Fated Love With the Billionaire-Chapter 11 - Planning

The moonlit river gleamed with starlight, and the river water surged as Chen Ningxi, lost in thought, realized she had unknowingly walked quite a distance with Cheng Qiaobei. Sensing a sense of ambiguity, she quickly suggested, "It's too cold, let's head back."

Their eyes met unexpectedly again, and Cheng Qiaobei's gaze was gentle yet respectful. He said, "Okay."

After a few steps, Cheng Qiaobei commented, "Don't rush to find someone just to end being single," concerned she might overthink, "What I mean is... it'd be irresponsible to yourself."

Chen Ningxi laughed, "Yes, and I'm also a slow-burner, the really slow kind."

She concluded with a helpless shake of her head, to which Cheng Qiaobei corrected, "That's a good quality, being slow to warm up can deter a lot of insincere people."

"Hearing it like that, being slow to warm up doesn't seem so bad," Chen Ningxi relaxed a bit, realizing that only those on the same wavelength would understand.

After showering, Chen Ningxi lay in bed, scrolling through her phone, when Cheng Qiaobei surprisingly posted on a social platform. It was a photo of the riverside night view, with the caption, "Don't listen to the world's chatter, go see the scenery you love."

Although unsure whether that post was meant for her, through tonight's conversation with Cheng Qiaobei, she felt he wasn't too bad. Thinking it over, she ultimately decided not to like it.

...

On the weekend, Chen Ningxi had both days off.

While cleaning her room, her phone rang. Unlocking the screen, she saw a photo of a box of river crabs sent by Cheng Qiaobei. Puzzled, she replied with a question mark.

The chat header immediately displayed that the other party was typing...

north: Do you know how to make them?

Chen Ningxi replied: I do.

north: I don't.

Chen Ningxi stared at the screen, so?

Maybe not seeing her immediate reply, Cheng Qiaobei sent another message.

north: I'll treat you to river crabs.

Heh, Chen Ningxi laughed, asking him, "Manager Cheng, are you really inviting me to eat river crabs, or are you asking for help cooking them?"

Hearing the voice message sent, Cheng Qiaobei quickly clicked to listen, and his smile grew deeper as the message played out.

He still replied with a text message.

north: Asking for your help, please.

He also sent a smiling emoji.

Staring at the chat window, waiting for her response, Cheng Qiaobei only typed again once Chen Ningxi agreed to help: I don't have a pot at home.

Chen Ningxi asked, "No seasonings either, huh?"

north: None.

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

north: Yes.

Chen Ningxi: Wait for me.

north: I'll pick you up.

Chen Ningxi said, "No need, it's just a street away. Walking there won't take much effort."

After hanging up, Chen Ningxi went to grab cooking utensils and seasonings for the river crabs. Carrying two large bags, she had just stepped out of the residential area when she saw Cheng Qiaobei getting out of the driver's seat.

He took the bags with both hands, and Chen Ningxi asked, "What are you doing here?"

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

"It's really not far," Chen Ningxi replied.

Visit frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓ for the b𝘦st novel reading experience.

With the back seat full, Chen Ningxi could only sit in the front passenger seat.

Going to Cheng Qiaobei's home for the first time, she found the apartment to be as clean as a model room. Cheng Qiaobei took a pair of disposable slippers from the shoe cabinet.

He explained, "I don't usually have guests at home, except myself. I only prepare disposable slippers."

"Your place is quite clean," Chen Ningxi glanced behind him, as Cheng Qiaobei carried the bags to the kitchen, "I've had it set up for a long time but never stayed."

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

Cheng Qiaobei placed the bags on the counter, took out a pot, and then arranged the seasonings and ingredients neatly.

"Previously in Xuzhou."

Chen Ningxi recalled that there was also a Jade Jiali chain hotel in Xuzhou.

"Where you live depends on where you work?"

Cheng Qiaobei nodded, "Mm."

"That's not bad, traveling around the country," she remarked.

Cheng Qiaobei merely smiled without speaking.

"Why are you smiling, isn't it true?"

Cheng Qiaobei thought to explain, then realized it didn't matter. People only saw the glitz and glamour, not the hard work and toil behind managing a hotel. Besides, it's too sentimental to share this with a stranger, and it doesn't matter if he doesn't say it.

He lowered his eyes, shadows of his lashes on his narrow gaze. "You're right, it's like traveling."

Chen Ningxi opened the styrofoam box, and the river crabs, now exposed to light, became lively in the blue net bag, producing bubbling sounds. They seemed much larger than they appeared in the photo, likely over three ounces each.

"You bought these?" Chen Ningxi asked.

Cheng Qiaobei replied, "A friend gave them to me."

They divided the tasks efficiently, Cheng Qiaobei cleaned the crabs, and Chen Ningxi prepared the seasonings and side dishes.

She worked briskly, and Cheng Qiaobei was equally adept. They prepared the river crabs in two styles, steamed and spicy stir-fried, and just as they set the table, the doorbell rang.

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

Cheng Qiaobei walked over, replying, "I ordered two more dishes."

Looking at the two large plates of river crabs, Chen Ningxi remarked, "We can't finish all this."

After receiving the takeout boxes from the delivery person and closing the door, Cheng Qiaobei returned to the table, taking out the boxes one by one, "Just crabs might not fill you up."

Chen Ningxi said, "Then, thanks for the generous hospitality, Manager Cheng."

Cheng Qiaobei smiled, handing her a pair of chopsticks, "You're poking fun at me, huh."

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

Due to work, Cheng Qiaobei had tasted various cuisines across the country, including many preparations of river crab, but today's meal had a homely flavor.

Chen Ningxi waited for Cheng Qiaobei's feedback, but he was absorbed in eating.

"What do you think?" Chen Ningxi asked.

Cheng Qiaobei, while eating, responded, "If I'm eating silently, you should know."

Chen Ningxi laughed, "Is it silence from it being good, or silence from it being bad?"

Cheng Qiaobei opened another crab shell, full of rich crab roe ready to spill onto his sleeve, but Chen Ningxi quickly pressed a napkin against his hand.

Naturally taking the napkin, his fingers unintentionally brushed hers, "Of course, it's good."

As the feast ended with a table full of crab shells, Cheng Qiaobei didn't let her tidy up, instead urging her to the living room.

"You sit for a while, I'll clean up."

Chen Ningxi sat awkwardly on the sofa, taking a proper look around the room. It felt more like Cheng Qiaobei's temporary lodging than his home, with minimal decorations.

The study door was open, and a large whiteboard stood by the desk; a map of Zhoushan was marked with red magnets, indicating places to find suitable spots for power facilities.

Chen Ningxi turned toward the kitchen, "Manager Cheng, Manager Cheng."

The running water was loud, and Cheng Qiaobei didn't hear his name being called.

Chen Ningxi walked to the kitchen doorway, watching the man's upright figure before the sink. She couldn't help but marvel, who said tall, handsome, and considerate men were gone? This one did a pretty good job, should show this to her mom.

"Cheng Qiaobei."

He turned around, and Chen Ningxi asked, "Would it be okay if I went into your study?"

"Of course," Cheng Qiaobei replied with a warm smile.

But as she turned to leave, that smile did not reach his eyes and carried a hint of calculation.