Fated Love With the Billionaire
Chapter 219: Marshmallow

Chapter 219: Chapter 219: Marshmallow

The construction project by the program crew gave Lin Hanrui’s company a financial cushion period. When Liang Lei heard about it, she even called Chen Ningxi to chat about it.

"Say what you will, your Mr. Cheng really knows how to get things done," Liang Lei said.

Chen Ningxi was on her way to a check-up. The road wasn’t smooth, and she occasionally bumped up and down. She held the handrail above her head while taking the call.

"Although they’re good brothers, Lin Hanrui must have won the opportunity based on his business prowess, making him a top choice among others," Chen Ningxi replied.

Liang Lei had great confidence in Lin Hanrui’s business ability. "He knows his stuff when it comes to business. Before, I even got friends and relatives to introduce him to work, and they were all quite satisfied. And you know what, Lin Hanrui being able to put aside his pride is thanks to your Mr. Cheng."

"Thank him?" Chen Ningxi asked, puzzled.

Liang Lei explained, "At first, Lin Hanrui was reluctant to take on jobs I introduced him to, thinking the work was too small and the money too little. But after your Mr. Cheng advised him, now he takes any job. People should be like this, able to adapt. When you’re on top, you need to look down at the path you’re treading; when you’re at the bottom, you should look up at the broader sky. Without this mindset, how can you get things done?"

Chen Ningxi said, "To dare to quit a stable job with a high salary and start his own business is already impressive—most people don’t have his courage."

"His family thought he was crazy, especially his uncle. He got into the design institute thanks to his uncle’s connections, and when he proposed to resign, his uncle was the first to oppose," Liang Lei said, trailing off with a sigh.

Chen Ningxi could imagine the scene. "How’s he getting along with his family now?"

"Don’t even mention it. Since he resigned, he hasn’t returned home. I’ve advised him as well—they’re his parents after all; a few words of apology and it would be over. But that stubborn ox Hanrui just won’t listen," Liang Lei lamented. "Now he wants to prove himself to them. He just won’t listen to advice."

Every family has its own troubles, Chen Ningxi thought, saying, "He’s already quit his job and started the company; now the focus should be on doing the job well in front of him."

Liang Lei said, "That’s how I see it. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have used my connections to get him work. My parents know I’m dating him, and they want me to bring him home. Lin Hanrui says he’ll meet them when he’s doing better. Isn’t he interesting? My parents are willing to meet him, and he refuses. I’m really baffled. Later, when he wants to meet them, they might not even want to see him."

"This..." Chen Ningxi felt it was important. "You should seriously talk to Lin Hanrui about meeting your parents to avoid any misunderstanding."

"They’re already misunderstanding him. My mom is already advising me to break up with him, saying he isn’t serious about our relationship, and if he isn’t serious, we shouldn’t waste each other’s time," Liang Lei said, increasingly frustrated. "I’ve tried talking to him, but he’s just not listening, making it seem like I’m desperately trying to introduce him to my parents and won’t marry anyone but him."

Chen Ningxi asked, "Are you two fighting?"

Liang Lei replied, "There’s no time for fighting. He’s either drafting designs in the company or out doing business. At night, he just crashes into bed; there’s not even time for us to talk."

Chen Ningxi said, "His company is in the initial stages, and the pressure is on him. Try to understand him more."

"I truly do. If I didn’t, we’d have broken up long ago. I believe with his drive, he’ll succeed," Liang Lei said with a sigh. "Oh, we’ve talked only about him. How about you? How much longer will your check-up take?"

"A week, I think."

"Do you have time this weekend? Let’s get together for a bath and some food."

"Sure."

After finishing up her inspections for the day, Chen Ningxi contacted Cheng Qiaobei. He had an urgent matter and couldn’t pick her up, so he asked Tian Quan to drop her off at an intersection not far from her home. Realizing the items in the fridge were running low, she went to the nearby supermarket to shop.

Tian Quan parked the engineering vehicle in the unit lot. Liu Shaojun got out from the back seat, turned around, and saw Pan Cheng approaching. He greeted both of them with a smile.

"You’re back early today." Pan Cheng took out a Furong Wang cigarette and offered it to each of them. Liu Shaojun declined politely. "Thanks, but I don’t smoke."

