Transmigrating Into the Beautiful CEO’s Doomed Substitute - Chapter 74

On the way back, Qi Zheng couldn’t help but be curious: “Mr. Shen, how did you know my size?”

Shen Zhibing gave a faint smile and said casually, “What’s so difficult about that? If I want to know, there are many ways.”

But I won’t tell you.

Qi Zheng asked a few times, but Shen Zhibing never gave a direct answer.

The car stopped at the entrance of the villa, and Shen Zhibing did not get out. She had received a call from the main house on the way, asking her to go back.

Seeing the look on her face when she answered the phone, it was estimated that the matter she had to face upon returning was not easy. Qi Zheng leaned against the car door, turned around, and said to the person inside the car, “Don’t be unhappy when you go back. Being in a bad mood before going to bed can easily affect your sleep.”

After saying that, she closed the car door, waved at Shen Zhibing, and said goodbye.

Leaning back in the seat, thinking about Qi Zheng’s smile just now and the care expressed in a joking tone, Shen Zhibing’s heart swelled with warmth.

Qi Zheng’s words, always neither too close nor too distant, yet always reaching her heart, were deeply pleasing to her, even a little addictive.

Being called back to the main house this late, one could easily guess it was her Second Uncle stirring up trouble again. She heard that he had even called back her aunt, who had been abroad accompanying her children, to help him out.

The opinions within the Shen family were not unified regarding this transaction with Boss Zhuang, but Shen Zhibing refused to budge.

After Qi Zheng returned to her room and took a shower, she had just finished the black sesame paste that Aunt Xin had sent when Jiang Youyou called again.

“I finally got off work. Ever since I saw your photo, I haven’t been in the mood to work, and I finally made it until now.”

“Classmate Jiang, please watch your wording. What do you mean ‘saw my photo’? That can easily lead to misunderstandings, okay?”

Jiang Youyou chuckled, unreservedly: “Oh, as long as you don’t misunderstand, it’s fine. Who else can hear it anyway? Tell me quickly, did you bring the dress back later?”

“It’s still at the store. Mr. Shen said some parts of the shirt needed to be modified.”

“Did you find out the price?”

Qi Zheng shook her head. The staff in the store looked very professional and were tight-lipped, not revealing a single extra word that they shouldn’t. No wonder doing business with the wealthy yields high profits; the demands for service details are also high. The premium probably equals a disguised gag fee. Qi Zheng suddenly thought of this term, feeling as if accompanying Mr. Shen to try on the dress was like having a secret affair.

Jiang Youyou was still full of envy, along with a delayed shock: “I wish I had such a generous, beautiful, and thoughtful boss. Why does our manager use the methods of Huang Shiren [a notorious landlord in a Chinese opera] so expertly at such a young age!”

Qi Zheng suddenly remembered that she had mentioned to Yun Fei earlier that she wanted to help a friend inquire about joining the Shen Group.

“Secretary Yun said that the HR department doesn’t have a large-scale recruitment opportunity before the end of the year, and it usually starts in the spring of next year. But there are occasional openings in the business departments, so I’ll let you know if I hear anything.”

In terms of professional alignment, what Jiang Youyou most wanted was to go to the Finance Department. But this kind of department has no pressure for performance indicators, is relatively relaxed, and has lower turnover.

Jiang Youyou didn’t expect her to actually take this matter to heart. She had only mentioned it in passing before: “Qi Zheng, you’re so loyal. You truly are my good sister.”

Qi Zheng casually twirled the pen in her hand, still unable to completely accept the gift Shen Zhibing had given her tonight.

“I don’t think Mr. Shen had any malice. For people who are used to high consumption, this kind of thing might be like us using our year-end bonus to buy a Chanel bag.”

Qi Zheng recalled the unlimited black card Shen Zhibing had given her and understood the reasoning.

“I’m falling further and further behind in repaying her, which is also terrible.”

“She gave it to you, and didn’t ask you to repay it. Working hard and creating more profits for the company is probably the best return.”

Qi Zheng rubbed her temples and sighed softly, “That’s two different things. If she gave me a generous year-end bonus, I could repay her that way. But this is a private matter; it’s not appropriate to repay it in a work-related manner.”

