Transmigrating Into the Beautiful CEO’s Doomed Substitute - Chapter 94

Shen Zhibing’s expression froze for a moment. She wasn’t angry, but clearly a little embarrassed. Seeing her reaction, Yun Fei knew that the content had probably not been seen by CEO Shen.

She didn’t want to be so nosy, having to report even a simple post about daily life from Xiao Qi. After realizing CEO Shen’s feelings, she couldn’t help but be a little selfish, hoping that CEO Shen’s relationship would have a good outcome.

From any angle, Xiao Qi seemed much more reliable than Lian Ao; at least she wouldn’t deceive CEO Shen.

Shen Zhibing didn’t continue to ask, but her face clearly showed a struggle between wanting to know and not knowing how to ask. Yun Fei pretended not to notice anything and very naturally handed over her phone, opening Moments: “Xiao Qi really loves small wontons. She didn’t forget to look for food even when she went to study.”

She posted the photo and the address. That place was quite a distance from B University. Shen Zhibing knew that Qi Zheng hadn’t bought a car yet, so going that far would certainly be inconvenient.

“It’s normal to miss these things when you’ve been away from home for a long time.”

She and Yun Fei had both studied at international schools all the way up. They didn’t have much of a fixation on so-called hometown delicacies, but they had deep feelings for the set menus at school. When they first went to B University, they would also miss the familiar tastes late at night while rushing to finish assignments.

Sometimes, food is actually a form of solace.

Shen Zhibing stared at the screen for quite a while. Yun Fei was also too embarrassed to take back her phone, stuck between a rock and a hard place. Suddenly, she heard CEO Shen say, “Send me the photo.”

Yun Fei was momentarily stunned, quickly analyzing and judging whether she had misunderstood her meaning.

Seeing her hesitate, Shen Zhibing had to make her words clearer: “Send these photos of hers to me.”

Yun Fei immediately complied, saving the photos in front of her and sending them over to Shen Zhibing’s phone.

Shen Zhibing lowered her eyes and glanced at the phone, confirming the successful reception. Seeing that Yun Fei had nothing else to say, she told her to get back to work.

It was only when she was left alone in the office that she opened the photos on her phone and looked at them closely again. Qi Zheng didn’t post a selfie, and the caption was very simple: Looking for local delicacies with classmates, delicious!

But Shen Zhibing immediately recalled her smile, always gentle, with a hint of shyness, restrained yet pure. She quietly looked at the few kinds of food in the photo, imagining Qi Zheng’s satisfied look while eating in a foreign land.

She couldn’t help but wonder, which classmates did Qi Zheng go out to eat with? And who was responsible for driving? Shen Zhibing had seen the class roster; there were a few people from China, but not many around her age.

She had resumed her treatment with the psychiatrist and patiently listened to the doctor’s reasons and analysis regarding the conclusion of her first stage of consultation. She needed not only counseling but also medication. This time, Shen Zhibing didn’t immediately refuse; she said she would consider it.

She had thought that with expert counseling, she would quickly learn how to repair her relationship with Qi Zheng. However, after listening to her confusion and behavior, the expert only told her that she needed to explore and strive on her own.

No relationship can be substituted by anyone else.

Shen Zhibing had no idea where to start, so she finally decided to begin with theoretical supplementation. She bought many related books online and had them sent to Yu Xinyan, asking her to deliver them to Yunlu Garden on the weekend.

“CEO Shen, when you pay my salary, could you add a bonus for delivering goods for you on the weekend?”

Seeing the person who knocked on the door at ten o’clock, Shen Zhibing turned around and walked towards the living room. Yu Xinyan held the cardboard box filled with books in one hand and closed the door with the other.

“I was wondering why you suddenly let me win two games last week. I knew your favors wouldn’t be so easy to get.”

Shen Zhibing took a bottle of sparkling water from the kitchen and handed it to her, taking the books.

“So I’m treating you to a meal today.”

