Transmigrating Into the Beautiful CEO’s Doomed Substitute - Chapter 9

Shen Zhibing’s tone made Qi Zheng frown repeatedly. What was this? Was she being interrogated like a criminal? Being left alone in the villa for a whole day with no word, ignored even when she sent messages—it was obvious Shen Zhibing didn’t care at all.

Now, returning and openly ignoring her in front of the butler and other staff, and saying something like that, showed absolutely no respect.

Shen Zhibing lowered her head to read a book, casually flipping through it as if she had picked it up at random from the desk out of boredom. After waiting a while without Qi Zheng responding, she reluctantly raised her eyes to look at her. The slightly raised chin made the atmosphere between them thick with tension.

“Don’t want to say it, or don’t dare to?”

The contempt and teasing in Shen Zhibing’s eyes was more than Qi Zheng’s patience could endure, and she snapped back bluntly:
“My choice of company is my freedom. Whether I’m happy or not is my own feeling. Even if I’m overjoyed and flying high, Shen Zhibing won’t share it.”

The cold smile at the corner of Shen Zhibing’s mouth disappeared, and she flipped the book closed on the desk. Her hands were crossed, elbows resting on the armrests; Qi Zheng’s response clearly displeased her.

Since yesterday, Shen Zhibing had sensed Qi Zheng had changed, not quite the same as when they signed the contract last time.

“It’s only been a short time, and your temper is already so bad. If I keep indulging you in the future, wouldn’t you become lawless?” Shen Zhibing didn’t argue, her tone calm yet infuriatingly dismissive.

The more contemptuous she was, the more frustrated Qi Zheng felt.

How foolish could one be to agree to cooperate with such a sponsor? Well, Qi Zheng admitted the original owner had indeed been foolish—she had nothing to say.

Shen Zhibing had gone to her usual spot after work and felt somewhat uplifted upon seeing Lian Ao, whom she hadn’t met in a long time. Lian Ao noticed her fatigue and discomfort, and unusually took the initiative to cook, saying he would personally make her steak.

Shen Zhibing hadn’t eaten lunch and only managed a few snacks in the afternoon, along with two cups of coffee, relying on painkillers to get by. Hearing that Lian Ao had arranged a romantic dinner with steak and wine, she physically recoiled, even feeling a bit nauseated.

Yet, the accumulated longing and joy of reunion made her suppress everything and smile, waiting for Lian Ao’s preparations. She sat on the living room sofa with her eyes closed, suddenly recalling the matter she had asked to investigate earlier that morning.

The efficiency had been high, and the matter wasn’t complicated; the report had already been given to her before her second afternoon meeting. She needed to know about Qi Zheng, but it wasn’t important enough to take up her work time.

With a free moment now, Shen Zhibing decided to take a quick look. Her curiosity centered on who exactly had caused Qi Zheng to reject her request so sharply last night.

She almost exploded upon seeing it. The images of Qi Zheng leaving the dorm with Jiang Youyou that morning were extremely glaring. Both looked like they hadn’t slept well, and so did she.

Yet the two in the photos looked happier than Shen Zhibing did. Despite their fatigue, their complexions were good, and they chatted and laughed along the way. She learned from the materials that the other person was Qi Zheng’s roommate. But Jiang Youyou had formally moved out around noon yesterday, with her departure documented at the dorm office. Yet she had returned last night—not out of nostalgia for dorm life, surely?

Shen Zhibing sneered; no wonder Qi Zheng had been in such a hurry to return—the dorm wasn’t just her alone.

Lian Ao came in midway to make her a glass of fresh orange juice. She, with an empty stomach, took it with a small smile, sipped lightly, then put it on the table.

Lian Ao bent down and hugged her gently, saying warmly:
“Wait a bit, it’ll be ready soon.”

Shen Zhibing, with him, was mostly soft and gentle. She responded softly, and once he was out of sight, she picked up her phone to continue checking.

Besides photos and texts, there was a voice message of Qi Zheng speaking to Jiang Youyou before they parted. After listening, Shen Zhibing called Lao Yu.

“Shen Zhibing.”

“Lao Yu, when you picked up Qi Zheng today, did you see anyone with her?”

There was a brief pause before Lao Yu replied honestly:
“There was someone, probably a classmate, but they didn’t speak for long before separating.”

Shen Zhibing hung up and went to grab her coat. She was used to leaving immediately for urgent matters and forgot she was with Lian Ao—time together with him was too rare.

Coat draped over her arm, she knocked on the kitchen door. Inside, Lian Ao, focused on the steak, turned around, assuming she couldn’t wait.

A charming smile just appeared on his lips when Shen Zhibing slightly apologetically said:
“Something came up, I have to go out for a while.”

“Then… will you come back?”

Shen Zhibing estimated the time—it shouldn’t be a problem.

“I’ll handle it quickly and call you.”

