Transmigrating Into the Beautiful CEO’s Doomed Substitute - Chapter 34

Shen Zhibing was clearly angry, gripping Qi Zheng’s wrist hard enough to hurt, and this posture was not comfortable to maintain for long; her waist was starting to ache.

Qi Zheng had no choice but to push against Shen Zhibing’s leaning shoulder and said, “I have no intention of getting entangled with Lin Muyun again, you don’t need to worry about that. As for the so-called revenge, I’m not interested either. I just want to live my own life now.”

The original owner’s love-hate saga with Lin Muyun was a thing of the past. Qi Zheng would not continue it nor did she wish to seek revenge. She only hoped that Lin Muyun would stop bothering her and completely disappear from her life.

“You don’t want revenge anymore, or you can’t bear to take revenge? What, after seeing her today, are you feeling soft-hearted or can’t forget your old flame?”

Shen Zhibing was aggressive, unlike her usual cold demeanor; she was slightly sharp-tongued now. Qi Zheng noticed her abnormal mood and looked at her seriously.

“President Shen, did something happen to you today?”

Shen Zhibing paused, remaining silent.

Qi Zheng knew something special must have happened, otherwise Shen Zhibing wouldn’t suddenly act this way. Having spent time with her, Qi Zheng had figured out a pattern: President Shen’s anomalies mostly stemmed from abnormal emotional fluctuations, and these fluctuations were highly likely due to Lian Ao.

“Don’t try to change the subject, we’re discussing your issue.”

Qi Zheng pursed her lips. Why be stubbornly evasive? You’re the one acting strange.

“First, let me up, I’m very uncomfortable like this.” Qi Zheng pushed her. Being pinned on the sofa like this was truly awful.

Shen Zhibing refused, still pressing down. “Trying to escape? Do you really think I’m someone to be trifled with?”

Her emotions grew more intense. Qi Zheng suddenly felt a sharp pain; Shen Zhibing had actually bitten her shoulder.

“President Shen!”

Qi Zheng tried hard to push her away but was held tightly by Shen Zhibing. The pain on her shoulder turned into numbness, followed by the sensation of a warm liquid spreading.

People in this novel really were irrational because of love. Qi Zheng couldn’t be bothered with Lian Ao and Lin Muyun, but she couldn’t ignore Shen Zhibing. If President Shen’s extreme emotions were allowed to continue, she would suffer more later.

Taking a deep breath, Qi Zheng convinced herself not to dwell on it for now. She gently patted Shen Zhibing’s back, waiting for her to calm down.

“I’m not going to do anything with Lin Muyun, nor do I plan to continue things with her. President Shen, you don’t have to worry about this.”

“Then what will you do if she keeps coming to find you?”

“Of course, I’ll drive her away.”

Shen Zhibing looked up, surprised, as if she couldn’t believe Qi Zheng would say something so resolute. She couldn’t reconcile the teary-eyed Qi Zheng who had clenched her fists and sworn revenge on Lin Muyun with the calm person in front of her.

“So, President Shen, can you tell me what exactly happened today?”

Qi Zheng’s words startled Shen Zhibing. Realizing her loss of control just now, she immediately got off Qi Zheng.

“It’s nothing. I’m probably just tired from the business trip, plus you made me angry.”

Qi Zheng helplessly glanced at the place she had been bitten. She was wearing a white undershirt today, and there was a mark from Shen Zhibing’s lips on it. An outsider would think it was a passionate romance, but only she knew it was a tragedy for the canary.

“Then I’ll go back first. President Shen, you should also rest early.”

Before leaving, Qi Zheng saw Shen Zhibing still sitting blankly on the sofa. She sighed softly and closed the door.

Qi Zheng guessed that the news of Lin Muyun’s return and the rumors of an intended marriage alliance between the Lian and Lin families had finally reached Shen Zhibing’s ears, and this time, Lian Ao’s explanation was likely even weaker. That’s why Shen Zhibing’s emotions had such a big fluctuation, to the point of biting someone. The plot was still unfolding according to the original book, and Qi Zheng could almost see the props that would appear soon.

