Transmigrating Into the Beautiful CEO’s Doomed Substitute - Chapter 95

It was only after Qi Zheng got into the car that she heard Zhuang Muqing clearly explain the arrangements for the evening. She quietly breathed a sigh of relief, glad it wasn’t a large, crowded event.

“The original plan was to formally celebrate for you tomorrow, but Yunshan said that calculated according to domestic time, it should actually be tonight.”

Qi Zheng laughed, “There’s no need for so many formalities. I am very grateful for your kind intentions.”

After speaking, she covered her mouth and let out a small yawn. Zhuang Muqing turned her head and asked her, “Are you very tired?”

“I only slept for three hours last night to rush an assignment, but I can still hold on.”

Zhuang Muqing received her master’s degree last year; she graduated from a well-known design academy in New York. Many people think studying abroad is tough, but only those who have studied design truly understand that kind of disordered life, full of uncertainty and unexpected situations, which fills their student careers.

She smiled and shared her anti-fatigue experience, “It is indeed harder at the beginning, but you’ll get used to it. You can exercise more often, and you should also try to change your diet.”

Qi Zheng loves eating Chinese food most of the time. She’s not very fond of fries and hamburgers, nor does she like steak and salad, which is quite difficult.

“I mainly eat cereal for breakfast now; it’s not bad.”

To save time, Qi Zheng chose nutritious and convenient food for breakfast, but she actually prefers hot noodles, rice noodles, or xiaohuntun (small wontons).

But these are only strange and distant terms for Zhuang Muqing, who lives in the US. She knows what these foods are and what they taste like when eaten in the US.

However, she cannot empathize with the culture that has accompanied her growth since childhood and is practically integrated into her life.

Zhuang Muqing did not doubt that Qi Zheng would eventually adapt to such high-intensity study life, nor did she question the speed of Qi Zheng’s adaptation as a veteran. She disliked comparing herself with others; she possessed the artist’s unique free-spiritedness and transcendence, mostly immersed in the world of creation.

“Qi Zheng, what are your plans for the Christmas break?”

It was still a while until Christmas, but it was just like in China, where people start looking forward to the Spring Festival right after New Year’s Day.

“I haven’t decided. Maybe stay home and sleep well, or go visit New York.”

She had been in the US for some time, but her activities were basically limited to the apartment, classroom, and library.

“My friends and I are planning to go to Barbados. If you’re interested, you can join us.”

Most of Zhuang Muqing’s friends are also from the art world. Their temperaments are not necessarily peaceful or gentle, but they are mostly sincere and pure, making it more comfortable to be around them.

However, a trace of resistance rose from the bottom of Qi Zheng’s heart, and she shook her head, refusing, “I still prefer to stay home.”

Seeing that she wasn’t just being polite out of shyness, Zhuang Muqing did not insist.

Li Yunshan was already waiting for them at one of the Zhuang family’s small estates in the area. It was usually used for holiday celebrations, and Zhuang Muqing also liked to hold small salons there, so all related services were readily available.

Qi Zheng only realized she was dressed a bit too casually after getting out of the car. As the guest of honor, she was dressed as if she were going to buy milk at the convenience store on the corner.

Zhuang Muqing didn’t mind this. Seeing Qi Zheng still standing by the car, she smiled and led her inside, “Don’t be nervous, they are all people you have met before.”

Li Yunshan ran over to Qi Zheng, stood beside her, and whispered, “Why are you walking so slowly? Are you too moved to walk?”

Qi Zheng smiled awkwardly, not denying it.

But what she was actually thinking about was something else.

Inside the house, the living room had clearly been carefully decorated—it wasn’t exaggerated but showed thoughtfulness. When Zhuang Muqing’s friends saw Qi Zheng, they came forward one after another to hug and congratulate her. No one questioned her attire.

But Qi Zheng still couldn’t help but secretly look around; even Li Yunshan was wearing a semi-formal suit. Only she had a shirt plus a knit sweater under her coat, paired with jeans and sneakers.

Li Yunshan noticed that Qi Zheng seemed a little low-spirited, her reaction also being a bit indifferent, and worried she was too tired.

“How about we leave a little earlier later?”

Qi Zheng glanced at the others. Everyone was very happy, and she couldn’t be such a spoilsport.

“It’s okay. I’ll feel better after eating something.”

She not only slept little but also ate little.

Li Yunshan spent most of the time chatting with Qi Zheng. Zhuang Muqing’s friends would also ask about their studies, but mostly they couldn’t have deep conversations because their fields were different.

Zhuang Muqing became the bridge in the middle, taking care of both sides.

Qi Zheng sat on a single sofa nearby, quietly watching all this, finding it hard to blend in.

Despite such a good environment and such a harmonious and relaxed atmosphere, she always felt like an outsider.

The cake was made in a Chinese style, with a very low cream ratio. The chef had also prepared a lot of Chinese food, which Zhuang Muqing must have arranged beforehand.

“You must eat a bowl of longevity noodles on your birthday.” Zhuang Muqing pointed to a small bowl of noodles that had just been served.

Qi Zheng thanked her with a smile and finished the noodles readily.

Everyone had prepared gifts. Qi Zheng had mentally prepared herself beforehand, but seeing the packaging that clearly looked expensive, her heart still sank a few times.

She maintained a smile, accepted everyone’s hugs and light kisses on her cheek, and held those exquisite gifts, thanking everyone with a smile.

Seeing that it was almost ten o’clock and that Qi Zheng looked visibly tired, Zhuang Muqing suggested ending the party.

