Fated Love With the Billionaire
Chapter 164 Understanding Some Things

Chapter 164: Chapter 164 Understanding Some Things

Back home, Cheng Qiaobei started busying himself with unpacking the luggage he brought back, taking out skincare products and jewelry, all gifts for her.

"Here, try this on." Cheng Qiaobei opened the jewelry box, took out a necklace, and put it on Chen Ningxi, looking at her in the mirror, asking, "Do you like it?"

Chen Ningxi smiled, "I like it. Hey, you..."

Just as she was about to ask about him, Cheng Qiaobei turned and left the bedroom, saying while walking, "Just remembered, there are two shirts I haven’t washed."

Chen Ningxi reached behind her neck with both hands, took off the necklace, put it back in the jewelry box, and went to the walk-in closet, where she saw him coming out with two shirts.

He deliberately avoided her; Chen Ningxi could feel it.

Taking advantage of his distraction with laundry, Chen Ningxi used her phone to check the latest news about Jade Jiali, but there was nothing special, just two or three promotional messages about overseas hotels.

After her shower, wearing pajamas, Chen Ningxi returned to the bedroom, and as soon as she walked in, she saw Cheng Qiaobei lying on his side, propping his head up with a "waiting for you" look.

He patted the spot next to him.

"Your hair isn’t dry yet."

He patted again, "Come on."

She couldn’t misunderstand his intent. Chen Ningxi said, "I’ll go blow-dry my hair."

"Don’t run," Cheng Qiaobei stepped off the bed and grabbed her wrist, "I’ll help you dry it."

"I can do it myself."

Cheng Qiaobei pulled her towards the bathroom, "It’s inconvenient for you. I’ll dry it, much faster."

His urgency was unlike his usual calm demeanor. In bed, Cheng Qiaobei was wild and aggressive, especially when he was frenzied, like an uncontrollable beast wanting to devour her whole.

Holding her on the counter, Chen Ningxi braced her hands against the edge as he inserted his fingers into her hair with the dryer, gently teasing her locks with the blowing wind.

The hum of the blow dryer buzzed by her ear, his strong body in front of her, two buttons of his pajamas undone, revealing his beautifully defined chest muscles.

Instantly, seductive images filled her mind. Chen Ningxi took a deep breath, shifting her gaze back to her feet.

She tried to distract herself, not to think about the fiery entanglement, but her cheeks turned burning red.

When Cheng Qiaobei adjusted her hair to the side, he noticed her reddened ear, shifted his gaze to her face, observing her unnatural expression.

He set down the blow dryer, grabbing her neck and lifting it, forcing Chen Ningxi’s head back, her vision blackened as his lips met hers.

"Mm..."

She froze for just a second, then closed her eyes and began to respond to him.

Her hand reached into his pajama top, caressing the taut muscles and strong torso, her legs climbing up his toned waist.

The buttons of her pajamas were undone one by one by him, trailing kisses down her shoulder.

In the mirror behind, reflecting her slender, beautiful back, his distinct-jointed hands roamed greedily over her shoulder blades.

He stepped forward, using himself to spread her legs...

In the bathroom, chaotic breaths and soft gasps overlapped and reverberated.

Moonlight draped over their sweat-laden bodies. Chen Ningxi gazed out at the moon, asking, "Why did you come back early? I know, you’re afraid I’ll worry, so you didn’t tell me. But if you don’t even confide in me, who else could you talk to?"

Cheng Qiaobei’s arm draped over the edge of the bed, his hand naturally hanging down, his eyes open, saying, "If a man keeps venting to his wife, it would seem useless of him."

Chen Ningxi turned over, hugging Cheng Qiaobei, "But if you don’t tell me, I feel useless. Everyone needs an outlet, to talk with someone, it feels a bit better once it’s out."

Cheng Qiaobei was silent for a while, "...Didn’t we discuss the topic that the outstanding too easily overshadow before? Now, it seems to have come true."

Chen Ningxi quickly grasped the point, "You’re his son. If he doesn’t trust you, who can he trust?"

Cheng Qiaobei laughed it off, "He doesn’t want a trustworthy son. He wants a piece that won’t break from his control. Now that the overseas hotel project is about to wrap up, now he sends a manager over to replace me. Do you know what people are saying behind my back? Saying I’ve run around just to make a wedding dress for someone else. I can understand him though. Voices in the middle and upper management have already questioned him. And I’m at a peak time. Ulterior motivated executives plan to use me against him, yet I vetoed the hotel he personally started. In his view, I’m a rebellious son plotting a coup.

If he doesn’t call me back, he’s worried the overseas hotel will become my second stepping stone."

Chen Ningxi asked, "Was calling you back an oral notification, or was there a formal letter?"

"They issued a formal letter through the group’s internal OA platform," Cheng Qiaobei said.

If it were just communicated orally, this thing would still be negotiable, or perhaps Cheng Xiangheng just wanted to humble him a bit for the moment.

But forming a written letter and issuing it through official channels for the entire company meant something entirely different.

"Calling you back, was it to return to Zhoushan Hotel or report to the headquarters?" Chen Ningxi asked.

Cheng Qiaobei said, "No mention, just told to return."

Chen Ningxi lifted her head, "... What does ’no mention’ mean? Are they not giving you any position?"

When Cheng Qiaobei received the appointment letter, he already inferred Cheng Xiangheng’s intention.

Chen Ningxi said, "Did you not try to look for him to clarify?"

Cheng Qiaobei wryly curled his lips, "Haha... Explain what? He only believes what he wants to believe. Even if I explain, it won’t change his mind. Besides, since receiving the appointment letter, I haven’t contacted him, nor the company."

"..." So, to Chen Ningxi’s understanding, Cheng Qiaobei was effectively sidelined by Cheng Xiangheng.

"Does he know you’ve returned to the country?"

"He surely knows. After I handed over my handover tasks, Manager Wan would report it to him." Cheng Qiaobei propped himself up, leaning on the headboard, pulling her into his arms, his gaze deep, staring into the dark, saying, "My dad doesn’t trust anyone, only himself. Therefore, the group must remain in his hands for him to feel secure. Even the slightest figure overshadowing him needs to be feared."

Chen Ningxi felt those with ability in choosing jobs wouldn’t be bound to treatment, but more so to mood and interpersonal relationships.

With Cheng Qiaobei’s business prowess, no matter which hotel he switched to, the results would be remarkable.

Chen Ningxi said, "Can I say something that might upset you?"

"How could it?" Cheng Qiaobei kissed her on the forehead.

"If working at Jade Jiali is unhappy, then stop. You have ability, not lacking places to show it, but being constantly doubted, I feel sad for you watching it." Chen Ningxi paused, "... Have you ever thought about leaving?"

Before, he indeed hadn’t considered it. Not that there weren’t headhunting companies contacting him, offering high-paying positions to lure him. Cheng Qiaobei had refused them.

But now the situation was different.