If It’s Wrong, Then It’s Wrong - Chapter 88
Chapter 88: The Thirty-Second Day
Ji Chaozhou wasn’t wearing the same outfit as six months ago. Only the trousers were from the same collection. The jacket was just the same color.
He had remembered having a similar outfit in his suitcase, so he had asked Cheng Liu to turn around while he changed.
Cheng Liu, just as clueless about clothing styles now as she had been six months ago, hadn't noticed the difference.
The person she had truly fallen for six months ago was standing before her again. It was impossible to remain calm.
Wang Hongyang was still saying something on the phone, but Cheng Liu hung up, walking quickly towards Ji Chaozhou.
"You..." Cheng Liu said, finally understanding the sense of incongruity she had felt when she met Wang Hongyang the next day.
She had only been talking to the business partner, confirming the contract details, before going over.
Wang Hongyang had been sitting at the table. She hadn't realized the person she had truly fallen for had already left, replaced by someone with a similar profile and outfit.
Cheng Liu, remembering how Ji Chaozhou’s mood had changed after asking her about it at the airport, realized he had known all along.
Ji Chaozhou looked at her, his voice calm, yet his eyes sparkled: “You mistook him twice.”
Cheng Liu looked at him intently, as if wanting to memorize every detail, even though she could already picture him perfectly with her eyes closed. She smiled, asking, “Then…are you willing to go along with it?”
Ji Chaozhou, his eyes sparkling with an almost arrogant light, feigned indifference, not replying.
If Cheng Liu couldn't understand what he meant, she wouldn’t be CEO Cheng.
So, she answered for him: “You are.”
Ji Chaozhou, as expected, didn’t deny it. He looked at her, then said suddenly, “It took you six months to find me.”
Cheng Liu paused. She didn't know where he had been those six months, but judging from his state during those first few days of April, he hadn't been well.
Barely eating, aloof and withdrawn.
Cheng Liu suddenly hugged him. They rarely hugged like this, a formal embrace. Ji Chaozhou froze for a moment, then his tense body relaxed as he hugged her back.
“I’m glad I found you,” Cheng Liu whispered in his ear.
It seemed she had to give Wang Hongyang his gold plaque. If it weren’t for his call, she wouldn’t have returned to S City on April 1st. And if she hadn’t returned, she wouldn’t have met Ji Chaozhou.
Ji Chaozhou, hearing her words, his ears burning, his face relaxing, his heart pounding.
They held each other for a long time, until Ji Chaozhou gently pushed her away.
Cheng Liu, still basking in the warmth of his embrace, looked at him expectantly.
“I need to change,” Ji Chaozhou said casually.
Cheng Liu, still dazed, continued looking at him.
Ji Chaozhou took off his jacket, tossing it onto a chair, then started unbuttoning his shirt. Halfway through, his eyes met hers, a casual glance: “Do you want to watch me change?”
“I wouldn’t mind,” Cheng Liu said, her eyes following his long, slender fingers, her thoughts spilling out without filter.
Ji Chaozhou’s fingers stilled. He stopped, looked up at her, his voice cold: “Cheng Liu, turn around.”
“Okay,” Cheng Liu said, slightly disappointed, turning around.
Since realizing the man she had truly fallen for was Ji Chaozhou, CEO Cheng’s already shaky morals had completely disintegrated.
Ji Chaozhou, his ears burning, quickly changed back into his previous outfit, then unbuttoned his trousers.
Cheng Liu, her back to him, couldn't see, but the rustling of clothes filled the silence, her imagination running wild.
She covered her nose, trying to suppress her inappropriate thoughts.
Sometimes, a vivid imagination wasn't a good thing.
Like now, CEO Cheng was thinking her bedroom needed a full-length mirror. She would buy one later.
Of course, Cheng Liu swore she wasn’t thinking anything inappropriate. She just needed a mirror.
“Done,” Ji Chaozhou said softly, standing behind her.
Cheng Liu turned around. He had changed back into his previous outfit.
