Transmigrating Into the Beautiful CEO’s Doomed Substitute - Chapter 152

After listening to the business reports from the various departments, Shen Zhibing summarized and emphasized the key areas for the next phase of development. Today’s routine meeting was nothing out of the ordinary, but the last item still made her inwardly pleased.

“Regarding the personnel transfer in the Human Resources Department, it will be implemented starting next week. Thank you for your hard work, Director Ke.”

“President Shen, rest assured, I will arrange everything properly and ensure that HR’s work efficiency will not be affected by Young Master Shen’s transfer.”

Shen Zhibing smiled contentedly: “I trust Director Ke.”

After the meeting, department heads left one after another, leaving only Director Ke of HR. He wasn’t usually one to linger, and Shen Zhibing could tell he had something to say.

She quietly instructed Yun Fei: “Wait for me outside for a moment, I need to speak with Director Ke.”

Yun Fei understood, waiting outside while also ensuring no one else mistakenly entered the conference room.

“Director Ke, did you have something you wanted to discuss with me?”

Director Ke was nearly fifty years old and was originally appointed by the old chairman to stabilize the HR department. Over the years, many of the talents he had meticulously screened had indeed made important contributions to the Shen Group.

Shen Zhibing respected him, both for the old chairman’s sake and her personal recognition of Director Ke’s capabilities.

“Regarding this change, I want to clarify one point: will there be any variables in the future?”

Shen Zhibing knew what he wanted to clarify. Shen Qixing’s transfer to the administrative and logistics department was tantamount to a demotion and caused quite a stir within the company. As his direct superior, although he was executing the CEO’s decision, he was the one directly facing the pressure.

“The company’s promotions and transfers are primarily based on ability. The ability Shen Qixing has demonstrated is no longer sufficient for his current position, so the change is justified. As for any future variables, that depends on his changes.”

Director Ke still looked serious; he hadn’t had a chance to ask this question in person before.

Shen Zhibing paused for a moment and then stressed: “But he hasn’t properly utilized the opportunities to improve his abilities all these years, and I think he’ll have even less opportunity and resources in the logistics department now.”

With her saying this, Director Ke’s expression finally softened.

Shen Qixing, the Deputy Director of HR, had indeed been slacking off for years, only focusing on finding ways to put his own people in power and seizing opportunities to oppose Shen Zhibing. Now, it was clearly a failure in the internal family struggle for power, and his being purged was understandable.

Director Ke did not want to get involved in such disputes, but given his position, he had to step forward on some matters.

“I understand President Shen’s meaning now. I will ensure the new Deputy Director familiarizes herself with the operations as soon as she is in place.”

“Director Ke is executing a company decision. If Shen Qixing tries to cause you trouble because of this, you can come to me. I will not let anyone who diligently works for the company bear the risk alone, so Director Ke, please proceed with confidence.”

With this assurance, Director Ke was completely relieved. In recent years, Shen Zhibing’s performance in the company has been obvious to all, and her words were highly credible.

Back in the office, Yun Fei reviewed the schedule for the following week, and Shen Zhibing nodded to acknowledge it.

“It’s your birthday this weekend. Are there any other activities besides the party?”

Yun Fei shook her head, her expression calm: “It’s just a regular birthday. Getting together with friends and having some fun is enough.”

It seemed Yu Xinyan hadn’t revealed her plan to confess, so Shen Zhibing also pretended not to know: “I’ll give you an extra day off. You can take Monday off too.”

Yun Fei was puzzled; it wasn’t a milestone age, so why the sudden extra day off this year?

“There are no important matters next Monday; Xin Jia can handle them. An extra day of rest is good. Consider it my birthday gift to you.”

As someone who had been there, Shen Zhibing really couldn’t bear the thought of Yun Fei struggling to work on Monday, considering all the pets Yu Xinyan had at her place, enough to open a small zoo.

Seeing Shen Zhibing insist on the holiday, Yun Fei didn’t decline further, finished discussing the remaining tasks, and then left. Shen Zhibing checked the time; it was time for lunch, and she called Qi Zheng.

“I’m here to supervise you and make sure you eat on time.”

