Transmigrating Into the Beautiful CEO’s Doomed Substitute - Chapter 135

Shen Zhibing arrived on time. Lian Ao had been there for a while, his coffee half-finished, and he looked a little tired.

“I shouldn’t be late.” Shen Zhibing sat down, just about to call the waiter.

Lian Ao said softly, “I already ordered for you.”

Shen Zhibing glanced at him. Lian Ao still wore a smile similar to the past: “I ordered black coffee, according to your old habits.”

Shen Zhibing nodded politely and said thank you.

But she didn’t stop signaling the waiter: “I’d like a latte, please, thank you.”

Lian Ao quickly masked his momentary awkwardness, without any special reaction. When the coffee arrived, he merely said faintly, “I didn’t expect you’d even change your coffee habit.”

His tone carried a hint of the desolation of things having changed beyond recognition.

Shen Zhibing was as calm as usual, not wanting to dwell on the past with Lian Ao. The past is the past; it cannot be erased, but it doesn’t need to be brought up again. She wouldn’t deny the past but no longer wanted to relive it.

“Why did you ask to meet today? What do you want to talk about?”

Lian Ao subconsciously tugged at his tie, an old habit of his whenever he was nervous. Shen Zhibing used to laugh at him for it; catching a glimpse of it now, she suddenly realized she almost forgot.

Lian Ao looked down and didn’t notice Shen Zhibing’s momentary daze. He paused, then said, “I’m preparing to divorce Lin Muyun.”

Shen Zhibing was surprised. They had been a fake couple for years, certainly for mutual benefit. Now that old Mr. Lian was still alive and the Lian family was at a crucial point in the fight for inheritance, suddenly deciding to divorce was very unusual.

“That’s your private matter, you don’t need to specifically inform me.”

Lian Ao gave a wry smile: “I know you don’t care about these things anymore. I promised you back then that I would never touch Lin Muyun. I know you don’t believe me, but I did it. This marriage lasted for a few years, and I kept my bottom line.”

Shen Zhibing didn’t know what he was trying to say, but continuing this topic was clearly pointless.

Lian Ao seemed to have finally seized an opportunity and poured out everything he hadn’t had a chance to say face-to-face over the years: “I know you are with Qi Zheng now. Although I’m surprised by your choice, I… have no right to comment.”

Hearing Qi Zheng’s name, Shen Zhibing snapped out of her wandering thoughts.

“I made the wrong choice back then, mistakenly trusted Lin Muyun, and ended up losing everything. Now I understand that continuing to waste time won’t help further. It’s better to break free sooner; it’s better for both of us.”

Shen Zhibing somewhat agreed with this. Living a life bound together only by interests and without affection was truly difficult.

“It’s not too late for you to realize this now, especially since you are only a fake couple.”

With no financial entanglements, no emotional damage, and no children as a bond, divorce, aside from attracting some public attention and family pressure, would not result in major losses.

“I know I’m no longer qualified to promise you a future. I’m sorry for all those years I hurt you and gave the title of Mrs. Lian to someone else.”

Shen Zhibing hadn’t thought about the past for a long time. She was very happy with Qi Zheng; they had many new memories to cover up the old pains. But Lian Ao repeatedly bringing it up inevitably affected her mood.

“If you asked to meet today just to reminisce, I think we should stop. There’s really no past worth recalling between us.” Shen Zhibing’s tone was very flat, so flat that Lian Ao seemed like an acquaintance from long ago who had drifted away, and even simple pleasantries felt awkward.

Afraid that he wouldn’t give up, Shen Zhibing put down her spoon, looked up at him: “The past is just a memory to me. If there is anything I look forward to now, it is becoming Mrs. Qi, and only Mrs. Qi.”

Lian Ao was deeply shocked. He had thought that Shen Zhibing being with Qi Zheng was merely seeking comfort after an emotional injury. But judging by her tone, it sounded like she was serious about spending her life with her.

“Xiao Bing, you need to think clearly, this path is too difficult. Neither domestic nor international public opinion is tolerant. Moreover, how can your family accept it?”

