Fated Love With the Billionaire
Chapter 42: Probation Period

Chapter 42: Chapter 42: Probation Period

Chen Ningxi furrowed her brow, "Why are you just standing there like an idiot?"

The wind turned gentle because of her, carrying snowflakes to Cheng Qiaobei’s head, cheeks, and shoulders. Every word she muttered sounded like concern, like anxiety, like an unspoken feeling that only someone in love would worry about.

Cheng Qiaobei was unsure and took a step towards her until they were face to face, close enough to see the flakes on her eyelashes, close enough to see the fluffy snow on her shoulders.

They were soaked by the same snow—did they have the same feelings too?

Cheng Qiaobei stared at her, growing fonder by the moment, with words hidden deep in his heart begging to be released.

A long breath escaped his nose, turning into a puff of white vapor. He didn’t know what to feel, only that his blood was boiling unusually, and his heartbeat was accelerating.

"Anything else?" Chen Ningxi thought his expression looked odd.

Cheng Qiaobei licked the snow on his lips. It was icy, melting instantly on his tongue.

Chen Ningxi noticed his unconscious move too. His tongue was quite red, moist, and deft as it slid past his lips and teeth, and for some reason, her heart skipped a beat, and her ears grew warmer.

She stepped aside, awkwardly pointing towards the community gate, "Let’s go, the snow’s getting heavier."

Cheng Qiaobei suddenly asked, "Were you worried about me just now? Afraid I’d have an accident on the way?"

Chen Ningxi was anxious about her feelings being discovered and worried about being ridiculed by Cheng Qiaobei. "Of course, in such heavy snow, you came out because of me. If anything happened to you midway, wouldn’t I be responsible?"

Cheng Qiaobei exhaled, "So, if it were someone else, you’d still worry and be nervous?"

Did he sense something?

Chen Ningxi felt flustered and awkwardly said, "Of course, it’d be the same for anyone."

Cheng Qiaobei’s excitement faded, leaving him somewhat annoyed and mocked his own foolishness.

Coldly, he said, "Alright, I’m leaving."

Calling someone out in such heavy snow only to treat them like a fool, Chen Ningxi followed him with guilt. Cheng Qiaobei said, "Don’t see me off, just go back."

His attitude grew increasingly impatient.

Chen Ningxi, "Today’s mess is all my fault."

Her apology seemed sincere enough; there was no point in staying angry.

Cheng Qiaobei could hear her regret, "It’s fine, don’t take it to heart. I also got a free meal out of it."

He did know how to comfort someone.

"That’s easy to say, but who wants to come all this way just to act out a scene," Chen Ningxi felt quite embarrassed, "We agreed before that we wouldn’t bother you, and yet, within days, I’ve caused you all this trouble."

Cheng Qiaobei just smiled without speaking.

Chen Ningxi noticed his expression and asked, "Why are you smiling?"

Cheng Qiaobei shook his head, "I don’t know. I just feel like smiling when I see you."

"Do I look that ridiculous?" Chen Ningxi was exasperated. Not only had she failed to gain his favor, but he seemed to find her amusing.

"What are you thinking? Who said you are ridiculous?"

Even Cheng Qiaobei hadn’t realized how slowly he was walking at this moment.

Cheng Qiaobei said, "Seeing you makes me want to smile, couldn’t it be because you bring me joy?"

Chen Ningxi’s heart skipped again; the atmosphere between them was increasingly off, even their conversation felt strange.

Some things don’t bear close scrutiny because thinking too much reveals many details.

She planned to probe Cheng Qiaobei and asked, "Why do you think one person brings joy to another just by being there?"

Cheng Qiaobei pressed his lips tightly together—it was because of affection—but he couldn’t speak the words aloud.

He was slow to respond, and by then they had reached Cheng Qiaobei’s car.

"Just go," Chen Ningxi felt a little dejected.

Cheng Qiaobei drove off without a hint of hesitation.

