Transmigrating Into the Beautiful CEO’s Doomed Substitute - Chapter 71

So-called premarital counseling is certainly helpful for couples who sincerely want to manage their marriage well, but for people like Lian Ao and Lin Muyun, who are bound together purely by interest, it is a complete waste of time.

To appease both sets of parents and to put on a show to avoid outside suspicion, the two still patiently completed questionnaires, interviews, and a series of self-statements, behaving like any other couple about to enter marriage.

“Both of you performed very well. Congratulations on embarking on a new journey in life, and we wish you a happy marriage.”

Having achieved their goal, Lian Ao and Lin Muyun didn’t linger and quickly left. Sitting in the car, Lin Muyun suddenly laughed, “It’s supposedly some professional consultation, but they even said we have chemistry, even though it’s obvious we’re just acting.”

Lian Ao’s expression was serious. He was still unhappy about Lin Muyun’s earlier unauthorized provocation of Shen Zhibing. However, he agreed with Lin Muyun’s comment; no matter how much they pretended, they couldn’t compare to genuinely affectionate couples.

“That’s because I had someone make arrangements beforehand. The consultation report has already been sent to both families,” Lian Ao started the car and slowly drove out. His tone was as calm as if he had just completed a routine transaction, “Getting the parents’ peace of mind means the last obstacle before the wedding should be completely eliminated. Just don’t cause any more trouble.”

Lin Muyun was a bit displeased, “I’m causing trouble? I’m helping you, don’t waste my good intentions.”

Lian Ao smiled coldly, with a hint of sarcasm, “You’re doing it for my good?”

Lin Muyun bit her lip, suppressing her rising temper, and suggested after looking around, “Don’t rush back yet, let’s find a place to eat something.”

Lian Ao didn’t understand what she wanted to do now, but Lin Muyun insisted, and it was close to dinnertime, so he agreed to her request.

Lian Ao had no interest in understanding Lin Muyun’s tastes or preferences, but he was still a gentleman and followed her to the restaurant she chose.

Halfway through the meal, Lin Muyun put down her knife and fork, “I know you’re still bothered about what happened today, but I genuinely wanted to help you.”

Lian Ao didn’t even look at her, his tone distant, “Help me offend someone? Although Shiqun and Shen’s don’t have a collaboration, we see each other in the business world, why make the relationship tense?”

Lin Muyun scoffed, unconcerned, “At this point, you don’t need to pretend in front of me. I wanted to help you test Shen Zhibing’s feelings, otherwise, how would you know if you still have a chance?”

It was only then that Lian Ao slowly looked up, his gaze deep as he scrutinized her. Lin Muyun had a radiant smile, she should have been a bright and beautiful woman, but there was a chilling coolness in her eyes.

“I know you went to the US a while ago and came back quickly, probably having met with a snub. But it doesn’t matter. Women always like to be coaxed. If you still have the heart to win her back, I can help you.”

Lian Ao frowned, wondering how his whereabouts had been discovered. The trip to the US was supposed to be confidential.

But what interested him more was the meaning behind Lin Muyun’s words—she seemed to know about the secret past and didn’t care at all.

“What exactly do you want?”

Lin Muyun smiled meaningfully, “I want Qi Zheng, but now Shen Zhibing is in the middle, and it’s annoying.”

Lian Ao didn’t understand why there were so many complicated relationships between women. He didn’t care about Lin Muyun’s true orientation and preferences, but he still reminded her, “If your interest in Qi Zheng gets out, what we’ll have to face will probably be more than just marriage counseling.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll handle it. Once I get her, I’ll hide her somewhere no one can see her. She’ll belong to me and me alone.”

Lian Ao silently drank a few sips of water, considering Lin Muyun’s suggestion.

“Don’t hesitate, you also want Shen Zhibing, don’t you? I can help you.”

Did Lian Ao really want her? In the past years, he hadn’t lacked the opportunity, but he didn’t dare or want to pay the price, didn’t want to give up the inheritance rights of Shiqun. It was only now, when he was almost completely losing her, that he realized he longed for her deep down. Shen Zhibing’s beauty was unmatched by anyone else.

Having met her, other people seemed to be unappealing. Lian Ao just didn’t expect the person who was once devoted to him to walk away so decisively. Now that he had come to his senses, he was indeed considering whether to win her back, after all, they had an emotional foundation.

“I still stand by what I said: no matter what method, it cannot affect the marriage alliance.”

Lin Muyun knew this was his subtle agreement. Big men always had to save face; how could he personally admit that he needed someone else’s help to win back his ex?

But she was different. She wanted Qi Zheng, and she would stop at nothing to get her.

Lian Ao saw the triumphant look on her face and felt a little uneasy, so he added, “I don’t think that Qi Zheng is very interested in you. Don’t make a big deal out of it.”

This remark was a direct stab at her heart. The last time in the bar, being pushed away by Qi Zheng and watching her wipe away the lipstick marks he had left on her face, Lin Muyun’s pride was also trampled underfoot.

“Even if I can’t have her, I’ll destroy her. I won’t let anyone else take advantage.”

In the past, she didn’t care, so if she lost it, she lost it. If Shen Zhibing picked it up, she might even be laughed at for using second-hand goods. But now, she liked Qi Zheng, genuinely liked her, so she couldn’t let the Shen surname benefit.

Why should she be better than everyone else in everything, even luckier than others!

