Fated Love With the Billionaire
Chapter 78: One Must Not Be Without a Guarded Heart

Chapter 78: Chapter 78: One Must Not Be Without a Guarded Heart

Chen Ningxi said, "Hard to say, I’m not sure if I’ll rest or not."

Cheng Qiaobei asked her to help inquire, but Chen Ningxi felt somewhat resistant to calling Chen Weichuan. Every time she called him, it felt like reporting to a superior leader. Over time, she always sensed an invisible pressure enveloping her, and they had hardly ever even joked together.

"I have some things to do. How about you call him?"

Cheng Qiaobei replied, "Okay, give me the number."

Chen Ningxi recited a string of numbers, and Cheng Qiaobei wrote them down on paper, "I’ll hang up now and ask Uncle if he’s coming."

"Alright, bye." Chen Ningxi ended the video call.

At that moment, Chen Weichuan was visiting and inspecting Qiankun Group. As a renowned leading enterprise in Danjiang and even the entire province, a major taxpayer, the government sent people to Qiankun Group every year for visits. Any problems would be resolved, and any difficulties coordinated for assistance. This also indirectly prodded Zou Yong to be a law-abiding and disciplined entrepreneur.

Zou Yong had known Chen Weichuan for many years. Just as he invited him into the room, Chen Weichuan’s phone rang.

Despite being an unfamiliar number, Chen Weichuan still answered. For the convenience of the public reporting issues, he had publicly listed his phone number on the government’s livelihood website. If there were any unsolvable difficulties within the reasonable and legal scope, they could directly call him to respond.

Over the years, many leaders in Danjiang had never done this, and many advised him not to disclose it, saying it would only bring trouble upon himself. To this, he merely replied, "If even I’m afraid of trouble, what can the common people expect?"

Chen Weichuan was a cadre who had risen from the grassroots, concerned about grassroots livelihood issues, aiming to solve the practical difficulties of the populace. This was the fundamental duty of a servant of the people.

"Hello."

Cheng Qiaobei called out, "Uncle, it’s me, Cheng."

Upon hearing this, Chen Weichuan’s expression relaxed a bit, "Ah, Cheng, anything up?"

Even though the phone’s volume wasn’t high, in the quiet environment, one could somewhat hear the other person speaking. When he mentioned ’Cheng,’ Zou Yong confirmed the caller was indeed Cheng Qiaobei.

The secretary poured tea for members of the inspection team one by one, but Zou Yong was keenly observing this call.

Cheng Qiaobei said, "Uncle, it’s the weekend. Do you have time to come fish? I’ll pick you up."

Chen Weichuan responded, "Not today, there’s some work I haven’t finished."

Upon hearing the pin-drop silence from the other end, Cheng Qiaobei said, "Alright, I’ll let you get back to work. I’ll call you later."

"Okay." Chen Weichuan put away his phone.

Zou Yong asked, "The voice on the phone sounded like Cheng Qiaobei to me."

Chen Weichuan confirmed, "It’s him."

"..." Zou Yong paused, sensing their relationship was quite good, wondering when it developed.

Zou Yong probed, "Cheng is smart, got a particularly agile mind."

"Is he?" Chen Weichuan turned to the secretary, "Secretary Zheng, take Dawei and check the materials President Zou prepared with them. I’ll have a cup of tea with President Zou and then head down."

Secretary Zheng caught on, and left the office with the others, closing the door.

Chen Weichuan knew Zou Yong well; he wouldn’t bring up Cheng Qiaobei for no reason.

"So you know him?" Chen Weichuan countered.

While pouring tea for Chen Weichuan, Zou Yong said, "I’ve known him for years, met him since he was a kid in primary school."

Chen Weichuan asked, "How’s his character?"

To be questioned about character, he recalled how Chen Ningxi had been getting closer to him recently, and Zou Yong roughly guessed what was happening.

"Character..." Zou Yong cleverly paused, "Frankly, I haven’t had much contact with him privately. We’ve had some business dealings; he’s very smart, strategic, and driven. In the business arena, if it’s a result he wants, he generally doesn’t lose to anyone."

Zou Yong, who had grown from nothing to the president of a major group, certainly mastered the art of language. Some people ask questions not sincerely seeking results but simply wanting to hear what they expect from you. You can’t just blurt the truth; you should express it differently. If they can grasp it, you’ve done your duty; if not, you can’t blame them for missing the cue.

From Zou Yong’s words, Chen Weichuan discerned apparent praise that was actually a hidden critique.

Chen Weichuan sipped his tea slightly and said, "We’ve known each other for so many years, and you’re still speaking half-sentences with me, withholding the other half? Just say whatever’s on your mind."

Zou Yong paused momentarily, then asked, "Is Ning Xi dating Cheng Qiaobei?"

Chen Weichuan nodded, "They just started not long ago."

Zou Yong, who had watched Chen Ningxi grow up, did not want her to be involved with Cheng Qiaobei, whether for public or personal reasons.

"Cheng Qiaobei is deep-minded, not just an ordinary person. Ning Xi needs to be cautious dating him. He’s someone who does whatever it takes to achieve his goals. You should also advise Ning Xi to be aware of small things that reveal bigger truths. If it feels wrong, she should find someone else; he... really isn’t suitable."

Seeing Zou Yong’s reluctance to speak, Chen Weichuan frowned, "What exactly is going on?"

Zou Yong showed a troubled expression, saying, "Whatever I tell you, don’t let Ning Xi know it was from me, or she’ll surely hate me for it."

Chen Weichuan assured, "I won’t."

"Years ago, Mr. Cheng publicly said Cheng Qiaobei was his nephew. In recent years, his health declined, revealing he was his son.

Everyone knew he wasn’t born from the original wife; Cheng Qiaobei had an elder sister, the original wife’s child. Mr. Cheng intended the family business not to fall into outsiders’ hands, so he had Cheng Qiaobei join the hotel management. The original wife disagreed, forcing Mr. Cheng to place the hotel in their daughter’s name, having him make a will in advance to prevent the illegitimate child from snatching all the assets.

Mr. Cheng expanded his business with the support of his first wife’s family, so many times he complied when she made wills. But I’ve recently heard Mr. Cheng altered the will. Nobody knows the specifics, but there are rumors most of the hotel came under Cheng Qiaobei’s name. The original wife surely wouldn’t accept it, so she guarded against him everywhere. Even gathering major shareholders couldn’t shake Cheng Qiaobei’s position. Over the past two years, his influence has far surpassed the original wife’s reputation. How can someone without guile and strategy achieve such success today?

In essence, it’s internal family strife. Spending over a decade abroad and coming back for just a few days, securing the major share of the inheritance effortlessly. Do you feel assured letting Ning Xi date such a person?"

Zou Yong spoke extensively about Cheng Qiaobei, leaving Chen Weichuan feeling heavy-hearted, especially knowing that Cheng Qiaobei was currently preparing a project in his jurisdiction, under his approval, adding layers of suspicion.

Leaving Qiankun Group, Chen Weichuan frowned tightly. From previous interactions at home, he felt this young man was quite nice. But after hearing Zou Yong today, reflecting objectively, Cheng Qiaobei indeed excelled in socializing and knew how to please people. To say he pursued Ning Xi without any gains seemed somewhat untrustworthy.

As the saying goes, one should never harbor harmful intentions, but it’s necessary to guard against others.