Transmigrating Into the Beautiful CEO’s Doomed Substitute - Chapter 119

Qi Zheng had not known before that creation could drive a person mad. Even someone as bright and unrestrained as Zhuang Muqing could be nearly driven to distraction less than ten days before the exhibition.

The workshop was no longer as neat and orderly as it had been originally; empty, scattered, and overturned coffee cups and beer cans were everywhere. The people working inside were mostly running on fumes, only showing life when facing their art.

Qi Zheng pushed open the large door, holding freshly bought fried dough sticks, and said to the person who had tied up her long hair after not washing it for three days, “A Moon, eat something first, you can’t keep going like this.”

“I don’t have an appetite.”

“You might not have an appetite, but your body needs it.”

Zhuang Muqing closed her eyes. Her stomach was indeed uncomfortable just now. For people engaged in continuous high-intensity creation, this was commonplace. No discomfort could stop their focus during a strong period of inspiration, for fear of losing the moment forever if they delayed even a second.

Qi Zheng had already handed the food to her assistant to distribute to everyone, keeping her own portion for Zhuang Muqing. “Eat it while it’s hot, hurry.”

Zhuang Muqing finally yielded to the temptation of food, washed her hands, and sat on the back door patio with Qi Zheng, eating straight out of the plastic bag.

Qi Zheng, sipping coffee, laughed, “Only when you’re creating do I get to see the unkempt Miss Zhuang.”

“I always dedicate my energy to the most important things, and currently, creation is the only thing.”

Zhuang Muqing felt much better after eating most of it. She particularly liked the freshly ground soy milk from this shop and wasn’t guzzling only coffee every day like when she first arrived.

“I heard your fundraising is settled. This trip back to the country went quite smoothly.”

Qi Zheng recalled her conversation with Shen Zhibing that night and still felt touched. Shen Group leading the investment was not merely a timely rescue but a guarantee of her success.

“Yeah, it went quite smoothly.”

Zhuang Muqing wiped her hands clean and slowly drank her soy milk. She looked at Qi Zheng’s profile—still a perfect silhouette, but with an aura vastly different from the past.

“I’ve noticed you’ve changed since coming back to Haicheng.”

Qi Zheng turned to her: “Got older?”

“You’ve become softer, and also more… real.”

Qi Zheng was intrigued by her description. She hadn’t actually considered that her past self might have appeared unreal to others.

“I don’t mean hypocritical. I just felt that before, you merely indulged in work. You didn’t gain enjoyment or happiness from the creative process; you just wanted to use it to avoid something.”

Qi Zheng didn’t directly deny it. In the past few years, she had devoted herself to her startup, not giving herself much time to think about other issues.

“You and Yun Shan are both working hard for your startups, and you both give your all. But the biggest difference between you and her is that apart from work, you have no life.” Zhuang Muqing was a straightforward person. She felt her relationship with Qi Zheng was close enough to discuss these matters, so she wouldn’t be vague or subtle.

“Apart from being too busy to date or fall in love, Yun Shan is fine in other aspects. She has a cat, participates in community activities, and often attends her neighbors’ barbecue parties.” She looked at Qi Zheng, recounting what she had observed over the years. “What about you? What have you gained besides work?”

Qi Zheng was silent for a while, then let out a soft sigh: “Starting a business consumed most of my energy. I don’t deny that I wanted to keep myself busy and tired so I wouldn’t dwell on certain things. But if you ask me what I have left besides work, perhaps only a certain yearning.”

Zhuang Muqing tilted her head, guessing: “Homesickness? Missing Haicheng’s food?”

Qi Zheng smiled subtly, saying, “Thinking of someone.”

Zhuang Muqing was stunned, clearly not expecting Qi Zheng to say that. She was surprised and a little flustered: “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to pry into your privacy.”

“It’s okay. I’ve been single these past few years, so it’s not what you think.”

Zhuang Muqing had thought it was a long-distance relationship and was curious how Qi Zheng had kept it so quiet, but her inherent manners prompted her to apologize first. After all, sharing one’s feelings was entirely up to the individual.

“One-sided yearning is quite hard. No wonder you had to indulge in work.”

Qi Zheng gave a wry smile. When she first arrived in the US, she was still sad and distraught, but luckily, academic pressure forced her not to be distracted. Later, when she spoke honestly with Shen Zhibing in the wonton shop and expressed her thoughts, she didn’t feel completely relieved.

