Falling into the Capital's Radiance - Chapter 19

Shen Jingni has had a weak stomach since childhood.

Though she said she was hungry, after sipping some soup and picking at a few dishes, she put down her chopsticks.

The doctor had advised her to “eat small meals frequently.”

Bored, she stared at her phone, occasionally sneaking glances at Zhao Zonglan.

He truly was the favored son of an aristocratic family-every gesture exuded refinement, his posture was dignified and composed, yet he carried an effortless ease that made people comfortable.

This was also why, even though it was her first time dining with him, Shen Jingni didn’t feel constrained at all.

However, Zhao Zonglan didn’t seem particularly interested in the dishes on the table.

He was probably used to not revealing his preferences easily.

He only tasted a little, as if completing a task.

Noticing her gaze, Zhao Zonglan looked up, and their eyes met unexpectedly.

A sudden warmth crept behind Shen Jingni’s ears.

She quickly lowered her head, a bit flustered, and took a sip of soup, then tried to change the subject: “You saw how I handled those people today, didn’t you?”

“Mm.”

“Didn’t I do a great job?”

After all, Shen Jingni was still a young woman not long out of university.

Her family didn’t support her entrepreneurship, and the elders had never given her any affirmation.

So, she wanted to hear Zhao Zonglan’s opinion. If someone as influential as him could praise her, that would be even better.

Zhao Zonglan put down his chopsticks, leaned back lazily in his chair, but didn’t rush to comment. Instead, he said unhurriedly, “Those people left after a few words from you because your opponent today was too foolish and couldn’t keep her composure.”

“If it had been someone else, the outcome might have been different.”

The smile on Shen Jingni’s face gradually faded.

Come on, she just wanted a compliment, but he really started analyzing.

Though, what he said was true.

Meng Qing, that inexperienced heiress, definitely couldn’t handle the situation-Shen Jingni had taken advantage of that.

But Shen Jingni was unconvinced: “Don’t look down on me. No matter who it is, I’ll always find a way to handle it.”

Zhao Zonglan raised his brows slightly.

Though childish, this confidence was rare.

He took the cigarette Chang An handed him, holding it loosely between his fingers. “If those people hadn’t left, what would you have done?”

Shen Jingni frowned, thinking for a moment. “Then I’d just give them some money to send them away. The ringleader left behind wouldn’t be able to stir up much trouble either.”

That was the quickest solution.

Click-Chang An flicked the lighter, lighting Zhao Zonglan’s cigarette.

“That’s all the backbone you have?”

He let out a soft chuckle, holding the cigarette between his lips, then slowly exhaled a smoke ring. His Adam’s apple moved slightly-restrained yet sensual.

Shen Jingni’s ears grew even hotter at the sight.

“Then what do you suggest?”

She knew these little tricks weren’t enough in front of him.

“Shen Jingni.” He suddenly called her name, his voice low and tinged with a sexy rasp.

“When dealing with this kind of scoundrel, there’s no need to waste words or time.”

It seemed he was genuinely teaching her.

“If the other side resorts to violence, you need to learn to fight violence with violence, and use their strength against them.”

“Fight violence with violence?” Shen Jingni blinked in confusion. “That’s easy to cross the line.”

She was a law-abiding citizen, just wanting to do business honestly.

“We don’t do anything illegal or against the rules.”

Zhao Zonglan’s hand holding the cigarette paused, clearly not expecting her to say that.

For the first time in his life, he patiently tried to teach someone. “People in debt are usually at the end of their rope, irrational, but they’re also afraid of someone-for example, their creditor.”

“But I don’t even know Third Master Xie. Using his name… doesn’t seem right.”

Shen Jingni didn’t even dare imagine it. That was the living King of Hell in Jing City, someone who straddled both the legal and the underworld.

Might as well just pay them off.

Zhao Zonglan hadn’t paid much attention to today’s farce, so he hadn’t had anyone look into it.

Meng Qing’s creditor was Xie Chengsui?

It seemed Third Master Xie had grown quite ambitious in the past two years-he probably had a lot of people in Macau now.

“It’s indeed not appropriate.” Zhao Zonglan’s people would never need to borrow someone else’s name.

Zhao Zonglan flicked the ash from his cigarette, his gaze calm as he looked at her. “So, in the future, if you run into this kind of thing, you need to learn to call me and use my influence.”

This was the only business lesson he wanted to teach her tonight.

In any industry, having backing and connections is the only way to move forward smoothly.

Shen Jingni was stunned.

She couldn’t understand why Zhao Zonglan was so good to her.

Even her own family didn’t support her, yet he was willing to be her support.

Could it be that this man really saw her as some kind of stand-in for his white moonlight?

Whatever-she’d use it first and think later.

Shen Jingni’s lips curved into a beautiful, radiant smile. “So you mean I can throw my weight around now?”