Shen Zhibing’s eyes instantly turned cold, and Lian Ao choked, stunned by this unfamiliar look.

“I think it’s more appropriate for you to call me President Shen from now on. As for my family’s attitude, Qi Zheng and I will face it together, so you don’t need to worry.”

Lian Ao’s previous attempt at probing now had a clear answer. He just wanted to try, but still felt bitter.

“Qi Zheng is really lucky.”

“I am the lucky one.”

Shen Zhibing put down her cup, apparently not planning to drink any more. Lian Ao sighed and nodded repeatedly, suppressing the intense bitterness in his heart: “Actually, I asked to meet you today to ask you for a favor, not to let the actions against the Lin family affect Shiqun.”

Shen Zhibing curved her lip: “Fair competition in the business world; whoever has the ability makes the deal. Shen Shi has never taken anyone’s business proactively.”

She looked at Lian Ao meaningfully, and emphasized again: “Unless someone is too full and insists on giving up their business, then Shen Shi won’t complain about too much money.”

Lian Ao understood her words. He was still unaccustomed to bowing his head to Shen Zhibing, but the current situation forced him to.

“I understand. I will cut ties with Lin Muyun as soon as possible and won’t let her reckless behavior implicate Shiqun. Thank you, Xiao Bing.”

Shen Zhibing didn’t reply, but the coldness was palpable.

Lian Ao paused and reluctantly corrected himself: “Thank you, President Shen.”

After leaving the cafe, Lian Ao drove to the Lin family’s house. Lin Muyun had been staying at the Lin family’s house recently. The elders of the Lian family had probed several times, assuming the couple was having problems. Lian Ao was mentally and physically exhausted and didn’t try to cover up for Lin Muyun as much as he used to, almost confirming the marital discord.

Lin Chutian heard that Lian Ao had arrived and specifically came down from the study.

“Lian Ao, you finally have time to come over. Your mother and I were discussing sending Muyun back in a few days.”

Lin Muyun’s mood had stabilized slightly recently; she hadn’t said anything extreme but also hadn’t contacted Lian Ao.

Lian Ao didn’t see Lin Muyun and wasn’t concerned about her situation. He only politely returned the greeting to his in-laws’ proactive gesture: “Dad, Mom, I came today to formally tell you that I’ve decided to divorce Muyun.”

Lin Chutian had expected this. Lin Muyun had been brought back to the Lin family for nearly three months, and Lian Ao, apart from the initial few phone calls, had made no further moves. However, he hadn’t anticipated that Lian Ao would bring up divorce as soon as he arrived today.

The Lin family was currently facing a crisis, and Shen Shi was not backing down, leaving them defenseless. They had hoped to ask Lian Ao for help, hoping to leverage Shiqun’s strength to fight back, but now even this reliance was about to be lost.

“Lian Ao, young people can communicate well when there are conflicts; divorce is not the first option. You and Muyun have been together for a few years, hasn’t life been going well? I know she was being foolish this time. Her mother and I have educated her, and it won’t happen again.”

Lin Chutian had lowered his stance just to save this marriage.

“Dad, Mom, we have irreconcilable differences, and I’m afraid we can’t continue to try to work things out. I believe Muyun has the same thoughts as me.”

Seeing his usually mild-tempered son-in-law’s firm attitude this time, Lin Chutian felt even more annoyed, wishing he could slap Lin Muyun twice in public.

“Just give us old people some face, and try again with Muyun, at least don’t divorce now.”

Lin Chutian wanted to say more, but Lin Muyun, standing at the stair landing, stopped him coldly: “Why beg him? If he wants a divorce, then divorce. I’ve had enough anyway.”

Lin Muyun descended the stairs with an air of arrogance, as if she were the one who had actually proposed the divorce.

Lin Chutian was so angry that he turned his back, feeling that this daughter was beyond saving.

Lin Muyun turned to her parents and said, “I’ll go back with Lian Ao to process the paperwork. You don’t need to worry about this anymore.”

