Falling into the Capital's Radiance - Chapter 20

Shen Jingni had never done anything like this before.

Even kissing him before had been her first time.

It had to be said, Zhao Zonglan was a very good teacher, exceptionally patient, and even showed a rare tenderness.

But he took too long.

The rain started up again, pattering against the window frame with a strong, rhythmic beat.

It wasn’t until Shen Jingni’s hand was so tired she could barely lift it, and her slightly swollen lips were suddenly seized in a fierce kiss by him.

His voice was low and hoarse as he coaxed, “Call my name.”

Shen Jingni’s hand trembled, her voice soft and alluring, “Zhao Zonglan.”

With a sexy, muffled groan from the man, the rain gradually subsided, and the dim room returned to silence.

Even the air was damp.

Shen Jingni was so sleepy she couldn’t open her eyes.

She only remembered Zhao Zonglan carrying her to the bathroom and calling someone to change the sheets.

Those hands, which had just been pampered, were carefully washed clean by him, inch by inch, and kissed at her lips.

By the latter half of the night, Shen Jingni’s stomach began to ache.

She woke up uncomfortably from her sleep, wanting to go to the bathroom, only to find Zhao Zonglan holding her tightly.

He seemed to be a light sleeper; as soon as she moved a little, he woke up and leaned over to bite her lips.

Shen Jingni raised her hand to push him away, but because it was so dark and she couldn’t judge her strength, with a smack, her hand landed right on Zhao Zonglan’s face.

Her nails seemed to have scratched his jaw.

Zhao Zonglan narrowed his eyes, grabbed the mischievous hand, and squeezed it hard in punishment, his tone dangerous: “You still have the strength to hit me? Looks like you’re not tired.”

Realizing she had hit Zhao Zonglan, Shen Jingni was instantly wide awake with fright and hurried to explain, “I didn’t mean to.”

But over these days, she had figured out a pattern.

Zhao Zonglan seemed especially tolerant of her; as long as she acted weak and spoiled in time, he wouldn’t do anything to her.

She snuggled closer, leaning into his arms, her voice soft and sweet, “My stomach hurts, and I’m so tired. Carry me to the bathroom, please.”

Zhao Zonglan thought she was getting too bold.

She hit him and still wanted him to serve her?

No one else would dare order him around like this.

But seeing her looking so frail, she was truly pitiful.

Forget it.

Why bother arguing with a child?

That night, neither of them got much rest.

Zhao Zonglan even less so.

She seemed to have been spoiled by her family, not only making all sorts of demands, but also whining for him to rub her stomach.

If he didn’t, she would make a fuss.

When dawn was just breaking, the little troublemaker finally quieted down and fell asleep.

But Zhao Zonglan was no longer sleepy. He withdrew his hand from her lower abdomen, got up, put on his shirt and trousers, and left the bedroom.

Chang An, of course, hadn’t slept either.

In the middle of the night, he had arranged for Miss Shen to have brown sugar water, painkillers, and had someone prepare clean, loose clothing…

Besides, since his own master hadn’t slept, how could he?

When he saw Zhao Zonglan come out, Chang An paused for a moment and stammered, “Sir, your face…”

There was a thin scratch on Zhao Zonglan’s sharply defined jaw.

It was very noticeable.

It was from Shen Jingni’s nails.

Zhao Zonglan raised his hand, the pad of his thumb brushing over the wound on his face, his brows furrowing as he said in a deep voice, “From now on, don’t let anyone give her such long nails.”

Chang An: “…Yes, sir.”

Shen Jingni woke up at ten o’clock.

She didn’t know when Zhao Zonglan had left; when she went downstairs, she only saw Chang An.

“Good morning, Miss Shen.”

“Sir has gone to the group for a meeting. Breakfast is ready for you. Please enjoy. If you need anything, just let me know.”

He had actually left Chang An behind just for her.

Shen Jingni was a little flattered. “You don’t have to worry about me. I’ll just eat something and head back.”

She still had work to do and wouldn’t stay here long.

Chang An smiled but didn’t leave, waiting by her side.

After Shen Jingni finished breakfast, she saw him bring over a brown leather jewelry box.

“Miss Shen, this is a gift from Sir.”

With that, Chang An opened the box.

Inside the exquisite box were about a dozen bracelets.

Jadeite, Hetian jade, diamond-studded… all kinds of materials, all very expensive.

