Fated Love With the Billionaire
Chapter 243: Uncommon Relationship

Chapter 243: Chapter 243: Uncommon Relationship

Pan Cheng’s harassment put Chen Ningxi in a terrible mood. She didn’t think she had given any hint of interest in Pan Cheng, and when he first showed signs of affection, she had clearly rejected him.

But today, Pan Cheng dared to confront her, clearly not on a whim; there had to be a reason.

Chen Ningxi lay in the bathtub soaking, thinking that Pan Cheng’s intentions were not as impulsive as they seemed. Recalling what he said today, he had indeed exposed much information.

Just as she was lost in thought, a video request from Cheng Qiaobei came in. She reached for a towel to dry her hands before accepting the call.

At this time, Danjiang had already entered the night, while it was still daylight outside Cheng Qiaobei’s window.

Seeing her in the bath, Cheng Qiaobei leaned back in his chair with a lazy smile and said, "Taking a bath? It’s boring doing that alone."

Chen Ningxi laughed. "But if two people bathe together, you’d probably be flustered, wouldn’t you?"

"Haha... you have a sense of humor," Cheng Qiaobei chuckled, his shoulders trembling slightly. Suddenly, he sat up straight. "Wait until I get home, and I’ll make you remember there’s a price for being cheeky today."

Chatting with him lifted her spirits. Chen Ningxi said, "I wish you could come back sooner."

"Miss me?"

She made a soft hum through her nose, which melted Cheng Qiaobei’s heart. "Honey, I really can’t come back now. It must be hard for you."

Chen Ningxi replied, "It’s not about hard or not. Seeing you makes me miss you. Can’t I say that?"

"What do you mean?" Cheng Qiaobei raised an eyebrow. "When you don’t see me in the day, you don’t miss me?"

Chen Ningxi laughed loudly, nearly sitting up in the bathtub, risking exposure. Cheng Qiaobei was waiting for a good view, so she lay back again.

"Hey... you," Cheng Qiaobei shook his head helplessly, "so stingy."

His intent was clear to Chen Ningxi—he couldn’t touch, and wouldn’t even let him look.

Chen Ningxi smiled, "Hungry for more? Hungry but can’t have it."

Cheng Qiaobei folded his arms behind his head and leaned back in his chair, saying, "You’ve become mischievous. I wonder who’s teaching you."

Chen Ningxi said, "Who else could it be, but you?"

Seeing Cheng Qiaobei relaxed, she figured Xu Gao wasn’t involved in the FD case. "What about the Xu Gao situation?" she asked.

Cheng Qiaobei’s smile disappeared, and his expression grew serious. "Fortunately, he wasn’t involved in FD; he was tricked. But right now, the evidence is against him. The lawyer we hired is collecting evidence. Also, there are videos and photos of the room provided for trafficking girls... Ugh, it’s all tricky business. That rascal, why is it always me cleaning up after him? Did he save my life in a past life or something, and now I owe him?"

Chen Ningxi couldn’t help but laugh, realizing it was true.

"No matter what he’s done before, if you can help him this time, he’ll definitely be grateful to you when he gets out."

"Hehe..." Cheng Qiaobei chuckled, "Forget gratitude. Just don’t give me more trouble in the future."

They chatted a while longer before Cheng Qiaobei urged her to hurry up, warning the water would get cold.

Even after they ended the video call, Chen Ningxi didn’t mention Pan Cheng.

Meanwhile, in Milan,

Cheng Qiaobei reopened a webpage and continued reading local news. An article about Prosecutor Federico caught his attention.

He was known to be a justice-driven prosecutor who wouldn’t bow to evil forces. To fight against the local Justice Association, he even chose not to return home to protect his family, frequently changing his schedule. His caution was due to the constant assassination attempts by the Justice Association over the last fifteen or sixteen years.

Cheng Qiaobei had a thought—maybe this was a way forward.

He called Gao Heng to his office to inquire about Federico, whose reputation matched his online description.

Cheng Qiaobei hoped to gain more leverage for Xu Gao by communicating with Federico.

But clearly, meeting Federico wouldn’t be easy. Gao Heng had to ask a respected local elder for help.

After sending Gao Heng away, Wei Lai knocked on Cheng Qiaobei’s office door.

Wei Lai said, "You were right; Lawrence is in contact with the Justice Association. I took some photos and a video, but it’s taken from a distance, so it’s not very clear. Still, judging by the conversation atmosphere, they seem familiar."

Taking the phone to look, Cheng Qiaobei found it unbelievable. Xu Gao, being who he was, wouldn’t even imagine contacting such people. How did he get involved abroad?

So, without direction or a setup, Xu Gao would never have connections with the Justice Association.

Now, everything was clear. Before Xu Gao arrived, Lawrence was doing some illegal activities under hotel cover. Xu Gao’s arrival restricted Lawrence’s actions, so he used Mario to set Xu Gao up.

Over the next two days, Cheng Qiaobei, without Lawrence knowing, found several staff on duty that day. With their testimonies, Xu Gao’s involvement in FD and providing a venue had solid alibi evidence.

The meeting with Federico was sudden, with a notice to meet in a park immediately.

Cheng Qiaobei feared interference if he handed the evidence to the police, suspecting Xu Gao would never make it out alive if imprisoned. The Justice Association wouldn’t leave a scapegoat alive.

The methods and brutality of the Justice Association are beyond our imagination.

After viewing the video of Lawrence with Justice Association members, Federico decided to start the investigation with Lawrence. His greatest wish as a prosecutor was to eradicate the local tumor, the Justice Association.

Cheng Qiaobei also learned that Federico’s defiance against the Justice Association was rooted in tragedy; his family had fallen victim to them.

But to catch a big fish, they couldn’t let Xu Gao go yet. He needed to stay inside for a while longer, and Federico promised to ensure his safety.

Their conversation lasted less than half an hour before Federico hurried off.

Back at the hotel, Cheng Qiaobei left a message for Cheng Xiangheng, explaining Xu Gao’s current status and advising his parents not to worry too much.

Upon seeing the message when he awoke, Cheng Xiangheng replied: Xu Gao’s arrest hasn’t been made public, right? Keep the media quiet; don’t let this get exposed. If it happens, the company will immediately announce Xu Gao’s dismissal. As long as we dissociate from the company, our stock prices won’t be affected.

Seeing the cold text on the screen, it was clear money always mattered more to him than people.

Cheng Qiaobei simply replied with one word, "Okay."

...

Since being offended by Pan Cheng last time, Chen Ningxi handed off the coordination with Star Industries to Dai Liang the next day.

She thought she’d finally have some peace, but a colleague’s call darkened her expression progressively.

Hanging up, she stood and left the desk, heading straight to the Power Enforcement Office.

Before she even entered, she heard a young man’s voice inside, saying, "Fine me? My friend’s uncle isn’t just ordinary with Manager Chen."