Fated Love With the Billionaire
Chapter 314: Real Name

Chapter 314: Chapter 314: Real Name

The dishes were all served, but Chen Weichuan had yet to come out. Ye Yujun asked Chen Ningxi, "What is your father hesitating over now?"

Chen Ningxi replied, "My dad is taking a phone call; he’ll come out once he’s done."

Ye Yujun sat down, "He doesn’t stop even after coming home. Bringing work back home too."

Chen Ningxi couldn’t shake the memory of the phone call earlier, her eyes unfocused, her brows tightly furrowed.

The kitchen still had some bits and pieces to tidy up. After finishing, she came out to find the study door now open.

Ye Yujun called out to Chen Weichuan, "Old Chen, come eat!"

Chen Weichuan set the phone down, took a normal seat at the dining table, showing no signs of anything unusual.

"I told you to start eating first and not wait for me."

Chen Ningxi said, "It’s rare for you to come home from work on time, and I happened to be here. Mom and I had to wait for you."

Though the conversation sounded ordinary, the phrases "don’t wait for me" and "had to wait for you" seemed to carry a deeper implication.

Chen Weichuan glanced at her. Just as Chen Ningxi picked up her bowl, she heard him ask, "How’s work going recently?"

Chen Ningxi set her bowl and utensils down, responding, "Work’s going well."

With no discernible expression, Chen Weichuan said, "Year-end is near; you’re busy, and those bringing gifts are busy too. Keep your bottom line. Be clear about what can and cannot be done."

Chen Ningxi nodded, "I know, don’t worry, Dad."

Chen Weichuan continued, "No matter how hectic it gets, make sure you follow the protocols at work. Never..."

Before he could finish, Ye Yujun interjected with exasperation, "Can we not talk about work during dinner? Look, it’s making the child stop eating."

Chen Weichuan glanced at her untouched food, saying, "We can talk while eating."

Ye Yujun replied, "But not about work."

That dinner left Chen Ningxi unsettled, her mind lingering elsewhere as she ate. She planned to talk to her father once she finished cleaning up.

While washing dishes in the kitchen, she heard Chen Weichuan at the door saying, "Give me the trash; I’m heading downstairs anyway."

Ye Yujun handed over the kitchen garbage bag, and immediately afterward, the door shut with a bang.

"Mom, I’ve finished cleaning up; I’m heading out as well." Chen Ningxi wiped her hands hurriedly, put on her coat, and followed out.

At the elevator area, she found her father waiting for her.

"Dad." Chen Ningxi called softly.

Though father and daughter didn’t exchange many words, their eyes conveyed everything.

"You heard it all." Chen Weichuan asked.

Chen Ningxi tightened her grip on her bag strap, "I heard bits of it." Then she asked, "What’s going on?"

With a ding, the elevator doors opened.

Chen Weichuan stepped in first, "We’ll talk downstairs."

Father and daughter walked out of the building. The cold night outside was frostbitten, the snow packed solid underfoot, making every step cautious.

Chen Ningxi supported her father’s arm, "Walk slowly. It’s slippery."

While walking, Chen Weichuan asked, "You didn’t tell your mom, did you?"

Chen Ningxi shook her head, "I didn’t."

"It’s nothing serious; you don’t need to worry." Chen Weichuan reassured her.

Even so, Chen Ningxi felt unsettled, pressing on, "How can I not worry if you won’t explain what’s happening?"

Chen Weichuan chuckled lightly, "My girl has grown up; now she knows to worry about me."

"Dad..." Chen Ningxi called out, silently urging him to stop deflecting.

When they reached the garbage sorting area, Chen Weichuan tossed the kitchen waste into the bin. Chen Ningxi sniffed as he pointed toward the parking lot, "Let’s sit in your car for a while."

In the winter night outside, the chill crept up from the soles to the legs. Staying out for too long would leave one shivering.

With the car’s heater on, comfort returned. Chen Ningxi warmed up and asked:

"So, what exactly is happening?"

People in the system are especially sensitive to certain keywords, and ever since hearing that call, Chen Ningxi had been uneasy.

Chen Weichuan said, "You remember I worked at the Cultural and Tourism Bureau, right?"

Chen Ningxi replied, "I remember."

Chen Weichuan continued, "Two days ago, someone formally accused me of soliciting bribes while in office."

"Impossible." Chen Ningxi rebutted immediately.

On key principles, she wholeheartedly trusted her father’s character and political integrity.

Chen Weichuan reassured, "It’s fine. I haven’t done anything wrong. If you’re upright, shadows can’t harm you. Let them investigate."

Chen Ningxi asked, "Did you offend someone?"

Chen Weichuan replied, "I’ve worked for so many years. Can you satisfy everyone all the time? But Dad has always acted with a clear conscience, for the people, and for the country."

"Do you know what this is about?" Chen Ningxi asked.

Chen Weichuan explained, "Back when I managed a tourism project at the Cultural and Tourism Bureau, we collaborated with a travel company to promote our region’s local cultural heritage."

"Were there any unpleasant incidents during the process?" Chen Ningxi asked.

Looking out through the car’s glass into the darkness, Chen Weichuan shook his head slightly and said, "...No. But this matter is connected; I might’ve overlooked someone."

"Since it’s baseless, we’re not afraid of an investigation," Chen Ningxi replied.

"Exactly." Checking his watch, Chen Weichuan said, "I’ll head up now. Don’t mention my matter to your mom."

"Got it," Chen Ningxi acknowledged.

Just as Chen Weichuan reached for the car door, Chen Ningxi stopped him, "Dad."

"..." He turned back.

"Stay cautious; the road’s slippery."

Chen Weichuan chuckled, "I’m not old enough to struggle while walking. You drive carefully; the roads are slippery."

"I’ve been driving for seven years now; I’m an experienced driver," said Chen Ningxi.

Still, he reminded her, "Even experienced drivers need to be careful."

She watched as the door clicked shut and her father’s figure disappeared around the corner.

On her way back, although she outwardly dismissed the matter, her mind remained fixated on her father’s issue.

Stopping at a red light, as her car steadied, another sedan stopped beside her.

With two honks, Chen Ningxi turned and noticed Lu Xingyan in the driver’s seat, greeting her.

With twenty seconds left on the red light, Chen Ningxi lowered her window.

Lu Xingyan smiled, "What a coincidence, Manager Chen, running into you here."

"Just finished dinner at my parents’. You?" said Chen Ningxi.

Lu Xingyan replied, "I’m picking up a friend who just got back from a trip."

Chen Ningxi glanced at the light, "It’s green now. I’m heading off, Lu."

Honking lightly, Lu Xingyan said, "Bye, Manager Chen."

Both cars drove off almost simultaneously. Suddenly, a thought flashed through Chen Ningxi’s mind, but she couldn’t quite grasp it.

Meanwhile, Cheng Qiaobei had just left a business banquet, having had too much to drink. He handed his car keys over to a designated driver.

Feeling slightly dizzy from the alcohol, he was about to lean back and rest when his phone rang.

Seeing Chen Ningxi’s number, he cleared his throat and answered, "Honey."

"Still not home?" asked Chen Ningxi.

"I’m on my way back now," said Cheng Qiaobei.

"Alright, got it."

Hearing her tone, he asked, "What’s wrong?"

"Nothing. Just wondering when you’d be home," she replied.

"The designated driver is taking me now," he said.

After hanging up, Cheng Qiaobei had a feeling she was hiding something. Not at ease, he sent her a message. Her only reply was: Talk when you’re back.

Once he got home, he found Chen Ningxi sitting on the living room sofa, visibly unsettled. "What’s wrong, honey?"