Transmigrating Into the Beautiful CEO’s Doomed Substitute - Chapter 46

Eric’s calf injury was not too serious, but Shen Zhibing insisted on coming to the hospital, which made him laugh and cry at the same time.

“I say, President Shen, what’s the point of you abandoning a business worth tens of millions to come and see my broken leg?”

Shen Zhibing sat by Eric’s hospital bed and only relaxed her expression after hearing the doctor’s report.

“You got hurt helping me with my work, how could I possibly ignore you?”

“Just pay the money, no need to come in person. You doing this makes me feel like I have to throw in some extra information to repay your thoughtfulness.”

He still had the mood to joke, indicating that the injury was indeed not severe. Shen Zhibing was used to Eric’s style and was not angered by his casual tone. On the contrary, Eric reminded her of the happy and carefree days she spent studying abroad.

Eric adjusted his posture, hissed softly as he touched his wound, and then meticulously recounted the day’s events. Shen Zhibing listened attentively and asked him, “Qi Zheng’s father went to the construction site to demand back pay?”

Eric showed no sympathy for Qi’s father, saying, “I checked. When this person was young, he was addicted to gambling and even lost a stable job at a state-owned enterprise. Then his wife left, his daughter ignored him, and he wandered around living hand-to-mouth. His luck has never been good; occasionally he makes a little money, only to be swindled by a woman. In short, he’s always been in extreme need of money.”

Shen Zhibing generally knew that Qi Zheng’s family situation was poor. Lin Muyun had also told her that Qi Zheng chose to be with her because of money. When she first sought Qi Zheng’s cooperation, Shen Zhibing had investigated her background and knew that her family was small and their relationships simple.

However, the sudden reappearance of this gambling father was still unsettling.

“Then why did Qi Youtian return to Haicheng?”

“I looked into it. He previously didn’t dare to return because he owed a huge gambling debt, which someone paid off completely a few years ago. Now, he’s accumulated a number of small debts elsewhere, and his return to Haicheng is probably to escape, and he’s hoping to rely on his daughter again to get back on his feet.”

Shen Zhibing subtly frowned. “Again?”

“You should know why Lin Muyun was able to get Qi Zheng before, right? It was because Qi Youtian’s hand was almost cut off. Lin Muyun exchanged a cheque for a saved hand and a youthful, charming young girl. That was a pretty good deal.”

Lin Muyun had mentioned that she received a great favor because she helped Qi Zheng, but Shen Zhibing hadn’t asked for specifics. Eric was accustomed to such matters and felt no particular sympathy for either party.

“It’s strange, though. This time, Qi Youtian actually went to work peaceably at a construction site. I found it unusual, so I followed him. I didn’t expect him to get into a fight with someone over back pay. I tried to mediate, but it ended up like this.” Eric helplessly pointed to his injury and sighed, “It’s hard to be a good Samaritan these days.”

“Does Qi Youtian know who you are?”

“No. Half his face was covered in blood. He held my hand and said I was a good person, thanking me profusely.”

Shen Zhibing was not interested in Qi Youtian, but he was Qi Zheng’s father, an unavoidable connection.

“I looked into Qi Zheng’s relationship with Lin Muyun, and saying it was purely financial is not entirely accurate. Later on, there was indeed some affection, but it was just one person investing excessively while the other wanted to escape.”

After Eric finished speaking, he looked profoundly at Shen Zhibing. This seemed like a replica of Shen Zhibing and Lian Ao’s situation; unequal devotion would never last.

“Now, are they still in contact?”

Eric spread his hands. “The times they’ve interacted are countable. If they were still secretly involved, it would be beyond my skill level, and they could switch careers to be professional liaisons.”

Hearing Eric say this, Shen Zhibing finally seemed to relax.

Eric glanced at her, smiling knowingly. “What, worried that your little pet will be missed and snatched back?”

Shen Zhibing felt awkward about Eric’s phrasing. “She’s not a pet now.”

