Transmigrating Into the Beautiful CEO’s Doomed Substitute - Chapter 148

Boss Zhuang looked much better than before. He had completely stepped away from the business world, now focusing on peaceful, health-conscious living every day, dedicating all his time to spending with his family. Seeing Qi Zheng and Shen Zhibing visit together further lifted his spirits.

“I’ve seen Xiao Qi a few times. But General Manager Shen, it’s been a while since we last met.”

Shen Zhibing said slightly apologetically: “I owed Boss Zhuang a favor, and never had the chance to thank you in person.”

Boss Zhuang smiled and waved his hand: “General Manager Shen, you’re too polite. I was already very optimistic about Xiao Qi, and now it proves that my initial judgment was correct.”

Boss Zhuang’s gaze towards Qi Zheng was indeed full of admiration and a hint of relief.

Zhuang Muqing finally had a chance to interject. She playfully complained to Boss Zhuang: “Uncle, you praise Qi Zheng like this every time, aren’t you worried we’ll get jealous?”

“What if you get jealous occasionally? My praise for Xiao Qi is completely unbiased. If one of you could be like her, I would be even happier.”

It was true that there was a huge family business with no one to inherit, and saying there were no regrets at all would be a lie. However, after experiencing a near-death situation, Boss Zhuang no longer insisted on these things.

Life is limited. If one is already well-off, it is worthwhile to use their energy and time on things they enjoy.

Zhuang Muqing walked over to Shen Zhibing: “I’ll accompany Senior Shen to stroll around. Uncle, you can continue to pass on your wisdom to Qi Zheng.”

With that, she and Shen Zhibing tacitly left for a while.

Boss Zhuang shook his head helplessly, yet smiling: “Xiao Qi, come in and have some tea with me. Muqing is becoming more and more unpredictable.”

Zhuang Muqing accompanied Shen Zhibing for a walk in the backyard garden. The scenery here was lovely. Boss Zhuang had spent a considerable amount of money to acquire and decorate it after his formal retirement, but few people came to appreciate it regularly.

“Last time you left Haicheng, I didn’t get to see you off, and I only have the chance to meet you again now. Still, I must thank you in person.”

“Senior, you’re too kind. I’m very happy that I could help you even a little.”

Zhuang Muqing’s gaze swept over the ring on Shen Zhibing’s hand, a faint sadness in her heart: “It seems Qi Zheng was quick enough to lock down Mrs. Qi with a ring.”

Shen Zhibing didn’t know the details, but hearing Zhuang Muqing say this, she wanted to listen.

“We planned to go shopping that day, but Qi Zheng spent all the time choosing a ring. Having known her for so long, it was the first time I realized how picky she is.”

Shen Zhibing smiled as she touched the ring on her hand. She hadn’t taken it off since Qi Zheng personally put it on her. Although some people at the company noticed, no one dared to comment directly. Shen Zhibing was fearless about it and wasn’t worried about others knowing she had a partner.

Her relationship with Qi Zheng had never been formally high-profile, but they didn’t deliberately keep it a complete secret either. Perhaps because Old Master Shen and several major media outlets had been alerted, it was rare to see their photos or gossip headlines associated with them anymore.

“Qi Zheng’s proposal must have been very romantic, right?” Zhuang Muqing asked, curious but also feeling a sense of nostalgia.

Shen Zhibing recalled the passion of that morning, her heart feeling warm. She instinctively tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, covering up: “Quite traditional.”

It was indeed traditional. After putting on the ring, Qi Zheng had made her experience what it felt like to be Mrs. Qi over and over again.

The meaning in Zhuang Muqing’s eyes deepened. After a moment of silence, she sighed: “That’s wonderful.”

Shen Zhibing had never directly asked Zhuang Muqing about her feelings for Qi Zheng. She hadn’t wanted to bring it up, but a woman’s feelings are usually transparent, and even without words, it couldn’t be hidden for too long.

In the end, Zhuang Muqing was the first to speak: “Qi Zheng is excellent, but Senior and she are a better match.”

“You are also excellent, and you will meet someone more suitable.”

Zhuang Muqing paused, then burst into a genuine smile: “I hope, as Senior said, I do want someone to give me some creative inspiration.”

As if remembering something, Zhuang Muqing pulled out the photo they had taken by the old tree from her phone and sent it directly to Shen Zhibing.

After confirming that she had successfully received it, she deleted her own copy in front of Shen Zhibing.

“It was a candid shot. I thought it had an artistic flair, so I kept it. Now, it’s more appropriate for Senior to keep it.”

Zhuang Muqing’s feelings were hidden in her work. Shen Zhibing wasn’t sure when the inspiration began. Only after seeing this photo did she realize that the attraction might have begun at that time.

While carefully looking at the photo, she listened to Zhuang Muqing talk about the circumstances at the time: “When I met Qi Zheng, she was always enveloped in a faint melancholy, which had an artistic aesthetic and was very attractive to a creator.”

Zhuang Muqing was candid about it and wasn’t worried that Shen Zhibing would misunderstand or get angry: “But the more she was like that, the more distant she felt. I couldn’t get close no matter what. Later, when she returned to Haicheng, I found that she became vivid and lively, her whole person had changed. Then I understood the meaning of cultural confidence.

It’s like myself. I find everything about Haicheng beautiful and novel, but I always feel like a visitor, lacking a sense of belonging in my heart.”

This might be the reason why she resolutely decided to return after having a disagreement with the art university on teaching philosophy. Qi Zheng wasn’t the only reason.

