Transmigrating Into the Beautiful CEO’s Doomed Substitute - Chapter 62

Qi Zheng arrived at the class reunion location on time. There weren’t many people. However, because most of the students worked in the finance industry, their dining standards were not low, and with so many different preferences, they ultimately decided on a buffet.

Perhaps because they had just graduated, the attendance was surprisingly complete; almost everyone came, except those on business trips. Some even brought their partners, barely pushing the number past twenty-two.

Qi Zheng and Jiang Youyou met at the entrance and walked in together. As soon as they met, Jiang Youyou smiled and held out her hand to her: “Where’s my gift?”

While on a business trip to the US, Qi Zheng bought Jiang Youyou a gift. It wasn’t expensive, but it was from the heart.

“Qi Zheng, you’ve really changed. If this were before, even if I asked, you might not have bought it.”

Jiang Youyou really liked the gift, an exquisite hairpin. She just loved hairpins, no reason needed.

“Was I that bad before?” Qi Zheng smiled and walked with her toward the mall. She hadn’t bought gifts for everyone, only a few people she was close to.

Jiang Youyou, both touched and satisfied, put the gift into her bag, making sure it was securely tucked away before replying: “You always deliberately kept your distance from us before. We thought it was because of your family background, and we didn’t dare get too close to you, afraid you’d feel pressure.”

The original owner was indeed self-conscious, and also wanted to protect Lin Muyun’s identity. Qi Zheng wasn’t affected by these two points, so the change was naturally much more noticeable.

Jiang Youyou remembered something and reminded Qi Zheng: “If you hear anything unpleasant today, don’t get angry. Just pretend they’re full of sh*t.”

Qi Zheng was puzzled: “What’s wrong?”

Jiang Youyou stammered, which was rare for her, and said delicately: “I don’t know who started the rumor, but they say you got into the Shen Corporation because you latched onto someone influential.”

Qi Zheng frowned, and then heard Jiang Youyou say: “They also said the only reason you got such a good job was because… because…”

Qi Zheng’s heart skipped a beat. For the usually outspoken Jiang Youyou to speak so hesitantly, it definitely wasn’t anything good.

“I can handle it, Youyou, just say it.”

Jiang Youyou looked at her with complex eyes: “They said you slept your way to the top, that you sold yourself for the position.”

Qi Zheng was genuinely so angry she laughed. What kind of nonsense was this?

“How did this rumor suddenly start?”

Jiang Youyou shook her head, recalling: “I don’t know how this story suddenly came up, and it’s gotten more exaggerated since last week. I couldn’t stand it anymore and argued with them, and I was immediately kicked out of the group chat.”

Qi Zheng understood right away. The classmates had other group chats, and she wasn’t in them.

“It’s baseless, just ignore it.” Qi Zheng thought for a moment and instead comforted the indignant Jiang Youyou.

“Qi Zheng, how can you just swallow that? They’re jealous of you! You work so hard, and at first, your boss was ruthlessly exploiting you. They know nothing and just focus on other people’s achievements to gossip and fill in the blanks themselves. If they’re so good at imagining things, why don’t they go write novels or become brainless internet trolls!”

Jiang Youyou had a quick temper, and as she spoke, she was practically arguing with those people from afar.

Qi Zheng smiled and held her arm: “You were just advising me to stay calm. When we meet them later, you might be the one to start the fight.”

“It wasn’t until I started working that I realized how deep society’s malice is toward excellent people. At the beginning of the month, a really capable older colleague in our team resigned to pursue an MBA in the US, but people are saying behind her back that she failed a ‘beauty contest,’ couldn’t win the senior manager over the front desk secretary, and fled in defeat.”

Qi Zheng said casually: “Workplace romances are probably just a mess. Smart people wouldn’t want to touch them.”

She sounded like she was commenting, yet also talking to herself, with a hint of confusion she wasn’t quite sure of.

When they arrived at the restaurant, the atmosphere was quite harmonious. Classmates who hadn’t seen her in months came one after another to greet Qi Zheng, and even some boys who hadn’t spoken more than ten words to her in four years came to show off.

If Jiang Youyou hadn’t told her beforehand, Qi Zheng wouldn’t have imagined these people speaking about her that way behind her back. However, she had heard worse things before, and she didn’t take it to heart. After all, her relationship with these people wasn’t close; after the meal, they would go their separate ways, so there was no need to be sad about it. Her mood was her own, and it wasn’t worth letting unrelated people affect it.

