Transmigrating Into the Beautiful CEO’s Doomed Substitute - Chapter 138

When Shen Zhibing woke up, the first thing she perceived was a warm touch. Someone was using a hot towel to soothe her eyes. The fragrance wafting from the wrist told her, without looking, exactly who it was.

“Woke up so early?”

Seeing her lips curve into a smile, Qi Zheng knew she was in a good mood today. She leaned down and kissed her on the lips: “Yeah, haven’t completely adjusted to the time difference yet.”

Shen Zhibing raised her hand and hooked her wrist, saying nothing more, allowing the tranquil morning to remain exceptionally warm.

She had cried herself to sleep in Qi Zheng’s arms last night. In her haze, she had already anticipated that her eyes would surely be swollen like peaches this morning. Unexpectedly, someone had been a step ahead of her and had already taken action.

“Alright, you should get ready to go to the company now,” Shen Zhibing pursed her lips, lightly patting her hand, signaling her to stop.

The towel had cooled down a bit. Qi Zheng gently removed it, folded it in her hand, her movements still unhurried.

“I’ve already called Yunshan. I won’t be going back to the company for the time being—for these two days.”

Shen Zhibing sat up, tidied the neckline of her pajamas, surprised: “You’ve been on a business trip for so long, there must be a lot of things waiting for you to deal with at the company.”

She knew that Qi Zheng was staying home to be with her. Although she wished to spend more time with Qi Zheng, work shouldn’t be delayed.

“I came back a few days earlier than planned. Yunshan handled things well at the company, so, with a bit of self-interest, I want to take a couple more days of rest,” Qi Zheng made a distressed face, “It was really hard being in the States for so long.”

Shen Zhibing pinched her cheek, hesitant to apply real force, but the good feeling in her hand made her reluctant to let go: “You never complained about it being hard when you were studying and starting a business in the States before.”

Qi Zheng laughed and gently pulled her hand down, holding it in hers, and moved closer: “Because back then, I didn’t have a home yet.”

Shen Zhibing’s heart rate quickened. This was the second time she was touched by the word “home” from Qi Zheng.

This didn’t just refer to the house in Yunlu Huayuan; it referred to the life they were building together.

“So, no matter what happens outside, everything is better when I come home.”

She seemed to be hinting at something or trying to convey a point. Shen Zhibing was slightly stunned, then silently moved, wanting only to embrace her.

Aunt Xin, seeing that they hadn’t emerged for a long time, thought they were still asleep. She worried they would be hungry but also wanted them to sleep a little longer.

While she was still hesitating, Qi Zheng came out of the room.

“Aunt Xin, could you please prepare breakfast? I’ll take it to the room to eat.”

“Is Third Miss not awake yet?” Aunt Xin was still worried, but her expression was much calmer than yesterday.

Qi Zheng smiled and reassured her: “She’s awake, just staying in bed. It’s the same if I bring it in for her.”

“What would you two like for lunch? I’ll have someone prepare it.”

“Anything is fine, just like normal.”

Shen Zhibing rarely ate in bed; she felt it wasn’t proper etiquette. But after her unrestrained crying session last night, the tightly wound string in her heart suddenly loosened. When Qi Zheng suggested eating breakfast in bed just now, she agreed after only slight hesitation.

Qi Zheng set the tray down for her, sat cross-legged on the edge of the bed, and shared a portion with her.

“I put a little extra sugar in the soy milk. Try it.”

“You truly have a typical Chinese palate.”

After breakfast, Qi Zheng called Li Yunshan and a few other relevant people to catch up on the latest work progress and any new issues, following a routine similar to when she was in the States.

Afterward, she called Zhuang Muqing and asked her to help deal with the apartment matters.

“I left in a hurry, so I have to trouble you.”

Zhuang Muqing had also heard about Shen Zhibing’s situation. Although Qi Zheng didn’t say much, she couldn’t help but express concern: “How is Senior Sis doing? If you need my help with anything, just ask.”

Qi Zheng looked back at Shen Zhibing and was surprised to find that she had been watching her the whole time. Seeing her suddenly turn, she looked away, which only made it more obvious.

