Transmigrating Into the Beautiful CEO’s Doomed Substitute - Chapter 15

Shen Zhibing spoke at her own pace, as if it didn’t matter whether Qi Zheng truly liked the gift or not—what mattered was that she herself was very satisfied with her choice.

For Qi Zheng, suddenly receiving such a gift and even being attended to personally by President Shen was a bit overwhelming. She was perfectly clear that Shen Zhibing wasn’t doing this out of genuine affection, but out of courtesy she still expressed sincere thanks.

Shen Zhibing lifted her eyes and looked at her for a while. “Do you like this brand?”

Qi Zheng didn’t want to embarrass her, so she nodded along.

“Then you can go and buy some other pieces yourself—but no bracelets.” This brand was top-tier luxury, positioned slightly below haute joaillerie, with an extremely rich product line.

Qi Zheng froze. Was Shen Zhibing implying she should start living such a lavish lifestyle? Spending tens of thousands on earrings? A hundred thousand on a necklace? And that’s without diamonds.

She wasn’t from a poor family, but she had never been wasteful either. After starting work, she understood even more deeply how hard money was to earn.

“Don’t worry about money. Didn’t I give you the card? If you have a card, why not use it?” Shen Zhibing said it as if it were the most natural thing in the world, without the faintest hint that anything was wrong.

In her eyes, not spending money was the real problem.

Qi Zheng awkwardly pulled her hand out of Shen Zhibing’s grasp and forced a laugh. “Even if you have money, you can’t just spend recklessly. Money should be used where it matters most.”

Tonight, Shen Zhibing was unusually patient, actually taking the time to chat idly with her.

“You’re not wrong,” Shen Zhibing said. “But that only applies when money is limited. I told you—the supplementary card has no limit.”

Even knowing Shen Zhibing had issues with her personality, Qi Zheng had to admit that at this moment, Shen always gleamed like living gold—untouched by financial troubles and dazzlingly extravagant.

“I appreciate your kindness. But after all, that’s your money.” Qi Zheng liked money too, but spending what was begged out of someone else’s pocket—how could she do that with a clear conscience?

Did Shen Zhibing really take her for a professional canary in a gilded cage?

Qi Zheng didn’t think so, but Shen Zhibing did.

“Back when you were with Lin Muyun, did you think that way too?”

Qi Zheng knew that the original Qi Zheng and Lin Muyun’s relationship had indeed started with money, but over time real feelings had developed. Since it wasn’t her own past, she didn’t want to comment too much.

“It’s all in the past. Let’s not bring it up again.”

But Shen Zhibing’s face suddenly darkened. “So using her money was fine, but using my card requires all these excuses? Qi Zheng, are you deliberately trying to play me?”

Qi Zheng was speechless. Years of cutthroat business battles had etched suspicion and scheming into Shen Zhibing’s very bones.

“President Shen, not everyone has designs on you.”

Shen Zhibing couldn’t stand those words. She didn’t demand the whole world bow to her, and would have been happiest if all the buzzing suitors vanished and left her in peace. But Qi Zheng couldn’t say that. She was her own purchased canary. And a canary without interest in her patron was probably not far from becoming a dead specimen.

“Others can say that, but you cannot. Remember that in the future.” Shen’s tone was calm, but Qi Zheng felt the temperature in the car drop abruptly.

The car rolled on through the streets. Shen Zhibing hadn’t told her where they were eating, but since she was with her, Qi Zheng knew the food would be good. She endured her hunger with quiet anticipation.

Half an hour later, after several turns, they arrived at their destination. Qi Zheng recognized this place—one of the hardest restaurants to book in Haicheng. A window seat required booking at least a month in advance; a private room, three months, and even then there was no guarantee.

For Shen Zhibing to suddenly bring her here tonight—wasn’t it unlikely? But Shen stepped out of the car calmly, without the slightest worry about not having a table.

Before they even reached the entrance, not a waiter but the duty manager himself—uniformed, nameplate gleaming—came forward.

“Welcome, Miss Shen.”

The manager’s tone brimmed with delight. Qi Zheng thought to herself—ah, maybe this restaurant belonged to the Shen Corporation. If so, then dining here really was like eating in a cafeteria for her.

