Falling into the Capital's Radiance - Chapter 27

Chapter 27

Shen Jingni had originally intended to endure it. After all, in this mountain villa, no one would coddle or look after her like her father and mother did.

She didn’t want to trouble anyone else either.

But after waking up in the morning, her stomach had been aching persistently. She had Chu You find some stomach medicine for her, but after taking it, it didn’t seem to help much.

It was likely because she had eaten too many skewers and drank alcohol the night before.

On top of that, she hadn’t been eating her medicinal meals recently, and her diet had been irregular.

With no other choice, she had to call Zhao Zonglan.

Zhao Zonglan arrived with a doctor in tow.

After explaining her symptoms and medical history, the doctor prescribed her some more medication and instructed her to maintain a light diet focusing on easily digestible foods, keep a regular schedule, and eat small, frequent meals…

Shen Jingni had been hearing these medical instructions since she was a child. She didn’t want to listen, so she curled up in Zhao Zonglan’s arms and let out a lazy yawn.

Unexpectedly, the soft flesh of her cheek was pinched by him.

“Listen carefully.”

His voice was deep and a bit stern.

Shen Jingni pursed her lips in dissatisfaction and whimpered, “I’m in pain and sleepy, I won’t remember~”

Although Zhao Zonglan knew she was playing tricks, he let her be.

He simply pinched her cheek again as a form of punishment.

Shen Jingni’s sudden stomach ache had given Chu You a real fright.

If President Shen found out, she would be fired!

In hopes of getting Shen Jingni to recover sooner, Chu You pulled Chang An aside. “Our boss’s stomach is usually maintained with medicinal meals. Can we find an old Chinese medicine practitioner to take a look?”

Hearing this, Shen Jingni shot her a glare.

Who wanted to see a Chinese medicine doctor? That medicine was bitter as death.

Chu You shrank back sheepishly, not daring to speak further.

Zhao Zonglan, however, didn’t indulge her.

He had Chang An call for the Chinese medicine practitioner Song Yanting had found.

The silver-haired old doctor was a man of few words. After the traditional four steps of diagnosis-observation, listening, questioning, and pulse-taking-he began writing a prescription.

As he wrote, he spoke in a very serious tone, “This young lady has a deficiency in her spleen and a weak constitution from birth. This is a chronic issue she’s had since childhood; she needs long-term nourishment and must not stop her medication recklessly.”

Having finished, he turned his head to look at Shen Jingni, his eyes sharp and bright. “Do you remember?”

“Oh.”

Shen Jingni gave a rare, obedient response.

She felt guilty.

She really hadn’t been taking her medicine properly lately.

Like a misbehaving student caught by the dean, she didn’t dare to act out anymore.

A faint smile flickered in the depths of Zhao Zonglan’s eyes.

The person in his arms was quite cute when she was being obedient.

After taking the medicine, Shen Jingni’s stomach pain gradually subsided.

During this time, Song Yanting sent over some wild crucian carp soup, saying it had several Chinese herbs added to nourish and warm the stomach.

She truly had no appetite, so she let Chu You drink it all.

Zhao Zonglan leaned against the headboard, reviewing documents while staying with her. He thought the little thing would settle down and sleep obediently, but she seemed to have found her energy and pestered him with questions.

And they were all about other people.

“You didn’t answer me properly last night. How did Sister Wen get into a car accident?”

Shen Jingni lay on the bed, playing with his hand. “And also, she and Mr. Song aren’t young anymore, so why aren’t they married yet?”

A string of questions made Zhao Zonglan feel a bit annoyed.

His brows knit slightly as he moved his gaze from the computer screen, casting a cold look at her. “Are you very concerned about them?”

Shen Jingni didn’t know why he was angry again.

He really was a moody tyrant.

“No.”

She lowered her eyes and simply shut her mouth, though her hands weren’t still as she reached out to touch the ring on his hand.

This man’s hands were exceptionally beautiful.

His fingers were long, the joints well-defined and symmetrical, and the veins on the back of his hand wound like rivers, exuding an indescribable sexiness.

The ring was worn on the index finger of his right hand.

It was a low-profile, wide silver band set with a dark green jadeite. The color was deep and calm, clearly showing it had some years behind it.

Looking closely, there seemed to be text engraved on both the inside and outside of the band. It looked like Sanskrit from Buddhism, which she couldn’t understand.

Shen Jingni couldn’t help but ask curiously, “What are these characters?”

Her eyes were full of innocence and confusion.

She had only ever seen rings engraved with a partner’s name.

She had never seen this kind of script before.

With an indifferent expression, Zhao Zonglan set the laptop aside on the nightstand. His powerful hand wrapped around her waist, and his voice was heavy. “Sleep.”

Shen Jingni didn’t want to take a nap at all.

But there was no choice; the tyrant was too forceful, leaving no room for negotiation.

She could only lie down with a pitiful expression.

Fine.

If she could sleep while touching his abs, it wasn’t entirely unacceptable.

