Fated Love With the Billionaire
Chapter 87: Which Family Isn’t Superior to Hers

Chapter 87: Chapter 87: Which Family Isn’t Superior to Hers

Over the weekend, after having breakfast, the two returned to Danjiang. After dropping Chen Ningxi off at home, Cheng Qiaobei went straight to the headquarters.

The last time he called wanting to discuss meeting Chen Ningxi with his father, the message sunk with no response after the secretary took the call. It’s obvious where the problem lies in the middle; a secretary certainly wouldn’t dare hide it. So, he had to personally find Cheng Xiangheng.

Jade Jiali’s chain hotels’ headquarters was in Danjiang. The company’s office building wasn’t concerned with the actual hotel guest services, it was purely used for comprehensive management offices.

Cheng Qiaobei entered the lobby, and when the security guard saw him, he hurried to report to the people upstairs. He had known he was being watched for a long time. Who else would be afraid of him coming to the headquarters but that mother and daughter and Xu Yunheng?

The mother-daughter duo feared he would gain favor from Cheng Xiangheng in the future and get a larger inheritance share. Xu Yunheng, naturally, was aggrieved over Xu Gao’s firing, which also cut off his financial resources.

Within these two groups, not a single person was decent.

Passing by employees who greeted him with respectful "CEO Cheng," facade aside, they actually speculated about his unclear status behind his back.

As long as someone stands at the center of public opinion, they cannot escape becoming a topic of conversation. But if you stand high enough, all that reaches your ears is the wind, so what you hear depends on your height and outlook.

Passing by the secretary’s desk, he noticed it was vacant. Arriving at Cheng Xiangheng’s office and just about to knock, Secretary Deng Yan came out, the two meeting face to face. He was briefly stunned, "...CEO Cheng, you’re here."

Cheng Qiaobei nodded, and Deng Yan immediately moved aside to let him through the door, waiting for him to enter before closing it.

"Mr. Cheng." Cheng Qiaobei came to the desk. Cheng Xiangheng was reviewing documents, raising his eyelids to glance at him, and continued without lifting his head, "Why are you here? Not being at your post if the hotel encounters issues, who will handle it?"

Cheng Qiaobei replied, "I’ve explained everything to Wei Lai."

"Alright." Cheng Xiangheng sneered, "Now you’re a hands-off manager too. Since Wei Lai is so capable, why don’t you let her manage your hotels from now on, how about that?"

Cheng Qiaobei lowered his eyes, "I just stepped out for a moment, nothing will go wrong."

Hearing this, Cheng Xiangheng put down his pen, slowly leaned back into his chair, and his fingers drummed on the armrest, "So? If the Zhoushan hotel has issues, it has nothing to do with you, right?"

Cheng Qiaobei said, "I came to say a few words and I’ll be off."

"No need to speak, I know what you’re going to say." Cheng Xiangheng continued handling his work while speaking, "Start by telling me what resources she has."

Cheng Qiaobei’s brow slightly moved. In his eyes, a person must have beneficial output to have value. If Chen Ningxi couldn’t offer enough benefits to be exchanged, then there was no need for them to be tied.

Though he was very reluctant to mention Chen Ningxi’s family background, at this moment, it inevitably became a bargaining chip.

"Ning Xi’s father is the mayor of Danjiang City; he has extensive contacts. We will need his attention in many aspects. As for Ning Xi’s mother, although she has retired, she has vast social interactions and is connected with wives and daughters in various political circles. Even Ning Xi, who is soon moving up as the manager of Danjiang Power Company, has strong business capabilities and a promising future."

"Ha," Cheng Xiangheng scoffed disdainfully.

Clearly, he didn’t pay any mind to the Chen Family.

"After saying all that, tell me, what actual benefits can they bring to the company?" Cheng Xiangheng countered.

Cheng Qiaobei said, "For the company to grow, it needs not only financial resources but also connections and social relationships. Hosting some influential domestic or international large-scale conferences or receptions is critical to enhance our group’s brand reputation. These official meetings are often led by government agencies and enterprises, and last year, our group provided venues for government receptions and conferences, which accounted for thirty-five percent of the year, yielding a profit margin fifteen percent higher than from individuals or private enterprises."

