Transmigrating Into the Beautiful CEO’s Doomed Substitute - Chapter 14

After lunch with Jiang Youyou, Qi Zheng went back to the dorm and briefly explained the contract issue. Of course, she wouldn’t bluntly admit she was being kept by a benefactor, let alone reveal that her patron was none other than the famous President Shen.

She only picked out the complicated and important clauses, wanting to know how to avoid the hefty penalty fees. Jiang Youyou frowned and sighed: “This contract of your friend’s sounds really complicated. I’m afraid it won’t be that simple. I don’t really understand it, but I’ll ask my brother when I go home and let you know.”

Qi Zheng hadn’t expected an immediate answer anyway. This was just one of the solutions she could think of. She would never easily place her hopes on others—these days, relying on oneself was always better than relying on anyone else.

Jiang Youyou stayed until the afternoon. After seeing her off, Qi Zheng finally noticed how exhausted she was. She hadn’t slept properly last night while taking care of Shen Zhibing. The luxurious soft bed in the mansion was still no match for the solid comfort of her wooden dorm bed.

She planned to take a nap and then grab some fried rice at the campus gate. Tonight, she would have to seriously consider her post-graduation plans. After being around Shen Zhibing, she clearly felt that this patron was far too difficult to serve. Instead of waiting for her to arrange a job, she’d rather take matters into her own hands.

Afraid she’d oversleep and delay Old Yu’s trip home after work, Qi Zheng called Shen Zhibing before lying down. Surprisingly, this time she picked up quickly.

“President Shen, hello, it’s Qi Zheng.”

There was the sound of papers being turned on the other end—Shen Zhibing was probably reviewing documents.

“I know.”

“I just wanted to let you know I’ll be staying in the dorm today.”

Shen Zhibing paused: “So you called specifically to inform me of this?”

“I meant that Uncle Yu can get off work—he doesn’t need to wait outside the campus for me.” Qi Zheng deliberately emphasized that Old Yu was still waiting outside, hoping Shen Zhibing would think him responsible.

Shen Zhibing glanced at the new stack of documents Yun Fei had just brought in. There was plenty more to get through, so she didn’t make things difficult: “That’s your call. He’s your driver now. Small matters like this don’t need to come through me.”

Qi Zheng caught the faint impatience in her tone and quickly hung up.

Having settled Old Yu’s schedule, she finally lay down with peace of mind.

**

That evening’s dinner with President Le was suddenly rescheduled. Shen Zhibing phoned Lian Ao, wanting to ask if he was free. The first call went unanswered. She frowned and dialed again.

“Xiao Bing?” The man’s voice sounded surprised, as if he hadn’t expected her to call at this time.

“Busy? Or inconvenient to answer?”

Her relationship with Lian Ao was kept very secret—only when they were abroad could things be more relaxed. Back in Haicheng, she always had to be extra cautious.

“I just didn’t expect you to reach out. Didn’t you say you were very busy recently?”

Shen Zhibing put her pen back in its holder and stacked her papers: “Tonight’s engagement was canceled. Are you going to our usual place?”

Lian Ao froze, then sounded regretful: “You told me this morning you weren’t free, so I had my secretary schedule me another dinner.”

Shen Zhibing understood—he already had plans for the night.

“Alright, then. We’ll arrange another time.”

She pulled the papers back out again. Since he wasn’t available, she might as well work late.

“Xiao Bing, are you angry with me?”

“No, I’m not that petty.” She only felt a touch of disappointment. She understood the demands of business life—many things were out of one’s control.

She added, “Just go easy on the alcohol tonight. Take care of your health.”

Hearing her concern, Lian Ao finally relaxed and ended the call.

Moments later, Yun Fei entered with an iPad, saying she had narrowed down five bracelet options and asked Shen Zhibing to make the final choice. The efficiency of her chief secretary was something Shen Zhibing appreciated more and more.

She scrolled through the pictures, then returned to the first one and lingered on it.

This bracelet was the simplest in design, without even a trace of ornate detailing—so simple it might have seemed plain. But minimalism itself was a kind of brilliance. The material was the same used by top luxury brands, and the clean lines revealed the designer’s careful thought. Its luxury lay hidden beneath the surface, not flaunted with dazzling decoration.

