Fated Love With the Billionaire
Chapter 144: You’re Just Sweet-Talking

Chapter 144: Chapter 144: You’re Just Sweet-Talking

After Cheng Qiaobei started living at the high school dorm, his interactions with Ding Yuan became very rare. Moreover, as Cheng Qiaobei grew up, he became increasingly similar to Cheng Xiangheng in the past. Seeing his face would remind Ding Yuan of the once dashing Cheng Xiangheng. This made Ding Yuan, who had never overcome her inner hurdle, intentionally distance herself from him further.

Cheng Qiaobei didn’t understand why she treated him like this. During an argument, Ding Yuan accidentally let it slip, scolding him for being just like Cheng Xiangheng in the past. Seeing his face would remind her of the man who led her to a point of no return, burdened with infamy.

Since then, Cheng Qiaobei planned to live in the dorms, and their meetings became infrequent. For college, he directly attended a prestigious university abroad. During the years overseas, Cheng Qiaobei only sent her a message on New Year’s and her birthday.

Over time, the relationship between mother and son grew estranged and cold. Now, not to mention having Ding Yuan live with them, even Cheng Qiaobei would feel uncomfortable.

Currently, living separately brought comfort to both parties.

When Ding Yuan finished grooming and walked out of the dressing room, Chen Ningxi’s eyes lit up.

She wore a traditional yet elegant cheongsam, embodying the essence of Chinese culture. The dark blue cheongsam was embroidered with golden peonies, sparkling with an alluring sheen under the light. The slit of the cheongsam was just right, maintaining its formal nature while highlighting a woman’s graceful figure. Her long hair was pinned up with a jade hairpin, enhancing her elegant and refined aura.

As she moved, the peonies on the cheongsam seemed to sway gently, complementing her gait, making her appear beautiful and captivating.

Ding Yuan’s eyes held a unique charm, as if they could see through everything yet told a story.

Chen Ningxi sincerely praised, "I’ve attended so many weddings, and it turns out the most beautiful mother-in-law is my mother-in-law."

Ding Yuan’s eyebrows danced with a smile, and she teased, "You’re just sweet-talking."

"No, really, you’re so beautiful." Chen Ningxi observed her, "Mom, I can’t imagine how stunning you must have been when you were young."

Compared to Cheng Qiaobei, she felt more comfortable getting along with Chen Ningxi, "This child, even teases her mother-in-law."

Chen Ningxi asked, "Mom, just this one suitcase?"

Ding Yuan replied, "Just this one."

Cheng Qiaobei silently walked over and picked up the suitcase.

The car was parked in the downstairs parking spot. As soon as the suitcase was placed in the trunk, he saw the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law seated together in the back seat.

Cheng Qiaobei, "..."

He got into the driver’s seat and took out his phone to send a WeChat message to Chen Ningxi.

north: Come to the front.

Chen Ningxi had no chance to look at her phone, chatting passionately with Ding Yuan.

The journey back took over six hours; he wondered how he would endure alone.

Cheng Qiaobei hesitated and delayed starting the car. Occasionally, he glanced through the rearview mirror at Chen Ningxi in the back seat, who was looking at old photos in Ding Yuan’s mobile photo album, listening to her recount stories behind the photos.

However, the intended recipient didn’t receive the signal, but the unintended one did notice.

Ding Yuan urged him, "What are you waiting for, drive."

Cheng Qiaobei, "...okay."

It was especially tough on the highway, with no one beside him to talk or pass snacks. Meanwhile, the two in the back seemed to never run out of things to discuss. Midway, Cheng Qiaobei pulled into a rest area for a break, and Ding Yuan took Chen Ningxi to the restroom.

Cheng Qiaobei could only go to the smoking area for a cigarette. The man next to him asked Cheng Qiaobei, "Buddy, can I borrow your lighter?"

Cheng Qiaobei took it out for him, and the man asked, "Where are you heading?"

He replied, "Going to Danjiang."

"Oh, we’re headed the same way. We’re also going to Danjiang." The man looked towards a white camper van parked not far away, "I’m taking my whole family on a China tour. My parents have always wanted to visit Danjiang. Any good places to recommend?"

Cheng Qiaobei expertly introduced Danjiang and mentioned Zhoushan.

The man said, "We’re also planning to visit Zhoushan, but Zhoushan only has one five-star hotel, Jade Jiali. I checked the app last night and the rooms were all booked."

"!" Cheng Qiaobei paused his smoking action, booked out? That shouldn’t be the case.

He raised an eyebrow, "No way."

"Don’t believe me?" The man took out his phone, opened the hotel booking app, and indeed, Zhoushan Jade Jiali showed all rooms fully booked.

