Transmigrating Into the Beautiful CEO’s Doomed Substitute - Chapter 134

Just now, Shen Zhibing had only been focused on being angry, and then she was interrupted by Qi Zheng’s bout of mischief. Only now did Shen Zhibing have the chance to properly ask her what exactly happened between her and Lin Muyun at the hotel.

“What else could she have wanted when she called me over? Nothing more than using your matter as an excuse, then selling something irrelevant,” Qi Zheng said.

Shen Zhibing leaned in her arms, tilting her head slightly: “My matter?”

“I didn’t let her say it; anyway, I couldn’t be bothered to listen.”

This made Shen Zhibing feel even stranger. If she hadn’t heard it from Lin Muyun, then how did Qi Zheng know everything, as she claimed earlier?

Seeing that Shen Zhibing was about to get serious again, Qi Zheng quickly leaned over and lightly kissed her on the lips: “We agreed, it’s all in the past, let’s not talk about it.”

Shen Zhibing recalled what happened after those words were spoken just now, and her ears felt hot again. The lingering pleasure in a certain place remained; the scenery inside and outside the car tonight was extraordinarily unique.

So, she had to change the subject: “Then why did she call you there, what did she want to do to you?”

Qi Zheng looked down at her, smiling meaningfully.

Shen Zhibing waited a moment, and seeing that she didn’t speak, she looked up at her, meeting that smile instantly.

“What else could it be? We all know her little schemes.”

She really hadn’t given up. Shen Zhibing knew nothing had happened, but she still felt uncomfortable. Qi Zheng was hers. Lin Muyun was so restless and dared to make these little moves; it seemed another lesson was necessary.

“Did you expose her, or did you refuse her?”

Qi Zheng subconsciously touched the bridge of her nose: “I actually fell for her trap, but luckily, I was quick to slip away.”

Shen Zhibing grew anxious, sat up, and carefully examined her face: “Fell for what? Do you need to see a doctor?”

“Didn’t you just help me with the antidote…” Qi Zheng mumbled and leaned back in. Shen Zhibing realized she was teasing her and pushed her face away.

“You’re still joking at a time like this.”

Qi Zheng tightened the arms around her waist, resting her chin on Shen Zhibing’s shoulder, inhaling the fragrance from her hair and body, and said faintly: “She did intend to knock me out. As for what she wanted to do to me, I’m too lazy to guess. But I wouldn’t allow myself to be harmed, because I didn’t want you to be unhappy about it.”

“So?”

“So I had to strike first and take action against Lin Muyun.”

“Did you…?”

Shen Zhibing remembered that Qi Zheng handed Lin Muyun over to Lian Ao before leaving. They had been a fake couple for years. If Lin Muyun really fell for the trap, wouldn’t that mean…

“I knocked her out, so she might have a mark on the back of her neck, that’s why I suggested Lian Ao find a family doctor. Otherwise, a wound in that spot could look like it was inflicted by a mugger or caused by domestic violence. I was just making things easier for them.”

Given their status, it would indeed be very troublesome if word got out.

However, Shen Zhibing truly hadn’t expected Qi Zheng to be able to knock someone unconscious.

“When did you learn all this?”

Qi Zheng sighed softly: “Living in America for so long, you have to learn some self-defense, right? At least in necessary situations, it buys you time to escape.”

“Then how did you know she had prepared something?”

“I’ve seen that type of thing in the Chinese student groups in America. Basically, it’s something that makes people sleepy and weak. But to be safe, knocking her out was better.”

Shen Zhibing imagined the scene at the time: Lin Muyun, full of enthusiasm, only to be met with Qi Zheng’s chop to the neck. It was indeed not very graceful, but she inexplicably wanted to laugh.

She didn’t know why, but in front of Qi Zheng, it was becoming increasingly difficult to hide her true emotions. Just like when they were intimate, she would always involuntarily shed tears after reaching the peak. And just like now, nestled in Qi Zheng’s arms, she chuckled like a child.

Qi Zheng looked at her indulgently, letting her laugh.

After a fit of laughter, Shen Zhibing suddenly asked her: “If we quarrel in the future, would you chop me like that too?”

Qi Zheng looked at her helplessly: “Do you think I could bear to?”

Shen Zhibing turned around to face her, still pressed close: “You… wouldn’t dare.”

As she spoke, she traced the area of Qi Zheng’s heart with her fingertip, feeling ticklish even through the shirt.

“If you ever do that to me, I’ll ignore you.”

“Yes, yes, yes, I wouldn’t dare. If I did that, I wouldn’t have a girlfriend anymore.”

Seeing her so naturally compliant, Shen Zhibing happily hugged her neck and kissed her twice on the cheek: “It’s so good to have you.”

When Lin Muyun woke up, she was already at home. Lian Ao’s face was as if coated in a layer of frost, not even offering a word of concern.

