soon as he left, Cheng Liu turned to Ji Chaozhou, offering a sincere explanation: “That bed really is just for massages. The salesperson said it helps with fatigue. It was even recommended by a business partner.”
She had simply chosen that particular bed and room, thinking that if she were ever banished from the master bedroom, she would have a comfortable place to sleep. She hadn’t had any ulterior motives.
Ji Chaozhou looked at her: “Really?”
If her gaze hadn't darted around, her expression less than convincing, he might have believed her.
CEO Cheng fidgeted, then, holding up two fingers, said earnestly, “I only have slightly inappropriate thoughts about you.”
Ji Chaozhou stood up: “I’m leaving.”
Some people were truly shameless. He couldn't compete.
…
The next day, He Bai arrived early, sending the compiled data to Cheng Liu, along with a printed copy, and summarizing the situation with the car companies.
“Several car companies in S City are interested in collaborating with Shenyin Technology. However, one of them has significantly downsized recently and might not be able to keep up with our pace,” He Bai explained, listing the pros and cons of the remaining companies. “Currently, Tianqi Automobile seems like the best option, with their funding and technical expertise.”
Cheng Liu glanced at him: “Is there something else?”
He Bai hesitated: “CEO Ji of Tianqi doesn't seem very keen on collaborating with Shenyin.”
He hadn’t expected that.
He had spoken to the executives at Tianqi yesterday. They were eager to collaborate with Shenyin. After all, every car company was racing to develop this technology. Whoever succeeded first would likely become the industry leader.
But the Tianqi executives had also hinted that Ji Mushan wasn’t interested in the collaboration, always changing the subject whenever it was brought up, postponing any discussions.
“I see,” Cheng Liu said, not surprised.
She had discussed the collaboration with Ji Mushan on WeChat before April, and he had seemed optimistic. She had even favored Tianqi, which was why she had contacted him in the first place.
Perhaps he had new concerns.
Business deals could change, even after contracts were signed. Cheng Liu was unfazed.
She skimmed through the documents, then, closing the folder, said, “I’ll arrange a meeting with CEO Ji sometime.”
“Sister, Assistant He,” Cheng Gui called out, emerging from his room and seeing them talking.
Cheng Liu placed the folder on the coffee table and turned around: “You’re awake. Are you resigning from your real estate agency, or taking a leave of absence?”
“Resigning,” Cheng Gui said. He had already decided last night. He wasn’t good at sales, and the job was only temporary anyway.
“Alright,” Cheng Liu said, taking out a key. “My old apartment is empty. You can stay there for a while. The testing center is nearby.”
Cheng Gui hesitated: “I haven’t even had the interview yet.”
“The application process takes a few days, written exam, interviews. It will be more convenient for you to stay there,” Cheng Liu said, tossing him the key. “I remember your grades were good. You even won an award in a competition. You should be fine, if you just perform normally.”
Cheng Gui wasn’t particularly clever, but he was persistent and patient, suited for this kind of work.
“Okay,” Cheng Gui agreed. “I’ll only stay for a few days.”
“Fine,” Cheng Liu said, turning to the two men. “Wait here. I’m going next door.”
Ji Chaozhou was already awake, dressed, his watch on, sitting on the sofa, waiting.
As Cheng Liu walked in and saw him, she froze. He looked especially handsome today.
His long legs, his narrow waist, his straight posture, his sleeves slightly rolled up, revealing his wrists, an unconsciously seductive sight.
CEO Cheng sighed inwardly: He was so beautiful.
Ji Chaozhou, looking up at Cheng Liu standing at the door: “Come here.”
“Okay,” Cheng Liu said, slowly walking over, her eyes fixed on him, as if she couldn’t bear to look away.
As she sat down, Ji Chaozhou opened a celadon jar, held out his hand, and said, “Your hand.”
Cheng Liu, looking at his outstretched palm, puzzled, but still placed her hand in his.
His palm was cool, unlike hers, which was always warm. Their hands clasped together, their body temperatures exchanging.
Then, with his other hand, Ji Chaozhou scooped a dollop of white cream from the jar, sniffed it, then gently rubbed it onto the back of her hand.
“What is this?” Cheng Liu asked, watching his actions. It didn’t look like medicine, and she wasn't injured.
“Hand cream,” Ji Chaozhou said, looking down at her hand, carefully spreading the cream, rubbing it in.
He had noticed a hangnail on her finger the other day and had blended a hand cream for her.
“Oh,” Cheng Liu said, watching him.
Ji Chaozhou, holding her hand in both of his, slowly massaged the cream into her skin, his movements gentle and meticulous, the white cream melting under the warmth of their touch, his fingertips tracing the lines of her hand, lingering on her knuckles.
His actions were focused, innocent, devoid of any ulterior motives.
