Fated Love With the Billionaire
Chapter 394: Losing Oneself

Chapter 394: Chapter 394: Losing Oneself

After Cheng Qiaobei handed the keys of Dingfeng Mansion to Lin Hanrui, he rushed to finalize the design for the guesthouse. After the two communicated online, they revised the details and finally completed the draft.

Regarding the renovation, Lin Hanrui contacted a local renovation company for immediate construction. He sent a designer to supervise, adding an extra pair of eyes during the construction period.

During this time, Lin Hanrui helped Cheng Qiaobei quite a bit. Cheng planned to invite Lin Hanrui for dinner. Another reason was that Chen Ningxi was out on a business trip, leaving Cheng to dine alone, which felt dull.

During lunch break, Cheng Qiaobei called Lin Hanrui, asking, "Do you have time tonight?"

Lin Hanrui, being as irreverent as ever, replied, "You need to tell me what’s up first, then I can decide if I have time."

Cheng Qiaobei teased him, "Got another project."

Having almost run his legs off, Lin Hanrui heard more work was ahead and said, "No way."

Cheng Qiaobei: "Money’s no problem."

Lin Hanrui: "Brother, you may be well-off, but I’m spent. Even a pack donkey in a production brigade wouldn’t be worked like this. Do the math, check how much I’ve been running around the past two months. I kid you not; I’ve worn out a pair of shoes."

Cheng Qiaobei laughed, "I know you’ve had it rough. Dinner’s on me tonight."

Lin Hanrui: "Oh... now we’re talking. If it’s dinner, I’ve got time."

"Haha..." Cheng Qiaobei chuckled. "Order whatever you want to eat."

Lin Hanrui said, "If you’re talking about dining at a restaurant, forget it. I’ve been eating out nonstop for the past two months and I’m sick of it. How about this: you buy some groceries and we’ll eat at your place."

Cheng Qiaobei readily agreed, "Sure, what do you want to eat?"

Lin Hanrui recited a few dishes. After leaving the office, Cheng went straight to the market.

To say Cheng Qiaobei was famous at this market would be an understatement. Everyone who saw him would greet him as - the son-in-law of Jun is here.

Amid the chorus of compliments, Cheng Qiaobei found himself buying more than intended. If he meant to buy one pound, he’d buy two; if he meant to buy three pounds, he’d get five, gradually losing himself and purchasing more.

In the end, he left the market with two hands full of groceries that couldn’t possibly be finished in one meal.

Back home, he began washing and preparing the ingredients, frying, sautéing, and cooking, staying busy all the while.

By the time Lin Hanrui completed his client meeting and left the office, it was almost seven. Entering through the front door, he counted the dishes and exclaimed:

"Wow, twelve dishes, impressive. This is the first time you’ve treated me so lavishly."

"Hurry and wash your hands." Cheng Qiaobei went to get beer from the fridge but was stopped by Lin Hanrui who asked, "No kidding, I feel uneasy. We agreed this meal didn’t come with any strings attached, right? You’re not planning to load me up with work, are you?"

Cheng Qiaobei said, "No strings, get on with it, I’m starving."

Lin Hanrui asked, "Why’d you cook so much?"

Cheng Qiaobei couldn’t very well admit he succumbed to praise. Instead, he said, "It’s just that I see how hard you’ve been working; this is to reward you."

"It takes a buddy, man, give me a hug." Lin Hanrui motioned to hug Cheng Qiaobei, who pushed him away, "Two grown men hugging is just gross."

With so many dishes, Lin Hanrui was unsure where to start.

His chopsticks hovered in the air as Cheng Qiaobei poured him beer, saying, "Are you eating or performing some ritual?"

Lin Hanrui laughed, "Isn’t it that happiness came too suddenly? I feel a bit overwhelmed."

After a few rounds of drinks, Lin Hanrui started talking about the challenges Liang Lei was facing in the middle of her pregnancy, with the frequent fetal movements as the baby grew. Not only did the number of nightly bathroom visits increase, but occasionally her stomach would ache, and her calves would swell. The way he looked was filled with compassion.

"I still have to accompany Leizi for her prenatal check-up tomorrow, so I can’t drink more." Lin Hanrui picked up his glass, "Just this final one, drinking more might mess up tomorrow."