After Shen Zhibing returned home, their contact lessened, and the relationship quickly cooled. Qi Zheng had also thought: how could a proud person like CEO Shen endure such repeated rejections?

But she still didn’t regret her decision back then. They truly were not suitable to get back together at that time. Many issues hadn’t been resolved, and their capabilities and circumstances hadn’t changed. Continuing out of impulse would only create another wound in the future.

Yet, she occasionally wondered if Shen Zhibing no longer contacting her, no longer appearing, meant that she had given up. If she had given up, would her own yearning seem ridiculous and superfluous?

She couldn’t ask Shen Zhibing for the answer, nor did she want to immerse herself in this state of being repeatedly torn apart but only able to talk to herself. Work was her best sanctuary. She tried hard to focus and immerse herself; if she didn’t think about it, there would be no trouble.

She hadn’t set any kind of “x-year pact” for herself. She was very clear that love truly could not be forced or based on one-sided, unconditional giving. If she truly never forgot, there would eventually be a response.

“So what about you now? Did you suddenly come to terms with it, or have you completely let go?”

Qi Zheng had a faint, gentle, and calm smile: “I’ve become more accepting of letting nature take its course.”

This trip back, she noticed Shen Zhibing’s changes, especially in her personality. The former urgency—that strong, oppressive need to firmly control—had been replaced by gentleness and tranquility.

She gradually discovered the things Shen Zhibing had quietly done for her over the years but had never told her. It was as if she didn’t expect a reward from Qi Zheng but simply wanted to do those things for her.

Zhuang Muqing was amused by Qi Zheng’s philosophical tone: “You wouldn’t come to that conclusion without seven or eight love experiences.”

“Am I that exaggerated?” Qi Zheng smiled, shaking her head in denial. “I’m not someone who likes to change. Once I’ve decided on something, I go all in.”

“That’s certainly good, but it also makes you more easily hurt. After all, not every relationship is guaranteed to have a result. Cherishing and enjoying the process is the most beautiful part of love.”

Qi Zheng didn’t argue with her; everyone’s views and expectations for love are different.

“Which is more important, the process or the result, actually depends on whether the person you meet has the same perspective as you.”

Zhuang Muqing stood up, stomped her feet, and prepared to go back to work.

“Don’t suddenly go on a business trip or have an engagement during the exhibition at the end of the month. I’ve already prepared the invitations.”

“I’ll be there on time.”

When Zhuang Muqing hit a wall and felt completely stuck, she would occasionally bother Shen Zhibing. Her admiration for her senior wasn’t just due to her dazzling achievements but her real ability and talent. She had seen Shen Zhibing’s previous work—it was astonishing talent. What was most enviable was that she could perfectly blend talent with technique.

So, subconsciously, she felt Shen Zhibing was someone she could communicate with and even ask for help. The topic of art couldn’t be sustained by awkward conversation alone; it required a foundation of corresponding strength.

That day, after finishing her inspection of the mall, Shen Zhibing decided to go to the workshop to see Zhuang Muqing. The exhibition was only five days away, but the day before yesterday, Zhuang Muqing was still unhappy with the final part of her work.

She called Zhuang Muqing on the way, but no one answered. She thought perhaps Zhuang Muqing was busy and her hands were tied, so she sent her a follow-up message saying she was dropping by.

Qi Zheng looked at the person who had fallen asleep resting on her shoulder and tried a few times but couldn’t reach the phone not far away. Zhuang Muqing would set her phone to vibrate to concentrate on her work, and she had just fallen asleep when Shen Zhibing called.

Having not seriously slept for almost two days, she had held on to complete the part she previously thought was an insurmountable block. Now she could finally relax a little. She had originally been sitting next to Qi Zheng chatting about her work, but before she knew it, she was overcome by sleep.

Qi Zheng advised her to go to the rest room, but Zhuang Muqing insisted on only napping briefly, saying she could only sleep soundly tonight after all parts were dealt with. Knowing her pursuit of perfection, Qi Zheng stopped persuading her and let her sleep on her shoulder.

Qi Zheng’s appreciation for art was still at an elementary stage, and she couldn’t make much sense of Zhuang Muqing’s centerpiece exhibit. Since she couldn’t move, she had to revise her proposal on her phone.

Once the investment funds were received, the company would officially launch its first large-scale marketing campaign. For Qi Zheng, this was her first shot fired after returning home, and she had to be careful.