The family doctor had already examined her; apart from a minor external injury, there were no other major problems. The dosage of the substance ingested was also minimal, and it would be completely metabolized after two days of rest.

“Why are you here?”

Lin Muyun supported herself to sit up, still feeling a bit weak.

Lian Ao sat on the sofa opposite her, his expression severe: “I told you to live a decent life, why won’t you listen? Did you know how humiliating it was at the hotel today?”

Lian Ao didn’t love Lin Muyun, but she was still Mrs. Lian. Setting aside the matter of her constant entanglement with Qi Zheng in private, she even resorted to such despicable means, and crucially, was discovered.

Lin Muyun was also very frustrated, in a terrible mood, and Lian Ao happened to walk right into her line of fire.

“Live a decent life? Tell me, what kind of life is this? I’m trapped in the Lian family, and the day for dividing assets and getting a divorce is indefinitely far off. Not to mention what you promised to help me get before, even what I originally deserve is almost gone now. How do you expect me to live?”

Lian Ao was actually aware of the situation at the Lin family. Lin Chutian didn’t genuinely intend to hand over the family business to Lin Muyun. Perhaps initially, it was to coax her into agreeing to the marriage and ease the company’s financial pressure.

“The Lin family’s ultimate successor, haven’t you figured it out yet? Your family probably had plans long ago, but just never told you. Now you’re causing so much trouble, do you feel like you don’t want to stay in the Lian family either?”

Lin Muyun sneered, looking at the man, her so-called husband, who had lived under the same roof as her for several years, and suddenly felt a deep sadness.

“Once a woman marries, she loses even her own home. There’s no place for me in the Lin family, and I have to beg to stay in the Lian family, is that right?”

Lian Ao stopped arguing with her. He was almost completely disappointed with Lin Muyun and felt that she was becoming increasingly out of control.

After a long silence, he spoke again, voicing a thought he had considered several times before: “Since this marriage causes you so much distress, why don’t we end it?”

He then got up and left without waiting for Lin Muyun’s reaction.

Lin Muyun was a bit taken aback. Divorce was their inevitable outcome, but she hadn’t expected Lian Ao to propose it now. Old Mr. Lian was extending his life with heavy medical costs in the hospital, and it was clear he wouldn’t last the year. Everyone in the Lian family was vying to perform well in front of the old man, so why would Lian Ao choose to stir up a divorce now?

Lian Ao’s estimation was correct. Shortly after, the Lin Group’s various businesses began running into trouble, and many transactions about to be finalized were snatched away mid-way. Upon closer inquiry, it turned out that the Shen Group was willing to proactively offer concessions, supposedly to ensure long-term cooperation.

The Lin Group’s industrial structure was relatively singular, and there weren’t many projects that could consistently generate profits. However, these were merely scraps for the Shen Group. Shen Zhibing shouldn’t have been interested in them.

For the Shen Group to take action suggests it was intended to teach Lin Muyun a lesson for her previous recklessness. Lian Ao didn’t sympathize with his wife, who never showed him a normal face at home. Instead, he became worried that Shen Zhibing might turn her anger towards the Shi Qun Group.

The current Shen Group was much stronger than before, and Shi Qun could no longer claim to stand shoulder to shoulder with it. Lian Ao’s performance over the past few years had been mediocre, at best, a case of no failures but no major successes. Compared to Shen Zhibing, his business acumen was indeed not as brilliant.

Seeing that his grandfather didn’t have much time left, and hearing that the supplementary clauses in the will were increasing, Lian Ao made his final decision.

Lin Muyun was indeed quiet for three months, maintaining such a low profile that she was almost never seen. Only the Lin family knew her whereabouts.

With the Lin Group facing a crisis, it should, by rights, have no time to worry about this married daughter. Yet, there were rumors that Lin Muyun was the cause of this disaster, infuriating Lin Chutian who specifically called her back to question her.

Shen Zhibing was in the room helping Qi Zheng pack her luggage. She was due to travel to America for a business trip next week, and it would be for a considerable time. Her company’s business had entered a rapid growth phase, keeping her even busier than the president herself; sometimes, she didn’t get home until after midnight.

But no matter how busy Qi Zheng was, she always came to Yunlu Garden, which gave Shen Zhibing great peace of mind.

Just after hanging up the phone with Li Yunshan, Qi Zheng walked in and saw Shen Zhibing folding pajamas.

“You don’t need to bring so many. Two or three sets for changing is enough. The apartment has a dryer, so I can wash and dry them immediately.”

“When you’re busy, where would you find time to do laundry? You’d be lucky to do it once a week.”

Qi Zheng smiled and scratched her head; that was indeed how it was when she was busy in America before.

Shen Zhibing neatly folded all the clothes and checked everything meticulously, as if afraid of missing something. Qi Zheng walked over and sat beside her, sighing softly: “I really don’t want to go on business trips anymore.”