In the original book, Lian Ao was still struggling the night before his wedding, claiming that his marriage with Lin Muyun was only a contract and that he would never truly love her. He kept stringing Shen Zhibing along, promising to divorce Lin Muyun as soon as he formally took over the Shiqun Group.

Such a flimsy lie could still give Shen Zhibing hope. Qi Zheng felt she should save President Shen. Since she couldn’t escape for the time being, she could only try her best to help President Shen become normal.

When Lin Muyun returned to the country, everyone was happy except for herself—both the Lin family and the Lian family. Business matters couldn’t wait long. Since she had agreed to return, a compromise regarding Lian Ao was inevitable.

Given this, they might as well have a proper discussion first.

In an elegant and tranquil café, the handsome, wealthy young master and the beautiful, delicate heiress sat facing each other. It should have been a lovely and sweet scene, but the atmosphere was silent as still water.

“Is your family’s attitude the same as before?” Lin Muyun stirred her coffee and added another sugar cube.

“The same as your family’s. It hasn’t changed.”

Lin Muyun raised her eyes and looked at him with a half-smile. “Honestly, I don’t quite understand how they managed to link you and me. I personally have never had any designs on you.”

Lian Ao had many admirers in the socialite circle, but Lin Muyun was an exception. The two families had business dealings, but they weren’t close.

“Marriage alliance is just a way and a choice to preserve and consolidate wealth and status; it has little to do with affection, as we both clearly know. As for why they chose you and me, it’s probably because we are the ones who stand to gain the most in the future.”

In every major family, many people covet the right of inheritance. Whether legitimate or not, no one is truly unmoved by massive wealth. As long as the successor is not clearly designated, there will be open and covert struggles.

Lian Ao wanted Shiqun, and Lin Muyun wanted the Lin Group, so they had to pay a price. In this regard, they both envied Shen Zhibing.

Lin Muyun had struggled before returning home, but in the end, she couldn’t resist the family pressure. After all, the family could give her everything and also take everything away.

“In that case, let’s not waste any more time and discuss the engagement.” Lin Muyun took a small sip of coffee. Even though she had put in a lot of sugar, it was still bitter.

“I heard my grandfather intends to only hand over Shiqun to me after the formal wedding.”

Lin Muyun forced a smile. “So eager to marry? Will you also be required to guarantee a grandson then?”

Wealthy families love a large and prosperous lineage; having children is good, and a few are never enough.

Lian Ao frowned. Marriage was his bottom line. As for children, he had no intention of having them with Lin Muyun.

“Grandfather didn’t make that requirement.”

Lin Muyun took another sip of coffee. This time, the taste was better.

“Then when do you plan to get married?”

The reason Lian Ao agreed to the marriage alliance, besides family pressure, was the deteriorating health of the elder Mr. Lian. Doctors even said he might not live past six months. If the succession was not settled before his grandfather passed away, Shiqun would certainly face chaos.

In the Lian family, Lian Ao was the grandfather’s favorite, and this matter was originally a sure thing. However, the Yongfeng incident made him lose face on the board. If a few of the directors strongly opposed him, he might not be able to win against his third uncle.

Lian Ao lightly tapped his long fingers on the glass tabletop and said, with his eyes lowered, “In three months. We’ll get engaged next month. The preparation time is a bit rushed, but I don’t think you’ll mind.”

Lian Ao actually understood women’s hearts. When marrying someone you don’t like, the pre-wedding preparation doesn’t require much personal effort; it can simply be handed over to a professional company.

Lin Muyun considered it and agreed: “Fine. Then when will we divorce?”

Discussing divorce even before marriage seemed quite normal for them.

“We’ll formally divorce one year after I obtain the right of inheritance.”

The Lin family might not be so quick, but Lian Ao didn’t want to be tied down by marriage for too long. He had always been resistant to marriage. Even with Shen Zhibing, no matter how deep their feelings were, they never brought up the subject of marriage.

Shen Zhibing knew they wouldn’t get married, and Lian Ao fundamentally didn’t want to enter into marriage.

“Don’t worry. Once I get the inheritance rights, I will use Shiqun’s resources to help you gain control of the Lin Group as quickly as possible.”

