Transmigrating Into the Beautiful CEO’s Doomed Substitute - Chapter 154

Shen Zhibing sat on the sofa, picking up her phone countless times and repeatedly lighting up the screen, but still no new messages had arrived. The last message in the chat box was one she had sent three hours ago, just trying to confirm whether the person would come tonight, and if so, at what time?

The clock on the wall had passed eleven, and Shen Zhibing didn’t need to look outside to imagine how deserted the streets were. She gave a bitter smile, picked up the jacket beside her, and slowly put it on.

She was exhausted, disheartened, and yet unwilling to accept it. She wished she could rush straight to the person’s house and ask face-to-face who was more important: herself or the so-called contractual marriage partner, Lin Muyun.

Lian Ao had repeatedly guaranteed before their marriage that he would keep his distance from Lin Muyun and only put on an act in front of outsiders. Shen Zhibing felt disgusted, yet she yearned for the residual warmth and care; besides Lian Ao, no one else seemed to care about her so much.

The powerful businesswoman, a dominant figure in the business world, shedding her strong disguise, was nothing more than an ordinary woman longing to be loved and cared for. Lian Ao’s occasional concern and thoughtfulness towards her in her youth made her as happy as a drowning person grabbing a lifesaver.

This intermittent relationship had long lost its initial sparkle, but Shen Zhibing still couldn’t let go. She couldn’t even distinguish which of Lian Ao’s words were true and which were false. Every time she wanted to break up, she was afraid of becoming completely lonely.

Returning to the suburban villa, Aunt Xin greeted her, took her coat, and asked cautiously, “Third Miss, would you like a late-night snack?”

Shen Zhibing’s face was cold. She glanced at her phone again, still not receiving the reply she wanted. At this hour, the person probably wouldn’t reply.

She suddenly remembered something and asked Aunt Xin, “Where is Qi Zheng?”

“Miss Qi just got back, she’s in her room.”

Just got back? Shen Zhibing sneered, a trace of disdain appearing at the corner of her mouth. With her as the sugar mommy away, Qi Zheng took the opportunity to go out and fool around. She didn’t need to guess that she had gone to find Lin Muyun.

They had clearly agreed to work together to provoke that unfaithful pair, but unexpectedly, it was they themselves who were spineless in the end. She was deceiving herself by believing Lian Ao’s assurances and promises. Qi Zheng was even weaker than her, completely disregarding the reason for Lin Muyun’s sudden disappearance.

The four of them were now like a bowl of sesame paste, stirred together, sticky and inseparable, and so dark that it was hard to distinguish their relationships.

Shen Zhibing dropped a sentence and went straight upstairs: “I’m going to find her. No one should disturb us tonight.”

Watching the Third Miss’s back disappear around the stair corner, Aunt Xin couldn’t help but sigh heavily. It seemed Miss Qi was in for trouble tonight again.

Shen Zhibing entered Qi Zheng’s room without knocking. The person who had just finished bathing was also startled to see her.

“President Shen, why are you suddenly here?”

Shen Zhibing looked at her with cold eyes, her face clearly showing her current unhappiness, but the reason for this unhappiness had little to do with Qi Zheng.

“This is my house. Why can’t I come? Even you, I can play with anytime I want, isn’t that right?”

She advanced step by step, forcing Qi Zheng to stumble and sit on the bed.

That fair but spineless face struggled for a moment, then quickly gave up the fight and resignedly said, “You’re right, you have that right.”

Shen Zhibing went to the bathroom to wash her hands, and when she came out, she saw Qi Zheng leaning against the bed, her face indifferent, completely numb and timid.

She walked over and opened the bedside cabinet. It was filled with different kinds of toys.

“Which one do you want to try tonight?”

Qi Zheng didn’t even look and casually said, “Whatever.”

Anyway, it was all torment, one was about the same as the other. Fortunately, she had a moment of warmth with Lin Muyun before coming back tonight.

Lin Muyun promised her that after the contractual marriage with Lian Ao ended, she would pay her breach of contract fee and rescue her from Shen Zhibing. Although she didn’t know the exact day she would be set free, this became Qi Zheng’s biggest hope.

