Transmigrating Into the Beautiful CEO’s Doomed Substitute - Chapter 4

Old Yu originally intended to drop Qi Zhen directly at the school gate, stopping at the spot where Shen Zhibing usually waited for her. However, Qi Zhen called him to stop early, insisting on stopping 800 meters away.

Old Yu obviously felt awkward and didn’t unlock the car door. Qi Zhen knew what he was worried about and reassured him, saying, “Don’t worry. It’s such a small thing—if you don’t mention it and I don’t mention it, who would know?”

“But President Shen…”

“President Shen won’t care about these things. She’s not going to be counting how many steps I walk after getting out of the car.”

It made sense; someone like Shen Zhibing, whose time was as valuable as gold, really wouldn’t bother.

However, if Shen Zhibing ever found out, Old Yu would certainly be considered negligent.

After all, working under President Shen required perfection—no shortcuts, no carelessness, no half-hearted effort.

“Miss Qi, this is my first time driving you to school. Let me at least take you to the gate today. In the future, if you want to get out early, I will agree.”

Since Old Yu said that, Qi Zhen didn’t want to trouble him. After all, he was just doing his job—there was no need to make things difficult for someone trying to earn a living.

A Bentley parked outside the school wasn’t particularly unusual, and having a professional driver open the door wasn’t the first time people had seen it, but the person stepping out was Qi Zhen, which surprised the counselor who had just bought some skewers outside.

The rumor that Qi Zhen had a well-connected friend had long been public knowledge. Back when Lin Muyun hadn’t gone abroad, she sometimes gave Qi Zhen a ride. But Lin Muyun was flamboyant, driving eye-catching sports cars. Today’s car didn’t seem like her style.

The counselor watched from a distance. Seeing Qi Zhen walk alone into campus without lingering, the car passed by the road in front of her. She took an extra glance—other than the driver, no one else was inside.

It had been a long time since anyone saw Qi Zhen socializing with others. Most of the time, she stayed in her dorm, uninterested in job hunting. The counselor never really worried about her; with a friend who could afford a limited-edition sports car, who would doubt she could find a job? Yet when other students were already submitting employment agreements, Qi Zhen had done nothing.

Back in her dorm, Qi Zhen flopped her backpack aside and leaned against the chair, feeling exhausted. Even though she had a private car both ways and had received a so-called unlimited black card, she couldn’t feel happy at all.

Having visited Shen Zhibing’s villa, received her card, and ridden in her car, their relationship was now inseparable. Every time she thought of the damn “love contract,” Qi Zhen wanted to give her original self a good beating.

At that moment, the counselor suddenly called. Qi Zhen paused for a moment before answering.

“Qi Zhen, sorry to bother you. I wanted to ask how your job search is going?”

The counselor’s voice remained patient and gentle, though Qi Zhen could imagine the inner anxiety.

“Oh, I went to an interview today.”

The other end of the line sounded excited, implicitly asking, “How did it go?”

“Just so-so.”

“What kind of company is it? If you’re not too familiar, I can help you gather information and analyze it.”

Qi Zhen sighed—her counselor cared more about her job search than she did.

“It’s the Shen Group.”

“Which branch of Shen Group?” The counselor obviously knew Shen Group, not just by reputation—most of the university’s top graduates aimed for it.

Although headquartered in Haicheng, Shen Group had subsidiaries across the country, and several locally independent operations. Any position there was highly desirable.

“Probably the headquarters.”

Qi Zhen recalled Shen Zhibing’s cold face and the constant emphasis on “President Shen,” and she wasn’t feeling positive about the Shen Group.

The counselor, on the other hand, couldn’t believe it.

“Qi Zhen, you’re not joking, right? You actually went to interview at Shen Group headquarters? I’ve never heard of them hiring undergraduates directly.”

Qi Zhen just wanted to end the call quickly, fearing the counselor might get overexcited and show up in person to guide her.

The counselor’s pace picked up: “Who interviewed you today?”

Although undergraduates rarely got in, many outstanding alumni from Haida had positions there. Every school anniversary, a few would return to give talks, maybe even provide internal recommendations.

