Fated Love With the Billionaire
Chapter 152: Admiration Does Not Necessarily Mean Possession

Chapter 152: Chapter 152: Admiration Does Not Necessarily Mean Possession

Ye Yujun went to the kitchen to prepare lunch, while Chen Ningxi came to the window and asked, "Whose call was that just now?"

Actually, she had already seen the number; she just wanted to see how Cheng Qiaobei would respond.

Cheng Qiaobei held his phone, looking into Chen Ningxi’s eyes. Her hair was a bit longer than when they first met, with a beautiful small wolf tail growing at the nape of her neck.

He took Chen Ningxi’s hand, "Wife, there’s something I need to discuss with you."

Chen Ningxi said, "Whose call was that just now?"

Cheng Qiaobei answered, "Jiang Wanyi."

Chen Ningxi’s eyes were steadfast; even upon hearing a call from his former lover, she had no doubt, "What does she want?"

Cheng Qiaobei said, "The overseas hotel needs me to manage it for a while. She’s with the overseas cooperative company."

Thinking she might get angry or emotional, Cheng Qiaobei held both her hands, attempting to stabilize her emotions before the storm hit.

Chen Ningxi asked, "When do you leave?"

Cheng Qiaobei said, "The day after tomorrow."

So soon?!

They hadn’t enjoyed much of their newlywed sweetness before facing separation. Though reluctant, she still chose to support him.

Chen Ningxi smiled, "How long will you be gone?"

Cheng Qiaobei frowned, "It’s hard to say at the moment. This project has a huge workload and might take a few months."

Chen Ningxi: "..."

A few months seemed a bit too long.

Seeing her furrowed brows, Cheng Qiaobei embraced her, gently patting her back. "I’m sorry, this business trip is indeed too long, but I promised Mr. Cheng to get it done, and I assure you, I’ll rush back as soon as possible."

Even if she tried to be open-minded, she had to face a few months of real separation. Furthermore, Cheng Qiaobei would be leaving with Jiang Wanyi. It was hard not to let one’s mind wander when they’d be together day and night.

Chen Ningxi couldn’t bring herself to say, "Go ahead, I’m fine."

Her silence had already given Cheng Qiaobei the answer. Feeling the softness of her in his arms, Cheng Qiaobei responded to her inner unease with a firm hug.

At that moment, at the private club of Danjiang Jingchun.

The elegant wooden furniture and classic screens complemented each other, creating a calm and elegant atmosphere.

Outside the window, a pool of clear water mirrored rockery and gently sprays from the fountain, enhancing the serenity and elegance. The club’s staff wore uniformed traditional Chinese attire, maintaining a refined demeanor, offering meticulous service to each guest. It was not only an excellent place for business talks or gathering with friends and family but also a harbor to momentarily escape the noise of the world and immerse oneself in peace and harmony. Cheng Xiangheng chose this place solely for its privacy.

"Manager Jiang, it’s simple food and drink, not sure if it suits your taste."

The dishes were exquisitely presented, their color, aroma, and taste exhibited an artistic visual appeal.

Ye Yujun said, "Mr. Cheng, you are too modest. Today you have treated me with great hospitality."

Cheng Xiangheng smiled and gestured to the nearby waitstaff to leave, "We don’t need your service here, please leave."

The waiter bowed slightly and silently exited the private room, closing the door.

Cheng Xiangheng said, "Manager Jiang, let’s eat while we talk. Try the black Iberian pork and Alaskan crab, they’re the signature dishes."

Ye Yujun picked up a piece of crab meat, slowly savored it, and nodded, "The taste is really unique."

Cheng Xiangheng introduced, "The owner of this club was one of the first top chefs of Jade Jiali. After he got older, he retired and handed his cooking skills to his son. The father and son opened this restaurant."

Ye Yujun said, "Mr. Cheng, you care for the businesses of your former staff, which shows your loyalty and righteousness."

Cheng Xiangheng’s lips curled into a gentle, friendly smile; his wisdom and kindness made people feel incredibly warm and respectful.

He said, "Have you noticed, the ingredients are very fresh, when you eat them your taste buds just light up."

Ye Yujun nodded with agreement, "Indeed."

Cheng Xiangheng said, "Choosing fresh ingredients is a habit he developed at Jade Jiali. So, he achieved Jade Jiali back then, and he also learned things from Jade Jiali."

Ye Yujun seemed to catch the meaning in his words, though the metaphor was not easy to discern without careful listening.

"Mr. Cheng, I’m a person who values efficiency in handling matters, just say what you mean."

Cheng Xiangheng picked up a poached shrimp before him, chewed carefully and slowly, and then said, "It’s not easy for a company to cultivate talent, but would you say the company is more important, or the talent is?"

Ye Yujun put down her chopsticks, took a sip of water, "Both are important, talent is like water, the company like a big tree. Talent is a valuable asset to a company and also the cornerstone of development. Only with excellent talent can a company have innovation and competitiveness, allowing it to thrive."

Cheng Xiangheng said, "But you forgot, without the company, no matter how outstanding the talent, there’s no place to employ them. So, the company is the foundation for talent. With good soil, there’s the opportunity to unleash the energy of talent. What do we do business for? I won’t deny that the essence is to make money, but doing business is about corporate culture, development direction, and future goals. After I’ve gone from this world, who will remember me? It’s only Jade Jiali that will continue to live on in this world in my stead."

Ye Yujun lowered her eyes, "Mr. Cheng, Manager Cheng probably thinks the same. He has his own ideas on management and a rather unique strategic vision. He is an exceptional talent."

Cheng Xiangheng smiled faintly, seemingly with a trace of mockery. Of course, he wasn’t mocking Ye Yujun, but the ones she just mentioned.

"A company that wants to develop and grow cannot be defined by one person. What if one day this person leaves, won’t the entire company have to face a significant impact?"

"..." Ye Yujun understood.

Because in recent years, Cheng Qiaobei’s influence within Jade Jiali Group had grown larger. For external public relations and as a spokesperson, he often represented the company; his handsome face was deeply engraved in many people’s minds, leaving a lasting impression.

"Mr. Cheng, if I may be frank, Manager Cheng has not shown any individualistic behavior during his cooperation with us. Are you perhaps overthinking?"

Cheng Xiangheng dabbed his mouth with a napkin, "Manager Jiang, surely you know why I initially chose your company, right?"

Ye Yujun frowned and shook her head.

"Since we’ve come this far in our conversation, I’ll speak plainly. I initially disapproved of the person Qiaobei chose to marry, asking you to come was also to dissuade him from the idea of marriage."

Ye Yujun maintained her expression, "Seems I have disappointed you."

Cheng Xiangheng said, "A bit."

Ye Yujun said, "I have dated Cheng Qiaobei, but that was all in the past. In our interactions, we both adhered to the Bottom Line. As for the choices we made back then, they were made with mutual respect.

Besides, work-related matters don’t involve personal emotions. He is like that, and so am I.

If Manager Cheng canceled his marriage plans because of me, I would actually look down on him. A man with poor character wouldn’t make a good partner even in cooperation."

Cheng Xiangheng wasn’t angry; in fact, he laughed, "Don’t say you have no feelings for Qiaobei, after all, I’ve lived this long, I can see things."

Ye Yujun said, "He is an outstanding man; my admiration for him is normal, but admiration doesn’t necessarily mean wanting to possess him."