Fated Love With the Billionaire
Chapter 311: Riding the Wind and Cleaving the Waves

Chapter 311: Chapter 311: Riding the Wind and Cleaving the Waves

Originally, they planned to eat dinner at a restaurant, but since Lin Hanrui needed to take care of Liang Lei, they ended up at his house instead.

Two grown men strolling through the market—Lin Hanrui picked the ingredients, Cheng Qiaobei paid.

Cheng Qiaobei: "I’m coming to your house for dinner, and I still have to pay for the groceries?"

Lin Hanrui replied confidently: "Why not? You can treat me, too—it’s the same thing."

Cheng Qiaobei: "Fine, fine, fine."

Ever since Lin Hanrui decided to get married, he’s gotten stingier, but knowing how to live frugally isn’t a bad thing. It makes him more reliable.

Cheng Qiaobei’s arms were about to give out. "Not trying to be dramatic, but isn’t this enough food already?"

Lin Hanrui noticed the fresh shrimp and called out to the stall owner, "Two pounds of shrimp, please." He turned back to Cheng Qiaobei and said, "You hardly ever come over, so I have to make a few extra dishes."

Cheng Qiaobei: "...Fine, whatever."

He pulled out his phone and scanned the payment QR code.

Liang Lei saw them come in, both of them carrying heaps of groceries. "What did you two do—move the entire market here?"

Lin Hanrui said, "Old Cheng’s treating us to dinner. I figured you wouldn’t like the smell of restaurant food these days, so we bought some fresh ingredients to cook at home."

Liang Lei asked, "You’re cooking?"

Since Liang Lei clearly couldn’t cook, Lin Hanrui chuckled and pointed behind him, "He’s cooking. His skills are miles better than mine."

Cheng Qiaobei: "..."

He said, "I’m supposed to cook dinner at your house now?"

Lin Hanrui said, "We agreed at the market, didn’t we?"

Cheng Qiaobei thought back, and indeed Lin Hanrui had said something along the lines of "You hardly ever come by, so I have to make a few extra dishes."

"Oh, so that’s how it is—you tricked me into making more dishes," he said.

Lin Hanrui carried the groceries to the kitchen counter. "I’ll prep the ingredients and help you out."

Cheng Qiaobei nodded, nearly cracking up in irritation. "Fine, Lin Hanrui, of all the people who’ve tried to take advantage of me, none succeeded until you came along!"

Lin Hanrui laughed slyly, while Liang Lei caught on and said cheekily from the side, "Old Cheng, he doesn’t just act this way with you—he does it to me too. Next time he pulls one of these ambiguous stunts, you better watch out."

Cheng Qiaobei rolled his eyes. "I’ll learn from this mistake—there won’t be a ’next time.’"

Lin Hanrui grinned. "Come on, we’re brothers—don’t take it to heart. Besides, with my intelligence, it’s no shame you fell for it."

"You really rate yourself highly," Cheng Qiaobei said, shrugging off his suit jacket and unfastening his cufflinks. "Hand me an apron."

Lin Hanrui quickly handed him one and flattered him, "Just think about it—skills as good as those of a five-star chef. Wouldn’t you want a taste? It’s way better than anything I whip up when I outdo myself."

Upon hearing this, Liang Lei chimed in, "Old Cheng, thank you for your hard work—our dinner depends on you tonight."

Cheng Qiaobei said, "Lin Hanrui, you’re benefitting from Liang Lei’s situation today."

Sensitive to the sizzling smell from the kitchen, Liang Lei darted off to the bathroom, vomiting. When she was done, she returned to the bedroom to rest while the two men worked feverishly in the kitchen.

She called Chen Ningxi, waiting for several rings before the call was picked up.

"Ning Xi, your Old Cheng is at our place—he and Lin Hanrui are cooking together in the kitchen. Why didn’t you join us?"

Chen Ningxi replied, "When he called, I was already eating at my mom’s place. My dad wasn’t home, so I stayed to keep her company."

Liang Lei said, "Come over when you’re done. I think those two will be chatting for a while tonight."

Chen Ningxi said, "Alright, I’ll head over after my mom and I finish catching up."

Cheng Qiaobei worked swiftly, and his dishes smelled incredible. With the final dish plated on the table, Lin Hanrui called for Liang Lei to come and eat.

Standing by the table, Liang Lei marveled, "Old Cheng, you’re amazing. Ning Xi is seriously in for a treat with you every day."

Cheng Qiaobei purposefully needled Lin Hanrui, handing Liang Lei a pair of chopsticks. "Taste it and see—how’s the flavor? While I’m home, I do my best to make sure Ning Xi doesn’t have to cook."

