Transmigrating Into the Beautiful CEO’s Doomed Substitute - Chapter 128

The interview by Haicheng Finance was actually promoted by Shen Zhibing. She had discussed it with Qi Zheng; this was not a small-scale start-up, and since they had decided to establish roots in Haicheng, they needed to build influence quickly.

A magazine of this standing rarely conducts exclusive interviews with start-up teams. Even if they do, the company usually needs to have achieved certain results before gaining attention. Qi Zheng was clearly an exception, with her past achievements as a reference and the influence of the Shen Group operating in the background.

However, the visiting reporter was easy to talk to. Qi Zheng first took her on a tour of the company, detailing the team’s background and structure, and the two quickly became familiar.

“Reporter Zhou, please follow me to the conference room.”

They had rented an office in the industrial park, which included several small conference rooms. As the two sat down, Li Yunshan, acting as the secretary, personally poured water and they exchanged a few more pleasantries.

“Reporter Zhou, shall we begin?”

Reporter Zhou was a senior reporter in the finance sector, and being interviewed by her was in itself an acknowledgment of the interviewee’s status. Qi Zheng knew that Shen Zhibing’s efforts were indispensable here. She wondered if their changed relationship was why she now enjoyed the “convenience” provided by her lover.

The questions were not harsh, mostly revolving around Qi Zheng’s educational background, professional experience, and her previous entrepreneurial venture in the United States. For this second venture, the discussion focused more on her views on the current market and her care and understanding of the target customer group.

There was less talk of profit and more of humanistic care and social responsibility, leaving Reporter Zhou with a positive impression of Qi Zheng.

“Thank you for accepting my interview. After the first draft is completed, I will send it to you for confirmation before official publication.”

Qi Zheng personally walked her out: “Thank you for your hard work, Reporter Zhou. Let’s keep in touch.”

When she returned to the office, Li Yunshan was already waiting for her there.

“You look so dashing when you accept interviews!” Li Yunshan had watched the entire interview from outside the conference room. Although they had worked together for a long time, she was still captivated by Qi Zheng’s increasingly powerful presence.

“This is crucial for establishing the company’s image, how could I dare not take it seriously?”

Their business was special, and quickly building consumer trust in the company was extremely important.

When the magazine was published, Qi Zheng’s photos and interview content garnered considerable attention. Many people across the Shen Group read it, and Xin Jia and the Third Secretary also read it with great interest.

“Yunfei-jie, look at Xiao Qi’s photo, she’s getting more and more mature, she has the look of an entrepreneur.”

Qi Zheng had recently treated them to a meal, and the conversation flowed pleasantly, showing none of the awkwardness of a three-year separation.

Yunfei was busy organizing documents, but she had already read what Xin Jia was talking about.

“Xiao Qi was never meant to be confined. Didn’t you all realize that when she was still here?”

The atmosphere in the secretary office was exceptionally harmonious, with almost no internal rivalry or malicious competition, largely thanks to Yunfei’s successful maintenance of balance.

After Qi Zheng officially confirmed her resignation, Ding Meng was officially transferred from her secondment, but Qi Zheng’s position remained vacant.

She had heard about Qi Zheng from other colleagues and felt a mix of admiration and envy. Seeing everyone discussing the topic, she joined in.

“Qi Zheng is quite lucky. She’s met benefactors every step of the way.”

Yunfei subtly retracted her smile and said nothing.

Xin Jia, however, reminded her with a smile: “Xiao Ding, you can’t look at things so superficially. Xiao Qi is where she is today because she is capable and hardworking. You came later and didn’t work with her. The way she works tirelessly makes everyone feel compelled to say, if she doesn’t succeed, who will?”

Ding Meng understood the admonishing tone in the words. Although she felt a little unconvinced, she would not argue with her senior colleagues and leaders in public.

Jiang Youyou had just returned from abroad. Inspired and influenced by Qi Zheng, she later applied for a scholarship and successfully graduated. She had been firm in her plan from the start: studying was to broaden her horizons and improve herself, and then return to the Shen Group to compete for a promotion to manager.

She wanted a promotion and to work long-term at the Shen Group. After the torment of the law firm, the Shen Group gave her great solace.

In her words, the Shen Group gave her support and an umbrella when she was at her worst, and her emotional balance had completely shifted since then.

Today was her first day back at work. She brought small gifts bought overseas. The moment she entered the secretary office, she heard them talking about Qi Zheng. She had had dinner with Qi Zheng the day before yesterday and was also happy for Qi Zheng, seeing her busy yet full of fighting spirit.