Qi Zheng calmly handled these overtures. Some were clearly trying to connect with the Shen Corporation through her, enthusiastically handing over their business cards and saying they should keep in touch.

On the contrary, Qi Zheng had genuinely treated this as a class reunion. After work, she had specially gone home to change out of her professional attire and hadn’t brought her briefcase, business cards, or anything of that sort.

She stood by the serving station, forking a piece of chicken breast and picking up a glass of pineapple juice, watching her classmates’ lively conversations like an outsider. She was still not quite used to such occasions, or rather, not enthusiastic about them.

Qi Zheng suddenly remembered what Shen Zhibing had said: in such settings, she preferred to stand in an unnoticed corner, choosing to be an observer rather than a participant. It seemed she was right not to have joined the sales department back then.

Qi Zheng realized that CEO Shen seemed to understand her quite well. If she had insisted on joining the sales department out of impulse back then, she would probably have to grit her teeth and exchange business cards with her classmates today.

It wasn’t necessarily bad, but Qi Zheng just didn’t like it. If something didn’t suit her, it would definitely make her feel uncomfortable; the body’s reaction was always the most honest.

Jiang Youyou finished her conversation and found Qi Zheng: “Aren’t you bored just eating here all evening?”

“The food here is quite good. I’ve basically tried everything. Want me to recommend a few items?”

“Don’t try to change the subject. Several people were grabbing me and asking questions just now. They annoyed the hell out of me.”

Qi Zheng ate a piece of melon, which was very juicy: “What did they ask you?”

“They asked if you were single and what your current relationship status was.”

Qi Zheng was startled. Since when was she attracting so much attention?

“Don’t worry, I didn’t tell them anything.”

Qi Zheng smiled her thanks, didn’t give any other reaction, and went to eat a second piece of melon.

“Do you have a lot of suitors at the company too?”

Jiang Youyou was purely curious, and at the same time, she wanted to play matchmaker for her older brother. Qi Zheng had contacted and met her brother previously regarding the contract. Later, when she heard her typically arrogant lawyer brother actually proactively ask about Qi Zheng’s current situation, Jiang Youyou paid closer attention.

Qi Zheng shook her head, answering very matter-of-factly: “Not a single one.”

Jiang Youyou clearly didn’t believe her, thinking Qi Zheng must be lying: “How is that possible? You don’t know how annoying those male classmates are tonight; almost every one of them came over to ask about you.”

After saying this, she sighed softly: “Forget the boys, the even more unbelievable thing is that girls came to ask. Like Xie Yilan, do you still remember her?”

Qi Zheng searched the original owner’s memory bank and seemed to vaguely remember: “I remember. The one who dyed my T-shirt a different color during freshman military training.”

“Yes! Even then, she was reluctant to apologize, saying things like she didn’t do it on purpose and that she didn’t know how to use disinfectant, having just moved into the dorm.”

“It’s been so long, it doesn’t matter now.”

“That’s not the point. The point is she specifically came over tonight to ask me about you, and her eyes keep darting to you. Didn’t you notice?”

Qi Zheng had spent most of the night eating. The only things she occasionally thought about were the words Shen Zhibing had spoken and the work she had assigned. As for her classmates, their relationship wasn’t deep, and there wasn’t much to talk about.

Jiang Youyou shook her head repeatedly, saying meaningfully: “You really lack a proper self-assessment. You have no idea how charming you are when you dress up.”

Qi Zheng’s hand trembled slightly: “Don’t use words like that to describe me. It’s quite frightening.”

Jiang Youyou still remembered accompanying Qi Zheng to choose the evening gown. When Qi Zheng wore that limited-edition dress and shone brightly, she realized that her formerly low-key, inconspicuous roommate was a diamond. No wonder a rich young lady like Lin Muyun was willing to get close to her, and no wonder a female business CEO like Shen Zhibing was willing to cultivate her. If she were rich and capable, she’d also be willing to properly polish Qi Zheng. Who the hell would choose a rock over a piece of fine jade? No one is that blind.

Jiang Youyou casually glanced around at the nearby male classmates. She really wanted to advise them to give up quickly; it was completely unsuitable, absolutely unsuitable.