If Qi Zhen became the first undergraduate to be hired at Shen Group headquarters, it would be a milestone, not just a simple employment statistic.

Thinking of Shen Zhibing’s cold face, Qi Zhen exhaled lightly: “President Shen.”

There was silence on the other end.

“Are you sure? I heard the VP of HR is also named Shen, so maybe it’s just President Shen, not the CEO.”

Qi Zhen knew the counselor wouldn’t believe her, so she clarified fully: “I’m not mistaken. The person who met me today is indeed President Shen—Shen Zhibing.”

Now there was no ambiguity. Shen Zhibing’s name was famous in Haicheng, especially at Haida University’s Finance Department.

The counselor was stunned, still unsure but wanting confirmation: “So, the Bentley that drove you back—was it also from President Shen?”

Qi Zhen frowned—it had indeed been noticed.

“It was her car.”

Shen Zhibing was that strong-willed—what she said was effectively an order, leaving no room for negotiation. Qi Zhen also knew that the Bentley would frequently appear near Haida and eventually be seen by more people.

Rather than letting people gossip, it was better to come up with a plausible explanation. Though it sounded pretentious, the world was full of surprises—maybe someone would believe it.

Sure enough, the counselor seemed to believe it somewhat.

“No wonder you’ve always been so calm and unhurried. I knew you had a big move up your sleeve,” the counselor said, finally relieved. If Qi Zhen could join Shen Group headquarters, there was no need for other interviews.

No other company could compare to Shen Group headquarters, especially being personally interviewed by the president and even having a car sent back. Such treatment was unimaginable to most.

Qi Zhen usually went unnoticed at school, but her friend had influence. Cultivating a good relationship might even create opportunities for other graduates from Haida.

“It’s late. I won’t disturb you. If you have time tomorrow, come to my office so we can discuss the interview properly.”

Qi Zhen checked the time—before seven. Not exactly late.

“I have other plans tomorrow. Can we…”

“No problem, you go ahead. Come when you’re free,” the counselor said earnestly, “The economic environment has been tough these years, and jobs are scarce. This opportunity is rare—you should seize it!”

Qi Zhen felt trapped. Being “cared for” like this was rare, indeed, but she didn’t want it.

After ending the call, Qi Zhen pulled out a pack of instant noodles for dinner. She was already full from the afternoon snacks at Shen Zhibing’s villa.

There weren’t many people left in her dorm, and occasional footsteps in the hallway quickly faded. Qi Zhen enjoyed the quiet, eating noodles while watching videos.

Suddenly, the dorm door opened, startling her.

Jiang Youyou returned—she had said goodbye at noon but came back at night.

“You suddenly came back?”

Jiang Youyou looked completely different from noon, head down, eyes red.

She threw her bag on the floor and casually pulled over a chair to sit. “Dumped. No place to go.”

Qi Zhen recalled the story: Jiang Youyou had a boyfriend in the International Trade Department. They met during military training in university and had been dating for almost four years.

“Why did you break up just like that?”

Jiang Youyou sneered. “If I hadn’t gone back early, I wouldn’t have caught it.”

Judging by her tone, she had probably caught him cheating. Looking at her, there were no marks on her face or hands—fortunately, she hadn’t fought.

“No explanation from him?”

“Explain what? I’m not blind. Even if he did, I wouldn’t believe it.”

Her anger hadn’t faded; her eyes were red. But she was strong—this relationship was no longer worth it.

Qi Zhen handed her a tissue. “Unfortunate, but at the same time, congratulations—you don’t have to live with trash anymore.”

“You’re right. Before leaving, I gave each of them a slap.” Jiang Youyou’s mouth curved into a satisfied grin.

Qi Zhen made her a bowl of noodles as well. Jiang Youyou decided to stay the night, though she had already packed her things—now only Qi Zhen’s bed was available.

She requested to share the bed for one night. Qi Zhen thought for a moment and proposed a trade: “I heard your family are lawyers? I have a contract question I want to consult you about.”