“Youyou, you’re here? I almost forgot you were starting today.”

Shen Zhibing and Jiang Youyou had a decent relationship, so everyone in the secretary office was naturally familiar with her. Now that they also knew she and Qi Zheng were good friends, they were even more cordial.

“I brought some gifts, hope you like them.”

Ding Meng quietly stepped aside, finding it difficult to join the conversation again. Regarding Qi Zheng, she could only hear about her from others. For some reason, looking at the long-vacant desk that President Shen had not yet allowed anyone to move, she felt a pang of melancholy.

In this secretary office, Qi Zheng, even after leaving, would remain a hard-to-surmount mountain.

When Shen Zhibing returned to Yunlu Mansion, Qi Zheng had not yet arrived home. Aunt Xin asked if she should serve dinner, and Shen Zhibing thought for a moment and called Qi Zheng.

“Are you sure you can’t be back before eight?”

Qi Zheng had messaged her earlier that a new app feature was launching today, and she had to stay at the office to monitor it.

“Yes, I’ll try to get home by nine. Don’t wait for me, eat first.”

Shen Zhibing’s voice suddenly softened: “What are you eating then?”

“The company ordered takeout. I won’t starve myself, don’t worry.”

Hearing someone calling Qi Zheng on the other end, Shen Zhibing knew she had to get back to work. With a mix of reluctance and worry, she said: “Eat first, then work. Don’t let it get cold, it’s not good for your stomach.”

Qi Zheng showed no sign of impatience, maintaining her usual gentleness: “Okay, I’ll definitely listen to the leader’s instructions and go eat right away.”

Hmph! Shen Zhibing suddenly remembered Qi Zheng’s smile when she called her “leader,” and a thrill ran through her heart.

After hanging up, she turned to Aunt Xin to arrange dinner but did not forget to remind her: “Prepare a few extra items for the late-night snack tonight. I’m afraid she’ll be hungry when she gets back.”

Aunt Xin had already planned ahead: “I’ve already told the kitchen.”

Watching the third young mistress become more expressive and genuine, Aunt Xin was both relieved and worried. Although the sudden summons back to the main house last time was nothing serious, the matter of Miss Qi couldn’t be kept secret for long.

Qi Zheng arrived home late that night, already half-past nine. Shen Zhibing had recorded her fingerprint in the entry system, and she could now come and go freely at Yunlu Mansion.

Just as she was greeting Aunt Xin, Shen Zhibing emerged from the room, having heard her arrive.

“You’re late.” A slight complaint, but her actions were nonstop. Shen Zhibing walked straight toward Qi Zheng, helping her hang her coat on the rack.

“A few bugs came up temporarily. I wasn’t at ease, so I only left after they were fixed.”

Qi Zheng sat down with her on the sofa and saw the magazine with her exclusive interview on the coffee table.

“I read it. The content is very good.”

Qi Zheng hugged her and laughed, then rubbed her cheek against hers: “Thank you for paving the way for me.”

Shen Zhibing was a little surprised. Qi Zheng had always disliked borrowing her resources, so this time, she had only used her connections after seeking Qi Zheng’s opinion. She had thought Qi Zheng was merely not resistant, but now it seemed she was actually quite happy?

Fearing a misunderstanding, she asked uncertainly, “Do you really like it?”

Qi Zheng indulged, inhaling deeply a few more times the fragrance in her hair. Embracing her soft body felt wonderful; simply leaning in this way was enough to dissipate the fatigue of work.

“You sincerely wanted to help me, and you asked for my opinion. Why wouldn’t I be happy and like it? Do I seem like someone who repays kindness with ingratitude?”

Shen Zhibing looked at her seriously. Seeing her expression was normal and her eyes held only her own reflection, she was truly reassured. Yet, a playful thought arose, and she wanted to tease her: “Well, I was indeed worried that if you were unhappy, you’d dump me again, which would be terrible.”

Qi Zheng tightened the circle of her arms around Shen Zhibing’s waist, as if wanting to press her tightly against herself, and leaned in to kiss her lips: “Never. I will never leave you again.”

Aunt Xin deliberately waited for them to finish their intimate moment before coming out of the kitchen and serving their late-night snack.

With the magazine’s widespread release, the market gradually learned about Qi Zheng, and people began to take an interest in her. Li Yunshan laughed, sighing: “No wonder so many merchants are more enthusiastic when we go out to discuss collaborations recently. Your advertisement was definitely worth it. Things will surely get smoother and smoother from now on!”

