If It’s Wrong, Then It’s Wrong - Chapter 107

Extra 6: Xiao Liu

Xiao Liu [Little Six] was born with a silver spoon in her mouth, a chosen child. Her mother was the founder of Shenyin Technology, her father a genius perfumer at Ranshan, her grandfather the chairman of the renowned Tianqi Corporation, and her maternal grandparents doted on her endlessly!

Even the two most famous celebrities had connections to her, one being her aunt, the other her online friend.

Oh, and there was also Uncle He Bai, the handsome general manager of Shenyin Technology's branch office.

Logically, Xiao Liu’s life should have been perfect, but she hated it!

Because everyone called her Xiao Liu!

Her name was Cheng Yinqiu!

If only she had drawn her father’s surname. Her mother wouldn't have called her Xiao Ji. She would have given her a proper nickname.

Xiao Liu had protested to her mother numerous times, all ending in failure, but her mother had promised that after she turned six, if she behaved well, she would have a chance to change her nickname.

Xiao Liu had been counting down the days, and in six days, she would finally be six years old, old enough to change her nickname.

“Xiao Liu, come here.” Ji Chaozhou stood in the living room, looking at Xiao Liu’s test paper, frowning. “Why did you get this question wrong? You got it right in your workbook.”

Xiao Liu, with two pigtails and a small dress, was a beautiful child, inheriting the best features of both parents, like a little angel, attracting attention wherever she went. But now, with a popsicle in her mouth, she looked more like a little shark.

Ji Chaozhou, looking at the popsicle, frowned even more, “Why are you still eating that? It’s autumn. You’ll get sick.”

Xiao Liu immediately put the popsicle down, throwing it away obediently, “I saw it in the refrigerator. Mommy probably bought it.” Actually, she had bought it from the store near her school.

Hmph! Last time, Mommy had secretly eaten ice cream and blamed it on her!

Ji Chaozhou, pulling her closer, asked, “Why did you get this question wrong?”

Xiao Liu was smart. She shouldn’t have gotten this question wrong, especially since she had done it before.

“…I forgot,” Xiao Liu mumbled, glancing at her father.

Ji Chaozhou looked at his daughter for a moment, then put the test paper down, “If you don’t want to tell me, I won’t force you.”

He always doted on his daughter. Her eyes were so much like Cheng Liu’s that just looking at her softened his heart. He couldn’t bring himself to press her.

Just then, Cheng Liu came downstairs, noticing the score on the test paper. She picked it up, looking it over, then laughed mercilessly, ruffling her daughter’s hair, “Xiao Liu, you actually got a question you’ve done before wrong? You’re getting dumber!”

Xiao Liu immediately looked up, “No, I’m not! I did it on purpose!”

Cheng Liu, her back to Ji Chaozhou, raised an eyebrow at Xiao Liu, drawing out her words, “Oh really…?”

Xiao Liu instantly realized she had fallen into a trap. She looked at her father, his expression darkening.

“Daddy, I’m sorry!” Xiao Liu quickly apologized, just as quickly as her mother usually did. “My deskmate always gets second place. He even cried last time! I wanted to…let him win.”

Ji Chaozhou frowned, “Does your deskmate know about this?”

Xiao Liu looked down, “No.”

“Does your deskmate want to genuinely outperform you, or does he want you to deliberately lose so he can win?” Ji Chaozhou continued.

“…He wants to genuinely outperform me,” Xiao Liu mumbled. Her deskmate was very proud. If he knew she had deliberately lost, he would never speak to her again.

“Don’t do this again,” Ji Chaozhou said, smoothing her hair. “What do you want for lunch?”

Xiao Liu looked up, happily, “Anything!”

Ji Chaozhou took a tissue, wiping her mouth, his expression softening, “Xiao Liu’s birthday is in a few days. Where do you want to go?”

Besides wanting to change her nickname, Xiao Liu also wanted to know where her parents went every year, leaving her behind for half a month.

“No,” Cheng Liu said, sitting at the dining table, shelling sunflower seeds, not even looking up.

Xiao Liu, feeling wronged, “Daddy asked.”

“If Xiao Liu wants to go, then we’ll go,” Ji Chaozhou said, overruling Cheng Liu.

Xiao Liu beamed. Although she had the lowest status in the family, her parents still doted on her occasionally.

