Transmigrating Into the Beautiful CEO’s Doomed Substitute - Chapter 137

Qi Zheng rushed home, and as soon as she entered, she saw Yun Fei and Yu Xin Yan were both there. Aunt Xin stepped forward to take her suitcase: “Miss Qi, you’ve finally returned, everyone has been waiting for you.”

Seeing the solemn expressions of the crowd, Qi Zheng also felt terrible. This incident indeed had a significant impact, especially for someone like Shen Zhibing, who had always been the image of a privileged daughter of heaven. Of course, the media wouldn’t miss the opportunity to make a big fuss.

Yun Fei and Yu Xin Yan also stood up. For the past two days, Shen Zhibing had virtually locked herself in her room, refusing to see anyone. Everyone was hoping that Qi Zheng’s return could break the deadlock, and that she was the only one who could comfort and enlighten Shen Zhibing.

“Xiao Qi, President Shen is in her room, hurry and go see her.”

Qi Zheng quickly drank a few sips of water: “Sister Yun Fei, you’ve worked hard these past two days. You two should go back first, we’ll keep in touch by phone.”

Yu Xin Yan was a little anxious: “Xiao Qi, you haven’t even gone to see her yet, why are you rushing us to leave? If President Shen has any unusual situation, we can immediately discuss countermeasures.”

Qi Zheng’s expression had largely returned to calm. Her seriousness and concern were evident, but the haste she had upon returning was gone.

“She needs time and space, there won’t be any major problems. The rest of the matters, we’ll solve them one by one.”

Yun Fei was also a little worried: “Xiao Qi, we mustn’t be careless about this matter. I’ve communicated with several mainstream media outlets, and they won’t be conducting massive reports for the time being. However, online self-media and so-called unofficial sources are still everywhere, and I’m afraid the prolonged delay will have a bad impact.”

Qi Zheng walked them to the door and nodded, saying, “I understand all this. We’ll discuss it after her mood improves.”

After leaving, Yu Xin Yan pulled Yun Fei aside, puzzled: “Why did you agree to leave?”

“Xiao Qi is back, why should we stay?”

“To help! More hands make light work, wouldn’t it be better if we all stayed and discussed countermeasures together?”

Yun Fei pressed the elevator button and watched her with folded arms: “The past two days, besides being anxious, did we make light work?”

Yu Xin Yan was speechless: “We were just waiting for Xiao Qi.”

“Xiao Qi definitely understands President Shen best. She must have her reasons for asking us to leave first. We’d just be sitting there wasting time, so it’s better to give them space.”

Yu Xin Yan thought Yun Fei was the smartest person in the world, gentle, capable, and the best at persuading people. Hearing her say this, it sounded somewhat reasonable.

Qi Zheng pointed to the room and signaled to Aunt Xin: “I’ll go in and see her first.”

Aunt Xin looked distressed and walked with her: “In all these years, it’s the first time I’ve seen the Third Miss so downcast. Alas, she didn’t want me to tell you, but actually, she has suffered a lot to treat her illness these past two years.”

Qi Zheng didn’t have the emotional bandwidth to focus on those details right now. She just wanted to see Shen Zhibing, the lover she missed and worried about so much.

Pushing open the door, all she saw was Shen Zhibing’s lonely back. This was a world apart from the state she was in before Qi Zheng’s business trip when she was clinging to her, asking for a hug.

Hearing the door open, Shen Zhibing flinched but didn’t turn around. Instead, she curled up even tighter.

Qi Zheng slowly walked to her side and sat down gently.

“I’m home.”

She only said this simple sentence, without any other urgent or exaggerated words or actions. Shen Zhibing slowly turned her head, glanced at her, and tried to smile at her.

“I missed you very much. Now that I’m finally back, can I give you a hug?” Qi Zheng still had a gentle and affectionate gaze, her voice soft and tender, soothing Shen Zhibing’s confused heart again and again.

“Mhm.”

Qi Zheng stood up, moved closer to her, slowly opened her arms, and wrapped Shen Zhibing in an embrace. Her movements were very slight, as if she were holding a fragile treasure, afraid of crushing it if she used too much force.

The genuine sense of possession made both of them sigh deeply. The long period of keeping up a strong front finally found its support. Shen Zhibing raised her hands to hold Qi Zheng’s arms, rubbing her cheek repeatedly against Qi Zheng.

“It’s okay. I’m here with you.”

Qi Zheng kissed her heavily on the top of her head, then held her tight.

Shen Zhibing still didn’t say much, but she was doing much better than before, at least she would respond. Qi Zheng didn’t seize the opportunity to ask how she was feeling. Instead, just like normal, she recounted some interesting anecdotes from her business trip in the United States.

It was as if she had no idea what terrible things had happened recently and didn’t care. Shen Zhibing listened to her boring but funny stories and occasionally cracked a smile.

This state continued until the evening. Seeing that Shen Zhibing was still not in high spirits, Qi Zheng asked Aunt Xin to bring dinner into the room, and they ate there.

“Let’s finish dinner quickly so we can go to bed early. I took two connecting flights, I’m exhausted.”

Qi Zheng handed the chopsticks to Shen Zhibing, then lowered her head to look at tonight’s dishes, which were prepared exactly to her taste.

“In the US, I would drool just thinking about this delicious food at home.”

Shen Zhibing quietly watched Qi Zheng, moved by her genuine appetite, and also started to eat.

Her taste and Qi Zheng’s were originally similar, and after living together for a long time, their favorite dishes were almost identical.

“Eat slowly, don’t choke.”

Shen Zhibing finally interacted with Qi Zheng, just like when they were normally at home. Neither of them mentioned the news scandal.

Although Shen Zhibing’s appetite wasn’t great, it was much better than the past two days. Watching Qi Zheng send out the empty dishes, Aunt Xin slightly breathed a sigh of relief.