“Is a meal enough?”

“Then what else do you want?”

“I naturally want to hear a story.”

As soon as Shen Zhibing heard that, she knew Yu Xinyan wanted to ask about Qi Zheng, and she was too lazy to pay attention to her.

Yu Xinyan drank the sparkling water and wandered leisurely in the living room: “By the way, how can just reading these books be useful? All talk and no action. Theory also needs to be verified through practice.”

Shen Zhibing was watching a video. An iPad was placed on the spacious and empty kitchen counter. Yu Xinyan curiously followed her and watched for a minute.

“Are you possessed? Not reading reports or contracts, but watching baking tutorials at home?”

Shen Zhibing was trying to understand every step in the video, mentally rehearsing how she would operate later. Yu Xinyan was still sighing next to her, which made her very irritated.

“If you want to watch, then watch. Otherwise, you can go watch TV in the living room.”

Yu Xinyan clicked her tongue in wonder, then sighed softly: “Although tying down a person’s stomach is indeed a good method. But I don’t think Qi Zheng would like these. She is quite a traditional person.”

Shen Zhibing paused the video, leaning her elbow on the counter: “You seem to know her well.”

Yu Xinyan pouted, saying meaningfully, “It’s not that I know her well, it’s that you don’t know her well enough. When I run into her in the cafeteria, I pay a little attention and noticed that she always orders those few fixed dishes and almost always sits in the same spot.”

Shen Zhibing raised an eyebrow. She really didn’t know these things.

Yu Xinyan continued: “Last time we went on a business trip to Hong Kong, she sneaked out to buy street noodles and curry fish balls. Haha, I saw her.”

“And then?”

Yu Xinyan played hard to get, pausing for a moment before saying, “Then I went and bought a serving too. It was really delicious.”

Shen Zhibing rolled her eyes inwardly, but she was very interested in things about Qi Zheng, especially those she hadn’t known or paid attention to before.

“What, still want to hear more?”

Shen Zhibing was silent, but her lack of denial was an affirmation, as those familiar with her knew.

“But the following content is going to cost you. I’ve gone VIP.”

“Then I’ll just wait for it to ‘fatten up.’ Anyway, I have other ways to find out.”

Yu Xinyan originally wanted to exchange this for gossip from Shen Zhibing, but her friend didn’t take the bait. However, since it was rare to see her old friend become proactive and willing to put in the effort, she naturally wouldn’t spoil the good thing.

“I think Qi Zheng is a traditional person, and also a serious person. She is very stubborn a lot of the time, and of course, highly likely to be very devoted.”

Shen Zhibing lowered her eyes, showing no emotion. Yu Xinyan knew she was listening.

After a few minutes, Shen Zhibing spoke gloomily: “The things that you and Yun Fei can see, I seem to have never noticed.”

She felt sad and somewhat ashamed. These days, she had tried to learn and attempt to repair a relationship, but she saw countless mistakes she had made in the past.

Big and small, shocking to behold.

Seeing her like this, Yu Xinyan didn’t know how to comfort her. Shen Zhibing hadn’t really talked much about what happened between her and Qi Zheng, but every time Yu Xinyan guessed, Shen Zhibing didn’t deny it too much. Piecing those details together, Yu Xinyan roughly understood what was going on.

“I didn’t know about the things you just mentioned. I was planning to learn how to make a cake.”

Yu Xinyan raised an eyebrow, wondering why Shen Zhibing suddenly jumped to this topic, and then heard her tone deepen a little: “It’s her birthday at the end of the month, and I want to make one myself.”

Oh, so that was it. That’s why she was invited to be the guinea pig today.

Yu Xinyan should have turned around and left indignantly. She and Yun Fei were very clear about how terrible CEO Shen’s cooking was. Her skills during her study abroad days were already considered the peak, and after many years since graduation, they had long become rusty and regressed. Now, she wondered if one could still walk out alive.