“Daddy, I’ll go pick some grapefruits for you!” Xiao Liu declared, running out.

“Little rascal,” Cheng Liu muttered, but still got up, following her to the front yard.

She passed by Ji Chaozhou, smoothing his furrowed brow, “It’s just a test score. Don’t worry too much.”

Ever since Xiao Liu started elementary school early, Ji Chaozhou had become a bit overprotective, always worrying about her.

“…Okay,” Ji Chaozhou said, taking Cheng Liu’s hand.

By the time Cheng Liu reached the front yard, Xiao Liu had already climbed the grapefruit tree, picking fruit.

“Xiao Liu, there are thorns up there,” Cheng Liu called out from below.

“I know!” Xiao Liu shouted back, excitedly tossing a grapefruit down into the basket.

She had inherited Cheng Liu’s boundless energy, and without any constraints, could run around all day.

“If you didn’t look so much like your father, I would definitely spank you,” Cheng Liu said, looking up at the little hellion.

Xiao Liu poked her head out from the branches, “But Daddy says I look like you.”

“Only your eyes,” Cheng Liu said, moving to keep her in sight.

“Then I look like both of you,” Xiao Liu said smugly. Because of her looks, her parents always forgave her.

“Alright, that’s enough grapefruits,” Cheng Liu said, telling her to come down.

Xiao Liu looked down at Cheng Liu, then at the ground, “Mommy, catch me!”

Before Cheng Liu could reply, she jumped, like a cannonball.

Cheng Liu quickly caught her daughter, but Xiao Liu was a bit heavy, and the sudden impact made her stumble, almost falling backwards.

Thankfully, Ji Chaozhou, seeing this, hurried over to steady them.

Xiao Liu giggled, kissing Cheng Liu, “Mommy, you caught me!”

Then, turning, she kissed Ji Chaozhou, “Daddy, you caught me and Mommy!”

Cheng Liu, holding her daughter, turned around, “Don’t call her Xiao Liu anymore. Call her Little Pig.” [Xiao Zhu]

“No!” Xiao Liu protested. “Daddy, tell Mommy off!”

Ji Chaozhou simply smiled, not supporting Xiao Liu.

Xiao Liu inwardly scoffed. She truly had the lowest status in the family.

…

Xiao Liu’s birthday was on October 6th. They had a few days off, so the next day, they went to Snow City.

It had already started snowing in Snow City. Everything was covered in white. Xiao Liu looked around curiously.

Although she was young, she had seen snow before. But this was the place her parents visited every year, leaving her behind. She wanted to see what was so special about it.

—Quiet.

That was Xiao Liu’s first impression.

They crossed a snowy field, arriving at a two-story villa. There was no one else around.

Xiao Liu couldn't see anything special about it. It looked like any other snow mountain villa, only quieter, the scenery more beautiful, a stunning frozen lake in the distance.

They entered the villa. A warm fire crackled in the fireplace. The place was clean and tidy.

Xiao Liu let go of her parents’ hands, exploring.

The villa was beautiful, every detail meticulously designed. She had already learned on the way there that this villa belonged to them, but she knew her mother hadn’t designed it. It felt more like her father’s style.

Daddy always had good taste.

They all stayed on the first floor. The second floor had a game room, a reading room, and a study.

Xiao Liu, having explored the entire villa, felt a twinge of disappointment. It wasn’t as mysterious as she had imagined.

She couldn't understand why her parents came here every year.

But being able to travel with them made her happy.

The next day, Xiao Liu was woken up.

“Do you want to go ice fishing?” Cheng Liu asked, standing at her door.

Xiao Liu, still half-asleep, seeing her parents fully dressed, instantly woke up, jumping out of bed, “Yes!”

She quickly put on her clothes, her small hands struggling with the buttons.

Ji Chaozhou, chuckling, entered the room, helping her with her braids.

Cheng Liu, waiting, took out her phone, snapping photos of them.

Xiao Liu, noticing, pointed at the camera, “Daddy, Mommy’s taking pictures of us.”

Ji Chaozhou, still braiding her hair, glanced at Cheng Liu, then quickly looked away.

Cheng Liu, having taken a few photos, habitually saved them in the private album labeled "Baby."

Soon, the three of them were ready, heading towards the frozen lake with their equipment.

