Transmigrating Into the Beautiful CEO’s Doomed Substitute - Chapter 38

The Vice President smiled and said to Lin Muyun, “I just told CEO Shen that you’re here. If you don’t mind, would you like to have lunch together?”

Lin Muyun glanced at Qi Zheng from the corner of her eye, seeing no reaction from her, and said calmly, “CEO Shen is too kind.”

Although the invitation came from the Vice President, he wouldn’t dare make such a unilateral decision to have two female CEOs dine together without Shen Zhibing’s implicit approval.

Shen Zhibing was punctual, arriving at the real estate company fifteen minutes later. Having signed the contract with Yongfeng, she was in a good mood and planned to personally visit the real estate company to thank the project team for their hard work during this time.

She also planned to announce the news of Qi Zheng’s transfer to the headquarters. Although HR would follow the formal procedure, Shen Zhibing knew Qi Zheng didn’t want to be talked about behind her back. It would only take a word from her to help Qi Zheng out.

She was surprised to hear that Lin Muyun was also at the real estate company when she called, but Shen Zhibing quickly realized that Lin Muyun’s visit was likely about more than just business; she was probably there for Qi Zheng.

On the day of the graduation ceremony, Shen Zhibing had cut short her business trip and rushed back from Miancheng, planning to take Qi Zheng out to dinner. She didn’t get out of the car but sent her bodyguard into the school to find Qi Zheng. She was surprised to learn that Lin Muyun had also attended the ceremony and spoken with Qi Zheng.

Shen Zhibing hadn’t dwelled on that day’s events; after venting her feelings, she let it go. However, the news of Lin Muyun’s engagement to Lian Ao remained a thorn in her side. It was fine when untouched, but occasionally the thought still brought her significant pain.

“President Lin, long time no see. How is life abroad?” Shen Zhibing took the initiative to greet her upon arrival.

“CEO Shen is still fond of joking. No matter how nice it is abroad, it can’t compare to here. Haicheng is truly the most captivating place.”

“President Lin spent quite some time abroad. I thought you planned to shift your life’s focus there.” Shen Zhibing paused, then continued with a smile, “I was overthinking it. President Lin is about to get engaged; naturally, she’d be even more reluctant to leave Haicheng.”

When the word “engagement” was mentioned, neither Shen Zhibing nor Lin Muyun looked happy. One felt heartbroken, and the other felt a deep sense of tightness in her chest.

But Shen Zhibing bringing it up proactively didn’t align with her usual calm demeanor, making the past rumors between her and Lian Ao seem more plausible. Lin Muyun secretly assessed the situation. Qi Zheng, standing nearby, saw everything clearly.

CEO Shen struggled to maintain her composure, but jealousy and resentment are sometimes difficult to fully control, especially regarding Lian Ao’s fiancée. The status Shen Zhibing had yearned for and struggled for years to attain was effortlessly claimed by Lin Muyun, who now wore a seemingly indifferent, nonchalant expression.

This only heightened Shen Zhibing’s sense of shame and anger. The more outwardly arrogant she was, the more she struggled internally.

Qi Zheng searched for an opportunity to divert CEO Shen from the topic. It was acceptable in the villa where there were no outsiders, but losing her composure in her own company, in front of so many people, was not a good thing.

Shen Zhibing’s gaze shifted to Qi Zheng: “Qi Zheng, come here.”

She then turned to the Vice President and instructed, “The contract signing with Yongfeng went smoothly today. Everyone has worked hard during this period. Such results are inseparable from everyone’s efforts, so we must reward merit; we cannot delay or cut the rewards employees deserve.”

With CEO Shen’s assurance, the Vice President naturally didn’t dare to be negligent. The senior management had already discussed this: “We planned to distribute it with the third-quarter bonuses.”

“I’ve already had the finance department prepare the funds. There’s no need to wait another few months; submit the corresponding performance reports as soon as possible.”

The summer vacation is an expensive time for people with children. This bonus was truly heartening. Shen Zhibing certainly knew how to rally her employees.

Lin Muyun gave a slight smile and complimented, “CEO Shen is truly thoughtful, always considering her employees. No wonder so many people are eager to join Shen’s Corporation.”

