If It’s Wrong, Then It’s Wrong - Chapter 72
Chapter 72: The Twenty-Fifth Day
After buying a suit that morning, Cheng Gui moved into Cheng Liu’s old apartment in the afternoon to prepare for his written exam and interview.
As for Cheng Liu, she had had a productive day, acquiring not only hand cream, but also a new suit and tie. Of course, her biggest accomplishment was kissing the man she liked that morning.
Although they weren't officially a couple, Cheng Liu enjoyed this feeling of being able to openly approach Ji Chaozhou without being rejected.
It was quite thrilling.
But work still beckoned. Shenyin Technology had other projects besides autonomous driving, and she had reports to review.
So, Cheng Liu went to the company.
“We lost a deal to Keda Technology,” the project manager from the ninth floor reported.
The Shenyin Technology building had sixty-six floors, but only a dozen or so were in use, each dedicated to a specific project. The ninth floor housed the rescue robot project, a Shenyin product, requiring minimal external collaboration.
“Which deal?” Cheng Liu asked, looking up from her computer.
The project manager, looking slightly embarrassed: “Keda Technology signed a ten-year contract with Z Province for military rescue robots.”
Shenyin Technology had been doing so well these past few years, and this project, having been in development since Shenyin’s early days, he had assumed it was a sure thing. He hadn’t expected Keda Technology to swoop in and steal it.
Cheng Liu twirled her pen, then asked, “Aren’t you also researching post-disaster rescue robots?”
The project manager, surprised, nodded: “It’s an emerging field. We’ve been researching it, and we’ve made significant progress.”
That was why he had been so confident, believing Shenyin Technology was leading the way in this area.
“This has nothing to do with you,” Cheng Liu said, putting down her pen. “Forget about the military rescue robot contract. We won’t get it, and we’re not pursuing it.”
“Why?” The project manager was puzzled. It was a direct collaboration with the government.
“Keda Technology is just as capable as Shenyin in this area, even more so, having started years before us,” Cheng Liu said, subtly raising a finger. “One company can't monopolize the market.”
The government had already intervened in the autonomous driving incident, supporting Shenyin. It was normal for them to be suppressed in other areas now.
“What about our project?” the project manager asked. “Are we abandoning this line of development?”
“The government might not be contracting with us, but they haven’t stopped us from collaborating with private companies,” Cheng Liu said. “There are many types of rescue robots. There are also private rescue teams. Focus your efforts there.”
The project manager, anxiously: “But…”
“Your research funding won’t be affected,” Cheng Liu interrupted him. “Submit any necessary applications. I’ll approve anything that follows protocol.”
The project manager’s anxiety vanished, replaced by a cheerful smile: “That’s all I needed to hear, CEO Cheng.”
His biggest concern had been losing his research funding, which would have halted his post-disaster rescue robot development.
As soon as the project manager left, He Bai entered: “CEO Cheng, CEO Feng is on the line.”
Cheng Liu nodded, and He Bai left.
She picked up the phone, a voice on the other end booming with laughter: “CEO Cheng, busy?”
“Not too busy,” Cheng Liu said, leaning back in her chair, twirling her pen. “CEO Feng, what a surprise. Do you want to go drinking again?”
“Haha, if CEO Cheng wants to drown her sorrows, I’m available,” Feng Shi said, his laughter echoing through the phone. “Surely you’re not upset? I didn't expect to win that contract with Z Province.”
“I’m not upset,” Cheng Liu said calmly.
“Don’t pretend. Losing such a big contract must have stung. But you can always call me if you want to go drinking,” Feng Shi said, holding back his laughter.
“Drinking interferes with my work,” Cheng Liu said slowly. “I was so drunk the other night, I don’t even remember what my boyfriend said.”
“?”
Feng Shi, sitting in his office, his feet on his desk, frowned, taking the phone away from his ear. What was wrong with not remembering what her boyfriend had said?
He put the phone back to his ear, just as Cheng Liu continued, her voice unhurried.
