Transmigrating Into the Beautiful CEO’s Doomed Substitute - Chapter 131

While Qi Zheng was searching for evidence, Shen Zhibing naturally wouldn’t just sit by. She had Eric investigate all of Lin Muyun’s past history in the United States. She couldn’t interfere with Qi Youtian’s affairs, but she knew a little about the past Lin Muyun.

The online discussion hadn’t quieted down because Qi Zheng, the person involved, remained silent and unresponsive. Instead, more and more people were using her as a topic to gain attention. If Shen Zhibing hadn’t seen Qi Zheng’s state with her own eyes, she would have worried about her falling into depression.

Yu Xinyan took the signed document from Shen Zhibing and asked with concern, “How is Xiao Qi recently? Yunfei and I are both worried about her, but we don’t dare call her, afraid of disturbing her.”

At a time like this, perhaps no one wanted to receive calls or deal with concern from all directions.

A faint thread of worry crossed Shen Zhibing’s eyes, but she quickly returned to calm: “Her emotions fluctuate occasionally, but overall she’s quite stable.”

Yu Xinyan relaxed slightly upon hearing this. She still didn’t leave, and Shen Zhibing thought she had other questions, but when she looked up, she saw a meaningful smile.

“I worried too much just now. Based on the fresh marks on your body, I should have guessed that you two are definitely in love and supporting each other through this difficult time.”

How did this difficult time take on a different meaning in Yu Xinyan’s mouth? Shen Zhibing inexplicably heard another implication.

“This is very normal. It’s a reasonable and scientific way to relieve stress. If you need a stronger stimulus to assist, I can give some recommendations.”

Shen Zhibing looked at her speechlessly and coolly said, “What, does the pet store have new products?”

“You know this too? Did you secretly get a membership? I only got the notification yesterday. I really have some good recommendations, suitable for hot-blooded couples like you.”

Shen Zhibing still refused: “We are not in the mood to consider these right now.”

Yu Xinyan prepared to leave, gently tapping the document in her palm: “Sooner or later, you’ll want to try it.”

When she was close to the door, she suddenly reminded, “Shen Qixing has been surprisingly quiet recently, as if he doesn’t care about this matter at all. Something is strange about this abnormal silence, you need to be more mindful.”

Shen Qixing had indeed calmed down significantly since Shen Zhibing publicly reprimanded him last time. At least, the open questioning and dissatisfaction about Qi Zheng’s treatment within the company quickly disappeared. But this time was clearly an opportunity to step on her, yet he was calm, as if he didn’t know about it at all.

Most of Shen Zhibing’s energy was indeed focused on Qi Zheng. Regardless of whether Qi Zheng asked for her help, she had to be fully prepared.

This concerned Qi Zheng’s reputation and her future.

What surprised her even more was that Lin Muyun proactively asked to meet her.

They hadn’t spoken face-to-face for quite some time. Sitting so close to each other at the coffee table again felt truly awkward.

“I didn’t expect you to agree to meet me so readily.”

Seeing Shen Zhibing arrive on time, Lin Muyun was somewhat surprised instead.

Shen Zhibing took off her sunglasses and placed them on the table, ordered a cup of coffee and dismissed the waiter, before speaking: “Would you be happier if I refused to see you?”

Tsk tsk, Lin Muyun glanced at her, cold as before, but with something new.

“If it were just me wanting to see you, I’m afraid you really wouldn’t come. I guess we wouldn’t have needed to meet if it weren’t for Qi Zheng.”

Even knowing it was a thing of the past, when Qi Zheng’s name came out of Lin Muyun’s mouth, Shen Zhibing still felt uncomfortable, and displeased.

She stirred her coffee expressionlessly, listening to Lin Muyun speak.

“You’ve seen all that stuff online recently, right? How is it? Do you still think Qi Zheng is your darling?”

Shen Zhibing didn’t speak, but her determined eyes didn’t waver.