“When employees work diligently for the company, the company naturally shouldn’t mistreat them. That’s how cooperation can be long-lasting and stable. Shen’s Corporation never overlooks anyone’s dedication and ability, and Qi Zheng is a prime example.”

The smile on Lin Muyun’s lips stiffened slightly as she heard Shen Zhibing continue, “Although Qi Zheng is an intern, her capabilities have been fully demonstrated. Therefore, after the Yongfeng project concludes, she will officially join the Secretary’s Office at the headquarters.”

Being transferred to the headquarters was already surprising, but going straight into the Secretary’s Office was even more extraordinary. Even those who knew she might have initially been sent to gain experience couldn’t help but change their expressions.

This was clearly not just a simple case of connections; this was a trusted aide, cultivated by CEO Shen and sent down for training.

“CEO Shen is bold and unconventional in her hiring choices, which is a lesson for me. I was a bit limited in my thinking before, which is why I missed out on such a potential star.” Lin Muyun’s eyes were deep and her meaning unclear as she looked at Qi Zheng, “I truly regret losing such a talent.”

Lin Muyun’s words clearly implied more than she was saying, but since she didn’t state it openly, others couldn’t press for details. Shen Zhibing’s mouth twitched, seeing the challenge clearly in Lin Muyun’s eyes.

Lin Muyun, you regret it, so you want to come back and snatch Qi Zheng away?

Shen Zhibing scoffed inwardly, Something already in my hands? You won’t win if you try to take it.

After announcing Qi Zheng’s upcoming transfer to the headquarters, Shen Zhibing and the Vice President went to lunch with Lin Muyun. Even with the sparks flying, she couldn’t refuse to host a visit from a senior executive of the Lin Group.

The business world can sometimes be frustrating; you have to sit down and clink glasses with someone you wish you could destroy.

After the two powerful female CEOs left, Qi Zheng was surrounded. Colleagues who usually didn’t talk much to Qi Zheng all gathered around. It was impossible to keep a low profile now.

“Qi Zheng, don’t forget us when you get to the headquarters. If you get a chance, help us out, alright?”

“All you think about is getting others to help you. Why don’t you go buy a crane and lift yourself up?”

“Go away, what do you know? It helps to have connections in high places. The Secretary’s Office isn’t just any department; it’s the place closest to CEO Shen. Haven’t you heard, sometimes a prime minister isn’t as influential as a personal attendant?”

“Eww, are you saying Little Qi is an attendant?”

“What are you saying…”

Everyone spoke at once, and Qi Zheng couldn’t get a word in properly. Dong Xiao endured it for a while before chasing them all away. Once everyone was gone, he sat down, sullenly drinking water.

“What’s wrong?” Qi Zheng noticed Dong Xiao seemed preoccupied, a very heavy kind of preoccupation.

“Nothing, I’m happy for you.” Dong Xiao unconsciously put the cup lid on, took it off, and repeated the action.

Qi Zheng’s interaction with Dong Xiao was limited to their work on the project team, but she occasionally heard bits and pieces from other team members’ teasing.

“Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Give yourself some time.”

Dong Xiao frowned, then sighed after a moment: “I’m already over thirty-five, and my career still hasn’t made a breakthrough. I finally made it into the project team, thinking it would add something to my resume. Now it seems all I’ll get is the bonus.”

Everyone in the team would receive the corresponding bonus, but not everyone would have a chance for promotion in their job performance review, as vacancies become fewer the higher you go. This time, Dong Xiao’s hope for a promotion was dashed again; his performance in the team wasn’t outstanding.

“Just do your best. One result doesn’t define all future outcomes.”

Qi Zheng could only offer encouragement. Dong Xiao truly wasn’t the type with exceptional ability. Moreover, he lacked a distinct personality, always trying to avoid offending people, but gradually, he lost his own style.

But this wasn’t something formed overnight or something that could be changed quickly. Qi Zheng had no intention of using her own experience to guide others; everyone has their own path, and she couldn’t change anything.

After work, Shen Zhibing called Qi Zheng, simply telling her to return to the villa on time.