Xiao Liu, thinking they were actually there to ice fish, sat on her small stool, diligently watching the fishing rod, not daring to be distracted. But after a long while, she finally realized her parents were simply there to…be romantic.

Xiao Liu looked at her parents on either side of her, once again feeling like a third wheel, a giant, bright lightbulb, like in the TV dramas.

Hmph, she shouldn’t be called Xiao Liu. She should be called Little Lightbulb! [Xiao Deng Pao]

Before Xiao Liu could continue observing, Cheng Liu covered her eyes, pushing her head down.

Ji Chaozhou, seeing this, smiled, while Cheng Liu leaned closer, kissing him. His lips were a bit cold, but it felt good.

Xiao Liu, forced to look down, stared at their reflection on the ice, quickly covering her eyes with her gloved hands, then peeking through her fingers.

Hmph, Mommy and Daddy were secretly kissing again!

Oh, wait, no. They were openly kissing.

Before Xiao Liu could continue watching, her father covered her eyes with his other hand.

Little Lightbulb couldn’t see anything now.

…

After returning with a small bucket of fish, Xiao Liu, having been force-fed a mouthful of dog food, had completely forgotten about her earlier grievances. She excitedly wanted to clean the fish herself.

Cheng Liu gave her a small knife and gloves, “Be careful.”

Ji Chaozhou, still worried she might hurt herself, watched her closely.

For dinner, they ate the fish Xiao Liu had cleaned, although Cheng Liu had to re-clean them afterwards.

“Mommy, can I change my nickname on my birthday?” Xiao Liu asked, after eating for a while.

“Yes,” Cheng Liu replied.

Ji Chaozhou, placing some fish on Cheng Liu’s plate, then on Xiao Liu’s, asked, “What do you want to change it to, Xiao Liu?”

“Hmm…” Xiao Liu thought hard, then said, “I need a few more days to think about it.”

Little Lightbulb wasn't a bad nickname. She felt it suited her, but she still wanted to consider her options. This was a rare opportunity!

…

After a few days at the villa, Xiao Liu was getting bored. There were no other children to play with. Thankfully, they would be going home after her birthday tomorrow.

But the thought of her birthday made it hard to sleep. She still hadn’t decided on a new nickname!

Xiao Liu got out of bed. It was dark outside, but she wasn’t afraid, tiptoeing barefoot towards the study on the second floor.

She wanted to look through some books, to find some nice-sounding names.

Although she was young, she could already read many characters. Grandpa often praised her intelligence, saying she took after her mother.

Xiao Liu, however, didn’t think her mother was that smart. She often saw her apologizing to her father, even more often than she herself did!

Lost in thought, Xiao Liu entered the study, dragging a chair over to the bookshelf and climbing up, looking for colorful books.

“Huh?” Xiao Liu found a large photo album, pulling it out with both hands.

The album was heavy. She almost dropped it.

She placed it on the table, opening it curiously. The first page was in her mother’s handwriting: My Baby.

Xiao Liu blushed. Hmph, Mommy still loved her, calling her her baby!

But as she turned the page, she saw a photo of her father.

It was just a profile shot, taken on the cruise ship, the dim lighting unable to hide his striking features.

Xiao Liu felt a pang of jealousy, but also a sense of inevitability. Her father was her mother’s favorite person, after all.

Every page she turned revealed another photo of her father. In the earlier photos, his expression was cold, so different from now, but as she continued flipping through the album, his expression gradually softened, sometimes even looking directly at the camera.

But Xiao Liu felt like he wasn't looking at the camera, but at her mother, the person taking the photo.

Almost the entire album was filled with photos of her father, only a few of them together.

She had seen the wedding photos before, but there were a few she hadn't.

One was of her mother holding her father’s hand at the airport, the other of him putting a watch on her wrist under a streetlight.

Xiao Liu stared at the two photos, her young mind unable to articulate her feelings, but she liked them very much.

After looking through the entire album, she carefully put it back.

Then, like a treasure hunter, she searched for a similar album, thinking her father must have one too, but she couldn't find any. Instead, she found a CD, also labeled in her mother's handwriting: My Little Baby.

Xiao Liu's heart pounded. The little baby in the family had to be her, right?

She took the CD downstairs, putting it on in the living room, turning the volume down.

