Fated Love With the Billionaire
Chapter 141 This is the Bottom Line, Not Your Upper Limit

Chapter 141: Chapter 141 This is the Bottom Line, Not Your Upper Limit

Chen Ningxi received a call from the photo studio early in the morning, setting up the appointment for her bridal makeup on the wedding day.

She walked out of the room, finding Cheng Qiaobei preparing breakfast. She leaned over to look, "Vegetable porridge?"

"Yeah, almost done." Cheng Qiaobei put the chopped vegetables into the pot and was asked again, "No pumpkin porridge?"

Cheng Qiaobei shook his head, "There’s no pumpkin at home."

Chen Ningxi pouted playfully, "Then I won’t eat."

Cheng Qiaobei chuckled helplessly, "Didn’t your teacher ever tell you that leaving blanks in fill-in-the-blank questions isn’t an option? You should choose something first."

Chen Ningxi replied, "... True."

Cheng Qiaobei slowly stirred the porridge in the pot, "I make a good point, don’t I?"

Chen Ningxi patted him on the shoulder, "Are you trying to reason with me at home now?"

Cheng Qiaobei laughed and gave her a look, "What are you about to say? Give me a heads-up."

Chen Ningxi sighed, "Oh, I wanted pumpkin porridge, but you gave me vegetable porridge. So pitiful."

"Okay, stop acting. You’re making me laugh." Cheng Qiaobei covered the pot with its lid.

Chen Ningxi walked to his other side, washing vegetables alongside Cheng Qiaobei, "You’re still laughing. You should reflect on that."

Cheng Qiaobei said, "The pot seems to have landed on me again with what you just said."

Chen Ningxi quipped, "Have some responsibility, don’t shirk. Isn’t it written everywhere to do practical things for the people, not shirk responsibilities?"

Cheng Qiaobei followed her lead, "Elevating the issue of one pot of porridge sure raises the bar quickly."

Chen Ningxi continued, "With more attentiveness, there are fewer problems. More care brings a harmonious family."

"Wow," Cheng Qiaobei raised an eyebrow, "The level of enlightenment is blinding. I can’t seem to see clearly; is the person next to me still my wife? Not Manager Chen, right?"

Chen Ningxi replied, "Notes for the mind can’t be written in vain. You need to be enlightened and not have a decline in thinking."

Cheng Qiaobei said, "Please rest assured, organization and leader. I will definitely find ways to complete tomorrow’s task of pumpkin porridge, living up to the organization’s and leader’s earnest instructions. However, today’s pumpkin porridge task can’t be completed, so you have to lower the standard."

Chen Ningxi said, "That’s the Bottom Line, not your upper limit."

Cheng Qiaobei asked, "Can the Bottom Line be adjusted? I think the Bottom Line can be set even lower."

"No, no, no, Comrade Cheng, don’t lower your standards for yourself. You’re backsliding, and how can the organization and leader entrust you with the great matter of basic living?"

Cheng Qiaobei was choked, "You’ve blocked all my retreat paths thoroughly. Is that really okay?"

Chen Ningxi said, "I trust you."

Cheng Qiaobei smiled, "Perfect, thank you for the organization and leader’s trust and support."

Chen Ningxi took the washed vegetables, "Let me stir-fry, you tidy up a bit, or else you’ll be late for work."

Cheng Qiaobei said nonchalantly, "I don’t want to go to work today. I want to rest at home."

It was unexpected for him to say he didn’t want to work. In Chen Ningxi’s impression, nothing could hinder his work.

Recalling his expression during dinner last night, Chen Ningxi asked, "Is something happening with the company again?"

Cheng Qiaobei didn’t hide it from her, "After yesterday’s meeting, I was informed of a job position change, from regional manager to group general manager."

Even though she didn’t understand the duties and scope of the hotel industry, she thought a group position should be larger than a regional one.

"Isn’t that a promotion?"

Cheng Qiaobei smiled, but there was a hint of bitterness in his eyes, "Yeah, a promotion."

Chen Ningxi looked into his eyes, "But why aren’t you happy?"

Cheng Qiaobei explained, "Some positions sound cool, but they’re just empty titles with no real power or authority over actual business."

Chen Ningxi didn’t understand, "Do you mean it’s like giving Sun Wukong the title of Horses’ Fortune in Journey to the West?"

Cheng Qiaobei didn’t deny it.

Chen Ningxi couldn’t comprehend it, "What does Mr. Cheng mean? You’re so excellent, and your business capabilities are strong. Not promoting you is one thing, but they can’t suppress you like that, right? After all, he’s your father; what could you possibly do to him? It’s really perplexing."

While she felt unfair for him, Cheng Qiaobei was calm, "Power eclipsing the ruler threatens the positions of some people who must suppress my momentum."

Chen Ningxi’s face turned pale, filled with anger, yet she couldn’t cause a stir at the company.

