Transmigrating Into the Beautiful CEO’s Doomed Substitute - Chapter 76

Since greeting each other, the atmosphere suddenly became awkward, and the distance between them had been established since Shen Zhibing first woke up and was confused about the situation. Now, a not-so-small gap separated the two. Although the room wasn’t cold, it was certainly uncomfortable for two people who had shared the same quilt.

The remnants of last night’s joy lingered, and the scattered evidence at the foot of the bed served as a constant reminder that their relationship was now different.

Qi Zheng’s hand by her side moved slightly. Shen Zhibing immediately looked at her but didn’t speak.

The scattered marks on Shen Zhibing’s chest resembled the beautiful scenery outside the window last night. Qi Zheng recalled her tireless and repetitive planting and watering, and her face flushed.

“President Shen, we…”

Shen Zhibing suppressed her racing heart, maintaining extreme restraint and calmly saying, “We went with the flow, you shouldn’t feel any psychological burden.”

Qi Zheng’s beautiful brows furrowed, “I don’t have a psychological burden. I will take responsibility.”

She spoke honestly and warmly, like a promise and a declaration, with a subtle glimmer in her eyes.

Shen Zhibing’s heart stirred, but she smiled instead, “Don’t rush to talk about taking responsibility. I don’t think either of us is so fragile that we have to rely on the other just because of one night.”

Qi Zheng found the words a bit strange, but before she could analyze them closely, she saw Shen Zhibing lift the quilt, preparing to get out of bed.

“I’m going to take a shower. If you want to, you can go back to your side.”

Of course, Qi Zheng wouldn’t ask to share a bath with Shen Zhibing on a sober morning. Last night was crazy enough, and even she couldn’t believe it had happened.

Shen Zhibing’s legs trembled slightly when she first stood up, making her instinctively reach for the bed railing for support. The cool touch of the railing instantly activated the memory of her gripping the pole tightly last night to sustain herself through the intense moment.

The scene was vivid and continuous, making her legs even weaker.

She lowered her gaze and quickly walked into the bathroom, closing the door without hesitation, afraid that Qi Zheng might notice her momentary weakness. Just by holding the railing, she could almost hear the soft moans that had echoed in the room last night, sounds that were even unfamiliar to herself.

When she took off her clothes and stepped into the bathtub, a small doubt crossed her mind. She clearly remembered that when she left the bathroom last night, these were already gone. Later, she fell straight asleep and didn’t have time to put them on. So, this…

Shen Zhibing bit her lip. She didn’t need to think hard to know who had helped her put them on.

Hot water surged around her, and the massage function of the bathtub performed a function not entirely commensurate with its expensive price. Shen Zhibing clearly felt that it was far less comforting than what Qi Zheng had given her.

By the time she finished her shower and stepped out, the room was empty. The slightly messy room had also been visibly tidied up. The fallen cushion was placed on the sofa, and the exquisite dress, though wrinkled, had been moved from the floor to the ottoman at the foot of the bed.

Shen Zhibing walked over. The bed also seemed to have been tidied, the marks of their passionate entanglement gone, except for the tiny red spots covered by the quilt.

She didn’t ask Aunt Xin to change the bedding but did it herself, putting on new sheets. The pain from last night slowly faded, leaving a deep throb and longing. However, Shen Zhibing hadn’t figured out how to respond to Qi Zheng’s words.

Take responsibility? Qi Zheng was essentially led on by her own guidance. If anyone should take responsibility, perhaps it was her. The marks on the sheet represented a significant transformation, but Shen Zhibing wasn’t traditional. She wouldn’t fuss over the gains and losses of something that happened naturally.

Besides, she lost some things, but she gained much more. Pain was only once, but pleasure could be many times.

By that reckoning, she had profited.

After her shower, Qi Zheng calmed down completely and finally had a chance to thoroughly process what happened last night. She didn’t resist the temptation, followed her heart, and broke through to President Shen.

She hadn’t thought much about it, simply feeling that it was natural, and since they had reached that step, they should just keep moving forward. It wasn’t until she heard the low cries next to her, and Shen Zhibing’s frequent restraint, that she realized she had truly hurt her.

Even without seeing the traces on the bed, she couldn’t ignore the color on her fingertips before she took a second shower last night. Qi Zheng didn’t expect Shen Zhibing to be so composed this morning, like a different person from last night.

If they hadn’t slept in each other’s arms, and if she hadn’t woken up earlier than her, Qi Zheng would have suspected that someone else had snuck in later.

When she lingered a bit and then went downstairs, she noticed that Shen Zhibing was not in the dining room.

