Transmigrating Into the Beautiful CEO’s Doomed Substitute - Chapter 42

An engagement is, after all, different from a marriage, and the requirements for interaction between the protagonists are also much lower. After Lian Ao and Lin Muyun successively spoke of the importance and hope they placed on this relationship, they proceeded directly to the next segment.

Qi Zheng looked at the very well-matched couple on the stage, hands clasped, pouring champagne, and estimated that the ceremony was more than halfway through, but there was still no sign of improvement in Shen Zhibing’s mood.

“General Manager Shen, could you lighten up a bit?” Qi Zheng gritted her teeth, asking softly.

Shen Zhibing was oblivious. Although she appeared calm and composed on the surface, her mind was already muddled and lost inside, making her unable to effectively register external factors.

Qi Zheng had a similar experience and could understand Shen Zhibing’s feelings. But if she kept holding on, Qi Zheng wouldn’t be able to work tomorrow.

Qi Zheng stretched out her other hand and wrapped it around Shen Zhibing’s hand: “Relax, it’s not a big deal.”

It wasn’t until Lian Ao led Lin Muyun off the stage to change clothes that Shen Zhibing’s tightly strung nerves slowly relaxed. She suddenly realized that her hand was encircled by Qi Zheng’s and felt a little displeased.

“Why are you holding my hand?”

“You were gripping my hand so tightly, I was just trying to save myself.”

Shen Zhibing immediately let go, and Qi Zheng finally regained her freedom.

People at the same table seized the opportunity to strike up a conversation with Shen Zhibing, naturally wanting to talk about business.

“General Manager Shen, there was fierce competition between Shen Shi and Shiqun over the Yongfeng project a while ago. We thought you wouldn’t come today.”

“Business is business, it doesn’t affect the friendship between our two families. Moreover, Grandpa specifically instructed that invitations from the Lian and Lin families must not be slighted or treated discourteously.”

“Such good grace, indeed. I heard that Shen Shi is interested in developing new areas and is also interested in cryptocurrency?”

Shen Zhibing had occasionally heard such rumors. Cryptocurrency has been very popular in recent years, and a department head had made a suggestion, but it was vetoed by the board of directors.

“That’s just a rumor. Shen Shi focuses more on traditional industries.”

Shen Zhibing didn’t want to talk about business at all tonight. Every time she attended a social function, the group of people surrounding her would talk about business but always stare at her face. Shen Zhibing was annoyed but had to muster up her spirits to deal with these people, as none of the people at her table tonight were easy to offend.

Since Qi Zheng took her seat, others had been looking at her intentionally or unintentionally. Since Shen Zhibing didn’t specifically introduce her, they didn’t feel comfortable asking directly. Now that they had been sitting together for a while, the atmosphere became lively, and seeing the good interaction between Qi Zheng and Shen Zhibing, they voiced their previous doubts.

“Which distinguished guest did General Manager Shen bring today? We haven’t seen her much before. Might she be a young lady from a good family who has just returned after finishing her studies?”

Most of these people did not recognize Qi Zheng as the employee from General Manager Le’s son’s birthday party, or perhaps they had a vague impression but weren’t sure it was the same person.

“Her name is Qi Zheng, and she works in my secretarial office.”

So that was it. She was indeed a Shen Shi employee.

Someone was not willing to give up easily and remarked, “To be able to enter the secretarial office so young is truly formidable. Shen Shi is quick to act, snatching up good talent as soon as they emerge.”

During the annual campus recruitment, Shen Shi always received the most resumes. Many employees in other companies were also eager to jump ship after gaining experience, which forced other bosses to be wary.

“There is a lot of talent. Shen Shi won’t compete with you all for anything; it’s just a mutual selection.”

Shen Zhibing was not an overly modest person in the business world. Shen Shi’s strength was apparent, and so was her ability. She was not arrogant but not timid either, otherwise, those people would have swarmed in and eaten her alive.