Cheng Qiaobei communicated with Wei Lai almost every day. She would report yesterday’s room occupancy and revenue; the occupancy rate was only seventy percent yesterday.

Without showing any expression, he took out his phone, "I happen to have a friend working there. Let me check for you."

The man was delighted to hear this, "That’d be great. If I could book a room, I’d really appreciate it."

Cheng Qiaobei bit his cigarette, stepped aside, and dialed Wei Lai’s number. The phone connected quickly.

Wei Lai, "Manager Cheng."

Cheng Qiaobei said, "Are there any available rooms at the hotel?"

Wei Lai replied firmly, "Yes, what kind of room?"

Cheng Qiaobei said, "Two deluxe rooms, one with a child’s bed."

Wei Lai said, "I’ll arrange it now."

Cheng Qiaobei, "Check the Binguo app, it shows our rooms are full."

"No way?" Wei Lai was surprised.

Cheng Qiaobei, "Besides Binguo, check all the other booking platforms thoroughly."

Wei Lai belatedly realized, "I’ve been wondering why the hotel occupancy rate has been dropping lately."

Cheng Qiaobei turned his head and asked, "Buddy, are two deluxe rooms okay? One with a child’s bed."

The man nodded and thanked him repeatedly, "Sure, sure, you booked it? Thank you so much."

"When do you plan to check-in? How should I address you?"

The man replied, "Tomorrow afternoon around one, my surname is Wang, Wang Chuan."

Cheng Qiaobei informed Wei Lai of the booking date and name, "Put both rooms on my account."

Wang Chuan quickly said, "That’s not right, we’ll pay for the room charges ourselves."

Cheng Qiaobei hung up, "Don’t be polite, your discovery really helped me out. I’m grateful to you."

Wang Chuan looked at Cheng Qiaobei, puzzled, "...who are you?"

Cheng Qiaobei said, "I’m the manager of Zhoushan Jade Jiali, Cheng Qiaobei."

Wang Chuan offered his hand, "What a coincidence, Manager Cheng."

"Don’t call me Manager Cheng, just call me Cheng Qiaobei."

Wang Chuan continued, "Who would’ve thought that borrowing a lighter would lead to meeting a hotel manager? Really, thank you so much."

For Wang Chuan, it was a problem; for Cheng Qiaobei, it was a simple favor.

"You’re welcome, try the hot springs in Zhoushan, they’re good for relieving arthritis and old cold leg symptoms in older adults. There are also beauty-enhancing and nourishing spa pools for women, and many amusement projects in the children’s water park, perfect for parent-child activities," Cheng Qiaobei said, "Zhoushan Jade Jiali welcomes you, stay as long as you like."

Wang Chuan wasn’t without depth, "We can’t stay long, at most two or three days before heading to the next stop. I’m a travel blogger, and I’ve left footprints in over thirty cities across the country. Now I have millions of followers. Initially, my goal was just to record traveling with my family, but accidentally gained millions of fans.

A few years ago, I traveled abroad, but after this domestic trip, I realized our country’s vast landscapes and wide regions are no less engaging or spectacular than abroad. From south to north, you can see sea, mountains, snow, clouds - what doesn’t our country have? We also have unique inherited cultural history and ancient, enduring architecture that simply can’t be seen all.

Along the way, I’ve met many kind-hearted and helpful people like you and have grown to love our country and its splendid landscapes even more. Our country has everything, so domestically, it’s more cost-effective. What did Mr. Zhao say back then? Consider the world’s wonders; the scenery here is better."

Cheng Qiaobei saw Ding Yuan and Chen Ningxi coming out together.

Wang Chuan finished his cigarette, "Will I see you when we return to the hotel?"

Cheng Qiaobei smiled, "Yes. Note down my phone number, call me directly if any issues arise."

"Okay, let’s meet for a drink when we see each other again." Wang Chuan noted the number while saying, "My short video account is ’Wang Chuan Family Travel,’ the same name on all platforms, easy to remember. You can search and follow me. I’ll make sure to promote Jade Jiali properly."

Cheng Qiaobei nodded, "If you can do that, thank you. Regarding publicity fees, I can pay."

Wang Chuan frowned, "Don’t belittle me by mentioning money. Would I do such a thing?"

Cheng Qiaobei, "Then I won’t insist, thank you."

When Cheng Qiaobei returned to the car, Chen Ningxi asked, "Who was that just now? Saw you chatting for quite a while."

Cheng Qiaobei briefly explained the situation, and Chen Ningxi actually searched on her phone, "Wow, over 9.7 million followers."

After Chen Ningxi spoke, Cheng Qiaobei was also surprised. Over 9 million followers would bring considerable traffic to the hotel.

Ding Yuan looked out the window. Everywhere he went, he could talk business; indeed, what kind of father makes what kind of son.