Transmigrating Into the Beautiful CEO’s Doomed Substitute - Chapter 114

Seeing Qi Zheng’s gaze shift a few times between herself and Hua Chifeng, Shen Zhibing subtly took two more steps forward. There was already some distance between her and Hua Chifeng, and now it was even more pronounced.

“CEO Shen, what’s wrong?” Seeing Shen Zhibing suddenly stop, Hua Chifeng thought she had forgotten something.

“I ran into an acquaintance, I’ll go say hello.” After saying that, she ignored Hua Chifeng and walked directly towards Qi Zheng.

“What a coincidence to run into you here,” she said to Qi Zheng, her gaze naturally shifting to the person next to her, giving a slight nod, “Hello, Miss Zhuang.”

Zhuang Muqing clearly hadn’t expected to meet Shen Zhibing tonight. She had just been reminding Qi Zheng not to forget to arrange the dinner for her. They had been chatting happily and drank a bottle of red wine, so she was quite excited at the moment.

“Don’t be so formal, academic senior. If you don’t mind, just call me A’Moon.”

Shen Zhibing still wore a smile, but it wasn’t as gentle as when she looked at Qi Zheng.

“Then you don’t need to be so polite either, just call me by my name.”

Zhuang Muqing took the opportunity to speak up herself: “I’ve actually always wanted to find a chance to have dinner with you and talk properly, but last time was too rushed and I didn’t get a chance to ask. I asked Qi Zheng to help me arrange it before, so why don’t I ask you myself now.”

Shen Zhibing gave Qi Zheng a meaningful look, seeing her cheeks were slightly flushed, but she didn’t have any other reaction. Seeing her occasionally glance at Hua Chifeng who was standing behind, the heart that had instantly dropped seemed to rise again slightly.

“I’m quite busy this week. Let’s exchange numbers, and we can make plans when I have time next week.”

Zhuang Muqing wasn’t pretentious and immediately exchanged phone numbers with Shen Zhibing and added each other on WeChat.

“I originally wanted to exchange Ins too, but let’s save that for when we have a chance later.”

Shen Zhibing maintained a graceful demeanor throughout. Compared to Zhuang Muqing’s brightness and cheerfulness, she was more like a cool, elegant moon goddess.

“We don’t use Ins much in China, Moments is quite good.” After saying that, Shen Zhibing glanced at Qi Zheng again, faintly.

She was slightly lowering her head, making it difficult to discern her true expression.

Chatting in the corridor wasn’t a good choice. Hua Chifeng, though left waiting, didn’t lose his composure, but he was somewhat interested in the acquaintance CEO Shen mentioned.

Zhuang Muqing checked the time: “I have to leave now, I’m scheduled for a video call with a friend in America tonight.”

Qi Zheng was originally going to send her off, but they both had a drink when they got excited earlier, so neither of them could drive.

“Let my driver take you, that way it’s safer.”

“How can I trouble you?”

“You can treat me to dinner next week, then you won’t feel embarrassed.”

Zhuang Muqing readily agreed: “See you next week.”

Hua Chifeng knew that CEO Shen had arranged a car, so he thoughtfully and courteously asked, “How about I drive the two of you back?”

Shen Zhibing originally didn’t want to. She rarely had a chance to be alone with Qi Zheng, and even if it meant walking to hail a taxi, she didn’t want to ride in Hua Chifeng’s car.

Unexpectedly, Qi Zheng agreed first: “Then I’ll borrow CEO Shen’s light. Thank you for the trouble, CEO Hua.”

Shen Zhibing felt a bit annoyed but couldn’t say anything. If Qi Zheng wanted to go back, she couldn’t drag her along.

Once inside Hua Chifeng’s commercial car, with the three of them sharing the space, they had to exchange some pleasantries even if they were strangers.

“Miss Qi just returned from America, are you still adjusting to life here?”

“It’s fine.”

“Haicheng has actually changed quite a bit in the past two years. You should explore more when you have a chance.”

Shen Zhibing was truly uninterested in such trivial topics and was secretly observing Qi Zheng’s reaction. Seeing that she seemed a little uncomfortable from the alcohol, she didn’t want Hua Chifeng to keep bothering her with small talk.

So she proactively took over the conversation: “Qi Zheng is originally from Haicheng. She’s only been in America for a few years. Essentially, it won’t affect her continued life in Haicheng at all.”

