Fated Love With the Billionaire
Chapter 352 Sympathy

Chapter 352: Chapter 352 Sympathy

Cheng Xiangheng’s driver, Yuan Honglin, placed a notebook on the desk respectfully and said:

"Mr. Cheng, these are Cheng Qiaobei’s activities over the past week."

Opening the notebook, it documented Cheng Qiaobei’s daily schedule in detail—what time he left home for work, lunch breaks, how long he stayed at the office, the people he met, what time he finished work, and who he spoke to in the meantime. It even included a list of people he met over the weekend, with some special individuals accompanied by notes on conversation details.

Cheng Xiangheng paid special attention to Shao Shangyu and a man named Wang Yongxin.

The former was in charge of land development approvals, while the latter worked in the corporate lending department of Danjiang Commercial Bank.

The fact these two were working together clearly indicated that Cheng Qiaobei had decided to go all-in on the Qingshan project.

Cheng Xiangheng said, "Continue following him."

Yuan Honglin packed up the notebook and was just about to leave when Cheng Xiangheng added, "Make sure he doesn’t notice."

Yuan Honglin: "Understood, I’ll be extra cautious."

As the office door closed, Cheng Xiangheng’s gaze turned dark like a cold, deep pond. He rubbed the gold pen in his hand, pondering Cheng Qiaobei’s next move.

He was too skilled at hiding his intentions.

From resigning and creating the facade of joining another hotel, to his current struggles to establish a company—based on his understanding of Cheng Qiaobei and the various clues, Cheng Xiangheng was certain the situation wasn’t as straightforward as it seemed.

But one thing was clear: his determination to pursue the Qingshan project was undeniable.

Cheng Xiangheng knew that he absolutely couldn’t let him succeed. If Cheng Qiaobei gained the opportunity, it would mark the countdown to Jade Jiali’s crisis.

Cheng Xiangheng called the finance director: "Come to my office."

After hanging up, he instructed Chen Qian to immediately prepare a Qingshan project development proposal—speed was of the essence.

Within two days, Jade Jiali officially submitted its Qingshan District development proposal, accompanied by a report showcasing Jade Jiali’s successful projects and plans to construct free public facilities for community benefit.

To the government, offering free community facilities alongside development enhanced Jade Jiali’s reputation considerably.

However, this news caused Eastern First-class to be placed in an awkward position. Cheng Qiaobei had heard about their proposal but realized that building a hotel on an already limited plot while ensuring the free public facilities meant sacrificing areas initially reserved for a parking lot.

Now the trade-off between fish and bear’s paw was inevitable; the time to test Cheng Qiaobei had arrived.

After sending Chen Ningxi off for training, Cheng Qiaobei returned to the company and started calling Shao Shangyu from the Land Resources Bureau.

"Director Shao, are you free tonight? I found a good spot; shall we grab a drink together?"

Knowing full well what the dinner was about, Shao Shangyu replied, "Sure, I have time."

Cheng Qiaobei gave the address and time, then walked over to Wei Lai’s desk.

"Book a private room at Jiangnan Banquet for tonight; I invited Director Shao at six o’clock."

Wei Lai picked up the phone to make the reservation immediately: "Got it."

Deng Yan walked in. Cheng Qiaobei saw his hesitance and returned to his office.

Closing the door, Cheng Qiaobei asked: "What’s going on?"

Deng Yan said: "With the Lunar New Year approaching, can I leave a few days early?"

Cheng Qiaobei: "Family matters?"

Deng Yan nodded: "My mom isn’t feeling well; I want to take her for a check-up before the holiday."

Cheng Qiaobei opened a drawer beside him, took out two bundles of cash, and pushed them forward on the desk: "I was planning to distribute these before the holiday anyway. Here."

Deng Yan: "The company has only been operational for a short time, cash flow isn’t stable yet. I haven’t achieved much, so I don’t want the bonus."

Cheng Qiaobei: "Take it. Stop with the nonsense."

