Fated Love With the Billionaire
Chapter 194: Finding Joy in Marriage

Chapter 194: Chapter 194: Finding Joy in Marriage

To avoid any interruptions during the interview, Cheng Qiaobei left his mobile with Deng Yan, who was tasked with taking important calls on his behalf. Standing just outside the camera’s view, Deng Yan accompanied the interview throughout. When he saw a WeChat message from someone saved as ’Wifey’ on the screen, it reminded him of that night when Cheng Qiaobei gleefully waved his phone, saying his wife had come to pick him up.

The smug and proud expression on his face was something old Cheng Qiaobei could never have pulled off. Marriage had changed him so much.

After the interview wrapped up, Deng Yan handed the phone over. "Your wife messaged you," he teased, adding, "An hour ago," just to see his reaction.

"..."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Qiaobei walked towards his office, replying to the message as he went.

Watching him, mouth curling into a smile, eyes filled with happiness, Deng Yan was taken aback. This wasn’t the Cheng Qiaobei he knew. Shaking his head, he thought to himself,

Many of those around him had gotten married, but only he had found joy in marriage.

Right then, Cheng Qiaobei sent a reply.

north: Finally remembered me?

Chen Ningxi: Just finished cleaning the house, my back hurts. I can’t multitask.

north: You’ve worked hard, wife. I’ll give you a massage when I get back.

Chen Ningxi: Are you blaming me for contacting you late?

north: I’m big-hearted, forgiving you is my only option.

Chen Ningxi sent him a picture of the lunch she prepared, filled with dishes he loved, and typed: I’m someone worthy of your forgiveness.

Opening the picture, Cheng Qiaobei’s smile grew wider.

He sent two drooling emojis.

north: Is this what they call "wife’s love"?

Chen Ningxi laughed and replied: Not flattering enough, not affectionate enough.

Cheng Qiaobei closed his office door, sat down, and went into full flattery mode.

north: My wife is the legendary beauty that makes fish sink and birds fall, the sun pales in comparison to your radiant splendor. Compared to you, I’m like an ant trying to outshine the bright moon.

Feeling it wasn’t flattering enough, Cheng Qiaobei continued typing: Dreams of your clothes and flowers’ faces in the spring breeze, a perfect metaphor for you, truly the essence of Yang Guifei.

Chen Ningxi happened to be on a call with Ye Yujun. When she checked her phone afterward, she found another message from Cheng Qiaobei: Where are you? Not flattered enough?

Chen Ningxi laughed, typed: Just got off the phone with my mom.

north: She’s my mom too, you know.

Chen Ningxi asked: Was it smooth at the company today?

north: Smooth.

Chen Ningxi: Are you coming home for dinner?

north: Not likely.

Seeing him busy, Chen Ningxi decided not to take up more of his time.

Chen Ningxi: Go on and be busy.

Having just finished his interview, all Cheng Qiaobei wanted was to chat with his wife, so he quickly called her back.

north: Hold it right there.

He added a gif of a character chasing a taxi, adding, Swallow, what would I do without you?

Chen Ningxi: ??

north: Your mission now is to be on standby, ready to chat with me anytime.

Chen Ningxi: Why? Why should I be on standby? No way.

north: I’m tired, I need you to recharge me.

Chen Ningxi: If you’re tired, just close your eyes and rest, quit staring at your phone.

Cheng Qiaobei smacked his tongue, opened the online banking app, and sent her a screenshot of his balance.

Chen Ningxi was just about to ask what he meant when Cheng Qiaobei asked: Can you wait?

Chen Ningxi snorted with laughter and replied: I can wait.

north: Still mad?

Chen Ningxi: No, I’m not mad at all. Rest assured, I promise to complete the mission.

north: Good, I’m very pleased with your attitude.

Chen Ningxi: As long as the money’s right, anything goes.

north: Can you still be on standby now?

Chen Ningxi: Yes! Ready and waiting.

north: That’s the spirit. Wait for me tonight, I’ll make sure to show you all my affection.

Chen Ningxi: Red alert, red alert.

north: When did this happen?

Chen Ningxi: Just today.

north: I want to pamper you, but you’re such a letdown.

Chen Ningxi: Let’s reschedule for seven days later.

north: Dream on, you want me to wait seven days?

Chen Ningxi gritted her teeth and sent an angry emoji: What do you plan to do? Are you trying to disrupt social harmony, making yourself disappear?

north: With your small frame wanting to vanish me, who was the one crying in my arms? Are you not that you anymore?

Recalling how she indeed curled up crying in his arms last night in pain, Chen Ningxi’s face flushed with heat.

She simply stopped replying.

He knew her boundaries were only so far. Checking the time, Cheng Qiaobei realized it was time to convene his team meeting.

north: Wife, I might have to work late tonight. Don’t wait up for dinner. If you’re sleepy, go to bed earlier.

When Chen Ningxi replied again, he had already dived back into work.

Wei Lai was the first to knock on Cheng Qiaobei’s office door. Seeing his calm demeanor, she congratulated him,

"Congratulations on making senior partner."

Cheng Qiaobei raised an eyebrow, smiling as he looked her over, "You’re looking quite refreshed, I guess you’re getting along well with Manager Wang. You didn’t even rant when you saw me. Should we let Manager Wang co-manage the Zhoushan Hotel with you?"

"No way!" Wei Lai refused at once, "Please, no, I’ve had enough of him. You have no idea, having someone constantly chirping ’Secretary Wei this, Secretary Wei that’ all day, calling you morning, noon, and night. My head might explode from the noise. If you hadn’t told me to hold on, I might have resigned already."

"How’s Wang Jiangtao otherwise? Though he’s a bit talkative, he’s strict in management, which is good for the Zhoushan Hotel." Cheng Qiaobei chuckled, pulling out a chair to sit.

"He’s not just a bit talkative. The whole Zhoushan Hotel staff and I are overwhelmed by his thoroughness. He’s messed up even our scheduled work hours and holds meetings whether or not the hotel is full. He calls a few of us to talk for two or three hours, his energy to speak outlasts my energy to listen." Wei Lai spilled her months of grievances, which made Cheng Qiaobei frown, "When did Manager Wang become obsessed with meetings?"

"I just found out too. I’d heard he liked meetings, but didn’t realize it was this bad." Wei Lai let out a sigh of relief, "Now, finally, peace."

Seeing her clasp her hands in prayer, Cheng Qiaobei joked, "I finally found a way to deal with you."

Wei Lai: "..."

Cheng Qiaobei: "Next time you don’t listen to me, I’ll give Manager Wang a call to hold a meeting for you."

Wei Lai: "... Could you be more cruel? We’ve worked together for so many years."

Cheng Qiaobei leaned back in his chair, comfortably resting his hand on the tabletop, the smile on his face fading as he spoke seriously, "Let’s talk business. I need a team dedicated to serving me alone. I’ve found three people now, counting you, Su Ruirui, and Zhang Bo, I still need about seven or eight more. Do you have any recommendations from within the group?"

Su Ruirui and Zhang Bo were managers of two other important chains run by Cheng Qiaobei, making the three of them his trusted aides.

Wei Lai asked, "What kind of talents do you need?"

Cheng Qiaobei gave a brief outline of his needs, and Wei Lai immediately drafted a list based on his requirements.