Transmigrating Into the Beautiful CEO’s Doomed Substitute - Chapter 16

Shen Zhibing paused, not asking how to define “ruthless.” She merely lightly swirled the wine glass in her hand, lost in thought. Her romantic entanglements were different from ordinary ones; they were complicated by a mix of unrequited longing and irresistible obsession. She couldn’t even sort them out herself, let alone explain them to an outsider.

Qi Zheng saw that Shen Zhibing was still keen on drinking and knew she couldn’t dissuade her tonight. The restaurant was incredibly expensive, and the chef’s skill was truly first-rate. Qi Zheng didn’t want to miss the rare delicacies; she didn’t know when she’d have the chance to come again.

Shen Zhibing took a sip of wine and looked at the person eating with relish: “You like it here?”

Qi Zheng picked up her napkin to wipe her mouth and confessed, “It really is good here. It lives up to its reputation.”

The atmosphere was excellent, and the food was superb, but the price was also very steep—not affordable for an average person like her.

“If you like it, you can come often in the future.”

Shen Zhibing said it casually, like suggesting, If the candied hawthorns are delicious, just buy them. Qi Zheng shook her head: “This place isn’t suitable for me to come often. Even coming once is quite a luxury. It’s good enough to have tried it.”

Qi Zheng thought that maybe, if there was a major happy occasion worth celebrating in the future, she might grit her teeth and come one more time.

Shen Zhibing smiled, looking at her: “I made the reservation; if you don’t come, the seat is empty anyway. Besides, you need to change your habits in the future and stop being so unwilling to spend money.”

Shen Zhibing was in a decent mood, without the condescending attitude from their earlier interactions, though her tone wasn’t gentle.

“You’re my person. If you’re unwilling to spend on anything, others will laugh at me.”

You don’t plan on taking me out in public, though, Qi Zheng thought to herself. The novel clearly stated that Shen Zhibing kept this “canary” solely to provoke Lian Ao and, incidentally, to annoy Lin Muyun.

However, Qi Zheng wouldn’t say this out loud. She just smiled politely: “Although you gave me the freedom to swipe your card, I can’t use too much. What if I can’t pay it back later…”

Shen Zhibing interrupted her without a second thought: “Pay back? I didn’t say you needed to pay it back. Don’t worry about that.”

Qi Zheng secretly rolled her eyes. In the novel, she didn’t have to pay it back, but all those casual card-swiping records couldn’t be erased. When she lost her utility value in the future, and Lian Ao turned on her, calling her a temptress and a schemer, these would all be concrete evidence.

Qi Zheng remained silent, and Shen Zhibing thought she still had reservations.

“As long as you stay by my side and obey, I don’t care about this money.”

The phone suddenly rang, jarringly loud in the quiet, somewhat romantic private room. Shen Zhibing glanced at the screen and answered calmly.

It was a call from Yun Fei.

“President Shen, it’s confirmed. General Manager Le did indeed meet with Mr. Lian Ao tonight.”

Shen Zhibing had asked Yun Fei to investigate this before leaving work, feeling constantly annoyed. Now that she had the definite answer, her troubled mood hadn’t improved.

“President Shen, Mr. Lian…” Yun Fei was about to continue reporting other details.

“Wait a moment.”

Shen Zhibing looked at Qi Zheng: “You go out first.”

The implication was clear: she didn’t want Qi Zheng to hear the content of this call at all.

Qi Zheng had no intention of eavesdropping, but Shen Zhibing’s ability to turn cold in a split second was really something else.

Qi Zheng’s face fell. She put down her napkin, got up, and left.

Only after the door closed, leaving her alone in the private room, did Shen Zhibing continue: “Go on, what else did you find out?”

Yun Fei pretended to be completely unaware that someone had just been with President Shen and reported calmly: “They first went for Japanese cuisine tonight, didn’t stay long, and then went to the Imperial Court Clubhouse.”

Yun Fei paused slightly when she mentioned the Imperial Court Clubhouse. It was a high-end business club, but it had all the services one could want—just more expensive and discreet. It was the first choice for entertaining business people with status.

“Went to Imperial Court?” Shen Zhibing scoffed, the light in her eyes dimming a little.

“President Shen, are there any other instructions?” Yun Fei was asking if she should wait until Lian Ao left to see if he brought anyone with him.

“That’s enough for tonight. When you get to work tomorrow, contact General Manager Le again for me and say I’d like to talk to him as soon as possible. If he’s busy for a meal, I can go to his company.”

After hanging up, Shen Zhibing’s composure finally broke; her heart was far from calm. She didn’t frequent the Imperial Court, but she was well aware of the reimbursement expenses that came from the clubhouse for company entertainment.

She knew exactly what kind of indulgent scenes unfolded in there.

She didn’t want to dwell on Lian Ao’s behavior at the Imperial Court, but the fact that Lian Ao was openly stealing business from her was undeniable.

Qi Zheng waited in the hallway for a while, but Shen Zhibing didn’t call her back. She wanted to return, but feared interrupting Shen Zhibing’s call.

Standing outside the door like this wasn’t sustainable. Although other guests couldn’t see her, she was getting uncomfortable eye contact with the waiters.

Fortunately, President Shen still had some memory and conscience. After fifteen minutes, she finally called Qi Zheng back in.

Qi Zheng was somewhat displeased and said little after returning to her seat. Shen Zhibing knew she was unhappy about the earlier incident, but Shen Zhibing wasn’t in a good mood herself and had no extra energy to coax someone.

Shen Zhibing’s drinking frequency noticeably increased. Earlier, she had been sipping; now, she was drinking heavily.