“She finally agreed to eat properly. Miss Qi truly has a way.”

Qi Zheng looked at Aunt Xin’s worried face and comforted her: “Everyone relax. Although we’ve encountered a setback, it will be resolved. At home, we shouldn’t put pressure on her.”

“How dare we put pressure on the Third Miss? We’re too busy caring for her. The main house has called a few times wanting her to go over, but Miss Yun Fei and I have helped stall them for now.”

The Shen family matters were indeed troublesome, but the priority was to solve Shen Zhibing’s emotional issues first.

“Don’t treat her like a patient, and don’t overly focus on whether she’s doing well right now. Just act like you normally would.”

Aunt Xin nodded and arranged for the maids to do their work.

After returning to the room, Qi Zheng locked the door, took out her pajamas from the closet, and walked over.

Shen Zhibing was no longer sitting by the bay window, but she was sitting on the sofa, facing the television with vacant eyes, clearly not focusing on the show.

“I’m going to take a shower. Want to join me?”

This was the first time Qi Zheng had actively extended an invitation to bathe together. Shen Zhibing slowly raised her eyes but didn’t answer.

“If you don’t want to, I’ll go first then.”

Since coming home, Qi Zheng had been consistently calm and gentle, and hadn’t treated her like someone with a problem, constantly accommodating her. This made Shen Zhibing feel much more comfortable, as she didn’t want others to see her vulnerability.

Qi Zheng went into the bathroom and instinctively prepared to lock the door. After thinking for a moment, she suddenly decided not to.

She wasn’t sure if Shen Zhibing would follow her, but they were at home. She didn’t need to be constantly on guard, especially not against Shen Zhibing.

The sound of trickling water filled the bathroom, gradually overpowering the sound from the television. Shen Zhibing’s mind wandered. By a strange impulse, she stood up and walked towards the bathroom.

She easily opened the door. The steam and heat enveloped her, gradually warming her heart.

The frosted glass revealed alluring curves—this was the person she thought of and worried about day and night. Even though a sudden incident had instinctively shut down her inner self, she couldn’t help but treat Qi Zheng specially.

Shen Zhibing walked towards the shower. The person inside seemed to have noticed her arrival.

The glass door was opened, and Qi Zheng’s smiling face appeared. The sound of water inside hadn’t stopped, and the heat and dampness kept rushing outwards.

“Want to join? I’m halfway done. If you stall any longer, you won’t be able to catch up.”

Her relaxed tone, coupled with the surrounding temperature, instantly melted the last layer of ice in Shen Zhibing’s heart. She curled her lips, accepting the invitation.

“But I didn’t bring pajamas in.”

Qi Zheng reached out, pulled her forward, and wrapped her in an embrace: “You have to shower first anyway. When you put them on isn’t important.”

They stood together, embracing, with the shower stream washing over their skin. Shen Zhibing quickly became as wet as Qi Zheng, and then watched her gently apply shampoo, followed by body wash.

One item after another, Qi Zheng did everything meticulously, seriously, and with apparent enjoyment.

Shen Zhibing completely relaxed, handing over the main control to Qi Zheng. She had been struggling alone these past two days and was truly exhausted. But now, someone was back to accompany her, and it was the person she wanted most.

“I love this scent, especially when you use it.”

While blow-drying her hair, Qi Zheng deliberately took a deep sniff of her hair.

“You use it yourself, don’t you?”

“But I think when it’s paired with your scent, it becomes unique.”

Qi Zheng’s hands ran through Shen Zhibing’s long hair, drying and smoothing it strand by strand.

This was typically the most tedious task after showering, yet they couldn’t stop smiling at each other in the mirror.

When everything was finally finished, Qi Zheng held Shen Zhibing and lay down together.

“The bed at home is still the most comfortable. I couldn’t sleep well in the US.”

Shen Zhibing finally laughed: “How did you go on a business trip and come back like you survived a disaster in Africa? One moment, the food at home is delicious, the next, the shampoo at home smells good, and now the bed at home is comfortable.”

Qi Zheng held her hand and placed it on her heart, confessing: “Because the feeling of home is irreplaceable.”

Shen Zhibing felt Qi Zheng’s heartbeat, and her own heart was drawn along with it.

She suddenly flipped over and pressed on top of her, their noses almost touching.

“Then should I supplement the other feelings of home?”

Qi Zheng smiled gently, not curious about what Shen Zhibing was going to do.

Her silent indulgence and pampering gave Shen Zhibing great encouragement, and the start was surprisingly smooth.

However, some things are inherently lacking due to inexperience. Coupled with her unstable emotions, she became easily impatient. Later on, somehow it devolved into her hugging Qi Zheng and gently biting her.

“I’m here, I’m here. Cry if you want to, it’s okay.”

Qi Zheng embraced her, gently patting her back, both encouraging and comforting.

Shen Zhibing collapsed in her arms, burying her face in the crook of her neck. After a long time, tears finally flowed out.

The panic and the emotions that had been unable to find an outlet were finally released in the embrace of her lover. Shen Zhibing held Qi Zheng, quietly weeping.

Qi Zheng didn’t turn on the light and didn’t try to console her, letting her cry for as long as she needed.

Shen Zhibing felt this was the most unrestrained moment since she was a child. Having always been taught to pay attention to etiquette and maintain her own strength, this was the first time someone indulged her vulnerability.

Her helplessness and fear were no longer an unforgivable mistake in front of Qi Zheng, and she didn’t have to worry about disappointing Qi Zheng because of it. This made Shen Zhibing feel secure. She held tightly to the person who gave her support and strength.

After crying for a long time, a hoarse voice sounded in the darkness: “Qi Zheng, I love you.”