She had been once, but now Shen Zhibing valued Qi Zheng’s capabilities more and intended to foster her career development.

“Although I don’t know why you’re keeping Qi Zheng by your side, I hope you understand that feelings cannot be replaced or transferred. You might lose one relationship, but you could also gain a new one. There’s no need to rush into finding a so-called rebound, especially with someone who is entirely unsuitable.”

Eric was never afraid of Shen Zhibing. When Shen Zhibing asked him to investigate Qi Zheng, based on his experience, he could roughly guess the reason halfway through the investigation.

“I know my limits.” Shen Zhibing’s thoughts being spoken so bluntly was embarrassing, but she also knew it was true.

She couldn’t transfer her obsession with Lian Ao onto Qi Zheng. She had tried early on but it didn’t work. On the day of the engagement, she realized even more clearly that Qi Zheng and Lian Ao were distinctly two different people, completely dissimilar.

Sitting next to Qi Zheng, she watched Lian Ao and Lin Muyun’s intimate interactions with cold eyes. No matter how upset she felt, how much her heart bled, she could clearly distinguish the Qi Zheng beside her from the person on stage.

However, even though Qi Zheng couldn’t replace Lian Ao, she could still ease her troubled emotions. She didn’t want to let Qi Zheng go, at least not until her wound had healed.

“I’m not trying to make her a new replacement, rest assured.”

Seeing Shen Zhibing so calm, Eric, though still doubtful, chose to temporarily believe her. “I hope so.”

**

Guided by a nurse, Qi Zheng found Qi Youtian, who had just finished having his wounds bandaged. With his head wrapped in gauze, he looked somewhat comical. Upon seeing Qi Zheng, he immediately stood up and waved at her with a smile.

The nurse held him down, displeased. “I just told you not to move around and to be careful of your wound! What’s wrong with you? You didn’t listen to a single word the doctor said.”

Getting beaten up for debts was commonplace for Qi Youtian. This injury today was really not a big deal for him, but it was a good excuse. Because besides Qi Zheng, he had also contacted Lin Muyun.

Qi Zheng walked over and looked at Qi Youtian. “I just heard, you went to ask for wages. There was no need to fight and end up like this.”

Legitimate channels existed for legally claiming back pay; there was no need to turn it into a street fight. Qi Youtian was too ignorant of the law.

“Do you think I wanted to fight? That foreman is a scoundrel, just exploiting people like us who are short on cash and have no one to speak up for us at home.”

Qi Youtian began to talk ironically, implying a deeper meaning, and occasionally cried out in pain to Qi Zheng. Several other patients sitting nearby overheard much of their conversation.

“Then why did you call me here?”

“Why? You’re my daughter! If I’m in the hospital, who else should come? Who is going to take care of the medical bills, the paperwork for the hospital stay, and going to confront the person who hit and cheated me?” Qi Youtian spoke with an air of righteousness, a series of demands without a pause for breath, as if everything were perfectly reasonable.

He then sighed softly, “They say you raise children to look after you in old age, and this is what it’s for. I don’t expect to live a wealthy life because of you, but at least don’t let your dad lose his basic dignity.”

People nearby were whispering, some even pointing fingers at Qi Zheng.

Qi Zheng coldly watched Qi Youtian’s clumsy performance. He had used this kind of pathetic act and emotional blackmail, time and time again, to make the original owner help him. However, Qi Zheng had no biological connection to him, so the last bit of emotional bond was gone for her.

Since Qi Youtian was shameless and deliberately airing the family’s dirty laundry in public, she saw no need to hide anything. Justice was in the eyes of the people. She might as well explain everything clearly and let everyone judge; only telling part of the story could easily lead to misunderstandings.

“If you hadn’t gambled for over a decade, losing the entire family, you wouldn’t be like this now, reduced to fighting for back pay. If you truly cared about me even a little, you wouldn’t have let me go hungry during my high school morning self-study. Without my aunt and grandmother, I probably wouldn’t have even made it to university and would also have to work on a construction site or in a factory. Now I’ve just graduated and found a job, I can barely support myself. I never thought of asking you for a single cent to buy a car or a house, yet since my graduation ceremony, you’ve been fixated on my salary, wanting to take a large portion of it.”

