Fated Love With the Billionaire
Chapter 181: The Wife

Chapter 181: Chapter 181: The Wife

Cheng Qiaobei watched her finish her meal, handed her a napkin, and then began to clean up the lunchbox.

Chen Ningxi: "Let me do it."

"Don’t get your hands dirty," Cheng Qiaobei said while tidying up. "I need to tell you something. I have a flight to Rome at ten tonight. There’s been a PR crisis over at the hotel there. A guest found a stain on the bedsheet and posted a video on YouTube. In just two days, the video’s reach has neared a million views. Just when the hotel was starting to see improvement, this issue caused the occupancy rate to plummet, and many pre-booked rooms have been canceled. I’m going to calm the guests and find a way to resolve the current situation."

Chen Ningxi was puzzled, "Isn’t there a manager taking over your responsibilities?"

Cheng Qiaobei replied, "According to Manager Wan, he reached out to the guest immediately, but they refused an apology and any form of compensation."

Chen Ningxi: "This person is quite the character."

Cheng Qiaobei said, "She’s a travel influencer, a young girl with over two million followers. I looked her up after getting the call."

"A handful," Chen Ningxi remarked, "Who called you?"

Her gaze was steady as she looked at Cheng Qiaobei; he just smiled and replied, "Mr. Cheng."

He did not use the term "father," so the call was merely from a superior assigning a task to a subordinate.

If memory served correctly, they intended to isolate Cheng Qiaobei, from demoting him subtly to sending him to an overseas hotel. Just as he was about to turn things around, a new manager was parachuted in to take credit for his accomplishments. Then, he was recalled back home without any position or job, clearly waiting for him to resign out of frustration.

Chen Ningxi felt sorry for him and said angrily, "Don’t go, you’re not allowed to go."

Cheng Qiaobei’s gaze softened because she was the only person in the world who truly cared for him.

"If I don’t personally handle it, the PR crisis will be hard to resolve." Cheng Qiaobei brushed her loose hair behind her ear and gently pinched her earlobe.

Chen Ningxi knew he was trying to distract her, but she didn’t fall for it, "They only remember you when there’s a crisis. If there weren’t a hotel PR issue overseas, would they have even called?"

Cheng Qiaobei chuckled, "Your husband is so amazing, of course, he has to show up at the most critical moment."

Chen Ningxi looked at him with concern, "Our family isn’t relying on your job; you don’t have to achieve your life goals at Jade Jiali. I still stand by what I said – life is too short to let yourself be wronged."

"No wronged feelings," Cheng Qiaobei embraced her, his large hand gently soothing her back, "The video views are multiplying, and the impact now extends beyond financial losses. The most lethal effect on Jade Jiali is the brand image. The reputation I worked hard to build cannot be tarnished by an unverified video. Hotel occupancy rates are plummeting, affecting domestic clients as well. Many guests who had reserved rooms are canceling. This crisis came too quickly and with a powerful momentum, which is why I have to leave so abruptly."

Chen Ningxi hugged him tighter; she couldn’t stand seeing Cheng Qiaobei treated unfairly. She was fiercely protective of her own and said, "I don’t want you to be wronged. Even if you don’t work, I can support you."

"Pfft..." Cheng Qiaobei laughed, "You support me?"

Chen Ningxi nodded.

"Wife," Cheng Qiaobei’s eyes crinkled with laughter, "haven’t you heard the saying? Spending money on a man brings three generations of bad luck."

Chen Ningxi knew she couldn’t persuade him, "Do you really have to go?"

Cheng Qiaobei gave a small nod and rubbed his fingers together, "They paid me handsomely to go. Once the money comes in, it’s all yours."

Chen Ningxi pouted, "I don’t want the money, I just want you."

Cheng Qiaobei released her, stepped back, tilted his head to look at her, and pinched her cheek, "I signed a contract. If I don’t go, I’d have to pay a penalty."

Chen Ningxi: "How much is the penalty? I’ll pay it."

Cheng Qiaobei held out one hand.

Chen Ningxi confidently said, "I’ll cover half a million; who doesn’t have a temper?"

Cheng Qiaobei shook his head with a smile, "Add two zeros."

Chen Ningxi: "... You better go."

"Zzz..." Cheng Qiaobei frowned and grasped her shoulders, "Who just said everyone has a temper?"

Chen Ningxi stifled a laugh, "When faced with fifty million, temper really isn’t that important."

Cheng Qiaobei cupped her face and gave her a fierce kiss on her lips, "If you weren’t right, I’d definitely argue with you."

Both of them laughed, and Chen Ningxi had let out her feelings, feeling calmer. She began to caution Cheng Qiaobei.

"Since she doesn’t want anything, whoever approaches her will probably get the same result. If it can’t be resolved, has the company asked if you’d take responsibility?"

It wasn’t that she had a suspicious mind, but past incidents had been underhandedly exclusionary to Cheng Qiaobei, so she felt the need to remind him.

Cheng Qiaobei said, "I’ve thought about it, I’ve considered every possibility."

Chen Ningxi was incredulous, yet knowing Cheng Qiaobei’s intelligence, she knew he couldn’t overlook the hidden threats.

He said, "If her video is legitimate, the publication surely has demands. The bigger the commotion, the bigger the demand. What I need to do now is meet her personally and understand her real intentions."

Chen Ningxi expressed her doubt, "Is it possible she is like those store reviewers, not motivated by profit, merely sharing her experience? She wants nothing and therefore refused any apologies or compensation?"

Cheng Qiaobei said, "I went through her videos. Many experience videos aren’t impartial. That’s why I must meet her in person; only then will I know if she truly wants nothing."

Chen Ningxi nodded in understanding, "I’ll get off work on time tonight to help you pack."

Cheng Qiaobei playfully pinched her ear, "I’ve already packed."

During their hour and a half lunch break, Cheng Qiaobei ran into an acquaintance while going downstairs. They brushed past each other but stopped simultaneously.

The other person spoke first, greeting him with a smile, "You must be Manager Chen’s husband, right?"

At this moment, Cheng Qiaobei stood at the bottom of the steps, looking up at the person on the steps, "You’re Manager Pan?"

"Your memory is quite good," Pan Cheng smiled and extended his hand, "Nice to see you again, we seem to run into each other often."

Cheng Qiaobei shook his hand briefly, "Business visit?"

Pan Cheng replied with a chuckle, "Yes, I’m here to see Manager Chen. Is she in her office?"

Cheng Qiaobei: "She is."

Pan Cheng’s gaze fell on the lunchbox in his hand, "Bringing lunch to Manager Chen? That’s quite sweet."

Cheng Qiaobei said, "Not often, but since I have time today, I came to see her at work."

Pan Cheng raised his file bag, "I’m here to discuss the cable issue with her."

Cheng Qiaobei wasn’t that familiar with him and didn’t want too much information, "I’ll be on my way, don’t let me interrupt your business."

Pan Cheng curled his lips into a meaningful smile, "Goodbye."

He watched Cheng Qiaobei’s figure disappear around the corner before heading towards Chen Ningxi’s office.

Arriving at the general manager’s office door, Pan Cheng straightened his clothes and smoothed his hair. Compared to the average person, Pan Cheng had striking features, a handsome yet devilish charm, and a smile with dimples that women liked. There was something wild and roguish about him. Many married women were attracted to his type, and Pan Cheng had enjoyed the perks. Therefore, when facing the married Chen Ningxi, his interest was piqued once more.