Transmigrating Into the Beautiful CEO’s Doomed Substitute - Chapter 109

Having concluded her first entrepreneurial venture in the United States, Qi Zheng didn’t delay for too long and started packing for her return to China. Zhuang Muqing came to help her process some of the paperwork and, while she was at it, asked about the situation in Haicheng, because she was going there too.

“Ah Moon, please make yourself at home. It’s quite messy here, so I can’t really host you properly.”

Zhuang Muqing looked at the cardboard boxes scattered on the floor and watched Qi Zheng moving around the room, classifying items and putting them into boxes, then smiled. “How many times have I been here? You still treat me like a guest.”

“A guest is a guest, after all. You may not mind, but I can’t be impolite.”

Despite her words, the two spoke with a familiar tone.

Zhuang Muqing took a bottle of sparkling water from the fridge and drank it, casually asking, “Where are you planning to live after you return to Haicheng?”

“Ning’an District.”

“That doesn’t seem too far from my university. So, I can often come over to your place as a guest, then?”

Zhuang Muqing was invited to serve as a visiting professor for a practical aesthetics course at Haicheng University of Arts. At the same time, she hoped to have the opportunity to fully experience the “Haipai” (Shanghai style) life in Haicheng.

“You’ve been researching it for so many years, do you still need me to guide you?”

“That’s different. I’ve been hearing my uncle talk about Haicheng since I was a child, but I still feel it’s distant and unfamiliar.”

Qi Zheng didn’t decline. She was grateful for Zhuang Muqing’s care over the years in the United States. Now it was her turn to be the host, and she certainly wouldn’t mind the trouble.

“But I might be very busy. Don’t blame me if I don’t have time then.”

“I won’t blame you, because I’m sure I’ll be busy as a bee too.”

“Busy as a bee” (直譯：忙到飛起, “busy enough to fly”) was a new phrase Zhuang Muqing had recently learned in a WeChat group, and she used it quite fluently.

After completing the apartment check-out procedures, Qi Zheng went shopping for some gifts to take back to China. She thought carefully and realized there weren’t many people she could give gifts to. Besides the one for Jiang Youyou, the remaining few were for her former colleagues at the Shen Group.

She deliberately went to the wonton shop. It was exam week, so there weren’t too many students, and the owner was idle when she walked in.

“Xiao Qi is here, what would you like to eat today?”

The owner glanced at the time, which was earlier than her usual visits, making him unsure whether she was having breakfast or lunch.

“A bowl of wontons and an order of pot stickers, thank you.”

“And a drink? The usual?”

“Yes, with two spoons of sugar.”

Qi Zheng loved sweet soy milk, and it was only when drinking soy milk that she liked to add extra sugar, not finding it too sweet at all.

The food was quickly served. The owner sat opposite her and started chatting idly, “I didn’t see you last week, I thought you were on a business trip again.”

During her years of entrepreneurship, Qi Zheng often flew between several cities in the Eastern US with large concentrations of overseas students, so it was normal not to see her for a week.

“I was busy last week dealing with things for my return to China.”

“Returning to China? Visiting relatives or a business trip?”

Qi Zheng swallowed a wonton. The taste was as good as the first time she had it, without any modification to cater to the fact that it was a shop opened in the United States.

“I’ve decided to move back to China.”

Every year, new people came, and every year, some chose to return, each with different reasons, but mostly with the same goal: a better life.

However, the owner was surprised by Qi Zheng’s decision to return to China. “Your career is developing so well, why suddenly go back?”

“I want to have better development opportunities.”

Upon reflection, it made sense. In the United States, she was ultimately not part of the mainstream ethnic group. There was a lack of voice in many matters, and an unspoken sense of helplessness and unfairness.

The owner looked very reluctant. Over the years, he and his wife had developed a good relationship with Qi Zheng and were very fond of this low-key, modest, and hardworking young person.

“With your ability, returning is indeed better. It’s just a pity for the hard work you put in here over the years. Are you planning to sell it?”

Qi Zheng had finished half of the small wontons and her mood had brightened considerably. She smiled faintly and said, “It’s already sold. That’s why I’ve been idle this week.”

The owner was even more astonished. He froze for a while before sighing, “You truly have guts.”

After speaking, he got up and went into the kitchen. Qi Zheng thought he had something to busy himself with and didn’t pay it any mind. After a moment, two scallion pancakes appeared in front of her.

“I remember you like this the most. Eat more.”

Qi Zheng suddenly felt a pang of sentimentality. Over the years, she had become accustomed to treating this place like her canteen. Sometimes, when catching an early flight, she would take a few steamed buns and some soy milk from the shop. Other times, when her flight was delayed and she returned late at night, the owner would specially save a late-night snack for her.

“Thank you for taking care of me.”

Qi Zheng felt very lucky. Although in a foreign land, she had received care from so many people, allowing her to focus on what she wanted to do.

“Don’t mention it. We should be the ones thanking you. You gave us the opportunity to retire early and open a restaurant so easily. After all these years of work, I never imagined having such an easy time.”

Qi Zheng had also had a similar question. This restaurant was almost a hundred percent faithful reproduction of Haicheng’s traditional cuisine. It never modified the taste to cater to local customers, nor did it sell any mainstream food liked by locals, insisting only on selling Haicheng snacks.

Could it really make money this way?

Perhaps knowing Qi Zheng was leaving, the feeling of farewell intensified.

The owner sighed and opened up, “When we first heard we were to open a shop here, we were also unsure. Fortunately, someone said they would cover our losses, subsidizing us according to the highest standard every month, regardless of our turnover. At first, we didn’t dare to believe such a good thing.”