Just then, Cheng Lixia knocked on the door: “Sister, I cut some fruit. Do you want some?”
Cheng Liu opened the door, taking the plate from her sister: “Is my…motorcycle still there?”
“Motorcycle?” Cheng Lixia asked, confused.
“Yes,” Cheng Liu said.
“It’s in the underground parking garage,” Cheng Lixia said, finally understanding. “I’ll go get the keys.”
Cheng Lixia managed everything at home. Their parents rarely touched Cheng Liu’s belongings, afraid of losing or damaging something important.
She soon returned with the keys: “Sister, are you going out?”
“We’re going for a ride,” Cheng Liu said, taking the keys.
“Okay, be careful,” Cheng Lixia said.
Cheng Liu turned to Ji Chaozhou: “Where do you want to go?”
Ji Chaozhou sat at the table, a plate of fruit in front of him. He picked up a slice of watermelon and held it out to Cheng Liu.
Cheng Liu took a bite, then watched as he took a bite from the same slice, not switching forks. He had always been so picky and fastidious when they ate together before.
“I want to see where you went to school,” Ji Chaozhou said, swallowing the sweet fruit.
Cheng Liu thought for a moment: “No. 1 High School is nearby. But if you want to see my elementary and middle schools, they’ve probably been demolished. They built new houses there.”
“I want to see them all,” Ji Chaozhou said, looking up at her. “Is that okay?”
“Of course,” Cheng Liu said, opening a nearby cabinet and retrieving two helmets. “We can go now and be back before dark.”
No. 1 High School was nearby, but the village where their family used to live was two hours away.
“Let’s go,” Cheng Liu said, handing him a helmet, then taking his hand and leading him out.
Her family was sitting in the living room, each holding a slice of watermelon, and they all turned as Cheng Liu and Ji Chaozhou walked past.
“Going out?” her father asked.
“Don’t be out too late,” her mother said.
Everyone looked at her.
She paused, then corrected herself, “Come home early.”
Cheng Liu coughed: “We’ll try.”
She pulled Ji Chaozhou towards the elevator, then down to the underground parking garage.
Cheng Liu had bought a parking space specifically for her motorcycle. She pulled off the cover, revealing a blue and silver motorcycle.
Ji Chaozhou, looking at the motorcycle, wasn’t surprised she could ride. He had sensed her thrill-seeking nature when he saw her jump into the pool from the roof. Riding a motorcycle wasn't unexpected.
Cheng Liu put on her helmet, then helped him with his.
They got on the motorcycle, Cheng Liu making sure he was securely seated before starting it and driving out.
Ji Chaozhou held her waist, looking ahead through the helmet visor.
This was a new experience. For the past twenty-some years, he had lived in a dark abyss, until Cheng Liu pulled him out.
They reached No. 1 High School in less than fifteen minutes.
Cheng Liu stopped at the gate. As soon as she removed her helmet, the security guard recognized her.
“Cheng Liu! What brings you back?” he said excitedly.
“Just visiting,” Cheng Liu said, getting off the motorcycle, placing their helmets on the seat, and asking the guard to keep an eye on them.
“Go ahead. Classes are in session. Don’t let the students see you. They’ll go crazy,” the guard said, smiling.
Cheng Liu was a legend at No. 1 High School. Teachers, students, even parents knew her story, passed down year after year.
“Let’s go,” Cheng Liu said, taking Ji Chaozhou’s hand and leading him inside.
No. 1 High School was large, but still smaller than the schools in S City. It had everything a high school needed, though.
Classes were in session, so there weren't many people outside.
As they passed the alumni display board, Ji Chaozhou stopped. There was a photo of Cheng Liu.
It was different from the one on her high school diploma. She was wearing her school uniform, as if someone had pulled her aside for a quick photo. Her expression was cold, almost aggressive.
Ji Chaozhou reached out, his finger touching the glass covering the photo. This was a side of Cheng Liu he had never seen before.
She usually hid her aggression well.
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