Fated Love With the Billionaire
Chapter 339: Do I Really Need to Deceive You?

Chapter 339: Chapter 339: Do I Really Need to Deceive You?

Lu Xingyan had always considered that everyone worked in the same unit, seeing each other daily. If they truly tore each other apart, meeting face-to-face would just be awkward.

But Wang Qing’s words enraged him. With a cold expression, he dragged Wang Qing upstairs. Wang Qing, convinced she had something on him, secretly rejoiced inside.

Lu Xingyan found an empty office, pushed her inside, closed the door, and blocked the entrance with his tall frame. He tilted his chin slightly and said, "Repeat what you just said."

Wang Qing wasn’t afraid of him at all. She responded confidently, "If you don’t agree, I’ll tell everyone about you and Manager Chen."

Lu Xingyan’s expression turned serious, "What could possibly be going on between me and Manager Chen? Don’t spread rumors."

Wang Qing wasn’t intimidated by his demeanor. She wasn’t so easy to fool and replied, "You know perfectly well what’s going on between the two of you."

Lu Xingyan clenched his lips in anger, planting both hands on his waist, "I’m a man—it’s whatever for me. But don’t spew nonsense and tarnish Manager Chen’s reputation."

"Am I really making things up?" Wang Qing began rattling off the subtle interactions between them, "Back during winter drills, you sat in the car right behind Manager Chen, your eyes never leaving her. When you lost the match, no amount of comfort from others worked, yet two words from Manager Chen had you grinning ear to ear, with your smile practically reaching your ears. When she fell ill, you went out of your way to buy her medicine and snacks—fever meds one minute, throat remedies the next. Did you really need to make it so obvious? You’re always going into her office, and now, early in the morning, you’re running there again. Do you really think everyone in the unit is blind?"

Having his actions laid out so plainly, Lu Xingyan couldn’t help but start reflecting.

He realized he couldn’t just care about his own feelings and disregard Chen Ningxi’s reputation.

Furthermore, the entire situation was his one-sided crush—Chen Ningxi had no idea about any of it.

Wang Qing saw his silence and became even more aggressive. "Our unit isn’t that big or small—it’s just five floors. Do you really think you can hide any secrets here?"

Lu Xingyan explained seriously, "Wang Qing, let me make it clear one last time: there’s absolutely nothing improper between me and Manager Chen. Whatever this is, it’s me secretly liking her, and she doesn’t know anything about it. Got it?"

Wang Qing was skeptical, "Really?"

Lu Xingyan replied, "Why would I lie to you?"

Wang Qing pressed further, "So, you really like Manager Chen?"

Not wanting her to misunderstand and spread further rumors, Lu Xingyan nodded in acknowledgment, "Yes, I have feelings for her."

Wang Qing was undeniably drawn to Lu Xingyan, "Manager Chen doesn’t know?"

Lu Xingyan: "She has no idea."

Wang Qing said, "Then promise me, and I won’t tell her."

Lu Xingyan clicked his tongue, "Are you threatening me now?"

Wang Qing replied, "I’m just trying to stop you from getting too deep. Why don’t we try being together? Maybe over time, you’ll lose interest in her."

Lu Xingyan gave her no courtesy with his words, "Even if I were looking for a substitute, it wouldn’t be you."

With that, Lu Xingyan turned to open the door to leave.

"I’m heading straight to Manager Chen to tell her now."

Her tone didn’t sound like she was joking. If she really did tell Chen Ningxi, considering their encounter at the gym some time ago, Manager Chen would likely deliberately avoid him and might even arrange for him to be relocated to another branch office.

If that happened, he wouldn’t be able to see her anymore.

Lu Xingyan hesitated with his hand on the doorknob, turned his head, and said, "Forced love never works. You understand that, right?"

Wang Qing replied, "It’s not about sweet or unsweetened—I just want this melon. Is that so wrong?"

Lu Xingyan shook his head, "It’s wrong."

With that, he opened the door and left.

Wang Qing chased after him, "I’m really going to tell her."

Inside, Lu Xingyan felt anxious but acted indifferent, "Go ahead, say whatever you want."

He quickened his pace down the stairs, leaving Wang Qing furious and frustrated behind him.

While in college, Lu Xingyan had encountered situations where girls pursued him, but none had ever resorted to threats or intimidation like Wang Qing.

Love, after all, should be mutual. When coercion gets involved, the thought of having a girlfriend like this by his side every day was almost terrifying.

Lu Xingyan decided it was time to move to a different apartment complex.

For now, he was just starting his career, and his rent was still being covered by his family.

Back in his office, Lu Xingyan called his mother, Lv Jianglan.

"Mom, are you busy?"

Lv Jianglan was at a beauty salon, getting skincare treatments, "I’m doing a facial. What’s up, son?"

Lu Xingyan said, "Mom, this apartment is a bit too far from my office. I want to move somewhere closer."

Lv Jianglan replied, "You were so adamant about moving to Danjiang before, saying you wouldn’t need us to take care of you. Now, if your dad hears you complaining about the distance, he’s bound to nag on and on."

Lu Xingyan: "Mom..."

Lv Jianglan always spoiled her son, "Alright, alright. I’ll contact an agent and help you find a location that’s more convenient."

After hanging up, Lu Xingyan waited to move out.

...

Sunday.

Cheng Qiaobei drove Chen Ningxi to their new office. Due to budgetary reasons, the company hadn’t chosen a spot in the bustling downtown area but opted for a newly developed economic zone in Danjiang. The rent for an entire floor there was equivalent to the cost of just renting one office in the old district.

The price difference was that significant.

As they drove towards the new district, the surroundings were sparsely populated, and supporting facilities were relatively lacking.

While the area was far removed from the city’s hustle and bustle, it exuded a tranquil, pastoral vibe.

Chen Ningxi was concerned that the new company’s remote location might affect customer traffic.

She asked, "The new office is so far—won’t you need to drive an extra hour to work every day?"

Cheng Qiaobei anticipated her concerns and explained, "In our industry, the office’s location doesn’t matter as much as the hotels’ locations do."

Chen Ningxi quickly understood his point, "Oh, right! How could I forget that?"

"Heh..." Cheng Qiaobei chuckled, "Our primary business and revenue come from our hotels. Us folks at headquarters mainly focus on integration and coordination, that’s all."

"Wait, are you implying more hotels will be built?" Chen Ningxi envisioned the scale, "If you want to create a chain, one or two hotels won’t make much of an impact. But to scale up, the investment will require an enormous amount of funds. How much do you have on hand right now?"

Cheng Qiaobei replied, "You don’t know my financial situation?"

Chen Ningxi thought for a moment, but the more she calculated, the more of a headache she got, "Land, buildings, renovations, essential fixtures and furnishings... adding it all up, there’s no way to build many hotels at once."