Fated Love With the Billionaire
Chapter 216 I Really Can’t Sit Still Anymore

Chapter 216: Chapter 216 I Really Can’t Sit Still Anymore

Chen Ningxi and the others came out of the pig farm’s power distribution room. There wasn’t any electricity theft, but the wiring inside the circuit breaker was severely aged, which could easily cause safety production accidents. Tian Quan and Liu Shaojun helped replace the old wires in the distribution room.

To be honest, there wasn’t much work, and the materials they used were all leftover scraps from the work truck. Sir Gao insisted on giving them money, but Chen Ningxi politely declined.

Xu Tao was among the crowd, watching the electric crew walk out. Sir Gao had his wife pick a bag of melons from their field.

"Manager Chen, it’s okay not to take money, but you must accept these melons. They’re grown right here in our field, not worth much. Have a taste, they’re really sweet."

Chen Ningxi smiled and said, "Sir Gao, one bag is too much. Three of us can’t finish them all, and they’ll get ruined in the hot car this afternoon. How about we just take three, eat them as we walk, to avoid waste, okay?"

With that, Chen Ningxi took three small melons from the bag. "Thank you, Sir Gao."

Sir Gao replied, "No need for all this courteousness, I should be thanking you all for fixing the power for me. Otherwise, hiring someone to do it would cost me at least three to five hundred."

"Don’t see us off, Sir Gao. It’s hot, you should head back."

Chen Ningxi and her colleagues walked out of the Gao family’s farm. Xu Tao, who had just met them, made some face familiarities and asked, "It’s noon, aren’t you all taking a break for lunch?"

"It’s already twelve o’clock, you two must be hungry too." Only then did Chen Ningxi remember she was busy and had forgotten lunch. She checked her watch and asked Xu Tao, "Is there a restaurant nearby?"

Xu Tao said, "Yes, there are two restaurants on the village street. The one at the end, Laohaochi, isn’t hygienic. The one at the street entrance, Mantanghong, is clean, sanitary, and the taste is nice. I actually planned to have lunch there with friends, I can show you the way and hitch a ride with you."

Chen Ningxi didn’t mind the details. "Alright, let’s go, it’s on the way."

Once in the car, Xu Tao noticed a case of mineral water at his feet, already opened, presumably what they usually drank. But in this heat, the water in the car was almost warm.

Navigating through the village’s only street, they passed the small restaurant at the end. It looked unhygienic with several large and small vehicles parked at its entrance, packed with people.

After a bit of driving, they arrived at Mantanghong Restaurant. Everyone got out of the car, and Chen Ningxi glanced at the restaurant sign; it did look cleaner than the other one.

Eight or nine vehicles were parked in front of the restaurant, located advantageously at an intersection. Vehicles passing by would choose to stop and dine here.

However, Chen Ningxi didn’t notice that one of the Lincoln Navigators belonged to Pan Cheng.

It wasn’t Chen Ningxi’s fault. Pan Cheng had been to the office several times, always driving the company car. This time he drove his personal car.

Xu Tao opened the door and greeted the owner: "Sister-in-law, is there a table available?"

She said, "No tables left. The hall and private rooms are all full. No idea why it’s so crowded today."

Chen Ningxi paused and was about to suggest eating elsewhere when Xu Tao invited her, "Manager Chen, if you don’t mind, would you like to share a table with us?"

Chen Ningxi said, "As long as it doesn’t bother you, we can share a table."

At this point, they were so hungry that even the front and back ribs were pressing together. Just having a place to eat would do.

Xu Tao said, "Inside, second door."

Chen Ningxi said, "I’ll go to the restroom."

Tian Quan and Liu Shaojun also wanted to wash their hands.

Xu Tao pointed the way, "End of the corridor, men on the left, women on the right."

After washing her hands, Chen Ningxi returned. As she entered the private room, she saw Pan Cheng already seated, looking surprised when he saw her.

"Wow, Manager Chen, how come you’re here?"