Yet, CEO Cheng, whose mind was filled with inappropriate thoughts, felt a surge of warmth, a slightly inappropriate warmth. She had to admit, her thoughts were not entirely pure. She was at fault.
“Your other hand,” Ji Chaozhou said, having finished with one.
“I can do it myself,” Cheng Liu said quickly, scooping a large amount of cream and haphazardly rubbing it on her other hand.
Ji Chaozhou frowned. He had intended to carefully massage the cream into her knuckles and cuticles. Her perfunctory application wouldn’t be effective.
“That’s not how you do it,” Ji Chaozhou said, taking her hand, scooping a small amount of cream, and reapplying it, carefully rubbing it in.
Cheng Liu muttered, “This isn’t good. It’s making me want to kiss you.”
Ji Chaozhou’s hands stilled. He looked up at her: “Cheng Liu, are you a pervert?”
CEO Cheng mumbled, “I can’t help it.”
Who could resist him?
Cheng Liu, never one to back down, seeing that he was still massaging her hand, pushed her luck: “Can I…kiss you?”
Ji Chaozhou’s eyes narrowed, a flicker of annoyance, but a faint blush crept up his ears. He said coldly, “No.”
“Okay,” Cheng Liu said, falling silent.
Ji Chaozhou’s lips pressed into a thin line.
After he finished with her other hand, releasing it, Cheng Liu leaned forward and quickly kissed him on the corner of his mouth.
The soft warmth of her lips brushed against his, her breath a fleeting caress against his skin.
Cheng Liu immediately pulled away, a conciliatory smile on her face: “Don’t be angry.”
Ji Chaozhou’s fingers curled, his eyelashes fluttering. He looked at her, a hint of amusement in his eyes as he turned away.
He liked her touch.
Each touch was like a new leaf unfurling, a pleasant warmth spreading through him.
Ji Chaozhou, maintaining his calm façade, closed the celadon jar, pushed it towards Cheng Liu, and said, “Apply this every morning and night.”
Cheng Liu, suddenly realizing, pushed the jar back: “I don’t know how. You can apply it for me.”
Ji Chaozhou glanced at her, a subtle warmth in his eyes: “As you wish.”
“We should go buy a suit for Cheng Gui now,” Cheng Liu said, suddenly standing up. She was feeling thirsty. She needed water.
…
He Bai drove Cheng Gui, while Cheng Liu and Ji Chaozhou took another car. As the four of them entered the high-end suit store, the salesperson’s eyes widened, momentarily blinded by their combined brilliance.
Cheng Gui, although not strikingly handsome, was still quite good-looking. After all, he and Cheng Liu were siblings. Their genes weren’t bad. He was also tall.
Dressed in a new suit, he looked completely transformed.
“That tie is too flashy. He’s going for an interview. He needs to look more professional,” He Bai said, disagreeing with Ji Chaozhou’s choice.
“The one you picked is too dull. It doesn’t suit him,” Ji Chaozhou said, equally unimpressed with He Bai’s choice.
Cheng Gui, caught between them, looked at Cheng Liu through the mirror, silently pleading for help.
Cheng Liu, engrossed in the documents on her phone, didn’t notice.
“Cheng Liu,” Ji Chaozhou called out to her.
Cheng Liu, sitting on the sofa, immediately put away her phone and stood up: “Yes?”
Cheng Gui, watching them through the mirror, puzzled: Why did his sister seem afraid of the man beside her?
“Which tie do you think looks better?” Ji Chaozhou asked.
“They both look fine…” Cheng Liu said, unable to tell the difference, then, meeting Ji Chaozhou's gaze, she quickly added, “The one you’re holding looks better.”
Praising her beloved was always the right move. As for the chief assistant…she would just give him a bigger year-end bonus.
He Bai, smiling: “It seems CEO Cheng also thinks the one I chose looks better.”
Cheng Liu: “!”
Ji Chaozhou was holding the tie He Bai had chosen?!
Cheng Liu coughed: “Cheng Gui, why don’t you wear both ties to the interview?”
Cheng Gui: “Huh?”
Ji Chaozhou handed the tie to Cheng Gui: “Wear this one.”
He Bai, having won this round, put down the other tie, took the one from Cheng Gui, and said enthusiastically, “I’ll help you.”
Cheng Gui nodded, still puzzled by the strange dynamic between He Bai and his sister's neighbor.
“Wrap this one up too,” Cheng Liu said, pointing at the tie in the salesperson’s hand. “I’ll wear it.”
Ji Chaozhou looked at Cheng Liu: “You need a suit to wear a tie.”
“Then you can choose one for me,” Cheng Liu said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
He Bai, having just finished tying Cheng Gui’s tie: “…”
Buying a tie for a suit 🙂↔️❌
ReplyDeleteBuying a suit for a tie 🙂↕️✅