Fated Love With the Billionaire
Chapter 24 Together for a Meal

Chapter 24: Chapter 24 Together for a Meal

If it weren’t for the howling wind that Cheng Qiaobei could hear, he wouldn’t have believed she went on a business trip. He felt an inexplicable surge of irritation and naturally spoke with a sharp edge, "Going on a business trip while sick, Mr. Chen truly is a model of dedication to one’s work."

Chen Ningxi replied, "Not really, just for the sake of life."

Cheng Qiaobei almost laughed in anger. He might believe someone else was doing it for life, but he wouldn’t believe it for a moment given Chen Ningxi’s family background.

"You work for your life, I work for my survival."

Chen Ningxi brushed away her windblown hair, having no interest in bickering with him, and asked, "Why are you looking for me?"

Cheng Qiaobei’s car was parked at the gate of Danjiang Power Supply Company, and there was a roll of medical adhesive tape on the passenger seat.

"Nothing important, the project is completed, just wanted to ask if we still need someone from the power company to come check it."

Chen Ningxi said, "Is the power on?"

Cheng Qiaobei replied, "Yes, it is."

"The process is completed, and the power is on. We don’t need to send anyone else."

"Got it."

"Anything else?"

"Nope, bye."

After hanging up, Chen Ningxi frowned slightly, feeling there was something he hadn’t said.

On the other end, Cheng Qiaobei stared at the gate of the power company and sighed, talking to himself, "Leaving without saying a word."

Coming down from the mountain top, Chen Ningxi walked along the shops on the street and bought some snacks. The locals here made their living from the sea, and almost every household engaged in sea-related business.

She bought two packs of grilled fish slices and a pack of shredded squid. Seeing the clam meat looked good, she decided to bring some back for her parents.

Chang Jiangang and Xue Yang only returned to the station after it was dark, and the three of them went to a nearby small restaurant for a quick meal.

"Their mackerel dumplings are delicious, should we order two plates?" Chang Jiangang asked Chen Ningxi.

Chen Ningxi said, "I’m okay with that, sure."

They ordered four more dishes and sat chatting and waiting.

Xue Yang said, "Mr. Chen,"

"Call me sister Chen." Chen Ningxi laughed, "We’re off duty, no need to keep calling me Mr. Chen, it still feels like we’re on the job."

Xue Yang chuckled, "Sis, you are so down-to-earth, and quite funny."

Chen Ningxi purposefully teased him, "Who says I’m not? I am, a dignified little chief, stern and impartial." As she spoke, she couldn’t help but laugh.

"People like you are rare in leadership these days." Xue Yang sighed, "Oh, by the way, I heard you’re preparing to run for the manager position?"

"Uh... cough cough..." Chang Jiangang nearly choked on the smoke he just exhaled, "Don’t spread baseless rumors."

Then he said to Chen Ningxi, "Chen, Xue Yang is young and doesn’t think before speaking, don’t take it to heart."

Actually, there were already rumors about Chen Ningxi running for the position, but within the company, two others were also competing.

If Chen Ningxi got selected, Xue Yang’s words would seem festive; if not, it could make things awkward for her.

Chang Jiangang, having been in the adult world for years, saw further and was more cautious than Xue Yang.

Chen Ningxi said, "Mr. Chang, it’s no problem."

Seeing she didn’t continue the topic, Chang Jiangang understood that Chen Ningxi wanted to keep things low-key.

Finishing dinner, it was nearly 8 p.m. When she returned to the dorm, Chen Ningxi opened her laptop, imported photos into the computer, and continued writing the wind power project report.

It was almost midnight by the time she yawned, saved the document, and went to bed.

After spending three days and two nights in Donggou Town, Chen Ningxi obtained the data she needed. Combining the data with local hydrological and climatic factors, she planned to complete a written report within three days for submission to the Northeast Electric Power Group.

Back in Danjiang, Chen Ningxi delivered the purchased seafood to her parents. Although Ye Yujun invited her to stay for dinner, she’d already planned to have barbecue with Liang Lei.

When she arrived at the barbecue restaurant, Liang Lei’s car was already parked outside. Liang Lei, sitting by the window, waved at Chen Ningxi as she got out of the car.

In the northern winter, besides hotpot, BBQ was also a great choice.

The two of them ordered a table full of food and started chatting as they ate.

Liang Lei said, "I haven’t seen you around lately."

Chen Ningxi said, "I went to the countryside, to Donggou Town. By the way, I brought you your favorite scallop meat and sea rabbit. You see how much I love you, always thinking of you, buying delicious food for you even when away for work."

Liang Lei raised her glass, "Say no more, it’s all in the drink."

The glasses clinked crisply, and both familiarly raised their heads, drinking in one go.

Mid-meal, Chen Ningxi went to the restroom, leaving her phone on the table. At that moment, Cheng Qiaobei called, and after the phone rang for a while without being answered, he called a second time.

Seeing "Manager Cheng" on the screen, Liang Lei thought it might be urgent work from Chen Ningxi’s office, so she picked it up on her behalf.

"Hello."

Hearing it wasn’t Chen Ningxi’s voice, Cheng Qiaobei thought he had dialed the wrong number. He checked the screen to make sure he hadn’t dialed incorrectly, then tentatively asked, "Is this Chen Ningxi’s phone?"

"Yes, she’s in the restroom, could you call back later? Hey? Wait," Liang Lei suddenly recognized the voice, "are you Cheng Qiaobei from the rock climbing club?"

Caught by surprise, Cheng Qiaobei paused for half a second, "...Yes, and you are?"

"It’s me, didn’t you recognize my voice? Liang Lei. You forgot? We took you to Youle on your first club day."

Cheng Qiaobei realized, "Oh... I remember now. Are you with Chen Ningxi?"

"Yes, we’re having barbecue. Have you eaten?" Liang Lei asked just as a courtesy, but Cheng Qiaobei answered, "Not yet."

Her next response had little room for maneuver, so she said, "Come join us then."

Cheng Qiaobei asked for the address, then drove towards the BBQ restaurant.

When Chen Ningxi returned, Liang Lei said, "Cheng Qiaobei called you just now."

"Oh." Chen Ningxi seemed uninterested, wrapping pork belly with sesame leaves and stuffing it into her mouth, mumbling as she chewed, "I’ll call him back after eating."

Hearing this, Liang Lei, who was about to pick up a piece of beef, withdrew her chopsticks, confessing, "You may not need to wait until after dinner, he might be here soon."

With her cheeks full, Chen Ningxi spoke muddily, "What? What do you mean he’s coming?"

Liang Lei pointed at her phone, saying, "Your phone rang twice just now. I thought it was urgent office business, so I picked it up. It was him, and he said he’s coming here, knowing we’re having BBQ."

"What’s he coming here for?" Chen Ningxi took a sip of barley tea to clear her throat.

Just as she said that, Cheng Qiaobei walked in from the entrance, heading straight to their table.

Liang Lei looked past Chen Ningxi, resting her face on her hand, fingers covering her lips, whispering, "Here he comes, here he comes."

Turning around, Chen Ningxi met Cheng Qiaobei’s gaze, one surprised and one calm.

He smiled harmlessly, with the air of an old acquaintance, pulled up a chair beside Chen Ningxi, and sat down at their table.

Cheng Qiaobei said to Chen Ningxi, "I said I wouldn’t come, but Liang Lei insisted."

Liang Lei: The heck...