Transmigrating Into the Beautiful CEO’s Doomed Substitute - Chapter 132

Shen Zhibing was attracted by the beautiful sight in front of her. She suddenly stood up and walked towards Qi Zheng. The instructor who was guiding them stopped.

“I want to talk to Qi Zheng for a moment, please wait.”

The instructor tactfully stepped aside, and the team that had been discussing strategy with Shen Zhibing also stopped. There were only the two of them in the sofa area. Qi Zheng still held the statement in her hand, which was densely marked with many details.

Shen Zhibing didn’t look closely at the script, but gently covered her hand: “If you feel troubled, we can choose another way.”

The PR team offered several solutions, and Qi Zheng chose the one with the strongest counterattack. But she was not a public figure, and had rarely faced so many media at once before. Coupled with the previous public pressure, any slight mistake or mishandling would only cause her more severe harm.

“I can do it, don’t worry.”

Qi Zheng was always so calm. Shen Zhibing both admired and felt sorry for her. But undeniably, this composure and confidence in Qi Zheng was a quality that deeply moved her.

Shen Zhibing sat with her for a while longer, not asking how her practice was going, but just quietly leaning beside her.

Even those short ten minutes were enough to re-energize Qi Zheng.

“I’ll continue discussing the press conference plan with them. You focus on your practice. If you feel uncomfortable, tell me anytime.” Shen Zhibing gently pinched her earlobe, reluctantly stood up, and returned to her previous seat.

The instructor returned to their position. Qi Zheng voiced her thoughts: “I feel that when talking about my original family and my past impoverished experience, there’s no need to show too much emotion. Because it has been quite a while, and I now have my own life. If I were still so emotional, it would make people think I’m still immersed in the past shadows.”

“That’s possible, but it demands higher requirements for emotional control and subtle facial expressions. If you don’t perform well, people might call it a cold, mechanical reading of the script. The balance is hard to control.”

“I can try.”

Seeing Qi Zheng’s persistence, the instructor adjusted the tone, rhythm, and emotional distribution according to her idea. After several practices, the effect was indeed better than before.

“Very good. When it comes to the official press conference, remember to maintain this state.”

This professional team had helped many celebrities deal with scandal incidents, but the goal of such public relations was always to minimize the issue. After Qi Zheng finished her practice, she walked towards the side room, where the details of the press conference were still being discussed.

Shen Zhibing saw her coming and signaled for a chair to be added next to her for Qi Zheng: “It’s good that you’re here to give some input, after all, you are the protagonist.”

After hearing the general summary, Qi Zheng thought for a moment and stated her plan: “I have no objection to the first half, but I want to add some content to the end.”

Ye Zhixu was the person in charge of this company. Her old classmate Karen personally called to ask for her help, and it was also a favor for General Manager Shen, so of course she took charge personally.

Shen Zhibing attached great importance to this press conference. She specially adjusted her work schedule to come home and participate in the discussion, ensuring she clearly understood every detail. This was their first battle for a formal counterattack, and it had to be won beautifully.

Ye Zhixu saw Shen Zhibing’s attentiveness towards Qi Zheng, and naturally respected her ideas very much.

“Miss Qi, why don’t you tell us your thoughts.”

“I think we can reduce the part about accusations and increase the content of statements, allowing the public to judge for themselves. Also, I think we should focus on refuting the accusation that I am irresponsible to my family. As for the so-called history of being kept, it can be put last.”

Ye Zhixu slightly frowned. This would significantly adjust the focus and pace of the press conference. It wasn’t impossible, but it would be riskier.

She wanted to further confirm Qi Zheng’s reason for doing this, and not merely because she was unwilling to face that history of being kept too much: “But based on the current information, your experience during college should also be the focus of explanation.”

Shen Zhibing also looked serious and didn’t immediately side with Qi Zheng.

“Of course I’m not trying to gloss over it. I just think that to make others believe I haven’t done those things, we first need to reverse their prejudice against me. If they’ve already preemptively defined and labeled me, no matter how I explain, it will just look like a cover-up in their eyes.”

