Transmigrating Into the Beautiful CEO’s Doomed Substitute - Chapter 66

Compared to the excited audience below the stage, Qi Zheng was almost exaggeratedly quiet, seeming completely unaffected by the fervent atmosphere around her. Only Shen Zhibing noticed a subtle change in her communication with the band.

Having spent the past few months with Qi Zheng, Shen Zhibing had a general understanding of her. Except for work, where she was proactive, Qi Zheng was generally in a passive state in all other aspects. She rarely expressed clearly what she wanted or craved, seemingly indifferent to everything.

Even when rejecting Lin Muyun, who once tormented her to the point of sleepless nights and tears, and whom she later hated fiercely, Qi Zheng maintained an air of calm indifference.

Shen Zhibing looked at Qi Zheng, who was standing sideways communicating details with the band, and suddenly felt a sense of anticipation, unconsciously adjusting the bracelet on her wrist.

Qi Zheng turned around, microphone in hand, facing the dense crowd below the stage, a touch of shyness and nervousness evident in her usual composure.

“I’ll sing ‘Step Aside’ for everyone. I hope you’ll like it.”

With few words, Qi Zheng signaled to the band, and the accompaniment slowly began.

Compared to the previous rock-style, full-throated performances, “Step Aside” was noticeably slower. But no one voiced dissatisfaction; instead, they quieted down along with the stage lights.

The venue, which had just been buzzing, suddenly fell silent, leaving only the people on stage. Qi Zheng slightly narrowed her eyes, gathering her emotions.

This was a song she used to love and often sang. She used to think it should be sung with tears, but after truly experiencing what the lyrics described, she realized that after crying and crying, one eventually smiles.

In her numerous performances, she had learned to let go and be at peace.

Tonight, she again chose a familiar song. As the prelude began and the mood aligned with the music gradually formed, Qi Zheng gripped the microphone tightly.

This was a song that was quite popular back in the day, sung by a famous female singer and a later male singer. Qi Zheng liked both styles.

Her breathing was steady and deep, perfectly capturing the detachment of someone who finally sees clearly in love and chooses to withdraw gracefully.

When she sang: [The youth I’ve dedicated to you for so many years], her low voice subtly conveyed heartache and self-mockery, as if the love she was recounting had all vanished in that moment.

Qi Zheng was immersed in her singing on stage. Most of the time, her eyes were half-closed, and she didn’t interact with the audience, but her voice firmly held everyone’s heart. She was real, sincere, and emotionally rich, singing the song straight to the hearts of others, as if telling her own story, yet also stirring the emotions of the listeners.

When she sang with all her might: [I only have one word of no-regrets: Step aside], the corners of her mouth trembled slightly, but there was no sense of defeat, only true liberation.

The performance ended with the drawn-out final line: [Stepped aside for my next summer]. Throughout the song, Qi Zheng maintained little dramatic emotional fluctuation, standing quietly in the center of the stage like a storyteller.

Shen Zhibing, however, felt that Qi Zheng tonight was different from usual; she was clearly more authentic, as if soul had been injected into her, no longer appearing indifferent to everything.

The bracelet still made her wrist tingly, but just now she had instinctively waved it along with the person next to her and had forgotten to take it off until now.

Yu Xinyan stared intently at the stage until Qi Zheng bowed and stepped down. She still seemed somewhat reluctant: “I really didn’t expect such a treasure to be hidden in your secretary’s office. Yunfei won’t have to worry about the annual meeting this year.”

Shen Zhibing quickly poured cold water on her enthusiasm: “You’re overthinking it.”

“Such a talent, and you still plan to hide her? Qi Zheng is considered a newcomer this year, and newcomers should perform more, especially since she sings so well. Why won’t you let her go?”

Shen Zhibing crossed her arms, looking at the stage where Qi Zheng was no longer present, her mind still replaying the image of Qi Zheng singing. Qi Zheng definitely didn’t sing that song casually; she wasn’t willing to expose such a genuine and invested Qi Zheng at the company’s annual meeting.

“Her performance is not suitable for the annual meeting.”

Yu Xinyan heard a different meaning and smiled knowingly twice: “I didn’t, don’t talk nonsense. I’m sincerely devoted to Secretary Yun; don’t speak carelessly and let her misunderstand me.”

Shen Zhibing knew Yu Xinyan was interested in Yun Fei, which was partly why she returned from abroad to work at the Shen Corporation. She neither encouraged nor completely prohibited it, provided it didn’t affect work.

Shen Zhibing stopped talking and looked towards where Jiang Youyou was standing. After Qi Zheng stepped off the stage, she exchanged a few words with her and then disappeared.

She considered whether to go see Qi Zheng, guessing she probably needed a place to calm down, a time when she would least like to be disturbed. In the past, when she saw Lian Ao at social events, the two of them, though they cared for each other, had to pretend they weren’t close, even speaking insincere and distant words in front of all those people.

At such times, Shen Zhibing occasionally felt the urge to escape, to find a quiet and private space where she could safely release her uncontrollable emotions.

She dismissed the idea of going to find Qi Zheng. She also believed Qi Zheng would return soon. This person’s clarity sometimes surpassed her own. Shen Zhibing couldn’t help but smile at the thought.

After Qi Zheng’s performance ended, the thunderous applause was delayed for a few seconds but lasted for a long time. Someone shouted for her to sing another song, but Qi Zheng smiled and shook her head, indicating that she would only sing this one tonight.