Hua Chifeng was more interested in Shen Zhibing’s attitude and couldn’t help but look at Qi Zheng again.

The usually cold and distant CEO Shen had a very unusual attitude toward this Miss Qi, defending her like this even in just a few simple exchanges.

Shen Zhibing did not completely hide her attitude, seemingly unconcerned that Hua Chifeng might notice her special treatment of Qi Zheng.

From one end of the city to the other, the drive was not short. Fortunately, it was past peak hour in the evening, and the silence in the car didn’t last too long.

When the car stopped, Qi Zheng thanked Hua Chifeng: “I’ve arrived. Thank you, CEO Hua.”

Then she looked at Shen Zhibing and said calmly, “CEO Shen, goodbye.”

Qi Zheng had the car stop at the intersection, not directly outside her residential complex. Shen Zhibing already knew where she lived but still couldn’t help but look at her retreating figure a few more times.

Hua Chifeng didn’t probe further, and after driving her back, he also politely said goodbye.

Compared to other suitors who followed closely at every step, Hua Chifeng was the one with the most sense of boundaries. But for Shen Zhibing, good conditions were useless because she had already made her choice long ago.

After showering, she was towel-drying her half-dry hair and wearing a face mask, her mind repeatedly going over Qi Zheng’s reaction just now.

Qi Zheng seemed to have looked at Hua Chifeng a few times in the restaurant; that should count as attention, right? But in the car, at such close proximity, she seemed very aloof, as if she didn’t care at all who this person was, or what his relationship was with her.

Shen Zhibing’s heart was hanging, envisioning all sorts of possibilities and trying to find corresponding evidence to support her conjectures.

This gnawing feeling wasn’t good at all. After much deliberation, Shen Zhibing decided to send Qi Zheng a message.

She’s been back for so long, and they hadn’t really been in touch yet.

Qi Zheng’s slight intoxication had subsided a bit. She was leaning on the sofa reading an industry analysis report. Hua Chifeng’s appearance tonight did make her a little unhappy, but it didn’t cause too much distress.

It was just that she instinctively disliked seeing others appear beside Shen Zhibing.

The incident at the wonton shop had already touched her heart, and what she learned from her aunt today equally surprised her. She knew Shen Zhibing hadn’t let go of her, but she truly hadn’t expected her to quietly do all these things.

Suddenly receiving a message from Shen Zhibing asking if she was asleep.

Qi Zheng held her phone, pondered for a moment, smiled, and called directly.

“CEO Shen, is something the matter calling so late?”

Her relaxed tone, with what sounded like the last remnants of alcohol clinging to her words, made her sound playful and casual, very tempting.

Shen Zhibing tried hard to steady herself and pretended to be calm: “I wanted to ask you, what kind of food would you like to eat tomorrow night?”

The smile on the corner of Qi Zheng’s mouth deepened, but she wasn’t willing to let Shen Zhibing notice. She maintained that same leisurely, even slightly lazy, tone: “I’m okay with anything, CEO Shen, you can decide.”

This was like a girlfriend saying ‘whatever’ during a date—an age-old difficult problem. Even CEO Shen, who had experienced countless negotiations in the business world, found it frustrating.

“I’m also fine with anything. You haven’t been back for so long, so you should choose what you want to eat most.”

If she had to choose what she wanted to eat most, honestly, Qi Zheng missed the chef’s cooking at the suburban villa. But she wouldn’t tell Shen Zhibing this, at least not now.

“Oh, then I’ll decide on a place tomorrow and let you know.”

“Okay.”

The matter was settled, but seeing that Qi Zheng had no intention of hanging up, Shen Zhibing naturally didn’t bring it up. She held her breath, as if expecting Qi Zheng to say something more or ask her something.

After a moment of silence, Qi Zheng indeed spoke again: “I went to my aunt’s place today. I found out about the things you’ve done for me all these years.” Then, she paused and solemnly said, “Thank you.”

She spoke slowly, but very sincerely. Her voice, filtered through the phone from a distant place, still caused a tingling sensation in Shen Zhibing’s ears.

She vaguely remembered their intimate past, when Qi Zheng lingered by her ear and whispered so gently when she was about to fall asleep.

