Transmigrating Into the Beautiful CEO’s Doomed Substitute - Chapter 118

That dinner became a starting point. Following that, it was Zhuang Muqing’s turn to host, and Shen Zhibing happily accepted the invitation. It wasn’t until Qi Zheng had visited all the prospective companies that she realized these two had already become quite familiar with each other.

Zhuang Muqing had been continuously busy for ten days, finally reaching a milestone. She wanted to take a breather and rest.

Looking at the beautiful weather outside the window, Qi Zheng wondered if she should ask Shen Zhibing out for a drink this weekend. Since returning to China, they seemed to have only met in passing, without a chance for a good long chat.

Just as she was about to make a call, she suddenly received a call from Zhuang Muqing: “Qi Zheng, do you have time today? Interested in playing golf together?”

Golf? It had been a long time since she played. The last time she seriously played was when someone was teaching her hand-by-hand.

Before Qi Zheng could answer, she heard her say, “I know you’re busy, but can you be busier than Senior Shen? Even President Shen has time, so you, Boss Qi, should also be able to squeeze in some time to spend with friends, right?”

Hearing that Shen Zhibing was also going, Qi Zheng thought for a moment and agreed.

After arriving in Haicheng, Zhuang Muqing did not lower her quality of life just because she was far from home. On the contrary, with the help of Qi Zheng and Shen Zhibing, she lived a comfortable and happy life. She dedicated her time and energy to understanding the city, and the longer she lived there, the more she appreciated the significance embedded in the color of her skin.

The golf course today was recommended by Shen Zhibing, and Zhuang Muqing immediately fell in love with it.

“Senior Shen’s recommendation is indeed spot-on. I’m going to have a blast today.”

Shen Zhibing raised her hand to check the time. She knew Qi Zheng would arrive a little later, but not seeing her still made her a little worried, fearing she might have changed her mind at the last minute or had a sudden commitment.

“If you like it, Ah Moon, you can come often.”

“Only after the exhibition is finished. Recently, it’s really been driving me crazy; every time I close my eyes, it’s ‘revise, revise, revise’!”

Shen Zhibing sometimes envied her lifestyle as an artist—a little chaotic but full of vitality and freshness. In contrast, her own work, though busy, was mostly routine, making it tiring and dull.

“Qi Zheng said your golf skills are good. How about we have a match later?”

Shen Zhibing naturally wouldn’t refuse Zhuang Muqing’s suggestion. Meeting a good opponent was also a source of pleasure.

“But Qi Zheng might complain later. We asked her to come, and she ends up just spectating.”

Shen Zhibing pursed her lips and smiled faintly, “Not necessarily. Maybe she’ll be tempted to join in.”

Zhuang Muqing looked unconvinced and waved her hand repeatedly, “I think the possibility is very low. I asked her to play in the US, and she only hit two shots.”

Shen Zhibing thought to herself, it seems Zhuang Muqing doesn’t know Qi Zheng’s real level. Although it’s not high, it’s definitely not so poor that she can only hit two shots.

When Qi Zheng arrived, the two beautiful women had already finished half a glass of juice and were sitting under the parasol, waiting for her.

“Traffic jam, I’m late.”

Although Qi Zheng was speaking to Zhuang Muqing, she also nodded to Shen Zhibing. In fact, the first person she saw as she approached from a distance was Shen Zhibing in a white golf outfit.

Zhuang Muqing was already impatient and stood up, “I just agreed with Senior Shen to have a match. Do you want to join?”

Qi Zheng glanced at Shen Zhibing, seeing only a faint smile on her face, guessing it must have been Zhuang Muqing’s idea.

“Then what’s the stake?”

This…

Zhuang Muqing was someone who enjoyed the process and wasn’t concerned about the outcome. They had just agreed to compete, and then they started talking about other things, so they really hadn’t discussed the stakes.

Shen Zhibing spoke up to diffuse the situation, “Olympic spirit, participation is what matters most.”