She could be quite stubborn sometimes. Even with the audience’s enthusiasm, what was agreed upon beforehand—one song—remained one song. Qi Zheng did not change her mind.

The lead singer initially retreated to the edge of the stage, leaning there to rest and adjust. By the time Qi Zheng reached the second half of her song, he was already accompanying her.

Naturally, after the song ended, he took the initiative to ask Qi Zheng: “According to our agreement tonight, you can ask me to sing a song for you.”

Audience members nearby took the opportunity to egg him on, asking the lead singer to perform a style he usually didn’t, with some even suggesting “Love for Sale.”

Qi Zheng smiled, pursed her lips, and thought for a moment before saying, “There’s no need to sing it just for me. How about singing one for everyone tonight?”

The lead singer showed an admiring look: “Please name the song.”

Qi Zheng glanced at the eagerly expectant crowd below and said softly, “‘Tomorrow Will Be Better.'”

The lead singer’s face froze slightly. The other band members also gathered around and took a moment to react to the title.

They knew the song, but it was so different from their usual style, and they never imagined they would one day perform it in front of an audience.

Qi Zheng suppressed a laugh: “I’m just kidding, no pressure. You can sing any song you want.”

The lead singer shook his head: “Since I promised before, and you certainly delivered, I must keep my word.”

Soon after Qi Zheng left the stage, a slow rock version of the prelude began. Qi Zheng walked away slowly, her back to the stage, walking further and further. Yet, the lead singer’s soft singing was clearly audible: she was certain that tomorrow would indeed be better.

Qi Zheng splashed cold water on her face. The person in the mirror was both strange and familiar. She hadn’t expected to sing that song tonight, but after singing it, she felt exhilarated. She brought her familiar past emotions here, feeling a close and genuine connection to this world. She was no longer just an observer, living cautiously.

Wiping the water marks from her face, Qi Zheng tidied the strands of hair falling across her forehead, ensuring she looked fine before leaving. Unexpectedly, just a few steps out of the restroom, an old acquaintance stood before her.

To be precise, an acquaintance she hadn’t seen for quite some time.

Lin Muyun had heard that Crystal Alley had a performance and had asked Jian Anni to pull some strings for a few internal tickets. She had often heard Qi Zheng talk about wanting to go, but at the time, she was busy with work and looked down on such a “second-rate” band, so she naturally hadn’t agreed.

This time, she had originally intended to invite Qi Zheng, but Qi Zheng hadn’t even been answering her calls much. Lin Muyun didn’t want to be rejected again, so she gave up on the idea. She had planned to just drop by, see what Crystal Alley was like that Qi Zheng liked it so much, but unexpectedly, she was captivated by the opening act.

Listening later, Lin Muyun herself was reluctant to leave and felt a little regretful. If she had accompanied Qi Zheng earlier, perhaps they would have had one more shared hobby.

It wasn’t until Qi Zheng went on stage that Lin Muyun’s thoughts were pulled back. But after listening to Qi Zheng sing, she regretted it even more.

She sang “Step Aside,” smiling as she spoke of letting go, free and unrestrained, as if she didn’t care about the past at all. The emotions in her voice made Lin Muyun’s heart tremble. In that moment, Qi Zheng made her heart ache with the desire to turn back regardless of the cost.

She didn’t want Qi Zheng to step aside for her, nor did she want to step aside for Qi Zheng’s next summer. Lin Muyun waited for Qi Zheng in the hallway, wanting to clearly tell her how she felt.

Qi Zheng stopped. Lin Muyun looked up and smiled at her, a smile that lacked the falseness and deliberation of the past, replaced by a hint of sorrow and nervousness.

“Xiao Zheng, I was waiting for you.”

“Is something the matter?”

Lin Muyun walked up to her, her eyes full of affection, almost wanting to consume her.

Qi Zheng disliked that look, frowned, and tried to walk past, but Lin Muyun grabbed her arm.

“I know the song you sang tonight was about our past. Listening to it made me very sad and regretful about who I was then.”

Lin Muyun had never been willing to admit that her avoidance was wrong, that it was irresponsible, but tonight she was touched by the sadness in Qi Zheng’s voice and made nervous by the liberation in her song.

She was truly panicking. Was there absolutely no room for reconciliation? In Qi Zheng’s eyes, their former affection, apart from one sentence of ‘stepping aside,’ no longer even counted as a special memory.

Previously, because of the original owner’s feelings, Qi Zheng had always thoroughly rejected Lin Muyun, not giving her a chance to get close. But tonight, this person actually launched a sneak attack. Before she could speak, Lin Muyun cupped her face with both hands.

The scent came close, irritating Qi Zheng. She struggled to break free, but a lip print ultimately landed on her cheek.

This time, Qi Zheng no longer considered the original owner, but genuinely felt disgusted by her own will.

She pushed Lin Muyun away and said sharply, “Stop saying such boring things, and don’t touch me casually!”

She raised her hand and forcefully wiped the spot where she had been kissed. The lip print smeared, but her tender cheek was stained red.

Lin Muyun bit her lip, wanting to say something else, but was stunned by the aura of determination and coldness emanating from Qi Zheng—something she had never seen before.

Not in the past, and not in their previous few meetings. But tonight, she could clearly feel that Qi Zheng was more distant.

Qi Zheng walked past her without looking at her, her steps showing no sign of lingering.

As Lin Muyun brushed past her, she heard her say, “Tonight’s song has nothing to do with you.”

Qi Zheng looked up slightly. She was “stepping aside” for her past self, the real her, and it had nothing to do with the original owner’s story.