Fated Love With the Billionaire
Chapter 457: Noble Assistance

Chapter 457: Chapter 457: Noble Assistance

"Here." Cheng Qiaobei called towards the door, then warmly smiled at her, "I have an appointment with him to discuss the cooperation."

"Then I’ll go change, this isn’t quite appropriate." Chen Ningxi stood up, placing a hand on Cheng Qiaobei’s as she stepped towards the poolside.

Cheng Qiaobei took the opportunity to wrap his arm around her waist and gently lift her up, draping a towel over her, "Take it slow, don’t slip."

Chen Ningxi hurried inside, and Cheng Qiaobei went to open the door.

Meeting here, the environment was serene and secluded, without outside disturbances.

Cheng Qiaobei opened the door, "Mr. Zou, please."

Today, Zou Yong gave Cheng Qiaobei a different impression; usually, when they met, Zou Yong would be dressed in darker colors, but today he wore a refreshing attire: a brown linen short-sleeved shirt and beige pants of the same material, with a pair of white leather shoes, making him appear exceptionally chic and graceful.

Zou Yong only caught a glimpse of a fleeting figure, then lowered his gaze as he stepped over the threshold, "Hope I’m not disturbing you?"

Cheng Qiaobei invited him into the living room on the first floor, "Not at all, we’ve been waiting for you."

Hearing the commotion upstairs, Zou Yong chuckled, "Ning Xi, take your time, don’t fall."

Chen Ningxi replied with a smile from the staircase, "Got it, Mr. Zou, please have a seat, I’ll come down once I’ve changed."

Zou Yong looked toward the direction of the stairs, smiling warmly, "No rush."

"Mr. Zou, please sit." Cheng Qiaobei poured him some tea, "The hotel only prepared Bai Mudan, not the White Needle Tea that you like."

Zou Yong smiled faintly, "It’s the same, it’s the thought that counts, tea has no hierarchy, the suitable is precious."

"Please, Mr. Zou." Cheng Qiaobei placed the teacup on the table with both hands.

Zou Yong took a sip from the tea and set the cup down, casually asking, "Did you two arrive last night?"

Cheng Qiaobei replied, "Yes, after Ning Xi got off work, we came directly here."

There was the sound of footsteps from the staircase, and Zou Yong glanced over, seeing a slender ankle come into view, "Ning Xi, how’s work been lately, busy?"

Chen Ningxi came to the tea table in the living room, sitting on a rattan chair beside Cheng Qiaobei, "Work’s been going smoothly, with trivial matters at the grassroots level, being busy is normal, but it’s manageable."

Zou Yong then looked at Cheng Qiaobei, "Qiao Bei has been working hard too, both of you should take care of your health, nothing’s more important than that."

For some reason, Cheng Qiaobei always felt something was off, but couldn’t pinpoint what it was.

Chen Ningxi asked, "Mr. Zou, when did you arrive?"

Zou Yong replied, "I came early this morning."

Chen Ningxi said, "Stay a few more days, the hot springs here are nice, they’re good for your leg."

Zou Yong had injured his leg when he was younger, and during seasonal changes, the pain would flare up, becoming as bothersome as an ant gnawing. Chen Ningxi had delivered medicinal plaster to him for his leg condition on behalf of her father, so she knew.

Zou Yong smiled, "Okay, I’ll give it a try."

The hotel had prepared two fruit platters, one placed by the hot spring pool, while Cheng Qiaobei placed the other on the table. Chen Ningxi picked up a strawberry and put it in her mouth, "Hmm... so sweet."

Cheng Qiaobei turned his head, seeing that she liked it, he said, "I’ll have the waiter bring some more later."

"No need," Chen Ningxi picked up another one, "try it."

If they were at home, he would have eaten from her hand, but Cheng Qiaobei took it and bit into it, his look of admiration more tender than the strawberry.

From their exchanged glances, Zou Yong sensed their strong affection for each other.

"I was worried before, but seeing you two get along so well now, I can rest easy."

Chen Ningxi said, "Thank you, Mr. Zou, without you, the pressure from above might really have forced me to take a break at home."

Cheng Qiaobei was puzzled, and Chen Ningxi explained, "I just found out too, when things were getting heated online, the branch company intended for me to stay home to lay low, but Mr. Zou spoke up for me, saying that retreating equates to guilt, causing more misunderstandings."