Subtle. Enticing. That was what came to her mind.

She pointed at the picture and said, “This one. Buy it immediately.”

All five bracelets Yun Fei had chosen were under fifty thousand yuan, fitting Shen Zhibing’s requirements perfectly. Too expensive seemed unnecessary, too cheap was beneath her. This gift was meant to thank Qi Zheng for last night’s porridge and her care.

Shen Zhibing worked another hour before Yun Fei returned with the bracelet, neatly packaged.

“President Shen, it’s done.”

Shen Zhibing nodded with satisfaction, slipped the box into her bag without another glance, and said, “That’s all. You can go home now.”

“And you?” Yun Fei thought she’d stay late to work. The second and third secretaries had already left earlier.

“I’ll head back too.” Shen Zhibing decided to take the documents home—she was growing tired of staying in the office.

Once in the car, she received a call from Yun Fei.

“President Shen, I just got word. President Le is dining tonight with… Mr. Lian.”

Shen Zhibing motioned for the driver to hold. “With who?”

After a pause, Yun Fei replied, “Lian Ao, of Shiqun Consortium.”

There were many in that family with the surname Lian. But only Lian Ao could throw Shen Zhibing off balance.

Her grip on the phone tightened. She had sensed it earlier—Lian Ao’s evasiveness when he mentioned other plans tonight hadn’t escaped her notice. She just hadn’t expected him to actually move against her.

“I understand. That’s all.”

Suddenly, she didn’t want to go home. She told the driver to just drive aimlessly.

Night fell, and Haicheng’s bustle didn’t fade. The driver avoided venturing too far, circling the city center near Shen headquarters. Shen Zhibing gazed blankly out the window. The passing world seemed unrelated to her.

Unrelated—her heart clenched. She hated this weakness.

She needed something that truly belonged to her. And Qi Zheng’s name surfaced in her mind.

Lowering the divider, she ordered, “To Haida University.”

She called Qi Zheng, intending to have her wait at the gate, but there was no answer.

Annoyed, she refused to dial again. But her restlessness hadn’t gone away—she had to see Qi Zheng.

Finally, a sleepy voice came through. Shen Zhibing’s car was already at the university entrance. “Qi Zheng, I’m outside your school.”

“What did you say?”

“You have fifteen minutes.”

Again? Qi Zheng wondered if Shen Zhibing suffered from some intermittent condition—why was she always waiting outside her school?

This time she arrived a bit past the fifteen minutes, but Shen Zhibing’s expression was milder than last time.

“Get in.”

Qi Zheng didn’t know where she was being taken, but learning from experience, she had packed two changes of clothes.

Shen Zhibing said nothing. After waiting, Qi Zheng asked, “President Shen, what did you want with me tonight?”

Shen Zhibing slowly turned, gazing at her with an expression Qi Zheng had never seen before. “I want to invite you to dinner.”

Qi Zheng froze. Was that really how one was supposed to invite someone to a meal?

But then again, patrons didn’t have to follow ordinary rules.

“Then thank you, President Shen.”

Woken from her nap, her stomach was indeed growling.

Suddenly, a delicate gift box appeared before her. She looked up to see Shen Zhibing’s expressionless face.

“President Shen, this is…?”

“A gift for you.”

Qi Zheng realized she wasn’t joking. She accepted it with thanks, intending to tuck it into her backpack, but Shen Zhibing said, “Open it.”

It felt awkward to unwrap a gift in front of someone, but since Shen Zhibing asked, she didn’t fuss. Inside was a bracelet, proving Shen Zhibing’s excellent taste.

The real thing was even more beautiful than the photo. Its forty-thousand-plus price tag was fully justified in its meticulous craftsmanship.

Qi Zheng knew quality when she saw it. For Shen Zhibing, it was nothing. But for her, it was rather extravagant. She didn’t want to accept something without cause, especially from her benefactor.

Could it be that tonight President Shen wanted…

Her eyes turned complicated. Shen Zhibing ignored the hesitation and calmly said, “This is your payment for yesterday.”

Qi Zheng thought back—what had she done yesterday to deserve such a gift? Just as she was about to refuse, Shen Zhibing had already taken the bracelet back.

Then, under Qi Zheng’s startled gaze, she slowly fastened it onto her wrist.

“It suits you.”