Shen Jingni was stunned.

It wasn’t that she hadn’t seen good things before, but who gives so many bracelets at once?

Chang An thoughtfully explained, “Sir didn’t know what style you liked, so he picked out several.”
“If Miss Shen doesn’t like it, we can always check the storage again…”

“I like them, I like them.”

Shen Jingni hurriedly cut him off.

They’re worth a lot-how could she not like them?

–

When Shen Jingni returned to the Oath of Love flagship store, Chu You rushed over to report: “Boss, we’re signing with Miss Chen at three this afternoon. I’ve already organized the contract.”

“The location is at Jinyue Club. Do you want me to go with you?”

“No need.” Shen Jingni was busy messaging Zhao Zonglan on her phone and didn’t even look up. “I’ll go myself. You stay here and work on the design sketches. This order is yours.”

The deal with Miss Chen had already been settled a while ago, all that was left was for both parties to sign.

This client came from a scholarly family-gentle and reasonable, much easier to talk to than the usual socialites. Chu You should be able to handle it.

“Ah, boss, I… I’m afraid I won’t do well.”

Chu You was never very confident. She was enthusiastic about odd jobs, but as soon as it came to her professional field, she would shrink back immediately.

At this, Shen Jingni finally looked up at her, her expression unusually serious and earnest. “You have a professional background and real skills. Why couldn’t you do well?”

“Or would you rather be my assistant for life and never pick up a paintbrush again?”

Chu You lowered her head, fiddling with her fingers, and said quietly, “Th-then I’ll give it a try.”

Suddenly, she raised her voice and added, “Boss, I’ll do my best.”

The phone on the desk buzzed.

A message had come in.

Shen Jingni smiled. “Then go and do your best. Don’t bother me anymore.”

She unlocked her phone and saw Zhao Zonglan had replied.

Earlier, she’d asked him: [Why did you suddenly give me a bracelet?]

He replied: [Didn’t you say someone else’s bracelet was pretty?]

Someone else?

Shen Jingni suddenly remembered that during her confrontation with Meng Qing, she’d mentioned it in passing-and he had remembered.

He must have thought she was envious of someone else’s beautiful bracelet.

So, like coaxing a child, he bought her several.

Thinking of this, her mood-which had been irritable due to her period-suddenly brightened.

She smiled, the corners of her lips lifting, and sent back a cute kitten emoji.

She also soothed the overbearing man: [The one you gave me is the prettiest.]

–

Jinyue Club was different from Fenghua Palace. Built in an alley in Jing City, it was low-key and hard to find, and usually served business elites.

After Shen Jingni and Miss Chen finished signing the contract, she left the private room.

She saw a few familiar young men pulling a woman.

The girl was wearing the Jinyue Club uniform, struggling and crying out, “I don’t want to go, let me go!”

In fact, most upper-class heirs would not stoop to this kind of thing.

They had money and power-they never lacked for women.

Besides, in Jing City, connections were tangled and complex. You never knew how many eyes were watching. The higher your status, the more cautious you should be.

But there were always a few who crossed the line.

The girl was very pretty. As Shen Jingni approached, she realized she looked familiar.

It was Meng Qing.

Shen Jingni looked away.

Reason told her not to meddle.

It had nothing to do with her.

She turned and walked in the opposite direction.

But behind her, the young men’s voices grew more outrageous, their words filthy and unbearable.

Someone jeered, “Meng Qing, have some fun with us-we’ll pay you well.”

“Heh, I’ve never played with a noble heiress before.”

“Pah, what kind of nobility is she? Always so proud, so fake. I’ve wanted to get my hands on her for a long time.”

“Let’s record it later.”

Meng Qing sobbed desperately, “Please, I’m begging you, let me go, please…”

…

Ignoring her, they dragged her into a private room.

Jinyue Club’s private rooms were very well soundproofed-once the door shut, her cries disappeared at once.

In the end, Shen Jingni couldn’t harden her heart.

At a time like this, no one but her would help Meng Qing.

Shen Jingni knew exactly what those men were like-five or six of them, wild and filthy in their play.

If she didn’t help, Meng Qing’s life would be ruined.

Shen Jingni took a deep breath and turned to walk toward that private room.

Those men probably wouldn’t dare lay a hand on her.

She could just treat it as doing a good deed for the day.”