“Oh, I almost forgot. CEO Feng, having been single for over thirty years, surely wouldn’t understand the joys of being taken care of by a girlfriend.”
The eligible bachelor, Feng Shi: “…”
Cheng Liu, subtly bragging: “My boyfriend doesn’t let me drink. Ah, CEO Feng, you wouldn’t understand the troubles of people like us. Being single is actually quite nice.”
The single CEO Feng: “…” Then why don't you break up?!
The thought of Cheng Liu, younger and more successful, with a boyfriend, both her career and love life flourishing, while he was still single, instantly dampened his earlier celebratory mood. He slammed the phone down, cursing Cheng Liu silently.
He was so jealous!
Cheng Liu, hearing the click of the disconnected call, smiled, finally understanding the satisfaction of bragging. No wonder Li Dong did it all the time.
Although Ji Chaozhou wasn't officially her boyfriend yet, she could still subtly boast.
…
That afternoon, Cheng Liu, having finished work on time, slung her bag over her shoulder and was about to leave.
“He Bai, I’ve sent you a few things. I need them tomorrow afternoon,” Cheng Liu said, turning to He Bai, who was at his desk.
“Okay,” He Bai said, watching her leave, then, once she was gone, he checked his email.
Cheng Liu’s new car license plates hadn’t arrived yet, so she was using temporary ones. Ji Chaozhou had driven her to the company today, so she had no car to go back.
She went down to the lobby, intending to call a taxi.
“CEO Cheng,” the receptionist called out to her. “I was just about to call you. There’s a woman waiting for you in Rest Area C.”
“Me?” Cheng Liu said, then walked towards the rest area.
She saw Yun Se, sitting in her wheelchair, the caregiver standing behind her.
“Aunt Yun, what brings you here?” Cheng Liu asked, hurrying over, a warm smile on her face.
Yun Se: “…”
She hadn’t expected Cheng Liu to address her so casually, so naturally. Any normal person would have hesitated.
“I wanted to invite you to dinner,” Yun Se said, regaining her composure.
“Sure,” Cheng Liu said, smiling at the caregiver, then taking the handles of Yun Se’s wheelchair. “Where would you like to eat, Aunt Yun?”
Yun Se: “…Don’t call me Aunt Yun.” It made them sound too close.
Cheng Liu, understanding, immediately changed her address: “Sister Yun.”
Yun Se: “…Just call me Aunt Yun.”
Cheng Liu pushed Yun Se’s wheelchair past the reception desk: “This is my aunt. Remember her? Next time, let her come straight up.”
The receptionist nodded immediately: “I’ll remember, CEO Cheng.”
Yun Se: “…”
As they reached the car, a driver waiting inside, Cheng Liu lifted Yun Se and placed her in the back seat.
The caregiver, about to help: “?”
Yun Se was speechless. She had come to assert her authority, to discourage Cheng Liu, even if she didn’t intend to stop her from being with Chaozhou. She hadn’t come to befriend her.
And Cheng Liu had not only addressed her so warmly, but had even carried her into the car.
Since Yun Se’s illness had weakened her, the only people who had carried her were the caregiver and Ji Chaozhou. Even Yun Fei hadn’t.
Yun Se hadn’t even had time to react, until Cheng Liu squeezed into the back seat beside her.
Yun Se felt incredibly uncomfortable throughout the ride, Cheng Liu’s presence beside her overwhelming. She even started chatting with the driver.
The driver had been working for Yun Se for three years, and she didn’t even know where he was from. Yet, within minutes, Cheng Liu had learned his entire family history.
If the driver hadn't been driving, Yun Se suspected they would have become sworn brothers by now.
“Aunt Yun, if you want to have dinner with me next time, just call or send a message,” Cheng Liu said, taking out her phone. “Don’t go to the trouble of coming all the way here.”
Yun Se, silent. She had come to intimidate Cheng Liu.
And now she had Cheng Liu’s phone number and WeChat contact.
