Fated Love With the Billionaire
Chapter 82: The Companion Who Doesn’t Spoil the Fun

Chapter 82: Chapter 82: The Companion Who Doesn’t Spoil the Fun

north: "Do you have time this weekend? Let’s go to Ningkou."

Upon receiving the message, Chen Ningxi’s first reaction was that a day trip to Ningkou wasn’t possible.

Chen Ningxi: "Why are we going to Ningkou?"

north: "My mom lives in Ningkou, we’ll go visit her this weekend."

Chen Ningxi hesitated for a moment, then replied with a simple "Okay."

north: "We’ll stay at a hotel."

"..." A hotel stay? Her heart skipped a beat again.

north: "Bring a change of clothes."

Chen Ningxi: "Okay, what day do we leave?"

north: "I’ll pick you up early Saturday, we should reach Ningkou by noon."

Saturday.

As Cheng Qiaobei approached the entrance of the complex, he messaged Chen Ningxi.

north: "I’ll be at the entrance in five minutes."

Chen Ningxi was already ready and replied, "I’m coming downstairs."

From a distance, she spotted Chen Ningxi standing by the road. Cheng Qiaobei pulled the car over.

Chen Ningxi got into the passenger seat and placed her bag on the back seat. "Have you had breakfast?"

"I did. What about you?"

"I had breakfast too. I was worried you hadn’t, so I brought you a sandwich," Chen Ningxi emphasized, "I made it."

Cheng Qiaobei said, "It must be delicious. I’ll save it for when I get hungry on the road."

Chen Ningxi asked, "Is Wei Lai back?"

Cheng Qiaobei said, "She is. Her dad was discharged from the hospital two days ago and is currently resting at home. They initially planned to let her take another week off, but they found a helper, and with her mom and the helper caring for her dad, she felt comfortable returning to work."

Chen Ningxi said, "She must be exhausted, working after taking care of a patient. I know how draining it is to care for someone ill."

Cheng Qiaobei asked, "Who was hospitalized?"

"My mom. The summer vacation of my sophomore year, she had her gallbladder removed, and there were several leaks in a drainage tube. My dad was busy directing flood control efforts at the frontline and couldn’t come back, so I took care of my mom. Do you know what’s the hardest thing to wait for in the inpatient department?"

Cheng Qiaobei said, "Test results?"

"Nope," Chen Ningxi shook her head, "The hardest thing is to wait for the elevator, especially during meal times. Out of the eight elevators, one is for the operating room, one is for doctors only, and the remaining six have three stopping at single floors and three stopping at double floors. With thousands of patients, the elevators are so small, and in the morning, it takes at least twenty minutes just to get downstairs to buy breakfast. Once, I timed it, and it took me an hour to get breakfast and return to the ward. By the time I got there, the porridge was almost cold."

Cheng Qiaobei patted her hand, "You’ve been through a lot, Chen."

He understood why Chen Ningxi was so independent; she had grown up in an environment that required her to be resilient.

They reached Ningkou City by noon. Cheng Qiaobei went straight to the hotel they were staying at. As they entered the lobby, he extended his hand to Chen Ningxi.

"Give me your ID."

"My ID? Ah..." Chen Ningxi was momentarily stunned, then took it out from her bag. "Aren’t we going to see your mom first?"

"No need, we’re having dinner with her at five. Five o’clock is fine."

"Oh." Chen Ningxi felt uneasy.

They approached the front desk, and Cheng Qiaobei handed over the ID. "Check-in, please."

Chen Ningxi wondered if he knew the hotel staff and if they were planning a skit with the reception...

Sir, I’m sorry, but we only have rooms with king-sized beds left. Would that be alright?

Dream on!

If they really dare to pull that trick, she’d dare to...

Just as Chen Ningxi was ready to take her ID and move to another hotel if needed, two receptionists gestured to them individually.

"Ma’am, please face the camera for registration."

"Mr. Cheng, please face the camera for facial scan registration."

Chen Ningxi asked, "Are there two rooms?"

The receptionist smiled, "Yes, Mr. Cheng reserved them earlier."

Chen Ningxi said, "Oh."

Receptionist: "Mr. Cheng, please take your ID and room card."

Cheng Qiaobei said, "Thank you."

Chen Ningxi took back her ID and room card, her face flushed red.

As they walked into the elevator, she noticed the person next to her seemed to be smiling. She turned to see the mischievous smile at the corners of his eyes and mouth.

"What are you laughing at?"

Cheng Qiaobei swayed slightly from her push, eyes forward, "Just now, you seemed disappointed to hear there were two rooms?"

Chen Ningxi denied it, "No, who was disappointed."

Cheng Qiaobei leaned closer to her cheek and, in a tempting voice, asked, "What were you expecting?"

Chen Ningxi: "..."

With a ding, the elevator door opened.

His cheerful laughter reached her ears, and in the next moment, he was already out of the elevator.

Embarrassed and slightly annoyed, Chen Ningxi swiped the room card and, without letting Cheng Qiaobei in, took her bag and closed the door.

Cheng Qiaobei knocked on the door, and Chen Ningxi called out through the panel, "What do you want?"

"I live next door."

Chen Ningxi said, "Where you live is none of my business."

There was another irritating laugh, and Chen Ningxi truly wanted to open the door and give him a kick.

After she tidied up, Cheng Qiaobei knocked again.

"Ningxi, are you ready? Let’s go downstairs for lunch."

Chen Ningxi took her bag and responded, "Coming."

"Are we going to your mom’s now?" Chen Ningxi asked.

Cheng Qiaobei said, "Not yet, let’s have something light for lunch, we have a lavish dinner planned."

Walking for a bit, he seemed to change his mind, "Let’s have a hearty lunch."

Chen Ningxi understood what he was worried about, fearing any unpleasant incidents.

"I’m dieting lately and eating less at night."

It was Chen Ningxi’s first time in Ningkou, and her impression was that the city was well-developed and transportation was convenient.

"I’ll take you to a great place. You’ll love the food there."

Chen Ningxi raised her fist playfully, "Let’s go—"

Having an easygoing partner can indeed brighten a stifling life, and Cheng Qiaobei also relaxed with a sigh.

Chen Ningxi noticed that he drove around Ningkou without needing GPS, indicating he was familiar with the area, likely visiting often.

When Ding Yuan was favored by Cheng Xiangheng, Cheng Xiangheng would come to Ningkou to spend New Year’s with her and their son. Although he’d claim it was for New Year, he’d leave after just two days arriving on the third day of the new year.

Later, relying on having a son, Ding Yuan acted out, always dreaming that having a son would elevate her status. Cheng Xiangheng grew tired of her antics and began to distance himself from Ding Yuan. Fortunately, Cheng Qiaobei excelled, being outstanding academically, which allowed Ding Yuan to regain Cheng Xiangheng’s attention through him.

Even though apart from Mr. Cheng and a few shareholders, Cheng Qiaobei held significant power within the company, people would still gossip about him being an illegitimate child in private conversations.

The restaurant Cheng Qiaobei picked for Chen Ningxi was called Kaida Restaurant, located in Ningkou City’s prime area. They ordered nearly all the signature and chef’s special dishes. Looking at the table full of food, Chen Ningxi commented,

"We can’t eat all of this."

Cheng Qiaobei poured her a drink, "Take your time, no rush."

As they ate and admired the view outside the window, the restaurant door opened, and a lavishly dressed, tall woman entered. Noticing the pair dining by the window, she sashayed towards them with a serpentine grace.