It did make sense. The others did not refute and continued to listen to Qi Zheng’s explanation.

“Qi Youtian is my father. He personally said in the live broadcast that I refused to support him and that I haven’t cared about him all these years. If we can overturn these seemingly conclusive facts, then will anyone still firmly believe the past, which is essentially just rumors?”

Ye Zhixu’s eyes flashed, showing a hint of approval.

“Miss Qi is very bold. Although this approach is relatively risky, it can indeed maximally dissolve the doubts.”

Qi Youtian, in order to chase trending topics and earn quick money, spoke carelessly in the live broadcast room, being led by the nose by netizens. Some of his statements became increasingly outrageous, even contradicting themselves. Some people online who watched his live broadcast had already started to question him, but sympathy was still the dominant factor.

However, the history of being kept was different. Only a few ambiguous shopping records were thrown out. Who the payer was and who the so-called sugar daddy was had never been clarified. And the so-called revelations by Qi Zheng’s college teacher or classmates also lacked basis. Ultimately, they were all rumors.

But both Qi Zheng and Shen Zhibing knew that what Qi Youtian said was false, but the financial entanglement with Lin Muyun was real.

To substitute the fake with the real, they had to take a gamble, hoping to use the public’s sympathy and “guilt” over their previous misjudgment to cover up the real fact that existed later.

Qi Zheng was betting that Lin Muyun would not dare to openly stand up and admit to being the sugar daddy, given the pressure from the Lin and Lian families.

Shen Zhibing considered it for a moment and made the final decision: “Just change it to what Qi Zheng just said. I believe she will do well.”

The press conference was scheduled for noon on Friday. Qi Zheng wore a casual business suit with a white shirt underneath, which was formal yet not overly somber. The shirt had been specially ironed for her by Shen Zhibing this morning, and the collar was personally adjusted by Shen Zhibing before she went on stage. In this setting, everyone who cared about her was encouraging her, but the person who truly stood on the stage to face the public could only be herself.

As soon as she sat down, the continuous clicking of cameras began. Qi Zheng read the statement according to the standard of her previous practice, and the audience fell silent.

Qi Zheng did not overly seek pity. She sincerely narrated her journey with a calm and world-weary yet indifferent tone.

Those past events, which should have been the best material for a tear-jerking story, came out of her mouth as if they were merely the hardships and tests that forged her current achievements.

No one questioned her, because photos of Qi Youtian at the gambling table and IOUs with his handprints were there. Qi Zheng’s aunt and grandmother, through video, presented Qi Zheng’s transfer records, all confirming that there was no refusal to support him, and also confirming that since Qi Zheng’s mother left home, the child had become a floating weed with no home.

She was always one of the last few in her class to pay her fees when she was studying. She always refrained from eating the more expensive, meatier dishes in the cafeteria. She always cautiously kept an appropriate distance from other classmates. She always smiled faintly when others asked about her family situation.

She rarely voluntarily mentioned her family. She originally thought she was aloof, but now they understood she simply had no home. A child without a home, how could there be topics to talk about often?

Jiang Youyou, watching the composed Qi Zheng on the screen backstage, cried more than the person involved.

Shen Zhibing stood beside her, arms crossed. Since the press conference began, she had been standing.

Yun Fei comforted Jiang Youyou: “Everything is in the past. Xiao Qi is getting better and better now. We should all be happy for her.”

Jiang Youyou nodded repeatedly: “If she had spoken out earlier, we could have helped her sooner, and she wouldn’t have had to suffer so much.”

Shen Zhibing tightened the grip on her wrist. She met Qi Zheng a little too late after all.

The image of the unfilial daughter was completely overturned. Qi Zheng unreservedly displayed her college grades, her work experience and performance at Shen’s after graduation, and her award certificates from studying in the United States, including how she earned her first pot of gold, which was all clearly explained.

Not only those who knew her, but even the media reporters who encountered Qi Zheng up close for the first time were moved by her experience. What could have been a press conference subjected to criticism and doubts evolved into a fan development meeting for Qi Zheng.

