Transmigrating Into the Beautiful CEO’s Doomed Substitute - Chapter 78

Qi Zheng was forced to put down the bowl, then held Shen Zhibing’s shoulders with both hands, stopping her from making any further moves.

“Don’t want to feed me?” Shen Zhibing still smiled, without any hint of displeasure. She tilted her head, thought for a moment, and said happily, “Then I don’t need to drink it.”

Qi Zheng was speechless. After all that, it turned out that President Shen just didn’t want to drink the hangover soup.

“How about eating something?” The driver mentioned that President Shen had thrown up once before coming back, and then again halfway through the drive.

On a cold night, Shen Zhibing was only wearing a woolen coat over her tailored suit. That feeling must have been awful.

“I’d rather eat…” Shen Zhibing didn’t finish her sentence, but kept looking at her.

Qi Zheng felt that President Shen must have been swapped at the drinking party. Why was she saying things so completely out of character compared to how she was at the office?

“I’ll help you take a shower. Go to bed as soon as you’re done getting ready.” Qi Zheng gave up struggling. It seemed impossible to persuade Shen Zhibing to eat anything tonight.

This time, Shen Zhibing was quite obedient, holding onto Qi Zheng’s arm and going into the bathroom with her. After a few days’ absence, the place seemed unchanged from before. However, Qi Zheng’s heart started to race as she recalled that night. She quietly took a deep breath, preparing to ask President Shen to wait for a moment.

And then, to let go of her hand.

“I’ll go run a hot bath for you, you can sit here for a bit.”

The bathroom was large, even including a resting area. But Shen Zhibing held onto her and wouldn’t let go. Qi Zheng was pulled back as soon as she took two steps.

Turning back, she saw Shen Zhibing smiling again.

But this smile was different from the one on the sofa just now. Qi Zheng’s heartbeat quickened a few more beats. She had seen this kind of smile before, and it was in this very bathroom.

That day, they danced in the bathroom.

Shen Zhibing walked up to her, hooked her neck again, and whispered an invitation against her lips: “It will take a while for the water to fill up.”

She didn’t say anything else, but kissed her directly, urgently and passionately, no longer with the casual teasing intention from before.

Shen Zhibing’s actions made Qi Zheng’s breathing ragged, but this time, she couldn’t avoid it.

The bathroom grew warmer, steam filled the air, completely isolating the cold winter outside.

After the deep kiss, Qi Zheng was also infused with Shen Zhibing’s alcohol scent, mixed with their own fragrances, becoming a unique vintage wine.

Shen Zhibing’s drunkenness was gradually replaced by a sense of exhilaration. She probably hadn’t imagined that such a day would truly come, where she would just sit directly on the washbasin.

Not imagining it didn’t mean it wouldn’t happen. Qi Zheng also felt that she was going crazy. But facing Shen Zhibing, she was always inspired to find more potential.

Tonight, they didn’t have the energy to dance in the bathroom again, but their memory bank had certainly gained more material.

Qi Zheng carried Shen Zhibing to the bed, covered her with the blanket, and was about to leave when the person she thought was asleep suddenly spoke up to keep her.

“You sleep here too.”

Qi Zheng hesitated for a moment. Shen Zhibing was too sleepy, urging her: “I’m so sleepy. Hurry up and come to bed.”

When Qi Zheng woke up the next day, President Shen had already left. Aunt Xin said that President Shen had received a phone call before dawn and rushed out, even grabbing breakfast casually from the kitchen.

Qi Zheng guessed it was still about the Miancheng branch company, but she couldn’t help much.

Unexpectedly, the call Shen Zhibing received wasn’t about that matter, but because Boss Zhuang had arrived in Haicheng.

Someone who hadn’t returned to the country for so many years, upon his return, came straight to Haicheng and contacted Shen Zhibing directly. It was clear that her position with him was different now.

It was nearly eleven o’clock when Shen Zhibing returned to the office. Passing by the secretarial office, she glanced at Qi Zheng’s desk.