Yun Se frowned, opening Cheng Liu’s Moments. She quickly reached the bottom. After a long silence, she asked, “Chaozhou can cook?”
“Yes, he’s a good cook,” Cheng Liu said confidently.
Yun Se, stunned: “I never knew he could cook.”
“He learned recently,” Cheng Liu explained. “I’m not good at it, but he learns quickly.”
Yun Se, looking at Cheng Liu’s proud expression: “…”
…
They arrived at a quiet, elegant Western restaurant.
“Did I interrupt your work by asking you out so suddenly?” Yun Se asked.
“Not at all,” Cheng Liu said, waving her hand. “Chaozhou’s aunt is my aunt.”
Yun Se: “…”
Those in the business world truly had no shame.
“How are things progressing with Chaozhou?” Yun Se asked suddenly.
Cheng Liu choked on her lemonade, putting down her glass to wipe her mouth, a hesitant, ambiguous look on her face: “Aunt Yun, that's a bit…personal. But…you know.”
She wouldn't admit that their relationship was still undefined, that they couldn't even casually kiss!
Yun Se took a deep breath: “Is that so? You’ve only known each other for less than a month. Things are moving quite fast.”
“Feelings have nothing to do with time,” Cheng Liu said, then, noticing the approaching server, “Aunt Yun, here comes the food. Let’s eat.”
Yun Se realized she had underestimated Cheng Liu. She hadn’t achieved any of her goals, completely led by Cheng Liu.
“Do you and Chaozhou go out often?” Yun Se asked, having finished her small portion, putting down her knife and fork.
“Occasionally,” Cheng Liu said, looking up after sending a message on her phone. “He helps me choose clothes.”
This was another side of Ji Chaozhou that Yun Se didn’t know.
“You’re a CEO. You should have a team managing your image. Don’t bother Chaozhou with such things,” Yun Se said, her gaze cold. “Do you expect him to do that for you forever?”
“Forever wouldn’t be so bad,” Cheng Liu said casually, glancing at her phone after replying to a message.
“What?” Yun Se was startled by her unexpected response.
“Chaozhou and I, forever wouldn’t be so bad,” Cheng Liu said, putting away her phone after sending another message, her tone casual. “Some choices are his to make, Aunt Yun. You shouldn’t interfere.”
“You…” Yun Se felt deflated. Cheng Liu might seem warm and approachable, but beneath the surface, she was all thorns. She truly worried about Chaozhou.
The meal was a disaster. Cheng Liu even excused herself to go to the restroom. Finally, Yun Se had the caregiver push her wheelchair towards the exit.
Cheng Liu didn’t move.
“Are you taking a taxi back?” Yun Se asked, turning to her.
“Just a moment,” Cheng Liu said, seeing the server approaching.
“Your takeout, ma’am,” the server said, handing her two bags.
Cheng Liu took the bags, then followed Yun Se.
“You weren’t full?” Yun Se asked, frowning.
Cheng Liu lifted the bags: “Chaozhou hasn’t eaten yet. These dishes were quite good.”
Yun Se paused. She had assumed Chaozhou wouldn’t eat dinner, hadn’t even thought about ordering takeout.
“He might not eat them,” Yun Se reminded her. When Chaozhou didn't want to eat, no one could force him.
Cheng Liu smiled: “I already asked.”
Yun Se, after a moment of silence, stunned: “Really?”
On the way back, Cheng Liu, seemingly unaffected, continued chatting with Yun Se as if nothing had happened.
Just as they reached the villas, Yun Se asked, “Does Chaozhou know we had dinner together?”
Cheng Liu smiled: “He knows I’m having dinner out.”
That meant he didn’t know she had dinner with Yun Se.
“Stop here. You can walk back,” Yun Se said, telling the driver to stop before they reached the villas.
Cheng Liu asked, “Aren’t you going to see Chaozhou, Aunt Yun?”
“I’m a bit tired,” Yun Se said, leaning back in her wheelchair. “You can go.”
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