Qi Zheng’s voice was neither too loud nor too soft, but everyone around heard her clearly. The surrounding whispers were no longer quiet and suppressed as before.

Someone who couldn’t stand it anymore spoke directly to Qi Youtian, “A father like you is truly disgraceful, exploiting your daughter like this. We were actually sympathizing with you just now.”

“Yeah, gambling addicts don’t deserve sympathy. After gambling for over a decade, you should be extremely grateful that your child wasn’t dragged down and became so independent and capable. How can you still have the heart to talk to her like that?”

“So you were just putting on a pitiful act in front of us. If your daughter hadn’t spoken up, we would have really been fooled, thinking it was hard for you to work at your age. Turns out it’s all the consequences of your own misdeeds when you were young.”

The co-workers around the same age as Qi Youtian had harmonious families and were looking forward to retirement. None of them were as unstable as he was.

Qi Youtian’s expression was twisted, looking even more battered with the gauze on his head. He couldn’t stand to be there anymore and tried to pull Qi Zheng away.

Qi Zheng avoided his reaching hand, intending to keep her distance from him at all times. “Where can you hide? What you’ve done, the harm you’ve caused, can’t be erased or denied. Going somewhere else won’t change the fact that you’re suffering the consequences of your own actions.”

Qi Youtian couldn’t argue with her and, exasperated, yelled, “Qi Zheng! No matter what, I am your father! You have no right to accuse me like this! Besides, I’ve quit gambling now. I want to live a good life, why won’t you help me!”

Before Qi Zheng could answer, someone around them spoke up for her. “Why? Because you weren’t a decent person before!”

Qi Youtian stormed out, bumping into someone head-on. He didn’t even bother to apologize, but the person called out to him.

“You called me here, only to treat me like this?” Lin Muyun suppressed her anger, tidying her clothes that Qi Youtian had accidentally messed up.

Qi Youtian immediately looked up and replaced his anger with a flattering smile. “Miss Lin, you’re here? Your secretary said you were in a meeting, I thought you wouldn’t come.”

Lin Muyun glanced inside and indeed saw Qi Zheng.

If it weren’t for Qi Zheng, she wouldn’t bother with Qi Youtian’s fate.

“You are Qi Zheng’s father. Of course, I wouldn’t ignore it if something happened to you.”

Qi Youtian lifted his chin and turned sideways, as if saying to Qi Zheng, See that!

“Even Miss Lin cares about me so much, but this unfilial daughter of mine actually lectured me just now.” He then sighed heavily, looking very heartbroken.

Lin Muyun smiled at the cold-faced Qi Zheng. She knew that Qi Youtian was Qi Zheng’s weakness. In the past, when Qi Youtian got into trouble, Qi Zheng would always turn to her for help. At first, she was embarrassed to ask, but as they became closer, Qi Zheng no longer hid her uneasy and helpless emotions in front of Lin Muyun.

Lin Muyun had always disliked a burden like Qi Youtian, but it was undeniable that he was a bargaining chip to control Qi Zheng. She didn’t mind using him a little longer; after all, he could be bought off with money.

Qi Zheng walked out, and Lin Muyun’s smile deepened, her eyes never leaving her.

“Thank you for coming, Miss Lin. I will handle things here; I won’t waste your time.”

Lin Muyun was unconcerned. “How can I not care about your business? Besides, since I’m already here, of course I should help.”

With that, she took out a bank card, just like in the past, and turned to hand it to the bodyguard standing not far away.

“Go and settle the expenses.”

Qi Zheng frowned and stopped her. “Wait, you don’t need to worry about this money; we will handle it ourselves.”

Lin Muyun waved her hand for the bodyguard to wait and said gently, “Xiao Zheng, I know you’re working now and can earn money yourself, but you’ve just started, and it’s all hard-earned money. Since I can help you, why do you have to strain yourself so much?”

