Fated Love With the Billionaire
Chapter 296: Let’s Chat a Bit Longer

Chapter 296: Chapter 296: Let’s Chat a Bit Longer

It was early winter in the afternoon, the wind was mild and the sun was warm.

Chen Ningxi stood by the roadside in a light camel cashmere coat; the rare pause in the wind warmed her face under the sun. From afar, she spotted the familiar SUV amidst the traffic. When it came to a stop, she opened the passenger door and got in.

"Which place should we eat at?" Cheng Qiaobei asked.

She had already thought about it beforehand, pointing to one of the storefronts across the street.

"Chunwang."

"You know, I’ve been craving their beef."

Chen Ningxi often ate at this place. The couple-owned restaurant had been open for five or six years; not only was the food delicious, but it was also clean, and the owner and his wife were warm and honest people.

As soon as they walked in, the owner’s wife smiled and greeted the two of them, "Oh, the married couple is here today."

Chen Ningxi sat down at a nearby table, "I’ve eaten already, just get him a serving."

The owner’s wife came over with the utensils, glancing at the sky outside, she muttered, "This weather doesn’t look like it’s going to snow."

Chen Ningxi said, "The weather forecast says it will snow tomorrow, but who knows if it will."

The owner’s wife said confidently, "It’ll definitely snow tomorrow. My knee is starting to hurt again. I didn’t take care of myself during my confinement, leaving me with this ailment. Now, whenever my knee hurts, the weather changes, and it’s more accurate than the weather forecast." She then advised Chen Ningxi, "When you have kids, make sure to rest well during your confinement period, don’t do any chores, or you’ll be the one suffering, and there won’t be anyone to bear it for you."

Cheng Qiaobei returned from washing his hands, hearing the conversation, he sat down and grabbed a tissue, saying to Chen Ningxi,

"During your confinement, I won’t let you do any chores."

Chen Ningxi laughed, "So, I’ll just lie down and sleep, then wake up to eat?"

Under the table, Cheng Qiaobei took her hand, "What else? Didn’t you hear what the lady said? If you don’t recover well and fall ill, I wouldn’t allow you to ruin your health for having a baby."

While Cheng Qiaobei was eating, Chen Ningxi’s phone rang.

"So soon? ... The other places have started too? ... Okay, I got it, we’ll have a meeting in the afternoon to discuss it."

After putting down her phone, Cheng Qiaobei asked, "What’s the matter?"

Chen Ningxi said, "Every year, the system organizes winter training and drill activities."

Cheng Qiaobei asked, "What’s the content?"

Chen Ningxi said, "In many areas, mainly power system maintenance personnel’s emergency response ability under extreme conditions, teamwork, decision-making ability in complex situations, and professional skills."

Cheng Qiaobei asked, "Are you participating too?"

Chen Ningxi sighed, "Ugh... Everyone under the age of forty in our unit has to participate."

Hearing her lack of confidence, Cheng Qiaobei quickly finished his last bite of food and wiped his mouth with a tissue, "What’s the issue?"

Chen Ningxi said, "Every year during the winter training drills, everyone complains. When Manager Bai was in charge, he got headaches too. Whenever it was announced, people would come up with all kinds of excuses not to participate. In the end, only seven or eight people showed up, not even enough to take a group photo. Now it’s my turn, and I guess the result will be the same."

Cheng Qiaobei asked, "Is it necessary to hold this event?"

Chen Ningxi nodded, "Hmm."

Cheng Qiaobei contemplated, "There are several prominent issues why an event can’t gain momentum: insufficient budget, conflict in scheduling, venue factors, low participation rate, inadequate reward mechanism, organizational issues, poor publicity, and unexpected incidents. Based on your unit’s actual situation, which do you think are the main issues?"

Chen Ningxi thought carefully and said, "Insufficient budget, inadequate reward mechanism, low participation rate."

"Alright, since you know the reasons, address them correctly, and solving the problem should be fine." Cheng Qiaobei got up to settle the bill.