The more compliant she was, the more resentful Shen Zhibing became, as if she wanted to vent all her grievances of being neglected onto Qi Zheng. She showed no mercy and was completely unconcerned about Qi Zheng’s feelings. Even if Qi Zheng frowned and groaned a few times, it couldn’t stop Shen Zhibing’s torment.

Tears streamed down Qi Zheng’s eyes. In this luxurious cage, she had become a veritable caged bird. Her dignity was trampled, and she was occasionally tormented mercilessly by Shen Zhibing, yet she couldn’t find a way to escape.

She lacked the ability to break free herself, so she could only pin her hopes on Lin Muyun. She believed Lin Muyun loved her, otherwise, why would she return to find her after disappearing abroad for so long?

Shen Zhibing was sweating on her forehead, sleeping restlessly. After several struggles, she suddenly woke up, still unable to fully recover. The dream just now had frightened her quite a bit, making her momentarily believe it was real.

The shallow breathing of the person beside her pulled her thoughts back. In the darkness, she couldn’t clearly see Qi Zheng’s face, but the familiar scent, the familiar temperature, and the familiar touch made her feel secure without needing to distinguish anything.

She turned to her side and tightly hugged Qi Zheng, desperately snuggling into her arms. Qi Zheng was woken up by her movement and vaguely asked, “What’s wrong?”

Shen Zhibing didn’t answer, just hugged her even tighter.

Qi Zheng sensed something strange and raised her hand to turn on the bedside lamp, but Shen Zhibing quickly stopped her: “Don’t turn on the light!”

Qi Zheng retracted her hand, hugged her back, and softly asked, “Had a nightmare?”

Since her condition improved, Shen Zhibing’s sleep quality had been gradually getting better. Unless she was under significant stress or her physical functions changed, she almost never had nightmares again.

“I don’t know if it counts as a nightmare, but the scene in the dream wasn’t good.”

Just recalling it made Shen Zhibing unable to face it.

Qi Zheng gently patted her back, didn’t press for details, and just quietly stayed with her until she calmed down.

After a long time, Qi Zheng felt Shen Zhibing’s hand stroking her face, cautiously yet firmly, but it did tickle a bit.

She didn’t shy away but couldn’t help but be curious: “Why are you suddenly touching my face in the middle of the night?”

“I want to make sure you are the Qi Zheng I know.”

“Afraid I’m fake?”

It was said casually, but it seemed to hit upon Shen Zhibing’s worries. She fearfully hugged Qi Zheng’s neck, afraid that she would slip away just like that.

This wonderful Qi Zheng, how could she let her disappear?

“I’m kidding, why are you taking it seriously?”

“I just had a dream, and it felt so real, it scared me.”

Shen Zhibing recounted the dream, and now it was Qi Zheng’s turn to be silent. She knew clearly that Shen Zhibing had dreamed of the plot of the original novel. If she hadn’t transmigrated into this world, the story between Shen Zhibing and the original host would indeed have followed such a dramatic and cruel path.

But Qi Zheng didn’t plan to tell her the truth. She just comforted her: “Dreams and reality are opposite. The worse you treat me in your dream, the better you treat me in reality.”

To make it more convincing, Qi Zheng specifically kissed her forehead lightly while talking, conveying her gratitude and appreciation.

“I also feel that wasn’t me. How could I bear to treat you like that, unless I was crazy.” After saying that, Shen Zhibing herself laughed, seeming to slowly emerge from the dead end she had been in.

Shen Zhibing was terrified by the dream and couldn’t fall asleep again for a long time. Qi Zheng coaxed her for a while, then suddenly flipped over and changed positions.

“What are you doing?”

“Since you can’t sleep, why don’t we do something naughty together?”

Shen Zhibing knew exactly what she was talking about. As the year-end approached, both companies were busy, and they indeed hadn’t ‘studied pets’ together for a while.

Qi Zheng reached out and opened the bedside cabinet drawer, skillfully rummaging through it, and whispered, “Let’s study the puppy tonight.”

Shen Zhibing paused and whined, “No.”

“Why? Puppies are so cute…”

“There’s an annual meeting tomorrow, you… change one!”

Qi Zheng smiled and pressed her forehead against Shen Zhibing’s: “I’ll use the lowest setting, it won’t be like last time.”

How dare she bring that up? Last time, she tried every setting, and the direct consequence was that they didn’t get out of bed until the afternoon the next day!