**

Eric quickly found out the whereabouts of Mr. Zhuang during his trip to Macau a while ago. Shen Zhibing didn’t give him a new task after listening to the phone call. However, Eric didn’t hang up, and she knew he had something to say.

“Eric, just say whatever you want to say.”

“It seems someone is investigating your past.”

“My past?”

Eric carefully chose his words, “Regarding your love life.”

Shen Zhibing’s heart sank. Her past was actually very simple: excellent academics, smooth life, and even her love life was terribly monotonous.

But it was precisely that singular and long-lasting relationship that was once her unspeakable secret.

“Do you know who is investigating?”

Eric was a bit guilty, “Not clear for the time being. I need a bit more time. The other party seems quite professional. To be safe, you should deal with some things as soon as possible.”

Having her past investigated for no reason was absolutely not a good thing for Shen Zhibing. The fact that even Eric couldn’t immediately figure out the other party’s background put pressure on her.

After ending the call, she called Yun Fei into the office.

“Yun Fei, help me organize everything related to Lian Ao.”

Yun Fei was startled, not quite grasping CEO Shen’s instruction.

Because in all these years, Shen Zhibing had almost never mentioned Lian Ao’s name so directly in a personal manner as she did today.

“CEO Shen, do you mean… organizing Mr. Lian’s things?”

“Eric told me that someone is investigating my past, and I guess they are aiming at this.”

Yun Fei felt that CEO Shen had truly changed. In the past, she wouldn’t have brought up this topic so frankly, especially anything related to Lian Ao. She had always been cautious, afraid that one word too many would leak the secret.

“And how should they be dealt with after they are organized?”

Shen Zhibing’s hand subconsciously rested on the left drawer but did not open it.

She considered for a moment, then said, “Just leave them for now. Keep them safe.”

Yun Fei originally thought CEO Shen was going to destroy them all, but she was surprised to hear she only wanted them collected and kept.

“Does CEO Shen plan to reclaim them later?” Yun Fei had her own guess, but the leader’s intention had to be clear, otherwise, it was easy to make mistakes.

“I’ll deal with them when the surveillance isn’t so tight. I’m not clear how many eyes are watching in the dark right now, I can’t hand them the evidence myself.”

Shen Zhibing spoke calmly and decisively, with tight logic, as if she had no attachment to these pieces of evidence that represented her past. While feeling a surge of emotion, Yun Fei was very pleased.

“I’ll go handle it right away.”

Just as Yun Fei turned to leave, Shen Zhibing called her back, “Only you can handle this matter. You absolutely cannot let anyone else know, especially Qi Zheng.”

Yun Fei naturally understood the stakes, but Shen Zhibing didn’t understand why she instantly felt a sense of guilt, so afraid that Qi Zheng would find out.

In the car that day, Qi Zheng’s attitude was enough to show that she knew about her relationship with Lian Ao. As for how she knew, Qi Zheng didn’t say, but Shen Zhibing guessed it was likely Lin Muyun who told her.

That meant Lian Ao had betrayed her, which further fueled Shen Zhibing’s disgust.

**

Qi Zheng suddenly started researching the gambling industry lately. After finishing her work, she would flip through industry-related information non-stop. Xin Jia teased her, “Is Xiao Qi preparing to become the Gambling King 2022?”

The original owner’s family was ruined by gambling, and Qi Zheng could feel the original owner’s hatred for this industry. But the assets that Mr. Zhuang was selling off absolutely had to include this one. She intuitively felt that the breakthrough point might be here, so despite her unfamiliarity, she tried her best to study it.

Yun Fei saw that she hadn’t even gone to lunch, only buying a sandwich and coffee from the vending machine, so she brought her a portion of fried rice from the cafeteria.

“Take a break and replenish your energy.”

Qi Zheng pointed to the sandwich, which was one-third remaining, “Thank you, Secretary Yun, I’ve eaten.”

Yun Fei pushed the fried rice closer, its aroma becoming even more enticing, “You need to eat more. What good is just a sandwich?”

Yun Fei was like a thoughtful older sister, gentle and professional, and she had given Qi Zheng a lot of help in her work. Having spent time together, Qi Zheng was also accustomed to listening to her.

“I think I’m hungry again just smelling the aroma.” Qi Zheng opened the lunch box. The golden fried rice was truly fragrant grain by grain.

Yun Fei picked up the documents on her desk, “Have you been researching this, giving up your lunch break recently?”

“Yes, I can’t quite say why exactly, but I always feel drawn to this intuitively, so I decided to study it seriously.”

“Aren’t you afraid of researching the wrong direction and wasting your efforts?”

Qi Zheng swallowed a mouthful of rice, very optimistic, “Just consider it learning about another industry.”

Yun Fei put the documents back, “Eat well.”

During the lunch break, others hadn’t returned yet, and it was just Yun Fei and Qi Zheng in the secretary office. After finishing the fried rice, Qi Zheng went to buy two hot drinks, saying it was to thank Yun Fei for the meal. The two started chatting, and the topic moved beyond work.

Holding the paper cup, Qi Zheng casually and seemingly inadvertently asked, “I noticed that the decorations in CEO Shen’s office were replaced the day before yesterday. Is she planning to redecorate?”

Yun Fei paused. In all these years, although that relationship was never public, Shen Zhibing cherished it immensely, and many details had permeated her life and environment. Even Yun Fei didn’t know that there were so many things that needed to be completely cleared out.

“The administration department purchased a batch of new ornaments, and CEO Shen thought they were good, so she replaced them.”