Lin Muyun sneered and continued, “I told you back then, you should be prepared if you choose her. Now you’re implicated but still refuse to let go. It seems your relationship is quite deep.”

“If you asked to meet me today just to hear you speak your mind and talk nonsense, I’ll be leaving.”

“Wait!”

Seeing Shen Zhibing reach for her sunglasses, Lin Muyun got a little anxious. She knew Shen Zhibing; this person was ruthless enough to cut off her own limb, so walking out on the spot was nothing.

“Actually, I wanted to talk about a deal today.”

“Deal about what?”

“Qi Zheng.”

Shen Zhibing knew she still had feelings for Qi Zheng, but she hadn’t expected Lin Muyun to say it so bluntly in person.

“You still bear the title of Mrs. Lian. Don’t you think it’s inappropriate to openly discuss terms with me like this?”

“Lian Ao and I have been a contractual couple for several years, in name only. Now we can barely keep up the pretense of being husband and wife. What do I still need to care about?”

She had long suspected that the marriage was based on benefits, but Shen Zhibing truly hadn’t expected that after so many years, they really hadn’t developed at all. It seemed that “love growing over time” wasn’t applicable to all people who lived together. When incompatible people stay together for too long, they only grow to despise each other.

She couldn’t help but recall Qi Zheng’s tenderness and new attempts last night, venturing into areas they hadn’t been before, leaving her feeling somewhat drained while showering this morning.

Seeing her lost in thought, the corner of Lin Muyun’s mouth curved up smugly: “My marriage to Lian Ao was a choice of last resort. I haven’t touched your man. Isn’t it a good deal to exchange him for Qi Zheng and let everyone around us return to their respective places?”

Shen Zhibing withdrew her thoughts and looked at her coldly.

“Lian Ao and I have long been completely over. Looking back now, it was just a past chapter. But you always stop progressing, always feeling like everything can go back to how it was. Do you really think Qi Zheng would choose you again?”

“Whether she chooses me or not isn’t important. What’s important is that she can’t be by your side. That makes me very unhappy and uncomfortable.”

Shen Zhibing took a deep breath, resisting the urge to splash the coffee in her face, yet she wasn’t vague at all: “You should see a doctor for your delusional disorder. As for Qi Zheng, she will always be by my side.”

Lin Muyun burst out laughing, with a hint of sorrow and warning: “Women in love are so naive. Who doesn’t know that the word ‘forever’ is the most worthless thing in love? You say ‘forever’ casually, but truthfully, didn’t you also think about ‘forever’ with Lian Ao back then?”

Shen Zhibing fell silent. She admitted that in her youth, she was indeed very moved and cherished her first relationship, but she truly hadn’t thought it would be forever. Perhaps she knew from the beginning that she and Lian Ao were destined not to be together.

“You had to avoid the conflict between your families, do you think the gender issue can be overcome? Which one of our family elders isn’t an old fogey? Do you really expect to be able to bring Qi Zheng into the family openly?”

The reason Shen Zhibing agreed to the meeting today was partly to probe the truth and partly to lull Lin Muyun into a false sense of security, giving Eric more time to find evidence. However, being repeatedly poked at her sore spots by Lin Muyun was truly unbearable.

“The old me couldn’t, but now I’m willing to try, to work hard.”

“You’ve really changed. Knowing there’s no future with Qi Zheng yet still diving in headfirst. Sometimes, I admire you.”

Shen Zhibing turned to look out the window. Plane tree leaves covered the road. This not-so-wide street was Qi Zheng’s favorite. They had walked here side-by-side and secretly kissed under the trees at night.

“Knowing it’s impossible yet still wanting to try, it’s because I love her.”

Seeing that Shen Zhibing was unaffected and remained so resolute, Lin Muyun’s expression gradually twisted.

“Lin Muyun, not letting go after all these years, is it because of love? Does loving someone mean chasing after her, saying you love her while all your actions are aimed at destroying her?”

