Transmigrating Into the Beautiful CEO’s Doomed Substitute - Chapter 19

Shen Zhibing was led by Qi Zheng, squeezing toward the bustling crowd. The actual distance wasn’t far, but her walk was exceptionally difficult. Her exquisite and expensive high heels weren’t suitable for walking on such uneven and greasy ground, and with her looks and demeanor, she was almost “out of place,” carving a path through the crowd.

Qi Zheng found a table near the edge, wiped the stool with a napkin, and gestured for Shen Zhibing to sit first while she went to see what good food there was.

Shen Zhibing stood still, frowning unhappily: “It’s so greasy, I’m not sitting.”

“I’ve already wiped it. It’s actually just a bit old, not too dirty,” Qi Zheng had specifically chosen a relatively clean one, and the used napkin had no grease on it.

“The environment here is too poor, let’s change places.”

Qi Zheng glanced at the time: “Occasionally trying something different can offer a new experience. CEO Shen, you need to try and step out of your comfort zone.”

Shen Zhibing folded her arms, a cold air beginning to emanate from her: “Are you giving me orders?”

Qi Zheng shrugged and stopped insisting. She wasn’t going to blindly indulge Shen Zhibing, especially with her infuriating temper.

“CEO Shen, if you really can’t adapt to this place, then go to your preferred Michelin restaurant. But I want to eat at a street food stall tonight. We can each choose what we want.”

Shen Zhibing was so angry she lifted her foot to leave, but then thought better of it. On what grounds was Qi Zheng bargaining with her? Shouldn’t she be obediently following?

It was all due to the noisy environment, which was distracting her from thinking normally.

By the time she regained her senses, Qi Zheng was already standing in front of a stall, chatting happily with the owner. Shen Zhibing remained standing, refusing to sit down. Her bodyguard followed not far away, not daring to approach without her instruction, and the nearby diners occasionally cast scrutinizing glances her way.

Before Shen Zhibing could completely explode, Qi Zheng returned, holding two plates of grilled skewers.

“The owner said you’re beautiful, so they’re on the house,” Qi Zheng saw that Shen Zhibing had been standing the whole time and couldn’t help but be amused, reaching out to pull her to sit down together.

Shen Zhibing was annoyed, yet didn’t want to wrestle with her in the street. Now she had two choices: either turn around and leave, or stay with Qi Zheng in this environment she couldn’t adapt to.

“It tastes good, try one.” Seeing Shen Zhibing slowly sit down, Qi Zheng wrapped a skewer in a napkin and handed it to her.

The aroma was undeniable. Shen Zhibing hadn’t had much appetite after a busy day, but at this moment, she felt a little hungry.

She took the skewer from Qi Zheng’s hand and took an elegant bite. It was indeed good.

“How is it? I didn’t lie to you, did I?”

Shen Zhibing didn’t speak, silently finishing the skewer.

The dishes Qi Zheng had ordered earlier were brought over one after another, just enough for the two of them.

Shen Zhibing was initially unhappy, feeling that Qi Zheng had ordered the food without asking her opinion. But when she saw what was on the table, she fell into deep thought.

Seeing this, Qi Zheng casually explained: “I watched you order at the restaurant yesterday, so I generally know what you like to eat.”

Shen Zhibing silently picked up her chopsticks again. To her surprise, such an inconspicuous street food stall could produce such flavorful dishes. Just then, the rice was also delivered.

“Don’t just eat the dishes. CEO Shen, you shouldn’t only care about your figure and ignore your health. I only ordered half a bowl of rice, so you don’t need to worry about gaining weight.”

Shen Zhibing gave Qi Zheng a deep look, unsure how to evaluate her.

“Are you observing me?”

Qi Zheng was enjoying her food and didn’t shy away from Shen Zhibing’s question.

“I just want to understand you better.” Know yourself and your enemy; this will help my contract termination negotiations later.

Shen Zhibing suddenly curved her lips, showing a hint of satisfaction.

“Although your method of understanding isn’t entirely appropriate, having this awareness is not bad.” The canary is starting to realize it should actively understand its owner’s preferences. The next step is learning to please and flatter.

Very good, this aligned perfectly with Shen Zhibing’s expectations.

After a few days of interaction, Shen Zhibing found that she didn’t dislike Qi Zheng; she even liked this simple and peaceful way of getting along. Although Qi Zheng had many aspects that displeased her, she had time and could slowly wait for her to become the person she envisioned.

Shen Zhibing hadn’t initially sought much from Qi Zheng; she simply wanted a new distraction to shift her focus from her concern and struggle over Lian Ao. Taking Qi Zheng to do things she had once wanted to experience with Lian Ao but never had the chance to achieve in these past two days actually felt quite good.

At least now, she wasn’t so desperate to see Lian Ao, nor was she feeling frustrated and lost because she couldn’t see him.

Looking at the person happily eating in front of her, Shen Zhibing’s appetite was also awakened. In the face of the fragrant delicacies, hunger allowed no further pretense. The rice bowl was empty, and Shen Zhibing felt a long-lost comfort.

The portions Qi Zheng ordered were just right, enough for the two of them to finish without any waste.

“What would you like to do later, CEO Shen?”

Shen Zhibing reapplied her lipstick and glanced at the time; it was just past nine.

“Let’s go watch a movie.” This was the dating sequence she had once anticipated, but never achieved with Lian Ao.

“Okay, I know a good movie theater nearby.”