Qi Zheng had also heard the news. Other media outlets were continuously trying to schedule interviews with her, simply to ride the wave of popularity. But since it was a mutually beneficial arrangement, Qi Zheng did not refuse.

She was more sophisticated than before and knew better how to utilize resources.

Lin Muyun flipped through the magazine in her hand and continued talking with the person on the other end of the phone: “I read the exclusive interview. They only wrote about the good things, practically trying to portray her as a once-in-a-century business prodigy.”

“Mhm, I know what to do. Anyway, get those things ready. If she really doesn’t know what’s good for her, I’ll let everyone see just how ugly the truth is behind this perfect prodigy.”

Hanging up the phone, Lin Muyun’s lips still held a triumphant smile. The ending she desired was getting closer and closer.

After waiting for so long, she finally found another opportunity.

She slid the screen, found Qi Zheng’s number, which she had recently acquired, thought about it, and dialed.

She had messaged Qi Zheng on the day she saved the number but had not received a reply. She thought Qi Zheng was still hating her, or maybe Qi Zheng was just too proud, but at least she would have saved her number.

It wasn’t until a familiar voice, devoid of any emotional warmth, came from the other end of the phone, shattering all of Lin Muyun’s assumptions.

“You really don’t know who I am?”

Qi Zheng was flipping through a new market research report. A few data conclusions inside differed significantly from her previous hypothesis, and she was anxiously trying to figure out why.

This unfamiliar call interrupted her train of thought and was playing a guessing game. She honestly hadn’t recognized the voice the first time. But who else would repeatedly ask her if she remembered?

A wave of irritation washed over Qi Zheng: “Miss Lin, if you don’t need to work, find someone appropriate to play with you, please don’t bother me.”

Qi Zheng’s attitude was more direct and… harsher than before. In her shock and embarrassment, Lin Muyun’s anger flared.

“Qi Zheng, after all these years, you don’t spare any thought for old times. You’ve become so ruthless and heartless, who did you learn that from?”

Qi Zheng no longer wanted to waste words with her and was about to hang up when she heard her say: “You’d better be nicer to me, or don’t blame me for being merciless.”

“What do you want to do?”

Lin Muyun sneered: “Now you’re scared? Don’t you know what I want?”

She didn’t shy away, stating flatly: “I want you. Even if I can’t have your heart, I want your body.”

Utterly disgusting, Qi Zheng frowned, yet she still felt that Lin Muyun’s earlier threat wasn’t just idle talk.

Having been in the business world for a while, her vigilance was much higher than before. Seeing that Qi Zheng still hadn’t hung up, Lin Muyun actually chuckled: “Hesitating? I’ll give you a chance to think it over carefully. If you accept my terms, call me back.”

“What makes you think I’d accept?”

“The higher you stand now, the wider and more beautiful the scenery you see. But you should also be clearer that the fall will be harder and more painful, perhaps even shattering your bones.”

Qi Zheng was silent for a few seconds. Lin Muyun heard her breathing quicken on the other end and was just about to smile in triumph.

“Lunatic.”

Then came the definitive sound of the call being disconnected.

Lin Muyun was so angry she almost threw her phone. She waited a few more days, yet still saw no reaction from Qi Zheng.

“Qi Zheng, you brought this on yourself. Don’t blame me for being merciless!”

Half a month after the finance magazine was published, multiple news articles about Qi Zheng and Shen Zhibing suddenly appeared online, accompanied by several photos of them interacting privately—waiting together, watching a movie together, and holding hands as they exited the cinema.

The content of the news articles pointed, word for word, to Qi Zheng ingratiating herself with a sugar mommy to secure investment from the Shen Group. Between the lines, it implied that Qi Zheng obtained the funding because of her special relationship with Shen Zhibing.

Years ago, a similar post had appeared on the Shen Group’s internal network, but because it was quickly suppressed, it soon quieted down. However, this time, the posts and photos were directly published on public networks, and several media outlets reposted them. The storm they created was no longer the small ripple of before.

Qi Zheng was mid-meeting when she was interrupted by a call from Jiang Youyou. She was alerted to check the latest news online, the key search term being her own name. When her name was linked with terms like sugar mommy, seduction, ambiguity, and romance, it was especially grating.

“Youyou, I know about this.”

Jiang Youyou knew she must be very upset now but couldn’t help but probe: “You and President Shen?”

Qi Zheng was silent for a moment, then softly said: “Mhm.”

Jiang Youyou was instead delighted and encouraged her: “You two will definitely have a good future together, all the best!”