She should return in time, but the steak and romantic candlelight dinner were ruined. She also regretted missing rare moments with Lian Ao, but Qi Zheng’s matter was pressing.

She couldn’t tolerate someone else sharing what was hers.

Now, Qi Zheng belonged to her—no matter what her heart felt.

Lian Ao, clearly disappointed, even forgot to turn off the stove. With top-quality Wagyu, even a slight mishandling could ruin it. Shen Zhibing’s apology deepened; she tiptoed and hugged his shoulder, placing a quick kiss on his cheek.

He saw her out, and upon learning she was going to handle things at her own property, his earlier worry eased slightly. Lian Ao was always composed and dignified with her, never losing poise over small matters.

“Take your time. I’ll wait.”

Shen Zhibing snapped back to reality. She had forsaken dinner with Lian Ao, only to return and be met with a scowl from Qi Zheng.

“Qi Zheng, I don’t need to remind you—our relationship is clear, right?”

Qi Zheng was most annoyed about this. From the first day she arrived, she had been thinking about terminating their contract. She hadn’t expected Shen Zhibing to press step by step, giving her no time.

“I know, but I haven’t done anything wrong. You can’t always try to control me. We’re partners, not subordinates.”

Shen Zhibing’s breathing grew heavier, her stomach began hurting again. Her previously strong gaze dimmed, sweat forming on her forehead.

Seeing this, Qi Zheng sensed something was wrong. She stepped closer:
“Are you okay?”

Having witnessed Jiang Youyou’s suffering last night, she didn’t want to see an upgraded version today.

Shen Zhibing lightly shrugged her hand away, not letting her touch her.

“Who made me this angry? And you still ask if I’m okay?”

Qi Zheng sighed, shaking her head, and went to pour a glass of warm water, placing it in front of her:
“I don’t know why you’re this upset, but first, you need to take care of yourself.”

The pure, warm water in a transparent glass looked extremely inviting—Shen Zhibing, who had tasted countless expensive drinks, had never longed for something so simple and warm.

Qi Zheng nudged the glass closer:
“Drink some warm water first. You don’t look well.”

She didn’t touch Shen Zhibing again, only gesturing toward the sweat on her face.

Shen Zhibing drank half slowly, feeling the pain ease slightly, and held the glass thoughtfully.

In features, Qi Zheng resembled Lian Ao, but softer, with longer, gentler hair, easier to approach. Yet Shen Zhibing had always disliked Qi Zheng’s overly soft, indecisive nature—it annoyed her.

She kept Qi Zheng close only to seek traces of warmth from her, to release the suppressed pain in her heart. She and Lian Ao had a future full of uncertainty.

Even she knew she might never be with the one she truly desired. Keeping Qi Zheng close, watching, shaping, and controlling her—maybe one day she would feel at peace.

Now, it seemed her plan wouldn’t go as smoothly.

Qi Zheng had changed—or perhaps Shen Zhibing hadn’t fully understood her before. The formerly soft, easy-to-bully Qi Zheng had only been pretending to please Lin Muyun. The current defiant, bear-like Qi Zheng might be the real her.

If so, this was not a profitable deal. But Shen Zhibing, in business, either didn’t act or refused to give up easily.

She put down the glass, stood, and opened her study door, bringing Qi Zheng to the third floor.

“Come in.”

Seeing the size and decor of the room, Qi Zheng knew it wasn’t ordinary.

“You’ll live here from now on. Once school matters are done, come straight here. Lao Yu will pick you up anytime, no matter how early or late.”

Shen Zhibing finished speaking and turned to Qi Zheng, curling her lips slightly:
“So, you must stay here every day.”

Qi Zheng, about to remark on the room’s extravagance and thank Shen Zhibing for her generosity, immediately realized she had to eat her words.

One could never have illusions about Shen Zhibing—the woman’s possessiveness was extreme.

“Wasn’t it agreed I could be free until graduation…”

Shen Zhibing interrupted:
“That was before I knew about last night. Now, I’ve changed my mind.”

Qi Zheng frowned:
“How can you do this?”

Shen Zhibing approached step by step, closing the distance for the first time. She suddenly grabbed Qi Zheng’s collar, looking into her eyes, emphasizing each word:
“You belong to me. You must live in my house, and I must know where you sleep every day.”

Qi Zheng felt humiliated and resisted, instinctively pushing Shen Zhibing’s hand away.

Shen Zhibing, not expecting Qi Zheng’s resistance, weakened and stumbled onto the bed. Her hand didn’t fully let go, dragging Qi Zheng down with her.

The two were extremely close, nearly nose to nose. Qi Zheng’s whole body pressed against Shen Zhibing, and if she hadn’t reacted quickly with one hand supporting the bed, Shen Zhibing’s stomach might have suffered again.

Shen Zhibing’s words were swallowed. Qi Zheng, at this angle, didn’t resemble Lian Ao at all, yet she felt a strange unfamiliar sensation, making her forget to push her away.