Fated Love With the Billionaire
Chapter 115: Safety First

Chapter 115: Chapter 115: Safety First

The sun set in the west, dark clouds loomed overhead, and in just a moment, lightning flashed and thunder roared as heavy rain poured outside.

Cheng Qiaobei checked the time, worried that Chen Ningxi might have forgotten the umbrella in the trunk, and opened WeChat to send her a reminder.

north, "Honey, the umbrella is in the trunk for you."

After waiting five minutes with no response from Chen Ningxi, it seemed she was still busy.

Ye Yujun came out of the kitchen, "The rain’s heavy enough, those two are stuck outside." She then asked Cheng Qiaobei, "Did Ning Xi say when she’d be back?"

Cheng Qiaobei, "I just sent her a WeChat; she hasn’t replied, so she must still be busy."

Ye Yujun muttered to herself, "On a clear day, it takes forty minutes to get back from the city. In such heavy rain, it’ll take more than an hour."

Cheng Qiaobei looked out at the torrential rain, his expression worried, "On a rainy day like this, it would take me an hour too."

"I’ll ask your dad if he’s coming home for dinner tonight. He never gives a definite answer all day." Ye Yujun picked up her phone and walked to the window to watch the traffic as she waited for Chen Weichuan to answer his phone.

After about seven or eight rings, Chen Weichuan’s voice came over the line.

"Hello?"

Ye Yujun, "Are you coming home for dinner tonight? Ning Xi and Cheng are here too."

Chen Weichuan, "The kids are back?"

Ye Yujun, "Yes, Cheng is even waiting for you to have dinner together."

Chen Weichuan, "Tell him not to wait for me. There’s an orange rainstorm alert upstream, and it’s already started here. The meteorological bureau forecasted a heavy rainstorm; with the rain so intense, the water level is estimated to rise in less than an hour. Director Xiao and I will grab a bite at the canteen and then go to patrol the riverbank at the Danjiang River. No idea when I’ll be back home. You shouldn’t wait for me either. If it’s too late, I’ll sleep at the office."

Ye Yujun reminded him, "Be careful when you’re by the river tonight. Don’t make me worry."

Chen Weichuan, "Got it. By the way, I have cigarettes under my desk. Grab some for him to smoke."

Ye Yujun, "I’ve taken them. Don’t worry about things at home, just stay safe. Cheng even brought you two packs of cigarettes."

Chen Weichuan, "This kid, why is he buying me cigarettes? Alright, not talking anymore, another call is coming in."

Ye Yujun hung up the line, glancing at the clock. It was already four thirty.

"Your dad won’t come home for dinner tonight. He has to patrol the riverbank, and Ning Xi’s return is still uncertain. I’ll heat the beef soup; you can eat first."

Cheng Qiaobei rose, "Mom, no rush, I’ll wait for Ning Xi so we can eat together."

"Aren’t you hungry? You carried so many groceries in the afternoon with me." Ye Yujun said, heading towards the kitchen.

"Mom, Mom, really not hungry, I’ll wait for Ning Xi," Cheng Qiaobei called her back.

At this moment, Ye Yujun got a call, "Then let’s wait a bit, if you’re hungry, eat first."

Cheng Qiaobei, "Okay, Mom."

He went to Chen Ningxi’s room, eyeing the bookshelf in front of him and becoming interested in the photographs on it.

Most pictures were taken during her middle and high school years, including close-up shots, daily photos, and group pictures from school sports meets and parties, full of youthful energy.

Picking up a close-up taken during her middle school years, back then, she had long hair, her baby-fat cheeks making her smile look adorable. Maybe because he first knew her with short hair, it seemed short hair suited her better.

In high school, around sixteen or seventeen, her features matured; her eyes became more delicate and bright, radiating pure and gentle femininity. At this time, she had already cut her hair short, with her smile in front of the camera becoming more intellectual and bookish.

Thinking about teasing her at night, Cheng Qiaobei took a photo of both her middle and high school pictures, suddenly noticing that little Ma plush toy in the frame.

"..."

