Fated Love With the Billionaire
Chapter 124: Tragically in Love

Chapter 124: Chapter 124: Tragically in Love

"Why did Old Mr. Xiao come to see you? If I remember correctly, he’s been retired for four or five years now," Chen Ningxi still remembered him.

Chen Weichuan said, "You still remember him, huh."

Chen Ningxi replied, "I do. There was a time when you had to stay at the unit, and I brought you some clothes and met him. He was seeing off a visitor at the time."

Chen Weichuan wiped his hands and came out. "The community he lives in has a retired veteran who participated in the Korean War. His enlistment proof and third-class merit certificate were burnt when his house caught fire back then. His spouse also passed away a few days ago, leaving him all alone, childless, and without support. Old Xiao learned about his situation and wanted to ask if the government could help by finding someone to check his enlistment records or find eyewitnesses. As long as he can prove he participated in the Korean War, it would ensure he had some life support."

Chen Ningxi asked, "After so many years, are there still any records?"

Chen Weichuan shook his head. "There aren’t any. Everything was handwritten back then, and there were no computers. It’s impossible to find anything."

"What would he do, then? He contributed to the country. We can’t let these veterans who fought so bravely be left in the cold. When they were young, they protected us. Now that our country is strong, it’s our turn to protect them."

Chen Ningxi’s face was serious, and Chen Weichuan’s expression was grave. There was a palpable weight of respect and remembrance for the martyrs of the older generation, a sense of national pride and patriotism that was entirely absent in Cheng Qiaobei’s family. Cheng Xiangheng only cared about benefits, and Ding Yuan was only concerned with love and care.

After a moment of silence, Chen Weichuan said, "I’ll give the military department and civil affairs a call tomorrow, coordinate with them and have them assign someone to investigate the veteran’s identity. Finding a witness would be great, but if not, I’ll apply for a special hardship subsidy for him. I’ve already contacted the nursing home, and they can arrange his future care."

When the father and daughter were discussing serious matters, Ye Yujun wouldn’t interrupt. She waited until they were done and said, "Let’s eat, the food is getting cold."

Chen Ningxi finally noticed the way Cheng Qiaobei was looking at her had changed, and she asked quietly, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Under the table, Cheng Qiaobei secretly held Chen Ningxi’s hand. "It’s nothing, let’s eat."

Chen Weichuan took out a bottle of baijiu and placed it on the table. "Care for some?"

Before Cheng Qiaobei could answer, Ye Yujun intercepted, "You’re really something, offering him white liquor."

Cheng Qiaobei laughed, "It’s okay, Mom, I can have a little."

"You see, he wants to drink."

"Does he want to drink, or do you want to drink?"

Chen Weichuan craved alcohol. Ever since his medical check-up results came out, Ye Yujun hadn’t allowed him to drink.

He said, "With the son-in-law here, I’m just happy. Let’s have a little, just a little."

Cheng Qiaobei poured a small amount for Chen Weichuan to comfort Ye Yujun. "I’ll keep an eye on my dad, I’ll pour him just a little."

"Someone needs to watch you."

Ye Yujun went to the kitchen to serve dishes. As soon as she left, Chen Weichuan gave a signal with his eyes, and Cheng Qiaobei took the bottle over, only to hear someone say, "No way."

Cheng Qiaobei responded, "...Dad."

Chen Weichuan looked at Chen Ningxi, adopting the air of an old leader. "Pour a little more, it’s okay."

But Chen Ningxi wouldn’t compromise. She glared at Cheng Qiaobei. "I dare you, try pouring one."

Cheng Qiaobei laughed guiltily, putting the bottle back. "Dad, it’s not that I don’t want to pour, it’s that Ning Xi won’t allow it."

"Get me a pair of chopsticks." Chen Weichuan said to Chen Ningxi.

"Sound and fury," Chen Ningxi nudged Cheng Qiaobei, "You go get them."

Cheng Qiaobei got up and went to the kitchen. At the dining table, only the father and daughter remained. Chen Weichuan glanced towards the kitchen, then raised his glass and downed it in one go.

Chen Ningxi widened her eyes. "Dad, what are you doing?"

Chen Weichuan extended his glass, "Hurry before your mom sees."

She refused to pour, and Chen Weichuan mentioned, "If not, what will I drink with the son-in-law later? How will we talk then?"

Pouting, Chen Ningxi reluctantly poured him a drink.

By the time dinner was over, the mother and daughter had long finished eating and were in the living room enjoying fruit. The father-in-law and son-in-law were still clinking glasses and chatting about life.

Through the glass of the screen, they saw Chen Weichuan listening to Cheng Qiaobei’s words, nodding in agreement. He appeared quite pleased and poured another drink for Cheng Qiaobei.

Cheng Qiaobei swayed slightly, clearly tipsy.

Chen Ningxi asked Ye Yujun, who was intently watching TV, "Mom, why do they have so much to talk about?"

Ye Yujun laughed at the scene, remarking, "Men, when they drink a lot, even the most aloof kind become chatterboxes."

Chen Ningxi glanced at Cheng Qiaobei, and as expected, he began his performance. His admiration for his father-in-law flowed endlessly, like a mighty river.

"Oh..." Chen Ningxi covered her forehead, turning her attention to the television instead.

Suddenly, she understood why her mom loved watching TV.

Some scenes were truly hard to watch.

And Chad Stahelski wasn’t even handsome anymore!

This bonding drink continued until nearly eleven o’clock, with Cheng Qiaobei needing Chen Weichuan’s help to get to the bedroom.

After settling him onto the bed, Chen Weichuan told Chen Ningxi, "Not bad."

Chen Ningxi raised an eyebrow. "What’s not bad?"

Chen Weichuan’s eyes, due to alcohol, appeared deeper, but it didn’t show on his face.

He said, "Character."

Chen Ningxi blinked, "...Oh."

Chen Weichuan added, "You should also go to bed early."

"Got it." Standing by the desk, Chen Ningxi felt like she was having a conversation from her childhood again.

As Chen Weichuan closed the bedroom door, not long after came the familiar sound of Ye Yujun’s voice. "I told you to drink less, and you still drank more. Don’t care about your health?"

Chen Weichuan, tipsy, looked at Ye Yujun. "Yujun, I know you care most about me, you care about me the most."

"If you know, why do you drink so much?"

Ye Yujun helped him back to the room, and soon their voices faded.

Chen Ningxi looked at the person lying on the bed, sighed, and started unbuttoning his shirt. When her hand reached for his belt, she was suddenly caught.

"Hmm..."

Looking at the man above her, his beautiful eyes full of a mischievous, drunken charm.

"Weren’t you drunk? Just pretending?" Chen Ningxi asked.

Cheng Qiaobei looked at her intently. "Haha... wife, you’re so beautiful."

Chen Ningxi smiled, turning her face away, then adjusted and looked back at him. "Am I as pretty as your first love—hmm..."

Her lips were sealed by him. The strong scent of alcohol slipped past his tongue into her mouth, as his fervent kisses made her head spin.

"Hmm..." She pushed against him, but Cheng Qiaobei only moved closer, holding her through the thin fabric, whispering softly in her ear. "Ning Xi, Ning Xi... don’t be angry, don’t be upset."

Chen Ningxi laughed from the tickling, "Stop moving, quit it, Cheng Qiaobei, quit it."

Cheng Qiaobei knew, he truly loved her deeply.