Transmigrating Into the Beautiful CEO’s Doomed Substitute - Chapter 32

Lin Muyun was a famously rebellious figure in the wealthy circles since she was a child. She liked things that were conspicuous and rarely intentionally hid her romantic life. After getting together with Qi Zheng, she didn’t formally introduce her to friends, but occasionally didn’t shy away from bringing Qi Zheng to private gatherings.

Lin Muyun had no intention of investing too much in a relationship that wouldn’t ultimately be given a title. She chose Qi Zheng initially because this delicate, soft flower had unintentionally piqued her interest, causing her a slight flutter, and it coincided with Qi Zheng’s family being in difficulty. Lin Muyun used a sum of money, a lifeline, to unlock Qi Zheng’s heart.

After spending time together, they inevitably developed some feelings; it would be a lie to say she felt nothing at all. Lin Muyun noticed that Qi Zheng was becoming increasingly reliant on her, even adding her to her future life plans, which gave her a headache.

She only intended to have a fling, an experience of this special kind of relationship, and never thought about a long-term future with Qi Zheng. But the girl’s innocent eyes held shyness and anticipation, making Lin Muyun unable to bring herself to speak.

Using the opportunity of going abroad, she simply cut off contact, hoping that time and distance would allow the relationship to fade. However, Qi Zheng persistently left her messages and sent her emails. The lines were rarely sharp accusations, mostly sharing daily life anecdotes and expressing concern and care for her current situation.

It wasn’t until two months ago that these messages became fewer. The sweetness and clinginess also lessened in Qi Zheng’s messages, which were reduced to just wanting to know when she would return home.

And then, Qi Zheng stopped sending her messages altogether. Lin Muyun thought her method must have worked.

Lian Ao’s call was still connected. Lin Muyun gathered her thoughts and calmly asked, “How do you know Qi Zheng?”

“Business.”

Lin Muyun had initially assumed that some stories about her and Qi Zheng had reached Lian Ao, especially since they were the intended parties for an arranged marriage. Regardless of whether Lian Ao had feelings for her, no one would want their future wife to have such rumors.

“Business? Are you saying Qi Zheng went to work at Shiqun?” Lin Muyun knew Qi Zheng had always wanted to work at the Lin family’s company, and Lin Muyun had actually looked into it for her.

Back then, Qi Zheng wasn’t so obsessive, and Lin Muyun thought a position for her wouldn’t be difficult. But later, seeing Qi Zheng seriously planning what her life would be like one, three, and five years after starting work, Lin Muyun panicked.

She thought that if Qi Zheng entered the company, she would never be able to get rid of her.

Unexpectedly, Qi Zheng actually went to Shiqun. She had never heard her mention an interest in that company before. Could it be that the news of the arranged marriage had spread?

But neither she nor Lian Ao had agreed to it.

Lian Ao’s deep voice pulled Lin Muyun’s thoughts back again: “She went to the Shen Group, and just recently ruined a deal that Shiqun was very optimistic about.”

Lin Muyun understood, but was also confused: “Went to the Shen Group, and ruined your business?”

Lian Ao gave a heavy affirmative, and the anger in his tone was genuine.

“Is the Qi Zheng you’re talking about the one I know? I feel like what you’re saying is somewhat different from what I know.” Lin Muyun thought perhaps Lian Ao was mistaken; after all, a name like Qi Zheng was quite common.

“No mistake. I heard Wu Qin say that you used to take her out to gatherings with friends. They’ve all met her. It was at the banquet held by CEO Yue at Yongfeng Le not long ago.”

Now it was Lin Muyun’s turn to be astonished: “What did you say?”

Even after Lian Ao roughly explained the situation, Lin Muyun still couldn’t quite believe it, or at least couldn’t believe it entirely. When did Shen Zhibing connect with Qi Zheng? Where did Qi Zheng get the ability to steal Shiqun’s business? This all sounded too preposterous. She felt it was necessary to return home to verify it.

The graduation ceremony was scheduled for a weekday, and Qi Zheng had requested time off from the company in advance. Everyone was very polite to her now, and some even privately asked Dong Xiao if they should pool money to buy Qi Zheng a graduation gift.

Yun Fei was communicating with Shen Zhibing, going over the recent schedule. A project in an out-of-town branch company consistently failed inspections, and the matter had recently escalated, so she had to make a trip.

“Mr. Shen, I have adjusted your recent meetings. You can have two and a half days to go to Miancheng.”

“You make the arrangements. For meetings that can be conducted via video conference, switch them to online, no need to pile them all up until I return.” Miancheng wasn’t too far from Haicheng. This short business trip would be a drive.

