Fated Love With the Billionaire
Chapter 46: He Conceives a Plan Upon Seeing Her

Chapter 46: Chapter 46: He Conceives a Plan Upon Seeing Her

Cheng Qiaobei placed the fruit platter in front of Chen Ningxi, "Thirsty? Have some fruit."

Chen Ningxi picked up a piece of cantaloupe and put it in her mouth. She realized Cheng Qiaobei had been watching her the entire time. Feeling self-conscious under his gaze, coupled with the warm sun, Chen Ningxi’s face turned even redder.

"Why do you keep looking at me? Aren’t you thirsty?" Chen Ningxi pushed a bottle of water toward him.

Cheng Qiaobei unscrewed the cap, took a big gulp, screwed it back, and placed it on the table, saying, "What do you think of this restaurant’s dining area?"

His question instantly pulled Chen Ningxi out of her discomfort, refocusing her attention on the question Cheng Qiaobei had thrown at her.

"I think they have quite a variety here. Though a few dishes are just average, the ingredients seem fresh."

Cheng Qiaobei nodded thoughtfully, "They are fresh, but the quality isn’t bad, just average."

"Which ones do you think are average?"

Cheng Qiaobei mentioned a few meat dishes and two kinds of fruit. Chen Ningxi said, "The cantaloupe we just had, the texture was a bit off."

"This season, good cantaloupe is expensive," Cheng Qiaobei said.

Chen Ningxi understood, being from the North, she was quite aware of the local price differences. Economically, the North hadn’t developed as rapidly as the South, and prices were generally lower. However, during winter, the price gap for certain goods narrowed between the two regions.

Chen Ningxi said, "In winter, aside from seasonal vegetables and fruits, Southern fruits being expensive is normal—there are transportation and storage costs involved. No one wants to lose money."

Cheng Qiaobei, having previously worked in a hotel in the South, often made such comparisons.

He agreed with Chen Ningxi’s point, "That’s why I found a better source. Without middlemen, Zhoushan hotel’s fruits are better than here. When you have some time off, come stay for a couple of days."

When Cheng Qiaobei said ’a couple of days’, he meant it literally, but Chen Ningxi misunderstood it as a sign of something more intimate.

Chen Ningxi felt offended, "I have plans next week, so I can’t go."

Cheng Qiaobei noticed her sudden change in attitude and realized she might have misinterpreted his words.

He explained, "After the hotel opens, I’ll invite some acquaintances for evaluations, like a trial stay. During their stay, they’ll report back any issues, and I’ll make corrections. I thought if you were free, you could help me with this."

Chen Ningxi awkwardly took a sip of water, "Oh."

"No rush," Cheng Qiaobei smiled, "If you’re busy next week, how about the week after?"

Chen Ningxi didn’t agree immediately, "I can’t plan right now. There might be unexpected events, can we discuss it later?"

Cheng Qiaobei replied, "Of course."

He always behaved properly, without overstepping boundaries, which helped Chen Ningxi to gradually relax. However, Cheng Qiaobei’s gaze still occasionally wandered toward her.

Sometimes their eyes would meet, and Chen Ningxi would blush, pretending to look away as if she hadn’t noticed.

Feeling the heat, Chen Ningxi stood up and looked towards the buffet area, "What’s Liang Lei doing? She’s been gone for so long. I’ll go check."

She skirted around the people and left, while Cheng Qiaobei watched her back and smiled helplessly.

Some people, when they take a liking, become quite attached, their eyes always following, enjoying listening to whatever’s said, even if it’s unrelated to them.

Chen Ningxi saw Liang Lei in the buffet area. She was in line, so Chen Ningxi walked over and said:

"I thought you’d gotten lost. What are you waiting for, taking so long?"

Liang Lei noticed the blush on Chen Ningxi’s face, and she knew, "Waiting for Qinglong. They release just fourteen at a time. I finally managed to get a number, so I have to wait."

There were still three people ahead of her. Chen Ningxi asked, "Do you want anything else? I can get it for you."

Liang Lei said, "I already picked it all out, it’s on the table. You can take it back."

Chen Ningxi picked up two plates, "I’ll wait for you, let’s go together."

Liang Lei gave a knowing smile, "Why? Feeling awkward alone with him?"

Chen Ningxi said, "No."

Liang Lei just smiled and said nothing.

When they returned, Cheng Qiaobei stepped aside willingly, reached out to take the plate, and placed it on the table. He said to Chen Ningxi:

"I peeled the shrimp for you. They’re fresh, so eat without worry."

Liang Lei began to tease them again, "Didn’t you notice how dazzling I am today?"

As close friends for years, they could guess her meaning with just the opening words. Cheng Qiaobei wasn’t naive, being quite savvy, he understood as well.

He said, "It’s my fault for being clingy, insisting on coming along. Sorry for inconveniencing you."

The implication being she wasn’t the third wheel, he was the tag-along—what a smooth-talking man.

Liang Lei laughed, "Cheng Qiaobei, you’re really something."

Chen Ningxi said, "Just eat quickly, we’re getting massages upstairs later."

While Chen Ningxi was in the restroom, Liang Lei asked Cheng Qiaobei, "Shouldn’t you thank me?"

Cheng Qiaobei raised an eyebrow, "...What do you mean?"

Liang Lei propped her chin and nodded in the direction Chen Ningxi had left, "Without me, would you two have this chance?"

Although not all opportunities were created by Liang Lei, she indeed played a part.

Cheng Qiaobei lifted his drink, "Thanks."

"That’s more like it." Liang Lei clinked her glass with his.

She asked, "When did you start liking Ning Xi?"

Cheng Qiaobei thought for a moment, "I can’t pinpoint the exact day, it just happened gradually the more I interacted with her."

"What do you like about Ning Xi?"

It was the age-old question—what do you like?

Cheng Qiaobei furrowed his brows deeply, indicating his serious consideration of the question.

"I just like her. No real reason. Her personality, character, the way she handles things..."

"Don’t mention the intangible stuff," Liang Lei didn’t believe men’s talk easily, "Don’t you just like Ning Xi as a person? She’s so pretty."

So just judging by appearances!

Cheng Qiaobei laughed, "Of course, Ning Xi is very pretty. Who wouldn’t like someone good-looking?"

"Heh heh heh, admitting it?"

Cheng Qiaobei lowered his eyes and said steadily, "I’m not exactly a saint, but I’m not a reckless player either. The hotel business values a girl’s image and temperament. I’ve seen plenty of beauties—gentle, elegant, tender. If I fell for every girl I met, do you think with my experience, I’d pick someone like Ning Xi just for a fling?"

"..." His words made sense.

Knowing Chen Ningxi’s family background, certainly, he wouldn’t just toy with her.

"You know Ning Xi isn’t casual about relationships. She’s quite serious about everything. I worry she might take it too seriously, and you... aren’t fully committed." Liang Lei clicked her tongue, "I might be saying too much, but Ning Xi is my best friend. I hope you understand."

Cheng Qiaobei said, "With such a good friend by Ning Xi’s side, I’m reassured too."

Liang Lei asked, "Reassured?"

Cheng Qiaobei turned back, seeing Chen Ningxi returning, he covered his face with a hand and spoke softly, "If someone pursues Ning Xi..."

Liang Lei caught on quickly, slapping the table to promise, "Don’t worry, with me around, you’ll be the first to know."

Cheng Qiaobei, "..."

Shouldn’t she be fending off any rivals for him?