If the original owner heard this, she would probably be moved and rush into Lin Muyun’s arms. However, Qi Zheng only wanted to refuse completely.

“I appreciate your kindness, but we are not close enough to have financial dealings.” Qi Zheng was indifferent and distant, which was humiliating and distressing for Lin Muyun.

Before she could speak, Qi Zheng added, “Even if we were close in the past, that was the past. Miss Lin, don’t forget, we must all live in the present. Constantly dwelling on memories is meaningless to anyone.”

Qi Zheng repeatedly emphasized that the past was over. Lin Muyun seemed to half-believe that Qi Zheng genuinely did not want to continue their former relationship. But the current Qi Zheng still made her heart flutter, even more attractive than before, and even the way she rejected her was full of charm.

A thought suddenly popped into Lin Muyun’s head: Let bygones be bygones. Couldn’t we just start a new relationship?

She pursed her lips, composed herself, and put the card back in her bag.

“Then I’ll listen to you. If there’s anything else you need help with, just ask.”

Qi Youtian saw Lin Muyun’s attitude towards Qi Zheng, his eyes rolled, and he sidled up to her. “Miss Lin seems very concerned about Xiao Zheng. You went to her graduation and now you personally came here because of my matter.”

Lin Muyun didn’t seem to mind in front of him. “She does have a different significance to me.”

When Shen Zhibing left the patient room, she vaguely saw Qi Zheng’s back. Was the person beside her Lin Muyun?

Shen Zhibing thought she had seen wrong, but her heart still skipped a beat, and her steps unconsciously turned in that direction. Her high heels made a loud sound on the floor, but it didn’t affect her search pace.

Qi Youtian insisted he had a concussion and needed to be hospitalized for a few days. Qi Zheng just wanted to quickly get rid of him. Staying in the hospital was better than him causing trouble outside.

After completing the procedures, she called her aunt, asking her to visit Qi Youtian when she had time. Strictly speaking, her aunt and Qi’s father were true relatives.

Her aunt was both angry and speechless when she heard the news. “He’s causing trouble for you again? Sigh, how many times have I told him not to affect you, but he just doesn’t listen!”

Her aunt’s family was also not well-off. Years ago, they had paid off a lot of Qi Youtian’s debts, missing the best time to buy a house and accumulate wealth. Despite this, they still tried their best to take care of Qi Zheng, which was somewhat a solace for the original owner’s family life.

“I’ve been quite busy with work lately, so I probably won’t have much time to come over.”

“Don’t worry about this; your uncle and I will go. It wasn’t easy for you to get into the Shen Corporation; you must perform well, work comes first.”

Qi Zheng found a good job after graduation, and her aunt and grandmother were both happy for her.

Lin Muyun had also walked into the corridor at some point. Qi Zheng turned around after hanging up the phone and almost bumped into her face-to-face. Seeing Qi Zheng instinctively backing up a few steps, Lin Muyun smiled bitterly.

“You used to think being this close wasn’t enough, and now you avoid me like this?”

Qi Zheng genuinely resisted close contact with her, finding it very uncomfortable.

“If you keep talking like that in the future, I think we should stop meeting.”

Lin Muyun shook her head nonchalantly. “OK, if you don’t like it, I’ll change my approach.”

Qi Zheng had nothing to say to her. After settling Qi Youtian’s matter, she was ready to leave. She still had unfinished work and didn’t want to hold everyone back.

“Where are you going? Take my car; it’s hard to call a taxi right now.”

“No need.”

Qi Zheng only offered Lin Muyun her back. Lin Muyun followed after her. “Are you really not going to pursue this matter?”

Qi Zheng said heavily, “Pursue what?”

“Shen Corporation’s responsibility! No matter what, the wage arrears are wrong, not to mention the assault, and it happened at a Shen Corporation construction site.”

Even if this matter were to be pursued, it would take several detours before it was connected to the Shen Corporation. But Lin Muyun kept mentioning the Shen Corporation, as if afraid Qi Zheng would forget about it.