The CD contained several video clips, probably taken by her father. In the beginning, Mommy's belly was only slightly rounded, then gradually growing bigger, until one day, a small baby appeared.

Xiao Liu, looking at the wrinkled newborn, her first thought was: So ugly!

“So ugly,” her mother's voice came from the video.

Although Xiao Liu agreed, she still scoffed. So what if she was ugly! Now, everyone loved her!

“She's not ugly,” her father’s voice came, holding the baby. “She’ll grow into her looks.”

Xiao Liu, in the living room, nodded. See, Daddy was smart!

“What nickname should we give her?” her mother’s voice came from the video, poking the baby’s cheek.

Xiao Liu, hearing her father say “Xiao Liu,” her eyes widened. Mommy had said she had chosen the nickname!

So, Daddy had been the one to choose it.

Hmph!

“I think ‘Hmph Hmph’ suits her better,” her mother’s voice came, “She’s always whining.”

Xiao Liu froze, immediately stopping her inner complaining. Xiao Liu was a much better nickname.

Xiao Liu watched the video, her parents taking care of the baby. Mommy seemed to be always sleeping during that time, sometimes falling asleep while holding her. It looked tiring.

Daddy would then come into view, taking the baby, letting Mommy rest.

Xiao Liu was too young to understand the look in her father’s eyes as he looked at her mother, but she felt they were meant to be together.

Later, it was mostly Daddy holding the baby, Mommy watching, her chin resting on her hand, “Xiao Liu is getting fairer, her skin isn’t wrinkled anymore.”

“Babies grow up fast,” her father’s voice came, carefully changing Xiao Liu’s diaper, his expression gentle.

“Why don’t her eyes look like yours?” her mother’s voice came, filled with regret.

“It’s good that she looks like you,” her father said, holding her, sitting beside her mother.

Xiao Liu felt a surge of pride. It was a good thing her eyes looked like Mommy’s. Otherwise, her acting cute wouldn't be as effective with Daddy.

Xiao Liu watched the entire CD, seeing herself grow from a newborn to a toddler.

She had seen many of the later videos at home before.

Xiao Liu strongly suspected that the reason she hadn't seen these earlier videos was because Mommy had called her ugly in them, so she had hidden them!

Hmph!

But she had seen them now!

Xiao Liu yawned, carefully putting the CD back, dragging the chair back to its original position before returning to her room to sleep.

The next day, she was woken up by her father.

“It’s already 11 am,” Ji Chaozhou said, sitting beside her bed. “Mommy says you stayed up late playing secretly.”

Xiao Liu, feeling guilty, didn’t say a word. Mommy always knew best.

“It’s Xiao Liu’s birthday today,” Ji Chaozhou said, stroking her hair. “You can get up and have cake now.”

Since Xiao Liu had been born around noon, they always celebrated her birthday at lunchtime.

As they left the bedroom, Cheng Liu set off a party popper, showering them with confetti.

Xiao Liu excitedly reached out, catching the falling confetti, “Wow!”

Even though they did this every year, she still loved it.

“Happy birthday, Xiao Liu!” Cheng Liu put down the party popper, picking up her daughter. “Today, Xiao Liu can change her nickname.”

Xiao Liu was carried to the table. A beautiful cake sat there. Her father started lighting the candles, six in total.

“Xiao Liu, make a wish,” Ji Chaozhou said gently, looking at his daughter.

Xiao Liu, looking at her father on her left, then her mother on her right, clasped her hands together, closed her eyes, and said loudly, “I wish I’ll always be Mommy and Daddy’s little baby!”

Cheng Liu burst out laughing.

Xiao Liu opened her eyes, blowing out the candles, then glared at her mother, a smug look on her face, “It doesn’t matter if you laugh. I know I’m your little baby!”

Xiao Liu considered this her greatest discovery yesterday.

Her glare resembled Ji Chaozhou’s, but the smug expression was pure Cheng Liu.

Cheng Liu and Ji Chaozhou, looking at their daughter, smiled.

“Yes, you’re our little baby,” Cheng Liu said, amused. “So, what new nickname has our little baby chosen?”

Xiao Liu, putting her hands behind her back, declared, “From today onwards, my nickname is officially Cheng Xiao Liu.”

Xiao Liu was better than Hmph Hmph, and…she was used to it anyway.

As Mommy and Daddy’s little baby, she would forgive them for giving her this nickname.

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