If It’s Wrong, Then It’s Wrong - Chapter 92
Chapter 92: The Thirty-Fourth Day
The air in the living room seemed to freeze.
As soon as Cheng Liu finished her sentence, she sensed Ji Chaozhou glaring at her. She coughed, pretending she hadn't just implied she had bought a box of condoms.
But her words had inevitably reminded him of last night.
She had coaxed him, told him to…take care of it himself.
Ji Chaozhou had never cared about such things before, let alone doing something like that. But she had been so confident, knowing he wouldn't refuse.
And he had indulged her, doing as she wished, even awkwardly asking for her help.
Remembering the way she had watched him, her expression unchanged, only offering assistance when he had asked, made Ji Chaozhou’s gaze turn even colder.
Even though she had washed the sheets, spending the entire night drying them with a hairdryer, he was still annoyed.
Next time, he…
“I’m hungry,” Cheng Liu said, standing at the door, feeling his cold gaze, clutching her stomach dramatically.
She knew exactly how to manipulate him.
As expected, the coldness in Ji Chaozhou’s eyes softened. He tossed the long receipt into the trash, turning to the dining table, opening the takeout containers. Most of the dishes were his favorites.
Cheng Liu sat across from him, making a sincere promise before picking up her chopsticks: “I won’t buy those again next time.”
She had already researched other options. Different flavors and styles. Next time, she would try something new.
Ji Chaozhou glanced at her coldly. She always apologized so earnestly, yet she never changed, only pushing his boundaries further.
He didn't realize his silence was what emboldened her to apologize without any intention of changing.
As they neared the end of their meal, Ji Chaozhou suddenly asked, “Are you…free tomorrow?”
Cheng Liu looked up, not hesitating: “Yes.”
“I want to visit Aunt Yun,” Ji Chaozhou said, putting down his chopsticks.
“Then I’ll go with you,” Cheng Liu said immediately, pleased he had invited her.
…
Before leaving, Cheng Liu lingered in the living room, watching Ji Chaozhou organizing his perfume cabinet. He ignored her until she finally spoke.
“Want to…sleep together?” Cheng Liu asked sincerely. “We don’t have to do anything. Just sleep.”
Ji Chaozhou looked up, refusing outright.
“Oh,” Cheng Liu said, turning to leave, disappointed, but only slightly.
She had simply asked on a whim.
After she left, Ji Chaozhou straightened the perfume bottles, then walked over to the sofa.
He had noticed something was off with the cushions earlier, when he had picked up the receipt, and had intended to adjust them, but her words about the condoms had sparked a suspicion, and then she had come back in, so he hadn’t bothered.
Now, Ji Chaozhou reached into the gap between the cushions, retrieving a box.
He looked down at the description, his ears turning pink. He read it carefully, then placed the box back in its hiding place, adjusting the cushions until they were perfectly aligned.
Meanwhile, Cheng Liu, back in her villa, had just started working when she received a call from Ji Mushan. She had assumed it was about the collaboration.
“You went out with Chaozhou?” Ji Mushan asked. He had seen her Moments post yesterday and saved the photo, then, looking at the background, realized it wasn’t a location in S City. He had been wondering where they had gone. He had waited a day, finally calling Cheng Liu.
He was a little jealous. It had only been a month, yet their relationship had progressed so rapidly.
Cheng Liu was truly capable.
“We went home yesterday. We’re back now,” Cheng Liu explained.
Ji Mushan, pacing anxiously, wanted to tell her his home was also their home, but he didn't want to give her the satisfaction. He held back.
“Did you fly?” He asked. “He doesn’t like heights.”
“He was a bit uncomfortable on the way back, but he’s better now, after getting some rest,” Cheng Liu said.
Just a bit uncomfortable?
Ji Mushan was speechless. He remembered when Yun Se had been taking care of Chaozhou, whenever he went out, he would be sick for days afterwards.
After a long pause, Ji Mushan finally said, “You can come over sometime. We can discuss the collaboration.” And he could see his son.
Cheng Liu readily agreed: “I’ll have my assistant arrange a meeting, CEO Ji.”
Ji Mushan: “…No need for assistants. I want you and Chaozhou to come.”
“Business is business,” Cheng Liu said calmly. “If you’re inviting us for dinner, I’ll have to ask Chaozhou.”
She knew they weren’t on good terms and wouldn't try to mediate, unless Ji Chaozhou wanted to reconcile.
“I have something else to do. Let’s talk another time,” Ji Mushan said, hanging up.
Cheng Liu looked at her phone, not bothered. Ji Chaozhou was far more important.
Ji Mushan, back in his office, frowned, annoyed by her indifference, but then he smiled.
Perhaps this was for the best. The more Cheng Liu prioritized Chaozhou, the more reassured he felt. At least their relationship wouldn’t be like his.
…
The next morning, Cheng Liu got up early, and Ji Chaozhou came over to help her choose an outfit. He had picked out a few for her before, but she hadn’t worn them yet.