Sensing Shen Zhibing’s intention to protect Qi Zheng, they also refrained from probing further. Qi Zheng, working in the secretarial office. These two pieces of information were enough; they could go back and investigate the rest themselves.

After the ceremony ended, the banquet became much more relaxed. Lian Ao and Lin Muyun began to toast each table in turn. Shen Zhibing had already drunk several glasses and her cheeks were slightly flushed.

“General Manager Shen, I’ll go and get you another glass.”

Shen Zhibing glanced at the two people not far away, estimating that it wouldn’t be long before they reached their table.

“It’s just one glass of wine; I can handle it.”

When Shen Zhibing was stubborn, no one could persuade her. Qi Zheng sighed faintly. Drink it, then. You won’t be normal tonight anyway. Qi Zheng had already prepared for the worst.

Lin Muyun’s deep gaze arrived before she did. The two protagonists finally raised their glasses to this table. Lian Ao and Lin Muyun stayed close, toasting with very synchronized movements.

“Truly a beautiful couple. A strong alliance in the future will be another fine story in the business world.”

“Young Master Lian Ao was so quiet about it, but when he made his move, it was a sure winner, breaking the hearts of a few young nieces in my family.”

This was said in jest, but a few other CEOs echoed it, showing that the news of Lian Ao’s engagement had indeed hurt many people in the elite circle.

Shen Zhibing didn’t laugh, just curled her lips, finding it ironic.

I am the one whose heart is broken into pieces, yet I have to pretend to be fine and listen to your compliments and jests here.

Lian Ao didn’t dare to look at Shen Zhibing openly, but his gaze fell on her a few times, intentionally or unintentionally. The group of old bosses were all sharp, and of course, they noticed it.

“Young Master Lian Ao will have to settle down now. With Miss Lin by your side, you can’t be fickle anymore.”

Lian Ao’s expression changed slightly, but he maintained his composure: “Uncle Qin, you’re joking.”

The Qin family had always disliked Lian Ao, so they had told their family members early on not to entertain any ideas about him.

“Your fiancée is right beside you, why are you always looking at General Manager Shen? General Manager Shen is beautiful, but our Muyun is not bad either.”

They were all children of prominent families, and to some extent, they had watched them grow up. No matter how displeased Lian Ao was, he couldn’t openly talk back, so he awkwardly explained, “I was just worried that the hospitality tonight might be inadequate and that I had slighted everyone. General Manager Shen hasn’t spoken all this time, and I wanted to ask if there was anything amiss.”

Shen Zhibing hadn’t interjected just now, but Lian Ao’s explanation was a bit far-fetched. Fortunately, Lin Muyun didn’t take offense.

Her attention had been on Qi Zheng. She had seen her the moment she arrived tonight. Her former canary, whom she had pampered and delicately cared for with countless amounts of money, had never shone as brightly as she did today.

Lin Muyun recognized the dress Qi Zheng was wearing. She had liked it when it was first launched, but it wasn’t her style. Friends around her had also mentioned this design, but no one could pull it off.

Tonight, Qi Zheng was special. Standing there without saying a word, she was enough to make Lin Muyun’s heart flutter.

It used to be five points, now it reached eight points. Lin Muyun found that ever since she met Qi Zheng again, her heart had been out of control, wanting to see her, to see her again.

Until tonight, she stood on the stage, arm in arm with Lian Ao, yet her emotions were stirred by the person below the stage. Even putting aside the past, tonight’s Qi Zheng was enough to make her fall in love at first sight.

Lin Muyun suddenly felt lucky that her marriage with Lian Ao was an agreement. It would be a tragedy if she suddenly discovered she truly liked women on the eve of her marriage.

The wine glasses clinked, making a pleasing sound. Shen Zhibing remained aloof, merely offering a simple “Congratulations,” and Lian Ao just responded with a “Thank you.”

When Lin Muyun tilted her head back to drink, she was still looking at Qi Zheng, so much so that even Shen Zhibing noticed.