Shen Zhibing felt a lot of empathy: “A person can only truly feel confident in a familiar and suitable cultural environment, but that’s not your fault. America is where you grew up. It’s perfectly normal for you to feel safer and more comfortable here.”

Zhuang Muqing still smiled brightly and cheerfully: “So I quickly let go of my dilemma. I genuinely wish you and Qi Zheng happiness.”

Shen Zhibing smiled and accepted her blessing. Both of them had a tacit understanding not to let Qi Zheng know about this unspoken feeling.

Cultural difference was likely the real reason why Zhuang Muqing and Qi Zheng couldn’t spark a connection.

They stayed in the United States for a few more days, then flew to Hong Kong, planning to spend a few days before transferring to Malacca.

Both of them remembered their impulsive moment in the hotel during that business trip, which now carried a different meaning.

Qi Zheng handed half of the freshly bought egg waffles to Shen Zhibing: “Speaking of which, that time should be considered the first time you actively seduced me, right?”

Shen Zhibing had just taken a bite and disagreed with this statement: “I didn’t actively seduce you. It’s just that you happened to wake up then.”

Qi Zheng’s eyes widened in surprise: “You clearly did, and you still won’t admit it. Mrs. Qi, it’s not embarrassing to be proactive occasionally, don’t be shy.”

Shen Zhibing quickened her pace and walked ahead a couple of steps, still insisting: “I said I didn’t.”

After finishing the egg waffles, they were not far from the tea restaurant they were heading to. Qi Zheng looked at her phone, reconfirming the address: “The borscht at this restaurant is particularly delicious.”

Shen Zhibing wasn’t particularly enthusiastic about Hong Kong cuisine. Every time she came for a business trip, it was busy and stressful. Most of the time, it was room service or business banquets. Rarely did she take the time to wander and look for food like today.

“Aren’t you afraid of gaining three pounds if you eat like this?”

“What’s three pounds compared to eating so much delicious food? Five pounds would be fine.”

Qi Zheng looked carefree and even tried to persuade Shen Zhibing to open up her appetite and eat with her, which earned her a slight frown.

“My metabolism is slowing down, I can’t be this indulgent.”

The long-awaited borscht was served. Qi Zheng couldn’t wait to take a sip, slightly scalding her tongue. But this didn’t affect the fact that it was delicious. Then, she started eating the char siu rice next to it.

“Don’t worry, we can just exercise longer tonight, burn off all the calories, and it won’t be a problem.”

Seeing her so candidly talking about that kind of thing, Shen Zhibing gritted her teeth, wanting to stop her, but felt it was too late.

Qi Zheng squinted in satisfaction, praising repeatedly: “It really is delicious, hurry up!”

Sharing delicious food with the person you love is a beautiful thing. Shen Zhibing was no longer reserved. Since someone would be responsible for burning off the excess calories tonight, what was she worried about?

After eating, they strolled along, stopping and starting, finally pausing beneath the Ferris wheel by the pier.

“Want to take a ride?”

Shen Zhibing naturally wouldn’t refuse Qi Zheng’s suggestion. She looked up at the highest point and suddenly remembered the saying about kissing on the Ferris wheel.

“There are quite a few people, let’s queue first.”

They joined the waiting line, holding the milk caps they had bought on the way. The line moved slowly, and they talked about what they had seen and felt during their stroll.

“The rents for commercial properties in Hong Kong have been falling recently, but the number of brands choosing to terminate their leases is still increasing.”

Qi Zheng was aware of this situation: “Hong Kong’s commercial rent has always been artificially high. Now the inability to sustain it didn’t happen overnight.”

“Haicheng is also showing this trend. The renewal rate for some high-end commercial properties has dropped significantly, and even lowering prices can’t retain customers.”

This wasn’t a problem faced by Shen’s company alone; the entire commercial real estate industry was facing the same dilemma.

“Physical businesses are giving way to the virtual economy. More consumption scenarios have shifted online. Most businesses that are still sticking to physical operations are those offering basic necessities.”

Among clothing, food, housing, and transportation, probably only the food sector still requires the support of physical stores.

But the rise of food delivery has also taken away a lot of market share.

“I actually think your project could consider setting up physical locations, adding some consultation and experience centers to increase customer trust.”

If the original industry is unsustainable, to maintain the value of commercial real estate, new valuable customers must be found. Qi Zheng’s highly premium service project is indeed an excellent choice.

“With General Manager Shen personally coming forward to develop customers, it’s hard for me to refuse.”

“I’m giving you a friendship price, and you still won’t agree?”

“It’s a huge bargain that I shouldn’t miss, but I’d feel bad if my wife lost money.”

Shen Zhibing smiled at her: “The money I lose goes into your pocket, so it makes sense for your family to take responsibility.”

The two discussed their views on commercial development trends for a while, then moved on to other topics. The line slowly shortened, and it was finally almost their turn.

As the Ferris wheel slowly started moving, Shen Zhibing looked at the ground gradually receding and suddenly felt nervous.

Qi Zheng held her hand the whole time. Sensing her sudden anxiety, she squeezed her hand tighter.

“I’m here.”

There are many legends about the Ferris wheel. Shen Zhibing also held hope when she was young, wishing that one day she could kiss her loved one at the highest point and make a promise of eternal love.

She just hadn’t expected that this old dream, which belonged only to her girlhood, would finally come true in her thirties.

Qi Zheng smiled and leaned in, kissing her gently, giving her endless strength and infinite tenderness.

“We will never be separated.”

The Ferris wheel turned three times, and they kissed three times, each time with the utmost reverence.

This was their little superstition, all because of love.