“It’s great that you have this thought. Xiao Qi will definitely be very touched when she knows.”

She originally wanted to say, “Old Shen, we can give other gifts, it doesn’t have to be handmade.”

But seeing Shen Zhibing continue to play the video, looking quite focused and serious, she couldn’t bear to say those words.

She lightly patted her shoulder, as encouragement. Yu Xinyan quietly wandered around the kitchen, thinking about what she could find to sustain herself later, and at the same time, offering silent condolences for Qi Zheng in advance.

Thinking carefully, it didn’t seem right. If Old Shen traveled thousands of miles to deliver a life-threatening cake, and Xiao Qi rejected it, who knew who would be the one to be offered condolences.

Yu Xinyan sighed, resignedly sitting next to Shen Zhibing, accompanying her to watch the tutorial video.

Two people watching was better than letting CEO Shen muddle through alone.

Qi Zheng hadn’t specifically celebrated her birthday for a long time, especially after breaking up with her ex. She would deliberately ignore days that were too ceremonial.

After all, when their relationship was at its best, they both spent a lot of effort on each other’s birthdays. At that time, they both thought they would spend every birthday together in the future.

It took Qi Zheng a long time to stop having expectations for such days, but this year, she inexplicably felt some anticipation.

In the week leading up to her birthday, she had many assignments, keeping her busy with barely any time outside of eating, sleeping, and rushing to finish work. Zhuang Muqing called to ask if she was free over the weekend. Qi Zheng looked at the long list of due dates on her computer and said with a wry smile that it probably wouldn’t be possible.

Only after hanging up the phone did she realize that the weekend was her birthday. Li Yunshan seemed to have asked her yesterday too. Qi Zheng guessed they wanted to celebrate for her.

Assignment after assignment was completed and submitted. Watching the notifications in her mailbox gradually disappear, the restlessness in Qi Zheng’s heart not only didn’t vanish but actually intensified. It was already Friday afternoon. She had been engrossed in catching up on assignments these past few days and hadn’t been in touch with many people.

She picked up her phone and absentmindedly scrolled through it. Her last contact with Shen Zhibing was on Monday. They only chatted for five minutes, and then she went to class.

Zhuang Muqing called her: “Qi Zheng, I heard from Yunshan that you’ve finished all your assignments. Are you free now?”

“Yes, they are all done.”

Zhuang Muqing was clearly very happy when she heard that, her voice filled with cheerful notes: “Then come downstairs. I’m waiting for you.”

Qi Zheng was greatly surprised, got up, and walked to the window. Sure enough, she saw Zhuang Muqing leaning against the car, waving up at her.

She was dressed very casually today, clearly ready to go to a party.

“Where are we going?”

“Tomorrow is your birthday. We’re planning to celebrate it for you.”

Zhuang Muqing had introduced a few friends to Qi Zheng, but they weren’t too familiar.

Qi Zheng felt a bit tired. In fact, she wanted to rest more right now. But seeing Zhuang Muqing so enthusiastic and seemingly having everything arranged, she really couldn’t refuse the kind invitation.

“Then wait for me a moment. I’ll go change.”

Having stayed up almost half the night rushing assignments at home, Qi Zheng’s state wasn’t great. She quickly splashed cold water on her face to look more alert. She chose clothes with brighter colors, put on jeans, and went out.

“The birthday girl has the privilege of putting on makeup and dressing up. Don’t worry about keeping me waiting too long.”

Clearly, Zhuang Muqing was a little surprised that Qi Zheng came down so quickly.

Qi Zheng smiled as she opened the car door and said, “People are just people. Dressing up for a long time won’t turn me into a flower.”

The author has something to say:

The mutual seduction you mentioned between them will have to wait a little longer. It will be in the later chapters.

PS: I am writing the third update. It is highly likely I won’t finish before 12 o’clock. You can read it tomorrow morning. Jiu jiu jiu (Kiss sound)