“We can handle it, don’t worry.”

After hanging up, Qi Zheng thought for a moment, pursed her lips, and walked over to Shen Zhibing.

As soon as she sat down, the sofa dipped, causing Shen Zhibing to wobble a few times. The two sat shoulder to shoulder: “Are you upset that I called A’Moon?”

Shen Zhibing’s tone was flat, without much reaction: “No.”

Qi Zheng chuckled: “A’Moon is a friend, and will only ever be a friend.”

Hearing this, Shen Zhibing looked up at her, wondering what she was about to say.

“But you are different. You are the boss, the superior, the leader of our home, and my partner for the rest of my life,” Qi Zheng took her hand and placed it over her own heart, “You are deep inside here.”

Shen Zhibing froze for a moment, then became embarrassed: “I’m not really upset, it’s just that sometimes when I see you getting close to others, I can’t help but feel unhappy.”

She seemed dissatisfied with her own reaction, but since she couldn’t control it, she could only feel annoyed.

“I’ll be more careful in the future.”

“What does it have to do with you? It’s actually my problem; I shouldn’t restrict you too much.”

Qi Zheng shook her head instead: “Even if I am a kite, only you can hold the string. I am willing to be bound by you.”

Shen Zhibing’s heart, which had been somewhat restless just moments ago, was completely soothed.

After discussing it in the afternoon, the two decided to play a board game at home.

Shen Zhibing had good luck, repeatedly rolling a six, allowing her plane to take off smoothly, while Qi Zheng only had one piece out of the hangar.

“How about you roll for me a few times?”

Shen Zhibing seriously counted the squares, placed her piece down, and refused without hesitation: “How can I do that? If I roll it for you, can it still be considered your plane?”

“Mine is yours, we don’t need to be so clear-cut.”

Shen Zhibing still wouldn’t fall for it. She was very serious when it came to a game like Aeroplane Chess.

“If mine is yours too, then what’s the big deal if you let me finish first?”

That seemed to make a lot of sense. Qi Zheng was content to “fall behind,” not worrying much when she failed to roll a six.

Shen Zhibing’s two planes successfully returned to the starting point. She turned the pieces face down, and her eyes finally brightened.

Qi Zheng was naturally happy seeing her truly relax.

Suddenly, Shen Zhibing took the initiative to bring up the recent incident: “Actually, when the news first broke, I was indeed a bit confused, completely lost.”

Qi Zheng put down her game piece and listened to her quietly.

“Later, I felt scared, feeling that a long-kept secret had been made public, with an indescribable sense of shame and embarrassment. I rarely experience this kind of situation. Since childhood, I’ve always tried to maintain composure and grace, never losing my composure no matter how difficult the situation.”

She rarely spoke about her family matters, but Qi Zheng wasn’t an outsider, so Shen Zhibing no longer deliberately concealed things: “In the end, I felt tired. It was like being seriously ill. I had no strength left in my body. I didn’t want to salvage things, didn’t want to face it, and didn’t want to live the way I used to.”

This was merely the last straw that broke her, the root cause being the harsh standards and deep expectations of the large family over the years. Layer upon layer of pressure ultimately fell on Shen Zhibing. Others only saw the honor and brilliance surrounding her, but no one cared about the pressure and loneliness she endured.

“You can share half of it with me.”

Shen Zhibing smiled at her, feeling warmth in her heart but still shaking her head and sighing softly: “The Shen family matters are very complicated. I don’t want to drag you into it. I have to go back to the manor tomorrow. They must be impatient after I’ve delayed for a few days.”

“Are you not planning to take me to meet the family?”

Shen Zhibing bit her lip and earnestly explained: “Of course, we have to meet, but when I go back tomorrow, it’s not for…”

Halfway through, she noticed the faint smile in Qi Zheng’s eyes: “Qi Zheng!”

“Whether it’s a formal meeting with the family or not, I won’t let you face it alone. You are a person with your own family now; don’t always think of solving things by yourself.”

