Fated Love With the Billionaire
Chapter 29 You Play Little Chili

Chapter 29: Chapter 29 You Play Little Chili

Recently, the hotel’s operations had gotten on track. Since Jade Jiali was a project introduced by Danjiang’s government to attract investment and solve employment issues in the Zhoushan area, while also using the Jade Jiali brand to boost the city’s reputation, the government had been inclined to favor it in terms of policy, naturally making the hotel’s business more prosperous.

However, ever since the hotel opened, Cheng Qiaobei had been staying in the hotel, and meeting Chen Ningxi was almost impossible.

He looked at the sunset outside the window and said to his secretary, Wei Lai, "The flowers at home need watering. I’ll go back tonight."

"Okay, Manager Cheng."

But Wei Lai noticed that Cheng Qiaobei had taken a shower and changed his clothes. Watering flowers at night seemed more complicated, looking more like he was going on a date.

Wei Lai kindly reminded him, "Your hair is too neatly combed. It might give the other person an overly strict impression. Girls usually like some casual, lazy sort of charm."

Cheng Qiaobei tilted his head toward the mirror, casually fiddled with his hair, and suddenly realized Wei Lai had caught on. The person behind him smiled and said, "That’s much better now."

Cheng Qiaobei’s awkward expression said it all. "I’ll leave things here to you. Call me if anything comes up."

Wei Lai said, "I’ll try not to disturb your date."

Cheng Qiaobei smiled helplessly and walked out of the office.

In truth, as long as it didn’t affect his work, Wei Lai hoped that Cheng Qiaobei could have a passionate romance. For years, his life had been only work, racing around the world, leaving him in a sub-healthy state. It would be nice for him to slow down and truly enjoy life in this relationship.

Cheng Qiaobei had dated a girl before. They were together for five years, and she was outstanding, but the biggest enemy of a long-distance relationship wasn’t a rival but distance. He was unwilling to give up opportunities for development at home, and she could only painfully break up with him. Her plan was to persuade Cheng Qiaobei to come abroad to find her, but he didn’t follow her expectations, and they eventually broke up.

Later, through an introduction from acquaintances, he dated a TV host. The girl had an excellent appearance and temperament, witty and sharp, but unfortunately, it coincided with Cheng Qiaobei going to Zhoushan for the Jade Jiali chain hotel project. They seldom met, and it ended without a resolution.

Cheng Qiaobei seemed cursed with long-distance relationships and hadn’t dated anyone since. Even if someone was introduced to him, he politely declined.

Under the night sky, an off-road vehicle sped down the highway. The navigation showed three kilometers to Danjiang City. Cheng Qiaobei called the system to dial Chen Ningxi’s number.

The sound of the phone ringing in the car felt like a hammer striking Cheng Qiaobei’s heart until the moment it connected and Chen Ningxi’s voice came through the receiver, making him more anxious to see her.

"Mmm...?"

In the darkness, the corner of his mouth involuntarily lifted into a subtle smile as a streetlamp passed by.

Cheng Qiaobei’s voice was relaxed and steady. "Mr. Chen, are you resting?"

Chen Ningxi was lying on the couch with a face mask on, listening to Guo Degang’s crosstalk. "I’m putting on a face mask. What’s up?"

Cheng Qiaobei paused, "I came to bring you some medicinal oil."

Chen Ningxi replied, "I’m all better. I don’t need the oil anymore."

Cheng Qiaobei was at a loss. Without the excuse of delivering the medicine, what reason did he have to meet her?

"Can I ask you for a favor?"

Asking for a favor made it hard to refuse, but Chen Ningxi wasn’t a fool. She had to know what it was first.

Chen Ningxi said, "Tell me what it is, and I’ll see if I can help."

Cheng Qiaobei silently laughed; she was quite cautious.

"Don’t worry, I’m not a bad guy. I wouldn’t ask you to rob a bank."

Chen Ningxi sat up. "That’s hard to say."

"Come on, Chen Ningxi, don’t I have any credibility with you?"

Chen Ningxi said, "As the ancient saying goes, don’t easily trust a man’s words. If you do, pigs will climb trees."

The car was nearing Chen Ningxi’s residential area. Cheng Qiaobei asked, "Which ancient person said that?"

Chen Ningxi said, "My great-grandma."

"Hehe..." Cheng Qiaobei laughed out loud, "I respect the wisdom of elders, but you can’t generalize us all with one brush."

