Fated Love With the Billionaire
Chapter 337: How to Play When Drunk

Chapter 337: Chapter 337: How to Play When Drunk

Zou Yong spoke first, giving both dignity and face. Manager Sun could no longer insist.

He could only smile and agree, "Alright, we’ll go with what Zou said. I’ll have my team prepare everything tomorrow. Once the materials are ready, I’ll send them over."

Chen Ningxi was firm in her stance—so long as the quality inspection for the cables met national requirements and international industry standards, they could participate in the bidding process for the project.

Cheng Qiaobei calculated the time and took a taxi to Xiajiangnan. To avoid interfering with her discussions, he sent Chen Ningxi a WeChat message.

north: I’ve arrived.

Chen Ningxi saw the message and replied: Didn’t I say I’d call a driver?

north: Aren’t I your ready-made driver?

Chen Ningxi smiled.

north: No rush, focus on your discussion. I’m waiting in the lobby.

Chen Ningxi: Okay, almost done.

She set down her phone, and Sun Chang, who was beside her, laughed and said, "Family getting impatient?"

Chen Ningxi smiled awkwardly. "No, it’s nothing."

The happiness on her face was unmistakable, and Zou Yong noticed. He initially doubted Cheng Qiaobei, suspecting ulterior motives, but time proved him wrong.

Yet the only person Zou Yong misjudged was indeed Cheng Qiaobei.

Zou Yong glanced at his watch, and Sun Chang immediately picked up on the cue. When he mentioned wrapping up, Sun Chang stood and tidied up ahead of him, preparing to pay the bill.

With just the two of them left in the private room, Zou Yong asked with concern, "How does he treat you? He hasn’t bullied you, has he?"

Chen Ningxi’s eyes curved with a smile. "He treats me very well. As for bullying, he wouldn’t dare. According to my mom, it’s more likely I bully him."

"Hm," Zou Yong nodded slightly, "as long as he’s good to you, that’s what matters."

He then brought up Manager Sun’s matter, "The business Manager Sun discussed, don’t make it too difficult for her. She did agree to provide the paperwork you need." He looked at Chen Ningxi, noticing the hesitation on her face, then chuckled and said, "Don’t overthink it. I’m not interfering—I’m just matchmaking here. Whatever the outcome, make your own decision."

The more he emphasized that it didn’t matter, the more it reminded Chen Ningxi to consider his request.

She smiled and said, "Got it, Mr. Zou. You should head home too. My aunt’s probably waiting for you."

"Her?" Zou Yong just laughed. "She doesn’t have time to care about me."

Chen Ningxi: "?"

Zou Yong said, "She spends all day with her mahjong friends. Once they start, it’s an all-night affair—where would she have time for me?"

Picking up on the slight complaint, Chen Ningxi comforted him, "My aunt doesn’t have much to do while at home. Playing mahjong helps pass the time. My mom’s retired now too, and she enjoys playing mahjong in her free time."

Zou Yong opened the door for her and continued in a teasing tone, "I’m not interfering. I’m living freely now. Her group has something to do every day—mahjong, gatherings—just two days ago, a bunch of them went off on an international trip."

Chen Ningxi said, "Really? My aunt seems to have a comfortable life. It must make you happy to see that."

Zou Yong glanced at her and chuckled without saying any more.

The two walked and chatted casually. While Chen Ningxi didn’t give Zou Yong a clear answer, her bottom line remained firm—the proper documentation and approvals from relevant authorities were non-negotiable.

In the lobby, she didn’t see Cheng Qiaobei and stepped aside to call him.

When he picked up, she said, "I’m finished here. Where are you?"

Cheng Qiaobei replied, "Wait for me. I’m warming up the car. I finally spotted it—it’s parked across the road."

Chen Ningxi said, "There weren’t any spaces earlier, so it ended up on the other side."

Cheng Qiaobei: "Don’t come out yet, it’s cold out there."

He didn’t hang up the call. She stood by the restaurant door, watching the road through the glass.

He asked, "Had some drinks?"

Chen Ningxi fixed her gaze on the approaching car. "Just a little."

Cheng Qiaobei asked, "How much?"

Chen Ningxi: "Not much. Zou was here."

Cheng Qiaobei had previous dealings with Zou Yong—in business terms, Zou was no match for him. Though regarding Pan Cheng’s case, he owed Zou a big favor.

Business was all about numbers, but favors couldn’t be calculated with money. That’s why, if something could be resolved with money, Cheng Qiaobei never depleted his reserve of goodwill.

He knew that one day, Zou Yong would come to collect this debt of gratitude.

What he hadn’t expected was that Zou Yong’s appetite would be so large—it almost ruined him.