Shen Zhibing wasn’t familiar with the street food stall procedure. After waiting a long time for the waiter to bring the bill, she asked and found out that Qi Zheng had already paid.

“You didn’t use my card?” Shen Zhibing hadn’t received a text message notification, meaning Qi Zheng hadn’t used her supplementary card to pay.

“I can afford this much money. This one’s on me.”

Qi Zheng never liked to take advantage of others. Last night’s meal was truly too extravagant, beyond her means. There was no reason for her to let Shen Zhibing pay for tonight’s meal.

After getting into the car, Shen Zhibing directly gave the driver an address, lest Qi Zheng take her to some open-air cinema. Hearing the address, Qi Zheng knew that CEO Shen was returning to her luxurious consumption environment, and she couldn’t help but pout.

“You don’t like it there?” Shen Zhibing didn’t miss Qi Zheng’s reaction.

“It’s not that I dislike it; it’s just that those high-end places lack a bit of human touch.”

Shen Zhibing found her statement novel: “Plenty of people are scrambling to move up. I’ve seen many who grit their teeth and buy luxury goods to show off their status, yet you seem unwilling to enjoy it, avoiding it.”

Qi Zheng turned her head to look at Shen Zhibing. The light inside the car flickered, and the colorful streaking lights from outside the window flowed between them.

“Everyone wants to live a comfortable life, but one must live within their means. If I were as wealthy as you, I would naturally have no worries. But the reality is I’m not, so I want to live a life that suits me.”

Shen Zhibing smiled and said, “If you stay with me, you won’t have to worry about money anymore. As long as you’re obedient and strictly follow the terms of the contract, I won’t treat you poorly.”

Qi Zheng really wanted to pour a bottle of water into Shen Zhibing’s brain right then and there to wash it out.

“CEO Shen, I want to rely on myself. I want to be self-reliant and achieve the life I want through my own efforts.”

Shen Zhibing frowned: “What? Trying to fly before your wings have grown strong? Qi Zheng, you promised to stay with me for three years. Don’t even think about leaving a day early.”

A headache. Thinking of the three-year contract, Qi Zheng felt like crying.

Qi Zheng fell silent, and Shen Zhibing also felt her words were a bit harsh. Although she wanted to use Qi Zheng, she wasn’t entirely heartless.

“After three years, I will set you free and ensure you live the life you desire.”

Shen Zhibing thought that based on the feeling of their last two days of interaction, perhaps she wouldn’t need three years to be free. By then, she wouldn’t need Qi Zheng anymore, and keeping a stranger by her side would only be a burden.

Qi Zheng, however, thought, I need to find a way to escape in at most three months.

Upon arriving at the cinema, Shen Zhibing, as usual, planned to rent a small VIP screening room.

Qi Zheng, however, said: “The villa already has a private cinema. Since we’re at a movie theater, let’s watch a regular showing.”

Shen Zhibing thought of the street food stall environment earlier and felt resistant.

“CEO Shen, only by trying different things can you better choose what suits you best.”

Shen Zhibing didn’t object, and Qi Zheng quickly seized the chance to buy two tickets.

Fortunately, she bought seats in the last row, and the seats next to them were empty.

Most of the people who came to watch movies at night were couples, so it was relatively quiet. It wasn’t purely a romance film, and the plot was quite fast-paced. Shen Zhibing actually started to get into it.

They sat in the middle of the last row, with empty seats on both sides. Only on Shen Zhibing’s side, near the aisle, was there a young couple who looked like students.

Towards the second half, a bloody scene appeared, and the plot entered its climax. Shen Zhibing and Qi Zheng didn’t exchange words, each focused on the screen.

However, a subtle sound came from nearby. The more she listened, the more something felt wrong.

That sound was clearly…

Qi Zheng heard it, and Shen Zhibing naturally heard it too, and likely even saw it.

However, CEO Shen did not shift her gaze, seeming undisturbed by the distraction beside her, but the bottle of mineral water in her hand was squeezed tight.

On the screen, the male and female protagonists miraculously escaped a huge explosion, their tightly clasped hands never letting go. The joy and cherish of surviving the disaster were palpable. Shen Zhibing’s eyes gradually glazed over, and she suddenly had an urge to kiss.

Just like the screen, just like the young couple next door.

“Qi Zheng.”

Shen Zhibing suddenly called her name. Qi Zheng was puzzled and subconsciously turned her face.

Someone suddenly came close. Qi Zheng was startled, instinctively leaning backward, only then realizing it was Shen Zhibing.

Qi Zheng still maintained the backward-leaning posture, though the exaggerated extent had lessened.

“CEO Shen, what is it?”

Shen Zhibing paused for a moment, sat back up, and said faintly: “Nothing. Just wanted to remind you to leave early before the crowd.”

Qi Zheng glanced at the screen, estimating only the last ten minutes of the plot remained, not much left to watch.

“Then let’s go now.” She picked up her bag, noticing Shen Zhibing hadn’t moved.

“Go out from your side.”

It was clearly easier to exit from Shen Zhibing’s side, but Qi Zheng quickly guessed the reason. Young couples these days are truly unrestrained, doing this in public…

They had a tacit understanding not to mention the couple, as if it had never happened. Shen Zhibing was quieter on the way back, occasionally lost in thought.

Qi Zheng felt that CEO Shen had been acting strangely since leaving the cinema, but to avoid an unpleasant scene late at night, she decided to pretend she hadn’t noticed anything.