Transmigrating Into the Beautiful CEO’s Doomed Substitute - Chapter 10

Qi Zheng was startled by this sudden chain of movements. Now, staring wide-eyed at Shen Zhibing, she didn’t know what to say. But one thing was undeniable—although President Shen was already twenty-eight, her skin was still flawless, even at this close range.

A beautiful person looked stunning from any angle, even when face-to-face like this. The cold, rigid air she usually carried seemed softened, making her beauty appear more vivid.

Qi Zheng had always admired beautiful women. Instinctively, her gaze followed Shen Zhibing, who was now half-pressed beneath her, and for the moment, she forgot the tension between them.

Their perfumes, completely different in style, blended together without clashing, creating a strange chemical reaction. Shen Zhibing was unaccustomed to such physical closeness with anyone. Even with Lian Ao, their intimate gestures had always been limited.

Growing up in the Shen family—wealthy and tangled with complicated relationships—she had been taught since childhood to protect herself. Not only her physical safety, but her trust in others as well.

Over time, Shen Zhibing had wrapped herself in an invisible protective shield. True to her name, she became cold as ice. Her aloofness was, in many ways, a defense mechanism built from years of overprotection.

Qi Zheng was still frozen when Shen Zhibing reacted first. With a hard shove, she pushed Qi Zheng off.

“From now on, without my permission, don’t ever get that close to me again.” Shen Zhibing sat up, straightening her wrinkled shirt.

Leaning on her elbow at the edge of the bed, Qi Zheng gave a disbelieving laugh. “President Shen, you should at least be reasonable. You’re the one who lost your balance and pulled me down with you.”

Shen Zhibing shot her a cold glance. “Still talking?”

Qi Zheng didn’t like arguing face-to-face, but that didn’t mean she agreed with Shen Zhibing’s words. Since talking sense didn’t work with this woman, she decided to try brainwashing instead.

“Actually, I’m grateful you arranged such a luxurious place for me. But you can’t use the contract as an excuse to lock me up. That’s no different from imprisonment.” Qi Zheng’s tone softened, her words calm.

Shen Zhibing, sitting on the edge of the bed with her back to her, radiated less of her usual sharpness. But her reply was still firm:

“Then perhaps you should reflect on why you agreed to those terms when you signed the contract. We made it clear back then: I would give you everything Lin Muyun once could, and in return, you would completely follow my arrangements.”

Her last sentence came slowly, each word biting and deliberate.

Qi Zheng felt her teeth ache from frustration. Annoying! The original owner had picked a fight with a far bigger problem just to take revenge on Lin Muyun. Anyone with half a brain would know Shen Zhibing was ten times harder to deal with. Why provoke the whole forest over one rotten tree?

Qi Zheng fell silent. Shen Zhibing’s lips curved smugly—until a wave of stomach pain struck, wiping the smile from her face.

Her hand flew to her stomach, her back hunching involuntarily. Qi Zheng couldn’t see her expression, but the posture was telling.

“You’re not feeling well again? I’ll get Aunt Xin to call a doctor.”

Qi Zheng jumped off the bed at once. The soft mattress bounced under her movement, making Shen Zhibing dizzy.

“No need. I’m fine.”

Qi Zheng walked to her. Her face was clearly pale, lips bitten tight, still insisting she was fine.

“What’s the point of suffering like this?” Qi Zheng sighed helplessly, hands on her hips.

Shen Zhibing raised her head with difficulty, ready to snap back about meddling, but she couldn’t even straighten her waist.

Regardless of her protests, Qi Zheng reached out to steady her. “Look at yourself. Why keep forcing it? This is your own place—what’s there to be embarrassed about?”

“Who said I’m embarrassed? Qi Zheng, don’t flatter yourself. You think you understand me?” Shen Zhibing’s defense mechanism kicked in again, instinctively resisting closeness.

She had never intended to bring Qi Zheng to Yunlu Garden, her true sanctuary. This villa was just a luxurious toy house to her, and Qi Zheng, merely a doll.

“Fine, think whatever you want.” Seeing her like this, Qi Zheng no longer felt like arguing.

As she turned to leave, Shen Zhibing frowned. “Where are you going?”

Without looking back, Qi Zheng opened the door. “To get you something to eat.”

Not long after, the door opened again. Shen Zhibing leaned against the headboard, unable to sleep, unable even to lie flat. The painkillers she had taken weren’t helping.

Qi Zheng came in with a tray—one large bowl and a few small dishes. Shen Zhibing gave her a weak glance.

Qi Zheng set the tray on the far bedside table, just in case Shen Zhibing decided to sweep it all away in a fit of anger.

“I asked the kitchen to make some rice porridge. Eat a little.”

She picked out some side dishes, placed them on the porridge, and handed the bowl over.

Shen Zhibing didn’t take it, her face expressionless.

“I don’t have an appetite. I don’t want to eat.”

