Fated Love With the Billionaire -
Chapter 36 He Seems to Have Misunderstood Me
Chapter 36: Chapter 36 He Seems to Have Misunderstood Me
"You..."
Stole the limelight, and yet got criticized for being pushed onto the stage. Can you believe that?
Li Xiangnan’s face turned red and then white with anger, his nostrils flaring. If Li Zhijie hadn’t been there holding him back, he might have really blown up.
Li Zhijie maintained a smile. Although he felt discontent inside, he still praised Chen Ningxi outwardly.
"Listen to what Mr. Chen said, such forward-thinking. Now look at you, only caring about your own little corner all day without communicating more with the higher-ups. How can your thinking improve? Learn from Mr. Chen; your awareness needs improvement."
Implying she was two-faced?
Chen Ningxi also displayed her PR-style smile, "Manager Li, I have the subjective desire to improve my awareness. I really want to learn from a brilliant leader like you, though I’m not sure if I have the opportunity."
"Learning from me, indeed. I wouldn’t dare. My rank isn’t good enough," Li Zhijie smiled affably, waving his hand, and said, "You’re now the one among the young mid-level employees with the most potential. If there’s anything, we can talk face to face. There’s no misunderstanding that can’t be resolved, and there’s no need for others to stir up trouble. Don’t you agree? Originally, there was no issue between us, so don’t let others interfere. Sometimes simple things get complicated, and once things get complicated, misunderstandings arise. Wouldn’t you say, Mr. Chen?"
Li Zhijie patted Li Xiangnan on the shoulder beside him, "Xiangnan is straightforward and sincere. If there’s anything, you should help him out. Don’t listen to those baseless rumors. You and Xiangnan joined the company one after the other, so there’s no competition. You’re both good comrades and friends, right?"
Chen Ningxi nodded in agreement, "Manager Li is right."
"Xiangnan?" Li Zhijie gave Li Xiangnan a nudge. Though his demeanor appeared sincere, his eyes were filled with cunning calculations. Li Xiangnan said, "If you ever need anything from me in the future, it’s just a phone call away."
Chen Ningxi responded, "Li, between us, there’s no need for that. Saying it like this feels foreign."
"Look at Chen, a person who understands," Li Zhijie smiled, deepening the crow’s feet around his eyes.
"Excuse me, Manager Li, Li, I’m heading to the washroom."
Chen Ningxi used the excuse to go to the washroom to escape from the two of them.
It was obvious that Li Zhijie was trying to mediate their relationship, intending to act as a peacemaker. If Li Xiangnan genuinely realized his mistakes and corrected them, Chen Ningxi wouldn’t care about his petty, underhanded deeds from before. But judging from Li Xiangnan’s attitude, he had no intention of repenting. On the contrary, if given the chance, he would certainly not let Chen Ningxi have it easy.
In the hallway, Chen Ningxi didn’t notice someone following her. When she did, Cheng Qiaobei quickly caught up with her, and the two walked side by side.
"Are you heading to the washroom too?"
Cheng Qiaobei smiled, "Didn’t you notice? Your words are getting sharper."
Chen Ningxi recalled what had just happened, "Were you eavesdropping on our conversation?"
"Hey, don’t say things carelessly. I wasn’t eavesdropping. Your conversation was loud enough for anyone passing by to hear." Cheng Qiaobei slowed his pace, and Chen Ningxi unconsciously matched his speed.
Cheng Qiaobei turned his face towards her, looking at the petite Chen Ningxi. Although she appeared rather frail, she held her ground against two big men effortlessly, navigating the conversation deftly, speaking with more confidence than they did.
"I don’t have a hobby of listening to other people’s conversations," Chen Ningxi thought for a moment. "Besides, I didn’t say anything I shouldn’t have."
Cheng Qiaobei said, "I think you were too forgiving with them."
Chen Ningxi was at a loss, "..."
Cheng Qiaobei said, "Two grown men scheming against a woman, really shameless. If they aren’t competent, they shouldn’t blame others for being brilliant."
Chen Ningxi suddenly realized that he seemed to be trying to comfort her.
She almost couldn’t help but laugh, "Are you here to comfort me?"
Cheng Qiaobei lowered his eyes, "Do you need comforting?"
