Fated Love With the Billionaire

Starry rivers and moonlight; unwittingly, I walked along with Cheng Qiaobei. Chen Ningxi realized there was a hint of ambiguity and quickly suggested:

"It's too cold, let's go back."

Their gazes met unexpectedly again, and Cheng Qiaobei looked at her tenderly yet politely.

He said, "Okay."

After a few steps, Cheng Qiaobei said, "Don't rush into finding someone just to end being single…" Worried she might overthink, "I mean… it's irresponsible to yourself."

Chen Ningxi laughed, "Yes, and I'm also someone who warms up slowly, very slowly."

She said this and shook her head helplessly; Cheng Qiaobei corrected, "That's a strength, being slow to warm up means you can reject many insincere people."

"Now that you mention it, being slow to warm up doesn't seem too bad." Chen Ningxi felt more at ease, also realizing that only those on the same wavelength would understand.

After showering, Chen Ningxi lay in bed scrolling through her phone when Cheng Qiaobei unexpectedly posted a Moment. The photo was a riverside night view, with the caption: Ignore worldly whispers, go see the scenery you like.

Although unsure if this Moment was meant for her, through tonight's conversation, she felt he wasn't too bad.

After some thought, she ultimately didn't like the post.

...

On the weekend, Chen Ningxi had days off.

While cleaning her room, her phone rang. Unlocking the screen, she saw Cheng Qiaobei had sent a photo of a box of river crabs, making Chen Ningxi puzzled, she sent a question mark.

Immediately above the chat box, it showed him typing...

north: Can you make it?

Chen Ningxi replied: Yes.

north: I can't.

Chen Ningxi stared at the screen, thinking so what?

He might not have seen her quick reply, so Cheng Qiaobei sent another message.

north: I'm inviting you to eat river crabs.

Haha, Chen Ningxi laughed, and asked him, "Manager Cheng, are you really treating me to river crabs or asking for my help in cooking?"

Seeing a voice message sent over, Cheng Qiaobei hurriedly clicked to listen, and his smile grew deeper as the message played.

He replied back in text.

north: I'm asking for your help.

Then, he sent a smiling emoji.

Watching the chat box for her reply, only when Chen Ningxi agreed to help did Cheng Qiaobei type again: I don't have a pot.

Chen Ningxi asked, "And no seasonings either, right?"

north: None.

Chen Ningxi: "Great, do you have bowls and chopsticks?"

north: Yes.

Chen Ningxi: Wait for me.

north: I'll come pick you up.

Chen Ningxi said, "No need, it's just across the street, it's not even worth the drive."

After putting down her phone, Chen Ningxi went to grab the cooking tools and seasonings needed for cooking the river crabs, carrying two big bags just as she left the residential complex, she saw Cheng Qiaobei getting out of the driver's seat.

He took the bags from her hands, Chen Ningxi said, "Why did you come?"

Cheng Qiaobei opened the back door of the car to put the items inside, "I asked for your help, how could I let you walk over."

"It's not that far." Chen Ningxi replied.

The back seat was full of items, so Chen Ningxi could only sit in the passenger seat.

Upon her first visit to Cheng Qiaobei's home, she noticed the room was as neat as a model home. Cheng Qiaobei fetched a pair of disposable slippers from the shoe cabinet.

He explained, "I rarely have visitors, besides mine, I only have disposable slippers."

"Your place is pretty clean." Chen Ningxi glanced behind him as Cheng Qiaobei carried two bags toward the kitchen, "It was fixed up a while ago, never been lived in."

"Where did you live before?" Chen Ningxi asked.

Cheng Qiaobei set the bags down on the counter and took out a pot, then arranged the seasonings and side dishes neatly.

"Previously in Xuzhou."

Chen Ningxi remembered the Jade Jiali chain hotel in Xuzhou.

"Does where you live depend on where you work?"

Cheng Qiaobei nodded, "Yes."

"That's not bad, traveling all over could be considered a journey."

Cheng Qiaobei just smiled without saying anything.

"Why the laughter, isn't it true?"

Cheng Qiaobei wanted to explain, then thought better of it; to others, you may appear glamorous, but who understands the hardships and exhaustion of managing a hotel. Moreover, explaining too much to a stranger seems pretentious, it doesn't matter if you don't say.

He lowered his eyes, the shadow of his lashes reflected in his narrow eyes, "What you said is right, consider it a journey."

Chen Ningxi opened the foam box; the river crabs were lively again under the light in the blue net, bubbling more than they appeared in the photo, probably weighing three tael or more.

"Did you buy these?" Chen Ningxi asked.

Cheng Qiaobei said, "A friend gave them."

The two of them cleared their roles; Cheng Qiaobei washed the river crabs, while Chen Ningxi prepared the spices and side dishes.

She worked efficiently, and so did Cheng Qiaobei. The river crabs were prepared in two styles: steamed and spicy stir-fried. As they were served, the doorbell rang.

Chen Ningxi looked towards the door, "Is someone else coming?"

Cheng Qiaobei replied while walking over, "I ordered a couple more dishes."

Chen Ningxi looked at the two big plates of river crabs, "We can't finish this."

Cheng Qiaobei took the takeaway boxes from the delivery guy, closed the door, and brought the boxes back to the table, "Just river crabs, I was afraid you'd still be hungry."

Chen Ningxi said, "Then thank you, Manager Cheng, for your hospitality."

Cheng Qiaobei smiled and handed her chopsticks, "Are you teasing me?"

"I'm not, you're overthinking it," Chen Ningxi picked up a piece of the spicy stir-fried river crab, "Let's see how it tastes."

Due to his job, Cheng Qiaobei had tasted various gourmet foods around the world, including many ways to prepare crabs, but today's meal had a homestyle taste.

Chen Ningxi waited for Cheng Qiaobei's feedback, but he was only busy eating.

"How is it?" Chen Ningxi asked.

Cheng Qiaobei kept eating and said: "I've been eating silently, you still don't notice?"

Chen Ningxi laughed, "Is it the silence of deliciousness or not?"

Cheng Qiaobei cracked open another crab; its rich yellow filling was abundant. Seeing the crab oil about to drip into his sleeve, Chen Ningxi quickly grabbed a napkin and pressed it against the back of his hand.

He naturally took the napkin, his fingertips unintentionally touching hers, "It's delicious, of course."

After the whirlwind feast of river crabs, the table was left with a mountain of crab shells. Cheng Qiaobei wouldn't let her clean up and pushed her to the living room.

"Sit for a while, I'll clean up."

Chen Ningxi sat stiffly on the sofa, taking the opportunity to really look around the room. Rather than saying this was Cheng Qiaobei's home, it seemed more like his temporary lodging, almost devoid of personal decorations.

The study door was open; next to a large desk stood a whiteboard with a map of Zhoushan, marked with many red magnetic pins, apparently still troubled by the search for electrical facility placement points.

Chen Ningxi turned back towards the kitchen, "Manager Cheng, Manager Cheng."

The sound of water was loud; Cheng Qiaobei didn't hear her calling him.

Chen Ningxi approached the kitchen doorway, looking at the man's tall figure by the sink, she couldn't help but marvel internally, who said there were no tall, handsome, and considerate men left? The one right before her was doing quite well, she should let her mother have a look.

"Cheng Qiaobei."

Cheng Qiaobei turned around, Chen Ningxi asked, "May I go into your study?"

"Of course." Cheng Qiaobei gave a warm smile.

Yet, as she turned away, that smile didn't reach his eyes, revealing a trace of calculation.