Having someone accompany her was, of course, a good thing, but Shen Zhibing was unwilling to concede, only sighing lightly: “I’m afraid that in my current state, I won’t be able to protect you tomorrow.”

“Then let me protect you.”

That afternoon, Shen Zhibing discussed many details of her treatment over the years with her, and for the first time, she unreservedly disclosed her past illness to Qi Zheng.

Even with such an intimate lover, Shen Zhibing still had to mentally prepare herself repeatedly to have the courage to fully display her imperfect side.

“I should have accompanied you to face it earlier, instead of leaving you alone in Haicheng.”

Shen Zhibing gently stroked Qi Zheng’s bowed head: “If I can’t stand up by myself and become a truly independent and complete person, what ability and right do I have to love you?”

Qi Zheng looked at the strong yet fragile beauty before her. A thousand words couldn’t compare to a single kiss.

A deep kiss melted away the regrets of the years they couldn’t spend together.

“I’ve told you the worst aspects of myself. I have no more burden.”

Qi Zheng still held her: “Your imperfections, in my eyes, are a kind of perfection.”

Such a statement was clearly illogical, but Shen Zhibing loved to hear it, especially from Qi Zheng.

With things spoken aloud, there was no longer any barrier between the two. After finishing the game, Qi Zheng asked her: “How do you plan to handle this incident?”

“I definitely need to issue a formal response, but I haven’t decided on the method.”

“Are you thinking of withdrawing?”

“I’ll go back to the manor tomorrow and first see what Grandpa intends. I haven’t contacted anyone these past few days, and company matters are temporarily being handled by Second Uncle. If Grandpa doesn’t want me to continue managing the Shen Group, then I…”

“That won’t do,” Qi Zheng reached a conclusion faster than her, “You’ve given so much to the Shen Group over the years. The company’s achievements today are entirely your credit. Your Second Uncle only sings a discordant tune and would lead the Shen Group astray. Handing the company over to him would be truly unwise.”

Shen Zhibing knew this perfectly well, but she also felt helpless: “Even if Grandpa agrees, I still need to convince the shareholders. Who would be willing to entrust the company to a patient?”

There was helplessness and dejection in her eyes. Qi Zheng held her hand and emphasized: “You were indeed ill once, but you actively sought treatment, and now you are well. Emotional illness is no different from physical illness; don’t let this cause you to negate yourself.”

As the company’s business developed, Qi Zheng encountered many similar cases. The severity of the conditions varied, but the endings were surprisingly similar. Many people, in the end, were defeated by social opinion and their own mindset.

“I understand, I won’t give up on myself. I just don’t have much confidence in convincing others that I am completely recovered.”

Shen Shijun hadn’t been able to speak his mind at the company for a long time. Shen Zhibing had marginalized him over the past few years, and he was full of resentment with no outlet. Unexpectedly, a turn of events allowed him to quickly regain power.

Shen Qixing sat in his father’s office, also planning his future.

“Dad, do you think I can start preparing to renovate my office in advance? I’ve really had enough of that small room in HR. When I move to the floor with the CEO’s office, I definitely need to get a big desk.”

“The Old Master hasn’t made a final announcement yet. You should keep a low profile for now, or you’ll become a laughingstock.”

Although Shen Shijun was cautioning him, he didn’t truly stop him. Shen Qixing was overjoyed, knowing that all they had to do was wait for Grandpa’s formal announcement.

“Little Bing is really something. If she was ill, she should have stepped down earlier. Holding onto the position for so long, she is truly greedy.”

“What are people in the company saying lately?”

Shen Qixing had been in the HR department for many years and naturally had his own informers. As soon as the incident occurred, he immediately arranged for people to act.

“The middle management is relatively quiet, with no clear statements. The grassroots employees are saying all sorts of things, but they don’t have much impact.”

Shen Shijun pondered, tapping the armrest of the leather chair a few times: “Those on the board of directors haven’t made a statement either. Dragging this on will only make things more troublesome. Find your friends in the media to help push things along. While this wave hasn’t subsided, we’ll give Little Bing another push.”

“Don’t worry, Dad. Tomorrow, when she returns to the manor, we’ll give her a big gift.”