Fated Love With the Billionaire
Chapter 53 Waiting for Your Excuses

Chapter 53: Chapter 53 Waiting for Your Excuses

Watching Cheng Qiaobei’s car leave, Chen Ningxi finally felt at ease.

Ten minutes later, a WeChat message from him arrived.

north: I’m home.

Chen Ningxi: Take a hot shower and go to bed early.

north: Got it, I have to head back to the hotel early tomorrow. A business group is coming specifically for me, so I need to meet them.

Chen Ningxi: Okay.

She remembered Secretary Wei Lai informing her about his schedule for the upcoming week.

north: I need to travel on the third day of the lunar New Year to inspect a few hotels. The return date is uncertain, will contact you later.

Chen Ningxi: Alright.

If it were another woman, she might have said, "I miss you" or "What will I do if I miss you?" But Chen Ningxi said nothing.

From the very beginning, Chen Ningxi gave him a sense of independence and freedom, never restricting his autonomy because of their relationship. He remained an independent individual, and this way of interaction was comfortable, free from unwarranted suspicions. On the contrary, he needed her more and his feelings for her grew stronger and more steadfast.

It was just that Cheng Qiaobei never dreamed that the clingy one would be himself.

He asked: A whole week without seeing each other, don’t you miss me?

Seeing his message, Chen Ningxi rationally replied.

On the other end, Cheng Qiaobei was watching the screen prompt that said "the other party is typing" with great anticipation, but after a while, the conversation box remained inactive.

"..." What’s happening?

Cheng Qiaobei held the phone, furrowing his brows tightly, wishing she would send something for him to get a clue.

A few seconds later, the prompt showed again that the other side was typing, and Cheng Qiaobei thought it would be a long message about missing him, but when the message popped up, he almost spat out a mouthful of old blood.

Pfft—

Chen Ningxi: Can’t help it, we all have jobs, I understand you.

Cheng Qiaobei: "..."

What he wanted wasn’t understanding; he wanted to be missed.

The moment he saw the message, he even doubted whether Chen Ningxi actually liked him.

But saying such things as a man felt awkward and pretentious, so Cheng Qiaobei silently repressed it all, causing internal turmoil.

Chen Ningxi: I will also go out with Liang Lei on the third day of the lunar New Year, traveling for three or four days.

Given Chen Ningxi’s previous standard reply, Cheng Qiaobei didn’t ask much, offered some advice, and went to sleep.

...

Jade Jiali had seventeen hotels under the management of Cheng Qiaobei, and inspections were needed every Chinese New Year.

As soon as the plane landed at Chu’an Airport, his phone switched off flight mode, and Lin Hanrui’s WeChat message came in the next second.

Lin Hanrui was Cheng Qiaobei’s good buddy, they met at university, same dorm but different majors. He studied architecture, while Cheng Qiaobei studied finance.

Love God Pikachu: I’m here in Chu’an for paragliding. The hotel says there are no guest rooms, can you help arrange something?

Cheng Qiaobei immediately called, and the line was picked up in seconds.

"Got a place for me?" Lin Hanrui asked.

Cheng Qiaobei asked, "Where are you?"

Lin Hanrui replied, "In Chu’an."

"Obviously, but where exactly are you now?"

"I’m eating on the street since the hotel didn’t have rooms and I got hungry, so I came out for food," Lin Hanrui said as he slurped some noodles.

"Finish up and come pick me up at the airport," Cheng Qiaobei looked at his watch, "I’ll give you twenty minutes."

Lin Hanrui widened his eyes, "You..."

Before he could finish, the call was already disconnected.

Lin Hanrui, always driving himself on trips, arrived exactly on time as per Cheng Qiaobei’s estimate.

When the car got close to the terminal, he called Cheng Qiaobei, "Come out, which exit?"

Cheng Qiaobei: "Exit 9."

Lin Hanrui drove to that spot, and from a distance, saw Cheng Qiaobei pulling his suitcase. Stopping the car, he opened the trunk, waited for the luggage to be secured, and the passenger side door opened.

"Man, our fate is more amazing than with any of my ex-girlfriends," Lin Hanrui sighed deeply.

Cheng Qiaobei frowned, eyes shifting over, "Ex-girlfriend? Wasn’t it just a week?"

"Can’t you have a proper relationship?"

The title of "Love God" wasn’t just given for fun. Feeling his authority challenged, Lin Hanrui laughed:

"Which relationship wasn’t serious? I put my heart and soul into every one; they were all true love, okay?"

Resting his forehead on his hand, looking out the window, Cheng Qiaobei said, "If all were true love, your heart must be big enough. If I were those girls, the first thing I’d do after breaking up is slap you."

"Whoa, you’re being superficial now. I broke up with my exes peacefully; we all remained good friends afterward."

"I don’t even want to mention your mess, just drive," Cheng Qiaobei felt tired, leaned back, and closed his eyes to rest a little.

Gazing at his friend in the passenger seat, Lin Hanrui asked, "What’s wrong? Been busy lately?"

Eyes closed, Cheng Qiaobei replied, "Zhoushan hotel went into operation."

"Zhoushan?" Lin Hanrui recalled, "I designed that, right?"

"Yeah," Cheng Qiaobei continued, "I poured a lot of effort into that project, especially now at the New Year when many workers go home. I couldn’t help but get busy back and forth."

Lin Hanrui suggested, "Hire more people; with money, can’t find staff?"

Cheng Qiaobei opened an eye slit, "Besides designing buildings, you’re clueless," then added, "You flashy peacock."

"Well, well, why the personal attacks," Lin Hanrui said shamelessly, "It’s not that I’m flaunting like a peacock; my charm’s just there. Wherever I go, women love me. Blame me? I’m so wrongly accused. My only fault is being so handsome, tall, considerate, gentlemanly, smart. Women who admire strength just love guys like me."

"Oh, please," Cheng Qiaobei frowned, "Listening to this gives me a headache."

Lin Hanrui burst out laughing, "Hahaha...I know you’re envious of me. You were jealous since college."

"I was jealous of you?" Now fully awake, Cheng Qiaobei sat up and began arguing, "How was I jealous of you?"

Lin Hanrui laid out evidence, "Freshman year, we both prepared for the student body election; I went first, and after I finished speaking, girls went wild, the scene was buzzing. Seeing how popular I was, didn’t you skip going on stage?

Sophomore year, school organized a trip, and the cheerleaders from the basketball club all rushed to ride with me. Seeing me with those girls, didn’t you turn around and sit with Xie?

And that time at the cafeteria, when I was there with the campus beauty Liao Yifan sitting opposite you, why did you leave with your tray? I know you had a crush on her too, but she liked me first.

Come on, tell me, didn’t all this happen?"

Hearing his notion of "jealousy," Cheng Qiaobei looked at him with an indescribable expression for half a second before saying:

"Some things I won’t bother explaining; you really have no clue."

Before explaining, Cheng Qiaobei twisted open a water bottle to moisten his throat, knowing full well he’d soon engage in a verbal duel.

After all, his hardest trait was his big mouth.

"Go ahead, say it; let’s see what you can come up with," Lin Hanrui quipped, "Go on and make your excuses."