Lin Muyun got into Lian Ao’s car and left. Lin Chutian clutched his chest in anger, repeatedly calling out: “Disobedient daughter! Disobedient daughter!”

Lin Muyun remained silent in the car and stayed calm after returning home. Lian Ao followed her, wanting to seriously discuss the divorce.

“Lian Ao, are you sure you want to divorce now?” Lin Muyun was surprisingly calm, looking at Lian Ao without a hint of anger.

“Grandpa’s will confirms that the heir must have children. Without children, the final inheritance cannot be obtained. Since you disagree with having children, continuing to drag this out won’t get us what we want.”

Lin Muyun stared at him for a moment and then laughed: “You suddenly becoming like this couldn’t be because you found someone else to have children for you, right? That’s why you’re kicking me out now, because I’m no longer useful, and you’re worried that the Lin family’s troubles will implicate Shiqun.”

Even though they weren’t a real couple, they had lived together for several years. Lian Ao was seen through by Lin Muyun, and he felt embarrassed and cautious. This woman was becoming increasingly erratic; he really couldn’t predict what she would do.

“If you want to ease the tension with your parents, the divorce procedure can be slowed down a bit.”

But divorce was inevitable.

Qi Zheng’s scheduled return was getting closer. Shen Zhibing saw her face on the video had thinned a little and felt both angry and heartbroken: “You promised to take care of yourself, and you’ve taken care of yourself into this state!”

Qi Zheng’s spirits were good: “Maybe the beauty filter I turned on automatically slimmed my face; it looks better on camera.”

Shen Zhibing was still angry: “Then turn off the beauty filter.”

Qi Zheng just smiled. The person in the camera hadn’t changed at all.

She didn’t need any beauty filter; she looked great on camera herself. Shen Zhibing had been feeling a bit troubled lately. She missed Qi Zheng a lot recently, perhaps because they had been separated for too long.

Qi Zheng proactively changed the subject: “I’m having dinner with Ah Moon tomorrow and asking her to take me shopping. What gift do you want? I’ll buy it.”

Shen Zhibing’s heart skipped a beat, but she maintained her usual composure: “You and Ah Moon are going out for dinner and shopping?”

Qi Zheng looked candid: “She asked me out several times, saying she wanted to treat me. I was swamped, and finally had time to meet her when the project was nearing completion.”

“Got it.”

Qi Zheng wasn’t sure if it was the lighting on the camera, but she felt like Shen Zhibing’s side suddenly looked a bit dim.

“I don’t have anything specific I want. You decide.”

The next day, Qi Zheng repeated this to Zhuang Muqing, who smiled and shook her head: “Senior clearly says one thing and means another; surely you can tell.”

“Of course I know. Whether she wants a gift or not, I have to buy this.”

Qi Zheng stopped at a jewelry counter. Zhuang Muqing followed her gaze to the area she was pointing at—it was rings.

“Are you going to…?”

Qi Zheng signaled the salesperson to bring out a few diamond rings. She wanted to look closely.

“I hope I can use this to give her an additional title.” Qi Zheng looked at the rings seriously, occasionally turning to explain to Zhuang Muqing, “I hope she can become Mrs. Qi.”

A trace of disappointment flashed in Zhuang Muqing’s eyes, but it was quickly masked by envy and best wishes.

“I didn’t expect your relationship to progress so quickly, but there are plenty of people who get married quickly. Congratulations.”

Qi Zheng happily accepted the blessing, explaining, “It’s not that fast, actually. I just want to give each other a title, so we won’t drift apart when we work things out later.”

Zhuang Muqing was still a bit surprised that Qi Zheng wanted to settle down so young, after all, dating and marriage are two different things.

“For me, dating and marriage are indeed two different things. But if the other person is the same, then there’s no difference.”

Watching Qi Zheng meticulously ask the salesperson about the details of the diamond rings, Zhuang Muqing stared for a moment, then shifted her gaze.

Some things, she should have realized, she would never get.