Jiang Youyou recalled the rare sense of melancholy and confusion on Qi Zheng’s face the last time they had hot pot, and tentatively asked, “You said last time that you needed to think it over carefully. Have you found the answer now?”

Last time, Qi Zheng couldn’t clearly define her feelings for Shen Zhibing, but she could vaguely feel her heart stirring. Tonight, when she saw Shen Zhibing in the mirror, she could no longer deny that her heart was indeed beating for her.

“I might be in trouble.”

Qi Zheng spoke helplessly and powerlessly, yet she couldn’t lie to her own heart. She had been in love before, so she knew very well what it felt like to like someone; she was starting to fall for her.

She couldn’t say when it started, or exactly why, but perhaps that night in Hong Kong changed everything.

Jiang Youyou was relatively uninhibited when it came to relationships, but the path Qi Zheng was choosing was unusual, and the other party was a person of Shen Zhibing’s caliber.

The words of advice stopped at her lips and automatically turned into comfort: “Let nature take its course. Sometimes, emotions are truly beyond our control.”

The wedding day was supposed to be the time for many companies’ annual meetings, but most of the business magnates in Haicheng attended. The two families set the time then, confident enough that others would change their annual meeting schedules.

After lunch that day, Qi Zheng only drank coffee, ensuring her slender waist could fully showcase the essence of the dress.

Shen Zhibing took her to her exclusive stylist. Outsiders might have thought that they were the protagonists getting married that night.

Qi Zheng felt that such a grand event might be a bit exaggerated, but seeing Shen Zhibing striving for perfection in everything, she didn’t want to be a wet blanket.

“I can really understand now why celebrities who walk the red carpet all the time have mechanical expressions. After being tossed around like this, who has the mood to smile cheerfully?” Qi Zheng messaged Jiang Youyou while the stylist was blowing her hair.

“You are much happier than me. I’m still working overtime, can you believe it?”

When a project gets busy, it doesn’t matter what the date, time, or whether you are male or female, or if you are healthy or not.

When Shen Zhibing walked into the wedding venue with Qi Zheng on her arm, they indeed attracted the attention of almost everyone present. Even Wu Qin, who had been constantly complaining about Lian Ao’s poor taste, temporarily forgot her jealousy and admired the beautiful pair with a starry-eyed look.

“If they were the ones getting married tonight, I think my mood would immediately cheer up.”

“Wu Qin, you must have lost your mind to say something like that. Do you still remember how you usually criticize that person from the Shen family?”

“Words spoken are like food eaten; they automatically digest after a few days. Hand on heart, tell me, is Shen Zhibing beautiful tonight? Is Qi Zheng good-looking? Do the aura they exuded just now match?”

The “plastic sister group” was amused by Wu Qin’s stubborn and earnest tone, but they all nodded in agreement with her previous point of view.

Jian Anni’s expression was calm, her gaze composed. She listened to them talk and quietly took a sip of champagne.

“Anni, you’re too quiet today. What’s wrong?” Wu Qin noticed that Jian Anni hadn’t said much tonight.

“If you are not the protagonist, you shouldn’t steal the spotlight. We are all just spectators. The performance on the stage has nothing to do with us, right?”

Her words had a deeper meaning. Wu Qin was stunned, let go of her hand, and no longer encouraged her to participate in the gossip.

Lin Muyun’s makeup today was carefully created by a famous team, but as the saying goes, appearance is a reflection of the heart. She didn’t feel that tonight was her real wedding, and the smile on her face was inevitably stiff.

Happiness or not is actually easily seen on a woman’s face. Even the most powerful team cannot gloss over fake happiness.

When the newlyweds appeared, they looked like a perfect match, a natural pair under the spotlight. The photography team furiously pressed the shutter button by the stage. Lian Ao and Lin Muyun consciously turned in different directions, catering to various camera angles.

These were the photos to be sent to major media outlets later, and they had to be perfectly presented.

Wu Qin and her group watched from below and couldn’t help but sneer, “Calling it a wedding, at best it’s just a wedding dress exhibition.”

Wu Qin only dared to say this in a small circle. In front of the elders, she didn’t dare utter a single word, fearing it would cause trouble for her family.