Zhuang Muqing was sleeping soundly, but her bun seemed to be a little bothersome. In her daze, she lifted her hand and undid her hair. Her slightly curly long hair scattered, covering half her face.

Qi Zheng initially didn’t mind, but the spread-out long hair gradually bothered her, making her uncomfortable—it was itchy and prickly.

Holding her phone with one hand, she awkwardly and painstakingly turned slightly, using her free hand to carefully and gently brush the annoying long hair back. Fearing she would wake Zhuang Muqing, her movements were very small and slow.

When Shen Zhibing walked in, this was the scene she witnessed.

She immediately stopped, not making a sound. From a not-too-far distance, she watched Qi Zheng with extremely slow and gentle movements, tidying Zhuang Muqing’s hair.

She couldn’t clearly see Qi Zheng’s face, nor Zhuang Muqing’s expression, but she clearly felt the pang of sourness in her heart.

Shen Zhibing instinctively wanted to leave, but her feet were like lead, unable to move.

But she also didn’t have the courage to keep watching. She was afraid that if she stayed longer, she would see a sight that would utterly shatter her heart.

She quietly backed away, gently closing the door. In her peripheral vision was the sculpture placed on the workbench. She could only see the side profile and knew it was a face, but it felt like a sharp sword piercing her chaotic heart.

Shen Zhibing instructed her driver to return to the company. Not long after leaving the workshop, she received a call from Hua Chifeng: “CEO Shen, do you have time today? I’d like to discuss something with you.”

Shen Zhibing was not in a good mood. She struggled to gather her spirits to reply: “If President Hua has business to discuss, you can schedule a time with Yun Fei first.”

“It’s about Qi Zheng. I heard Shen Group will lead the investment and I’d like to ask you face-to-face for the reason.”

Hearing Qi Zheng’s name now, Shen Zhibing’s heart fiercely ached again, and her breathing almost hitched. But the investment matter was not a joke, and she didn’t want her private emotions to interfere with official business.

“I’m free now. Where does President Hua want to meet?”

“Let’s meet at a cafe near Dongming. This matter hasn’t reached the company level yet.”

When Shen Zhibing entered the cafe, Hua Chifeng had already arrived.

Two hot drinks were on the table. She saw they were lattes.

“I remember the few times we met, this was what you drank most often, so I ordered one for you in advance. If you don’t like it, we can ask the waiter to change it.”

Hua Chifeng didn’t appear overly ingratiating. Shen Zhibing touched the cup; the temperature was just right, meaning he had calculated the timing precisely.

She wasn’t in the mood to care about such details. Her head was throbbing a little, and her chest still felt tight. She wanted to finish quickly and go home to rest.

Hua Chifeng didn’t beat around the bush: “Qi Zheng’s project has great market potential. I understand Shen Group’s desire to make money. But Dongming is clearly more suitable to lead the investment. Why does CEO Shen insist on seizing this opportunity?”

“Because Qi Zheng is not suited for a valuation adjustment mechanism (VAM). Her project has heart and sentiment; a VAM would only restrict her.”

Hua Chifeng was slightly taken aback, confused: “Dongming hasn’t forced her to sign a VAM agreement, so CEO Shen doesn’t need to do so much for something that hasn’t happened. Besides, according to Shen Group’s plan, this sector is not your focus; co-investing would be simpler for you.”

In the end, Dongming still wanted to reclaim the opportunity to lead the investment.

Shen Zhibing remained unmoved and unyielding, but she also didn’t want to explain further.

“Everyone wants a good thing. Shen Group is simply planning ahead, wanting this gem to shine more brightly in the future. I understand President Hua’s suggestion, but I am clearer about Shen Group’s plans.”

Hua Chifeng hadn’t expected Shen Zhibing to be so uncompromising. He had originally planned to concede some shares and narrow the gap between the lead and co-investor stakes, but he didn’t even get the chance.

Shen Zhibing was willing to discuss the matter face-to-face only because Qi Zheng still had to collaborate with Dongming. Seeing that everything that needed to be said was done, she didn’t linger.

She only drank two or three sips of the latte.

“Thank you for the coffee, President Hua, but Shen Group’s investment decision will not change for the time being.” She thought for a moment and added another line: “If Dongming feels this is unsuitable and chooses to withdraw, Shen Group will make up the remaining portion.”