She had struggled so much, yet she was more defiant and unyielding than anyone else. She didn’t complain, didn’t hate, and didn’t fall into depravity. She achieved her current success step by step through her own hard work. Who could still accuse her of being heartless? Who would still believe that a person with such ability and perseverance would be willing to give up her dignity to accept the so-called keeping?

Her current achievements are entirely due to her own persistence and courage. She has indeed achieved minor success in her career, but she still doesn’t own any property, and her car was only bought recently.

In the end, as Qi Zheng expected, the already ambiguous rumors were easily denied with just a few words.

Lin Muyun was furious, grinding her teeth. She didn’t expect Qi Zheng would actually expose her family shame in front of the media, openly presenting those embarrassing past difficulties. Qi Zheng had always carefully concealed these before, and even when they were very close, she was unwilling to let the other person see clearly.

She misjudged Qi Zheng’s move again. She originally thought this time would at least affect her image and reputation, slowing down the pace of her career development.

Unexpectedly, at the end of the press conference, the representative of Huachi Feng personally announced that Dongming Group trusted and supported Qi Zheng, and that there would be no change to the financial support and resource investment in Qi Zheng’s company.

What excited other media even more was that after the press conference ended, someone photographed Qi Zheng getting into Shen Zhibing’s Rolls-Royce private car. Shen’s didn’t make a high-profile statement like Dongming, but President Shen personally coming to pick her up already spoke volumes.

The companies that had been on the fence rushed to call after the press conference, expressing their willingness to continue cooperation.

Li Yunshan walked into Qi Zheng’s office with the newly drafted contracts and happily announced: “The terms of the new contracts are more favorable than before. Some people, in order to be able to return and continue cooperation with us, voluntarily gave a five-point concession. This year’s profit will be very good.”

Qi Zheng had officially returned to work at the company. Her return also allowed the team to reunite and become cohesive again. After this storm, they actually understood what kind of person their boss was even better.

They used to just think the boss was smart and polite, but now they understood that this was a person who had truly experienced hardship and adversity, and thus possessed great wisdom.

Qi Zheng flipped through the new contracts and was also very happy: “We have to quickly catch up on the progress we’ve fallen behind.”

Li Yunshan suddenly asked her: “Did you know that Ah Moon is returning to the US next month?”

Qi Zheng was surprised. She hadn’t heard this from Zhuang Muqing.

“It’s said to be related to some conflict in the cooperation with the art university. She probably didn’t tell you because you were busy with troubles recently.”

Only then did Qi Zheng remember that their last meeting was that dinner. After that, Zhuang Muqing seemed very busy, and she also didn’t have much energy to contact her.

She didn’t expect that now even the news of Zhuang Muqing returning to the US was heard from someone else.

Eric dug up Lin Muyun’s ridiculous history in the United States. Shen Zhibing looked at the pictures in her email, but there was no joy of victory.

Once upon a time, her relationship with Lin Muyun was good. At that time, she was still immersed in the hidden yet unforgettable emotional vortex with Lian Ao, while Lin Muyun was playing with and deceiving Qi Zheng’s feelings.

Although she had never seriously asked about their past details, some things were inevitably uncovered to deal with this public opinion crisis. Recalling the past, Qi Zheng no longer had the heartbreak and the eyes that would turn red at any moment from back then, but the fact that she once deeply loved Lin Muyun still made Shen Zhibing feel a suffocating pain in her heart.

No longer hesitating, she casually picked a few of the most representative photos and sent them to Lin Muyun.

As expected, she quickly received a response from the other party.

Lin Muyun on the other end of the phone was gritting her teeth. It was only then that Shen Zhibing felt a little happy.

“Shen Zhibing, what do you mean by sending those photos?”

“Inspired by you, I suddenly remembered that your past wasn’t exactly clean either. So next time you try to smear others, remember to clean up your own act first.”

“What do you want?”