Zhao Zonglan: “If you want to, you can.”
His gaze was locked on her, his dark pupils unfathomable like the endless night. “But you have to behave.”

–

Night had fallen deep, and the rain showed no sign of stopping.

Zhao Zonglan had no intention of letting her leave.

The journey home was too long, and with the rain pouring down, Shen Jingni didn’t feel like making the trip. It was only natural for her to stay over.

But Chang An didn’t arrange a guest room for her; instead, he led her to the master bedroom.

“Sir is in a meeting. Miss Shen, you may rest first. Toiletries and clothes are all in the room. Please make yourself comfortable.”

Between adults, much goes unsaid but is understood.

Zhao Zonglan was so handsome, and his figure seemed excellent too. Even if something happened, it felt like she would be the one taking advantage.

She saw no reason to be coy.

The master bedroom was decorated entirely in cool tones. Deep gray curtains covered the floor-to-ceiling windows, and the furnishings were extremely simple.

Shen Jingni wasn’t quite used to this style.

She went to the bathroom, took a shower, put on a bathrobe and fluffy slippers. As soon as she stepped out, she sensed something was off.

A very familiar feeling.

Shen Jingni hurried back into the bathroom, and sure enough, her period had arrived.

She’d been staying up late too much lately, so her cycle was irregular.

She was on the verge of tears, feeling a bit embarrassed.

But more than that, she felt regret.

Now she could see but not have.

After finishing his meeting, Zhao Zonglan returned to the bedroom but didn’t see Shen Jingni.

He stepped toward the bathroom, but just then, the door to the adjacent bathroom opened a crack.

Shen Jingni stood there with a droopy face, looking pitiful. “Zhao Zonglan, my period just started. I might need to trouble you to get me some supplies.”

Zhao Zonglan simply looked at her, saying nothing.

It seemed he was trying to read something from her eyes.

But they remained pure and clear.

Thinking he didn’t understand, Shen Jingni explained more bluntly, “It’s my period. I need some sanitary products.”

“Okay.”

Zhao Zonglan called Chang An.

Soon, a maid brought the necessary items.

When Shen Jingni came out of the bathroom, Zhao Zonglan was in the bathroom taking a shower.

She lay on the bed, played with her phone for a while, and as she listened to the sound of running water, her phone suddenly felt very boring.

What wasn’t boring?

For example: broad shoulders, a narrow waist, abs, long legs…

Hehehe, just thinking about it made her happy.

When Zhao Zonglan came out of the bathroom, he saw her grinning foolishly. He frowned slightly. “You’re very happy?”

Hearing his voice, Shen Jingni immediately stopped smiling, her gaze falling on him.

He was wearing a black bathrobe, the belt tied casually, revealing his fair chest. Lower down, the lines of his abdominal muscles faded beneath the robe. His hair was still wet, and he exuded a lazy yet wild aura.

Shen Jingni had always been all talk; she’d never had anything this good in real life.

A subtle heat crept up her ears. She looked away and answered honestly, “I’m not happy at all.”

Zhao Zonglan sensed her low spirits, assuming it was due to hormonal changes from her period, so he didn’t press further.

He turned off the lights, and the room fell into darkness.

Shen Jingni felt the mattress sink distinctly on the other side, and the clean, woody incense gradually surrounded her.

Her eyelashes trembled as she edged farther away.

But Zhao Zonglan suddenly wrapped his arm around her waist.

Holding her tightly.

Her forehead pressed against his solid chest, enveloped in his arms, she felt at a complete loss.

All around was his unique masculine scent. Her heart fluttered, and even her breath quickened.

Suddenly sensing something, Shen Jingni’s eyes flew open in fright as she tried to pull away.

“Don’t, don’t hold me so tight.”

In the dim room, the light was faint, and her voice was soft and sweet.

But Zhao Zonglan only pulled her closer.

That strong hand pressed on her waist, his voice low and husky: “Be good.”

She was too delicate.

He was afraid of hurting her.

The man’s kisses fell on her full lips, chaotic and unruly, invading fiercely, brushing lightly against her soft tongue, then retreating abruptly just as she began to taste the sweetness.

Shen Jingni felt a bit miserable, like a fish dying of thirst, wanting to struggle but trapped, unable to move.

“Zhao Zonglan, it’s not a good time for me, you…”

She whimpered in protest, her red lips parted, her pleading voice exceptionally enticing.

“Don’t move.”

In contrast to her panic, he was clearly much more composed, always calm and in control.

Zhao Zonglan kissed the hollow of her neck. After a moment, he took her beautiful, soft hands, stroking them slowly, infinitely tender.

His intent was obvious.

“I-I won’t.”

Shen Jingni’s cheeks burned, and she shook her head in embarrassment, struggling even harder.

He pressed close to her ear, his breath slightly ragged, his voice deep and seductive. “Be good, I’ll teach you.”