Fated Love With the Billionaire
Chapter 75: Ma Puppet

Chapter 75: Chapter 75: Ma Puppet

When blowing out the birthday candles, Cheng Qiaobei proactively took out his phone to record a short video and even took a group photo of the three of them.

After dinner, Chen Ningxi washed the dishes in the kitchen, while Cheng Qiaobei kept Chen Weichuan company by drinking tea in the living room.

The mother and daughter whispered in the kitchen about Cheng Qiaobei. Ye Yujun said, "I’m not trying to stop you all, but we have to consider the family background. Your dad is someone with a significant reputation in society, do we really want him to be talked about behind his back?"

Chen Ningxi responded, "Mom, people are busy nowadays; who has time to gossip about others behind their backs? You’re too pessimistic."

The knife Ye Yujun was using to cut fruit paused as she turned her gaze to Chen Ningxi, "You think too highly of people. No matter who you are or what your status, you can’t escape being talked about."

Chen Ningxi said, "I don’t gossip about people. If there’s time, I’d rather take a nap and get some proper rest."

"You said it yourself, but do you think everyone in the world is like you? Are you certain no one has ever talked about you behind your back?"

Chen Ningxi wanted to refute, but a single example from Ye Yujun left her speechless.

"Let’s not talk about distant matters. Just recently, when Guo caused trouble at your workplace, didn’t you hear a lot of rumors during that time? No one can truly empathize. They might genuinely care while listening to your complaints, but can you ensure that you’re not just gossip fodder for them during tea breaks?"

"..."

"Cheng is a good kid in many ways, but his family background is a significant drawback. I won’t make decisions for you. You need to go back and carefully consider what situations you’ll face, and if you truly feel you can accept his family, I won’t say anything more. But remember, don’t come back complaining to me later because of what I’ve advised today. Everyone must bear the consequences of their own choices."

At first, Chen Ningxi might have been acting out of passion or impulsiveness, but after her mother’s earnest persuasion, she knew she had to look more calmly at their relationship and scrutinize Cheng Qiaobei’s family.

"Ningxi, you may not understand me now, but when you grow older or encounter certain things later, you’ll realize that what you once considered trivial matters could become the most compelling weapon against you."

Chen Ningxi was silent for a moment, "I understand, Mom."

She seemed to be getting the message, and as for how to choose, Ye Yujun respected her daughter’s thoughts.

Meanwhile, in the living room.

The TV was broadcasting current affairs news; for the past two or three months, the global situation had been unstable. Chen Weichuan, due to work, paid close attention to such news events. The current state was unpredictable, with various forces weighing and probing, making it more apt to describe it as big power games rather than just current affairs.

Cheng Qiaobei noticed Chen Weichuan’s interest in the news and casually asked, "The Middle East situation is expanding now. Whenever I watch the war news, I’m grateful to have been born in China."

Chen Weichuan nodded in agreement, "Indeed, our country navigates through it all without getting embroiled in an endless war of attrition—no easy feat. Besides, there’s no winner in war; it’s the common people who suffer." He then focused his gaze on Cheng Qiaobei, "Do you follow the Middle East situation too?"

Cheng Qiaobei replied, "I’ve been following it from the start."

A businessman who manages a hotel paying attention to the war situation intrigued Chen Weichuan. To test whether he was arbitrarily agreeing to please him, Chen Weichuan asked,

"What do you think about this war situation?"

Cheng Qiaobei spoke fluidly, analyzing the situation and dissecting the truth behind the war. He also made logical deductions about the nations truly supported by various forces. His views aligned highly with Chen Weichuan’s, who began to see Cheng Qiaobei in a new light.

"The tea’s getting cold." Chen Weichuan pointed out that Cheng Qiaobei’s tea had cooled. As he was about to pick up the teapot, Cheng Qiaobei stood up first to refill it with fresh tea, saying, "Uncle, if you’d like to go fishing this weekend, just let me know. I’m always available."

Chen Weichuan picked up his teacup, "A weekday is out of the question then?"

"..." Cheng Qiaobei hesitated, "Weekdays work too."

Chen Weichuan smiled meaningfully, "You’re really trying to accommodate Ningxi."

It seemed he was gradually being accepted by Chen Ningxi’s parents. Tonight marked a significant step forward.

Cheng Qiaobei didn’t rush to make any declarations. People like Chen Weichuan, with years in politics, couldn’t be swayed by mere talk. What he could do was prove himself through actions.

"Ningxi is very mature and never asks for anything excessive. What I do is nothing. On the contrary, she has always been so independent in front of me. Sometimes I wish she could rely on me a little more."

"Hehe...," Chen Weichuan chuckled but said nothing, leaving Cheng Qiaobei unsure how to continue the conversation.

Though he had connections in the political world, Chen Weichuan gave off an impression of being bottomless, inscrutable, and unpredictable.

Beyond discussing the news, Chen Weichuan didn’t inquire into any of his personal matters. It wasn’t necessarily bad, but it wasn’t good either.

Asking about matters related to parents would make it difficult for Cheng Qiaobei to speak freely, but if they were not asked, it was clear the other party didn’t want to have any ties, let alone get to know him.

Realizing this, Cheng Qiaobei grew anxious, but fortunately, Chen Ningxi came over to break the tension.

"Dad, have some fruit," and then turned to Cheng Qiaobei, "You too."

Cheng Qiaobei gave a slight smile, "Sure."

Chen Weichuan picked up a toothpick to stab a piece of cantaloupe and brought it to his mouth as Ye Yujun sat down beside him, "Is the cantaloupe sweet?"

Chen Weichuan replied, "Quite sweet."

"Cheng bought it, and he brought a lot of things." Ye Yujun pulled out another pen box, "Here, yours. I have one too."

Few people give pens as gifts nowadays. Chen Weichuan opened the gift box to reveal a black-and-gold pen that was stable and reserved. With Ye Yujun’s cue, he noticed his initials engraved on the pen clip.

"This is too valuable," but before Chen Weichuan could refuse, Cheng Qiaobei said, "Uncle, this pen isn’t expensive, but the craftsman who makes these pens hasn’t done so in years—the crafting fee is just for the cost. I hope you and Auntie like them."

Handmade, that level of thoughtfulness was rare.

From small gestures, Chen Weichuan could see that Cheng Qiaobei was very considerate. The reason he went to so many lengths to please them was simply for Chen Ningxi. If his daughter could find someone genuinely good to her, there were indeed things he might be willing to compromise on.

Understanding that Cheng Qiaobei had been sitting there enough, Chen Ningxi suggested, "I’ll show him my childhood photos."

Ye Yujun chuckled, "Go on then."

As soon as they walked away, Chen Weichuan glanced at Ye Yujun, who lightly nudged his arm.

When they arrived in Chen Ningxi’s room, everything was neatly arranged. No girl’s room would be complete without plush toys. Standing before a bookshelf that took up an entire wall, while Chen Ningxi searched for the photo album, Cheng Qiaobei took the opportunity to admire her tiny toys.

Picking up a small Ma doll, about the size of his palm, he asked, "How old were you when you played with this?"

Chen Ningxi paused, "Uh... middle school, during middle school."

Cheng Qiaobei sensed there was more to it, "Hand it over."

"No way." Chen Ningxi snatched it back, and Cheng Qiaobei squinted his eyes, "Who exactly gave it to you?"