Fated Love With the Billionaire
Chapter 439 Pay the Price

Chapter 439: Chapter 439 Pay the Price

Even though each word he uttered carried a sense of fury and resentment, you couldn’t detect any trace of emotion or change on his calm face—only numbness and indifference remained.

"Heh..." Cheng Xiangheng laughed.

Cheng Qiaobei asked, "What are you laughing about?"

Cheng Xiangheng said, "I thought you were different from me at your core, but it turns out you’re just like me."

Back in the day, to achieve success, he would stop at nothing, cold-heartedly abandoning loved ones just to reach his goals.

Now, Cheng Qiaobei was willing to give up the strongest family alliance for a woman, which he disdained. He further assessed that Cheng Qiaobei would not prioritize the interests of the conglomerate. A person overly indulged in base desires would never lead a large corporation.

But his thoughts have just changed.

Cheng Qiaobei’s face suddenly darkened; he despised being compared to him.

"I’m nothing like you."

Cheng Xiangheng seized Cheng Qiaobei’s wrist, "No matter how much you hate me, my blood runs through your veins. You can’t deny it—you’re just another me, it’s only a matter of time."

Cheng Qiaobei pulled his hand away and stood up straight.

"From the moment you decided to assist Huang Yuanwei, our father-son relationship was over. From now on, don’t come looking for me, I won’t see you again."

Cheng Xiangheng said, "Are you sure we’ll never meet again? Even if I give you the entire conglomerate, you wouldn’t see me?"

Cheng Qiaobei said coldly, "You have such a poor memory. What did I say last time?"

Cheng Xiangheng, with a heavy head, pondered for a while before recalling his words: Live well, in your lifetime, I will let you watch Jade Jiali change hands.

Cheng Xiangheng forced a smile, "I’m waiting."

The words "I’m waiting" meant Cheng Xiangheng had admitted defeat.

He finally realized that in this father-son game, he was not only the loser but also defeated by his own hand.

After Cheng Qiaobei left, Cheng Xiangheng instructed Cheng Siluo to convey a message to Huang Kangtai—he could no longer decide for Cheng Qiaobei, so let his son fend for himself.

Cheng Qiaobei didn’t feel well when he returned from the hospital. He consulted Cheng Xiangheng’s attending physician about his condition, which equated to a brush with death’s door.

Chen Ningxi noticed he seemed absent-minded, as if lost in thought frequently.

She walked over and sat closely beside him on the sofa, took his laptop and placed it on the coffee table, only then did he return to his senses.

He smiled gently and hugged her, "What’s wrong?"

Chen Ningxi nestled in his embrace like a cat, saying, "It’s you who should be asked what’s wrong. You’ve been dazing out all evening. If there’s something troubling you, you can tell me."

Cheng Qiaobei recalled Deng Yan advising him that it’s best not to hide what happened on the ship from her.

Considering Chen Ningxi might face some questions someday, it’s better he told her himself.

"Ning Xi, some things have indeed happened to me recently, I didn’t tell you because I was afraid you’d worry."

Chen Ningxi straightened up, "Why are you willing to tell now?"

Cheng Qiaobei said, "I tell you because it’s better than you hearing it from someone else."

Chen Ningxi: "Is it a pleasant surprise, or a shock?"

Cheng Qiaobei: "A scare."

"..."

Cheng Qiaobei laughed and held her hand, his thumb soothingly stroking the back of her hand, "Do you remember the night I didn’t come back from the ship?"

Chen Ningxi nodded, feeling anxious, "...Did you cheat on me?"

"Heh..." Cheng Qiaobei laughed helplessly, "Is cheating such a major thing in your eyes?"

Chen Ningxi looked at him directly, her expression turning serious.

"I didn’t cheat, don’t scare yourself." Cheng Qiaobei gave her a reassurance pill, and then told her every detail of how he was schemed by Huang Yuanwei.

Of course, Cheng Qiaobei didn’t elaborate on how painful the night tortured with contraband was—he brushed it off with a simple mention. He also talked about the matters after Cheng Xiangheng was hospitalized.

Upon hearing that Huang Yuanwei was asked to be spared, Chen Ningxi resolutely refused, her body shaking with anger.

"Absolutely cannot let him go!"

"..."

You see, in comparison, the difference is clear.

Who truly cares about you, who genuinely loves you—their reactions are so vivid and strong.

Chen Ningxi wasn’t even aware that her nails were deeply embedded into her palm, leaving crescent-shaped marks void of color.

Her eyes were bloodshot with rage as she said, "Not only can’t we let Huang Yuanwei go, everyone involved cannot be spared. They all need to pay for harming you."

"The events regarding Yuan Jiuxiang won’t surface anytime soon. Huang Yuanwei is being held, the police will definitely use him to dig deeper into the contraband supply chain behind him. As for Yuan Xiao..." Cheng Qiaobei paused, "If I’m not mistaken, Yuan Xiao is likely pregnant with Huang Yuanwei’s child, otherwise, she wouldn’t agree to marry him."

Chen Ningxi frowned, "Does she have any sense of morality? You’re already a married man, and she still has designs on you. Truly, those pitiable often have detestable attributes—such absurd events in a law-abiding society. All for personal desires, scheming with despicable means."

Cheng Qiaobei soothed her back, "Don’t be angry, I’m fine. She has paid for her actions. Ever since her father was incarcerated, the shipyard has faced operational difficulties. Huang Yuanwei’s father surely offered support terms; otherwise, with Yuan Xiao’s connections, she couldn’t secure orders for two freight ships. She chose to preserve her reputation and business, while I can’t make her abandon her current benefits to accuse Huang Yuanwei of assault—everyone chooses their own path, and the blisters on their feet are from their own tread."

Chen Ningxi said, "There’s one more person."

Cheng Qiaobei knew she was referring to Cheng Xiangheng. He embraced her and said, "He’s like Huang Yuanwei’s father. Although they haven’t directly engaged in illegal activities, their roles were only educational. But I’ve figured out how to punish him—his most precious asset is his career, and I want him to watch as I acquire Jade Jiali and kick him out."

Chen Ningxi said, "But thinking of Huang Kangtai and," recalling not to casually address elders’ names, "Mr. Cheng, both haven’t received due punishment—it’s hard to feel relieved."

Cheng Qiaobei said, "The chairman of the Huang Chamber of Commerce has wider connections and stronger capabilities than mine. Without actual planning involvement, I can’t deal with him. As for Old Cheng, I’ll have plenty of time to handle him in the future."

Chen Ningxi said, "Is it really about connections now? If so, I would rather,"

Cheng Qiaobei pressed his finger to her lips, "Love, I know you’re worried about me, but don’t be impulsive, that’s not like you."

"I’ve always been calm and restrained, but I truly can’t accept them using contraband so viciously to steal someone’s husband—it’s infuriating." As she spoke, Chen Ningxi cried from anger, "You’re such a good person, you shouldn’t endure this."

"I know," Cheng Qiaobei gently patted her back.

...