Jiang Youyou chuckled twice, asking half-jokingly: “There must be quite a few young elites at the Shen Corporation. Haven’t you taken a liking to anyone? Or is your boss too strict and doesn’t allow office romances?”

The Shen Corporation didn’t seem to have such a rule, though they didn’t allow relationships within the same department or between positions with direct conflicts of interest. Still, they certainly existed privately. Shen Zhibing rarely inquired about their private romantic lives, so Qi Zheng didn’t have a precise answer.

“The people I see most often at work are CEO Shen and her secretary. Even if I wanted to develop a romance, I wouldn’t have the chance.”

“Then hurry up and pursue something after work! Your CEO Shen doesn’t force you to work overtime every day. Surely you don’t still see CEO Shen the most after work?”

Qi Zheng thought to herself, it was actually true; she did spend a lot of time with Shen Zhibing.

It has been less frequent recently because CEO Shen is very busy. Qi Zheng was used to discussing work matters with CEO Shen every day. Occasionally, Shen Zhibing would also ask her to play squash at Cloud Peak Garden, but she still hadn’t invited her upstairs. Last week, apart from at the company, CEO Shen hadn’t sought her out again. Only then did Qi Zheng belatedly realize that the last time Shen Zhibing had invited her to dinner was the first time in a week.

If she had known, she wouldn’t have come to this boring class reunion. At least when eating with CEO Shen, she could look at a beauty; this reunion was just about looking at food. Qi Zheng didn’t deny Shen Zhibing’s beauty; it was the kind of beauty that was impeccable whether viewed from afar or up close. Crucially, she also had charisma. When CEO Shen wasn’t angry or nitpicking, she was actually very attractive. Qi Zheng liked the moderate scent of perfume on her; she felt it suited her perfectly.

But she also felt that she shouldn’t get too close to CEO Shen. After all, maintaining a simple superior-subordinate relationship between them was the most ideal. Shen Zhibing hadn’t mentioned the contract that Qi Zheng found humiliating again, and she rarely gave her forceful orders about what she must do. Under CEO Shen’s strict demands, Qi Zheng’s work ability had made a qualitative leap. She could experience the joy of progress amidst the hardship and pressure.

However, recently she felt that CEO Shen was a bit strange, especially the look in her eyes, which was different from the past. At first, Qi Zheng thought she was mistaken, but after encountering it a few times, she felt maybe she was overthinking things; after all, it was easy to see everyone as attractive after being single for too long. She felt it was possible that many people she wasn’t familiar with suddenly had a favorable impression of her, but Shen Zhibing would not. When she was first brought back to the villa, Qi Zheng had clearly seen the disdain in Shen Zhibing’s eyes, and she also understood CEO Shen’s obsession with Lian Ao. Even if CEO Shen had decided to let go of the past, how could a strictly heterosexual CEO Shen possibly focus her attention on her?

Thinking this way, Qi Zheng felt a little reassured, yet also an indescribable, very faint sense of loss.

Jiang Youyou saw her drifting off and nudged her: “Look, that Xie Yilan is staring at you again.”

Qi Zheng looked in the direction Jiang Youyou indicated, and indeed, there was a gaze that was both burning and evasive. Qi Zheng felt a little uncomfortable, but Xie Yilan couldn’t sense her mood. Seeing that Qi Zheng was also looking at her, she raised the corner of her mouth and prepared to walk over. Qi Zheng frowned, planning to leave, but then felt it might be impolite. Just then, her phone rang in her pocket.

No matter who was calling, it provided Qi Zheng with an excuse. She quickly pulled out her phone and walked a couple of steps to a quieter corner.

Xie Yilan had just arrived, and all she saw was Qi Zheng’s back. Jiang Youyou held back a laugh and greeted her: “Qi Zheng is highly valued by her superior. She doesn’t forget to handle work even at a class reunion.”

Xie Yilan had heard that Qi Zheng worked in the secretary’s office at the Shen Corporation headquarters. Wasn’t her superior the famous Shen Zhibing? She waited there, wanting to chat with Qi Zheng after she finished her call.

But when Qi Zheng hung up the phone, she said she had to leave.

“My superior has something urgent for me, so I need to go back and handle it.”

Jiang Youyou walked out with her, saying with a laugh: “You even brought up your CEO Shen just to avoid Xie Yilan.”

Qi Zheng was helpless: “That call really was from her.”