Transmigrating Into the Beautiful CEO’s Doomed Substitute - Chapter 36

The atmosphere shifted from good to bad, but this was a rare opportunity, and Qi Zheng couldn’t let it pass. She took the chance to continue: “I know the original intention of the contract you signed with me wasn’t for those things. Since some matters might lose their meaning, why not find a perfect solution before they completely sour?”

“The penalty for breach of contract is very high, a sum you can’t reach with just your salary. Even if you officially join Shen’s company, you might not be able to earn that much in the short term.”

“I understand. That’s why I want to ask for a commission agreement from President Shen.”

Shen Zhibing had never heard of anyone in the secretarial office asking for a commission. She scoffed, “Commission is the job of the Sales Department. Don’t be so presumptuous just because I praised you a moment ago.”

“If a project I’m involved in succeeds, and President Shen acknowledges my contribution, then I want that commission. Conversely, I won’t ask for a single penny more than my salary.”

Qi Zheng’s ability isn’t bad. She needs more experience in some areas, but given enough opportunities, she’ll definitely be more outstanding in the future. This is a point Shen Zhibing and Yun Fei both agree on. Even the project team leader openly said Qi Zheng was the fastest-improving intern he’d ever seen.

Shen’s company never buries the talents of capable employees, so Qi Zheng would naturally be no exception.

“Fine. I’ll give you one year, and the commission method will be as you described. If you can’t earn the compensation amount, then don’t bring up the matter of contract termination again. For the three-year term, you must wait it out.”

The sudden downturn in her relationship with Lian Ao was something Shen Zhibing hadn’t expected. She had originally planned to retreat step by step, using Qi Zheng as a surrogate to occasionally vent her uncontrollable personal urges. Now, however, her pain hadn’t lessened, but it wasn’t as unbearable as she had first thought.

She could slowly reduce her desire to see Lian Ao, and she could restrain herself from genuinely not seeing him. But a relationship built over years can’t be abandoned overnight. Fortunately, she could still immerse herself in work, and she could occasionally vent her feelings on Qi Zheng.

“Time is almost up. We should go back.” Shen Zhibing’s gentle demeanor was fleeting. In just a few minutes, she reverted to the reserved and aloof President Shen.

Before leaving, Yun Fei had neatly categorized all the files that needed processing. When Shen Zhibing returned to the office, she could see everything at a glance. Qi Zheng was unfamiliar with Shen’s company’s other projects, so she proactively took the Yongfeng materials.

Shen Zhibing casually reminded her, “In fact, the Yongfeng matter is largely settled, but to be safe, and for the sake of other possibilities in the future, you still need to be extra careful.”

She and Qi Zheng had previously deduced that Yongfeng was being held through a nominee, but until now, the capital behind it has yet to make a statement or an appearance. President Le had hinted at a desire for deeper future cooperation with Shen’s company, which further confirmed their speculation.

“I’m actually quite looking forward to seeing what kind of person the boss behind Yongfeng is.”

The corner of Shen Zhibing’s mouth curled slightly, her gaze fixed on the document: “Once you have more experience, you’ll know there’s nothing to look forward to.”

“Not even bigger projects and greater profits are worth looking forward to?”

Shen Zhibing looked up and glanced at her: “You can never earn all the money in the world. The bigger the money, the harder it is to earn.”

In business experience, Qi Zheng couldn’t compare to Shen Zhibing, and she gracefully conceded: “President Shen is absolutely right. Caution is best.”

Shen Zhibing barely interrupted Qi Zheng, nor did she question whether Qi Zheng was capable of handling all the Yongfeng documents. Although Qi Zheng had always completed reports in cooperation with others, her understanding of Yongfeng was no less than anyone else’s.

Shen Zhibing finished signing the last document that needed to be processed. It was almost ten o’clock.

“Is everything done?”

“It’s settled. Does President Shen want to take a final look?”

“Just leave it for now. I’ll read it on the way to the real estate company tomorrow.”

The two were packing up to leave when Yun Fei suddenly called Shen Zhibing.

“President Shen, I apologize for bothering you so late. The media has just received the publicity draft, jointly released by Shiqun and the Lin family.”

