Fated Love With the Billionaire
Chapter 21 I Passed By

Chapter 21: Chapter 21 I Passed By

Chen Ningxi turned to enter the community and unexpectedly saw Cheng Qiaobei standing by the road. She exclaimed, "Manager Cheng?"

Cheng Qiaobei was staring intently at the departing car and asked, "Who was that just now?"

Chen Ningxi replied, "Oh, a high school classmate of mine. He works at the education department now."

Cheng Qiaobei intentionally teased her, "Do you also have business dealings with the education department?"

Chen Ningxi didn’t catch the underlying meaning and answered truthfully, "Yes, the education department organized a campaign to promote fire safety awareness on campus. I represented the power company to educate on electrical safety. Haven’t you watched the news lately? Danjiang News broadcasted it."

"...Oh, you were promoting together then?" Cheng Qiaobei realized it was business-related, withdrew his gaze, and said, "I haven’t paid attention to the news; I don’t watch much TV."

Thinking that he was busy with the new hotel opening recently and indeed had no time, she asked, "Were you waiting for me?"

Cheng Qiaobei hesitated, "...I was just passing by."

"Passing by?" Chen Ningxi found it hard to believe. "Are you kidding? In this cold weather, you’re walking home without a car?"

Finding it hard to explain, Cheng Qiaobei said, "Exercise, you know. I’m very disciplined."

Chen Ningxi let out a bemused chuckle and pointed at the community gate. "I’m leaving now, so I won’t interrupt your exercise."

Cheng Qiaobei called out to her, "Wait a minute."

Chen Ningxi turned back, "Yes?"

Cheng Qiaobei smiled meaningfully, "Your classmate was quite thoughtful, dropping you off to the door. Did he even get out to send you off?"

This time, picking up on the insinuation, Chen Ningxi wasn’t about to let Cheng Qiaobei win. "What do you mean?"

She turned around, briskly walking up to Cheng Qiaobei until they were a step apart. With his height advantage, she had to tilt her head up, appearing small and somewhat cute from his angle.

"I didn’t mean anything; it’s just that he seems to like you," Cheng Qiaobei said.

Chen Ningxi asked, "How do you know he likes me?"

Cheng Qiaobei casually replied, "I can tell."

Chen Ningxi squinted at him, "You’re quite observant."

"He was so obvious, how could I not tell? But seeing your reaction now, are you planning to enter a new romantic Chapter?" Cheng Qiaobei questioned again, "Moved on from the heartbreak?"

The more she listened, the more she felt his sarcastic tone was deliberate. Deciding to push back, she aimed to show Cheng Qiaobei she wasn’t to be trifled with.

With a mocking smile, Chen Ningxi retorted, "Is Manager Cheng so concerned about my love life because you’re interested in me?"

"!"

The smile on his face instantly froze, as if Chen Ningxi had caught him off guard. But Cheng Qiaobei quickly regained his composure and sneered at her, "I think it’s you who’s interested in me."

Chen Ningxi chuckled, "When God was distributing seeds of wisdom, were you holding an umbrella?"

About to retake control of the conversation, Cheng Qiaobei saw Chen Ningxi dash to swipe open the community entrance and slip right in like a breeze.

"You!"

"Hurry home and get some sleep. In dreams, everything’s possible." Chen Ningxi waved at him teasingly through the iron gate, "Bye-bye, Your Majesty!"

After their verbal sparring, Cheng Qiaobei disappeared from Chen Ningxi’s life again for a while, during which He Yunyi became closer to her. They got along comfortably, and he was respectful. Though he didn’t explicitly say he wanted to pursue her, it was obvious to onlookers. Chen Ningxi, however, didn’t pick up on his insinuations and maintained a sociable distance.

He Yunyi truly seemed like a suitable marriage prospect, but as the saying goes, she didn’t feel that romantic need for him.

After dinner, Chen Ningxi received a call from He Yunyi, inviting her to play badminton at a nearby sports center. Pinching the little bit of pudge at her waist, she thought about the need for exercise.

Speaking of exercise, Chen Ningxi recalled Cheng Qiaobei who used to go for night runs. It was as if he vanished, with no sightings, calls, or updates on his social media.

By seven in the evening, the sports center was bustling. Dressed in black quick-dry clothing, Chen Ningxi exuded energy, her short hair adding to her fresh and lively appearance.

He Yunyi waved to her from a badminton court, "Chen Ningxi, over here."

Chen Ningxi grinned, raised her badminton racket, and headed over.

"Here, for a boost of energy." He Yunyi thoughtfully handed her a sports drink. Chen Ningxi took out her thermos, saying, "Thanks, but I drink hot water."

"Let’s begin." Chen Ningxi, holding her racket, was eager to begin.

He Yunyi said, "No rush, warm up first to avoid injuries."

Chen Ningxi stretched her back, flexed her ankles and wrists while He Yunyi answered a phone call. Judging from his conversation, he had received another task.

After he hung up, they moved to opposite sides of the net. Chen Ningxi served first. Despite her slender arms, she packed a punch, and after several rounds, He Yunyi was noticeably winded, while Chen Ningxi grew more in the zone, attracting many onlookers.

He Yunyi noticed some familiar faces among the crowd, feeling slightly embarrassed.

While Chen Ningxi retrieved a shuttlecock that landed out of bounds, a familiar figure entered her line of sight.

Though it was just a moment, she felt her heart skip a beat. She brushed off the strange emotion, calmly picked up the shuttlecock, and returned to the court.

Perhaps because he was there, Chen Ningxi felt awkward, and for the first time during her serve, she made an error. Blushing, she attempted the serve again. The shuttlecock arced high over the net, and He Yunyi smoothly stepped forward to save it, sending it back in a tricky angle. Chen Ningxi couldn’t react in time, earning He Yunyi a point.

Everyone praised He Yunyi’s impressive shot, but no one noticed Chen Ningxi had hurt her knee in the sprint.

He Yunyi nodded towards a familiar face in the crowd, and they exchanged nods and brief greetings.

In the next round, Chen Ningxi barely scored, turning from the one pressing He Yunyi to the one running all over the court, her stamina visibly declining and her jumps lower than before.

Suddenly, someone in the crowd said, "I’ll play a game with him."

Chen Ningxi wiped the sweat off her forehead with the back of her hand, turning to see Cheng Qiaobei step out of the crowd. Before she could react, her racket was taken, and he softly asked,

"Have you injured your knee before?"

Chen Ningxi said, "Yes, I’ve been injured before."

Cheng Qiaobei nodded, "Go rest."

He Yunyi stood far, unable to hear what they said, but it seemed they were quite familiar with each other.

Cheng Qiaobei raised the racket, signaling for He Yunyi to serve. Feeling challenged, He Yunyi tightened his grip and smashed the shuttlecock into the air.

Suddenly, Cheng Qiaobei leaped up, raising the racket high above his head, and executed a powerful smash. The shuttlecock shot like an arrow behind He Yunyi.