Fated Love With the Billionaire
Chapter 25: Wait for Me to Take Action

Chapter 25: Chapter 25: Wait for Me to Take Action

Chen Ningxi was no fool to believe Cheng Qiaobei’s nonsense. But knowing Liang Lei’s personality, once she learned it was Cheng Qiaobei, she would definitely extend a formal invitation. She just never expected that Cheng Qiaobei would actually accept.

Some people at the card table just don’t play by the rules. If you take them seriously, you lose.

Liang Lei called over a waiter to bring another set of utensils, handed the condiment box to Cheng Qiaobei, and asked him,

"Why haven’t you been to the climbing club lately?"

Cheng Qiaobei reached out for the condiment box, but from where he was sitting, it was inconvenient. Chen Ningxi casually handed it over.

Cheng Qiaobei seemed to be looking at Liang Lei, but he naturally accepted the condiment box from Chen Ningxi with his peripheral vision, and replied,

"I’ve been busy with work lately. I can’t find the time."

Only then did Liang Lei ask where he worked.

"I’m in the hotel business," he said, not mentioning the most renowned domestic chain, Jade Jiali, which was quite modest of him.

Chen Ningxi appreciated people who were low-key and restrained.

He suddenly shifted his gaze to Chen Ningxi’s face and said, "The tape is in my car. Make sure you take it back after dinner."

"What’s the situation?" Liang Lei’s suspicious eyes darted back and forth between them.

Fearing a misunderstanding, Chen Ningxi hurriedly explained, "I injured my knee and borrowed medicine and tape from Manager Cheng. The tape was running low, and Manager Cheng kindly helped me buy some."

Liang Lei’s interest took a mischievous turn as she teased, "You two have been secretly meeting behind my back, haven’t you?"

"No way, that’s impossible." Although Chen Ningxi seemed composed, her heart raced.

In contrast, Cheng Qiaobei calmly continued grilling beef slices and urged, "Hurry and eat; the meat’s going to burn."

"Ack!" Liang Lei quickly grabbed the meat in front of her. "Almost got overcooked."

While dipping the sauce, she said, "You two are definitely hiding something from me. Will you come clean, or do I need to take action?"

Cheng Qiaobei wasn’t sure what she meant by "take action." When he glanced at Chen Ningxi, she happened to be looking at him too. Their eyes met, and though no words were exchanged, Cheng Qiaobei understood that Chen Ningxi didn’t want to talk about that day.

Whether to talk or not was her choice, and Cheng Qiaobei would never stab Chen Ningxi in the back. He started to explain about the tape.

"You know, Mr. Chen and I met through work. Since I’m seeking his help, I should be diligent."

"That makes sense." Liang Lei picked up a perilla leaf, wrapped it around some pork belly, and took a big bite. "But I didn’t mean anything by it. My bestie is a nice person, and I hope she meets someone good. I wouldn’t want her to be deceived by some jerk."

Cheng Qiaobei used chopsticks to distribute the roasted meat to both of their plates and said, "What you said just now is irrelevant to me."

What he meant was he would never deceive Chen Ningxi, but in Chen Ningxi’s ears, it sounded like he didn’t want any involvement with her.

Chen Ningxi interrupted Liang Lei, "Even with your mouth stuffed with meat, you can’t stop talking. Are you eating or not?"

Liang Lei replied, "Eating, eating."

And just like that, the conversation ended. Cheng Qiaobei continued tending to the ladies. When the meat ran out, he added more. When the drinks were low, he refilled them. In short, by the time the meal ended, Chen Ningxi and Liang Lei were full, and Cheng Qiaobei took care of the bill.

In reality, midway through the meal, Cheng Qiaobei shouldn’t have paid. Additionally, Chen Ningxi was a regular at the place and had a prepaid card, but no matter what, Cheng Qiaobei insisted on paying.

The three left the barbecue place separately. After Liang Lei left, Cheng Qiaobei retrieved a bag from his car. "The original kind is out. The store said it’ll be restocked the day after tomorrow. You can use this for now."

"No need to trouble you; this will do." Chen Ningxi pulled out her phone, "How much was it? I’ll transfer it to you."

With a hint of helplessness, Cheng Qiaobei laughed, "Mr. Chen, you’re too cautious. It’s just a roll of tape. You really think I’d use this to bribe you?"

Chen Ningxi replied, "That’s not it. How could I let you spend money on something?"

"It’s only a few bucks, no big deal, really," Cheng Qiaobei opened his car door. "Let’s go, time to head home."

With that, he got into his car, started it, and drove off first.

Watching the taillights disappear at the intersection, Chen Ningxi finally withdrew her gaze.

He was indeed considerate and knew how to take care of people. In every way, he seemed excellent, but unfortunately, the two were not meant to be, so they couldn’t be a couple.

...

Next weekend was New Year’s Day, and the Zhoushan hotel project Cheng Qiaobei was in charge of was about to open.

The opening ceremony was to be held at the hotel, and he planned to invite Chen Ningxi to attend.

Secretary Wei Lai knocked on Cheng Qiaobei’s office door, approached the desk, and said,

"Manager Cheng, here’s the guest list for the hotel opening. Does everything look good to you?"

Cheng Qiaobei took the list and quickly scanned it, his gaze landing on the high-level invitees from the group. He noticed Xu Yunheng’s name.

Wei Lai noticed a change in Cheng Qiaobei’s expression and explained, "Mr. Cheng wants Vice President Xu to come along. After all, due to the issue with Xu Gao, tensions arose. If the hotel didn’t invite him this time, Vice President Xu might find fault."

Cheng Qiaobei paused, "Remove all the lilies from the welcome flower baskets. Vice President Xu is allergic to lily pollen. Also, replace the foie gras in Vice President Xu’s main course with steak; he doesn’t eat innards."

Wei Lai nodded, "Okay, I’ll arrange that right away."

After closing the office door, Cheng Qiaobei walked to the window and dialed Chen Ningxi’s number.

"Hello?"

Chen Ningxi’s voice came through the receiver. With one hand in his pocket, standing relaxed with his shoulders slightly slumped, he asked, "Do you have any plans for next weekend?"

Bewildered, Chen Ningxi responded, "Next weekend? Nothing at the moment. Is something up?"

Was he asking if she was free? Could it be an invitation for a date?

Actually, Chen Ningxi wasn’t particularly hopeful about how their relationship might develop, nor was she especially smitten with Cheng Qiaobei. It was just that he felt easy to talk to, like they were on the same wavelength.

Cheng Qiaobei said, "Next week is the hotel opening, and I’d like to invite you to attend the ceremony."

Chen Ningxi, "..."

So it was still work-related.

"Do you have time? Your power company should have a holiday for New Year’s, right?" Cheng Qiaobei was worried Chen Ningxi would say their company wouldn’t have a day off.

Chen Ningxi’s thought, however, was that if it was work-related, she truly didn’t want to go.

About to decline, Cheng Qiaobei continued, "You helped me solve the issues with the power equipment back then. The fact that the hotel can open smoothly owes a bit to you. The hotel director will also attend. He knows you helped me and insisted I invite you. If you come, it would make him very happy."

With the director extending such a warm invitation, how could she possibly refuse?

Chen Ningxi asked, "What time on Sunday?"

An immediate surge of delight came over Cheng Qiaobei, though he pressed it down in his voice, "New Year’s Day, Sunday, at eight eighteen in the morning."

Chen Ningxi, "Eight eighteen?"

Cheng Qiaobei laughed, "Mr. Cheng believes in feng shui. It’s early, but he thinks it’s auspicious."