The more he looked, the more annoyed he became, but he didn’t dare to casually dispose of it, knowing it held precious memories for Chen Ningxi.

Outside the window, the rain fell harder, the rain curtain so dense that the street was nearly obscured.

Just as Cheng Qiaobei was about to send her a message, Chen Ningxi’s call came through.

He hurriedly answered, "Done with work?"

Chen Ningxi stood at the lobby entrance of the office building, looking out at the heavy rain through the glass door, the sound of the rain clearly transmitted through the phone.

"Just got out of a meeting, the rain’s too heavy." Chen Ningxi worried about how to dash through the rain to the parking lot when the Bai City Station Chief came by with an umbrella. "Sister Wu, give me a lift, my car’s right across."

Cheng Qiaobei was still on the phone anxiously saying, "Ning Xi, with this heavy rain wait a bit before going."

But before he could finish, Chen Ningxi hurriedly said, "Leaving, talk later."

Even with an umbrella, her pants, shoes, and half a shoulder got wet. Sitting in the car, Chen Ningxi quickly pulled out tissues to wipe the water from her face and hands.

Receiving another call from Chen Ningxi, Cheng Qiaobei asked, "Got wet, didn’t you?"

Chen Ningxi, using the speakerphone, replied while wiping herself dry, "Not too bad, nothing serious."

Cheng Qiaobei could empathize with Ye Yujun’s worries, "Drive carefully, take it slow."

Chen Ningxi took off her wet coat, rolled up her shirt sleeves, turning on the heat to feel more comfortable.

"Got it, with this heavy rain, I’m driving slowly. You and Mom eat first, don’t wait for me."

Cheng Qiaobei’s heart settled, knowing his wife was driving home in the rain, while he comfortably drank beef soup at home.

He adamantly said, "Not hungry, waiting for you to come and eat together."

Knowing he was worried, Chen Ningxi didn’t argue over trivial matters, glancing at the timer on the dash, "I should be home by a little after five ten."

"No rush," Cheng Qiaobei said with a smile, "There are millions of roads,"

Chen Ningxi also chuckled, "Safety is the first rule."

Cheng Qiaobei, "Driving violations,"

Chen Ningxi, "Mean tears in my husband’s eyes."

Cheng Qiaobei put on a mock stern face, "Stop the nonsense."

"Alright, I’m getting ready to leave."

Ending the call, Chen Ningxi turned on the windshield wipers, gripping the steering wheel while looking at the road ahead, taking a deep breath, "Time to test my driving skills."

Cheng Qiaobei remained by the window, watching the cars below, thrilled at each car’s arrival, then let down as they drove past.

Watching his silhouette brought Ye Yujun memories of Chen Ningxi waiting by the door for them to come home when she was young.

"Cheng," Ye Yujun called out, prompting Cheng Qiaobei to turn around, "Yes, Mom?"

He walked over, taking the fruit plate Ye Yujun handed him, containing sliced cantaloupe, "The fruit seller said the melon is sweet, try some."

"You first, Mom." Cheng Qiaobei held the plate with both hands, and Ye Yujun picked a piece with a toothpick, putting it in her mouth, "Hmm, it’s genuinely sweet, didn’t trick me. Don’t just stand there waiting by the window, sit down and eat while you wait."

Cheng Qiaobei sat on the sofa. This home made him feel relaxed and comfortable. Whether it was Chen Ningxi’s mother’s care or her father’s leniency, he basked in the warmth of this family.

With the clock nearing five thirty, Cheng Qiaobei estimated that Chen Ningxi’s car should have arrived as well.

Ye Yujun went to the kitchen to warm up the dishes, while Cheng Qiaobei grabbed an umbrella, announcing to the person in the kitchen, "Mom, I’ll go downstairs to fetch her."

"Hey..." But before she could call out, the door had already closed.

Ye Yujun shook her head with a helpless smile, saying he was anxious, yet secretly pleased by his thoughtfulness.

Chen Ningxi drove into the neighborhood, and just as she parked in the space below, she saw a figure dash out from the building entrance, running towards her car door.