The person was fully engrossed, tapping away at the keyboard in front of the computer, occasionally furrowing her brows in concentration, occasionally pausing for thought, completely immersed in her work.

She thought about it and decided not to detour inside to disturb her.

Only after returning to her office and dealing with urgent matters at hand, did she pick up the desk phone and call Qi Zheng in.

“Take these documents to Yun Fei later. I’ve already signed them.”

It wasn’t strange to call her in specifically to hand over signed documents, but what was strange was that these documents were handled by Secretary Yun, and she was in the secretarial office too.

Although Qi Zheng found it odd, she immediately took the documents. Then she heard Shen Zhibing say: “Boss Zhuang arrived in Haicheng today. This time he’s mainly back for ancestor worship and visiting relatives, so there won’t be too much business contact arranged.”

Qi Zheng had some prior contact with Boss Zhuang, so she listened to what President Shen said.

“I’m hosting a welcome dinner for him tonight. You’ll come with me.”

This was the main reason for calling Qi Zheng in. Shen Zhibing realized that she was not as composed as before; she felt the need to pave the way first.

“Me too?” Qi Zheng thought for a moment and asked, “If it’s about the acquisition, I’ll prepare this afternoon.”

The acquisition plan had to be postponed until after the new year due to Shen Shijun’s strong opposition and the board’s vague attitude. Fortunately, Boss Zhuang wasn’t angry about it and expressed understanding, though the price still showed no sign of budging.

“Tonight is not a formal business banquet, so you don’t need to be overly nervous. If you can prepare beforehand, it will be the icing on the cake.”

Qi Zheng squeezed out an hour in the afternoon to review all the relevant information on the acquisition plan. She specifically paid extra attention to areas she was unfamiliar with and repeatedly memorized some key data, worried about embarrassing herself in front of Boss Zhuang tonight.

Embarrassment was secondary; affecting the acquisition plan would be serious. The board was already pressuring Shen Zhibing over the Miancheng branch company issue. If this acquisition plan, which hadn’t received full support, ran into trouble, Shen Zhibing would face more difficulties.

Boss Zhuang looked a little less energetic than when they were in Hong Kong. It was said he had been staying in Hong Kong and hadn’t returned to the US. With the Spring Festival approaching, he suddenly felt a strong sense of homesickness and decided to return to Haicheng to take a look.

“Sure enough, you brought little Qi along. I just made a bet with Old Le that the person next to President Shen tonight wouldn’t have changed. Who knew, Old Le had the same option as me, so the bet couldn’t even start.”

As soon as they entered the private room, Boss Zhuang started joking. Qi Zheng felt inexplicably nervous at his words, her ears even turning slightly red. But Shen Zhibing was completely composed, totally unaffected, and showed no guilt whatsoever over Boss Zhuang’s teasing.

Qi Zheng secretly glanced at her and admitted that she felt a little disappointed. However, tonight was not the time for sentimentality or overthinking. She concentrated all her efforts on dealing with the situation. Indeed, most of their conversation revolved around ordinary life matters, occasionally discussing domestic and international current affairs and recent changes in the business world, but they strictly avoided discussing the acquisition directly.

Shen Zhibing only brought Qi Zheng tonight. There were only four people at the table, so tasks like serving tea and wine, ordering, and hurrying the dishes naturally fell to her. When Qi Zheng heard Shen Zhibing suggesting ordering wine, she felt a little worried. She had just been that drunk last night, and now she was drinking again?

But Boss Zhuang waved his hand: “Just one bottle of wine will be fine. We’ll just make a symbolic toast. My health… the doctor advised me to quit drinking, and I’m still trying.”

Shen Zhibing was the host. The guest could propose not drinking, but she had to maintain proper etiquette. Hearing Boss Zhuang say this, she was also secretly relieved, although she showed no outward emotion.

