Fated Love With the Billionaire
Chapter 157: Pretending to be Noble

Chapter 157: Chapter 157: Pretending to be Noble

When the waiter brought the birthday cake, Jiang Wanyi clasped her hands in prayer and closed her eyes devoutly, but for a moment couldn’t think of any wishes to make.

Living in a foreign country for many years, her anticipation for a beautiful future had long been worn down to a dull routine.

The life she once yearned for was not as beautiful as she had hoped, so her persistence seemed absurd and laughable.

On many drunken nights, images of living in a small apartment with Cheng Qiaobei appeared in her mind. Life then was simple and beautiful, and Cheng Qiaobei was young and passionate.

Fueled by alcohol, Jiang Wanyi shared many hardships and difficulties she encountered abroad. Cheng Qiaobei’s composure allowed him to politely listen to all her complaints.

He was a great listener, and Jiang Wanyi hadn’t opened her heart so defenselessly to someone in a long time. In the romantic music and beautiful atmosphere, she was delicate and moving, her tearful appearance irresistible to any man.

Looking at the time, Jiang Wanyi took the initiative, "It’s getting late, I should go back. Thank you so much for today’s birthday, I had a great time. I’ll take the cake home."

Outside, the sky was as dark as ink. At this hour, it wasn’t very safe for a woman alone on the street, so Cheng Qiaobei, worried about her, offered,

"I’ll have someone take you home."

"No need," Jiang Wanyi declined his good intentions, "It’s okay, I can manage myself."

The more a woman acts tough, the more it stirs a man’s protective instincts.

But to Cheng Qiaobei, the dark streets after ten had lurking dangers, and as a normal person, he couldn’t ignore the existing risks. In case of consequences, what’s lost could be a human life.

"Don’t argue," Cheng Qiaobei picked up the cake, "Let’s go."

In the narrow corridor, Jiang Wanyi watched his carefree silhouette. Fueled by the alcohol, she unexpectedly caught up and blocked his path, saying,

"We both have time today, come sit at my place for a while."

Cheng Qiaobei’s gaze suddenly darkened, his voice carrying a hint of distant coolness, "What did you say?"

Jiang Wanyi moved boldly forward a step, her perfume mixed with the scent of wine from her body wafting into his nose. Any normal man would understand her implication, and Cheng Qiaobei was no exception.

"Qiao Bei..." Jiang Wanyi’s gaze was blurred, her eyes filled with desire. Grabbing his collar, she stood on tiptoe, about to kiss him when Cheng Qiaobei dodged.

Jiang Wanyi paused, steadied her emotions, and said again, "Let’s be friends with benefits."

"..."

Cheng Qiaobei distanced himself from her, raising his hand with the wedding ring, "I’m married, it’s impossible for me to have anything with anyone, including you."

Jiang Wanyi brushed her bangs, trying to stay calm, "No need to act noble in front of me. Men satisfying their physical needs is no big deal, especially when you’ve been apart for a month; you don’t want to, who’d believe it?

Don’t worry, I won’t ruin your family. We’re just addressing physical needs here, enjoying male-female pleasure.

When you return to your country, you continue your life as usual. Whatever happens here, no one will know."

Jiang Wanyi stared at him seriously and asked, "So, do you want to be with me tonight?"

Cheng Qiaobei’s eyes showed disdain, and Jiang Wanyi deeply felt his dislike and scorn, but the men she knew never turned down a free meal.

"I’m safer than those street girls."

Jiang Wanyi let her hair fall over her shoulders, tilting her head slightly, revealing a beautiful neck curve and fair skin, her deep breath seductive and alluring. She didn’t believe Cheng Qiaobei would refuse her so enticing.

Cheng Qiaobei asked calmly, "Have you drunk too much?"

Hearing this, Jiang Wanyi felt as if she had heard a funny joke, "Isn’t it more exciting when you’re drunk?"

Cheng Qiaobei’s voice was deep, his tone calm, "If you’ve had too much, go wash your face in the bathroom to sober up."

After speaking, he turned and walked away.

Listening to the fading footsteps, Jiang Wanyi covered her face, feeling so defeated that she wanted to cry.

The man who once loved her so much was now so indifferent that she had no means to respond.

Cheng Qiaobei called the hotel driver and handed the cake to the waitress, asking them to escort Jiang Wanyi home.

As they passed by each other, Jiang Wanyi said, "You must feel very proud. I dumped you back then, and now I want to go back, but you’re married, and I can’t have you. Do you think I’m ridiculous?"

Cheng Qiaobei was too lazy to explain, "Think whatever you want."

With that, he headed straight for the elevator.

As he had said, former lovers couldn’t just become friends without any leftover feelings.

Back in his room, Cheng Qiaobei took off his clothes, removed his wedding ring, placed it safely, and entered the bathroom, turning on the shower.

Steam rose, blurring his sharply defined face. He could mess around outside, and she wouldn’t know, but Cheng Qiaobei wouldn’t do that. For nothing else, he knew well that once a man crosses the moral Bottom Line, the future would be endless betrayal and unapologetic infidelity.

He didn’t want a tainted marriage, nor did he need dirty relationships.

Chen Ningxi hadn’t received a video call from Cheng Qiaobei for almost a week. Just when she was about to have lunch, her phone’s video request rang.

Seeing his avatar, Chen Ningxi accepted with a smile in her eyes.

As the screen lit up, Chen Ningxi covered her mouth in surprise, "You... what are you doing?"

Cheng Qiaobei’s hair was wet, his upper body bare, and due to his sitting posture, the white towel around his waist was loosely fastened, the dense hair below his navel looked wild and fierce, seemingly about to expose him at any moment.

"Can you come over for a few days?" Cheng Qiaobei asked.

Chen Ningxi was taken aback, "...Hm?"

He indeed held back for too long but definitely not due to Jiang Wanyi’s provocation, "No big deal, just teasing you."

Chen Ningxi noticed his hair had grown, the tips nearly covering his eyes, giving him a kind of artist’s disheveled look.

"Find some time to get a haircut," Chen Ningxi said.

Cheng Qiaobei looked down, eyes focusing on the hair tips, twirling a strand between two fingers, "Is it okay?"

"It’s untidy, a bit sloppy."

"Okay, I’ll go to the barber tomorrow." He leaned back against the chair, arms outstretched, with a lazy posture, "Haven’t seen you in a few days, I miss you, wife."

Chen Ningxi smiled gently, "I miss you too."

Cheng Qiaobei raised his eyebrows, a playful and arrogant smile on his lips, "If I hadn’t reminded you, you wouldn’t even say you miss me. Once you’re out of my sight, you’ve forgotten all about your husband, right?"

"Of course not. I’ve been busy, haven’t you been too?" Chen Ningxi rested her chin on her hands, fingertips tracing his abs across the screen.

"What are you doing," Cheng Qiaobei noticed her eyes focused in the wrong place.

Chen Ningxi said, "Touching your abs."

"Tsk..." Cheng Qiaobei turned away with a smile, "With my physique, there aren’t many like me at your workplace."