Upon hearing this, Qi Zheng felt something wasn’t right. If such a good thing wasn’t a trap, then someone must be footing the bill. What was the purpose of paying someone to run a loss-making business?

The owner then continued his sigh, “I think our Chinese bosses are still more humane, they value talent and loyalty.”

Qi Zheng raised an eyebrow slightly, instinctively feeling there was something she had never known.

“This shop was set up by your former boss. She said she hoped you could eat well abroad so you could focus on your studies. So, when you graduated and said you wanted to resign to start your own business, we didn’t feel right saying much.”

So that’s how it was… Qi Zheng had also once speculated about it, but later dismissed it as absurd, even inwardly laughing at herself for watching too many idol dramas.

Unexpectedly, this was indeed opened by Shen Zhibing for her.

“President Shen is a very open-minded person, she will understand.”

Qi Zheng walked out of the wonton shop, turning back every three steps to look at it again.

Over the years, she had come and gone here, yet never knew the significance of this shop’s existence.

After returning to China, Qi Zheng didn’t take a break. After the initial settling down and adjustment, she immediately plunged into the struggle of her second entrepreneurial venture.

Zhuang Muqing arrived half a month later than them. Qi Zheng had helped her inquire about matters at the university and, learning that someone would be specially responsible for the arrangements, felt relieved and focused on her own affairs.

Li Yunsan still maintained her network and resources in China, and excitedly waved something in her hand. “Qi Zheng, there’s a psychological health lecture next week. An industry big shot is the featured guest. I just managed to get two tickets.”

Qi Zheng looked at the introduction and felt it was a good opportunity.

As one of China’s top-tier cities, Haicheng’s financial industry was developed, but other cultural fields also saw many innovations. Various industry-leading lectures, forums, or salons were held almost daily in Haicheng. However, this particular lecture was out of the ordinary. Because of its high professionalism and the presence of a genuine industry heavyweight, the tickets were exceptionally sought after.

Yu Xinyan glanced at the time and informed her secretary that she would be leaving on time today, temporarily pushing non-urgent work until tomorrow. Then, she detoured to Shen Zhibing’s office and reminded her, “Tonight’s lecture starts at seven. If you don’t leave now, you’ll have to listen on an empty stomach.”

Shen Zhibing finished signing the last document and handed it to Yun Fei.

“You’ve emphasized this lecture for a week now, how could I forget.”

After saying that, she turned to give Yun Fei a few more instructions, then left with Yu Xinyan.

Yu Xinyan muttered while driving, “Attention in this field has obviously increased recently. We need to seize the opportunity. I heard several companies are interested in following up.”

“Are you referring to Shiqun?”

Yu Xinyan gave her a meaningful look. “Not only Shiqun, but also Dongming, which is reportedly very interested.”

Upon hearing Dongming, Shen Zhibing couldn’t help but frown.

Yu Xinyan smiled even more cunningly. “Alas, I wonder if Dongming is following the Shen Group so closely because they want to make money or because they want to win over the beauty?”

“What nonsense are you talking about again?”

“I’m not talking nonsense. Haven’t you been under pressure to marry recently? I heard your old man at home quite likes the people from Dongming.”

The Shen family didn’t like Lian Ao back then, so Shen Zhibing had long given up the idea of marriage. Later, when she met Qi Zheng, she liked her and wanted to be with her, and didn’t necessarily feel the need to marry.

Now that she was alone, the family started urging her to marry, but she didn’t want any of them. She was still waiting for Qi Zheng, waiting for a new opportunity for them.

“That’s their thought, it has nothing to do with me.”

Seeing Shen Zhibing’s firm statement, Yu Xinyan was not surprised. Over the years, the suitors around President Shen had never stopped, yet she was colder and gave less of a chance than before.

“Since you are still so persistent, make sure you don’t miss out this time with Qi Zheng’s return.”

They all knew Qi Zheng was coming back. But none of them knew the exact day Qi Zheng would arrive or what she would do after returning. But just knowing she would return was enough to excite them. Although Shen Zhibing didn’t show it on the surface, her mood had been particularly bright these past few days.

“I won’t let her leave again.”

Shen Zhibing spoke very softly, yet very resolutely, prompting a burst of laughter from Yu Xinyan.

The lecture was indeed very popular. Shen Zhibing and the others even saw people from Shiqun and Dongming at the venue, proving Yu Xinyan’s news was quite accurate.

“I told you so, besides us, the other companies aren’t idle either.”

Moving with the wind, business opportunities sometimes aren’t just self-discovered, but can also be gained by following the trend. The Shen Group was an industry leader, and the other two companies were also decent, but in terms of new business development, they still watched the Shen Group’s movements.

In the past two years, the Shen Group had been “copied” quite a few times, but due to maintaining appearances, they couldn’t pursue it in depth.

The lecture was excellent, and almost no one left halfway. After it ended, the invited expert was surrounded, with quite a few people going up to consult for details.

Shen Zhibing had already instructed Yu Xinyan to arrange a meeting with this expert.

Just as she was about to leave, Shen Zhibing’s peripheral vision caught a familiar figure. At first, she thought she was mistaken, but when she stopped and looked closely, she confirmed it was indeed Qi Zheng.

“President Shen, why aren’t you leaving?” Yu Xinyan realized the person walking alongside her suddenly disappeared. She turned back and saw Shen Zhibing standing three meters away from her.

“Look, she really is back.”

Yu Xinyan followed her gaze and saw Qi Zheng’s figure in the line waiting to speak with the expert.

“It’s been a few years, she really has changed a bit.”

Yu Xinyan’s sentiment didn’t affect Shen Zhibing’s focus, who had been watching Qi Zheng almost continuously since she spotted her.