Fated Love With the Billionaire-Chapter 177: Interested in Her

Chen Ningxi nodded, seemingly taking his words to heart, and said with calm and resonant tones,

"Manager Pan, I can understand your feelings. I’m not familiar with the past events, but I have my principles. Your confidence in Shangxing should motivate you to actively participate in the project bidding, putting forth your utmost sincerity in preparation. I believe a good brand naturally has advantages, and Danjiang Power is willing to support the development of local brands. I hope to see Shangxing’s outstanding performance in this bidding."

Pan Cheng, having weathered many storms, didn’t lose his composure due to Chen Ningxi’s face-to-face refusal. He maintained a smile, though his gaze carried an inscrutable interest, which Guo Shiwen quickly noticed and said,

"Manager Chen, thank you for your acknowledgment of Shangxing. Manager Pan will certainly live up to your expectations."

Pan Cheng directed his gaze toward Guo Shiwen, who smiled and raised his glass to Chen Ningxi, saying, "Manager Chen, on behalf of all Shangxing employees, I thank you for your support."

Chen Ningxi raised her glass, and Pan Cheng along with Dai Chi joined in a toast.

Pan Cheng put down his glass and looked at Chen Ningxi with a deeper gaze. As Dai Chi had mentioned, she was indeed very unsophisticated.

But to secure the project, going through a few negotiation rounds was normal, so Pan Cheng wasn’t in a hurry. The project hadn’t started yet, and time was on his side.

During the meal, Chen Ningxi saw a WeChat message from Cheng Qiaobei sent half an hour earlier.

north: I’m waiting for you in the car.

Chen Ningxi: Okay.

By the end of the dinner, Chen Ningxi hadn’t agreed to let Shangxing take on the project. As Pan Cheng was seeing her off, he handed her a bag of high-end skincare products.

"Manager Chen, since this is our first meeting, I wasn’t sure what kind of gift would be appropriate. I asked the female employees at my company, and they said this brand is quite popular lately. It’s nothing valuable, please accept it."

Chen Ningxi didn’t take it, gently refusing, "Manager Pan, I appreciate the thought, but my skin can’t handle this brand. Nonetheless, thank you."

From their conversation, Pan Cheng discerned Chen Ningxi’s attitude and understood her concerns, explaining, "It’s nothing expensive."

Chen Ningxi smiled and looked at Guo Shiwen, "See, men just don’t get it, right, Manager Guo?"

Guo Shiwen, needing to maintain harmony with both sides, couldn’t let Pan Cheng lose face nor put Chen Ningxi in an awkward position.

"That’s right. Last year I switched face creams which caused an allergic reaction and it took visits to three dermatologists to fix it," Guo Shiwen shared his own experience, "Our Manager Pan is so focused on work that he doesn’t understand these things about women."

Dai Chi chipped in, "Don’t blame Manager Pan. I understand even less. Watching my wife at the vanity is like watching her plaster a wall, applying different lotions and serums. To me, they’re all just fancy balms."

Guo Shiwen joked, "Brother Dai, you called your wife’s routine plastering, I’ll have to tell her that later."

Chen Ningxi smiled and said to Pan Cheng, "Manager Pan, my skin is sensitive. Switching skincare could cause an allergy, which would mean months of treatment. I really can’t risk it. Don’t take it the wrong way, it’s not about the money."

That was the appropriate end to the topic, and Pan Cheng aptly concluded, "Manager Chen, with such a good appearance, you’re Danjiang Power’s face. If my gift caused an allergy, I’d be doing more harm than good. Forget about the skincare, let’s stay in touch and communicate often."

He handed the bag to Guo Shiwen, who took it and accompanied the three of them out of the private room.

At the cashier, they were told that the bill had already been paid.

"Who paid?" Pan Cheng looked at Guo Shiwen behind him, who was equally surprised.

The cashier looked at Chen Ningxi, "Miss Chen is a member of our store. She paid with her phone earlier."

Pan Cheng immediately said, "That won’t do. I said I would treat, this won’t do at all." He asked the cashier, "How much was it?"

Chen Ningxi gestured to the cashier, interrupting, "Pan, although this is our first meeting, I’ve learned about your and Shangxing’s history indirectly. I have great respect for companies that rise through capability, and even more for industrialists like you who can revive a near-bankrupt enterprise. Quality is the foundation of a company, and opportunities arise because of this foundation. So who treats this meal doesn’t matter, what matters is that I got to know you."

Pan Cheng’s eyes narrowed, and he swiftly withdrew his brash demeanor. Looking at Chen Ningxi again, he wasn’t sure if it was the alcohol effect or her words that touched him, but he paused for a moment.

"Okay, I owe you this meal, next time I’ll treat you."

She changed the address, "Pan, regarding work, you’re welcome to find me at my office anytime. My office is always open to Shangxing."

Pan Cheng understood that it would probably be difficult to invite her again in the future.

He asked, "How are you getting home?"

Chen Ningxi said, "My husband is waiting for me at the door."

"Your husband?" Pan Cheng looked toward the door, in the dark night with only a few landscape lights illuminating the area, he didn’t see anyone. He laughed, "Could it be he’s worried?"

Chen Ningxi smiled softly, "He’s not worried, he’s just used to picking me up."

Guo Shiwen looked envious, "Manager Chen, you’re truly enviable."

Dai Chi said, "Our Manager Chen’s spouse is the manager of Danjiang Jade Jiali, Cheng Qiaobei."

Pan Cheng frowned, "Cheng Qiaobei?"

"Yes, it’s him. Does Manager Pan know him?" Chen Ningxi asked.

Pan Cheng shook his head, "No."

The three escorted Chen Ningxi to the door. Just as they stepped outside, a sedan’s lights turned on in the parking spot, drove over, and stopped by the steps. The person in the driver’s seat got out, and Chen Ningxi bid farewell to those beside her, "I’m leaving, goodbye."

Cheng Qiaobei opened the front passenger door and gestured to the three people on the steps. Then he looked lovingly—like the moon’s arc on this night—at the person approaching him. When Chen Ningxi reached him, he naturally wrapped his hand around her waist.

Chen Ningxi said, "Did you wait long?"

Under the dim light, Cheng Qiaobei’s features were more three-dimensional, softening his sharpness and adding a touch of warmth. He smiled, "Not at all."

Chen Ningxi got into the car. Dai Chi reminded them to drive slowly. Cheng Qiaobei closed the door, nodded again to the people on the steps, then got in the car.

With a "beep," the sedan drove away.

Dai Chi, with a serious expression, said to Pan Cheng, "Looks like next time I invite her, I might not be able to meet."

Pan Cheng kept his gaze on the car disappearing into the distance and replied meaningfully, "If she doesn’t come, I’ll go find her. She’s the one who said to discuss work matters at the office."

After seeing Dai Chi off, the driver Guo Shiwen called for arrived. As Pan Cheng headed for his car, Guo Shiwen followed, suddenly asking,

"Are you interested in her?"

Pan Cheng paused slightly, frowned, looked back at Guo Shiwen, and retorted in annoyance, "What are you talking about!"