It was a pity that back then, after experiencing extreme pleasure, she was oblivious to everything else, and now she couldn’t recall it at all.

“There’s no need to say thank you between us. Besides, I did all of this willingly and didn’t expect any returns from you. You don’t need to feel any psychological pressure.”

Qi Zheng sighed softly in her heart. In these years, she focused entirely on her career, gained growth, but also ultimately missed out on some things. She couldn’t be sure back then if Shen Zhibing would truly wait for her, nor was she sure if the spark would still be there when they met again a few years later.

Time and distance are the greatest killers of relationships. Many loves that were once head over heels ultimately failed, let alone their old flame which was already withered and incomplete.

Upon this reunion, Qi Zheng knew that she hadn’t changed. Thankfully, Shen Zhibing didn’t seem to have changed either.

The original intention was still there, but the obstacles from back then were also present. Qi Zheng thought it was time to test their ability to overcome these obstacles.

**

The next day, as soon as Shen Zhibing arrived at the company, she saw Yun Fei looking grim.

“What happened?”

Yun Fei handed her phone to her: “It seems you were photographed having dinner with CEO Hua last night. The gossip news is about to hit the trending searches.”

Shen Zhibing checked the publishing time. It was posted half an hour before working hours.

She hadn’t seen it when she woke up, but the photos were clearly from last night.

“Have the PR department investigate which media outlet published it? Also, focus on investigating the person behind it.”

Yun Fei was startled: “CEO Shen, you suspect someone is behind this?”

“If it were just an ordinary paparazzi sneak shot, they would either come to me for money or definitely publish it immediately to grab attention. Choosing to publish it only at work time is definitely not for the sake of waiting for everyone to check in.”

“I understand, I’ll go do it now.”

Shen Zhibing called Hua Chifeng to inform him of the matter. But words like ‘secret relationship’ and ‘intentional marriage alliance’ would never affect the man as much as the woman. Instead, Hua Chifeng ended up offering her a few words of comfort.

Shen Zhibing was unmoved by such rumors, but when facing Qi Zheng, she couldn’t stay composed.

She didn’t receive a call from Qi Zheng until after 4 p.m., telling her the address of the agreed-upon restaurant.

Arriving on time, her suspended heart finally settled when she saw Qi Zheng: “I originally thought you would say you were busy today.”

Qi Zheng unfolded the napkin, placed it on her lap, and asked naturally, “Why would you think that?”

Shen Zhibing knew she must have seen the photos and the so-called exposé. In the internet age, no one could cover their ears and steal a bell.

“I was afraid you would be unhappy after seeing today’s news.”

Qi Zheng raised an eyebrow, hinting: “It’s quite normal to face pressure to marry at a certain age.”

This wasn’t the first time she had encountered such a situation. The numerous sighs and helpless compromises of previous ex-girlfriends, and their increasingly wavering attitudes, had repeatedly chilled Qi Zheng’s heart.

“I won’t. For me, it’s only about whether I want to or not, not about whether I should or shouldn’t.”

Shen Zhibing’s firm statement was within Qi Zheng’s expectations. If she had been even slightly wavering, she wouldn’t have silently persevered until now all these years.

Qi Zheng swirled the water in her glass and said frankly, “But having determination isn’t enough; the key is whether you can withstand the pressure.”

She slowly looked up, gazing seriously at Shen Zhibing: “With things like this, once you concede and back down, you will only retreat further and further, eventually forcing yourself into a corner.”

Shen Zhibing was afraid Qi Zheng would have second thoughts. She didn’t hesitate, reaching out to rest her hand on Qi Zheng’s, and reiterated her firm stance: “I will persevere, you have to believe me.”

Qi Zheng smiled and didn’t pull her hand away.

“The photos are fake to begin with, don’t let yourself get flustered.”

Seeing her calm reaction, Shen Zhibing realized belatedly that she had been teased, feeling a mix of annoyance and embarrassment.

But everything she said was serious, and she didn’t want to deny anything.

She hadn’t found an opportunity to express her feelings before, so saying it tonight now worked out. It wasn’t a bad thing.

“You also think this matter is problematic?”

Qi Zheng suppressed a smile and glanced at the back of her hand, then gently withdrew it and took a sip of water: “Even though I was there at the time, they deliberately only took pictures of the two of you. They probably thought I wasn’t good-looking enough to be photogenic.”