The other end of the phone had a laugh that was pleasant to hear: “Yunsan and I are on our way to the restaurant. What about you, is your meeting over?”

“Mhm, it’s over, and I formally announced Shen Qixing’s new position, which is good.”

Qi Zheng heard the slight smugness in her tone and agreed to humor her: “That’s great, you finally won’t have to see him lingering around you all the time.”

Shen Zhibing played with the fountain pen in her hand, a gift from Qi Zheng not long ago. She loved it so much that she used it to sign all her documents.

“He was still jumping in my office the day before yesterday, and he was absent from today’s meeting.”

“Did your Second Uncle say anything?”

“What can he say? Even Grandpa didn’t express an opinion; do his words matter? He can only blame his son for being a disappointment and not having any tangible achievements after all these years.”

Qi Zheng laughed with her, imagining Shen Qixing’s frustrated and impotently furious look, which was indeed quite amusing.

The two chatted for a while longer, and Shen Zhibing reminded her: “It’s Yun Fei’s birthday this weekend; you must come back, or Yu Xinyan will definitely fall out with me.”

“I know, I’ll definitely be back.”

Shen Zhibing seemed to recall something and added a caution: “But you can’t skip meals or sleep to rush back. I won’t allow you to torment yourself like that.”

Qi Zheng suddenly lowered her voice: “Don’t worry, I’ll come back properly, to be tormented by you.”

A static-like current seemed to flow through the receiver, making her ears tingle and feel hot.

Shen Zhibing steadied herself, trying to sound composed: “Don’t be improper.”

“Oh, then I said nothing.”

“Hmph!”

Li Yunsan’s voice came from the other end of the phone, probably indicating the food was served and they were about to eat. Before hanging up, Qi Zheng coaxed her: “Then wait for me to return and torment you.”

…

The weekend birthday party was planned entirely by Yu Xinyan; it was subtle but classy, held on a yacht. Crucially, not only was it on the water, but she also specified a theme: Shanghai Style.

Looking at the new clothes delivered to the house, Qi Zheng was completely speechless at Yu Xinyan’s imagination.

“Did you give Director Yu too little work recently?”

Shen Zhibing was about to change into the qipao she had just commissioned, and hearing Qi Zheng’s comment, she laughed: “That’s exactly what I told her when she brought it up.”

“And what did she say?”

“She said as long as she could pull off this party, she wouldn’t mind working overtime.”

Qi Zheng pouted, taking the outfit that belonged to her from Shen Zhibing — a tailored, androgynous small suit, a modified version.

It was softer than a Zhongshan suit but had more Eastern charm than a traditional Western suit.

Most importantly, it perfectly suited Qi Zheng’s figure and temperament; only she could exude this unique charm.

Qi Zheng changed, looked at herself in the mirror, and was quite satisfied but also a little curious: “I didn’t even go for a fitting; how did you know my measurements so accurately?”

Shen Zhibing had already changed into her qipao and was putting on her earrings.

“Is there any part of your body I’m not familiar with or don’t remember?”

Qi Zheng smiled at her reflection in the mirror: “Me too.”

She was used to seeing Shen Zhibing in business suits, had seen her in tropical long dresses during trips, and even seen her wrapped in a large bath towel after swimming. But she had never closely seen her in a qipao, and she hadn’t expected her to look so beautiful in one.

Qi Zheng walked up behind her, watching her put on the last of the accessories one by one; the 1920s-30s Shanghai style became even richer.

“You are truly beautiful.”

Hearing Qi Zheng’s compliment, Shen Zhibing curved her lips and smiled, then deliberately asked in mock displeasure: “Am I not beautiful normally?”

“You are, you’re beautiful all the time.”

Only then was Shen Zhibing genuinely satisfied. Gazing at the person standing behind her in the mirror, she also sincerely praised: “You are the true beauty, the kind that permeates the very bone.”

The two admired and complimented each other, unconsciously leaving late and being called twice by Yu Xinyan on the phone en route.

“We’ll be there soon. Instead of rushing us, why don’t you go spend more time talking to Yun Fei?”

“I’m just nervous! How can I dare without you two to back me up?”

Shen Zhibing raised an eyebrow: “Are you that timid now?”