Chen Ningxi found this person quite interesting. He never answered questions directly, always skirting around them.
"I asked you first."
"I answered you."
"What did you answer?"
"Do you need comforting?"
Chen Ningxi rolled her eyes silently. Talking seriously with him was impossible; even one more sentence would drive her nuts.
Cheng Qiaobei said, "Actually, after entering society, everyone’s the same. There’s competition, comparisons, survival of the fittest everywhere. Existence implies it’s justified. We’re all following the law of the jungle."
Chen Ningxi said, "Do you know why he’s so passive-aggressive with me?"
Although he didn’t know the exact details, he could guess about seventy or eighty percent of the situation.
"Did you block his path?"
Chen Ningxi said, "Three people competing for a manager position. I always thought everyone was vying for it based on their abilities. Later, I realized how naive I was. Some people rely on connections and operate behind the scenes, some engage in underhanded tactics. I couldn’t stand it, so I found someone to block their paths. If they want to compete with me, they should show their abilities, and everyone should compete fairly and squarely. In the end, no matter who wins or loses, it’s convincing."
"Didn’t expect it. You have a righteous spirit. Put you in ancient times, and you’d definitely be a heroine fighting injustice."
Cheng Qiaobei slightly raised the corners of his mouth, smiling gently and dotingly, which sent ripples through Chen Ningxi’s heart.
Chen Ningxi quickly looked away, feeling the warmth rising in her cheeks.
This person was so bothersome. Why did he smile at her like that?
"Manager Cheng."
A voice called from behind, interrupting their conversation. Chen Ningxi turned her head to see a hurried waiter approaching and said to Cheng Qiaobei, "You go ahead; I can find the washroom."
Cheng Qiaobei chuckled, nodded, and turned to leave.
...
Ever since their talk, Cheng Ningxi couldn’t help but recall Cheng Qiaobei’s smile. Although it didn’t imply anything special, she truly couldn’t stand him doing that.
She usually chatted with other male colleagues from their unit, and they would also have a gentle smile, but only when meeting Cheng Qiaobei’s gaze did her heart race.
He had already indicated that he wouldn’t develop anything further with her, but Chen Ningxi seemed unable to control her restless heart from their increasingly frequent interactions.
The phone alarm rang, reminding her that it was time to water Cheng Qiaobei’s plants again tonight. He had a pot with yellowing leaves. After work, Chen Ningxi went to the nearby flower and bird market to inquire and bought a fertilizer targeting the yellowing problem.
Since the two of them lived close by and she was only going to water his plants, Chen Ningxi went over in her pajamas with a long down coat over them after dinner.
She held a bottle of fertilizer in one hand and her handbag in the other.
Upon entering, she first mixed the fertilizer with water and then took the bottle to water the plants. When she reached the third pot, the doorbell rang.
He wasn’t home. Who could it be?
Wearing pajamas, Chen Ningxi went to open the door and asked through the door viewer, "What is it?"
Standing outside was Cheng Qiaobei’s driver. "It’s me, Xiao Gang, the driver, here to pick up documents for Manager Cheng."
Facing a stranger, you couldn’t fault her for being cautious. Chen Ningxi spoke through the door, "Wait a moment; I’ll give him a call."
Xiao Gang replied, "Okay."
Chen Ningxi went to the living room, picked up her phone, and dialed Cheng Qiaobei’s number. When he answered, she asked,
"There’s a driver named Xiao Gang who says you asked him to come to your house to get some documents?"
When Cheng Qiaobei heard her mention his house, it made him feel very comfortable. "Yes, he’s the hotel driver in charge of pick-ups. I have a last-minute meeting. The documents are in the study on the left-hand side, second drawer. Bring the blue file folder to him for me."
"All right, which documents?"
Cheng Qiaobei replied, "The Atlantis proposal."
Chen Ningxi ran to the study, found the file according to his directions, and brought it to Xiao Gang. Xiao Gang saw a woman in pajamas appear at the manager’s house holding a watering can, all set in a homey attire. He looked back at her when leaving.
Chen Ningxi knew it would lead to misunderstandings and, exasperated, sent Cheng Qiaobei a message.
Chen Ningxi: You should explain to Xiao Gang. I’m just here to water your plants, and he seems to have misunderstood.
north: Ok.
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