Fated Love With the Billionaire
Chapter 351: Everyone Has Their Own Destiny

Chapter 351: Chapter 351: Everyone Has Their Own Destiny

Chen Qian’s expression changed slightly, but he quickly recovered and pretended to act calm as he said:

"Since Mr. Cheng sent me, it already reflects his stance."

"Nice try, but I’m not buying it," Cheng Qiaobei tossed the file back. "Go back and tell Mr. Cheng you didn’t seal the deal."

Chen Qian was tongue-tied for a few seconds. "...Manager Cheng, even if Mr. Cheng himself came to negotiate, the terms in the contract wouldn’t change. However, if you agree today, I can report back to Mr. Cheng and request some additional incentives for Eastern First-class."

"Chen Qian, you’re out of moves, aren’t you?"

His disdainful smile was unbearably glaring to Chen Qian.

The man before him carried an air of unique contempt, as if he looked down on everything. Even when it concerned the Qingshan project, Cheng Qiaobei refused to bow to anyone. Facing powerful opponents, he never showed fear.

Like a lion—proud, untamed, and unapproachable.

Chen Qian continued to make his case, "Manager Cheng, what are your conditions? Just state them."

Cheng Qiaobei tapped the file on the desk and said firmly, word by word:

"Go back and tell Mr. Cheng: Qingshan project, I’m taking it."

Chen Qian felt a surge of frustration. Failing to secure the deal would lead to Mr. Cheng’s wrath again, and the thought of it left him bitter. "Manager Cheng, hear me out. Given Eastern First-class’s current strength, going head-to-head with Jade Jiali won’t pay off for you. Signing the contract will benefit both you and the company."

Leaning back in his chair, Cheng Qiaobei said, "See yourself out."

His firm stance left Chen Qian no choice but to resentfully pack up the file and leave.

As the office door opened, Wei Lai perked up her ears and heard Cheng Qiaobei call out: "Wei Lai, escort Secretary Chen out."

Deng Yan stepped out from his own office, separated from Wei Lai by a wall. "You’re not feeling well, I’ll do it."

For the first time, Wei Lai saw Deng Yan with an air of authority, leaving no room for argument.

She quietly sat back down and watched Deng Yan approach Chen Qian. "Secretary Chen, please."

This was Chen Qian’s first interaction with Deng Yan. Although he had seen Deng Yan’s photo on the departing employee files, he hadn’t expected to meet him here in person.

Chen Qian nodded slightly and followed Deng Yan as they walked out of the company.

Just as Deng Yan was about to turn away, Chen Qian called out to him, "Secretary Deng."

"..." Deng Yan turned back.

Chen Qian said, "I heard from colleagues that you’ve been Mr. Cheng’s secretary for four or five years."

Deng Yan replied lightly, "Yes."

Chen Qian hinted, "You’ve served top-tier companies. Don’t you feel overqualified for your position now?"

Deng Yan replied, "No."

Thinking him a bit dense, Chen Qian nodded. "Alright then. Everyone has their own path in life. Maybe yours is to keep slipping down the ranks."

Facing Chen Qian’s mockery, Deng Yan simply turned and walked away.

Chen Qian felt agitated—what was up with these people!

Deng Yan headed straight to Cheng Qiaobei’s office and asked, "What are the terms?"

Cheng Qiaobei replied, "Acquire Eastern First-class. Qingshan’s land will be handled under our branch office’s name."

Deng Yan followed up, "What’s the consequence of rejection?"

Cheng Qiaobei enjoyed dealing with sharp minds—they didn’t waste time on petty talk.

"Jade Jiali will go all out to secure Qingshan’s land, leaving us no standing in the industry."

Judging by Deng Yan’s calm demeanor, it seemed he had already anticipated as much.

Cheng Qiaobei said, "Go back to work and ensure progress isn’t delayed."

"Got it."

After Deng Yan left, Cheng Qiaobei dialed a number and said, "It’s time for you to act."

A response echoed from the receiver: "Understood."