Cheng Liu, looking at them in the mirror, suddenly felt like they were getting ready to meet his family, even though they had already met her parents two days ago.
Probably because they had dressed up today.
She should have dressed up two days ago too.
No, wait. Ji Chaozhou had looked impeccable both times, while she had just thrown on whatever she had been wearing.
“CEO Ji called last night,” Cheng Liu said, meeting Ji Chaozhou’s gaze in the mirror. “He said we could come over.”
Ji Chaozhou, taking off his watch, reached for her hand, carefully fastening it around her wrist. The band was loose, but it still fit.
He looked up, meeting her gaze in the mirror: “I know.”
“Should we go?” Cheng Liu asked, turning slightly.
“Mm,” Ji Chaozhou said, then asked, “You…know?”
Cheng Liu, turning to face him: “Know what?”
Ji Chaozhou looked at her, then, after a long pause, “I don’t want you to know about those things.”
He was afraid that if she knew what had caused the rift between him and his father, she would think he was trouble, and distance herself.
“Whenever you’re ready to tell me, I’ll listen,” Cheng Liu said, unfazed. She cared about Ji Chaozhou, not about anyone else.
…
As they drove up to Yun Se’s villa, Cheng Liu noticed a red sports car parked in the courtyard and raised an eyebrow, already guessing who it belonged to.
She discreetly glanced down at her outfit and the watch on her wrist, secretly pleased. She had dressed up today.
Although she wasn't afraid of rivals, seeing them defeated still brought a certain satisfaction.
As expected, when they entered, Yun Fei was there.
“Aunt Yun,” Ji Chaozhou said.
Yun Se, turning around, a smile appearing on her face as she saw him: “Chaozhou, you’re here.”
Then her gaze fell on Cheng Liu, who immediately smiled sweetly: “Aunt Yun.”
Yun Se, remembering their previous encounter, her smile fading slightly, simply nodded in response.
Yun Fei, seeing Cheng Liu, her lips twitching, feeling a sudden, inexplicable unease.
Cheng Liu, looking at Yun Se, noticed her improved complexion, a healthy flush on her cheeks, and her heart sank. This…wasn’t a good sign.
She instinctively looked at Ji Chaozhou. No matter what, Yun Se was family, and she cared about him.
“Have a seat,” Yun Se said, gesturing towards the sofa, then asking the housekeeper to bring some fruit.
The four of them sat in the living room, Yun Se the center of attention. She looked at Ji Chaozhou, then at Yun Fei, and finally, addressing her adopted daughter in front of everyone, “Although we’re not related by blood, you’re still my daughter, and Chaozhou’s sister. You have a special bond. Don’t lose it.”
Sister?
Yun Fei, clutching the hem of her dress, looked at Ji Chaozhou, who, as always, avoided her gaze.
She had grown accustomed to his indifference over the years. He treated everyone the same, which had given her hope.
But now, he had someone in his eyes, and it wasn’t her.
“I…understand,” Yun Fei said, her voice strained, a hollow ache in her chest.
Unlike her previous, unsuccessful attempts, this time, she knew there was no hope.
Not only had Yun Se made it clear, but the person Ji Chaozhou cared about was Cheng Liu.
Even if the Ji family wouldn't retaliate against her for Yun Se's sake, Cheng Liu…
Yun Fei suspected that if she tried anything, Cheng Liu would have no qualms about resorting to underhanded tactics.
The thought made her seethe with resentment. Why wasn't reality like the dramas she acted in? The heroine shouldn't be rich, beautiful, and powerful, leaving the villainess with no advantages!
Wait, why was she identifying with the villainess?
Yun Fei, sitting there, her expression changing rapidly.
Yun Se, shaking her head, ignoring her, turned to Ji Chaozhou: “Come with me to the garden. I want to show you the flowers.”
Yun Ran had planted those flowers, and after her death, Yun Se had carefully tended to them, keeping them alive.
Ji Chaozhou stood up, glancing at Cheng Liu, who had taken a piece of fruit from the plate. He pushed Yun Se’s wheelchair out.
Cheng Liu and Yun Fei were left alone in the living room.
Cheng Liu, picking up the remote, turned on the TV, leaning back on the sofa. A drama starring Yun Fei was playing. Cheng Liu watched it for a while, then, turning to Yun Fei, “You…look different in the drama.”
It was the drama that had made Yun Fei famous. She had played a supporting role.
Yun Fei, although annoyed that Cheng Liu had “stolen” Ji Chaozhou, still enjoyed being praised, especially by someone like Cheng Liu.
She explained her character, a lengthy description.
Cheng Liu, taking a bite of fruit, said casually, “You’re good at acting. But Chaozhou is mine. Don’t even think about it.”
Yun Fei: “…”
The box had condoms inside?😭 I thought it was the golden plaque
ReplyDeleteYou are too pure 😂
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