Around the round table were six chairs. Pan Cheng sat at the main seat inside, with two empty chairs on his left and Xu Tao on his right, followed by Tian Quan and Liu Shaojun.

Chen Ningxi pulled out the chair by the door and sat down, "We’re here for inspections."

Pan Cheng quickly got up, "Manager Chen, don’t sit by the door. That’s where food comes in and out. It could spill and scald you. Sit over here."

Seeing him pull out the chair next to him, Chen Ningxi politely declined, "This one is fine. It’s inconvenient going in and out from inside."

Pan Cheng said, "Then at least move your chair a bit away. It’s easy to get scalded by the dishes."

Chen Ningxi symbolically shifted her chair but the position barely changed.

Xu Tao chatted with Pan Cheng about matters between friends, and Chen Ningxi paid little additional attention.

"Owner, I’d like to order." Chen Ningxi had just called out when Pan Cheng stopped her, "Manager Chen, I’ve already ordered the food, let’s eat together."

Chen Ningxi said, "My colleagues and I just planned to share a table. Didn’t expect to meet you. We’ll eat quickly and not interrupt your chat."

She told Tian Quan, "Tian Quan, ask the owner for something quick, order three servings."

Understanding the hint, Tian Quan promptly left the room.

Pan Cheng said, "You’re still being formal with me over a meal."

Chen Ningxi gave a distant smile, "We’ve got tasks in the afternoon. We’ll grab a quick bite and have to keep working."

Gradually, two waiters came in with dishes, and in no time, six substantial dishes were served.

Pan Cheng asked Chen Ningxi, "What will you be drinking?"

Chen Ningxi said, "Don’t worry about us, we brought our own water."

Xu Tao chimed in, "The mineral water in the car was practically boiling, how are you even going to drink it?"

He quickly called for the waiter to bring two bottles of beverages and Pan Cheng said, "And three bottles of Baishui Mountain."

These were clearly for the three of them, and Chen Ningxi saw through it.

Pan Cheng stood up to pour a drink for Chen Ningxi and placed a bottle of mineral water by her hand. She expressed her thanks, "Thank you. I can help myself."

Xu Tao offered to pour beer for Tian Quan, who quickly declined, "Can’t, I have to drive this afternoon."

Liu Shaojun also waved his hands, "We’re not allowed to drink before going on duty."

Pan Cheng said to Chen Ningxi, "Manager Chen, have a simple bite. You see, if you don’t start, they can’t either."

Chen Ningxi said, "Our food will soon be here too. You all eat and chat without minding us."

"How could I continue eating while you’re just sitting there? I can’t enjoy my meal like that." Pan Cheng gestured at her, "Don’t be so formal with me, it’s just a meal, nothing serious."

Chen Ningxi said, "Manager Pan, if you keep insisting, I really can’t stay seated."

Her smiling eyes held an undeniable firmness, letting him know she genuinely would leave if he kept pressing.

Pan Cheng said helplessly, "You, really, I’m at a loss with you."

The conversation passed with jokes and laughter, but only Xu Tao actually picked up his chopsticks while Pan Cheng continued with just a glass of water beside him.

When the stir-fried noodles for the three arrived, in the hot weather, Chen Ningxi didn’t have much appetite and ate sparingly. The two big men devoured theirs quickly. Chen Ningxi stood and bid goodbye to Pan Cheng.

"Manager Pan, we’re leaving now, enjoy the rest of your chat."

Pan Cheng followed them out to the door, and as Chen Ningxi got into the passenger seat and Tian Quan opened the car door, Pan Cheng placed two cooler boxes into the work truck.

He said, "I’ve packed two boxes of cold mineral water in my car, take them to drink. One box has sliced fruit for you to eat on the way."

Chen Ningxi said, "Manager Pan, there’s no need, we have water."

Pushing Tian Quan into the back seat and closing the car door, Pan Cheng said to Tian Quan, "If you argue with me over just a bottle of water, I’ll be upset."

He tapped the car door, "Off you go."