Fated Love With the Billionaire
Chapter 154: Separation

Chapter 154: Chapter 154: Separation

Danjiang Airport’s waiting hall, Cheng Qiaobei arrived two hours early.

Chen Ningxi came out of the restroom and bought a cup of coffee from a nearby shop on the way back.

Cheng Qiaobei took the coffee and said, "Eat the vegetables in the fridge as soon as you can."

Chen Ningxi: "Okay."

Cheng Qiaobei: "There’s still a bag of dumplings I made in the freezer, don’t leave them for too long."

Chen Ningxi: "No worries, I’ll finish them before you come back."

Cheng Qiaobei held the coffee with both hands, "By the way, I bought some ribs yesterday, you should cook them tonight."

Chen Ningxi: "Okay."

"You don’t need to clean the room, the auntie will come every other day to do it."

"Okay."

"Visit Mom and Dad more often."

"Got it."

"July starts the rainy season. Last time it rained, you took the umbrella from the car home. There’s an umbrella in my wardrobe, put it in the car to keep on hand."

"Okay."

"You don’t need to always rush the new house’s renovation progress, I’ve talked to Lin Hanrui. He understands this stuff better than us and is familiar with the renovation company. He’ll help keep an eye on it, just focus on your work."

"Got it."

Cheng Qiaobei frowned, seeming like there were still things he hadn’t finished instructing. Just as he was about to speak, Chen Ningxi smiled and said,

"If you don’t drink, the coffee will get cold."

Only then did Cheng Qiaobei look down and remember the coffee in his hands, curling his lips, "Am I being naggy?"

"As if I’d dare," Chen Ningxi rested her chin on the armrest and quietly looked at Cheng Qiaobei, "Looking back, I wouldn’t have understood why I chose you now."

Cheng Qiaobei raised an eyebrow, somewhat clueless.

Chen Ningxi said, "Do you know what my past criteria for choosing a partner were?"

Cheng Qiaobei shook his head.

"The first requirement was to be in the system."

Cheng Qiaobei took a sip of coffee with lingering fear, feeling a bit embarrassed, "The first rule already rules me out."

At that moment, a plane took off from the huge floor-to-ceiling window outside, and she watched it climb into the clouds.

"But now you’re exactly my criteria for choosing a partner." She reached out, counting his virtues, "You’re attentive, considerate, spoil me, understand me, are humorous, good-looking, with a great physique, and have a bit of money. So, what you call nagging is just attention, consideration, and love to me. How could I see it as nagging?"

Cheng Qiaobei clicked his tongue, raised an eyebrow, and said, "Praising me early in the morning is a bit sudden."

Chen Ningxi took the coffee from his hand, stared into his eyes, and slowly drank it. Her gaze was alluring, and her throat swallowed slowly, a gesture fully understood by those aware of its suggestive nature.

Cheng Qiaobei mischievously flicked her forehead lightly, "Don’t be naughty."

Chen Ningxi returned the coffee to him, her rosy tongue gently licking her lips corner, smiling even more slyly than him.

"Feeling less anxious now?"

After she said that, Cheng Qiaobei suddenly realized, remembering his detailed instructions earlier, it was indeed his anxiety over leaving.

Marriages are like rainfall after a drought for some, while for others, it’s akin to signing a long-term pro bono employment contract—the former loved, the latter indifferent.

Cheng Qiaobei and Chen Ningxi were the former, loving each other and deeply immersed in this relationship.

He glanced at his watch, Chen Ningxi asked, "What time did you schedule?"

Cheng Qiaobei said, "I told them to come at nine thirty."

The LED screen displayed eight forty-five.

Chen Ningxi was a bit downcast, "There are still forty-five minutes until we part."

Cheng Qiaobei corrected her, "It’s forty-five more minutes you can still spend with me."

From the moment she knew he was going on a business trip, Chen Ningxi never showed any opposition. To avoid making him feel burdened, she even graciously stepped away from phone calls with his ex-girlfriend.

This time, the overseas trip was not short. She had maintained a steady demeanor all along, so much so that Cheng Qiaobei really thought she wouldn’t be sad.

In hindsight, it was just a facade.

Cheng Qiaobei held her hand, "I’ll be back as soon as I can."

In her heart, Chen Ningxi felt reluctant but showed a nonchalant façade, "You’ve said it already. I’m fine, no need to comfort me."

Her reply was swift and unconstrained, but Cheng Qiaobei couldn’t convince himself to truly believe it.

Because she was Chen Ningxi—rational and clear-headed, knowing what needed to be done and when, supporting all his struggles and career endeavors wholeheartedly.

It’s often said that pampered women have good fortune, but wise women need care too.

Compared to those fragile little flowers, he preferred the resilient and independent wintersweet, just like their relationship; he was strong, and she was not weak, meeting at the summit.

After replying to a few work messages, he saw Chen Ningxi standing in front of the bookshelf picking a book to bring back.

"Bought a book?"

Chen Ningxi took it out of her bag. It was a copy of "Veil."

"What made you think of reading?" he asked.

Chen Ningxi said, "The summary seemed good. It’ll keep me company when you’re not home."

Cheng Qiaobei looked past her, "They’re here."

Chen Ningxi turned to follow his gaze and saw Jiang Wanyi leading the team, coming from a distance.

As they got closer, they exchanged greetings.

Jiang Wanyi took an ID from her bag and asked her assistant to go get the boarding pass, inquiring from Cheng Qiaobei, "Where’s your ID? Have it brought along."

Cheng Qiaobei said, "I’ve gotten mine already."

Jiang Wanyi’s eyes wandered between the two, "Want to say goodbye a bit more?"

"No need," she put the book back into her bag and said to Cheng Qiaobei, "Go on in."

Cheng Qiaobei hugged Chen Ningxi, kissing her on the forehead repeatedly, "I’m leaving. Take care of yourself so I don’t worry."

Chen Ningxi smiled, "There you go again, I’ll take good care of myself."

Reluctantly parting, Cheng Qiaobei released her, "I’m really leaving."

Chen Ningxi waved, "Go on in."

She watched them head toward security, and only when they disappeared did she turn and leave the departure building.

The airport entrance was bustling with cars and people coming and going; every day here played out the scenes of farewells and reunions, continuously repeating.

Overhead was a roaring sound. Chen Ningxi turned to watch another plane soar into the sky. Her heart felt heavy, although she couldn’t cry at the airport entrance. She quickened her steps to the parking lot, and as she sat in the car, her eyes felt itchy like something wanted to escape. Quickly, she grabbed a few tissues and pressed them against her eyes.

In no time, the tissues got damp, and with red-rimmed eyes, she started the car.

Turns out, her emotions weren’t so stable after all.

Meanwhile, Cheng Qiaobei was seated inside, unexpectedly, his seatmate was Jiang Wanyi.

The two exchanged glances, Cheng Qiaobei asked, "Should I switch seats with your assistant?"

Jiang Wanyi replied, "My assistant’s seat is in economy class, and it’s an aisle seat. She actually likes sitting by the window."

Cheng Qiaobei paused; he didn’t want to sit on the outer side either.

As the plane took off, Jiang Wanyi called for a flight attendant to bring a blanket. She put on an eye mask, saying to the person beside her,

"Qiaobei," Jiang Wanyi realized her mistake and quickly corrected it, "Manager Cheng, when the meal service comes, please collect it for me. I’ve been a bit tired these days and want to sleep a bit longer. Thank you."

Cheng Qiaobei said, "Okay."