Falling into the Capital's Radiance - Chapter 17

Rong Heng had long wanted to get out for some fresh air.

“Sure, I’ll have someone bring a few good bottles over.”

He had always enjoyed lively gatherings. The few of them were usually busy, so it was rare to get together-naturally, he was enthusiastic.

As he spoke, Rong Heng asked Zhao Zonglan, “Fifth Brother, are you coming?”

Zhao Zonglan replied briefly, set his phone aside, and said listlessly, “We’ll see.”

Rong Heng assumed he was just too busy to make time, and didn’t press further.

In truth, Zhao Zonglan really disliked these kinds of holidays.

Especially Christmas.

Abroad, Christmas was an important time for family reunions-Christmas trees, exchanging gifts, family dinners…

But none of that joy had anything to do with him.

During those years in New York, Zhao Zonglan’s Christmases had no gifts, no Christmas tree, and no family.

He only had himself.

–

After Shen Jingni finished texting Zhao Zonglan, she received a call from the branch manager.

Currently, Oath of Love had five branches in Jing City.

The call was from Store No. 2 in the Xicheng District.

On the phone, the manager sounded a bit anxious. “Boss, you should come over quickly-someone’s causing trouble at the store.”

Shen Jingni brought Chu You and hurried over.

From a distance, they could see a crowd gathered at the store entrance. No one was going inside; they were just making a scene at the door.

The troublemaker was a woman.

Shen Jingni recognized her-Meng Qing, from the same social circle. They’d even had afternoon tea together before.

Miss Meng was usually impeccably dressed, but today she was much more low-key.

The manager had briefly explained the situation over the phone.

A few months ago, Meng Qing had ordered a set of wedding attire and headpieces from Oath of Love, totaling two million yuan. The goods had been delivered two weeks ago.

Payment and goods had been exchanged, so there should have been no further entanglements. But for some reason, Miss Meng suddenly showed up with a group, demanding a return.

There was absolutely no way to give her a refund.

She was clever, too-knowing that Oath of Love was just starting out and valued its reputation above all, she brazenly brought people to block the entrance. With so many people passing by on the street, there was no shortage of onlookers.

Shen Jingni felt something was off.

Although the Meng family wasn’t top-tier, they weren’t short two million yuan. There was no way a dignified Miss Meng would openly cause a scene like this.

She turned to Chu You behind her. “Contact my brother and have him check the Meng family’s latest financial situation.”

With that, she strode toward the crowd.

The branch manager saw Shen Jingni and hurried over, whispering in her ear, “Boss, I’ve talked myself hoarse, but Miss Meng refuses to come inside and talk.”

She had some work experience, but had never seen such a spectacle before.

She’d never seen a wealthy heiress make such a scene so shamelessly.

Shen Jingni stopped in front of Meng Qing and gave a slight smile. “It’s dry and cold out here. Shall we talk inside?”

Meng Qing snorted coldly, her tone mocking. “Miss Shen is running a business-shouldn’t you be open and aboveboard? What, are you afraid to talk out here?”

She really was here to pick a fight.

Shen Jingni gave a light scoff. “Fine. If Miss Meng isn’t afraid of losing face, then I have nothing to fear either.”

“Go ahead-why do you want a refund?”

Meng Qing crossed her arms, her posture haughty. “I spent two million on a custom wedding dress from you. When I tried it on at home, neither the design nor the materials were what I asked for. So, I’m here to return it-perfectly justified.”

“Not only do you have to refund me, you also need to pay a penalty for breach of contract. After all, because of your company, my wedding was delayed.”

The people behind her all chimed in, “That’s right, pay the penalty!”

They were trained-uniform and in sync.

They looked like professional troublemakers.

Shen Jingni fixed her with a sharp gaze and slowly spat out, “Are you out of your mind?”

“If you weren’t satisfied, why didn’t you say so when you tried it on the day you received it?”

“What were you doing when the designer showed you the sketches?”

“We used top-grade mulberry silk for the dress, and all the small diamonds are real. You saw the materials report yourself.”

“Now, two weeks later, you tell me you not only want a refund but also a penalty? Meng Qing, let me tell you right now-there’s no way you’re getting a return.”

She glanced at the people around them. “Don’t think that just because you brought a crowd to make a scene, I’ll give in for the sake of peace. Do you take me, Shen Jingni, for a fool?”

“Then let’s drag this out,” Meng Qing laughed brazenly. “I don’t care. But Miss Shen, if your store stays open with no business for a long time, the losses should add up, right?”

Shen Jingni was so angry she wanted to curse.

She was being clung to like a sucker, treated like an easy mark.

A black Maybach pulled up not far away.