They didn’t stay at this table for long and moved on to the next one.

Qi Zheng, fearing that Shen Zhibing might not be stable, subtly reached out and supported her back.

“I’m not that weak. Even if I were to lose it, it wouldn’t be now.”

Shen Zhibing gave her a meaningful look: “Your outfit tonight is very eye-catching.”

Since she brought Qi Zheng tonight, she had received such attention more than once. But Lin Muyun’s almost blatant provocation still angered Shen Zhibing.

Qi Zheng was helpless: “General Manager Shen, I came according to your request.”

Shen Zhibing snorted softly: “I told you to dress more maturely, not to come here and seduce others.”

Qi Zheng began to miss the General Manager Shen who was serious about contract research in the office, and who was even stern.

The banquet was nearing its end, and Shen Zhibing had drunk a lot of wine, but she wasn’t drunk.

“I’m going to the restroom. We’ll leave soon after.”

“Do you need me to go with you?”

“No need. You wait for me here obediently.” Shen Zhibing left with her small handbag, and Qi Zheng finally felt the relief of nearing the end of work.

This kind of socializing was much harder than working overtime, and without overtime pay, it was truly a thankless effort.

The bosses at the table had long dispersed, and Qi Zheng sat alone, which she quite enjoyed.

Someone suddenly sat down beside her. The scent was different from Shen Zhibing’s perfume. Before Qi Zheng could see who it was, she heard a sweet voice: “Xiao Zheng.”

Lin Muyun was really haunting. Didn’t she have more socializing to do? Why would she suddenly come here?

Qi Zheng managed a forced, formal smile: “Miss Lin, hello.”

“Must you be so distant with me? I call you Xiao Zheng, but you call me Miss Lin. It makes it seem like I’ve mistaken you for someone else.”

Tonight, Lin Muyun was strikingly beautiful, but Qi Zheng didn’t like this style. She always felt that beauty with too much makeup was unreal.

“We are not close enough to call each other by our first names.”

Lin Muyun’s tolerance was better than before, and she was mentally prepared for Qi Zheng’s resistance. After all, it was her engagement tonight. No matter how much Qi Zheng still missed the old relationship, she wouldn’t show affection to her on this occasion.

“Xiao Zheng, whether I’m engaged or married, it doesn’t represent my true feelings. I won’t genuinely commit to this relationship either. Will you believe me?”

Lin Muyun sounded more earnest than in the past, genuinely hoping that Qi Zheng could trust her.

However, Qi Zheng’s smile faded slightly. She was unmoved by such a declaration.

The original owner might have yearned for this before, but she didn’t need it.

“There’s no need for us to explain these things anymore. Your choice of who to marry is your freedom. I won’t interfere, nor will I care. So, Miss Lin doesn’t need to explain so much to me. I’m just an attendee who came to observe the ceremony.”

Lin Muyun sneered: “Shen Zhibing brought you, didn’t she? Where is she? She left you here and went off to enjoy herself, and you’re still obediently waiting.”

Qi Zheng thought of General Manager Shen, who had been struggling all evening, and suddenly found Lin Muyun’s sarcasm very annoying.

“What General Manager Shen is like has nothing to do with you.”

Lin Muyun grew angrier when she heard Qi Zheng actually defending Shen Zhibing.

“How good are the conditions she offered that make you so devoted? Xiao Zheng, you’re just a pawn she’s using against me. Don’t be fooled by her!”

In her desperation, Lin Muyun even reached out to hold Qi Zheng’s hand. In the past, Qi Zheng loved intertwining her fingers with hers and holding her hand. But Lin Muyun never allowed her to do so in public, saying it would cause trouble if people saw it.

Qi Zheng subtly evaded her, picked up the wine glass in front of her, and took a light sip: “With so many people around, Miss Lin should pay more attention to appearances. It would be troublesome if someone saw.”

Lin Muyun was stunned and said faintly, “Xiao Zheng, you still remember those past things.”