“I understand.” Yun Fei finished reporting on the business trip preparations. Just as she was about to leave, she suddenly remembered Qi Zheng’s matter and asked, “Qi Zheng’s graduation ceremony is in a few days. Should we prepare a gift?”

Shen Zhibing knew about it. She had originally wanted to ask Qi Zheng for the specific time but hadn’t found the opportunity, and then she forgot about it in the rush of work. Now there was no need to ask; it unfortunately clashed with her short trip.

“You decide,” Shen Zhibing didn’t plan to spend too much thought on this matter. She had originally thought of taking Qi Zheng out for a big meal after the graduation ceremony.

Yun Fei didn’t know the CEO’s attitude and had to figure it out herself: “Does Mr. Shen think it should be something valuable or something more formal?”

“Just the normal procedure, a gift representing the company. Don’t make it too special, to avoid causing dissatisfaction among other colleagues. We need to be cautious about that.”

Yun Fei understood that this time, the CEO did not intend to give a private gift.

Shen Zhibing went on her business trip before the graduation ceremony. She wished Qi Zheng a happy graduation in advance, and then hurriedly went back to her room to prepare her business trip documents. This trip to Miancheng involved dealing with the local municipal government, and she didn’t dare to be too careless.

“Aunt Xin, I won’t be back for dinner tonight. I’m having a dinner with my classmates.” Qi Zheng was already used to life in the villa, and accustomed to letting Aunt Xin know in advance if she wouldn’t be back for dinner.

Aunt Xin and the other servants liked Qi Zheng’s communicative nature and the fact that she was always polite to them. Serving such a mistress was not at all difficult.

“Be careful not to drink too much, it’s not good for your health.” Aunt Xin had started to care about Qi Zheng. Hearts are made of flesh, and after spending time together, affection naturally develops.

Qi Zheng wasn’t really excited about the graduation ceremony, but under the original owner’s identity, she couldn’t be too unsociable. So, she cooperated when classmates came over to take photos with her.

The original owner’s rarely seen father even showed up, dressed decently in a suit, though it was obviously of poor quality. It must have been difficult for him to wear a suit in this heat, yet he didn’t complain at all.

Qi Zheng searched the original owner’s memories. In the limited information, she had never seen Qi Father so amiable as he was today. Qi Zheng observed him warily, feeling that his sudden appearance was not a good sign.

“Xiao Zheng, blink of an eye and you’ve graduated from university. It’s really not easy for you to be where you are today,” Qi Father was very pleased, just like the other parents who came to watch the ceremony.

However, the next second he changed the subject: “I heard from your counselor that you have a very good job now, a great future ahead. You mustn’t forget how hard the family worked to support your schooling all these years. Everyone was hoping you would succeed, scraping every penny just to let you study.”

Qi Zheng no longer had the patience to listen. The original owner was truly unlucky to have such a father. Her somewhat gentle nature mixed with hidden inferiority probably stemmed from this. The family did indeed sacrifice a lot for Qi Zheng to continue her studies, but that had nothing to do with Qi Father.

On the contrary, the original owner had been harassed several times by people claiming to be Qi Father’s creditors during her studies, and it was the school that eventually stepped in to resolve it.

Qi Father didn’t care about Qi Zheng’s attitude and continued to talk: “Dad doesn’t have too big a request, it’s just that I’m getting old now, and always working odd jobs outside isn’t a solution. Whenever the seasons change, my hands and feet hurt.”

Qi Zheng sneered inwardly, her face perfectly calm. She was wearing her graduation gown, holding her graduation cap, standing in front of Qi Father. The scene looked warm, but who knew how difficult and exhausting the original owner’s past had been?

“So, Dad wants to settle down in Haicheng and live with you. I can also help take care of the family for you.”

Qi Zheng interrupted coldly: “What family do I have? For so many years, only my grandmother and aunt would still give me a few meals and ask how I was doing. As for the word ‘family,’ I haven’t had a concept of it for a long time.”

Qi Zheng didn’t want to get into a conflict, but anyone meeting this gambler father wouldn’t be able to stay calm.

“I know you’re still mad at me. You were young then, and your mother just left, abandoning the family, so I definitely had to go out and find a job to support you.”

“Did you support me?” The original owner hadn’t received much money from her father.

Qi Father felt a bit awkward, but he was thick-skinned. Since he couldn’t win this argument, he moved on to the next.

“Anyway, you’re doing so well now, you can’t be so heartless as to let Dad drift around alone, can you? I heard that not only is your job good now, but you’ve also met some very capable friends, and you get picked up and dropped off every day in a luxury car.”