Seeing Deng Yan standing motionless, Cheng Qiaobei picked up the cash bundles, walked over, and shoved them into Deng Yan’s arms: "You left behind better opportunities at other companies because of me. Even though we’re growing slowly now, proper compensation will always be given. Don’t think it’s too little—once the days are better, the rewards will be doubled."

"...Cheng." Deng Yan was moved.

"Alright, cut the drama." Cheng Qiaobei grabbed another bundle meant for Wei Lai from the drawer. "Let me know in advance when you’re leaving, and hand over your tasks to Wei Lai."

Deng Yan: "Thank you, Cheng."

Cheng Qiaobei smiled.

Wei Lai noticed two bundles of red cash on his desk: "The bonuses are being handed out this early this year?"

Cheng Qiaobei: "Deng Yan’s mother is ill. He’s heading home early, so the bonuses are being distributed now."

Wei Lai clasped his hands with a giddy smile: "Thank you, boss."

Deng Yan approached Wei Lai’s desk: "Wei Lai, I’m leaving the day after tomorrow. I’ll try to complete all my work in the next two days, but three documents still need Mr. Cheng’s approval and signature. Before I go, I’ll hand them over to you. Please follow up on the process."

Wei Lai enthusiastically replied: "Don’t worry, I’ll handle it." Then asked, "What’s wrong with your mother?"

Deng Yan: "An old illness—Parkinson’s. She needs to do a follow-up check and get medication."

Parkinson’s is said to be incurable. Thinking about her own happy family, Wei Lai felt some sympathy for Deng Yan.

"Deng Yan, leave your work to me and take your mother to the hospital quickly."

Noticing sympathy in Wei Lai’s eyes, Deng Yan felt slightly hurt. His face turned a bit stern as he said:

"I’ll finish as much as I can; I don’t want to trouble you."

After saying this, he turned and left the office. Wei Lai felt puzzled and muttered: "Why get angry all of a sudden..."

...

Arriving at Jiangnan Banquet half an hour early, Cheng Qiaobei sent a WeChat message to Chen Ningxi.

north: Are you resting?

Chen Ningxi: Are you psychic? I just got to the break room when your message arrived.

north: Is there a chance I’m just downstairs from your building?

Chen Ningxi wasn’t so easily fooled.

Chen Ningxi: No way.

north: The kid’s getting harder to fool.

Chen Ningxi: So, you admit you deceived me before—claiming you couldn’t cook just to trick me into making crab for you.

north: You hold grudges.

Chen Ningxi: That’s not holding a grudge; it’s stating facts.

north: Have you had dinner?

Chen Ningxi: Don’t change the subject.

Seeing Shao Shangyu get out of his car, Cheng Qiaobei sent a voice message to Chen Ningxi: "Meeting a friend for dinner. We’ll talk at home later."

Chen Ningxi: OK.

Just as he put his phone away, the private room door swung open.

Cheng Qiaobei greeted the visitor with a smile: "Director Shao."

Shao Shangyu pulled the chair and sat down: "The traffic was a bit heavy; sorry for being late."

Cheng Qiaobei: "Not late at all; I just arrived myself."

Calling a waiter to order dishes, it was clear tonight’s focus wasn’t on the food but the discussion.

Once the table was set, Cheng Qiaobei instructed the waiter not to interrupt.

Pouring a glass of wine for Shao Shangyu, Cheng Qiaobei offered a toast first.

"Director Shao, try the dishes—see if they suit your taste."

Shao Shangyu took a bite and nodded: "Hmm, not bad."

After chatting about unrelated matters for a while, the discussion finally steered toward its main purpose.

Cheng Qiaobei said: "Director Shao, I intend to pursue the Qingshan project. How confident can we be?"

Meanwhile, in the corridor,

Yuan Honglin beckoned a waiter, speaking covertly: "Do me a favor—find a way to place this somewhere unnoticed."

The waiter was about to refuse when a wad of cash was shoved into his hands.