Following Shen Zhibing through the VIP passage, they went straight into a private room without encountering another guest.

The room was not large, nothing like the grand round tables for business banquets.

At most four could sit at the square table, but here it was arranged only for two—much more intimate. Qi Zheng swept her eyes over the furnishings and got the point.

Oh. A date spot. Especially for the rich.

The private room had its own waiter, impeccably trained, attentive without intruding.

Qi Zheng glanced at the menu—each dish cost nearly as much as a car license plate.

Earlier, the manager had once again warmly welcomed Shen Zhibing before leaving. Qi Zheng couldn’t help but ask, “President Shen, do you come here often?”

If not, the manager wouldn’t personally greet her at the door. She must have spent astronomical sums here already. It fit her status.

Shen Zhibing only answered after dismissing the waiter.

“Today is my first time here.”

Her first time? Qi Zheng didn’t quite believe it.

Seeing the doubt in her eyes, Shen gave a faint, wry smile. “I’ve had reservations here for years, but this really is my first visit.”

Cancellations here still required payment. With a long-term reservation, she might as well have owned the private room. Even the minimum spending added up to an incredible amount.

No wonder the manager was so solicitous. Who wouldn’t want to see what kind of person could toss away money like that?

It was a world Qi Zheng didn’t understand. Nor did she want to. For now, she wasn’t rich. Even if she became wealthy in the future, she… wouldn’t squander like Shen Zhibing.

“They say the food and atmosphere here are first-class. You should try it.”

Shen didn’t show the slightest anticipation, nor joy at finally coming.

Qi Zheng guessed the long-term reservation must have been for a certain someone, uncertain of the time, so Shen simply kept it open. Money wasn’t a problem for her. But that kind of persistence—that was rare.

It was easy to guess who she had really wanted to share dinner with. Thinking of Lian Ao’s true colors, Qi Zheng suddenly felt a pang of pity for Shen Zhibing.

This couple-style private room naturally came with romantic candlelight. The service was impeccable—no trace of judgment at seeing two women dining together. The thoughtful, unobtrusive attention only added to the relaxed atmosphere.

Shen ordered a bottle of red wine. She didn’t press Qi Zheng to drink, just quietly drank alone.

But when Qi Zheng saw her down a glass and reach for a second, she stopped her. “President Shen, your stomach hurt yesterday. You really shouldn’t drink again today.”

Shen pushed her hand away and poured the wine, chuckling. “Starting to control me already?”

Qi Zheng pressed her lips together and didn’t insist further, though her eyes held quiet worry—and a touch of helplessness.

That helplessness resembled the look she had when Lian Ao broke a promise—her brows knitting without realizing.

Shen turned away to look out the window. This was the room with the best view; on a clear night, the sky was full of stars.

“Don’t try to control me. My business is beyond your reach.” Shen kept her gaze on the view, speaking evenly.

Qi Zheng knew that heartbroken people expressed pain in countless ways. Compared to Jiang Youyou’s explosive outbursts, Shen’s self-destructive restraint cut even deeper.

“Feelings aren’t always the whole of life.”

She didn’t know if Shen understood, but at those words, Shen quickly turned to her, staring.

Was Qi Zheng speaking to her? Or about herself? Had she already let go of her obsession with Lin Muyun? If so, was she the only one still caught in the trap, the only fool left behind?

Shen suddenly asked, “What about you? In your life, how much does love matter?”

Qi Zheng knew what she was really asking. But she didn’t want to answer with the original Qi Zheng’s past. She wanted to answer as herself.

“It used to be important. But later, I realized it wasn’t all that.” She smiled faintly as she finished.

The genuine ease in her smile made Shen Zhibing pause.

This was what she longed for. She had found Qi Zheng, hoping that one day she too could be this free—smiling lightly at an obsession that had once consumed her, leaving nothing but calm.

And Qi Zheng… had already done it.

“You… can really forget? Forget a love that once meant so much? Without regret, without sorrow?” Shen couldn’t stop herself. She wanted to know—how much longer would she need before she could reach that shore?

Qi Zheng looked straight into her eyes. The usually strong, aloof Shen Zhibing now carried in her gaze a fragile glimmer of hope.

“To let go of the past, you first have to be ruthless to yourself.”