Fated Love With the Billionaire
Chapter 371: Exposed

Chapter 371: Chapter 371: Exposed

Chen Qian reported on Cheng Qiaobei’s whereabouts in Shenzhen, stating that apart from investigating the investment environment, he hadn’t left the hotel.

Upon returning to Danjiang, he started organizing information about Orchid Garden, which made people suspect that after losing the land in Qingshan, Cheng Qiaobei chose Orchid Garden as a second option.

Looking at the photo sent by Chen Qian of Cheng Qiaobei meeting with the person in charge of Orchid Garden, Cheng Xiangheng’s smile had a hint of sarcasm.

He muttered to himself, "I knew you couldn’t accomplish anything big."

Cheng Xiangheng put down his phone and decided to announce the commencement of the Qingshan project at the next shareholders’ meeting.

At that time, inside the Eastern First-class Company.

The door to Cheng Qiaobei’s office was closed, Wei Lai knocked on it while holding a cup of coffee.

Knock, knock.

"Come in."

Wei Lai brought the coffee to Zhou Sui, "Manager Zhou, your coffee."

Zhou Sui smiled and nodded, "Thank you."

Cheng Qiaobei handed the signed document to Wei Lai, "Put the official seal on it, and Manager Zhou will take it later."

Wei Lai: "Okay."

As soon as Wei Lai stepped out of the office, Zhou Sui, holding her coffee, said, "Secretary Wei is really good, it’s a pity I can’t recruit such people."

Cheng Qiaobei smiled, "Yeah, they are friends I’ve worked with for many years, it’s not easy to get to where we are today."

Having been in the workplace for many years, Zhou Sui hadn’t made any real friends, mostly colleagues who are profit-oriented and opportunistic.

No matter how pleasant the cooperation at work was, it would never extend into personal life, mixing with personal feelings.

As for friends who have worked together for many years, like Cheng Qiaobei mentioned, she found it somewhat unbelievable.

"Do you interact with them privately?" Zhou Sui asked.

Cheng Qiaobei replied, "Yeah, we also have dinner and drinks together, and when the weather is nice, we have barbecues on Deng Yan’s rooftop. In a while, it will be hiking season, I went on a hiking trip with him last year. We slept on the mountain at night, set up tents, and lit bonfires. In summer, we cook by the creek, watching stars and listening to the sound of crickets and birds at night."

She suddenly envied the relationship he had with his colleagues.

Zhou Sui said, "Listening to you, I’m tempted. If there’s an opportunity, can I join?"

"Of course you can."

Zhou Sui added, "I’ll bring him along as well."

Cheng Qiaobei recalled the day they had a blind date, both of them had confessed to having someone they liked.

"You still haven’t dealt with your family?" Cheng Qiaobei asked.

Mentioning this, Zhou Sui felt a bit of a headache.

She shook her head helplessly, "My parents are different from yours. Your parents still listen to you, my dad is very stubborn, and my mom doesn’t approve of my boyfriend at all."

Cheng Qiaobei: "What are you planning to do? You can’t keep it like this forever."

Zhou Sui said, "I’ve thought of all possible ways. I’ve suggested a meeting several times, but they still won’t budge, and I can’t just drag them to meet him. Let’s just take it step by step, maybe over time, they’ll come to understand."

Cheng Qiaobei: "What about his family? Have you met them?"

Zhou Sui replied, "His parents treat me well. They moved to Danjiang last year, I rented an apartment for them near mine, which makes it easier to look after us. He has a younger sister who just started university, she’s a smart girl, and we chat often. She studies in Lancang, and during weekends, I visit her, take her shopping, to eat, and buy clothes. My relationship with her is better than with his parents."

Cheng Qiaobei furrowed his brows slightly, sensing something else.

"What about him?"

Zhou Sui asked, "What about him?"

Cheng Qiaobei said, "You’ve said all this, I want to know how he treats you?"

Zhou Sui replied, "He’s good too, very thoughtful and takes great care of me."

Cheng Qiaobei suddenly understood a truth, that not all women are rational when it comes to emotions, even if they are skillful in the business world.

He boldly guessed, "What kind of car did you buy for him?"

Zhou Sui immediately understood the implication of Cheng Qiaobei’s question, "He’s not the kind of person you think, he’s not after my money."

Cheng Qiaobei said, "I didn’t mean to offend, I’m just curious about what car you got him, as I’m planning to buy one for my wife too."

Zhou Sui playfully glared at him, "Cheng Qiaobei, do you think I’m that naive?"

Cheng Qiaobei nodded, "Alright, you caught me."

Zhou Sui said, "We’ve been together for five or six years, he’s always been very generous to me, but very frugal with himself. To save money to buy me clothes and shoes, he commutes daily by bus and subway, and even eats the cheapest meal deals for lunch. I’ve mentioned not to buy things for me, but on every holiday and anniversary, he remembers better than I do, and never asks for my money. This year, for his birthday, I secretly bought him a Lexus SUV, and only after much persuasion did he start using it. As a department manager, he can’t keep taking the bus and subway to work, and hitching rides with colleagues after work."

Cheng Qiaobei intentionally replied with a deep "hmm," and Zhou Sui said, "Don’t be so sarcastic."

Wei Lai knocked and entered with the contract stamped with the official seal, placing it on the table, "Cheng, the contract is ready."

Cheng Qiaobei handed a copy to Zhou Sui, speaking with double meaning, "In this negotiation, whoever gets impulsive first and offers all the preferential policies will be unlucky."

Wei Lai was wide-eyed, wondering how this issue suddenly came up.

Zhou Sui, being smart, said, "Not necessarily unlucky, since it’s a partnership, sincerity is the real secret weapon. Alright, I have other matters to attend to, so I’m leaving now."

Some things are clearer from the outside.

Cheng Qiaobei got up to see her off, for between him and Zhou Sui, there was absolutely no romantic feeling, but more admiration for a woman who was principled, insightful, and courageous in the business world.

"No need to see me off, we’re all familiar here."

Cheng Qiaobei still accompanied Zhou Sui to the elevator, and just as the elevator door was about to close.

He suddenly said, "Zhou Sui, as a friend, a friendly reminder, don’t overestimate human nature."

As Zhou Sui was staring in shock, the elevator doors closed.

On his way back, Wei Lai, having overheard the conversation, felt that a woman like Zhou Sui, being both beautiful and mature, wouldn’t be wrong in her judgment.

"Boss, it’s best to say less about others’ relationships. In case she takes your genuine concern the wrong way, and her boyfriend comes to the company to hold you accountable, it won’t end well. Besides, a woman like Zhou Sui wouldn’t be that naive."

Cheng Qiaobei slowly turned his face, twitching his lips, "Are you the man or am I? Don’t I understand how men think better than you?"

"Uh..." Wei Lai was speechless, realizing he had a point.

Cheng Qiaobei left, and Wei Lai hurriedly caught up, "Holding a skeptical attitude all the time, you’ll never find true love."

"Haha..." Cheng Qiaobei laughed, irritated by Wei Lai, "I’m the only one married in the whole company, and you’re telling me I won’t find true love? If I haven’t found it, then what is that person at home? Just decoration? Use your time to clear your eyes, look at the vegetables at your door."

"What vegetables at my door?!" Wei Lai asked defiantly, pouting.

Deng Yan came out of his office, holding two documents, and ran into them face-to-face.

Wei Lai asked, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Deng Yan adjusted his rimless glasses, his calm black eyes settled on her for two seconds before looking away, muttering, "You really should clear your eyes."

As Wei Lai was about to enter the office, she turned back, calling out to Deng Yan’s retreating back, "Even you’re saying that to me."