Fated Love With the Billionaire
Chapter 81 Idle Chatter

Chapter 81: Chapter 81 Idle Chatter

She didn’t expect her question to be so blunt, but discussing Cheng Qiaobei directly might not work, and trying to prevent them from being together could backfire.

"No, I was just passing by and thought I’d find you for a meal, is that not okay?" Chen Weichuan placed a bite into his mouth, chewing loudly.

Seeing his calm expression made it seem like she was overthinking it.

"...Of course, it’s okay."

Chen Ningxi focused on eating, noticing that Chen Weichuan’s cup was empty, she refilled it with hot water. Looking up, she noticed a few strands of white hair on his head, feeling an inexplicable pang of sadness.

Back in elementary school, the teacher assigned an essay titled "My Father." Other students compared their fathers to trees, mountains, or the vast ocean. Chen Ningxi compared her father to a lighthouse; no matter the size of the storm or the harsh cold and heat, the lighthouse always stood firm, guiding lost ships. Her father was her lighthouse. She admired him and always took him as a role model.

After joining the electric company, she started like her father, from the ground up, not afraid of hardships or fatigue, hoping her efforts would take her to a higher position, just as he had risen to his current height through his abilities.

Yet seeing the person she admired grow old made her feel an indescribable heartache.

"Dad,"

"Hmm?" Chen Weichuan looked at her while chewing.

Chen Ningxi said, "Did you eat the Black Sesame Pills I bought for you?"

"They’re too sweet; I’m worried they’ll spike my blood sugar."

"There’s no sucrose, no added sugar. You can eat them; they won’t raise your sugar." Chen Ningxi placed a serving of wood ear fungus in his bowl with her chopsticks, "Eat more black wood ear mushrooms, they are good for your lungs, and cut down on smoking. When you all have meetings, your office turns into a wonderland of smoke."

Chen Weichuan stared at her blankly, "You sound just like your mom. Did she complain to you?"

Chen Ningxi: "No, it’s just that my coworkers’ meetings are like that."

The conversation was starting to open up, so Chen Weichuan tentatively asked, "How are you and Cheng lately?"

"We’re? Pretty good." Chen Ningxi felt nervous, not understanding why her dad was suddenly interested in her love life.

Chen Weichuan ladled a bowl of soup, blew on it, and asked, "Have you met his parents?"

"!" Chen Ningxi instantly realized why he had asked her to meet for a meal.

"Not yet; you know his family situation is a bit unique."

Chen Weichuan: "No matter how unique the situation is, a meeting is appropriate; even if it’s not now, at some point in the future. Our daughter isn’t someone to be hidden away; he should have thought of this etiquette."

Although Cheng Qiaobei had introduced his family situation, he really hadn’t mentioned meeting his parents.

Chen Ningxi’s eyelashes fluttered, "He had mentioned it before but was worried that meeting his strong-willed mother might lead to unpleasantness."

When a child goes out of their way to defend someone to you, your first thought isn’t to blame the other person but to feel protective of your child.

It’s hard not to when the treasure you’ve held in your heart suffers because of someone else, even for Chen Weichuan.

Chen Weichuan put down his soup bowl, "Are you defending him?"

His expression suddenly became serious. Chen Ningxi retracted her hand under the table and clenched it, "No, I am stating the facts."

Chen Weichuan frowned and spoke with the authority of a meeting, "After all, this involves your lifelong happiness. You need to investigate, visit, and listen to others’ opinions carefully. Your mother and I have only one daughter, hoping you find a worthy life partner. But I’m afraid of those who are deceptive, where you’re the one who ends up hurt."

"Dad, you asked me out to discuss Cheng Qiaobei, didn’t you?"

The topic already being laid bare, there was no need to hide it.

Chen Weichuan nodded, "Yes."

She knew it would be about this.

"Have you heard any gossip about him?"

Chen Weichuan said, "I wouldn’t call it gossip; conversations with people who’ve interacted with him. Most perceive him as scheming, one who uses any means to achieve his goals. My perspective is that you should reconsider, as I worry you might suffer from being with someone like him."

"Dad, why are you listening to idle chatters?"

"If it involved others, I wouldn’t take it to heart, but when it concerns you, what parent wouldn’t be concerned about their child? I believe it’s better to caution you."

Chen Weichuan checked his watch, afternoon work awaited, "Are you sure Cheng doesn’t have any ulterior motives with you? There’s no interest entanglement between you two?"

Chen Ningxi replied decisively, "Absolutely sure."

Chen Weichuan stood up to leave, "I’ll settle the bill. Work awaits at the bureau, you take your time eating; I’ll be off. By the way, don’t mention our conversation to Cheng."

"Got it." Chen Ningxi was unhappy but didn’t show it.

Watching her father’s hasty departing figure, she sighed in frustration.

Who was nagging in front of him! So inconsiderate!

Just as she was feeling down, a call came in from Cheng Qiaobei.

"What are you doing?" His voice was indulgent.

Chen Ningxi: "Eating. What about you? Have you eaten?"

Cheng Qiaobei had been busy all morning and had just returned to the office for a break.

Not wanting to worry her, he said, "I have."

Leaning back in his chair, massaging his sore temples, Chen Ningxi thought of her conversation with her father and the questions she needed answers to.

Believing in speaking straightforwardly, addressing problems directly, and not letting issues drag overnight in a relationship, she didn’t want any complications in her love life; it should be smooth.

"When do you plan to let me meet your parents?"

Cheng Qiaobei paused his massaging, opening his eyes.

At that moment, the phone’s receiver was unusually silent, and Chen Ningxi held her breath waiting for his answer.

"...You’re willing?"

Chen Ningxi: "...Of course."

Cheng Qiaobei sat up straight, becoming more formal.

"I’ll arrange a time right away and call you back soon."

Chen Ningxi: "...Okay."

After hanging up, she was in a daze for half a second.

Turns out, problems could be solved so easily, and her mood instantly improved.

Cheng Qiaobei first called Cheng Xiangheng to inquire, but his call was picked up by the secretary.

"Manager Cheng, Mr. Cheng is in a meeting. Can I assist?"

Cheng Qiaobei asked, "When will it end?"

Secretary: "I don’t know."

Cheng Qiaobei: "How long has it been?"

Secretary: "Two hours already. Is there anything you’d like me to pass on?"

Cheng Qiaobei: "No, just let me know when the meeting ends, and I’ll call him then."

Secretary: "Sure, Manager Cheng."

After hanging up, Cheng Qiaobei dialed his mother’s number, and the phone rang for a long time before it was answered.

Over the phone, he heard the clattering sounds of Mahjong, and Ding Yuan’s voice was cold, "What is it?"

Cheng Qiaobei said, "Do you have time this weekend? To have a meal with my girlfriend."

Ding Yuan exhaled smoke, her polished nails appearing bright under the light, as she looked at her tiles, "No time this weekend, I’m playing Mahjong."

Cheng Qiaobei had lost hope in her, "If you don’t come, there will be no money for playing next month."

Ding Yuan fumed, "Are you still my son? Even your mom is being manipulated."

Cheng Qiaobei: "Saturday at five, at Shiyue Restaurant. I’ll text you which private room later."

Ding Yuan raised an eyebrow, "Understood."

She pressed a long finger on the phone, tossing it onto the table, "This brat, just like his stubborn father."