“Lin Corporation also deals with real estate companies all the time. You can’t be unaware of whether this matter is truly related to Shen Corporation or not.” Qi Zheng took a step closer and looked at Lin Muyun. “If you intentionally mislead someone and try to shift the blame to Shen Corporation, if Shen Corporation gets into trouble, those engineering payments from Lin Corporation might not be disbursed on time.”

Compared to the amounts Qi Youtian was claiming, the business cooperation between Lin Corporation and Shen Corporation’s subsidiaries was much larger. This was the real issue related to the Shen Corporation, but Lin Muyun didn’t expect Qi Zheng to say such a thing.

“You!” Lin Muyun had always thought that Qi Zheng was soft-hearted. Even if she learned some superficial coldness from Shen Zhibing, it was just skin deep.

“Staying in Shen Corporation for too long has even changed your personality. Your style is becoming more and more like Shen Zhibing’s, not cute at all.”

Cute? Can cute buy food? Can cute protect you from being bullied, harmed, or silently abandoned?

“It’s none of your business.”

Qi Zheng was really leaving. Lin Muyun was truly like a dog’s chewing gum, and a bit cheap too.

Recalling the texts the original owner had sent her that went unanswered, those humble, yearning waits, if Lin Muyun had shown even a fraction of today’s initiative, things wouldn’t have come to this.

Shen Zhibing was standing at the other end of the corridor. Qi Zheng saw her after walking a few steps.

President Shen stood there with her arms crossed, watching her coldly, not changing her posture as Qi Zheng approached.

“President Shen, why are you here?”

Qi Zheng thought, What a coincidence, running into President Shen at the same hospital.

Shen Zhibing curled her lips, her gaze briefly passed over her shoulder, and then returned to Qi Zheng’s face. “It’s quite a coincidence; otherwise, I wouldn’t have seen this scene.”

“My… my father was admitted to the hospital with an injury; I just finished processing the admission paperwork for him.”

“Lin Muyun seems very concerned about you. She personally came here even for your father’s hospitalization. I heard she even skipped Uncle Lian’s birthday two days ago.”

Qi Zheng thought, Because she’s cheap, I guess.

But facing Shen Zhibing, she didn’t want to talk much about Lin Muyun. After all, they were still rivals in love.

President Shen’s mood had been stable for a few days, and Qi Zheng didn’t want Lin Muyun to provoke her again, or she wouldn’t be able to work properly tonight.

Lin Muyun also walked over. She had been watching Shen Zhibing and Qi Zheng standing there for a while. When she got closer, she saw their expressions were not good, as if they were arguing?

An opportunity has come, Lin Muyun smiled and continued to move forward.

“President Shen, what a coincidence! I didn’t expect to run into you here.” She pretended not to know and asked, “Are you here to pick up Xiao Zheng or to see her father?”

After saying that, she deliberately turned and pointed to the room number. “3305, that’s the room.”

Shen Zhibing seemed even more indifferent than Qi Zheng. “I came to see a friend; I was just passing by.”

She then looked at Qi Zheng again and said lightly, “Take my car.”

Qi Zheng nodded subconsciously, while Lin Muyun was instantly annoyed.

She had rejected herself so completely just now, but she agreed to Shen Zhibing’s offer instantly, completely disregarding her!

“It so happens that my car broke down a bit. I wonder if President Shen would be convenient to give me a ride too?”

Lin Muyun looked at Shen Zhibing’s scrutinizing gaze and explained with a smile, “It’s all Lian Ao’s fault. He insisted I try on the newly altered wedding dress tonight, and I didn’t even have time to send my car for repairs.”

Lin Muyun liked sports cars, but driving one in a busy city, constantly stepping on the gas and the brake, would wear out even the best car.

She knew her bodyguard had a car, but she insisted on Shen Zhibing giving her a ride. Her intention was clear to everyone present.

Shen Zhibing smiled knowingly. “Alright.”