Liang Lei took a bite of the chicken wing. "Mmm... It’s delicious, really delicious."

Lin Hanrui settled into his seat casually and said to Liang Lei, "No need to feel sorry for him."

Liang Lei laughed out loud. "Old Cheng, the boat of your friendship is built to last."

Cheng Qiaobei said, "That’s because it’s welded with steel—otherwise, it’d have capsized long ago."

Liang Lei sensed that Cheng Qiaobei had something to discuss with Lin Hanrui. After dinner, she excused herself, saying she felt unwell.

Lin Hanrui went to the kitchen, fetched a glass of water, and brought it to the bedroom for her. Then he closed the door as he left.

Back at the table, Lin Hanrui poured Cheng Qiaobei a glass of wine. "You having troubles at work again?"

Cheng Qiaobei smiled faintly. Lin Hanrui grabbed a piece of cold dish and, while eating, said, "Don’t try to deny it. What can’t you tell me? It’s not like I’d laugh at you."

"It’s not exactly frustration..."

He didn’t elaborate further, but Lin Hanrui picked up on a sense of helplessness.

Lin Hanrui asked, "What’s your plan now?"

Cheng Qiaobei said, "In the future, I’ll need your support."

"What kind of support?" Lin Hanrui put down his chopsticks.

Cheng Qiaobei took out his phone, opened a document, and handed it to him. "It’s all in here."

"Eastern First-class," Lin Hanrui read the prominent four characters at the top.

With only a single lamp illuminating the living room, everything was serene. Lin Hanrui carefully reviewed the entire document. Looking up, he asked:

"Have you made up your mind?"

Cheng Qiaobei nodded. "Yeah."

"When do you plan to start?"

"After New Year’s."

Lin Hanrui did some quick calculations. "Not long after New Year’s is the Spring Festival—most workers will want to head home for the holidays."

Cheng Qiaobei said, "Not everything needs to be altered—it’ll be assessed based on the circumstances. We’ll still have time after the holiday."

Lin Hanrui realized he might need financial support now.

At his lowest point, Cheng Qiaobei had been the one to step in and help him out. Now, he wouldn’t hesitate to return the favor.

"Wait here."

Cheng Qiaobei watched as Lin Hanrui headed to the living room, pulled open a drawer from the platform, and rummaged around inside.

Returning to the table, he placed two bank cards in front of him and said,

"It’s not a lot of money. One card is from my parents—there’s two hundred in it. The other is what I managed to save. Back when I started my company, I emptied everything out, so this is what I’ve scrimped together more recently—under thirty. The password is 657365."

Cheng Qiaobei asked, "You’re using your wedding savings?"

Lin Hanrui made a sound of acknowledgment.

"You’re not getting married anymore?" Cheng Qiaobei pressed.

Lin Hanrui answered seriously, "The wedding will happen for sure, but you need the money more than I do right now. Take it."

He pushed the cards closer toward Cheng Qiaobei.

Cheng Qiaobei asked, "Aren’t you worried Liang Lei will lose her temper with you?"

Lin Hanrui replied, "Leizi isn’t unreasonable. She’ll understand me and support me."

"What if she disagrees?" Cheng Qiaobei countered.

Lin Hanrui paused, scratching the back of his neck, "Well, I’ll just have to take a scolding, won’t I?"

"Pfft..." Cheng Qiaobei burst out laughing and pushed the cards back toward him. "Alright, take them back. I could never let my brother get yelled at for my sake."

Seeing this, Lin Hanrui quickly pushed them forward again. "Don’t treat me like an outsider. Back when my company was on the verge of collapsing, you showed up with cash and saved me. I’ll never forget that for as long as I live."

It was obvious how heartfelt and genuine Lin Hanrui was, and Cheng Qiaobei felt reassured that he had chosen the right friend.

He comforted him, saying, "Money isn’t the problem—take it back."

"Why are you so stubborn?" Lin Hanrui insisted, but Cheng Qiaobei pressed his hand down, stopping him. "I hold plenty of shares—isn’t that the same as money?"

Lin Hanrui froze for a moment. "No wonder you’re waiting until after New Year’s—to see the year-end financial report and find out how much dividend you’ll get. You had me worrying for nothing."

Cheng Qiaobei lifted his wine glass, smiling. "Relaxed minds bring fortune. Let’s toast to a prosperous year ahead."

Lin Hanrui raised his glass enthusiastically too. "To a prosperous year ahead."

The glasses clinked sharply in midair, that toast carrying hopes for good fortune in the new year.