After saying that, she walked ahead first, heading toward the course.

The three of them were not far apart. Shen Zhibing was inspecting her golf clubs, and she heard Qi Zheng tell Zhuang Muqing, “It’s better not to have a stake, or you’d definitely be sad if you lost.”

“Why would I definitely lose?”

Qi Zheng wanted to say, Because I’ve played with both of you, I know.

But she thought better of it just as the words reached her lips.

“You’ll see later.”

Zhuang Muqing, however, was intrigued and didn’t mind the win or loss but insisted that Qi Zheng explain clearly.

Qi Zheng looked at her helplessly, “Because President Shen’s skill is higher than yours, her mindset is more stable than yours, and even this place is basically her home turf, so she is highly likely to win.”

Zhuang Muqing was about to object but thought about it and felt it made some sense. This made her even more excited about the upcoming match, eager to verify if Qi Zheng’s statement was accurate.

Shen Zhibing put the seven-iron and nine-iron back into the bag. She had heard the conversation between the two just now. Although she couldn’t see Qi Zheng’s expression, hearing the confidence in her words about herself still made her unconsciously curve her lips.

Zhuang Muqing was evenly matched with Shen Zhibing at first and got into a better rhythm as they played, until she saw Shen Zhibing hit two perfect chip shots in a row, which even made her applaud.

She turned back to Qi Zheng beside her and said, “You really know Senior Shen’s skill level. She’s truly amazing!”

Qi Zheng smiled, looking at the field, her mood a little complicated.

Zhuang Muqing conceded defeat, “A bet is a bet. I’m willing to lose. Dinner is on me tonight.”

Shen Zhibing didn’t spoil the fun and accepted the ‘prize’. She handed the club to the caddie and looked at Qi Zheng, “Aren’t you going to play a bit?”

Zhuang Muqing also persuaded from the side, “Yeah, you’re already here, come and play together.”

They were playing a serious match just now, so it was reasonable for Qi Zheng to be a spectator. Now that the match was over, there was no reason for Qi Zheng to just watch.

“I don’t play well. I’ll just watch you two.”

“It’s not a competition. Just treat it as practice. Plus, Senior Shen can teach you a few tricks.”

Qi Zheng subconsciously looked at Shen Zhibing, realizing she was also looking at her. The two seemed to simultaneously recall the scene of that golf lesson, and quickly averted their gaze.

Qi Zheng felt a little warmth and itchiness in her throat. She pulled out a nearby club and walked forward, afraid Zhuang Muqing would notice anything unusual.

“Then I’ll just hit a few shots.”

In fact, Shen Zhibing hoped Qi Zheng would improve her golf skills. The probability of closing many business deals on the golf course is quite high, especially for her startup project, which will require multiple rounds of financing later. Most of those capital magnates favor this sport.

Qi Zheng first took a swing, and Zhuang Muqing clapped to cheer her on. Shen Zhibing slowly walked over and stood by, watching quietly.

She carefully observed every detail of Qi Zheng’s movements, including her force, the angle of her lift, and the extent of her rotation. Qi Zheng’s swing had always been decent. When it came to putting, Shen Zhibing couldn’t help but feel a little anticipation, wondering if Qi Zheng still remembered those techniques.

Soon, the answer Qi Zheng gave made her curve her lips again.

Zhuang Muqing was very surprised, “You are performing exceptionally well today, very good!”

Qi Zheng smiled at her, then saw Shen Zhibing nearby, looking at her with a knowing, gentle smile.

She looked away, coughed lightly twice, and prepared to continue forward. Perhaps gradually immersed in the focus of playing golf, Qi Zheng no longer felt it was strange to be closely watched by two beautiful women.

Chipping requires a lot of technique. Qi Zheng had watched Shen Zhibing’s movements seriously just now. Although some parts were not fully grasped, she could learn seventy to eighty percent of it.

So, she imitated what she had just seen and tried to hit the ball out.