Before leaving, the owner’s wife gave them a handful of walnut kernels, "These are from our hometown mountain, you should try them, pure green food."

Chen Ningxi thanked her, then the two of them returned to the car.

There was still some time before work, and Chen Ningxi felt like continuing the conversation about the winter training and drill with Cheng Qiaobei.

Cheng Qiaobei casually grabbed a bottle of mineral water from the car and took a couple of gulps. Just as he was about to start the car, Chen Ningxi stopped him.

"Honey," Chen Ningxi propped her chin on her hand, smiling warmly at him.

Cheng Qiaobei raised an eyebrow, smiling but not smiling, "What’s up?"

Chen Ningxi said, "Can we talk a bit more about that issue earlier?"

Cheng Qiaobei quickly straightened his back, chin slightly raised, "Talk, sure, but my consulting fee isn’t cheap."

Chen Ningxi laughed, "How much?"

Cheng Qiaobei raised a finger and pointed to his lips.

Chen Ningxi said, "A hundred? I’ll transfer it to you now."

Cheng Qiaobei squinted, "If you chat like this, I might forget what we talked about earlier."

"Hey... come on," Chen Ningxi leaned closer and kissed him on the lips, "Now talk."

Cheng Qiaobei said, "Half-hearted."

So she kissed him again, "Now talk."

Cheng Qiaobei said, "Indifferent."

The third time Chen Ningxi leaned in, determined not to seem perfunctory, she lingered for five more seconds when they kissed, her eyes filled with deep affection as she looked at him.

"...Now talk."

Before she could sit back, Cheng Qiaobei pinched her cheek with two fingers, slightly applying pressure, tilting his head, and his tongue slipped into her mouth.

The sudden deep kiss made Chen Ningxi widen her eyes, and she was only released when Cheng Qiaobei was satisfied after lightly sucking her tongue.

Her face flushed, she listened to him discuss the solution.

When they talked about the insufficient reward mechanism, Cheng Qiaobei asked, "Is there a reward for winning?"

Chen Ningxi said, "Yes, certificates are awarded."

Cheng Qiaobei’s mouth twitched, "...Is that it?"

Chen Ningxi turned her face, "You don’t think that’s good enough?"

Cheng Qiaobei shook his head, "Not really, honor is a reward too, but at your unit’s welfare level, a certificate doesn’t excite everyone’s enthusiasm enough."

He made an analogy, "Like in supermarkets, queues for giving away free eggs often have a lot of elderly people. Why is that?"

"Right, why is that?" Chen Ningxi listened attentively.

Cheng Qiaobei tapped her forehead, "Don’t use that look, makes it seem like I’m running a scam."

"Pff..." Chen Ningxi laughed out loud, "You’re so annoying, talk properly."

"Okay, okay, I’ll talk properly." Cheng Qiaobei continued, "Elders, with plenty of leisure time at home, have a desire to gain something for nothing, but not everyone likes cheap things. So, grasp the customer’s psychological perspective, but it should be value-for-money, that’s what makes it worthwhile."

Chen Ningxi pondered, "So, what gifts should be prepared?"

Cheng Qiaobei took a stack of hotel vouchers from the storage box, "Here, a night for free at Jade Jiali Resort, applicable nationwide."

Chen Ningxi said, "...Are you trying to help me with a solution or do business with me?"

Cheng Qiaobei laughed, "Of course, I’m helping you come up with a solution."

"The reward is my husband’s hotel stay experience, that’s amusing." Chen Ningxi took it and put it in her pocket, "Anything else?"

Cheng Qiaobei took out another stack, "Yes."

"Who mentioned consumption vouchers, any other rewards?" Chen Ningxi pouted.

Cheng Qiaobei teased her, "Isn’t there still a certificate of honor?"

"Not talking to you anymore, I’m leaving." Chen Ningxi pouted, ready to get off the car, but Cheng Qiaobei grabbed her arm and pulled her back, "Don’t be mad."