Chen Ningxi couldn’t be bothered to beat around the bush anymore. "What is it?"

Cheng Qiaobei said, "Since I’m in Zhoushan and can’t come back often, some green plants at home need regular watering. Do you think you could help me water the flowers?"

Worried she might refuse, he added, "You know, I don’t have many friends or family here. Finding someone reliable is really rare."

Chen Ningxi raised an eyebrow. "Just watering flowers?"

"Yeah." Cheng Qiaobei wasn’t sure if she’d agree. "Is it convenient?"

Their homes were quite close, just a simple task.

"Sure." She agreed without hesitation.

Cheng Qiaobei joyfully pressed his tongue against his cheek. "Thank you. I’m almost at your place," just as he was about to say that he’d take her to record her fingerprint, he remembered the fingerprint lock could also be opened with a password, so he changed it to, "I’ll show you how to do it. Some flowers need watering every two or three days, others about once a week."

Chen Ningxi frowned, "You’re almost at my house? Weren’t you at the hotel?"

Cheng Qiaobei said, "No, I came back to water the flowers."

"Alright then, wait for me at the door."

Chen Ningxi hung up the phone, went to the bathroom to remove her face mask, and quickly wrapped herself in a long down jacket before heading downstairs.

Cheng Qiaobei’s car was parked at the entrance. When he saw her come out, the car lights flickered twice as it drove over.

The passenger door opened, and along with the cold evening breeze came the floral scent emanating from her. After closing the door, the warmth enveloped her, making it much more comfortable.

Chen Ningxi said, "You came back so late just to water the flowers?"

Cheng Qiaobei started the car. "I only have time in the evening. I’ve been busy during the day."

They chatted here and there. Chen Ningxi saw that Cai Yuanfan, the head of the administration department, mentioned everyone in the office group, starting the preparations for this year’s company event. He encouraged all departments to prepare more programs, and an official letter would be sent to each power company later.

Chen Ningxi sighed, "Sigh..."

"Why the long face?" Cheng Qiaobei asked.

Chen Ningxi pointed at her phone’s message. "See, they’re asking us to perform a program again."

Cheng Qiaobei glanced at the screen and saw the words "yearly company event." He asked, "What program did you perform last year?"

Cheng Qiaobei was purely curious. He assumed that with Chen Ningxi’s appearance and temperament, she’d likely perform singing or dancing.

"Hehe."

Just hearing that sneer, he knew the following story wouldn’t be simple.

Chen Ningxi said, "Red Sorghum model team."

This sketch had a profound impact on Cheng Qiaobei’s childhood memories, so he naturally thought the young and beautiful Chen Ningxi would be in the lead role.

"Were you Little Chili?"

Chen Ningxi really wanted to pinch herself. "I played Red Sorghum. Can you imagine? They actually had me play a stalk of sorghum."

The car was silent for a few seconds, and Cheng Qiaobei couldn’t hold back his laughter, "Hahaha... Sorry, I couldn’t help it."

Chen Ningxi pouted, "I told you to get your sympathy, not to laugh at me."

Cheng Qiaobei tried hard to suppress his laughter, keeping a serious tone, "No, no, definitely not laughing at you. But, my imagination isn’t rich enough. Do you have photos?"

Chen Ningxi glared, "I do, but because of your reaction just now, I can’t show them to you."

Cheng Qiaobei asked again, "Who played Little Chili?"

"Our company’s finance guy."

"Who played Zhao Benshan?"

"Manager Bai."

"The four strong men who appeared at the start?"

"The four girls from the toll window."

"And Fan Wei?"

"The deputy manager."

"And the group in red dresses at the end?"

"Ten uncles from the power operations department."

Cheng Qiaobei: ...

"Nice, creative." An idea suddenly flashed in Cheng Qiaobei’s mind. "Where do you usually hold your company events? Can I come and watch?"

Chen Ningxi said, "Of course not. It’s an internal event for the power company. I don’t know where it’ll be this year. They probably haven’t decided yet, but it’s different every year."

During the northern heating period, houses were rarely ventilated, and when the door opened, the heat from the floor heating rushed to their faces.

"Your place is warm." Chen Ningxi said while changing her shoes.

Cheng Qiaobei closed the door, "The door password is 214819."

Chen Ningxi laughed when she heard that three of the numbers were 214. "Is this Valentine’s Day plus your birthday?"

Cheng Qiaobei gave her a disdainful look, "I can’t believe you thought of that. Do I look like someone that corny? February 14 is my birthday."