Fated Love With the Billionaire
Chapter 61: The Moon in the Eyes

Chapter 61: Chapter 61: The Moon in the Eyes

The folklore village, just as Cheng Qiaobei had said, had become completely commercialized; even entering the village required an admission ticket. Cheng Qiaobei parked the car by the roadside and went straight to the ticket booth as soon as he got off.

Those sitting in the car watched his back. The tall and handsome man carried a charm even from behind. It didn’t take long for him to come out of the pavilion, then he went to the nearby supermarket to buy two bottles of water.

He got in the car, opened a bottle, and handed it to Chen Ningxi, saying,

"I just asked the supermarket’s owner. The guy who makes silver jewelry is still around. Should we browse first or go buy souvenirs and then wander around?"

With plenty of time, Chen Ningxi took a sip of water, "Let’s browse for a while."

Cheng Qiaobei started the car and continued driving into the folklore village, where more and more people were gathering.

Originally, the houses along the street were used for residential purposes, but they had been converted into storefronts for people to rent. Near the entrance of the village, there were mainly guesthouses and restaurants, with the parking lot located there. Cheng Qiaobei locked the car and took Chen Ningxi for a stroll inside.

The business outlets on both sides of the street were mainly focused on silver jewelry and clothing, with sun protection hats and sunglasses everywhere, as well as cafes and bars.

Catching such good weather, with a clear and sunny sky, it was quite pleasant to gather with three to five friends under the sun umbrellas outside the shops, drinking cold drinks and chatting about the past.

Almost every house along the streets was packed to the brim, so it’s no wonder the place had been overdeveloped because the business opportunities here were genuinely huge.

"Wait for me a second." Cheng Qiaobei headed toward a nearby ice cream shop, and Chen Ningxi tried to grab his arm but ended up holding his hand.

"..."

"..."

For a moment, both were stunned.

Chen Ningxi said, "There are too many people in line, forget it."

Cheng Qiaobei looked down with a smile on his face. Although it wasn’t intentional, it was the first time she had reached for his hand. Chen Ningxi tried to let go, but he held her hand back.

"Look."

Following Cheng Qiaobei’s gaze, two couples were laughing and heading in their direction.

Chen Ningxi withdrew her gaze. Their clasped hands remained.

As they spent more time together, physical contact became more frequent, yet Chen Ningxi’s heart still fluttered, wondering what Cheng Qiaobei might think.

Actually, they were both adults, mature in body and mind, and thus not immune to the charms of the opposite sex. However, Cheng Qiaobei respected Chen Ningxi, and unless she was willing, he would never make a move across the line.

"Want to take some pictures?" Cheng Qiaobei asked.

Chen Ningxi noticed that although the storefronts along the street were all meticulously designed in an antique style, they weren’t particularly photo-worthy.

Seeing her hesitation, Cheng Qiaobei pointed to the intersection ahead and said, "Turn right at the next street. There’s a big heart-shaped tree there that lots of people check out."

The mention of the heart-shaped tree reminded her of a similar one she’d seen in another old town, but seeing the look of anticipation in Cheng Qiaobei’s eyes, Chen Ningxi nodded.

A large tree stood by the side of the road next to a drainage ditch, its branches pruned into the shape of a heart, much like the one Chen Ningxi had seen in the old town before.

While others marveled at the tree, Chen Ningxi stood there unusually calm. Cheng Qiaobei understood that such illusionary things wouldn’t touch her heart.

"I’ll take photos for you."

Cheng Qiaobei took her DSLR, stepped back to a suitable distance, squatted slightly, raised the camera, found the best angle, and snapped continuously. He even had her change a few poses and zoomed in for several portrait shots.

Chen Ningxi once wondered if Cheng Qiaobei would get carried away with excitement, but when she saw the pictures on the camera, she was astonished by how stunning she looked.

"Is this really me? The photos are so beautiful."

Cheng Qiaobei said, "It’s not that my photography is great; it’s because my girlfriend is beautiful."

Chen Ningxi replied, "Being sweet-talking is not necessarily a good thing."

Cheng Qiaobei said, "Can’t state the facts?"

Chen Ningxi glanced at him, smiled, and walked away.

They wandered and took photos along the way. With him leading, she got to sample lots of local snacks and bought some interesting trinkets. The items weren’t expensive, just as Cheng Qiaobei had said, spending within a hundred to enjoy.

They had lunch in the folklore village. Naturally, there were differences in taste between the north and south, but with Cheng Qiaobei there, he ordered food she could generally accept.

When lunchtime came, Chen Ningxi chose one of the outdoor tables and chairs at the restaurant. A large parasol shaded them from the scorching sun. The street was bustling with people coming and going, and she and Cheng Qiaobei enjoyed a relaxed meal, feeling extremely at ease.

Once people were full, they tended to get sleepy. Chen Ningxi propped her chin with her hand, her eyelids growing heavier until she couldn’t resist and fell asleep with her head supported.

Cheng Qiaobei had just finished replying to a message. When he looked up, he saw such a scene.

Warm light fell on her shoulders, enveloping her whole body in a golden glow. The street noise didn’t disturb her slumber. Her chin resting on her hand, head tilted like a lazy contented cat, her fair face translucent like jade, her long eyelashes curled like a baby’s, and her delicate short hair gently lifted by the breeze, with the sound of wind chimes in the background, he wished time could freeze at this moment.

Just as a resolved story is a movie, the unfinished ones are real life.

He suddenly realized what he wanted. He wished to replay this scene repeatedly in the unfinished life ahead.

If his eyes could hold only one moon, then this moon must be the one in front of him.

Suddenly, a child ran and shouted, waking Chen Ningxi. She opened her eyes to see Cheng Qiaobei busy with his phone, and he quickly put it away when he realized she was awake.

"If you’re tired, take a bit more rest." Cheng Qiaobei said.

Chen Ningxi picked up her bag and slung it over her shoulder, "Let’s go buy souvenirs for my colleagues."

She was about to pay the bill when Cheng Qiaobei said, "I’ve already settled it."

"You can’t always let you pay, how much is it, I’ll split it with you."

Cheng Qiaobei frowned, "Is it necessary to be so precise with me about money?" As he said, he took her shoulder bag and extended his hand backward. Seeing his hand in mid-air, Chen Ningxi chuckled and held it.

In the vast sea of people, once you find your destiny, it is best to hold on tight.

Compared to the bustling silversmith shops on the main street, the unobtrusive little shops in the alleys were the real craftsmen.

When they entered the shop, there was no one in sight, just a row of wooden display cabinets and racks. Cheng Qiaobei knocked on the glass and called for someone. A response came from inside.

"Coming, coming."

From the back room jogged out a dark, skinny forty-something man. Seeing Cheng Qiaobei, he smiled and said, "What brings you here?"

Upon noticing that he was holding a girl’s hand, he immediately understood that they were there to pick jewelry for his girlfriend.

He said to Chen Ningxi, "Miss, feel free to choose."

Cheng Qiaobei introduced, "Ning Xi, this is Jiu."

"Hello, Jiu." Chen Ningxi smiled slightly.

Jiu asked, "What kind of jewelry do you like? I can help you choose."

Chen Ningxi said, "I want to pick some souvenirs for my colleagues, five women and seven men, Jiu, could you please help me take a look?"

Jiu nodded and took a box of rings from the display cabinet, "The ring sizes are adjustable, and the styles are new this year; I made them just this month. You can have a look."

While the two of them picked out items, Cheng Qiaobei noticed a bracelet.