Fated Love With the Billionaire
Chapter 135 I Take Back What I Said Earlier

Chapter 135: Chapter 135 I Take Back What I Said Earlier

Returning to Danjiang, Cheng Qiaobei found that his work had not decreased at all. In fact, he was rarely seen, with Cheng Xiangheng assigning him plenty of tasks. Sometimes he didn’t return until the early morning hours. At the same time, Chen Ningxi’s workplace had its own share of busyness too. Frequently, she would finish work only to find him still working late. By the time he returned and she had already gone to bed, he would quietly head to the guest room to avoid waking her.

The next day, Chen Ningxi left early to check on the construction progress, and when Cheng Qiaobei woke up, he was the only one left at home.

They could hardly exchange a word, let alone become affectionate.

It was as if they were under the same roof, yet living worlds apart.

But being this busy all the time was not sustainable. Finally having a bit of rest on a weekend, Chen Ningxi thought about going for a bath to relax with Cheng Qiaobei. But by eleven at night, he still wasn’t home. It took half an hour for her to get a response on WeChat—a photo showing him working late with some colleagues, telling her not to wait and to go to sleep first.

When she opened her eyes the next morning, she realized he hadn’t come home. Just as she entered the kitchen, her phone rang, showing Ye Yujun’s number.

At that moment, Ye Yujun was tidying up Chen Ningxi’s dowry, and the wedding items almost filled her little apartment. Ye Yujun had been involved in investments during earlier years, accumulating a substantial nest egg for Chen Ningxi. Her family was well-off and had added quite a few luxury items for her. A small box was filled with gold bars and jewelry. The wedding quilts, pajamas, and shoes were all in matching pairs, wrapped in festive red packaging that radiated cheerfulness.

Both of them had cars already, so originally one was to be included as part of the dowry. However, Cheng Qiaobei insisted on declining it, so Ye Yujun deposited the car money in a separate account for Chen Ningxi to keep. Her grandparents also gifted a prime store location in the city center, which was a result of previous relocations given to each of their three children. The elderly couple still held three properties and decided to pass them on to the next generation as they grew older.

The total value of the dowry added up to seven figures.

This dowry was an expression of her parents’ love and the greatest reassurance they could give their daughter.

Holding the phone between her shoulder and ear, Chen Ningxi asked, "Mom, what is it?"

Ye Yujun said, "I just wanted to ask how the wedding room decoration is coming along. If you and Cheng are too busy, just give me the list, and I can do the shopping."

The wedding room wasn’t fully decorated yet, so they were initially using Cheng Qiaobei’s apartment as the wedding room.

Chen Ningxi had spent the week traveling to construction sites and researching in other cities, leaving her exhausted. Stifling a yawn, she replied:

"It’s almost done, not much left to buy."

Ye Yujun noticed the lack of energy in her voice, "Did you stay up late again? I keep telling you to stop using your phone at night. Go to bed early. You don’t want to have a face full of acne at the wedding and not look pretty on the big day."

Yawning again, Chen Ningxi said, "I wasn’t on my phone. It’s just work; I have to keep running to construction sites. Yesterday, I was in Yuzhou for a business trip and only got back after nine. I’m simply exhausted."

"Ever since you became a manager, you’ve been busier than ever. If you keep up this pace, how will you have kids after you’re married?" Ye Yujun sighed.

Chen Ningxi switched to speakerphone, placing the phone on the countertop, "Mom, are you rushing me into having kids right after rushing the marriage? Are we secretly royalty with a throne to inherit?"

Ye Yujun chuckled, "You sound just like your father, both able to irritate me the same way. Where’s Cheng?"

"He was working late last night and didn’t come back."

"You’re about to get married, yet they keep making him work late at his company. Isn’t there anyone else who can do the job besides someone about to tie the knot?" Ye Yujun grumbled and went on to criticize Cheng Qiaobei’s company, not forgetting to mention a few words about his boss.

Chen Ningxi giggled, "Mom, the heartless boss you’re talking about is Cheng Qiaobei’s dad."

Ye Yujun: "..."

She paused for a moment and then changed the topic, "Are you coming over for a meal later?"

Just then, Cheng Qiaobei called her, "Mom, he’s calling me. Let’s talk later." Connecting to his call, she asked, "Are you trying to kill yourself with all this work?"

Cheng Qiaobei was lying on the sofa in the office, his eyes bloodshot, and a layer of stubble on his chin.

"Was going over a proposal with them. By the time we finished, it was already three in the morning, so I didn’t go back."

Chen Ningxi said, "Take a break today. Your body will break down if you keep pushing yourself like this."

Cheng Qiaobei replied, "Once Mr. Cheng comes to the office, I’ll report the proposal, then head home."

"Around what time?"

"Ten-ish, I suppose."

Having finished breakfast, Chen Ningxi hurriedly went to the market to buy a chicken, planning to stew it for him at noon with plenty of restorative herbs.

It had just passed eight-thirty when Cheng Xiangheng arrived at the office.

Seeing Cheng Qiaobei standing at the entrance, he said to Deng Yan, "Bring two cups of tea in here."

Deng Yan nodded, "Okay."

When Cheng Qiaobei saw Cheng Xiangheng, he slightly bowed, "Good morning, Mr. Cheng."

In the office, no matter whether in public or private, he addressed him as Mr. Cheng.

Cheng Xiangheng walked in, "I heard you worked through the night last night?"

Nothing in the company escaped his notice, but trying to take credit for it would be a fool’s errand.

Cheng Qiaobei said, "We ran into a problem that needed resolving, everyone shared their thoughts, and before we knew it, it was morning. Nobody noticed the time."

"Tough night," said Cheng Xiangheng, gazing at him with an unreadable expression that held a certain peculiarity.

Cheng Qiaobei said, "Thank you, Mr. Cheng, for your concern. Without your guidance on the overseas project, we wouldn’t even have nailed down the direction. If anyone is working hard, it’s certainly you."

Cheng Xiangheng laughed, "If your mom had half your temperament back then, she wouldn’t have"

"Mr. Cheng!" Cheng Qiaobei interrupted him.

Cheng Xiangheng knew just how to push Cheng Qiaobei’s buttons, and it always worked.

Knock, knock, knock, the door to the office was tapped on.

Deng Yan came in with two cups of tea. Noticing something was off, he placed the teacups down and said to Cheng Qiaobei, "CEO Cheng, have some tea."

Cheng Qiaobei’s eyes flicked, and his expression eased.

"Thank you."

Deng Yan left, considerately closing the door.

The office was left with just the father and son. Taking a sip of tea, Cheng Xiangheng said, "Go ahead with your report."

Cheng Qiaobei collected himself and said, "For the operational plan of the overseas hotel, we need to fully consider the characteristics and needs of the local market, focusing on studying the target customer group’s preferences and essential needs, and develop targeted operational strategies to accurately capture our client base.

Regarding culturally unique services, these are a significant highlight. Among hotel guests, our survey showed eighty-eight percent were interested in services and facilities that feature local culture and regional characteristics. If the hotel can offer these for free, it could become a factor for guests choosing to stay.

Here is the diagram our team prepared—I’ll go through it in detail."

It was almost noon, and Cheng Qiaobei still hadn’t returned home. She sent a message to ask, but received no reply.

"Ugh," Chen Ningxi muttered to herself, "If he were like the CEOs in TV dramas, doing nothing but dating the female lead and showing off their relationship, that would be great.

God, grant me one of those."

Then again, if he didn’t have a career and wasn’t earning money, what would be the point?

"Dear God, I take that back."