Qi Zheng thought she must’ve been brainwashed by this villa’s energy field—otherwise how could she still have the patience to coax her like this?

Ignoring the refusal, she stirred the porridge and blew it cool.

When Shen Zhibing turned away with a face full of resistance, Qi Zheng sat down beside her, squeezing her further inward.

“If you don’t eat, the pain will only last longer. This has nothing to do with appetite. President Shen, you’re a grown woman—you should understand this simple truth.”

Shen Zhibing whipped her head around. “You—”

Before she could finish, the spoonful of porridge was at her lips.

“Eat, and you won’t hurt so much. Good for you, good for me, good for everyone.”

They locked eyes for several seconds. Finally, Shen Zhibing silently opened her mouth.

The half-spoonful slid in—not too hot, just right. She ate very slowly, her stomach raw with pain, almost unable to handle food at all. She had often vomited after eating during these episodes, which was why she preferred not to eat.

But this time, chewing carefully, the porridge slid gently into her stomach. No violent reaction. Instead, it spread a comforting warmth.

Seeing her eat smoothly, Qi Zheng stopped feeding her. Shen Zhibing looked at her strangely.

Qi Zheng nudged the bowl toward her. “Eat it yourself. It’ll taste better.”

A flicker of anger crossed Shen Zhibing’s eyes—uncertain if it was irritation or embarrassment.

Qi Zheng ignored it. What, you expect me to spoon-feed you like a servant? That won’t happen.

Warmth spread through her stomach, hunger awakening. Soon, half the bowl was gone. Shen Zhibing ate quietly, while Qi Zheng sat beside her without a word. The silence was oddly charged, broken only by a knock at the door.

Qi Zheng went to open it—Aunt Xin, asking after Shen Zhibing.

“She’s much better. Nearly finished the porridge. Please send up some nourishing soup later.”

All liquid foods. Shen Zhibing heard every word.

She offered no objection, simply finished the porridge. The sharp pain was replaced by a steady fullness. Painkillers never worked half as well as this one bowl of porridge.

Qi Zheng took the empty bowl from her hands, set the tray aside, poured warm water for rinsing. Only then did she notice Shen Zhibing had moved back to the bed’s edge, reclaiming the space she had been pushed from earlier.

“No matter how busy you are, you still need to eat on time. Otherwise, you’re only hurting yourself.”

Shen Zhibing frowned impatiently but didn’t argue.

She wasn’t used to being cared for like this, unable to discern the other person’s intentions. What she longed for was someone who cared simply for her as a person—not because she was Shen Zhibing.

She had once been pure-hearted, but betrayal and disappointment had hardened her. Now, she trusted only those who had already proven themselves over years: Lian Ao, Yun Fei, and Aunt Xin.

As for Qi Zheng? Shen Zhibing never intended for her to be one of them. After all, she was just a toy—meant to be used, then discarded.

The soup Aunt Xin brought later, Shen Zhibing drank half a bowl. Now she was finally comfortable. And once comfort came, so did exhaustion. On the soft bed, she drifted into sleep, half-reclined.

When Qi Zheng turned back from tidying up, she saw Shen Zhibing asleep, head drooping, about to topple over.

Quietly, she walked over, steadying her head and shoulders, gently laying her down.

She slipped off her heels, pulled up the covers. Even asleep, President Shen was beautiful. If only her mind worked properly, Qi Zheng thought wryly, she’d be perfect.

At first Shen Zhibing resisted faintly, but drowsiness won out. With warmth in her stomach and the day’s tension finally eased, she surrendered to deep sleep.

Qi Zheng lingered for a moment, watching her peaceful face, then prepared to leave. Just then, Shen Zhibing’s phone on the table rang—both tone and vibration jarring in the quiet.

Qi Zheng grabbed it quickly. The screen showed only a single letter: A.

She knew. That was Shen Zhibing’s special designation for Lian Ao. She hadn’t wanted to interfere, but remembering the story’s plot, she felt reluctant to let Lian Ao continue deceiving her.

When the call came through a second time, she answered.

On the other end, a voice, urgent:
“Xiaobing, how’s the matter you were handling?”

Qi Zheng had no idea what Shen Zhibing was supposed to be handling, so she said, “Hello, President Shen isn’t able to take calls right now.”

Lian Ao froze, his tone switching at once to wary. “Then who are you?”

Qi Zheng rolled her eyes but kept her voice even. “I’m a friend of hers. She wasn’t feeling well and has fallen asleep.”

“She… President Shen fell asleep?” Lian Ao faltered, no longer daring to use the familiar nickname.

Qi Zheng glanced at the bed, at the peacefully sleeping woman, and confirmed, “Yes. Is it something urgent?”

But Lian Ao was already eager to hang up, terrified of being exposed if he said more.

“No, nothing. I won’t disturb her rest. Goodbye.”