Qi Zheng was busy running in and out and didn’t have much time to eat properly all evening. Just before the end, Shen Zhibing told the waiter to add an order of cornflake fritters to be packed up.

They had already ordered this dish tonight. Did President Shen really like it that much?

Qi Zheng took the packed cornflake fritters from the waiter and accompanied Shen Zhibing to send off Boss Zhuang.

“Let’s say goodbye here. We’ll have plenty of opportunities to catch up again. I didn’t want to alarm too many people by returning this time. Thank you for hosting tonight, President Shen.”

Although this place was private, they might still run into people from the business world. Boss Zhuang’s face was unfamiliar, but if he was seen too often, it would inevitably raise suspicion.

Shen’s was rumored to have a big move planned before the new year, supposedly gathering a large amount of capital for an acquisition. The target remained confidential but had already attracted industry attention.

Heat and aroma mingled, and the cornflake fritters emitted a strong temptation in Shen Zhibing’s Rolls-Royce. Qi Zheng hadn’t eaten enough and was particularly susceptible.

“If you can’t resist, you can take it out and eat it now.”

Qi Zheng felt a little embarrassed: “How can I do that? This is what you’re taking back.”

When they got in the car, Shen Zhibing had already announced that she would drop Qi Zheng off at the suburban villa first, and then she would return to Yunlu Huayuan.

“This was packed up for you in the first place. Eat it if you want.”

Qi Zheng was surprised: “You ordered it for me?”

Shen Zhibing’s eyes were slightly closed. Clearly, the effects of last night’s drunkenness had not entirely worn off, and they had also been fooling around in the bathroom for so long. If Qi Zheng hadn’t insisted on blow-drying her hair before she fell asleep, she would probably have to go to the hospital today.

“I saw you eat two pieces just now and guessed you might like the flavor.”

This restaurant’s cornflake fritters were quite famous, but the serving size was small. It was delicate and beautiful but not filling. Qi Zheng was clearly the one who ate the most, fortunately the other two didn’t care much for sweets.

The car quickly arrived at the villa. Shen Zhibing seemed genuinely tired and barely spoke on the way. Qi Zheng opened the car door, paused, and looked back at Shen Zhibing: “Thank you for the cornflake fritters, President Shen. Good night.”

Her lips curved into a slight smile as she spoke. Shen Zhibing heard that she was not just being polite. She opened her eyes and smiled back at her: “Don’t be greedy tonight. Eating too much isn’t good for digestion. Good night to you too.”

Just two days later, the company’s internal network was suddenly hacked, and someone posted several photos under a strange ID.

The ID was called [Dating Rich Auntie While at School, Sleeping with the Boss While at Work], and it posted photos of Qi Zheng and Shen Zhibing.

Naturally, there were no intimate actions, but the selected time, place, and angle were perfect, making the subtle connection between them almost palpable.

There was nothing explicit in the photos, but anyone who looked at them could easily feel that there was indeed something going on between them. Especially Qi Zheng’s eyes, which were different from when she was at work—bright, shining, gentle, and shy. And that look was directed at Shen Zhibing.

Most of the photos of Shen Zhibing were of her side profile, making her expression unclear. But President Shen was always difficult to approach. The fact that Qi Zheng appeared close to her several times was already special, and adding Qi Zheng’s sudden promotion to the headquarters secretarial office undoubtedly served as strong evidence.

Shen Zhibing called Yun Fei into her office while she was on the phone with Alex: “Find out who took these photos and what their motive is as soon as possible.”

“These photos basically sacrifice Qi Zheng. You just need to deny it, and at most, people will say she was wishful thinking and misunderstood your intentions. A more decisive way to put it is that you were completely unaware she had such thoughts, and you only regarded her as a younger sister.”

Sometimes, the same gender can be a good cover.

Shen Zhibing hesitated and did not immediately adopt Alex’s suggestion.

“This will have too great an impact on her. First, find out who the target really is. I don’t want to rashly push anyone out to be sacrificed.”