It was still the same feigned affection as at the engagement ceremony. The couple’s coordination was slightly more tacit than last time; the hug and cheek kiss appeared relatively natural. Shen Zhibing and Qi Zheng sat not far from the stage, watching silently.

Qi Zheng was not very worried about Mr. Shen’s emotions this time. Instead, she received a candy from Shen Zhibing as soon as they were seated.

She said, “I’m afraid you’ll pass out from hunger, so have a candy first.”

Most of the wedding ceremony steps were dull and boring. Even in a wealthy marriage alliance, the only difference was the extravagance and luxury of the expenditures; the essence of it being a ceremony remained unchanged.

The people on the stage performed diligently, while the people below watched with a cold eye. However, Shen Zhibing felt an unprecedented sense of relief. The invisible shackles completely fell away when she saw them exchange rings and declare their vows. She felt little envy or jealousy, only self-mockery and helplessness about the past.

She wondered what was wrong with her back then, to have fallen so madly in love with him. Looking back now, she probably was crazy at the time.

Qi Zheng hadn’t eaten much all evening, being very restrained. Shen Zhibing noticed her looking down at her waist a few times, guessed the reason, but didn’t expose her.

After the ceremony, the newlyweds began to dance gracefully in the center of the hall, and then more people gradually joined in. Someone at their table was eager to try and wanted to ask Shen Zhibing to dance.

Unsurprisingly, she was flatly refused: “I apologize, I have my only dance partner tonight.”

After saying that, she lightly glanced at Qi Zheng beside her.

After the person walked away dejectedly, Qi Zheng smiled, “Mr. Shen, you’re using me as a shield again.”

Shen Zhibing took a sip of wine, put down her glass, and stood up: “Do I need to?”

Seeing her action and hearing her words, Qi Zheng immediately understood.

She stood up with her, extended her hand, and smiled, “It’s an honor to dance a number with Mr. Shen.”

They started dancing lightly near the edge of the dance floor, and before they knew it, they became the focus of the entire venue. The people around them dispersed, leaving enough space for them to shine.

Shen Zhibing’s dancing skills were excellent, and with her guidance, Qi Zheng’s basic skills were enough to fool outsiders. They coordinated well, even though they had never danced together before.

Qi Zheng’s hand was wrapped around that soft and agile waist, accompanying her in a swirl, blossoming into the most gorgeous flower, yet only falling into her embrace.

When the song ended, the entire venue applauded. Shen Zhibing effortlessly stole all the attention without saying a word.

But she didn’t go so far as to rub it in, excusing herself by claiming she was getting tipsy and leaving first.

Lin Muyun was filled with resentment, but still had to maintain the host’s composure, smiling as she saw the guests off at the door. Turning around, she saw Lian Ao’s lost and lonely expression. She walked over with a sneer: “Don’t worry, what belongs to you will be yours eventually.”

That night, Shen Zhibing went to the suburban villa and brought Qi Zheng into her own room.

Soft music played on the record player. She took off her high heels and, on the soft, thick carpet, embraced Qi Zheng to dance with her again.

She slowly helped Qi Zheng take off her wine-red blazer, and then unbuttoned the subtle-patterned neckline that had been modified according to her suggestions, one button, two buttons, unbuttoning past the standard for working hours.

“Mr. Shen, that’s enough,” Qi Zheng’s voice trembled slightly. She was a little nervous but didn’t stop Shen Zhibing’s actions just now.

Shen Zhibing smiled and hooked her arms around her neck, drawing closer. To the tune of “The Moon Represents My Heart,” they danced tacitly in the room.

Qi Zheng’s hand slid across her waist until their breathing became rapid.

She hesitated, wanting to leave but feeling reluctant. The feel of her waist, the heartbeat—it was all intoxicating. The scene from that night flashed back. Qi Zheng tried to clearly see Shen Zhibing’s face.

She thought, if Mr. Shen was drunk tonight, she would stop immediately.

There were no lights on in the room, but the curtains were wide open. Stars twinkled, and outside was a stretch of lush greenery. Haicheng’s winter had no effect on the villa’s backyard, which was maintained at great cost.

Shen Zhibing’s lips were close to her ear, full of seduction: “Tonight, let’s just let nature take its course.”