Lin Muyun gave a scornful smile: “I admit I like her, because she has something that attracts me. But love is not liking. Love requires giving and sacrifice, and I’m not as foolish as you.”

Shen Zhibing shook her head, picked up her sunglasses, and prepared to leave.

Agreeing to meet this lunatic today was truly a mistake.

“You love her so much, does she know that you once also deeply loved someone else?”

Seeing Shen Zhibing’s suddenly cold gaze, Lin Muyun was very pleased: “The love of youth is truly intense and passionate. I think Qi Zheng might enjoy hearing about it.”

“Nonsense.” Dropping this phrase, Shen Zhibing, in her high heels, walked away without looking back.

On the way back to the company, Shen Zhibing remained silent. She didn’t care about Lin Muyun’s meaningless talk, but the last sentence indeed troubled her. Past relationships couldn’t be erased, and she didn’t want to dwell on them too much, but she certainly didn’t want Qi Zheng to know too much.

Just like now, she completely didn’t want to know the slightest detail about Lin Muyun’s and Qi Zheng’s time together back then, not a single bit.

She was somewhat distracted during the afternoon meeting. Fortunately, Yunfei would organize the minutes for her to review. Before leaving work, she called the head of the public relations department.

“Karen, I heard you have a university classmate who runs her own PR company, specializing in handling news events for celebrities in the entertainment industry.”

“Yes, General Manager Shen, she was my college roommate. She started her own business five years ago, and her clients are mainly people in the entertainment industry.”

“Can you arrange a time for me to talk to her? A private meeting.”

Shen’s public relations department had abundant talent and resources, but Shen Zhibing bypassed them and sought external help privately, which was somewhat unusual.

“General Manager Shen, may I ask the reason?”

“I need a professional team to help my friend handle a public opinion crisis. I want more professional guidance and advice.”

Everyone knew who General Manager Shen’s friend was. Karen had dealt with the media for many years, so she certainly had that awareness.

“Okay, I’ll arrange it as soon as possible.”

After Qi Zheng returned home and heard Shen Zhibing’s thoughts, she didn’t object. The evidence about Qi Youtian was mostly gathered, only lacking some of his early gambling debts or evidence.

But such things were inherently secretive and had happened many years ago, so finding them was truly difficult. After understanding Qi Zheng’s situation and the existing evidence, the professional PR team advised that they hoped to obtain that evidence, which would decisively label Qi Youtian’s character.

Boss Zhuang, whom she hadn’t contacted for a long time, suddenly called Qi Zheng. After the initial small talk, he went straight to the point: “I heard from Muqing that you’ve run into some difficulties recently. I can’t help with much else, but I have many friends in the gambling industry.”

With Boss Zhuang stepping in, was she still worried about not finding evidence of Qi Youtian’s gambling addiction!

Qi Zheng began practicing the statement drafted for her by the professional team. Most of the content was written according to her own wishes and ideas, polished professionally to maximize public goodwill and understanding.

“When you talk about your father’s past gambling debts leading to a broken family, and you being in a long-term state of homelessness, lack of care, and extreme financial strain, you need to speak slowly and ideally convey a hoarse, deep, and heavy sadness that is not overtly expressed.”

Qi Zheng hadn’t known before that there were specialized coaches for delivering statements. But she knew this was her best chance for a counterattack, and every detail had to be done well.

She practiced according to the coach’s guidance. Shen Zhibing occasionally paused in her discussions to listen to Qi Zheng’s narration, still feeling heartbroken over her past experiences.

If only she had met Qi Zheng sooner, then she wouldn’t have suffered Lin Muyun’s deception and harm, and wouldn’t have lived that life of compromising and wandering around.

Sensing the gaze cast from not far away, Qi Zheng smiled at her.

Behind her was the large French window of the living room, but Qi Zheng was even more dazzling than the sunlight.