Fated Love With the Billionaire
Chapter 224: Drunk

Chapter 224: Chapter 224: Drunk

Chen Ningxi smiled at him, "Then you better watch me. If I drink too much, I might hit someone."

"Hehe, hit someone?" Cheng Qiaobei chuckled, "Would you really hit me?"

Chen Ningxi raised her walkie-talkie, "Forklift number three, move a bit forward, yes, just there." She turned it off, watched as the forklift gently placed the cable reel down, and said, "I really wouldn’t bear to. The husband I found with great effort, if I hit him and he runs away, what would I do?"

"Mm..." Cheng Qiaobei’s eyes and the corners of his mouth were filled with amusement, "The husband you found with a lantern, I like that metaphor."

Chen Ningxi glared at him, "You wish."

Dai Liang turned his head and saw Cheng Qiaobei standing next to Chen Ningxi. They had met once at their wedding, so he walked over and greeted Cheng Qiaobei, who pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and lit one for him.

The two men smoked and started chatting.

Cheng Qiaobei asked, "Did you reserve a spot for the late-night snacks?"

Dai Liang replied, "The seafood stall across from our institute, everyone usually eats there. The food is good, and the owner is nice."

After finishing up, they checked the time. It was nearly half-past ten.

The workers locked up the warehouse and started leaving in groups of three or five.

Chen Ningxi took off her hard hat, her hair flattened. Cheng Qiaobei was about to help her fix it when she stopped him.

"It’s fine, don’t worry about it."

Everyone was pretty easygoing and greeted Cheng Qiaobei as he came over. Dai Liang pulled him along, heading to the food stall, "Let’s go grab some skewers first; you two hurry up."

Chen Ningxi and Cheng Qiaobei lagged a bit behind. She whispered, "It’s not good to let everyone see."

"You little coward," Cheng Qiaobei took the hard hat from her hand, the sweatband at the front was soaked. He sighed silently, feeling sorry for her, but he also understood that this was her job.

Cheng Qiaobei said, "Tomorrow’s Saturday, rest well at home."

Chen Ningxi said, "Waiting for Mr. Wang’s call, someone might come for inspection over the weekend."

Cheng Qiaobei frowned, "Doesn’t your Mr. Wang know how hard the grassroots level has it? You’ve just returned after spending over half a month in rural areas checking for electricity theft, your feet were so swollen. Finally, it’s the weekend; can’t he let you rest at home? Can’t the inspection wait till Monday? Why take up your rest time?"

Chen Ningxi heard his dissatisfaction, "Why are you angry? It’s not just me; everyone’s the same. In an emergency, we all have to be on site. Aren’t you the same? If a client complains, can you tell them you’re resting and won’t go?"

"Tch..." Cheng Qiaobei turned around, moving into the shadow under a tree, and gave her a light pat on the butt, "I feel sorry for you, but you’re dragging me into it."

Chen Ningxi giggled and patiently explained, "The flood season is approaching; it’s also to prevent emergencies. If there’s a massive power outage, we have to rush for repairs. And for that, we need cables and the complementary equipment."

Cheng Qiaobei said, "I just think you’re too exhausted, I feel sorry for you."

Chen Ningxi said, "I know."

They were almost at the gate of the unit when Chen Ningxi’s phone rang, and Cheng Qiaobei saw the screen display ’Emergency Command Center.’

"Hello... It’s me... Yes... Next week? Are you sure?... Okay, I understand. We are all prepared... Yes, please assure the city government that power will be maintained... Okay, goodbye."

Cheng Qiaobei asked after she hung up, "What happened?"

"The Emergency Command Center said the meteorological bureau issued a heavy rain warning. In the next week, Danjiang and several upstream cities will see heavy to torrential rain. They’re asking us to prepare emergency plans."

Cheng Qiaobei first thought she would get busy again.