"Are you finished?" Cheng Xiangheng asked.

Cheng Qiaobei nodded.

Cheng Xiangheng pressed the intercom, "Secretary Deng, bring the documents."

In a moment, Deng Yan knocked and brought in the documents, placing them on the table, bowing slightly before leaving.

"Take a look." Cheng Xiangheng tossed the file folder in front of him.

Cheng Qiaobei didn’t understand, opening the folder, it contained three personal files, of Zhou Sui from Huilv Group, Lu Yiqiao from Da Yang Real Estate, and He Tingxuan from Zhengfeng National Airlines.

Cheng Xiangheng said, "Among these three, choose anyone, who isn’t better than her?"

Cheng Qiaobei put the files down, "Are you referring to whose family background is more substantial?"

Cheng Xiangheng frowned unhappily. His words subtly alluded to his own start relying on women—such a topic was taboo with Cheng Xiangheng.

Cheng Qiaobei said, "No matter how substantial the family background is, it doesn’t mean anything to me. Others may be excellent, but I don’t like them. I only want Ning Xi."

If the previous hint was veiled, now it was blatant disdain.

Cheng Xiangheng’s tone hardened, "You’re a grown man, but still think you’re in your teenage years? Talking to me about ’likes,’ do you even have the right? When you were dating those two before, did you think I was consenting just because I turned a blind eye? In university, it’s fine to have someone to mess around with; I didn’t bother you. You wanted to play, I gave you time to play. But now that you’re managing the company, still having a playful mindset is not right. You’re now different, managing over ten chain hotels for the group; in the future, you have to,"

Before he finished, the office door was suddenly pushed open. Zheng Rongxi stormed in, upon seeing Cheng Qiaobei, she acted all composed as if everything was peaceful, "Qiao Bei is back. Sorry, I interrupted you."

Cheng Qiaobei slightly nodded, "Chairman Zheng."

Zheng Rongxi wore a kindly elder’s smile, "You look thinner than last time. Are you overworked in Zhoushan? And you," she shifted her gaze to the person behind the desk, "Qiao Bei is so exhausted, yet you’re adding more workload. There are two idlers at home. If it doesn’t work, let Siluo and Dongchen handle it. Qiao Bei, sit."

Zheng Rongxi went to the door to call the secretary, "Secretary Deng, get CEO Cheng a cup of tea."

Deng Yan slightly paused. Tea was already served. Aware belatedly, Zheng Rongxi awkwardly laughed, "Wasn’t there newly bought coffee? Bring a cup of coffee in."

Deng Yan said, "Yes, Chairman Zheng."

Closing the door, the office was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Zheng Rongxi returned to sit next to Cheng Qiaobei by the desk.

Cheng Xiangheng unhappily closed the file, "What business do you have?"

Zheng Rongxi awkwardly smiled, "Hehe, nothing serious. I just thought since you were just released from the hospital, I’d come by to check if you’re taking your medication on time, out of concern for your health."

Her arrival interrupted the father and son’s conversation; plus, her words hinted at taking the Zhoushan project from his hands.

Cheng Qiaobei stood up, "Mr. Cheng, I’ll be going. Chairman Zheng, please take your time."

"Hey, don’t go, Qiao Bei," Zheng Rongxi called out, and seeing him stop, she continued, "Siluo just got pregnant, and I’m not at ease letting her go to a far-off location. The Zhoushan store is relatively closer to Danjiang. Look, why not let her handle Zhoushan, and you take over Siluo’s Jinhua store?"

She was vicious, forcing him to say no. Just let him utter that "no," and there’d definitely be traps waiting for him to step into.

Cheng Qiaobei looked to Cheng Xiangheng, "Mr. Cheng, I follow your arrangement."

Cheng Xiangheng swiftly signed a document, tossing it casually aside, aiming his words at Cheng Qiaobei but clearly meant for Zheng Rongxi to hear.

"Why are you making trouble? Is it for you to say who manages the hotels?"

"She," Zheng Rongxi’s expression turned noticeably displeased. Just about to argue, she was interrupted by Cheng Qiaobei bowing, "Understood, Mr. Cheng, I will leave now."