Cheng Qiaobei knew Zou Yong was well-connected, but didn’t expect this level of influence.

He looked at Zou Yong, who remained composed, "These days it’s not about having good deeds, but good people. The one replacing Ji Xiaobo in the branch, Wang Yongqing, is now in charge of personnel transfers. Ji Xiaobo was promoted by Wang Yongqing, and after Ji Xiaobo’s incident, Wang definitely has thoughts about Ning Xi. He wanted to use this matter to bring Ning Xi down, but I watched Ning Xi grow up, and I won’t let anyone bully her."

Cheng Qiaobei frowned, it was all because of him that Chen Ningxi got dragged into this.

"It’s okay, the matter has passed, hasn’t it," Chen Ningxi looked at Zou Yong, "I’m lucky to have Mr. Zou as a benefactor."

Chen Ningxi got up, "You two talk, I won’t disturb you."

Zou Yong called after her, "Ning Xi, take the fruit platter with you, Qiao Bei and I just need some tea."

Chen Ningxi said, "There’s another one, you go ahead and have it."

She walked out of the small courtyard to take a stroll nearby.

Now, with only the two left in the villa, Zou Yong said, "The hotel is doing a great job, staying here is very comfortable."

Cheng Qiaobei had another purpose for inviting him here, to let Zou Yong personally experience the hotel’s service and quality.

A mature investor like Zou Yong wouldn’t make bets blindly; experiencing it firsthand would help him understand and trust the Eastern First-class brand, and have confidence in its future development.

Evidently, Cheng Qiaobei’s goal was achieved; Zou Yong asked many questions related to hotel management, internal facilities, and services, and Cheng Qiaobei came prepared, explaining in detail the hotel’s current global distribution, monthly and quarterly revenue.

For a newly established hotel, the Eastern First-class’s achievements were impressive, enough to attract powerful investors to invest and join.

Chen Ningxi had been shopping at a small market nearby for over an hour and felt it was about time to head back.

Returning to the small courtyard outside the villa, those inside heard the door open, and Cheng Qiaobei looked towards the sound, "Ning Xi is back."

Zou Yong checked his watch, "It’s time for lunch, I’ve ordered meals, let the service bring the dishes here."

Cheng Qiaobei didn’t refuse; the discussion hadn’t concluded, and interrupting it midway could easily allow unforeseen circumstances to affect the final result of the cooperation.

Chen Ningxi entered, "It’s noon, let’s continue after lunch."

Zou Yong put down his phone, "I’ve already informed room service to bring the meals here."

Based on Chen Ningxi’s understanding of Cheng Qiaobei, he must have arranged for the meal, but since Zou Yong suggested eating in the villa, he would certainly cooperate.

"Mr. Zou, I already reserved a restaurant, I’ll have them deliver the dishes."

Despite being for just three people, the table was full of dishes.

At the table, with Chen Ningxi present, Zou Yong’s conversations were all casual. He liked white wine, so naturally Cheng Qiaobei accompanied him with some white as well.

After a few rounds of drinks, Cheng Qiaobei felt a bit dizzy but was still relatively clear-headed.

After lunch, the two continued discussing the remaining parts, while Chen Ningxi stayed upstairs browsing on her phone, or napping with her eyes closed on a rattan chair in the courtyard.

At some point, Chen Ningxi fell asleep on the rattan chair, dozing off, and then half awoke to hear footsteps crunching on gravel nearby.

She opened her eyes to see Zou Yong standing by the hot spring pool, and upon seemingly hearing the sound behind him, Zou Yong turned and said to her:

"Even if the weather is good, don’t sleep outside."

Chen Ningxi hurriedly stood up, smoothing her hair, "I didn’t notice, just dozed off into a daze."

Looking through the floor-to-ceiling window towards the living room, she saw Cheng Qiaobei answering a call.

Zou Yong glanced around the courtyard and said, "Qiao Bei manages the hotel very well."

Having just woken up, Chen Ningxi’s brain was still somewhat in a half-hang state, she subconsciously asked, "Mr. Zou, will you two cooperate?"

Zou Yong lowered his eyes and asked her, "Do you hope we will cooperate?"

Of course, she hoped so.

Especially since Chen Ningxi had always respected Zou Yong greatly; in her eyes, Zou Yong started from the ground up, creating his business from scratch, enduring struggles, which she admired greatly.