Transmigrating Into the Beautiful CEO’s Doomed Substitute - Chapter 96

Qi Zheng looked at the long, exquisite gift box, which was obviously specially wrapped, but she couldn’t identify the brand from the outside yet. However, she didn’t try to guess what it might be, or which brand, as she had already experienced a few such moments tonight at Zhuang Muqing’s small estate.

Shen Zhibing’s eyes were sparkling, and she eagerly presented the gift to Qi Zheng, hoping she would like it, and that her response wouldn’t just be a polite formality. She had asked Yun Fei, and then dragged Yu Xinyan along to shop and choose before finally settling on this one.

Although she didn’t know Qi Zheng well enough yet, she hoped this birthday would give her an opportunity. This gift was not just an expression of money, but a bearer of her affection.

However, Qi Zheng remained silent.

“You… don’t like it? Or, you don’t want it?”

Shen Zhibing was a little nervous. Either answer would be a blow to her.

Qi Zheng looked at the slender, fair fingers gripping the edge of the gift box, slightly red from the pressure, yet not retreating an inch.

“No.”

Hearing Qi Zheng say this, Shen Zhibing’s heart, which had been slowly sinking, suddenly regained vitality. She couldn’t help but smile and took the initiative to unwrap the gift for her.

With the packaging removed, the brand printed on the surface of the brocade box was clearly visible. Now, Qi Zheng knew what it was.

Shen Zhibing focused on unwrapping the gift, afraid that any delay might lead to Qi Zheng rejecting it. The memory of Qi Zheng refusing the bracelet last time was still vivid.

She was somewhat traumatized, afraid that the same scene would repeat itself.

The gift box was opened, and a watch with a simple but extraordinary design appeared before them.

Shen Zhibing was clearly quite satisfied with the gift. She took the watch out of the box and said, “This is a classic model from Jaeger-LeCoultre. It’s not flashy, but I think it suits you especially well.”

This was a classic version from many years ago, and a commemorative reissue came out this year.

Qi Zheng moved her lips, looking intently at Shen Zhibing. Some words were caught in her throat; she wanted to say them, but couldn’t.

Shen Zhibing noticed her slightly unusual reaction, but subconsciously didn’t want to confront it. Seeing that Qi Zheng hadn’t directly refused, she took her hand and put the watch on her wrist.

She looked at the watch, which had finally found a suitable owner, and said with satisfaction, “It really suits you. I thought so when I chose it, but it looks even better when you actually wear it.”

Qi Zheng followed her gaze to the new gift on her wrist: a medium-sized, gender-neutral watch face. It wasn’t as bold and robust as a men’s watch, nor as small and delicate as a women’s watch.

It was just the right size, low-key and simple, yet its classic design was undeniable.

Qi Zheng carefully ran her finger over the watch face, as if feeling every inch of the edge. She scrutinized it, clearly liking the gift very much.

Seeing that she liked it, Shen Zhibing’s heart also soared with joy. This feeling was completely different from when she had Yun Fei buy a bracelet for Qi Zheng in the past. At that time, she only cared whether the item was sent, but not how Qi Zheng felt upon receiving it.

But now, she cared.

She had thought many times while choosing it whether Qi Zheng would like it.

However, this joy did not last long. Shen Zhibing watched with wide eyes as Qi Zheng lovingly stroked the watch, then resolutely took it off and put it back in the box.

“President Shen, I cannot accept this gift.”

Shen Zhibing was very surprised, momentarily losing her usual composure.

She anxiously asked for the reason, yet was afraid the answer would be a rejection that left her no room for maneuver.

“This gift is too valuable. This watch would take me more than two years of serious saving, even based on my previous position in the company.” Qi Zheng looked at her with an unspeakable frustration and powerlessness. “It’s too extravagant for me. I can’t afford it.”

It wasn’t that she couldn’t earn the money, but she wouldn’t spend all the money she saved for more than two years on a watch. She knew Shen Zhibing wasn’t trying to show off with money; this was just a normal level of consumption for President Shen.

Or perhaps, for people with such privileged backgrounds, they never needed to worry about the price since childhood, only whether they liked it or not.

Zhuang Muqing was like this, and so was Shen Zhibing.

Tonight, Qi Zheng genuinely felt the gap for the first time in the small estate. The differences she hadn’t cared much about before now tormented her like pinpricks.

She felt that this was very wrong. The gap between people was already huge, so why should she nitpick? But she found herself unable to help it, because her heart was once again opened.

Because she was unable to provide a stable and solid material foundation for her loved one in the past, that once brilliant and splendid relationship vanished into reality. She knew she couldn’t blame anyone, but reality was just like that. She didn’t want to, and didn’t dare to, repeat the same mistake.

Shen Zhibing didn’t need her to support her; she could even support Qi Zheng in turn, including her entire family. But this was not what Qi Zheng wanted. She didn’t seek to have the same wealth as President Shen, but she hoped to at least have the ability to protect her.

Just like last time, when facing so much pressure and difficulty, Shen Zhibing could lean on her, rather than pushing her away and excluding her from the considerations of fighting together at the first moment.

Qi Zheng thought, she was being a little greedy. She wanted not only Shen Zhibing’s person and heart, but also her life.

It turned out that she still cared, cared about the hurt and lessons brought by that failed relationship in the past. Qi Zheng thought that as long as she stopped loving anyone, she wouldn’t be hurt again. But now, she had someone she wanted to walk with again, yet painfully discovered that she still lacked the ability to shield them from the storm.