“I drank a little wine and can’t drive. Shall I have the chauffeur take you back?”

Qi Zheng hadn’t wanted to trouble her to drive herself anyway, and agreed immediately upon hearing this.

The driver first dropped off Li Yunshan, then drove to the apartment building not far away. Zhuang Muqing had originally intended to accompany them, but Qi Zheng insisted she stay.

She walked towards the main entrance, holding the gifts she had received that night, and noticed in her peripheral vision that car, which was actually very low-key and not particularly special. But she remembered the license plate; she had only seen it once before, yet she remembered it.

Qi Zheng slowed her pace, wanting to see if the person she suspected was sitting in the car. Before she could look closely, the car door opened.

The moment she saw Shen Zhibing, the irritation that had bothered Qi Zheng for several days suddenly calmed down. The instantaneous surge of joy hadn’t had a chance to show on her face before it was wrapped again by a new sense of repression.

She tensed her lips, looking expressionlessly as Shen Zhibing walked towards her step by step.

President Shen was carrying her favorite H-brand bag in her left hand and a small box in her right, which looked a bit comical.

“Qi Zheng, Happy Birthday.”

The first sentence Shen Zhibing spoke when she stood in front of her was this.

The night wind carried a chill, making her cheeks feel cold and hard.

Qi Zheng’s heart and her eyes simultaneously warmed up.

“Thank you, President Shen.”

Qi Zheng looked deeply at her, only retracting her gaze when she realized her stare was too unrestrained. Shen Zhibing lowered her head and glanced at the gifts in Qi Zheng’s arms, thinking someone must have celebrated her birthday already.

But she had specifically condensed and adjusted her work this week and flown over to celebrate her birthday, and she wouldn’t give up just because someone got there first.

It was just that this made her feel a little upset, but the pleasure brought by seeing Qi Zheng was enough to offset it.

“I wanted to come and celebrate your birthday. I wonder… is it convenient for you?”

Qi Zheng had been resting with her eyes closed in the car, having leaned on Li Yunshan’s shoulder twice. Now her sleepiness was much less, and she didn’t seem so tired.

“Yes.”

It was still similar to the last time she came, just a bit messier. There was a laptop on the desk, scattered papers and literature, and a faint smell of instant noodles.

“Sorry, I was in a bit of a rush when I left today and didn’t have time to tidy up.”

Qi Zheng cleaned up the instant noodles still left on the dining table and brewed a cup of tea for Shen Zhibing.

“Eating instant noodles because you were rushing assignments?”

Qi Zheng nodded, sighed gently while holding her waist, “The Business School at B-University certainly lives up to its name; it’s practically taking my life.”

Shen Zhibing knew what kind of hardship this was. She originally wanted to comfort Qi Zheng by saying it would be easier once she got used to it. But seeing her dark circles and slower reaction than before, she knew Qi Zheng was indeed tired.

She put down her cup, suddenly becoming reserved. The small box had been placed in the kitchen by Qi Zheng after they entered.

“I prepared a cake. If you don’t mind, I’ll leave after we finish eating it.”

The time hadn’t passed midnight yet, but Shen Zhibing hadn’t told her that she had arrived downstairs at eight o’clock.

Qi Zheng walked into the kitchen as requested and opened the box. She had expected a more exquisite cake inside such a fine package, at least better than the one made by the Zhuang family’s chef tonight.

To her surprise, it was such a simple, unadorned cake.

While she was still in a daze, Shen Zhibing also followed her in.

The apartment was not large; it felt slightly cramped with two people standing inside, let alone compared to the spacious kitchen of a suburban villa.

“I… was in a rush, so I couldn’t add much decoration.”

Shen Zhibing stood behind her, vaguely able to see her own creation over Qi Zheng’s shoulder.

She spoke a little laboriously, feeling somewhat embarrassed. This was the best level she could achieve after practicing many times. She had wanted to add more decorations, but Yu Xinyan stopped her, “Old Shen, we can’t be overzealous and rush things. The primary goal now is to ensure the cake won’t poison anyone and that Qi Zheng won’t kick you out after eating it, OK?”

Shen Zhibing was naturally annoyed at having her ability questioned, but in terms of cooking, she indeed lacked confidence. Fortunately, her skills hadn’t deteriorated after the long flight, and it was similar to how it was after practicing in Haicheng.

Qi Zheng had already figured out that this cake was definitely not store-bought, as no one would dare sell such a cake in a shop.

“Thank you for your thoughtfulness, President Shen. Let’s… eat it together.”

Qi Zheng cut the cake into several pieces, placed them on a plate, and handed one to Shen Zhibing.

Shen Zhibing had no appetite at all, having eaten it many times before. She thought she would be sick of it, but unexpectedly, she ate more than half while eating with Qi Zheng.

“Save the rest for tomorrow. Eating too much at night is not easy to digest.” Shen Zhibing saw that Qi Zheng had no reaction after finishing her portion and thought the cake must taste decent.

Qi Zheng put the remaining cake in the refrigerator. Shen Zhibing quietly watched her finish everything, and silence remained between the two.

“I also prepared a birthday gift; it’s in my bag.” Shen Zhibing turned around awkwardly and returned to the living room to rummage through the bag on the sofa.

Qi Zheng slowly walked to the door, leaned against the frame, and watched Shen Zhibing bend down to take a small box out of her bag. She casually tucked the hair that had fallen down behind her ear and smiled at the box.

Then she walked up to Qi Zheng, “I hope you will like it.”

She had chosen for a long time, hoping Qi Zheng would like it.