Speaking of going to the hospital, Cheng Qiaobei recalled that when Chen Ningxi returned, he should take her to see a traditional Chinese doctor too.

Before leaving, Lin Hanrui packed a few dishes that Liang Lei liked, since they had mainly been drinking, leaving most of the food untouched.

After tidying up, Cheng saw it was already close to ten o’clock.

He clicked on Chen Ningxi’s video call. It rang for a long time without an answer.

Cheng Qiaobei turned over to look at the pillow she’d slept on, picked it up and hugged it, saying, "Honey, this home isn’t the same without you."

Just as he finished speaking, the video request came through.

With a start, Cheng picked up his phone and pressed accept. When Chen Ningxi appeared on screen, she was in her pajamas with her hair wrapped in a towel. She said to him:

"I just showered."

Cheng Qiaobei asked, "Honey, when are you coming back?"

Chen Ningxi said, "I planned for tomorrow but something came up."

"What’s so important that it’s more significant than me?" Cheng Qiaobei asked.

Chen Ningxi explained, "I’m in Yingzhou for a conference, and Manager Guan who was attending told me about a nearby offshore wind power project that’s worth checking out. It’s a rare opportunity."

Cheng Qiaobei sighed and tossed the phone down. Chen Ningxi only saw the ceiling while hearing his lament:

"Alas... I’m a full-blooded man, abandoned at home by my wife, left alone for seven or eight days. Who can take it? What if I act impulsively, accidentally,"

"Cheng Qiaobei!"

"Hehehe... I’m here, I’m here." Cheng picked up the phone, "Alright, it’s settled then, you’re definitely back the day after tomorrow."

Chen Ningxi replied: "Absolutely coming back the day after tomorrow."

Cheng Qiaobei asked again: "What time will you be back?"

Taking a rough guess, Chen Ningxi answered, "In the afternoon, arriving at Danjiang won’t be before four-ish."

Just about to say that’s late, Cheng recalled he had a client meeting that afternoon, "Okay, four it is, it’s agreed."

Chen Ningxi said, "Make sure to rest well."

"Goodnight, Manager Chen."

After the video call, he felt even itchier. Seeing but not being able to touch was truly torturous.

For the past three days, Cheng Qiaobei felt something was missing, leading to a slightly cranky mood.

Deng Yan spotted Cheng passing by the door and sent a WeChat message to Wei Lai.

Deng Yan: Don’t provoke Cheng these days.

Girlfriend: Why’s that?

Deng Yan: Didn’t you notice he’s like a tinderbox ready to explode?

Girlfriend: What’s the reason?

Deng Yan: Manager Chen isn’t home.

Girlfriend: You even know that?

Wei Lai expressed surprise.

Deng Yan: He’s had dinner with me four times this week already.

Girlfriend: ???

Deng Yan: When Manager Chen is home, he doesn’t have time to go out for dinner.

Girlfriend: I see.

Suddenly, Cheng yelled, "Deng Yan—"

Deng Yan felt his heart leap to his throat but replied calmly, "Coming."

Girlfriend: Wishing you well.

Deng Yan exhaled and typed: Received.

As expected, that night he got roped into working overtime with Cheng Qiaobei.

Deng Yan brought the completed files to Cheng’s office. Cheng glanced and said, "Finished already?"

Deng Yan said, "Weren’t you in a hurry? Made me work overtime to get it done."

Cheng Qiaobei: "So, you’ve finished?"

Deng Yan: "Yes."

Cheng glanced at the clock on the computer, it was just past eight, still early enough to return home before bedtime.

Eyes scanning across the room, Deng Yan said, "Cheng, I’ve just started dating someone, you should leave me some time. If this one runs away too, I’ll be left alone till old age, which I’m sure you don’t want, do you?"

Cheng nodded, "But it’s too early now, if I go home, there’s nothing to do."

Deng Yan suggested, "How about having Zhou Chong and Shen Rongshen stay overtime tomorrow? They’re both single, nothing going on."

Cheng Qiaobei: "..."

That’s doable.

If Zhou Chong and Shen Rongshen knew that Deng Yan recommended them as the unlucky ones for the honor of overtime companionship, they would surely sing: Thank you, because of you, the seasons felt warmer!