Reality was cruel. Just gentle care was useless. Tenderness that couldn’t withstand wind, rain, and setbacks was the most unrealistic support.

Qi Zheng didn’t say harsh words, nor was she cold, but her rejecting attitude made Shen Zhibing feel hurt, and also… anxious.

“If you think the watch is too expensive, then I… I’ll go change to another one right now.” Shen Zhibing turned around, as if she really intended to buy a new one immediately.

Qi Zheng grabbed her arm. Her fingertips clasped Shen Zhibing’s wrist, exchanging their body warmth.

Whether it was an illusion or not, Qi Zheng could actually feel the extremely fast heartbeat. She was very reluctant to let go.

“It’s very late now. The mall is long closed. I appreciate your sincerity, but please excuse the gift.”

Shen Zhibing lost some strength, glancing at the gift box Qi Zheng placed on the corner of the desk with a voice full of unnoticed frustration: “Is it because you’ve received too many other gifts tonight?”

So, you don’t care about mine anymore.

Qi Zheng sighed softly and said in a low voice, “Your presence in person is already a very precious gift to me.”

Shen Zhibing suddenly turned and looked at Qi Zheng. She hesitated, struggling several times. In fact, besides giving the gift, she had other things she wanted to say. But she had been looking for an opportunity, thinking that after Qi Zheng accepted the gift, she could naturally continue.

Who knew that Qi Zheng even refused the watch? She probably wouldn’t accept what she was about to say either.

She just wanted an opportunity to mend their relationship, to try and start over.

Seeing her distressed, conflicted, reluctant yet restrained look, Qi Zheng roughly guessed what she was thinking.

She gently pushed the watch back into Shen Zhibing’s hand: “President Shen, I’ve worn the watch. It looks great, and I like it very much.”

Shen Zhibing still stood there lost in thought, looking at her blankly, forgetting to give her any reaction.

Qi Zheng felt a pang in her heart, but she could only suppress it and try to remain calm.

“Let’s just take it naturally.”

She was tired. The high-intensity work on her assignments over the past few days had pushed her body to the limit of exhaustion. The various feelings of disparity she experienced tonight reminded her of the powerlessness from a long time ago, and also of the moments when she attended various events with President Shen.

In fact, Shen Zhibing took great care of her, never letting her be embarrassed on such occasions. Thinking about it, she probably knew Qi Zheng lacked experience in dealing with those situations.

If one day, she and President Shen could stand side-by-side with confidence and composure, without worrying about whether the other person could adapt to the surrounding environment, that would be true trust in each other’s abilities.

Qi Zheng felt she was starting to be overly sensitive and calculating. All those details that meant nothing before were now brought up and became the root cause of her current concern.

Shen Zhibing truly understood Qi Zheng’s experience that night. It took only a few words to go from anticipation to falling into an ice cellar. Qi Zheng didn’t say words as sharp, cutting, and hurtful as she did, but they were enough to cause her unbearable heartache.

“I’m sorry, I made you so sad that day.” Shen Zhibing lowered her eyes. She finally understood the immense courage it took for Qi Zheng to leave her room that day.

Qi Zheng really wanted to hug her, but she was afraid that once she hugged her, she wouldn’t want to let go.

Shen Zhibing’s hands hanging by her sides were tightly clenched, her fingernails almost piercing the skin of her palms, but she didn’t feel any pain.

Shen Zhibing didn’t even dare to look at Qi Zheng. She hadn’t figured out how to face her. On the way here, she had considered being rejected, but she hadn’t expected to receive the answer without even having a chance to speak.

According to her personality, she should have coolly said goodbye and decisively left at this point. But Shen Zhibing didn’t want to leave.

She even wanted to stay here, wait a little longer, hoping Qi Zheng might change her mind later.

Seeing her whole aura completely weaken, like a fragile flower unable to survive independently, Qi Zheng’s heart ached.

“President Shen, you shouldn’t be like this.”

Her tone, full of pity and affection, gave Shen Zhibing a glimmer of hope. She followed her heart, wanting to tell Qi Zheng what she intended to say.

“Qi Zheng, can we…”

Her lips were gently covered by Qi Zheng’s finger, blocking the rest of her words.

“Not now, so please don’t say it.”

Shen Zhibing’s eyes completely dimmed, and she lost all strength. She tried hard to stand firm, but gradually felt powerless.

“So, I no longer have a chance, right?”

Shen Zhibing’s voice was very low and soft. She probably didn’t expect or want an answer from Qi Zheng. After all, it would be a bit cruel to her.

“The person I like is President Shen—the one who insists on working even when sick, the one who is strict and uncompromising, the one who doesn’t like to drink sobering soup but refuses to say it clearly yet still complains of discomfort, the one who always sticks to what she believes.”

This was the first time Qi Zheng had spoken like this in front of her, candid and genuine. She was indeed attracted to this kind of Shen Zhibing.

Shen Zhibing had no idea that she appeared this way in Qi Zheng’s eyes. It sounded quite good.

She forced a smile, hoping to respond to Qi Zheng’s compliments.

“Don’t become humble for me.”

She felt Shen Zhibing’s sincerity tonight, so she was no longer angry or resentful. However, she was more clear-headed: they still lacked the ability or conditions to truly be together.