Qi Zheng asked Aunt Xin, “Hasn’t President Shen come down yet?”

“President Shen has already left.”

Qi Zheng was surprised, “Left?”

What time was it? The company was on holiday, and she hadn’t heard Yun Fei mention any important clients visiting today, so why did she suddenly leave?

Aunt Xin saw her confusion and slightly worried expression, and took the initiative to explain, “It’s New Year’s Day today, President Shen has to go back to the family estate.”

Shen Zhibing rarely mentioned the family estate to Qi Zheng. She only knew it was where most of the Shen family lived, and she also knew that President Shen always felt tired every time she went back.

“Miss Qi, do you have any plans for New Year’s Day?”

Qi Zheng thought about it. She really didn’t have any plans. Jiang Youyou probably stayed up late last night and hadn’t woken up yet. Even if she was awake, it would be awkward to call her out on New Year’s Day since other people had family.

Qi Youtian had quieted down a lot after being discharged from the hospital and hadn’t come to bother Qi Zheng again. According to occasional messages from her aunt, he didn’t gamble much now, just played cards with his co-workers, and was even saving a little money.

It seemed like he was truly getting better. However, Qi Zheng still didn’t want to get close to him. She transferred some money to the original owner’s aunt and grandmother, but she didn’t plan to visit them during the holidays.

In that case, she could only stay in this luxurious but empty villa on New Year’s Day.

“I’m not working. It’s a three-day holiday.”

Aunt Xin acknowledged, not asking anything else.

Qi Zheng took a few sips of soybean milk and a bite of fried dough, then felt like she had overlooked something, and asked again, “Is there something going on?”

Aunt Xin hesitated before speaking, “It’s like this. Old Yu’s grandson came from his hometown last week and is pestering to go to Disneyland for New Year’s Day. So he was wondering if he could take some leave, if you don’t have any urgent need for the car.”

So that was it. Qi Zheng didn’t feel any problem at all.

“I don’t need the car. Tell Uncle Yu to take his leave and rest for three days.”

Aunt Xin had guessed Qi Zheng would agree, but she didn’t expect her to show no displeasure and even look happy about it.

“Old Yu said he can be back by tomorrow afternoon at the latest.”

“No rush, no rush. It’s a rare family reunion. There’s no need to rush.”

Qi Zheng was afraid Uncle Yu would only rest for one day, so she specially went with Aunt Xin to tell him, which finally convinced him to take a worry-free three-day holiday.

“You don’t need to worry about President Shen. I will communicate with her, and your leave definitely won’t affect your work.”

Aunt Xin felt that Miss Qi was truly a good person. She had been worried that the person kept by President Shen in the villa would be a spoiled, willful young lady who didn’t understand social etiquette.

Now it seemed she had underestimated Miss Qi back then.

Shen Zhibing didn’t come to the villa for the three days of the New Year holiday. They occasionally called each other, but the calls were always work-related.

Taking advantage of the holiday, Shen Zhibing was finally able to spend a longer time at the psychological clinic. She admitted that after trying it, it was indeed the feeling she wanted.

“Congratulations, Miss Shen, you’ve found the right direction.”

However, Shen Zhibing appeared more confused than when she was there before, “Is it the right direction? But why do I feel like I can see less clearly now?”

“Why do you say that?”

Rushing back to the family estate on New Year’s Day wasn’t to avoid Qi Zheng, but because the whole family was waiting for her, and she had to go back. But for the following two days, she did deliberately avoid the villa.

“I like the feeling of being intimate with her. I like her doing those things to me. It makes me feel very comfortable and relaxed. However, I don’t know how to face her when I wake up. I haven’t figured out what kind of relationship we should have in the future.”

Shen Zhibing thought she could be carefree and calmly candid with Qi Zheng, explaining that she only wanted intimate contact and didn’t need her to take any responsibility. But when she saw Qi Zheng say those words with sincerity and a hint of nervousness, she couldn’t say it.

So she subconsciously avoided it, afraid to face such a moment again, afraid that Qi Zheng would press her for a response next time.

Shen Zhibing thought a lot over the past two days, but the one thing she hadn’t considered was building a stable relationship with Qi Zheng. She had exhausted her strength and exchanged her youth for nothing more than a ridiculous wait.

She didn’t want to repeat the same mistakes. Loving someone was so hard and so tiring.

“Doctor, am I being very irresponsible? Have I become the bad person in her eyes?”

Shen Zhibing was confused and even helpless, her heart deeply conflicted. She didn’t want to let go of Qi Zheng, especially after being intimate with her. She was even more reluctant to give up that feeling. But if she had to enter another relationship full of shackles, she was afraid she would suffocate.