Dinner was normal, and Shen Zhibing appeared no different than usual. But Qi Zheng felt she was slightly odd, especially after having lunch with Lin Muyun; it was impossible for her to be completely unaffected.

“Do you have any plans tonight?”

Qi Zheng shook her head. No plans. With the project finally over, she wanted a good night’s sleep.

“Then come to my room.”

No work? What would they do? Qi Zheng was full of doubt and wasn’t eager to go.

“Did seeing Lin Muyun make you unwilling to even come to my room?”

Sure enough, CEO Shen is still not herself, just better at concealing it.

The calmer Shen Zhibing appeared, the more nervous she made people about her next move. In the original novel, after Lian Ao decided to get engaged, Shen Zhibing went down a path of dark distortion, never to return. Lian Ao’s lies and perpetually broken promises became the catalyst that repeatedly tormented her, and the original owner became the sacrificial lamb in Shen Zhibing’s descent into darkness.

Fortunately, CEO Shen was still relatively normal for the moment, but Qi Zheng didn’t dare to be complacent. Lin Muyun’s provocation couldn’t have had no effect on her, but why did CEO Shen call her over?

She and Lin Muyun are not involved anymore.

The door closed, and Shen Zhibing’s emotions slowly became apparent. It was as if only in this room did she feel comfortable and safe enough to reveal her true self slightly.

“Qi Zheng, are you and Lin Muyun truly over?”

“Yes.”

“She told me very frankly today that she won’t just hand you over.”

“She’s confused, CEO Shen. Don’t be misled. Besides, she’s already engaged. Continuing to pester me won’t do her any good.”

Shen Zhibing smiled, devoid of warmth: “You clearly do care about her engagement.”

Qi Zheng sighed inwardly, The one who cares about the engagement is you, CEO Shen.

Shen Zhibing was very frustrated but didn’t know what to do. Only with Qi Zheng could she act this way.

However, just as she was about to resort to her old habits, she was embraced.

“You… what are you doing?!”

Qi Zheng was helpless but had to do it: “CEO Shen, I know you’re upset right now, but I don’t want you to bite me again.”

Shen Zhibing was not used to being treated this way and struggled noticeably, but Qi Zheng didn’t let go.

“CEO Shen, I’m not a tool for your release. Clear your head!”

She wasn’t the original owner. Even after signing that demeaning contract, she couldn’t numb herself into accepting it. After interacting with Shen Zhibing, she felt that the other party wasn’t like Lin Muyun—CEO Shen could still be saved.

Shen Zhibing stopped struggling. She wanted to mock her coldly as she had in the past, wanted to remind Qi Zheng of that contract, but the words caught in her throat. She couldn’t seem to say them.

“If something is bothering you, you can talk to me. Maybe I can’t solve it for you, but I can listen, and I’ll keep your secrets.” Qi Zheng said gently, “But I’m a person, not a doll. If you’re willing, I can be your listener, but I cannot accept your arbitrary treatment.”

Shen Zhibing seemed to come to a realization, leaning against Qi Zheng, utterly drained. Qi Zheng’s words nearly sapped her strength. The words she had suppressed in her heart for so long were finally on the verge of bursting out.

“I… I really am unhappy, very unhappy.”

Shen Zhibing stared blankly at the carpet. Its exquisite pattern failed to attract her, blurring into a messy knot, like the chaotic threads in her heart.

“Don’t always keep unhappy things bottled up. Even the worst things fade with time.”

Shen Zhibing looked up, her eyes meeting Qi Zheng’s, searching for a reason in her eyes to allow herself to be vulnerable.

“Qi Zheng, have you ever tried loving someone for a very, very long time?”

Qi Zheng looked at CEO Shen at that moment, who was completely different from the sharp, lightning-fast CEO she had seen facing Lin Muyun that morning.

“I have, but I’ve forgotten.”

Shen Zhibing naturally assumed she was talking about Lin Muyun. She paused, then murmured, “Can a person you’ve loved for a very long time really be forgotten?”

“If you want to forget, if you want freedom, then you naturally can. People’s ability to forget is actually very great. Often, what you think is a good memory is only because you are unwilling to forget.”