Falling into the Capital's Radiance - Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Jinyue Club placed a high priority on the privacy of its guests.

Each private booth was equipped with independent heating and ventilation systems. The soundproof walls blocked out the noise from outside while maintaining a constant temperature indoors.

The hallway, however, was a different story.

As a transitional space, it had no heating installed to reduce energy consumption.

Shen Jingni had given her coat to Meng Qing. Now, wearing only a thin cashmere sweater and an ankle-length skirt, she felt the chill as she stood in the corridor.

When Zhao Zonglan arrived, he saw her with her hands tucked into her sweater sleeves, staring blankly at the dark stone-patterned wall, lost in thought.

Hearing footsteps, Shen Jingni glanced sideways. A spark of light flickered in her eyes. “Why are you here?”

Almost instinctively, she threw herself into his arms, her voice sounding like a spoiled child’s. “Mm, it’s a bit cold.”

He was very warm.

He also carried a pleasant scent that enveloped her almost the moment she drew near.

Shen Jingni snuggled into his chest, her hands moving restlessly and boldly around his waist.

Zhao Zonglan was not in a good mood.

With a dark expression, he grabbed her mischievous hands. His eyes darkened further when he saw the red marks on her wrists.

“Shen Jingni, is it that hard to call me?”

“So you found out.” She withdrew from his embrace and lowered her head, feeling inexplicably guilty. “Those people didn’t actually do anything to me.”

“I didn’t want to trouble you with such a small matter.”

A minor scuffle like this really didn’t require Zhao Zonglan’s intervention.

She was capable of ensuring her own safety.

Zhao Zonglan’s brow furrowed slightly, and his grip on her hands tightened.

Shen Jingni let out a soft whimper of pain. Her eyes shimmered like ripples on water as she said petulantly, “Let go.”

She couldn’t understand why Zhao Zonglan had come, nor why he was angry.

But at a time like this, a smart person wouldn’t go against a capitalist.

Seeing him unmoved, she put on a look as if she were about to burst into tears, gazing at him with watery eyes. “Zhao Zonglan, it hurts.”

“It’s freezing out here, and my stomach hurts too.”

She was still on her period. It was the perfect time to show weakness and act cute to trick him into softening his heart.

A few seconds later, the man pulled her into his arms with a grim face.

Zhao Zonglan lowered his head to take her soft earlobe into his mouth, giving it a gentle bite.

His voice was low and cold. “If there’s a next time, I really will lock you up.”

She would be well-behaved if she were locked up.

Shen Jingni froze for a moment in fear.

Just because she hadn’t called him?

This seemed like a massive overreaction.

No matter how much cleverness she possessed, she had to bow before absolute capital and power.

Shen Jingni couldn’t read Zhao Zonglan, so she could only play along. “There won’t be a next time. Don’t be so mean.”

“I didn’t sleep well last night, and you don’t even feel bad for me.”

Zhao Zonglan almost laughed out of anger.

She was the one acting aggrieved now.

He rested his large palm on the top of her head and rubbed it.

It was like he was soothing a temperamental kitten.

Shen Jingni’s red lips curved upward slightly.

She took his warmth for granted and asked the question weighing on her mind: “Do you know that Third Master Xie?”

Why had Xie Chengsui helped her?

Shen Jingni had stood there thinking about it for a long time without reaching a conclusion.

When she saw Zhao Zonglan, she had more or less guessed it.

It was very likely that Third Master Xie had intervened for Zhao Zonglan’s sake.

However, very few people knew about her relationship with Zhao Zonglan yet.

So, she wasn’t entirely sure.

Zhao Zonglan maintained his indifferent expression. He took off his overcoat and wrapped it firmly around her petite frame.

“Yes. Today isn’t convenient, but I’ll take you to meet them another day.”

He said… them?

Was he going to introduce her to his friends?

Shen Jingni didn’t have the energy to dwell on that now, though.

She glanced down at the men’s black overcoat she was wearing. It was long and oversized; while it certainly warded off the cold, it looked rather ridiculous on her.
She looked like a child who had secretly put on an adult’s clothes.

“I don’t want to wear this.”

“It’s ugly.”