The names of these two families had been mentioned frequently in business circles recently. Hearing Yun Fei’s urgent, yet worried, tone, Shen Zhibing immediately guessed what the news was.

“Go on.”

“Mr. Lian and Miss Lin will be officially engaged soon. Tonight was the meeting day for the two families to discuss the matter, and the media has already captured photos.”

There was no need to ask who Mr. Lian and Miss Lin were; Shen Zhibing knew very well.

Thinking back to the call earlier, where he was so eager to see her today, a sudden chill filled her heart. Sharp pain and bitterness instantly overwhelmed her.

Shen Zhibing’s knuckles gripping the phone turned white, but her voice was still as calm as ever: “I understand. Send the draft to my phone later.”

Yun Fei paused, hesitatingly asking, “President Shen, are you alright?”

This was the first time she had ever dared to probe Shen Zhibing’s vulnerability. Precisely because she understood the persistence and tolerance of the President over the years, she felt even more distressed and worried.

“I’m fine. After you send it, you should also rest early. There’s no need to follow up on this news.”

Seeing President Shen’s cold demeanor, Yun Fei wisely hung up.

A minute later, Shen Zhibing received the news draft on her phone, which was almost an eyesore.

The text was short, every word ordinary, yet its destructive power was immense.

Qi Zheng didn’t know what had happened, only that President Shen’s mood instantly dropped to rock bottom, and even her walking became slow and difficult.

“Are you feeling unwell?” Qi Zheng reached out to help her but was stopped by Shen Zhibing’s raised hand.

“I’m fine.” She lowered her gaze, her voice dejected, completely lacking the assertiveness and pride from her call: “I’m just tired.”

Yes, she was tired. Even the deepest affection couldn’t withstand such tearing. Shen Zhibing could overlook Lian Ao’s on-again, off-again attitude, but she couldn’t tolerate him poaching business behind her back, and she absolutely could not accept him deciding to get engaged without telling her.

What did he see her as? What did their years together even amount to?

“Qi Zheng, I don’t want to go back.”

They were almost at the parking lot when Shen Zhibing suddenly stopped. She felt awful and wanted to vent, but couldn’t find a way.

“What exactly is wrong? If you keep it bottled up, no one can help you.”

Qi Zheng vaguely guessed it was a relationship issue, but she wasn’t sure of the specifics.

“I’m not used to talking to others about this, and I don’t know how to express it.” Shen Zhibing sighed deeply, “Some things can’t even be said.”

Her relationship with Lian Ao was destined from the start to be unexposed, forever just a dark memory.

Seeing that she didn’t want to talk, Qi Zheng didn’t press her. Her hand remained in the air, without touching Shen Zhibing.

“Where does President Shen want to go?”

Shen Zhibing’s gaze was desolate. Her chest felt tight, as if blocked by something. She looked at Qi Zheng, trying to find that reflection of the man she loved, hated, and resented in her eyes, but found nothing.

She realized that at some point, Qi Zheng no longer resembled Lian Ao—not even her involuntary frown was the same.

She couldn’t say if it was disappointment or relief, but Shen Zhibing was able to look at Qi Zheng more openly.

“I just want to find a place to vent. Give me a suggestion.”

Qi Zheng wasn’t sure what method she preferred, and while she was thinking, Shen Zhibing added, “Give me a good suggestion, and I’ll give you a personal bonus.”

Qi Zheng smiled and shook her head, then told the driver an address.

After about half an hour of driving, Qi Zheng made a phone call to someone in the car, asking roughly if they were still open and until what time.

Shen Zhibing remained silent, staring out the window, allowing Qi Zheng to make the arrangements.

Upon reaching the destination, Shen Zhibing’s face darkened when she saw the flashing lightbox outside the shop and the graphic of a pair of boxing gloves.

“You brought me here to fight?”

“It’s a great way to vent. You can try it.”

“No. It would be too troublesome if someone saw me.”

Shen Zhibing never expected Qi Zheng to bring her to such a place. If people saw CEO Shen in a sports tank top beating a sandbag to the point of collapse, there would be no shortage of news tomorrow.