Shen Zhibing felt the same way. With someone she cared about, and having grown accustomed to living together, it was truly difficult to be separated for a month or two.

“Take good care of yourself over there. If you run into any trouble, don’t always try to solve it yourself; remember to call me.”

“I know.” Qi Zheng’s voice was a little muffled; Shen Zhibing knew she must be feeling down.

Cupping Qi Zheng’s face in her hands, she looked at her over and over. They saw each other every day, yet she still felt she hadn’t seen enough.

“Be good, and I’ll reward you when you get back.”

Qi Zheng smiled: “Reward me with what?”

“I can’t tell you now, or there’d be no suspense.”

Qi Zheng locked the suitcase and placed it against the wall, then went to the kitchen with Shen Zhibing. They planned to cook together today. Although Aunt Xin had advised against it, she couldn’t resist their persistence.

“What do you want to eat today?”

Aunt Xin had already prepared the ingredients earlier, and originally intended to handle the chopping as well, but Shen Zhibing had emphasized that they wanted to process the ingredients themselves. So, now the kitchen counter was covered with ingredients, in large and small bags, looking truly abundant.

“Stir-fried tomato and eggs will do.”

Shen Zhibing looked at her strangely: “Just that?”

That was too simple; wouldn’t it waste all the effort today? Qi Zheng grinned at Aunt Xin, who was standing outside, signaling that she had tried her best.

Clearly, Qi Zheng didn’t want to disappoint Shen Zhibing and knew why she had volunteered to cook today.

“Stir-fried tomato and eggs is my request. As for the other dishes, feel free to show off your skills; consider it your treat to me.”

Shen Zhibing laughed, tied up her long hair neatly, but didn’t agree with Qi Zheng’s previous statement: “What treat from me? I want to cook for you.”

Qi Zheng’s trip to America went smoothly, except for being extremely busy. She not only had to negotiate with American partners but also had to squeeze in time to communicate with the team back home. As a result, she hardly had a full night’s sleep.

Shen Zhibing saw her dark circles in the video calls, feeling heartache but unsure what to advise. Qi Zheng was in a period of career ascent and had to go all out at this moment.

Having been through it herself, she was very aware of the hard work, but also understood the rewards that came with persistence. The current resources and platform were excellent, and coupled with Qi Zheng’s own abilities, this was a perfect opportunity; if she grasped it, she could truly take off.

All Shen Zhibing could do was support her, protect her, and await her successful flight.

One day, Qi Zheng had just picked up some small wontons from a familiar shop and called Shen Zhibing. She could tell work had gone smoothly today; her voice was noticeably brighter.

“I didn’t expect that shop to still be there. I just wanted to check it out on my way, and business is quite good.”

“I heard the owner say that B-University’s students all love it, so they’ve kept it open.”

The subsidy Shen Zhibing had given back then was enough for the small shop to start up even at a loss. Now that it had built a reputation, it was no longer lacking in customers and was genuinely profitable.

The two chatted for a while longer. Just before hanging up, Shen Zhibing hesitated, then confessed to Qi Zheng: “There’s something I need to tell you.”

Hearing her suddenly lower her voice, Qi Zheng paused her actions and asked with concern: “What is it?”

“Lian Ao asked to meet me.” Afraid that Qi Zheng might misunderstand, she added: “At noon, at a coffee shop.”

Qi Zheng heard the tension in her voice and laughed: “I never forbade you to go, why are you so nervous?”

That night on the mountaintop, they had promised each other that if they ever met with a former partner again, they must tell the other person. This was respect, and it was an obligation.

“I’m not nervous, I’m just afraid you’d be unhappy.”

“I told you, I don’t mind. I love you, and I know you love me. Besides, you’re bound to cross paths in the business world sooner or later. I won’t care about this.”

However, Lian Ao’s sudden initiative to see Shen Zhibing was a bit unusual.

“Still, it’s better to be cautious. Both he and his wife are a bit unstable.”

Shen Zhibing, however, could roughly guess the reason: “I think it should be about the Lin Group’s issues.”

Qi Zheng was focused on her own field of development and had only vaguely heard about the Lin Group’s troubles. Hearing Shen Zhibing say this, she realized that the Lin Group’s crisis a while ago was not due to internal management problems.

She knew very well who Shen Zhibing was doing this for.

Looking at the small wontons in front of her, and thinking of the person on the other end of the phone who was doing everything for her, Qi Zheng’s heart was full.

“When I get back, I’ll give you a reward too.”

Shen Zhibing didn’t press for what the reward was, only asking: “Then when will you be back to claim my gift?”

Qi Zheng glanced at her itinerary: “Soon. Everything is going smoothly here, I’ll definitely be home on time.”

Home. She considered Yunlu Garden her home. Shen Zhibing hung up the phone feeling completely satisfied, tidied herself up a bit, and then went out to meet Lian Ao.