It was not too successful, not as exquisite and clean as the shot Shen Zhibing had just made.

Qi Zheng tried one more time, but it was still not perfect.

Fearing that she might genuinely become competitive, Shen Zhibing walked toward her, then went around behind her, gently holding the hand that was gripping the club.

When the familiar scent came from behind, past memories seemed to suddenly become clear.

Shen Zhibing’s calm and gentle voice rang in her ear: “You need to be a little more relaxed than just now. Also, pay attention to the launch angle, and your hand must be steady at the moment of release. Don’t rush.”

She taught her almost hand-by-hand, and Qi Zheng quickly grasped the essence.

Zhuang Muqing “stole a lesson” beside them for a while and then laughed, saying she wanted to try too.

Returning from the golf course, Zhuang Muqing didn’t feel tired at all and was studying her phone, deciding what to eat for dinner.

“Don’t be shy; you must tell me what you want to eat.”

Qi Zheng sometimes admired her energy: “Did art give you abundant energy, or did you use your energy to give life to art?”

Zhuang Muqing thought seriously and said, “Both are mutual.”

After dinner, Zhuang Muqing had to rush back to her workshop. Her assistant told her that there was a problem with one of the pieces that needed her attention. Shen Zhibing still had her driver take her back, then looked at Qi Zheng, “And you? How are you getting back?”

Qi Zheng took a deep breath and looked at the surrounding environment. It was not far from the Riverside Walkway.

“Interested in taking a walk nearby?”

Shen Zhibing thought she had misheard. When she realized what was said, she immediately agreed.

The two walked to the Riverside Observation Walkway. There weren’t too many people tonight, mostly couples or elderly people exercising.

Shen Zhibing didn’t know why Qi Zheng suddenly suggested a walk, but to her, it was a good sign; at least they could have more interaction outside of work.

“The financing for my project is basically settled. Both Shen’s Group and Dongming called me the day before yesterday.”

Shen Zhibing hadn’t told her this in advance and had followed the proper procedures. She knew Qi Zheng disliked this kind of “insider information.”

“Your plan is excellent and worth trying.” Shen Zhibing thought for a moment and then asked, “Is it okay for Shen’s Group to be the lead investor?”

“My project is purely early-stage. It doesn’t fully match Shen’s Group’s planning, so it’s more suitable for a follow-on investment.” This was what Yu Xinyan had told her, and it was indeed the case.

Shen Zhibing stopped, looking at the calm river surface, with a fresh scent occasionally wafting over.

She leaned on the railing, tightening and then relaxing her hand, admitting, “This isn’t the seed round. The Series A funding is relatively large, and the terms will be relatively harsh.”

Qi Zheng looked at her, not understanding what she was going to say next.

Shen Zhibing turned around to face her, “With Shen’s Group as the lead investor, at least I can guarantee that you won’t be constrained by a performance-based agreement in the future, allowing you to truly focus on what you want to do.”

Qi Zheng was momentarily stunned, understanding her kind intention.

She pondered for a moment and said, “But this is just the beginning. If things go smoothly, there will be Series B and C rounds later. It’s impossible for Shen’s Group to always be the lead investor.”

“Why is it impossible?” Shen Zhibing spoke with certainty. She was optimistic about this project, not entirely because of Qi Zheng.

She was very clear about the void in this market segment in China, and it would definitely bring huge returns in the future.

“Series A is your starting phase. I hope to provide you with a stable environment. If you can truly reach Series B and C, it proves you are getting closer and closer to success.” Then, she said in a lighter tone, “Just consider it giving Shen’s Group a chance to make money?”

Qi Zheng was facing her at a close distance, clearly seeing the emotions in her eyes. Shen Zhibing had considered all the commercial pitfalls and risks for her. This thoughtfulness made it impossible for her to refuse, and it also deeply moved her.

“Okay, I will work hard to make the return on investment for Shen’s Group look good.”