Shen Zhibing curled her lips. Even though they weren’t face to face, her eyes flashed with a cold light: “Stop it, live your own life honestly and keep your distance from Qi Zheng!”

Lin Muyun looked resentfully at the email on the computer screen, full of unwillingness but could only temporarily back down.

She truly couldn’t afford to jump out herself. She was tied up with two major families, and she knew she wouldn’t be able to sustain the act until the end before being suppressed by the family forces.

But Shen Zhibing was suppressing her like this again and again, even involving Shen’s for Qi Zheng. This made her both envious and jealous.

How she wished she could gamble all in like this, how she wished she could love someone so wholeheartedly!

She hung up the phone and stared blankly at the computer, muttering: “Is it worth it, for Qi Zheng?”

Is it worth lowering herself like this, protecting her everywhere, and waiting silently?

All these years, Shen Zhibing had rejected all suitors and given no one a chance. Others didn’t know, but Lin Muyun saw clearly how the once arrogant and indomitable ice beauty learned to humble herself in this love.

She was curious, yet inexplicably felt a sense of relief. Qi Zheng, whom she had abandoned, had now become Shen Zhibing’s cherished treasure, a person she desperately desired. This meant she had somehow won against Shen Zhibing.

Perhaps this was the reason why she was unwilling to let go. Getting Qi Zheng meant getting a trump card to control Shen Zhibing.

She still didn’t want to lose. Lin Muyun opened the software and reached out to someone she hadn’t contacted for a long time.

Qi Zheng received a call from Lin Muyun, who said she was willing to reconcile and wanted to see her one more time.

Since the press conference, Qi Zheng’s public image was not only successfully salvaged but also instantly elevated. The positive effect was even more successful than the previous interview in the financial magazine. Her work was busier than before, but the progress was exceptionally smooth. She hesitated for a moment and agreed to Lin Muyun’s request.

“We can meet, but I won’t go to any private place you designate.”

“Then where do you want to meet?”

“A hotel. If you don’t agree, forget it.”

Lin Muyun claimed to have important things to say and insisted on finding a place without anyone else present. As soon as Qi Zheng heard about going to some resort house, she guessed that Lin Muyun had ulterior motives, but the important matter concerned Shen Zhibing, making her unwilling to be careless.

Lin Muyun and Lian Ao had been fake husband and wife for several years, so it was possible she might have extracted some information from Lian Ao. Qi Zheng knew how obsessed Shen Zhibing was with Lian Ao in the past. Although she felt a little uncomfortable, she cared more about the present.

Qi Zheng arrived on time for the appointment. Lin Muyun was only wearing a thin shirt. Seeing her arrive, she instantly broke into a smile.

“I apologize for what happened before.” Lin Muyun handed over a glass of wine, but Qi Zheng didn’t take it.

“I drove here, I can’t drink.” Qi Zheng didn’t miss the disappointment in Lin Muyun’s eyes and added, “And I don’t want to forgive what you did, so I don’t accept the apology.”

Lin Muyun was stunned, not expecting her to be so blunt: “Then why did you come?”

Qi Zheng looked around. She didn’t intend to stay long, and her hands were still in the pockets of her trench coat.

“I came because you said you had something important to tell me. If I knew it was to listen to your apology, I wouldn’t have wasted my time.”

Lin Muyun didn’t change her expression and still looked at her gently. Qi Zheng became more vigilant, silently maintaining her distance from her.

She was no longer accustomed to the scent of anyone else’s perfume, especially the series Lin Muyun was wearing today, which clearly carried a hint of desire.

“I know you want to hear Shen Zhibing’s story. Don’t rush, sit down and chat slowly. Her past is not simple, it will take a long time to tell.”

Qi Zheng looked at the place she pointed to. Besides wine, there were some other drinks, but they didn’t look like good stuff.

She turned around and slowly walked forward. Just as she stabilized herself by the sofa, a warm body pressed against her from behind.

She instinctively tried to break free, but heard Lin Muyun’s plea: “Qi Zheng, please don’t push me away, okay? I just want to hug you. It’s been a long time since I’ve had this feeling.”