Don’t be fooled by Chen Ningxi not drinking at meals with Pan Cheng. When it comes to colleagues, especially those working in frontline repair and maintenance, she never refuses a drink. The uncle, grandpas, and brothers in the team can feel respected and understood by her hearty demeanor, enjoying this late-night meal pleasantly and harmoniously.

Dai Liang planned to pay the bill secretly, but the owner informed him someone had already paid and insisted it couldn’t be settled by anyone else.

Chen Ningxi walked over, cheeks flushed, "What are you doing? We agreed today I’d treat. Go on back."

She pushed the person away and told the owner, "I must settle this bill. If anyone else does, I’ll tell them not to eat here anymore."

The owner quickly replied, "Of course not, you said so, so I can’t let anyone else pay."

"Mm." Chen Ningxi nodded with a smile.

Turning around, she exhaled the alcohol breath, touched her face, and muttered to herself, "Drank too much, really drank too much."

Back at the table, Cheng Qiaobei was staring at her, supporting her by the arm, and quietly asked, "You okay?"

Dai Liang turned his face, "Drank too much?"

Chen Ningxi smiled, trying to maintain her balance, "I’m fine. Thanks to everyone for the hard work, taking up your rest time; in the future, we’ll try to avoid overtime."

Dai Liang glanced around the table, "It’s about time; let’s finish this cup, and then we’ll wrap it up."

Everyone responded by raising their glasses and downing their drinks.

Watching Chen Ningxi settle the bill, it was the first time everyone was treated by the leader.

Some used to think that the Danjiang Institute’s managerial position being taken by a woman had something to do with her dad, but ever since she took on the role, never feared hard work, took the lead; and when dining with them, she was straightforward and approachable. Especially during tonight’s chat, they realized her words were frank, considering issues from the workers’ perspective. Unlike those who looked down upon them as frontline maintenance workers, Chen Ningxi was indeed fit to be the general manager of the Danjiang Institute.

Everyone had had drinks, and not at ease, Chen Ningxi had to make sure they got into cabs before she was supported into the car by Cheng Qiaobei.

"Ah..." Leaning back in the seat, Chen Ningxi’s alcohol breath instantly filled the car.

"Does your head hurt?" Cheng Qiaobei helped her with the seatbelt.

"A little," Chen Ningxi opened her eyes, "I won’t puke in the car."

Cheng Qiaobei laughed, "If you do, you do. We can clean the car tomorrow."

Chen Ningxi said, "I still don’t feel like it. Let’s go."

Cheng Qiaobei started the car and drove very steadily.

As the car entered the residential area, before they even got out, Chen Ningxi covered her mouth, "Mm..."

Cheng Qiaobei turned his face at the sound, "Gonna puke?"

Chen Ningxi quickly gestured for him to stop, and as soon as the car stopped, she unbuckled and rushed to the trash can to vomit.

Cheng Qiaobei grabbed some tissues and a bottle of mineral water from the trunk, went over to her side to pat her back, and once she was done, handed her the tissues.

Chen Ningxi took the water, rinsed her mouth, and wiped off the residue at the corner of her lips, muttering to herself, "It’s not scientific, not scientific. Both my parents can drink; how can I be this bad?"

She turned her face, suddenly glaring at Cheng Qiaobei, "Do you think I’m bad?"

Cheng Qiaobei: "..."

"I’m giving you a chance; think it over how to say it. If you don’t say it right, I will hit you." Chen Ningxi raised her fist, "Hehehe..."

"..."

Seeing her drunk for the first time, Cheng Qiaobei found it quite amusing, watching intently and already pulling out his phone to record. Come morning, he’ll help her remember it all clearly.

"Say it." Chen Ningxi leaned on him, wrapped her arms around Cheng Qiaobei’s neck, "Honey."

"Mm?" Cheng Qiaobei switched the camera to the front, pointing it at both of them.

Chen Ningxi cupped his face, "I want to kiss you."

Cheng Qiaobei’s eyebrow twitched, "..."

Chen Ningxi cooed, "Just one kiss."