"Zou still around?" Cheng Qiaobei asked.

No matter if it was convenient or not, if Zou hadn’t left, he would make sure to get Zou home.

Chen Ningxi said, "No, his driver picked him up. He’s already left."

Cheng Qiaobei crossed the road and parked the car by the restaurant entrance. "Come out."

Before he could finish speaking, Chen Ningxi, who had been standing by the door all along, pushed it open and stepped outside.

The cold wind hit her face, and she shivered.

The door to the passenger seat opened, letting the chill in as she got inside. Before she could speak, he handed her a cup of warm milk tea.

"Good evening, Miss Chen. Driver Cheng at your service."

Chen Ningxi laughed and looked at the milk tea in her hands. "Your little gimmicks never stop—where did you even pick these up?"

Cheng Qiaobei started the car, eyes on the road ahead. "Do you think I’m Lin Hanrui? With my level of emotional intelligence, I don’t need to learn these things."

The milk tea was sweet and aromatic, the pearls soft and chewy, chasing away the lingering taste of alcohol.

Chen Ningxi turned to look at him. "You’re full of yourself."

Cheng Qiaobei chuckled. "When my wife praises me, how could I not be smug?"

"They say practice makes perfect. Where exactly are you practicing all this?"

"Come on... can we not? If you won’t play, hand back the milk tea. You’re so quick to cross the line."

Cheng Qiaobei reached out and held her hand with one of his. "I practiced all of it on you. What else do you have to say about that?"

Chen Ningxi burst into laughter. "So I can’t even ask?"

Cheng Qiaobei’s elegant fingers slid between hers and interlocked. "I guarantee that, as long as it doesn’t disrupt marital harmony, you can ask whatever you want."

Chen Ningxi leaned closer. Maybe it was the alcohol making her bold, but Cheng Qiaobei’s side profile looked even more attractive than usual. She gathered her courage and said, "Qiaobei—"

He glanced at her, noticing her slightly intoxicated and dazed state. "Ms. Chen, please restrain yourself."

Chen Ningxi giggled. "You’ve been wearing white shirts for days. I prefer seeing you in black ones."

At a red light, he stopped the car.

His elongated eyes curved slightly into a handsome smile as he leaned toward her, speaking in a low, enticing voice near her ear.

"I’ll wear a black shirt tonight—just for you."

Chen Ningxi covered her mouth, laughing, nodding eagerly.

"Mhm-mhm."

Knowing she was tipsy, Cheng straightened himself, with a playful curve curling on his lips.

The night was deep, the moon slivered like a hook, and the curtain hung half-closed, shielding passion and the fiery glow.

He deliberately changed into a black shirt and stood before her.

Chen Ningxi leaned back against the edge of the bed, her posture languid yet alluring. The lace nightgown draped to the floor, and she looked every bit like a siren longing for sustenance.

There’s something irresistible about a man in black—an air of forbidden desire coupled with the domestic charm that’s hard to imagine.

Broad shoulders, firm pecs, sexy collarbones—all radiating such restrained power.

The visual and tactile stimuli seemed ready to break free from the slightly open neckline.

Her breathing grew heavy, her head dizzy, but the excitement inside her climbed higher with each moment, fueled by the alcohol-induced heat.

Her slender arm lifted, fingers just barely brushing the edge of his shirt, before she fell back onto the bed.

Cheng followed suit, pressing her down as he held onto the woman now soft and pliant like water. He captured her tender lips, softly at first, then hungrily.

That seductive murmur of "Drunk—how are we supposed to continue?" echoed in her fading consciousness like a spell.

In this moment, she surrendered completely, a passive participant in the fervent exchange yet reveling in every second of it.

—Have you ever thought about eternity?

It exists, right here, right now.

...

When Chen Ningxi regained her clarity, she found Cheng Qiaobei sleeping beside her, his handsome face warming her heart unexpectedly.

Careful not to wake him, she slipped out of bed to retrieve her fallen nightgown. As she dressed, he shifted slightly, turning over, and she froze for a few seconds before cautiously heading to the kitchen to make breakfast.

"Huh..." She stared at Cheng Qiaobei’s back, stunned. What was this?

His bare back was covered in faint red scratches.

Chen Ningxi tentatively moved closer and murmured, "I... didn’t do this, right?"

The man with his back turned replied, "If not you, then who?"

"You’re awake?" Chen Ningxi reached out to touch him. "How come I don’t remember?"

Cheng Qiaobei turned around with an exasperated look. "If you won’t take responsibility, I’ll have to report you to Mom."

He seemed fully prepared to go through with it. Alarmed, Chen Ningxi quickly held him back. "No, no, no—it was me, it was me. I admit it, okay?"