Qi Zheng guessed that Qi Father must have gone to see the counselor. In fact, Qi Father knew when Lin Muyun first resolved the original owner’s financial crisis. He just didn’t know that the current sugar mommy had changed from Lin Muyun to Shen Zhibing.

If he were to find out, what a mess that would be? He might actually follow her back to the suburban villa. Qi Zheng didn’t want that, absolutely not.

“Stop talking about this. I will provide the alimony that I should give you. As for the ‘care’ you mentioned, I don’t need it.”

Qi Zheng couldn’t escape the original owner’s identity, and she couldn’t avoid this alimony. As for the so-called filial piety, Qi Father didn’t deserve it, and she wouldn’t give it to him for free.

“Fine, then you give me five thousand yuan every month, and I’ll go live at your aunt’s house.”

Five thousand yuan? Qi Zheng thought Qi Father was truly greedy. How much does an average university graduate earn monthly from a normal job? If she had to pay rent and buy food herself, how much would be left?

Thinking about it this way, Shen Zhibing was indeed supporting her.

Qi Zheng was even more annoyed. She would rather give this five thousand yuan to Shen Zhibing, whether as rent or meal allowance, it would be better than giving it to a gambler.

“You can go find a lawyer for a free consultation and see how much alimony the law stipulates you can receive monthly. Don’t think that other people’s money grows on trees. Not only did you not give me five hundred yuan in the past, but I also don’t have the capacity to give you that much now.”

Jiang Youyou had been watching the conversation between the father and daughter from a distance, feeling a little worried. Throughout college, Qi Zheng rarely mentioned her family, and when she occasionally did, she only talked about her grandmother and aunt. As for Qi Father, this was the first time her roommates had seen him.

“Miss Lin, you might have to wait a little longer. Qi Zheng seems to be still talking to her father.”

Lin Muyun was wearing sunglasses, covering most of her face. She had just returned to the country last night and came to Haida today without adjusting to the time difference, bringing a gift for Qi Zheng. She hadn’t expected to be standing here for a full fifteen minutes; it was exhausting.

“Why don’t you find a place to rest first? I’ll ask Qi Zheng to come find you later?”

Lin Muyun’s gaze had been fixed on Qi Zheng. After being apart for so long, she seemed the same, yet a little different, in a way she couldn’t quite describe. The things Lian Ao had told her kept swirling in her mind. She simply couldn’t believe that Qi Zheng, whom she had so firmly controlled, could come up with such a plan.

It wasn’t until she saw Qi Zheng today that Lin Muyun realized she did miss her, but the anxiety of being forever tied down had overshadowed the longing.

“It’s okay, I can wait.” Lin Muyun didn’t leave, wanting to talk to Qi Zheng as soon as possible.

Qi Father walked away in a huff, his face very unpleasant. His demeanor didn’t suit the suit, and the way he stormed off looked like a clown.

Lin Muyun actually cracked a smile.

Qi Zheng’s eyes turned towards her. She had noticed someone watching her the whole time. She glanced out of the corner of her eye at Jiang Youyou, thinking she had come to rush her for the dinner, but the person standing next to her turned out to be…

She knew that in the original book, Lin Muyun appeared on this very day, and Qi Zheng had mentally prepared herself. But seeing Lin Muyun in person still caused a small tremor.

If she hadn’t made those cruel gestures towards the original owner, Qi Zheng would have considered Lin Muyun a beauty, a passionate and generous heiress, with no small amount of charm.

However, now, Qi Zheng unconsciously frowned, feeling resistant before she even got close.

Finally, Lin Muyun took the initiative to walk towards her. Her full lips were coated with a jelly-like lip gloss, glistening invitingly in the sun.

She took off her sunglasses, her seductive large eyes always carrying a subtle allure.

“Xiao Zheng, long time no see. I’ve missed you very much.”

Qi Zheng maintained a cold attitude, showing no joy, no sadness, and no anger.

Lin Muyun was taken aback by this lack of reaction, unable to fathom Qi Zheng’s true feelings.

“Don’t you remember me, or are you mad at me?”

Qi Zheng felt sorry for the original owner. The person she had worried about and missed for so long had vanished without a word. Now, suddenly reappearing with just a light “long time no see” and trying to resume intimacy, had she ever shown any respect?

“I’ve been quite well lately, but whether good or bad, it doesn’t have much to do with you.”

Lin Muyun knew Qi Zheng would be unhappy because she had been gone for so long, but in the past, her anger wasn’t like this.

Today’s Qi Zheng seemed much stronger than before. It appeared going to the Shen Group had indeed brought about changes.