“Whether it’s good or bad depends on how the other person perceives it. If Miss Shen, you are indeed unwilling to enter a new intimate relationship, then I suggest you talk to her as soon as possible.”

“Will she accept my explanation?”

Shen Zhibing was uncertain. She had a rough idea of Qi Zheng’s personality now; she was someone who responded better to soft words than hard ones. If she abruptly stated that their relationship should stop here, Qi Zheng probably wouldn’t accept it.

Not only would she not accept it, but she might turn around and leave.

Shen Zhibing didn’t want to see this result, so she was caught in a dilemma.

“You will need to face and resolve it sooner or later, won’t you? Miss Shen, you don’t need to put too much pressure on yourself. Since it has already happened, you might as well continue to let nature take its course, and don’t force yourself to quickly step into a new role.”

Shen Zhibing’s emotional issues couldn’t be cured in a short time. She had just crawled out of a quagmire, whether it was through her own strong will or the unintentional help of Miss Q. In any case, it was a commendable step forward.

“I feel like I’m in a phase where I can’t establish a new relationship. Will it always be like this?”

Shen Zhibing was a bit frustrated, and her tone dropped.

The psychologist comforted and encouraged her, “This is a normal process of emotional change and fluctuation. You gradually lost yourself in the previous relationship, and what you need now is to rebuild yourself. Only by becoming a completely independent self is the best time to establish a new relationship.”

Shen Zhibing smiled wryly at the words. To be honest, she didn’t know if she could wait for that day. Or perhaps, she felt like she didn’t want to invest in any new relationships anymore.

Wasn’t one experience of such a tiring and suppressive ordeal enough?

Why would she want to trap herself again in that emotional vortex that often led to despair and painful entanglement?

“Thank you, Doctor.”

On the last day of the New Year holiday, Qi Zheng received a call from Jiang Youyou.

“Come out and have some fun. Don’t always stay cooped up by yourself. You need to balance work and rest.”

So, Qi Zheng was taken by Jiang Youyou to a place full of birdsong and flowers. To be precise, it was full of birdsong and flowers in spring. Now, it was desolate, with only bare branches.

“Why did you bring me to the Grand View Garden Scenic Area?”

“It’s my childhood sweetheart, Dream of the Red Chamber is so classic. I used to come here often when I was little.”

Qi Zheng was speechless. There were far fewer tourists here in winter, and many courtyards were closed for maintenance, giving off a smell of paint and a sense of desolation.

“I only see the fragmentation of a childhood filter.” Qi Zheng casually pointed around. It indeed looked as bleak as the final chapter of Dream of the Red Chamber.

Jiang Youyou bought two corns and handed one to her.

“Going out to have fun is about the mood. It’s less crowded here, and the air is good. You don’t have to queue for corn or wait for the restroom. There are flowers, water, pavilions, and small bridges. Don’t be too demanding.”

After Jiang Youyou finished speaking, she took a few photos with her phone and posted them on her Moments.

Qi Zheng had something she wanted to discuss with her today, but seeing her in high spirits, she didn’t bring it up. It wasn’t until the evening when they returned to the city and found a restaurant that she had a chance to get to the point.

“You want to borrow money from me?” Jiang Youyou was very surprised. She didn’t immediately refuse but was a little worried, “Did something happen to you?”

Qi Zheng’s salary was usually not low, and she had received a generous bonus during her internship period, as well as her first year-end bonus this New Year’s Day. Logically, she shouldn’t be short of money.

Qi Zheng was a little embarrassed and continued to explain, “The friend I mentioned before has decided to terminate the contract. But there’s a shortfall in the penalty. Even after counting all my money, there’s still a gap, so I thought…”

Qi Zheng had been consciously saving money, and the travel allowances from her trips to the US and Hong Kong recently had been paid, increasing her account balance significantly. However, there was indeed a shortfall for the penalty.

Originally, according to the plan, she would definitely be able to pay it off by this time next year. But now, she wanted to resolve the contract termination in advance. She didn’t want to have this awkward contract hanging over her before officially starting with Shen Zhibing.

“You lent all your money to your friend?”

Qi Zheng assured her, “The money you lend, if she can’t pay it back, I will pay it back for her. You can rest assured about that.”

“That’s not what I mean. As long as nothing has happened to you, it’s fine. I’ll withdraw the money after the holiday is over, and then transfer it to you.”

The author has something to say:

Psychologist: Congratulations, Miss Shen, you’ve found the right way to relieve stress.

President Shen: My heart is full of joy, and I’m running wildly down the wrong path.