Yu Xinyan deflated a bit and confessed: “I originally wanted to say it this morning, but as soon as I saw her, I got so nervous I just wanted to drink water.”

Shen Zhibing silently rolled her eyes but couldn’t bring herself to discourage her friend at a time like this.

“Believe in yourself, and believe in Yun Fei. Just express yourself genuinely.”

She hadn’t fully understood before, but Qi Zheng’s words enlightened her. Qi Zheng had said: “If Sister Yun Fei was completely unaware, why would she tolerate Sister Yu buzzing around her like a bee for so many years?”

All these years, she was probably just waiting for Yu Xinyan to speak first.

It seemed the only one who was nervous and helpless was Yu Xinyan.

The yacht sailed out of the pier, and the city’s hustle and neon lights gradually receded; the surroundings grew quiet. After the celebration, everyone quite tacitly found their own entertainment, leaving space for tonight’s protagonist and the hardest worker tonight, Yu Xinyan.

Qi Zheng hugged Shen Zhibing on the deck for a while until the night breeze picked up and felt chilly.

“Let’s go back to the room. Staying out too long might make you catch a cold.”

Shen Zhibing leaned in her arms, slightly tipsy; she had drunk a few extra glasses tonight and felt a little warm.

Back in the room, before the lights could be turned on, she was pressed against the door by Qi Zheng.

“Hmm? What are you going to do?”

“What do you think?”

Shen Zhibing paused, then whispered a laugh: “You’re too impatient.”

Qi Zheng’s voice was right next to her ear, her breath making her feel both ticklish and hot; her ears even felt damp.

“It’s you who is too tempting. I’ve been waiting all night.”

Qi Zheng wanted to say that ever since she saw Shen Zhibing change into the qipao, her heart had been stirring.

If it weren’t for Yun Fei’s birthday party tonight, she might not have given Shen Zhibing a chance to leave the house. It was truly difficult to resist such a delicious treat until now.

Shen Zhibing’s soft, slender waist, encased within the qipao, writhed enticingly a few times. She raised her hand to hook Qi Zheng’s neck, leaning close to her lips: “You’ve waited so long; it must have been hard. But I want to take a shower. Could you wait a little longer?”

Qi Zheng didn’t let go, persuading and coaxing: “The last ABO novel updated; the Instructor had a child after the permanent marking.”

Shen Zhibing recalled the two nights they had spent playing together and had lost count of how many times she had been marked, yet she still felt a rising surge of excitement.

“So?”

“So, I started reading another novel where the protagonist likes it like this…”

Qi Zheng began to move, but her actions were different from usual. She didn’t undo what should be undone; instead, using skill and swift precision, she gave a forceful tug, and a clear tearing sound sliced through the silent night.

Shen Zhibing felt a sudden coolness on her thigh and complained angrily: “You ruined my qipao!”

Qi Zheng kept her pressed tightly against the door, leaning in from behind, and coaxed close to her ear: “I’ll replace it for you. I’ll replace any number of them.”

This beautifully crafted qipao ultimately became shreds, scattered on the floor, but Shen Zhibing was already beyond caring.

As Qi Zheng moved, she told her about the contents of the new book: “The book said, it’s easier to feel pleasure this way.”

And then, Shen Zhibing truly felt pleasure, a very obvious and intense one.

“You…” She couldn’t clearly articulate what she wanted to say, only knowing that she was lost in a haze of alternating hot and cold sensations.

The rapport between Shen Zhibing and Qi Zheng was extraordinary. She sensed Qi Zheng’s urgency and “roughness” tonight, and after hearing those details from her, she instinctively cooperated, using a weak, struggling, yet not entirely giving up, voice to accuse: “You’re a bad person!”

Qi Zheng laughed softly: “Yes, I am that bad, and I especially want to be bad to you!”

Shen Zhibing sighed, Qi Zheng tonight was truly bad, bad enough to tear all the remaining restraint on her body into shreds.

Fortunately, this private yacht room was stocked with spare clothes, or else she would be too embarrassed to go out tomorrow. She regretted that when she gave Yun Fei an extra day off, why didn’t she consider herself?