She fumed silently, and Cheng Qiaobei was amused by her, gently poking her cheek with his fingers, "What? Angry?"

Chen Ningxi said, "A little."

Cheng Qiaobei kissed her cheek, saying, "It’s okay. Life has its ups and downs. The present doesn’t determine the future; he just wants to take the edge off my vigor for now. Once he’s over it, he’ll naturally promote me again."

"But it still sounds infuriating." Chen Ningxi embraced Cheng Qiaobei, "Why do you always get bullied by others?"

To comfort her, Cheng Qiaobei said, "Listen to my reasoning,"

Before he finished speaking, Chen Ningxi interrupted, "I understand the reasoning, and I’m clear on the situation, but I’m not talking about reason."

Seeing her pouty mouth, Cheng Qiaobei felt warmth in his heart, cradling her soft frame, "Not being reasonable is charming too."

Chen Ningxi pushed him away, "So, no work today?"

That was Cheng Qiaobei’s plan, "According to the jurisdiction of the position, the hotel on my hands will definitely be handed over, but if I go to the company now, it will speed up the process. With the hotel, I’ve managed with great effort; how could I let it pass on easily to others?"

Chen Ningxi said, "But hiding isn’t a solution either. Even if you don’t meet face-to-face, they can still notify you by phone. That would put you at an even greater disadvantage. My idea is to take the initiative, allowing the first move to be yours, thereby increasing the odds."

Cheng Qiaobei looked troubled, "But I haven’t thought of a way yet."

Chen Ningxi replied, "..."

He chuckled, "Let’s eat first, stop overthinking, and I’ll gradually figure it out."

After breakfast, Chen Ningxi dressed up and approached Cheng Qiaobei from behind, "I’m off to work." She stood on her tiptoes to plant a kiss on his lips, "Pass me the trash bag. I’ll take it down."

Cheng Qiaobei pushed her gently towards the door, "No need, you go on ahead. I’ll take it downstairs later and buy a pack of cigarettes while I’m at it."

"Smoke less," she advised before leaving.

Cheng Qiaobei tidied up the house, then in his casual homewear, took the trash bag and left. Not far from the building’s entrance was a trash-sorting collection point. As soon as he tossed the trash bag in, he turned around and spotted Secretary Lee Ying of Yin Yihui standing not far off.

Upon seeing him, she smiled and bowed, "Hello, Manager Cheng."

"Quite the coincidence, Secretary Lee." Cheng Qiaobei initially wanted to return home, but instead walked towards the neighborhood exit upon seeing her.

Li Ying followed gently beside him, smiling warmly, "Manager Cheng, it’s not a coincidence; I’ve come specifically to invite you."

Cheng Qiaobei walked leisurely with his hands in his pockets, "Invite me? Where to?"

Li Ying said, "Chairman Yin invites you for tea."

Cheng Qiaobei raised an eyebrow, "Tea in the early morning?"

Li Ying paused briefly, then smiled suddenly, "I guess last time, Chairman Yin found your conversation delightful, and it’s rare to find someone he clicks with, so he wants to chat more."

Upon reaching the entrance of the neighborhood, Cheng Qiaobei said, "Wait, I’m going in to buy a pack of cigarettes."

Li Ying’s words were cut off, leaving her awkwardly waiting by the roadside.

Cheng Qiaobei asked the store owner for a pack of cigarettes and watched those outside the store through the glass. After scanning the code to pay, he took the cigarettes and stepped out, standing directly by the roadside.

Seeing that he had no intention of leaving, Li Ying tried to nudge him, "Manager Cheng, Chairman Yin is waiting for you."

Cheng Qiaobei toyed with the cigarette pack in his hand, "My wife doesn’t allow me to smoke."

Li Ying was surprised, seeing the cigarettes in his hand, "You’re well-controlled by your wife, but it’s also for your health. You can smoke at Chairman Yin’s place. Shall we go now?"

Cheng Qiaobei put the cigarette pack into his pocket, "The housework isn’t finished yet. I have to go back and clean up, so I won’t go to Chairman Yin’s for smoking and tea."

Li Ying was completely caught off guard by Cheng Qiaobei’s refusal. As Cheng Qiaobei prepared to leave, she quickly stepped forward to stop him, "Manager Cheng, please wait."

Cheng Qiaobei didn’t make things difficult for her either, "Secretary Lee, I won’t make things difficult for you either. Give Chairman Yin a message for me."

Li Ying listened attentively, "Sure."

Cheng Qiaobei said, "Sincere loyalty remains unchanged."

Li Ying watched him walk back into the community, then returned to the car to call Yin Yihui.

Yin Yihui said, "Hello?"

Li Ying replied, "Chairman Yin, I couldn’t convince him. He asked me to convey a message to you: Sincere loyalty remains unchanged."

The line went silent for a while before Yin Yihui hung up.

As Cheng Qiaobei walked, he thought, it seemed his matters had already been leaked.