“Then I’ll thank Young Master Lian in advance.”

**

After officially graduating, Qi Zheng could no longer live in the dorm. She moved all her luggage to the villa. Although the villa lacked nothing, she wouldn’t take anything from there with her in the future, so she wanted to have a few things that truly belonged to her.

“I can pack it myself.” Qi Zheng politely declined Aunt Xin’s offer to have the servants help her tidy up.

Her belongings weren’t much, and she preferred to do her own work.

Since the night she lost control and bit her, Shen Zhibing had not deliberately made things difficult for Qi Zheng, nor had she brought up the topic of Lin Muyun again.

Yongfeng’s stance was becoming increasingly clear. As interactions with the Shen Group increased, Shiqun was essentially declared out of the running, not even getting a chance to be a runner-up. Lian Ao had prepared himself mentally, but he was still sullen when he actually received the notification from Yongfeng.

President Yue personally called to explain that the Shen Group’s proposal was indeed better suited to Yongfeng’s current situation, hoping for a chance to cooperate with Shiqun next time. These were just formalities; what good was it to praise Shiqun? Signing the contract with someone else was the real deal.

That day, he had asked Lin Muyun directly about Qi Zheng’s background. Lin Muyun clearly stated that Qi Zheng hadn’t been like this before.

There was only one possibility: Qi Zheng had changed after joining the Shen Group and being with Shen Zhibing.

Lian Ao had encountered Shen Zhibing twice recently at business events, but they were distant and had no chance for private contact. The addition of Qi Zheng by Shen Zhibing’s side was not good for Lian Ao, and the threat felt increasingly significant.

Although his concern for her started because of business matters, Lian Ao felt strange, as if Shen Zhibing’s coldness towards him also began after Qi Zheng appeared.

If it weren’t for the accumulated feelings of so many years, Lian Ao would almost believe Shen Zhibing had changed her heart. But he understood her. Shen Zhibing was a stubborn and persistent person; once she set her mind on something, she would not easily give up, regardless of the difficulty.

With so many years of affection, even with all the grievances and uncertainty, Shen Zhibing had gritted her teeth and persevered. How could she easily give it up for a mere college graduate? Besides, Qi Zheng was a woman, and Shen Zhibing didn’t have Lin Muyun’s frivolous, novelty-seeking mindset. How could she possibly be interested in her?

With this thought, his worry seemed to lessen a bit. Lian Ao’s tightly furrowed brow finally relaxed somewhat. Losing a business deal was fine, but he couldn’t lose Shen Zhibing.

That day, Qi Zheng was in the secretarial office preparing a data report with Yun Fei. Her increased presence there had become routine for everyone.

Shen Zhibing had just returned from a meeting and called Qi Zheng into her office.

“How are the data preparations going?” The final negotiations with Yongfeng were in two days. If all went well, the contract could be formally signed.

“There shouldn’t be any problems. No abnormal indicators have been found so far.”

Shen Zhibing nodded in satisfaction, picked up the meeting materials, and continued to read. “If there’s nothing else, you can go back to your work. You can get off work once you’ve finished.”

It looked like President Shen planned to work overtime. Before Qi Zheng turned to leave, she saw Shen Zhibing’s phone screen flash with the letter ‘A’ blinking.

Shen Zhibing answered the call but spoke very little. The other party seemed to be asking her out, but she flatly refused.

“Sorry, I’m afraid I don’t have time tonight. I have a lot of work to do.”

The other party was still persistent, trying to convince her.

Shen Zhibing rubbed her brow, her refusal carrying a hint of helplessness and sadness. “I really can’t. I told you I’m busy. That’s all for now.”

She hung up and simply put the phone in the drawer. It was her private phone, and she wasn’t worried about someone calling her at this time.

Qi Zheng was still standing there. Shen Zhibing looked up at her.

“President Shen, do you have time to have dinner together tonight?”

Shen Zhibing raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t you just hear me say on the phone that I have a lot of work to do today?”

Qi Zheng smiled, pointing to her documents. “I can help you share some of your work, so you can free up a little time to have dinner with me.”