With that thought, Shen Jingni’s hand began its secret “mischief” again.

To satisfy her own selfish desires, she even acted spoiled in a soft voice, “Then you have to sleep with me.”
“Mm.”

Zhao Zonglan caught her wandering hand and held it firmly in his.

Heh, that wasn’t enough to stop Shen Jingni.

If she couldn’t touch him, she’d just use him as a pillow.

She struggled to shift her body and change her position, resting her head on him and closing her eyes in satisfaction.

Sensing that Zhao Zonglan wanted to correct her sleeping posture, she puffed out her cheeks and acted like a brat. “Mm, don’t move, or I won’t be able to sleep.”

Zhao Zonglan sighed silently. Considering she was currently a sickly little thing, he let her have her way.

But she was a talker even when she was trying to sleep.

“Zhao Zonglan, today is Christmas Eve. You have to prepare a gift for your girlfriend.”

“I really hope that when I wake up tomorrow morning, the room will be piled high with gifts.”

“No, I can’t sleep until tomorrow morning. I promised Song Yu and the others we’d play together tonight.”

“Zhao Zonglan, I want to see Santa Claus.”

…

Her little mouth kept rattling on like she was making wishes.

Zhao Zonglan was thoroughly exasperated into a laugh.

–

Indeed, today was Christmas Eve.

Zhao Zonglan stayed with Shen Jingni while she slept for a while, then went out after receiving a phone call.

The guests invited by Song Yanting had all arrived, and the Hot Spring Villa was exceptionally lively today.

In the evening, Wen Shuyi and Song Yu went to check on Shen Jingni, but since she was still asleep, they didn’t disturb her.

Tonight was an outdoor party at the Moon-Viewing Terrace.

The Moon-Viewing Terrace was located at the highest point on the west side of the villa. Originally intended for stargazing and enjoying the night view, it was also a great spot for couples to go on dates.

After renovations, an outdoor cocktail bar and an open-air barbecue area had been added. Lights were specially arranged for tonight, and a band had been brought in to liven things up.

Xie Chengsui brought a female companion.

This companion of his had delicate features. She wore a black bodycon skirt under a camel-colored coat, showing off her curvaceous figure as she huddled daintily in Xie Chengsui’s arms for warmth.

Xie Chengsui was never stingy with such sensible companions.

He gave them whatever they deserved.

While the two were acting all lovey-dovey, Zhao Yueling arrived arm-in-arm with a 195cm tall handsome guy. She teased with a smile, “Third Cousin, you have a sharp eye. The people around you have better and better figures; I’m starting to get jealous.”

Xie Chengsui raised a brow nonchalantly. “Your taste, however, is quite average.”

The one Zhao Yueling brought along wasn’t much to look at, other than being tall.

At the very least, he was unremarkable when thrown into this crowd.

She’d really fallen off.

“You don’t understand.”

Instead of getting angry, Zhao Yueling smiled meaningfully. “His merits can only be known through personal experience.”

With that, Xie Chengsui understood.

Once the two had left, the companion in his arms pulled his hand and asked, “You understood?”

Her tone was puzzled, though it was unclear if she was faking it or truly didn’t understand.

Xie Chengsui patted her face. Although he was smiling, the warmth didn’t reach his eyes. “Babe, I don’t like it when people pretend to be innocent.”

His women were either pure or provocative.

Faking it was boring.

The companion reacted quickly enough and was smart too. She immediately wrapped her arms around his waist and acted spoiled. “I just wanted to tease you a bit.”

Then she stood on her tiptoes and breathed into his ear like an orchid, “Your merits are also very, very good.”

Xie Chengsui took a drag of his cigarette, leaned down, and whispered something back into her ear with a rakish smile.

Rong Zaiyi had finally managed to wait for Zhao Zonglan.

He had still come alone, without bringing that Miss Shen.

For some reason, she felt a sense of relief.

This was a gathering among friends.

Not bringing her meant she was still just an outsider, not even considered a female companion.

She picked up her wine glass and walked over to strike up a conversation with Zhao Zonglan.

“I went to see the Old Madam before I came. Her illness has improved quite a bit.”

Rong Zaiyi looked at the noble and indifferent man before her. She smiled gently and elegantly, gathering the courage to take a step closer to him.

“She even invited me to go to Fuzesi Temple to offer incense in a few days. I wonder if you…”

Before she could finish, she was interrupted by a sweet, soft female voice.

“Zhao Zonglan.”

A slender figure stood not far away, smiling brightly and unrestrainedly.

Rong Zaiyi heard Xie Chengsui and the others calling her ‘Sister-in-law.’

And Zhao Zonglan, who had been standing beside her, was already striding toward that girl.

Once again, she watched his retreating back, the smile on her face freezing in the cold night.

It wasn’t that Rong Zaiyi hadn’t seen Zhao Zonglan’s back before.

On the contrary, she had seen it many times.

In the past, it hadn’t mattered, because he was a presence meant to be admired from afar.

But it was different now.

It seemed he finally had someone he cared about.