As the car lights flickered, she watched the SUV merge into the snowy traffic.

"Sigh..."

Chen Ningxi turned back towards home, feeling down, her mood as chaotic as the snowfall.

The sound of footsteps crunching through snow approached quickly, and she looked up to see Cheng Qiaobei standing there in front of her, stunned for a moment. Her first thought was:

"Left your phone at my house?"

Cheng Qiaobei responded with something unrelated, "Some things are hard to keep inside if I don’t say them. Still, I’m worried you might get angry if I speak."

Chen Ningxi could sense his unusual emotion and suppressed endurance, her heart began to pound, unsure if her guess was correct.

She forced herself to remain calm, "What do you want to say?"

Cheng Qiaobei was not a coward, especially not in matters of the heart.

He straightforwardly asked, "What do you think of me?"

Chen Ningxi’s eyelashes fluttered, "...How so?"

She swallowed, knowing well what Cheng Qiaobei meant.

Cheng Qiaobei didn’t blink as he stared into her eyes, "Asking you to water my plants was an excuse; only you have the password to my place. One call from you and I came. When you asked me to help fool your aunt, I cooperated. But I wouldn’t go that far for just anyone. Everything I said at the table was true, nothing was an act."

"You’ve always emphasized that we’re just friends, so I didn’t dare to be too forward, afraid to upset this balance.

I worry that once certain words are said, I wouldn’t even be able to see you again.

I wasn’t acting with you; I was being serious."

Though he didn’t mention her, she understood every single word.

He didn’t say he liked her, but every sentence expressed joy.

Chen Ningxi felt her heart racing, almost about to leap out of her chest. Her cheeks warmed—uncertain if it was the cold wind or his words. She pressed a hand against her face.

Cheng Qiaobei asked, "Chen Ningxi, what do you feel in your heart? Were you acting, or were you serious?"

"..." They hadn’t known each other that long. Was it too soon to define their relationship?

Noticing her hesitation, Cheng Qiaobei blamed himself for being too hasty.

Seeing her face had reddened from the cold, he pulled up her hood and covered her head.

"Go back, it’s too cold outside."

Silent considerations and partiality could easily make someone fall; Chen Ningxi tilted her head up, looking at the tall man in front of her, and asked:

"Are you serious?"

Cheng Qiaobei’s pupils tightened as he finally got a direct response from her.

He nodded, quite solemnly, replied, "Yes."

Chen Ningxi pretended to be calm, "Let’s take it slow, we should get to know each other better."

Her response felt like a bucket of cold water on a cold winter day, leaving Cheng Qiaobei chilled to the bone.

Moreover, her ambiguous reply was rather engrossing.

For the first time, Cheng Qiaobei couldn’t restrain himself and asked, "What’s the basis for taking it slow?"

Chen Ningxi thought for a moment, "Probationary period."

With feelings reciprocated, Cheng Qiaobei felt more grounded and had the courage to move forward.

He curled his lips with satisfaction, smiling gently, and even found it in himself to tease.

"Alright, I’ll make sure to fulfill the leader’s expectations, smoothly pass the probation, and await the day of official employment."

Chen Ningxi felt uncomfortable under his gaze, looking away across the street, and said:

"I didn’t expect this."

She didn’t expect them to turn a pretend act into something real, didn’t expect false intentions to become sincere affections.

Cheng Qiaobei understood her words and replied:

"I didn’t expect this either."

Imitating her?

Chen Ningxi’s eyes darted as if to ask what he was playing at.

Staring into Cheng Qiaobei’s eyes, she asked, "Didn’t expect what, coming over suddenly to ask me?"

Cheng Qiaobei laughed, "Can’t I ask?" He then sized her up. "Feeling embarrassed?"

Chen Ningxi pushed him, "I’m not like you, thick-skinned."

Cheng Qiaobei, who had been with girls before, knew well how to determine between real anger and teasing.

"Alright, alright, I’m thick-skinned."