“Hmph, you’re a big bad wolf, I can’t trust what you say!”

Shen Zhibing lifted her leg to protest a few times, but it had no practical effect. Accompanied by the sound of the machine turning on, the sounds in the bedroom gradually became richer.

That dream, which was difficult to face and even harder to accept, slowly dissipated into the romantic air. Shen Zhibing held Qi Zheng’s shoulder, emphasizing with her last bit of rationality: “There’s an annual meeting tomorrow, no changing the setting.”

At the Shen Group’s annual meeting, a new item was added this year: the official announcement of the establishment of a charity fund co-sponsored by the Shen Group and Qi Zheng’s company.

They are now representatives of powerful businesswomen, one being the best spokesperson for a second-generation wealthy heir, and the other an inspirational example of starting from scratch and working hard. They have different origins and diverse growth backgrounds, but they are equally intelligent, brave, and beautiful.

They have both been deeply stuck in the mud, but they both stood up again with resilience, deservedly enjoying the morning sun from the summit.

Some people were curious about their relationship, but they never received a direct response, yet their tacit understanding was increasingly recognized by more and more people.

Someone waited on the sidelines for a long time, finally catching an opportunity to step forward and cautiously interject: “Hello, President Shen. Today’s annual meeting is a great success. Congratulations.”

Shen Zhibing politely replied: “President Xu, you are too kind. The biggest gain in the past two years has been expanding our cooperation with Huamao. I also want to thank you for honoring us with your presence today.”

After exchanging pleasantries, President Xu finally got to the point, his eyes occasionally glancing at Qi Zheng beside Shen Zhibing: “I wonder if President Qi has time for a chat?”

Qi Zheng doesn’t like socializing. In most situations, Li Yunshan represents the company. It was rare to see her stay throughout the Shen Group’s annual meeting today.

Shen Zhibing’s face was a little cold but she didn’t stop him. Qi Zheng pursed her lips and smiled: “Apologies, President Xu. Today is the Shen Group’s annual meeting. President Shen and I still have some matters to discuss.”

President Xu was a little disappointed, but hearing Qi Zheng’s next sentence, he was satisfied and left.

Qi Zheng said, “How about we arrange a time tomorrow to talk in detail?”

Of course, that would be better; it would allow for a more in-depth discussion than at the annual meeting. The Shen Group is an established industry leader, but Qi Zheng’s company is an up-and-coming force, and it possesses the distinct advantage of humane concern, having received official media recognition and praise.

These traditional enterprises, initially holding a wait-and-see attitude, naturally became envious as they watched the Shen Group and Dongming Group rake in substantial profits in the capital market by investing in emerging companies like Qi Zheng’s. Traditional industries are saturated, and they couldn’t afford to be reserved anymore, eager to board this fast-developing emerging train.

After President Xu left, Shen Zhibing sighed: “Now people who want to curry favor with President Qi are coming to the Shen Group’s annual meeting to get close.”

“Then I must thank President Shen for her discerning eye and generous cultivation back then. Outside, I am President Qi, but in front of you, I will always be just Qi Zheng.”

Shen Zhibing smiled without saying anything, taking a small sip of the champagne in her hand.

The diamond ring on her ring finger sparkled brightly, but it was a different style from last year.

“I have to work hard to make money and buy an even more expensive one next year.”

“I don’t care about the price. As long as it’s from you, one made of cotton thread would be fine too.”

Qi Zheng lowered her head and laughed a few times, then stated seriously: “It can be fine, but I would never let Mrs. Qi wear such a ring.”

Someone not far away was whispering. Shen Zhibing had been wearing a ring for several years, but the identity of the other half has never been publicly revealed. Unexpectedly, the rings change every year, but the speculation about her has become less and less.

Many people have come and gone around her, but who has remained unchanged besides President Qi?

The host invited the two CEOs to the stage to give a speech. Qi Zheng explained the purpose of establishing the fund: “This is not medical expense, but a reward. A reward for everyone willing to bravely face their own conditions, because you are all very brave.”

This charity fund, named “You Are Great,” is indeed not for treating illnesses. As long as applicants can prove they are actively and bravely facing their condition, they can apply for different amounts of reward money.

Afterward, Shen Zhibing formally announced the establishment of the fund, which would start accepting applications next month.

They join hands, not for profit, but out of gratitude.

End