Qi Zheng guessed that the phone call must have triggered Shen Zhibing’s emotional turmoil. She hadn’t eaten much tonight and was now drinking without restraint—she wouldn’t feel well.

Seeing that words wouldn’t work, Qi Zheng took action.

She reached out and placed her hand over Shen Zhibing’s hand, which was reaching for the wine glass: “You can’t drink anymore. You’ve had a lot.”

Shen Zhibing’s gaze was hazy; she was clearly somewhat drunk.

“Just one more cup, one cup is enough.” She didn’t speak with cold sarcasm or icy aloofness this time, but with a slight plea.

Qi Zheng couldn’t agree. President Shen would definitely follow one cup with another.

She helped Shen Zhibing leave and finally managed to get her into the car. After closing the car door, she waited a long time for instructions from President Shen and then realized she was already asleep.

The driver was waiting for instructions. Although the goal was to take President Shen home, he needed to be told which home tonight.

Qi Zheng knew Shen Zhibing had several residences. This wasn’t something she could decide on her own, so she had to wake Shen Zhibing up.

“President Shen, wake up.” Qi Zheng called her softly; her voice was very low because she was close.

Shen Zhibing frowned, showing a hint of annoyance, and didn’t want to respond.

“President Shen, where are you staying tonight?” Qi Zheng hoped Shen Zhibing would just utter a key word so she could quickly send her home and return to school herself.

“Go to the suburbs.” Shen Zhibing specified the address clearly, still with her eyes closed.

Qi Zheng motioned for the driver to start the car, thinking she might have to bother him again later to take her back to school.

The car was very spacious, with enough room for one and a half more people between Qi Zheng and Shen Zhibing. The ride was very smooth. Shen Zhibing leaned on her side, very quiet.

Upon arriving at the suburban villa, Qi Zheng had already messaged Aunt Xin, saying that Shen Zhibing was drunk and needed some hangover remedies, and that someone might need to look after her during the night.

At that moment, Aunt Xin heard the sounds and was already coming to meet them.

“Aunt Xin, President Shen didn’t eat much tonight and drank a lot of wine. I’m relying on you.”

Qi Zheng helped Shen Zhibing out of the car, preparing to hand her over to Aunt Xin.

Before she could get back into the car, she was pulled back from behind.

Shen Zhibing, semi-drunk, mumbled, “Where are you going?”

Seeing her drunk, Qi Zheng noticed her cheeks were pink. Paired with her exquisite beauty, she looked charming and even a little cute.

“President Shen, I need to go back to school. Get some rest. Goodnight.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Qi Zheng was abruptly pulled back again and stumbled onto a soft, fragrant body.

Shen Zhibing was wearing high heels and was slightly taller than Qi Zheng. She still wouldn’t let go despite swaying, saying firmly, “You’re not allowed to leave. You have to stay tonight!”

Seeing Shen Zhibing start to act up from the alcohol, Aunt Xin had no choice but to urge: “Miss Qi, you should stay tonight. Otherwise, the Third Miss will lose her temper.”

Qi Zheng wasn’t afraid of Shen Zhibing losing her temper; she just didn’t want to argue with someone who was drunk.

It was indeed late, so she helped Aunt Xin bring Shen Zhibing back to her room.

After drinking the hangover soup, Aunt Xin wiped Shen Zhibing’s face and changed her into pajamas.

“Miss Qi, you should go rest too. Leave this to me.”

Aunt Xin motioned for her to go to the room she had slept in before. Qi Zheng thanked her and was about to leave when her clothing was pulled again.

Shen Zhibing is still awake? Qi Zheng was speechless, wondering what she intended.

“You’ll sleep right here tonight.”

After Shen Zhibing said that, she didn’t utter another sound. Aunt Xin looked at her apologetically, unsure of how to proceed.

Knowing Aunt Xin was in a difficult position, Qi Zheng took the towel from her hand: “I’ll just sleep on the sofa. Leave this to me.”

Just as she finished laying out the blanket, Qi Zheng yawned, and then heard Shen Zhibing’s phone ring again. The bedroom was even quieter than the restaurant had been. Qi Zheng didn’t answer it.

She really didn’t want to answer Shen Zhibing’s phone.

The phone rang again, very persistently, only stopping when it automatically hung up.

Qi Zheng rubbed her temples, thinking, Finally, some peace.

To her surprise, the phone rang a third time. Shen Zhibing was annoyed by the noise: “Answer the phone!”

Qi Zheng also wanted to be done with it quickly. After connecting the call, Lian Ao was visibly surprised to hear her voice again.

“President Shen is already asleep. If you have business, please call back tomorrow.”

This time, Lian Ao didn’t immediately retreat but tentatively asked one more question: “May I ask what to call you?”

Qi Zheng was clearly taken aback that Lian Ao was interested in her identity. She froze.

Seeing her lack of response, Lian Ao explained: “We’ve spoken twice, but I still don’t know your identity. That’s a bit rude.”

Qi Zheng had no choice but to respond politely: “My surname is Qi, Qi Zheng.”

Lian Ao seemed to have heard the name somewhere but couldn’t recall it immediately.

“Then I won’t bother you. Thank you for letting me know. I’ll contact President Shen again. Goodbye, Miss Qi.”

Lian Ao began to pay attention to this person who had been by Shen Zhibing’s side two nights in a row. Few people could be in such close proximity to Shen Zhibing, and even if there were, it shouldn’t be someone he was completely unaware of.

Qi Zheng, Lian Ao silently repeated the name that seemed familiar, and his sense of unease deepened.