Tian Quan said, "I just quit, don’t bother."

Pan Cheng showed a hint of embarrassment as he took back the cigarettes. "You guys were out all day; that must be tough."

Tian Quan took out his tool bag and swung it over his shoulder. "We’re used to it."

Pan Cheng asked them, "Where’s Manager Chen?"

Liu Shaojun closed the car door after putting down the inspection box, patted the dust off his clothes with his gloves, causing Pan Cheng to step back two steps.

Tian Quan replied, "Manager Chen got off halfway, didn’t say where she was going."

Liu Shaojun showed no expression. "I don’t know either."

Just as they were about to leave, Pan Cheng asked again, "Where are you going for inspections tomorrow?"

Liu Shaojun, with a stern face, asked, "Why are you asking this?"

Pan Cheng smiled, "Don’t overthink it, brother. With this hot weather, I thought I’d send you folks working the front lines some heat-relief care packages."

Liu Shaojun said, "No need, our unit provides them."

He was a former military officer transferred to local electric work, skilled in electrical tech, straightforward by nature. He could tell that Pan Cheng was trying to cozy up to Chen Ningxi, someone he didn’t find appealing.

Before Pan Cheng could say more, Liu Shaojun picked up his inspection box and walked around him, leaving Tian Quan to nod at Pan Cheng, "I’m off work too, Manager Pan."

With noses in the air, Pan Cheng returned to his car and called Dai Chi.

"Do you know where Manager Chen went for inspections today?"

Dai Chi had just gotten home from work and hadn’t even had a chance to sit down. "She should have gone to Wushan Town today."

Pan Cheng had gone to Wushan Town today but hadn’t seen Chen Ningxi.

"What’s up?" Dai Chi asked in return.

"Nothing, just asking," Pan Cheng replied.

After hanging up, Pan Cheng fell into deep thought. Looks like she was avoiding him.

If this tactic didn’t work, he’d have to change his approach.

Pan Cheng’s car drove out of the electric company. In the corridor, Liu Shaojun frowned and retracted his gaze with disdain.

Coming out of the tool room, Tian Quan said, "Manager Pan is quite interesting."

Liu Shaojun said, "Don’t mention the water delivery to anyone."

Tian Quan said, "Am I stupid? I wouldn’t say."

Liu Shaojun planned to remind Chen Ningxi to be cautious of Pan Cheng the next day.

Meanwhile, Chen Ningxi finished her grocery shopping and left the supermarket, running into a cotton candy vendor at the entrance. She bought a rabbit-shaped one and a rainbow one, planning to share them with Cheng Qiaobei.

While entering the residential area, some kids playing around expressed envy towards her cotton candy. Just as she was enjoying the attention, someone called out to her from behind:

"Ningxi..."

"!" Chen Ningxi froze, thinking, "Oh, no." "Mom, why are you here?"

"The pork belly I bought this morning is fresh, so I made braised pork and wrapped beef dumplings for Cheng. I’m bringing them to you," said Ye Yujun, holding a thermal bag as she approached her daughter. Upon seeing the cotton candy in her hand, she frowned. "Why are you eating street food again? Look, there are black spots on it. It’s not clean, and these are all artificial colors and saccharin. Eating too much is bad for your health."

Just as Ye Yujun was about to throw it away, Cheng Qiaobei walked over quickly, calling out, "Mom, when did you arrive?"

Ye Yujun said, "I just got here. I made your favorite beef dumplings."

"Mom, how did you know I was craving these?" Cheng Qiaobei took the thermal bag from her and gently escorted her towards the building, discreetly signaling Chen Ningxi to eat quickly.

Chen Ningxi looked around and, seeing no one, quickly unwrapped the cotton candy and took a bite.

By the time they entered the elevator, there was only one cotton candy left.

"Where’s the other one?" Ye Yujun asked.

"I ate it," Chen Ningxi replied, licking her lip.

"Tsk, didn’t I tell you it’s unsanitary?" Ye Yujun insisted that she throw it away, and Cheng Qiaobei quickly interjected, "Mom, leave this to me; I’ll make sure she throws it away."