“Don’t worry, I’ve already booked the venue.”

That’s what Qi Zheng’s phone call in the car had been about.

Shen Zhibing followed her inside. The owner wasn’t there, and the staff member watching the place said they had received the owner’s call and were specifically waiting for them.

Qi Zheng then pointed to the changing room: “Let’s go change first. There are brand new sportswear inside.”

Shen Zhibing asked skeptically, “You’re very familiar with this place?”

She hadn’t known Qi Zheng had a violent streak.

Qi Zheng gave an awkward smile. She wasn’t familiar, but the original owner was. Lin Muyun and her friends used to enjoy these things. They played rougher, hiring people to fight in front of them for sensory stimulation.

Qi Zheng had come twice herself when she was stressed from rushing reports a while ago, and it felt pretty good.

“Don’t reject new things. If you really don’t like it, we can leave later.”

Shen Zhibing was tired of drinking alone in her room. Over the years, she had endured too many times of suffering silently and quietly processing the pain. Since she was here, she might as well try.

The sandbag was heavy. Shen Zhibing struggled to gain momentum at first, but once she got the hang of it, she couldn’t stop.

Qi Zheng watched with her arms crossed behind her, thinking that if Lian Ao’s photo were pasted on the sandbag, President Shen might be able to punch it for a day and a night. After all, Lian Ao was such a scoundrel in the original novel, and Shen Zhibing was so hopelessly devoted, always being fooled by his sweet talk time and time again.

It was almost eleven o’clock when Lin Muyun suddenly called Qi Zheng.

“Xiao Zheng, are you busy?”

Qi Zheng answered coolly, “Yes.”

Lin Muyun paused, then said, “I have something I want to talk to you about. Do you have time?”

“If I say no, will you hang up?”

Lin Muyun’s voice sounded a little wronged, and she choked up: “Xiao Zheng, please don’t be so harsh. Don’t treat me like this.”

Qi Zheng rolled her eyes in exasperation and said impatiently, “What exactly do you want from me?”

The other end of the line was silent for a moment, then Lin Muyun slowly said, “I’m getting engaged.”

Qi Zheng responded quickly: “Congratulations.”

Her gaze fell back on Shen Zhibing. No wonder the President was so unusual tonight; the engagement news was confirmed.

She knew this plot twist. Lian Ao would definitely promise her repeatedly that it was the family’s will, and he was only doing it for family duty, with absolutely no change of heart.

However, what surprised her was that the President didn’t look for Lian Ao tonight, nor would she see him, so how was he supposed to prove his sincerity?

“Xiao Zheng, I don’t want this, but you know my family’s situation. It’s impossible for us to be public, but I…”

“Miss Lin, do you have a bad memory? There’s nothing between us anymore, so it’s inappropriate for you to say such things. You should respect your fiancé, respect yourself, and even more, respect me.”

Lin Muyun was clearly getting angry, and her voice was no longer subdued. She had been sufficiently aggrieved at the family meeting tonight.

“Xiao Zheng, what exactly are you upset about? I told you from the start that I couldn’t give you a title, and you were willing to accept it. I admit that leaving was my fault back then, but now that I’m back, are you really not going to give me a single chance?”

Qi Zheng frowned, sensing that something was off with Lin Muyun. She knew that according to the plot, Lin Muyun would indeed get entangled with the original owner again after returning to the country, but that was based on the original owner’s deep love for Lin Muyun and unconditional belief in her lies. However, she was not the original owner.

Weren’t her cold words and harsh attitude clear enough?

Why was Lin Muyun still clinging to her? This made Qi Zheng pay extra attention, as someone with Miss Lin’s temper would absolutely not be motivated by lingering feelings for an old flame.

“Xiao Zheng, are you still listening? Give me a chance to explain. I don’t want to lose you so easily, and I don’t want to let you go again.”

This might have worked on the original owner, but it didn’t move Qi Zheng at all; in fact, it annoyed her.

“Put away your affection. What’s past is past.”

“A broken mirror can be put back together!”

A distant memory was stirred in Qi Zheng, and her tone grew even more indifferent: “Even if it’s mended, it’s still a crack. And I don’t like cracks.”