Chang An glanced out the window, then turned to consult Zhao Zonglan in the back seat. “Sir, it looks like Miss Shen is in trouble. Do you need me to go over and handle it?”
Zhao Zonglan instructed the driver to lower the window.

He lit a cigarette, calm and unhurried, his voice low: “No need.”

“She can handle it.”

She was clever enough not to be taken advantage of.

Still, Zhao Zonglan was curious to see how she would deal with this situation.

Chu You ran over, pulling Shen Jingni aside.

“Boss, I’ve got the details. Mr. Meng, Meng Qing’s father, spent over half a month gambling in Macau recently and racked up a mountain of debt. The Meng Family is now just an empty shell.”

“Their biggest creditor is the notorious Third Master Xie, known as ‘the King of Hell.’ I heard his men went to the Meng residence a couple of days ago to collect.”

That explained everything.

So it was all about the debt-they were desperate to pay it off.

Meng Qing really did take her for a pushover.

Shen Jingni stepped into the center of the crowd, her manner relaxed. “I don’t know how much Meng Qing promised you all to get you to work so hard, but I’m guessing you haven’t actually been paid yet, have you?”

From their surprised and uneasy faces, Shen Jingni knew she was right.

“Let me guess again. She probably promised you a share-a percentage of the penalty fee if she managed to get it from me.”

“But everyone, I absolutely won’t give her any refund. You’d better think it over for yourselves, or you’ll end up being used for nothing.”

She sighed, pretending to be regretful. “After all, the Meng Family is bankrupt and owes a mountain of debt.”

“Shen Jingni, what nonsense are you spouting!” Meng Qing snapped. “My family is doing just fine.”

Shen Jingni smiled, her gaze landing on Meng Qing again.

She deliberately raised her voice and asked, feigning concern, “I remember when we had afternoon tea not long ago, you were wearing a beautiful bracelet. Why aren’t you wearing it today? And you’re dressed so plainly-did you pawn everything?”

Meng Qing’s face darkened instantly, and she hid her hands behind her back, clearly feeling guilty.

Obviously, Shen Jingni’s words had hit the mark.

The group surrounded Meng Qing, the leader questioning her, “Meng Qing, is what Shen Jingni said true? We only came because we trusted you.”

“How about this-pay everyone half now, and the rest after you get the refund.”

Meng Qing couldn’t come up with the money at all.

The crowd’s loud demands gave her a headache. She snapped, “Get lost! All of you, just go!”

The leader, realizing he’d been fooled, was furious. But in public, he didn’t dare start a scene. He could only point at her angrily. “Meng Qing, just you wait. This isn’t over.”

The crowd quickly dispersed.

Meng Qing squatted on the ground, her face pale as she looked up at Shen Jingni. “Are you feeling pleased with yourself now?”

“What do I have to be pleased about?” Shen Jingni looked down at her, her tone helpless. “Honestly, Meng Qing, you brought these people here to cause trouble for me. I’m the one who’s innocent in all this.”

Meng Qing slowly stood up, her eyes vacant, tears silently sliding down her cheeks.

“Heh, Shen Jingni, you have no idea how painful it is to fall from the clouds to the bottom. If I weren’t desperate, do you think I’d want this?”

The Meng Family was bankrupt, her father had jumped to his death, her fiancé had kicked her aside, debt collectors kept coming, and she had no skills to rely on. Now, she was struggling just to get by.

Now, she could only fend for herself.

The debt owed to Third Master Xie was enormous, and the only quick ways to get money were by selling her body and soul.

“But even if you got the penalty fee from me, it wouldn’t be nearly enough,” Shen Jingni said. She wasn’t trying to play the saint-she just wanted Meng Qing to accept reality.

Only by accepting it could she find the courage to move forward.

Meng Qing said nothing more, just stared at Shen Jingni for a few seconds.

Then she let out a self-mocking laugh, as if she’d accepted her fate, wiped her face carelessly, and turned to leave.

Watching Meng Qing’s retreating figure, Chu You muttered beside her, “She really is pretty pitiful. With no income at home and so much debt to pay, and she’s just a pampered girl who doesn’t know how to do anything…”

Shen Jingni tapped Chu You on the head, warning her, “Too much sympathy isn’t a good thing.”

Chu You replied softly, “Okay.”

But this incident with Meng Qing was a wake-up call for Shen Jingni.

It made her even more determined to grow her business and make it strong.

She couldn’t rely on her family for everything-after all, no one could predict the future. Only with money and ability could she truly have confidence.

Just then, Chang An walked over.

“Miss Shen, sir is waiting for you in the car.”

Zhao Zonglan?

When did he get here?

Only then did Shen Jingni notice the Maybach parked not far away.

It sat there quietly-who knew how long it had been waiting.