Shen Jingni was born with a love for beauty. No matter where she was, she insisted on looking gorgeous; it was a fairy’s obsession.

Zhao Zonglan shot her a cold look.

She immediately fell silent.

Obediently clutching the edges of the jacket, she lowered her eyes and played the part of the submissive girl.

Fine, even a fairy could compromise every now and then.

–

Inside the lounge.

Xie Chengsui saw Zhao Zonglan and recounted what had just happened once more.

“That little kitten of yours is quite kind-hearted, and she’s got guts, too.”

Zhao Zonglan unbuttoned his suit jacket with one hand and sat on the sofa across from him, raising a hand to signal Chang An to bring him a cigarette.

Seeing that he remained silent, Xie Chengsui continued, “Fortunately, she wasn’t hurt. I’ve had those punks detained.”

Third Master Xie had nothing but contempt for those Capital City scions who tried to force themselves on women.

“What era is this? Still playing those kinds of games? They must be damn bored.”

Zhao Zonglan held the cigarette between his teeth and flicked his gaze up, his voice very flat. “Where are they?”

Xie Chengsui replied, “The first basement level.”

The B1 level of Jinyue Club was specifically used for ‘handling business.’

The kind of business that couldn’t be brought into the light of day.

Zhao Zonglan’s expression was cold as he leaned lazily against the back of the sofa, tilting his chin up slightly as he exhaled a ring of smoke.

His Adam’s apple shifted as he spoke with indifferent cruelty. “Chang An, the one who touched her-ruin his hand.”

“Yes, sir.”

Xie Chengsui had always navigated both the light and dark sides of the law, having survived several brushes with death in a hail of bullets. He was ruthless in his dealings, which was why people called him the Living Yama of the Capital City.

But compared to Zhao Zonglan, there were times when he seemed quite merciful.

This was the first time Xie Chengsui had seen Fifth Brother care so much about a woman.

He personally poured a cup of tea and handed it to Zhao Zonglan. “Guanglin said Miss Shen wanted to see me. Since you hadn’t given the word, I didn’t dare go see her on a whim. Besides, I didn’t have a meeting gift prepared today, and I was afraid of slighting your person.”

There was a hint of flattery and respect in his words.

Zhao Zonglan let out a cold sneer, his gaze sharp. “So you just let her freeze in the hallway?”

Xie Chengsui’s expression shifted slightly. “No, I…”

He was momentarily at a loss for words, the smile vanishing from his face. He kicked Guanglin, who was standing nearby. “How do you handle things?”

Since the task hadn’t been handled well, Guanglin could only take the blow.

He bowed his head. “My apologies, Mr. Zhao. It was my oversight.”

Zhao Zonglan didn’t speak, but Xie Chengsui spoke up coldly, “Get out and go take your punishment.”

In these great families, there were too many people to manage easily, so they each had their own sets of rules and discipline.

Guanglin replied, “Yes.”

Zhao Zonglan’s eyes were cool as he took a drag of his cigarette. “Forget it. Don’t let it happen again.”

Guanglin froze for a second, then nodded slightly. “Thank you, Mr. Zhao.”

Xie Chengsui knew Fifth Brother was giving him face.

He sat down on the sofa next to Zhao Zonglan and lit a cigar, a cynical smile playing on his lips. “How about this? I’ll treat you and Miss Shen to dinner tonight?”

Zhao Zonglan didn’t respond.

He flicked the ash from his cigarette, his eyes dark as ink. He asked calmly, “Who did Song Yanting invite to the Hot Spring Villa?”

Xie Chengsui didn’t understand why Zhao Zonglan was suddenly asking this.

He frowned and thought for a moment. “Just our usual families. Rong Heng took on a big project in cooperation with the higher-ups; the official documents were issued a long time ago, so he might not have time, but someone from the Rong Family will definitely go.”

On the surface, it was a vacation, but in reality, they were eyeing the tourism industry in that area.

“Also, Song Yanting’s girlfriend’s family.”

Having received his answer, Zhao Zonglan stubbed out his cigarette and stood up. “Invite a few more of our acquaintances.”

“Huh?” Xie Chengsui didn’t quite understand his intention.

What… what did this mean?

Wait!

Was Fifth Brother planning to… go public?

This soon?!