After hanging up, Cheng Qiaobei glanced at his watch, grabbed his car keys, and left.

Wei Lai noticed him leaving and glanced at the time. Silently, she marked him as "departed early" in the attendance log for the corresponding date.

Yes, even with only three people in the office, attendance was monitored.

This was Wei Lai’s rule—meant to discipline Cheng Qiaobei and reduce his frequency of tardiness and early departures so he would stay focused on work.

For now, though, results were minimal.

Cheng Qiaobei drove straight to the market, buying fish and vegetables, then stopped by the seafood stall to pick up a few crabs.

As soon as Chen Ningxi walked through the door, she could smell the aroma of cooking. She took off her jacket and headed straight for the kitchen, where Cheng Qiaobei was stir-frying crabs.

"Wow, the food at home is really good today."

Turning off the stove and plating the dish, Cheng Qiaobei gave her a playful smile. "I’m in a good mood today."

Chen Ningxi took the plate to the dining area, and over her shoulder, she heard Cheng Qiaobei say, "Caught something big today."

"Caught something? With the ice frozen over, where did you fish?" she asked, puzzled, as she watched him bring out a plate of fish. "You caught this?"

Cheng Qiaobei chuckled and shook his head. "Bought it."

She frowned. "Then why did you say you went fishing?"

He gently tapped her nose. "Just teasing you. Now go wash your hands."

After changing into her home clothes and washing her hands, she returned to the dining area, where Cheng Qiaobei had already laid out the tableware. She said:

"Head office is organizing leadership training. I’m in the first batch. It starts the day after tomorrow and lasts three days."

Just as Cheng Qiaobei was about to lift his bowl, he set it back down. "What am I supposed to do for those three days you’re gone?"

She laughed. "It’s just three days. I’ve already spoken to Mom—she said you can eat over there."

Squinting, he teased, "In your eyes, am I just someone who’s preoccupied with meals?"

She replied, "What else is there?"

He let out a dramatic sigh. "We’re newlyweds."

She corrected him, "We had our wedding on June 28th—it’s been over six months. That doesn’t count as newlyweds anymore."

Here we go~

"Chen Ningxi, you..." Pretending to be too distraught to eat, he whimpered. "Alright, alright, I knew it, I knew this day would come. You’re tired of me already, aren’t you?"

Chen Ningxi loved watching him play the role of a wronged husband. Smiling slyly, she said, "Keep going, make your expression a bit more pitiful, and add some richer dialogue. Fully embody a charismatic, successful, devoted husband abandoned by his heartless wife."

With furrowed brows and trembling lips, he sighed deeply. "So, love really does disappear?"

She couldn’t hold back her laughter, waving her hand. "That line doesn’t work—it just makes people want to laugh."

"Forget it, I give up—no more acting." He picked up his bowl and said, "Now I’m concerned about how many male colleagues will be attending the training and their age ranges."

She replied, "Around twenty-something people, five women, and the rest are men. All outstanding individuals over thirty years old."

"That many? A dozen or so men joining your training? Suddenly, I envy them."

She quipped, "No need to. None of them are as handsome as you."

"Then no problem." He picked up a piece of crab and said, "Here, wife, have some crab. The ones I picked were lively when I bought them—super fresh meat."

She tried some and nodded. "Hmm...delicious. Add that vat of vinegar you knocked over earlier, and it’d be perfect. You should have some too."

She selected a piece for him, saying, "I really did speak to Mom. She said you should eat over there—it’s too much trouble to cook alone."

Smiling, he replied, "Another legit excuse for freeloading meals."

Later that evening, Chen Ningxi approached him with a bowl of medicinal soup and a cube of rock sugar.

He stared at the bowl, pursing his lips in obvious reluctance.

"Drink your medicine, dear," Chen Ningxi teased.

He snorted. "You cruel-hearted woman."

Giggling, she placed the bowl in his hand. "Hurry and drink it so you can go play afterward."

His mood instantly lightened. With a cheeky smile, he smacked her backside and said, "Go lie down on the bed like a good girl."